Less than 36 hours after the polls closed on the Presidential Election and less than 24 hours after Vice President Kamala Harris conceded the race to former President Donald Trump, on Thursday, Nov. 7, Gov. Gavin Newsom called a Special Session of the State’s Legislature to convene on Dec. 2. Its purpose is to prepare against the presumed new Federal attacks on multiple California’s policies and laws.
Newsom is asking the Legislature to approve additional funding for the State’s Department of Justice and other agencies that will allow them to “. . . immediately file affirmative litigation challenging actions taken by the incoming Trump administration.”
The funding will also help to defend the State’s policies from anticipated litigation or enforcement actions filed against the State.
“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle,” Newsom said in his press release announcing the Special Session. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared to fight in the courts, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
One day later, on Nov. 8, President-elect Trump responded forcefully on Truth Social. “Governor Gavin Newsom is trying to KILL our Nation’s beautiful California. For the first time ever, more people are leaving than are coming in. 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,’. . . “
The policies which Newsom fears will be targets of the new Trump Administration include reproductive freedom, such as access to medication abortion.
The State’s clean energy plan, including the requirement that 100 % of new car sales in California to be zero emission vehicles by 2035, is another potential target. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had approved waivers for the State to pursue this goal.
In his post, Trump commented, “They are making it impossible to build a reasonably priced car. . . “
Deportation and family separations are also vulnerable.
Federal Emergency Management Agency funding for natural disasters such as wildfires and earthquakes may also be in jeopardy, Newsom fears.
“We know to take Trump at his word when he says he’ll roll back environmental protections, go after our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, attack our civil rights, and restrict access to essential reproductive care,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta in his press release about the Special Session. “Which means, we won’t be flat-footed come January. You can be sure that as California Attorney General, if Trump attacks your rights: I’ll be there. . . California DOJ did it before and we’ll do it again. “
Neither the Assembly nor State Senate leaders have expressed objection to the Special Session. “Voters sent a clear message this election, and we need to lean-in and listen,” said Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister). “But we also must be prepared to defend California values, no matter the challenges ahead, so it makes sense to consider the Governor’s proposal.”
In response to Newsom’s calling a special session of the Legislature to ‘Trump-proof’ California, Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher issued the following statement, “This special session is a shameless political stunt. The only ‘problem’ it will solve is Gavin Newsom’s insecurity that not enough people are paying attention to him. There will not be a single policy implemented in this special session that couldn’t be addressed when the Legislature reconvenes in January.”
And Senate Republican leader Brian Jones (San Diego) commented, “This is immature and divisive. Our nation needs collaboration and unity, not politicians stunting for a headline. He’s following in the footsteps of former Democrat California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who sued Trump and his administration over 100 times, costing Californians millions.”
In his Social Truth posting, Trump did attack several other State policies, “. . . the unchecked and unbalanced homeless catastrophe, & the cost of EVERYTHING, in particular ‘groceries,’ IS OUT OF CONTROL. Also, as an ‘AGENT’ for the United States of America on Voting & Elections, I will be DEMANDING THAT VOTER I.D., AND PROOF OF CITIZENSHIP, ARE A NECESSARY PART AND COMPONENT OF THE VOTING PROCESS!”
In September, Newsom signed Senate Bill 1174, which prohibits local governments from requiring voter identification at polling sites. To register proof is still necessary.
However, the California ACLU is supportive of Newsom’s step and prepared to use their own litigative resources if the Trump Administration takes actions which the ACLU abridges individual rights.
“We have diligently prepared for this outcome and remain resolute in our defense of California values by protecting immigrant families, defending the right to protest, reducing incarceration, criminalization, and police abuse, bolstering resources for unhoused people, and guaranteeing equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community,” said David Trujillo, executive director of the ACLU California Action, in a press release.
