Overview

• California lawmakers approved $50 million in funding to challenge Trump administration policies, with $25 million allocated to the state Department of Justice and $25 million for legal aid organizations supporting immigrants.
• Governor Gavin Newsom called a special session in November to address concerns over federal actions, including efforts to end birthright citizenship and restrict federal disaster aid.
• The legislation passed along party lines, with Democrats emphasizing the need to protect California's values and residents, while Republicans criticized the measures as politically motivated and poorly timed.
• The state's legal actions include joining lawsuits against federal funding freezes and Trump’s executive orders, with Attorney General Rob Bonta leading efforts to defend California's policies in court.
• The debate occurs as California also seeks federal aid for wildfire recovery, with Trump threatening to withhold assistance unless the state changes its water and voter ID policies.