California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two bills allocating $50 million to help the state defend its policies from challenges posed by President Donald Trump’s administration and to protect immigrants from his plans for mass deportations.
One bill allocates $25 million to the California Department of Justice to engage in legal battles against the federal government, while the other provides $25 million in support of immigrant defense groups facing potential deportation, CNN reports.
During his first term, Trump clashed with California over climate laws, water policies, migrant rights, and more, with the state filing or joining over 100 lawsuits against the federal administration. This pattern continues at the start of Trump’s second term.
“California residents are threatened by an out-of-control administration that disregards the Constitution and believes there are no limits to its power. That’s why we need laws that will ensure funding to defend against all threats,” said Democratic Assembly President Robert Rivas.
Republicans criticized the new laws, arguing they may protect undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes and asserting that California should focus its funds on wildfire prevention rather than opposing Trump.
Last month, Newsom signed a law allocating $2.5 billion to mitigate the effects of devastating wildfires.
