Democratic Governors Join Forces to Resist Trump’s Extreme Policies

Cabinet picks for MAGA leaders are dominating the news cycle as the new Trump administration begins to take shape. Matt Gaetz, one of the most unethical members of Congress, becomes attorney general? a fox Does the news host have no government experience as Secretary of Defense? Is pro-Putin conspiracy theorist Tulsi Gabbard in charge of national intelligence? Is anti-vaxxer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in charge of the Health Department?

If 2017 was a harbinger of President Donald Trump’s use of strange and aggressive appointees as a means to subvert the effectiveness of the “administrative state,” 2025 is sure to be its highlight. There’s no mystery here. It will be a combination of kleptocracy, tyranny, and stupidity, but not necessarily in that order.

But another important story is taking shape. It’s an inevitable clash between a Trumpified federal system and Democratic-led states desperately trying to protect their people and progressive policies. Push the stupidity and cruelty of the federal government too far and eventually something will give. If the Justice Department turns into a MAGA commission, if military personnel are taken to the streets to crack down on protesters, efforts to keep the nation’s justice system and public safety institutions functioning will fall to Democratic-led states. It will be entrusted to you. And if the National Guard is federalized to force roundups of immigrants and participation in militarized policing, Democratic political leaders and the public will resist marching to insurgency. Dew. Fuhrer Prinzip As much as possible.

Earlier this week, state governors Illinois and Colorado announced the formation of a coalition of states ready to confront the federal government. They called it “Governors Defending Democracy,” and proposed the idea that state governments would have a chance to stand up to President Trump’s extreme policies by marshaling legal expertise and political resources.

California Governor Gavin Newsom is not one of the group’s founders, but his state’s size and economic clout make it play an important role After all, California has accumulated environmental and medical advances over the past few years and will not sit idly by and watch these policies erode. Newsom has promised to slow down the Trump administration’s efforts to pursue immigrants, and the state will have to do so if it wants to avoid dire economic disruption, including unprecedented ones. inflation pressure And the massive disruption to the state’s housing market that comes on the heels of a serious effort to deport the millions of illegal immigrants who live and work in the Golden State. And knowing that President Trump’s people will likely respond by withholding funds from states that don’t respond to disaster relief and other needs, Trump wants to get the dollars he’s entitled to. They will have to appeal to the government repeatedly.

Newsom announced last week that he would convene a meeting before flying to Washington, D.C., to press the Biden administration to sign a series of waivers that California has applied for, particularly regarding environmental and health policy. special session In early December, a bill was introduced to strengthen state laws to combat the expected onslaught. The governor, who has national political ambitions for 2028, said this was “necessary in order to get serious about fighting the insurgency.”unconstitutional and illegal federal policy” He expected it to be out of D.C. by January 20th. Legislative leaders agree. In the coming years, both state House Speaker Robert Liban and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire will almost certainly take sides in what is becoming a brutal political trench war in the state. He will become a nationally important political figure. Next few years.

McGuire (D-North Coast) said he was ready to “defend the people, policies and values ​​that make the Golden State great.” He insists that state lawmakers intend to work with the incoming administration in any way they can, “but if the next president seeks to undermine our state, our freedoms, and our democracy, we will have no idea how serious Californians are and how determined they are.” You’ll know right away if you’re doing it.”

In other words, buckle up.

Mr. Newsom is particularly interested in using the special session to secure funding for the state Department of Justice and prepare for a slew of lawsuits against Trump policies. With the federal Justice Department in the hands of bomb-throwers like Gaetz, they will likely eviscerate experts and replace them with those who seek to persecute President Trump’s perceived enemies. , the job of protection will fall into the hands of progressive state attorneys general. Worker rights, ensuring access to the ballot box, investigating corporate corruption, and more.

At this most dire moment for American democracy, the world will look to California and other powerful Democratic-led states to find a way for the country to emerge from its twisted wreckage.