California’s Democratic Party, in collaboration with Governor Gavin Newsom, has agreed to allocate $50 million to fortify the state’s litigation fund and support local nonprofits and immigration centers. This move comes in anticipation of potential legal challenges and mass deportations under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, expressed his party’s readiness to serve as a defense against Trump’s anticipated policies. He emphasized the importance of funding legal aid services, which are well-versed in community needs and are equipped to defend the millions of individuals and families that could be affected by the new administration’s policies.
In November, Newsom established a litigation fund and subsequently requested an additional $25 million from local lawmakers to strengthen the state’s legal defenses. He also convened a special session of the California Legislature to protect California’s values and fundamental rights in anticipation of the incoming Trump administration. This initiative was supported by a package formed by Democrats.
The $50 million agreement is expected to be presented for a vote in the Senate later this week. However, the move has been criticized by some, including Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher, a Republican from Yuba City. Gallagher argued that the state’s focus should be on responding to the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, rather than creating a fund for potential legal battles against the federal government and defending undocumented immigrants.
The funding agreement will allocate $25 million to Newsom and the state Department of Justice to combat the Trump administration. The remaining $25 million will reportedly be directed to legal nonprofits and immigration support centers to defend immigrants against deportation, detention, and wage theft.
Newsom’s team has stated that the Governor is working with lawmakers to establish a litigation fund to bolster the state’s legal resources in response to the incoming federal administration’s signaled policy proposals that could harm the state. The Governor is proposing a new litigation fund of up to $25 million for the California Department of Justice and state agencies to defend California from unconstitutional federal overreach, challenge illegal federal actions in court, and take administrative actions to reduce potential harm.
Last month, Wiener’s office introduced a budget bill that included $25 million for the state’s Justice Department and an additional $10 million to help give county and city attorneys protection from policy challenges. Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire has also expressed his support for the initiative, stating that it’s time to prepare for potential challenges from the incoming federal administration.
Newsom has expressed concerns that the Trump administration may target the state’s positions on issues such as abortion, environmental protections, and federal disaster response funding. Between 2017 and 2021, California reportedly filed over 120 lawsuits challenging Trump’s authority on matters such as health care, gun control, civil rights issues, and immigration.
Newsom’s office has stated that the proposed legal investment could potentially yield significant returns for California families and protect billions of dollars in state funding. The Governor has pledged to do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.