California Governor Gavin Newsom signed two new laws on Friday, allocating $50 million for legal funds aimed at defending the state’s policies against challenges from the Trump administration and providing legal aid to vulnerable groups.
One law sets aside $25 million specifically to protect California from federal enforcement actions, while the second designates another $25 million for legal services supporting individuals with disabilities, homeless youth, and immigrants.
Newsom and Trump have had a long-standing contentious relationship, dating back to Trump’s first term when California sued his administration more than 120 times, spending approximately $42 million in legal battles. California has already joined at least one lawsuit against the Trump administration in his second term, alongside 18 other states, to block the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing personal data records.
Democratic Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas called the Trump administration an “urgent threat” and said the legal funds are necessary to protect Californians from federal overreach. Meanwhile, Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones criticized the move, calling it a “slush fund” that distracts from real issues. Some opponents also raised concerns that the funding could be used to defend illegal immigrants with serious felony convictions.
In response, Newsom released a statement clarifying that none of the funds are intended for legal services for noncitizens convicted of violent felonies. He also encouraged lawmakers to pass additional legislation if further clarification is needed.
Newsom will face a recall effort in the coming weeks for his “poor policies,” according to the leader of the movement.
The newly formed coalition Saving California, founded by Randy Economy, a senior advisor and media spokesperson of the 2021 recall effort against the governor, plans to launch a new recall campaign against Newsom.
“Under the reign of Governor Newsom, living in California has become impossible for average people through years of poor policies which have increased the costs of living, increased crime, increased drug use and homelessness, increased the cost of burden on small businesses and communities, while decreasing our professional standards, education standards, the disappearance of billions of taxpayers’ dollars to failed pet programs, and our public services,” Economy said in a statement.
