Two days after former President Trump won re-election, California Governor Gavin Newsom called an emergency special legislative session the first week of December to fight the Trump agenda. The goal of the special session, he says, is “to safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.”
Safeguarding California’s position as a sanctuary state appears to be part of Governor Newsom’s focus for the special session. The Governor’s proclamation also suggests that the state will fight attempts to end DACA and reinstate immigration policies that “lead to family separations.”
Governor Newsom’s strategy, at least in part, is to take the Trump administration to court. His announcement asks California legislators to approve more money for California’s Department of Justice “to pursue robust affirmative litigation against any unlawful actions by the incoming Trump Administration, as well as defend against federal lawsuits aimed at undermining California’s laws and policies.”
In calling for a special session, Newsom said, “The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle. California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
In response, President-elect Trump admonished the Governor’s policies and his intention to “Trump-proof” the state against his next administration.
California’s Attorney General has also been gearing up for a fight. State Attorney General Rob Bonta told the Associated Press that his office has been working with Democratic attorneys general in anticipation of Trump being elected. He said, “We rejected him. We rejected his values. We rejected his agenda.” He went on to say, “We’ve been through this before, and we stand ready to defend your rights and protect California values.”
Nonprofits are also gearing up to take on the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. According to CalMatters, the California Immigrant Policy Center (CIPC) has already led 15 scenario-planning exercises in partnership with other organizations to prepare for Trump’s new immigration policies. “We know that the Trump administration is going to target California. They’ve been targeting California throughout this election cycle,” Masih Fouladi, Executive Director of CIPC, said. “We need to do a lot in California to make sure that we are defending, protecting our communities.”
Some have speculated that Governor Newsom’s immediate call to arms is an indication he plans to run for President in 2028. As Newsweek stated, “Trump’s victory in Tuesday’s election means Newsom, a Democrat who may have ambitions on the national stage, is once again poised to be a leading figure in his party’s resistance campaign against Trump’s presidential agenda.” It’s not certain, however, that Gavin Newsom is faithfully representing the will of his constituents. While Kamala Harris won the State of California on Election Day, Trump received nearly 4.8 million votes, up from about 34.3% to 38.6%.
California’s special legislative session will convene December 2.
