California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom requested state lawmakers Monday for a further $25 million in funding to cowl the price of authorized battles he expects to have with President-elect Donald Trump.
Newsom, 57, convened an emergency particular session of the California Legislature to make the finances request, which the governor’s workplace claims will “safeguard essential funding for catastrophe reduction, well being care packages, and different important providers” throughout Trump’s second time period.
“We are going to work with the incoming administration and we would like President Trump to achieve serving all People,” Newsom mentioned in a press release. “However when there’s overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are focused, we’ll take motion.
“And that’s precisely what this particular session is about — setting this state up for fulfillment, no matter who’s within the White Home,” he added.
If accepted, the additional funding would go to a brand new litigation fund for the California Division of Justice (DOJ) and state businesses that goals to “defend California from unconstitutional federal overreach, problem unlawful federal actions in courtroom, and take administrative actions to cut back potential hurt.”
“With doubtlessly billions of {dollars} in federal funding on the road if the President-elect follows via on his guarantees, we have to be — and we’re — able to act on day one,” California Legal professional Common Rob Bonta mentioned in a press release.
The Golden State spent $42 million in taxpayer funds supporting litigation in opposition to Trump, 78, throughout his first time period within the Oval Workplace, in line with the governor’s workplace.
The California DOJ filed 122 lawsuits in opposition to the Trump administration between 2017 and 2021.
Newsom’s workplace claims its profitable lawsuits throughout Trump’s first time period generated billions of {dollars} in financial savings for Californians.
The governor expects the particular finances laws to be signed into legislation earlier than the president-elect’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
California Meeting Republican Chief James Gallagher slammed Newsom’s push to prep the state for authorized fights with Trump.
“Gavin Newsom, nevertheless, has totally different priorities. His is to spend extra of your taxpayer {dollars} on authorities attorneys to sue Donald Trump earlier than he’s even sworn into workplace,” he mentioned.
Republican Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez equally described Newsom’s effort as a “waste” of taxpayer cash.
“Newsom desires to waste thousands and thousands of taxpayer {dollars} preventing President Trump’s efforts to safe our border and improve authorities effectivity,” she wrote on X.
California Senate Minority Chief Brian Jones mentioned the particular session was “pointless” and he reminded lawmakers that they have been “not elected to do Lame Duck Governor Newsom’s bidding.”
“Nor have been we elected to assist Newsom elevate his identify ID for a future presidential run,” Jones wrote on X.
