Gov. Gavin Newsom calls special session to protect liberal policies from Trump presidency
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Top California leaders say they are ready for President-elect Donald Trump's potentially sweeping plans when he takes office in January.
Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for a special session and Attorney General Rob Bonta says he and his staff are ready to challenge the new president.
Trump has promised to take action with mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. He has also talked about abortion, climate policies, and gun control.
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Newsom and Bonta say they are ready to "safeguard California values and fundamental rights."
"I know there's a lot of fear, anxiety, frustration, and sadness," said Bonta. "You can be sure that as California Attorney General, if Trump attacks your rights, I'll be there. If Trump comes after your freedoms, I'll be there. If Trump jeopardizes your safety and your well-being, I'll be there. California DOJ did it before, and we will do it again."
He went on to say, "No matter who is in charge of the federal government, no matter what the incoming administration has in store, California will remain the steadfast beacon of hope and progress is has always been."
Bonta says for months, he's talked to attorneys general in other states - preparing, planning, and strategizing for the possibility of Trump returning to the White House.
Bonta says they're anticipating Trump will go after immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, roll back environmental protections, and restrict access to reproductive care.
Bonta says he has already drafted litigation to respond.
"Preparing is the best antidote and we've been long preparing for this moment," said Bonta.
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Bonta says with the power of the law, attorneys general will keep Trump in check.
"Mr. Trump repeatedly overstepped his authority between 2016 and 2020; there's no reason to think he won't do it again. We checked him, and we stopped him, and we pushed him back into his box when he tried to step out of it, and that's what the law is for," said Bonta.
Newsom has issued a proclamation convening a special session of the state legislature next week to "safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of the incoming Trump Administration."
Newsom says the special session will focus on bolstering legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.
Newsom wants California lawmakers to provide additional money to state agencies to help fund possible legal action against the upcoming Trump administration.
Newsom released a statement saying:
"The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack and we won't sit idle. 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," said Newsom.
But there are indications those "California values" are held by fewer and fewer Californians.
The latest returns show 40 percent of Californians voted for Trump Tuesday.
Compare that to 34 percent in 2020 in response to the governor's call for a special session.
In response, Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher released a statement saying that the 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."
