Gavin Newsom convenes 'special legislative session' to fight Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday convened a special legislative session with the explicit mission to fight Trump. "The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle," Newsom said. "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."

The stated mission of the special session is to "safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration. The special session will focus on bolstering California legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action, and immigrant families." Sacramento further states that "This is the first of several actions by the Newsom Administration, in partnership with the Legislature, as the Governor begins shoring up California’s defenses against an incoming federal administration that has threatened the state on multiple fronts."

Under the Biden-Harris administration, many states faced lawsuits from the Department of Justice for enacting laws that the federal government believed were in violation of federal law or directives. These included abortion and trans issues. Trump has promised to make illegal the practice of boys competing in girls' athletics, allowing men the access to women's facilities, and schools keeping students' gender identity secret from parents. All of these things are common in California, which also allows male violent criminals who have transitioned in prison to be housed in women's prisons. California is also a "sanctuary state" for "trans youth," meaning that if a child comes to California to seek gender transition without parental consent or awareness, the state will provide it. Newsom has backed all of these policies.

California is also a "sanctuary state" for illegal immigrants and has vowed not to cooperate with the federal government on deportation orders. Additionally, Newsom has enacted a ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles starting in 2030. Trump has promised to do away with it.

"The Governor has outlined several urgent priorities to be defended in this special session by bolstering legal defenses against federal actions," Sacramento declared. "The Governor’s proclamation calls for legislation to provide additional resources to the California Department of Justice and other state entities 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. The funding will support the ability to immediately file litigation and seek injunctive relief against unlawful federal actions."

Newsom wrote, "California is ready to fight. I just called an emergency special session to help bolster our legal resources and protect our state against any unlawful actions by the incoming Trump Administration. Whether it be our fundamental civil rights, reproductive freedom, or climate action -- we refuse to turn back the clock and allow our values and laws to be attacked."

Trump Special Session by Hannah Nightingale on Scribd