Calif. approves $50 million to protect policies against Trump, defend migrants

• California’s Democratic-led legislation approved $50 million for lawsuits. The suits include actions against President Donald Trump and immigration aid.
• The bills come after Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session.
• California Republican lawmakers said the plan took away from dealing with the state’s wildfires and high cost of living.

California lawmakers approved a $50 million bill package Monday, Feb. 3 that includes funding to defend the state’s policies against the Trump administration. The deal comes two months after Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special session following President Donald Trump’s election in an effort to, what he called, “Trump-proof” the state. 

The Democratic-led legislation plans to set aside $25 million for the State Department of Justice to fight legal battles with Trump over California’s progressive policies on the environment, abortion access, and LGBTQ+ protections.

The other $25 million would go towards legal groups to defend immigrants facing possible deportation.

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What are California’s Democratic lawmakers saying?

California’s Democratic assembly speaker Robert Rivas said before the Monday, Feb. 3, that Trump’s administration is a threat to constitutional rights.

“Californians are being threatened by an out-of-control administration in Washington that doesn’t care about the constitution, that thinks there are no limits to its path.” Rivas said. “We do not trust President Donald Trump.”

What are California Republican lawmakers saying?

California’s Republican leader James Gallagher called the plan a political stunt that took away time from dealing with the state’s wildfires and the high cost of living. 

“Note to CA Dem legislators: authorizing 25 million dollars of our taxpayer money to pay lawyers to sue Donald Trump is not tackling affordability and it does nothing to protect us from wildfire. Priorities,” Gallagher posted on X.

Note to CA Dem legislators: authorizing $25 million of our taxpayer money to pay lawyers to sue Donald Trump is not tackling affordability and it does nothing to protect us from wildfire. Priorities.

— James Gallagher (@J_GallagherAD3) February 4, 2025

Newsom expanded the special session last month to also pass fire-relief funding, but Republicans argued the funding was premature, noting the proposals were revealed before Trump returned to office.

Monday’s so-called “Trump-proof” bills now go to Gov. Newsom for his signature.