By Antonio Ray Harvey
Contributing Wrter
SACRAMENTO — During an online conference, California Attorney General Rob Bonta detailed how the Trump administration had used its first five and half weeks to execute an agenda that runs counter in various ways to California state policies and priorities.
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has issued scores of executive actions that make good on many of his campaign promises. Bonta said the impact of Trump’s exercise of his powers is creeping up on the doorsteps of California’s diverse residents.
“People are scared, worried, anxious and uncertain about what’s happening in the federal government. And will it impact their lives and loved ones,” Bonta said. “Sadly, I think it’s pretty clear that that’s part of the president’s strategy: To flood the zone, overwhelm us with a barrage of damaging, dangerous and illegal executive orders and actions that impede on the law and values that make America strong.”
Bonta made the statement while delivering an address as the guest speaker of a virtual conference Feb. 26 hosted by Capitol Weekly, a non-partisan publication focused on California politics.
The 4 ½ hour event explored Trump’s presidential executive orders, mass firings, deportations and billionaire Elon Musk’s handling of the Department of Government Efficiency.
One of the directives Trump signed on Jan. 21 bans diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the federal government and urges the private sector to follow suit.
Some corporations such as Amazon, Target and Walmart have eliminated or scaled back their DEI programs.
Bonta had already advised California businesses, nonprofits, and other entities not to sway from DEI initiatives in their workplaces.
“I urge all California businesses not to fall for this scare tactic,” Bonta said.
The online conference was held almost three weeks after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed two bills appropriating $50 million to “Trump Proof” the state of California. It provides Bonta and the California Department of Justice funding to file lawsuits against the Trump administration as well as protect California laws, institutions and policies, Bonta said.
The funding is two-fold. First, Senate Bill 1-1, authored by state Sen. Scott Weiner, D-San Francisco, and Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, D-Encino, amends the 2024 Budget Act to include a state litigation fund, distributing $25 million to the Department of Justice.
SBX 1-1 was enacted in case the Trump administration decides to withhold funding for emergency aid after a natural disaster such as the wildfires that occurred in Los Angeles. The Department of Justice says it intends to go after the federal government in courts if aid is withheld.
The second bill that was born out of the special legislative session called by Newsom, SBX1-2, amends the Budget Act to add funding for legal services, including $25 million for legal assistance for Californians and immigrant communities.
Authored by Weiner and Gabriel, SBX1-2, also allows the Department of Justice to provide free legal services for veterans, people with disabilities, homeless youth, families facing eviction, seniors, victims of domestic violence, wage theft, and human trafficking.
Bonta stated that the funding is sufficient and that his office is staffed to handle litigation that resists obstructive policies and interference from the Trump administration.
The funds would be used “wisely and prudently and efficiently,” Bonta said.
“I am here to provide facts, reasons and assurances of California’s nation-leading protections,” Bonta said. “I am here to enforce our laws, defend our rights, and protect our people. I am here to ensure progress prevails in California.”
Capitol Weekly hosts quarterly conferences for bipartisan panels to analyze public policy issues in the state and across the nation.
This year’s first conference included over a dozen experts discussing how California activists and officials can defend policies that oppose Trump’s injunctions.
The first panel focused on health care. The spirited debate featured Beth Malinowski, SEIU California; Devon Mathis, a former member of the Assembly; Dr. Richard Pan, a former state senator; and Amanda McAllister Wallner of Health Access California.
The second panel discussed California’s environment and climate. Panelists included Kip Lipper, chief policy advisor on energy and environment to the Senate pro tem; Catherine Reheis-Boyd, of Western States Petroleum Association; and Victoria Rome from the Natural Resources Defense Council.
The final panel included state Sen. María Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles; Luis Alvarado of Luis Alvarado Public Affairs; Kevin R. Johnson, UC Davis School of Law; and David Trujillo, of the American Civil Liberties Union California Action.
“It’s going to take every resident in the state working together to say ‘we’re going to stand up for our neighbors,’” Trujillo said during the panel discussion.
The Trump administration has already begun exerting pressure on sanctuary regions — cities, counties and states that have passed policies that shield undocumented individuals from apprehension by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Trump has threatened to prosecute state and local officials who resist federal immigration policy. After he was sworn in for his second term, his administration keyed in on the sanctuary cities across the country.
California, where roughly 6% of the population is undocumented, is clearly on Trump’s radar, the panel acknowledged. Trujillo said that there is a law that limits the federal government’s power to force states to enforce immigration laws.
“I just want to mention that the 10th Amendment (of the U.S. Constitution) prevents the federal government from commandeering states or other cities and counties from law enforcement,” Trujillo said. “That is the safeguards that we have. I think we have a clear precedent here (in California). A lot of this is rambling to create fear among our communities.”
Antonio Ray Harvey is a reporter for California Black Media.
