Napa, CA – Governor Gavin Newsom is continuing to chart a complex political course as he seeks to balance his cooperative stance with the Trump administration while defending California’s progressive policies. On Friday, Newsom signed into law two pieces of legislation designed to safeguard the state from the Trump administration’s policies, a day after he made a public show of deference to President Donald Trump during his trip to Washington.
While in the nation’s capital earlier this week, Newsom focused on securing federal disaster aid for California, which has been ravaged by a series of wildfires, particularly in Los Angeles County. In his discussions with Trump, Newsom made an effort to soften his typically combative liberal image, praising the president as a cooperative partner during the crisis. However, Newsom did not acknowledge the passage of two bills by the California Legislature earlier that week, which will allocate $50 million in state funds to combat federal policies the governor and state lawmakers oppose.
The first of these bills sets aside $25 million for the Department of Justice to fund future lawsuits against the federal government. The second bill also designates $25 million for organizations that defend immigrants in court, reinforcing California’s commitment to protecting its immigrant communities. Despite this, Newsom issued a terse statement upon signing the bills, clarifying that none of the funding would be used for legal services related to noncitizens convicted of serious or violent felonies. This move is likely aimed at quelling Republican criticism that Democrats are soft on crime.
The legislation, which received final approval from the state legislature on Monday, had previously sparked debate among lawmakers, especially as some Democrats, wary of being painted as too lenient on criminal activity, delayed their votes briefly. But ultimately, the bills passed, reaffirming California’s stance as a strong opponent of many Trump-era policies, particularly when it comes to immigration.
While Newsom’s relationship with Trump has been strained, especially in the wake of the wildfires and the fallout from the 2020 election, the governor has recently attempted to mend ties. The two men, who have traded barbs in the past, appeared to have put their differences aside when Trump visited Los Angeles to survey wildfire damage. Despite their history of public clashes, Newsom greeted the president on the tarmac, a gesture aimed at presenting a united front during the state’s recovery efforts.
However, the state’s political stance on issues like immigration, environmental regulations, and disaster recovery remains at odds with the Trump administration. California has already allocated $2.5 billion in state funds for wildfire recovery, and the governor’s office is awaiting word on when federal aid will arrive. House Speaker Mike Johnson, speaking Friday, indicated that any future federal aid to California would be contingent upon the state adopting policies to prevent future fires—a clear hint at the tensions over environmental policy between Newsom and the federal government.
In a state as politically divided as California, Newsom’s attempts to balance cooperation with the Trump administration while also asserting the state’s progressive values will likely continue to draw scrutiny from both sides of the political aisle. The governor’s handling of the situation will be watched closely as he navigates the tricky waters of bipartisan disaster recovery and political resistance.