California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued a proclamation Thursday calling a special session of the state Legislature aimed at preserving civil rights and opening up potential lawsuits ahead of the incoming Trump administration. .
The special session, scheduled to begin Dec. 2, will focus on fundamental rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and strengthening California's legal resources to protect immigrant families, the newspaper said. declaration.
“The freedoms we cherish in California are being attacked, and we cannot stand idly by,” said Newsom, who is widely seen as a Democratic candidate for the White House in 2028. spoke. stated in a statement.
“California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond,” he continued. “We will do whatever it takes to make sure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
The governor's office said the proclamation is the first of several efforts by Newsom to work with the Legislature to begin “strengthening California's defenses against an incoming federal administration that threatens our state on a number of fronts.” It will be.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta echoed those sentiments at Thursday's rally. press conference“I will continue to use the full force of the law and the full authority of my office to address injustice on behalf of all people, especially those who have been overlooked and undervalued for far too long,'' he said. “I will stand up for it,” he emphasized.
“I'm here today to reassure you that progress will always prevail in California, no matter who is in the White House or who controls Congress,” Bonta said. “In California, we will choose calm over chaos, fact over fiction, attribution over blame.”
The Hill has reached out to the Trump campaign for comment.
During the presidential campaign, President-elect Trump and Newsom ran against Vice President Harris, who is also from California. Mr. Newsom was a prominent ally of Ms. Harris and was nicknamed “the new scum'' by Mr. Trump.
Newsom's statement, released just before the attorney general's speech, cited “the track record of the first Trump administration,” along with campaign statements and documents, as reasons why he believes California could endure a harmful outcome. ” was pointed out.
Concerns cited continued attacks on reproductive freedom, the reversal of clean car policies and long-standing environmental protections, the repeal of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals and the potential separation of immigrant families, political Withholding disaster aid in retaliation and politicizing grant programs.
The special session may consider and enact legislation necessary to provide additional funding to the California Department of Justice and offices within the executive branch pursuant to the proclamation.
These funds will help strengthen these agencies' ability to immediately file lawsuits challenging lawsuits taken by the incoming Trump administration and defend against lawsuits and enforcement actions initiated by that administration, the document states. is stated.
According to the proclamation, the session will also allow lawmakers to make changes to the current law to suit litigation needs.
Trump had a landslide victory over Harris, sweeping the battleground states and winning the popular vote, but Harris easily defeated California. According to the Decision Desk Headquarters, with 60% of the votes counted, she had a lead of 1.7 million votes.
“Voters sent a clear message in this election, and we need to lean in and listen,” California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D) said in a statement.
“But we must also be prepared to uphold California values no matter what challenges lie ahead. That's why it makes sense to consider the governor's proposal.” added Rivas.
State Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, a Democrat, made similar comments, saying that President Trump's first term will see him “do whatever it takes to get his way, no matter how dangerous the policies.” He emphasized that he had shown it.
“California has come too far and accomplished too much to simply capitulate and accept his dystopian vision of America,” McGuire added. “This is an important first step in protecting our progress and the values that make this state great.”
