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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a $50 million legislative package aimed at countering the policies of President Donald Trump’s administration, marking a significant move in his ongoing political battle against the White House.
Dubbed the “Trump-proofing” package, the legislation was designed to bolster legal services and fund legal battles against federal policies that Newsom and state lawmakers believe could harm California residents.
Newsom proposed the package shortly after Trump’s election, urging Democratic lawmakers to pass the bill to safeguard civil rights protections, environmental policies, and immigration assistance efforts in the state.
The California Senate and Assembly approved the legislation, which allocates millions to legal services and the state’s Department of Justice.
At the signing ceremony, Newsom defended the necessity of the measure, emphasizing that the funding would be directed toward protecting vulnerable communities.
“This bill strengthens funding for legal services programs that are crucial to defending the civil rights of California’s most vulnerable residents, including people with disabilities, homeless youth, victims of human trafficking and wage theft, people facing unlawful evictions, immigrants, and more,” Newsom stated.
He further clarified that while a portion of the funding is designated for legal aid to undocumented immigrants, it will not be used for individuals convicted of serious or violent crimes.
“None of the funding in this bill is intended to be used for immigration-related legal services for noncitizens convicted of serious or violent felonies,” Newsom noted in his signing statement.
Under the package, $25 million is allocated to the California Department of Justice to pursue lawsuits against Trump’s federal policies, focusing on areas such as environmental protection, immigration enforcement, and workers’ rights.
Another $25 million is directed toward legal aid groups to assist undocumented immigrants facing potential deportation.
Newsom’s opposition to Trump’s policies is well-documented. During Trump’s first term, the governor spearheaded hundreds of lawsuits against the federal government, challenging regulations that he argued threatened California’s progress on climate initiatives, labor protections, and healthcare.
While Newsom remains a staunch opponent of many of Trump’s policies, he has also found common ground with the president in specific areas, such as disaster relief efforts. In recent months, Newsom has worked alongside Trump’s administration to secure federal aid for California communities devastated by wildfires.
In late January, Trump visited California to assess wildfire damage and met with Newsom to discuss federal assistance.
The governor later traveled to Washington, D.C., in early February for additional discussions with the president, reinforcing their temporary collaboration on disaster recovery efforts.
“We’re working across the aisle, as we always have, to ensure survivors have the resources and support they need,” Newsom said in a statement on Wednesday. “Thank you, President Trump, for coming to our communities to see this firsthand and meeting with me today to continue our joint efforts to support people impacted.”
Despite this cooperation, tensions between the two leaders remain high. When Newsom initially announced his special legislative session in November to push the Trump-proofing package, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to denounce the move.
“He is using the term ‘Trump-Proof’ as a way of stopping all of the GREAT things that can be done to ‘Make California Great Again,’ but I just overwhelmingly won the election,” Trump wrote.
The bill’s passage underscores the ongoing ideological battle between Newsom’s California and Trump’s federal government. Newsom, a vocal advocate of progressive policies, has frequently clashed with the Trump administration on issues such as climate change, immigration, and healthcare.
His efforts to “Trump-proof” the state signal his intention to shield California from federal rollbacks and maintain the state’s trajectory despite changes in Washington.
As California braces for continued policy conflicts with the White House, Newsom’s legislation is expected to serve as a legal and financial buffer against federal interventions.
The package provides state officials and advocacy groups with additional resources to challenge Trump’s agenda, ensuring California’s policies remain in place despite the shifting political landscape.
With legal battles looming and political tensions escalating, the $50 million Trump-proofing package represents both a preemptive strike and a defensive measure.
Whether it will effectively shield California from federal mandates remains to be seen, but it cements Newsom’s position as one of Trump’s most vocal adversaries.
