California Governor Gavin Newsom has struck a $50 million deal with Democratic lawmakers to combat the incoming Trump administration’s policies and protect undocumented immigrants from deportation. The move, which comes as Los Angeles battles devastating wildfires that have claimed 24 lives, has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans who accuse Newsom of misplaced priorities.
The agreement earmarks $25 million for the California Department of Justice (CADOJ) to prepare legal challenges against the Trump administration. Another $25 million will go toward defending immigrants from deportation, detention, and wage theft, a proposal championed by state Senate leaders.
In the wake of President Trump’s landslide victory over Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, Newsom convened a special legislative session, calling for swift action to counter Trump’s policies.
“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack—and we won’t sit idle,” Newsom declared on November 7. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
Newsom and his allies in the legislature aim to finalize the funding package before Trump’s inauguration next week. The $50 million allocation underscores the state’s intent to act as a counterweight to what Newsom described as Trump’s “extremist agenda.”
While Newsom and his Democratic allies tout the deal as essential to defending California’s values, critics argue it demonstrates poor prioritization, particularly as Los Angeles faces deadly wildfires.
Firefighters are still working to contain three active fires that have scorched an area larger than San Francisco and left at least 24 people dead. California Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher (R) blasted Newsom on social media, labeling the $50 million allocation a “slush fund.”
“At a time when California should be laser-focused on responding to the devastating wildfires in LA, Democrat lawmakers’ priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers for hypothetical fights against the federal government and to defend criminal illegal immigrants from being returned to their home countries,” Gallagher posted on X.
Gallagher’s criticism reflects a broader frustration among Republicans, who see the deal as an expensive distraction from pressing local issues.
Despite the backlash, prominent Democrats have rallied behind Newsom’s plan. Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener (D), a vocal advocate for progressive policies, praised the funding agreement as a critical step to protect vulnerable communities.
“This funding agreement cements California’s readiness to serve as a bulwark against Trump’s extremist agenda,” Wiener said in a statement. “Senate Democrats are particularly proud to provide funding for providers of legal aid services, which know our communities’ needs best and are best positioned to defend at scale the millions of individuals and families that will be impacted by the incoming administration’s extreme agenda.”
Wiener’s endorsement highlights the ideological divide between California’s Democratic leadership and the Trump administration. For state Democrats, the funding deal represents a commitment to uphold California’s progressive values, even as critics decry it as an impractical use of taxpayer dollars.
The $50 million deal is part of a larger effort by California to resist federal policies under Trump. Newsom’s administration has repeatedly positioned the state as a bastion of liberal ideals, frequently clashing with Republican leadership in Washington.
However, the timing of the announcement—amid the ongoing wildfire crisis—has intensified scrutiny of the governor’s priorities. Critics argue that the resources allocated to legal battles could be better spent on immediate needs, such as wildfire prevention and disaster response.
Republicans have also raised concerns about transparency and accountability, questioning whether taxpayer dollars should be used to fight federal immigration enforcement and support undocumented immigrants.
The funding package is expected to be voted on later this week, just days before Trump’s inauguration. With a Democratic majority in the legislature, the deal is likely to pass, despite Republican opposition.
As California braces for another four years of Trump, Newsom’s strategy signals a determination to lead the resistance against federal policies perceived as harmful to the state’s values and residents. However, the backlash over the wildfire crisis serves as a stark reminder of the challenges Newsom faces in balancing ideological battles with the immediate needs of his constituents.
For Californians, the debate underscores the tension between addressing urgent local issues and preparing for long-term political conflicts. Whether Newsom’s $50 million allocation will yield the desired results remains to be seen, but the controversy surrounding the deal is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
11 Comments
Not Uh-Oh but rather Ah Ha caught you this time you filthy rotten lying devil; time to go to the Big House for Life!
And here another thing and that is, it is OUR TAX MONIES Newscum and should only be uses to help those who have lost everything in those fires and not to oppose Trump and provide legal help to criminal illegal border crossers. When will the PEOPLE going to walk into Newscum’s office and literally fire him and throw him out on his hair jelled behind! ! !
Wut? Everything this ‘hairdo’ does is a “scandal.” Newscum needs to look up ‘Waterloo.’ If these ‘fires’ are NOT his ‘Waterloo,’ then CA is indeed LOST and should just slide into the sea!
“The ($50M for illegal immigrant protections), which comes as Los Angeles battles devastating wildfires that have claimed 24 lives, has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans who accuse Newsom of misplaced priorities.”
This should draw SHARP criticism, maybe even mass protests from every resident of LOS ANGELES !!
What a tone-deaf, misguided leftists that Newsome is.. Feel very bad for California citizens who never voted for these leftists…
What exactly is the agenda of a Governor who wants to spend $50M on criminals who are in this country illegally, when he KNOWS and SEES first hand, how that money could be better used for the citizens of his State who are now homeless?. Not a rhetorical question.. What is his real agenda and what nation is he actually working for?
Not America or its CITIZENS!!!
Newsom spending 50 million to fight Trump while American taxpayers send money to California!!!!!!!!!!!! Why not spend that 50 million on fire reconstruction instead of political funding.
That bastard Newsom belongs in prison for life. I’m so sick of the antics of that creep and his cronies the DemoRats.
Ralph he should have been tried and executed long before now!
This despicable grandstanding governor as well of a few other dillsional governors need to be in prison. What part of the law and the constitution do they not understand? They are the lawbreakers, they are aiding and abetting criminals. Forget the fact they have a false narrative of bleeding heart for “poor” migrants. Just how much does aiding and abetting these illegals cost? How “poor” can they be when they pay $2500 to $30,000 to be ushered into the USA? How many can actually pass the citizenship to become a legal citizen? How much money does it cost to print notifications in different languages etc.? Maybe if these bleeding hearts really cared, they would help these same people in their own country, their own culture and help them become self sufficient instead of a freebie seeking liability to the hard working real citizens of the USA. The quickest way to give Mr. Newsome and his ilk an attitude adjustment is to cut off any and all federal funds. Just as one would cut off a defiant teenagers allowance and privileges. It’s time-past time.
No worries, what’s left to defend, anyway?
We can start over from scratch.
I’m looking forward to watching the take down of these Karen’s and Marxists.