California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom asked state lawmakers Monday for an additional $25 million in funding to cover the cost of legal battles he expects to have with President-elect Donald Trump.
Newsom, 57, convened an emergency special session of the California Legislature to make the budget request, which the governor’s office claims will “safeguard critical funding for disaster relief, health care programs, and other vital services” during Trump’s second term.
“We will work with the incoming administration and we want President Trump to succeed in serving all Americans,” Newsom said in a statement. “But when there is overreach, when lives are threatened, when rights and freedoms are targeted, we will take action.
“And that is exactly what this special session is about — setting this state up for success, regardless of who is in the White House,” he added.
If approved, the extra funding would go to a new litigation fund for the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and state agencies that aims to “defend California from unconstitutional federal overreach, challenge illegal federal actions in court, and take administrative actions to reduce potential harm.”
“With potentially billions of dollars in federal funding on the line if the President-elect follows through on his promises, we must be — and we are — ready to act on day one,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.
The Golden State spent $42 million in taxpayer funds supporting litigation against Trump, 78, during his first term in the Oval Office, according to the governor’s office.
The California DOJ filed 122 lawsuits against the Trump administration between 2017 and 2021.
Newsom’s office claims its successful lawsuits during Trump’s first term generated billions of dollars in savings for Californians.
The governor expects the special budget legislation to be signed into law before the president-elect’s inauguration on Jan. 20.
California Assembly Republican Leader James Gallagher slammed Newsom’s push to prep the state for legal fights with Trump.
“Gavin Newsom, however, has different priorities. His is to spend more of your taxpayer dollars on government lawyers to sue Donald Trump before he’s even sworn into office,” he said.
Republican Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez similarly described Newsom’s effort as a “waste” of taxpayer money.
“Newsom wants to waste millions of taxpayer dollars fighting President Trump’s efforts to secure our border and enhance government efficiency,” she wrote on X.
California Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said the special session was “unnecessary” and he reminded lawmakers that they were “not elected to do Lame Duck Governor Newsom’s bidding.”
“Nor were we elected to help Newsom raise his name ID for a future presidential run,” Jones wrote on X.
