California Allocates $50 Million to Counter Trump Administration Policies

The funding will support legal battles and immigrant protections as tensions escalate between the state and the federal government.

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.