California lawmakers approve $50m to fight Trump’s policies in court and provide aid for immigrants, despite fierce Republican opposition

In a dramatic move that highlights the ongoing tension between California and the federal government, state lawmakers approved a $50 million funding package on Monday to challenge President Donald Trump’s policies in court and offer legal assistance to immigrants. The decision, which passed along party lines, marks a renewed push for the state’s Democratic leadership to take a stand against Trump’s second-term administration.

The legislation, dubbed a “Trump-proofing” bill package, was the result of a special session called by Governor Gavin Newsom last year, shortly after Trump’s re-election. While the package has garnered strong support among California Democrats, it has also sparked criticism from the state’s Republican minority, who argue that such a move is politically reckless, particularly as the state seeks federal assistance for the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires.

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, a Democrat from the Central Coast, voiced strong support for the new measure, denouncing what he described as an “out-of-control administration” in Washington. Rivas condemned Trump’s stance on immigration, asserting that California’s 1.8 million undocumented residents contribute significantly to the state’s economy, paying roughly $8.5 billion in state and local taxes annually. “These law-abiding immigrants are Californians – they are not criminals,” Rivas said, challenging the narrative often pushed by Trump and his Republican allies.

However, Republican lawmakers have vehemently opposed the bill, arguing that the state is putting itself on a collision course with the federal government. Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a first-term Republican from San Diego, argued that California’s combative stance on immigration and its financial support for immigrants could harm efforts to secure vital federal aid for wildfire recovery. “You are doubling down on policies that hurt Californians,” DeMaio said during the debate.

Despite this opposition, the bill passed easily, and it now awaits Governor Newsom’s signature. If signed into law, the $50 million in funding will be directed towards challenging Trump’s policies on immigration, environmental regulation, and other key issues in the courts. In addition to legal battles, the package also includes provisions to provide legal support for undocumented immigrants facing deportation or other challenges.

The federal government has not taken kindly to California’s defiance. Trump’s deputy press secretary, Harrison Fields, strongly condemned the legislation, arguing that aiding undocumented immigrants violates the law and undermines the will of American voters. “The California Legislature and its incompetent governor need to stop dreaming and wake up to the reality of the invasion facing our nation and their state due to illegal immigration,” Fields said in a statement.

As California continues to challenge the federal government’s stance on immigration, the political divide between state and national leadership is growing ever wider. With the $50 million package set to fuel more legal battles, it remains to be seen how the conflict will unfold, particularly as both sides stake out their positions on some of the nation’s most contentious issues.