California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed two laws allocating $50 million in legal funds aimed at defending state policies against federal challenges and providing legal support for vulnerable populations, including immigrants.
The legislation splits the funding into two equal portions - $25 million designated for defending state policies against federal enforcement actions, and another $25 million earmarked for legal services supporting immigrants, people with disabilities, and homeless youth.
This move comes as tensions escalate between California and the Trump administration. During Trump's first term, California filed over 120 lawsuits against the administration, spending approximately $42 million on legal actions.
Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas expressed strong concerns about the current administration, describing it as "an urgent threat" that "doesn't care about the Constitution." However, Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones criticized the allocation, calling it a "slush fund" that fails to address real issues.
Some critics raised questions about whether the funds could potentially support legal services for immigrants convicted of serious crimes. Governor Newsom addressed these concerns directly, stating that the funding "is not intended to be used for immigration-related legal services for noncitizens convicted of serious or violent felonies."
The state is already engaged in new legal battles with the Trump administration. California recently joined 18 other states in a lawsuit challenging the administration's Department of Government Efficiency's access to sensitive personal information of millions of Americans.
This latest funding initiative reflects California's ongoing commitment to protecting its policies and residents, particularly as the state anticipates increased federal enforcement actions under the current administration.