California Gov. Gavin Newsom, D, has called for a special legislative session to protect the state’s progressive policies from potential challenges during a second term of former President Donald Trump. In an announcement Thursday, Nov. 7, Newsom said the session will focus on defending California’s climate change laws, reproductive rights and immigration policies.
Newsom has long described California as a sanctuary for abortion rights and climate action. The state was the first to set a 2035 deadline for all new car sales to be zero-emissions.
The governor is preparing to ask lawmakers in the special session to boost funding for the state attorney general’s office to fight any federal legal challenges. After Trump won the presidency, Newsom released a statement.
“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle,” Newsom said. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared to fight in the courts, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
California is not alone in preparing for potential challenges. Other Democratic-led states, including New York and Massachusetts, are stepping up efforts to safeguard their more progressive policies, such as stricter gun control laws and environmental regulations. Task forces have been created to identify possible threats from the Trump administration.
In a press conference following the 2024 election results, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, D, warned Trump of a fight depending on how his policies impact the state.
“If you try to harm New Yorkers or roll back their rights, I will fight you every step of the way. New Yorkers are resilient. We fought the first time around, and we’ll fight again,” Hochul said.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, D, said his office is already reviewing more than 100 lawsuits the state filed during Trump’s first term in preparation for potential new cases.
Trump has not held back in his critiques of Newsom, whom he has referred to as “New-scum” on the campaign trail. Trump has attacked the governor over California’s homeless population, immigrant community and what he calls a thicket of regulations.
Newsom’s term as governor ends in 2027, and he will be term-limited at that point. With his escalating battles against Trump’s policies, some political analysts speculate that these high-profile confrontations could elevate Newsom’s national profile, positioning him as a potential contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in four years.
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