In a move that has sparked controversy, Democratic Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, has sanctioned $50 million to fund legal battles and immigration services against the Trump administration.
This decision came to light on Friday evening, mere days after Newsom's meeting with President Trump to discuss disaster relief for the state.
According to WND, the dialogue surrounding this 'Trump-proof' legislation commenced on January 9. It was then that California lawmakers proposed a bill that would allocate $25 million from the state's Department of Justice to finance litigation against the Trump administration. An additional $25 million was earmarked for legal groups defending illegal immigrants facing deportation.
The ratified bill, known as Senate Bill X1 2, stated that it "will bolster funding for legal services programs that are vital to safeguarding the civil rights of California's most vulnerable residents, including people with disabilities, youth who are homeless, victims of human trafficking and wage theft, people facing unlawful evictions, immigrants and more."
The bill further clarified that "None of the funding in this bill is intended to be used for immigration-related legal services for noncitizens convicted of serious violent felonies."
Despite staunch opposition from state GOP lawmakers, Newsom defended the legislation in the special sessions following Trump's victory in November, asserting that "the freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack."
Interestingly, Newsom's approval of the bill came shortly after his visit to the White House. There, he met with Trump and members of Congress on Wednesday, with the intention of discussing disaster relief for victims of the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles County in January.
Newsom's statement read, "As we approach one month since the devastating wildfires across Southern California, we continue to cut red tape to speed up recovery and cleanup efforts as well as ensure rebuilding efforts are swift." He further expressed gratitude to President Trump for his visit to the affected communities and for meeting with him to continue their joint efforts.
Newsom and Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass were praised by fellow lawmakers for their leadership during the fires. However, Newsom faced criticism from local residents, one of whom was caught on camera pleading with the governor to explain how he planned to assist those affected by the fires.
Newsom publicly criticized Trump during a CNN interview, accusing him of attempting to "politicize" the disaster. This followed the president's critique of Newsom's leadership on water management policies.
Trump visited the affected areas on January 24, engaging in a heated public debate with Bass as he defended residents who wished to return to their homes. In a roundtable discussion, Trump voiced his disapproval of the state's use of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, claiming that the agency "complicate[s] everything."
As Trump's mass deportation plans progress, border czar Tom Homan, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and Attorney General Pam Bondi have all warned sanctuary cities, such as Los Angeles, against obstructing their plans. Bondi has already instructed the Department of Justice to withhold federal funding from sanctuary cities.
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