Gavin Newsom seeks $25 million legal fund to ‘Trump-proof’ California, fight federal policy

The move from Newsom and the California legislature is seeking to “Trump-proof” the state for Trump’s second term in office, the Daily Mail reported. There is little love lost between Newsome and Trump, who often reminds Americans about the exodus of people leaving California because of its policies.

If Newsom’s legal fund is approved, the state Department of Justice as well as government agencies would receive more money to prepare for litigation over such liberal policy areas as abortion rights, climate change and illegal immigration.

"The new litigation fund will help safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care, and other vital services that millions of Californians depend on daily,” Newsome wrote in his funding proposal. He claimed that the state will “defend against unlawful federal actions that could jeopardize not only tangible resources and the state’s economy.” The outlet noted that the conflict could lead to the federal government providing some of California’s funding.

Democratic California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he is ready to hire more staff to fight the Trump administration with litigation. The state was a leading opponent of the first Trump administration when it filed over 120 lawsuits to test the legality of federal decisions and spent $42 million to do so, per the Mail.

California’s assembly has already introduced legislation that it believes will ensure continued access to the abortion pill and maintain the state’s Reproductive Privacy Act. Newsom is anticipating getting the legal fund will pass and be ready to access before Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20.

Newsom was quick to hit the panic button after Trump’s stunning victory on Nov. 5, saying, “The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack - and we won't sit idle. Kamala Harris set out to fight to defend our fundamental freedoms and build a country that works for everyone.”

“She stood up for working families, decency, and opportunity. Though this is not the outcome we wanted, our fight for freedom and opportunity endures,” he continued, while claiming his state government is well prepared to seek common ground with the new president.