Thorn in the flesh – California: Center of resistance against Trump

In California, concerns about the future with Trump in power are limited. The ‘Golden State’ is considered the center of the left-wing progressive resistance movement. And the morning after the elections, those responsible in Sacramento made it clear that the most populous American state with the fifth largest economy in the world (!) is once again standing like a rock in the surf of right-wing populist politics.

Newsom will likely run for president in 2028
California Governor Newsom has been a thorn in Trump’s side since 2016. Many Democrats had therefore chosen the 57-year-old as their candidate over Joe Biden or Kamala Harris. The reason: Newsom is fighting under the same tough conditions as Trump and is now considered his party’s most likely presidential candidate for 2028.

During Trump’s first term, Newsom sued the government more than 100 times to protect “our progressive lifestyle.” Newsom now reassured two-thirds of his citizens, who have nothing to do with Trump’s policies: “We will try to work with the Trump administration, but we will also protect our Constitution and public order!”

Attorney General wants to ‘use full legal authority’
According to California Attorney General Rob Bonta, there is already a plan in place for what will happen after Trump is sworn in in January. He openly threatens the future president: “We will use the full force of the law to protect our citizens and our values.” Bonta reveals that planning a legal strategy in the event of a Trump comeback has been going on for quite some time: “We are open to attacks on our abortion rights, our gun laws, our protection of the LGBTQ+ community and our civil rights already have the right answers.”

In his victory speech, Trump announced that he had received “an unprecedented and powerful mandate” from the American people for his conservative agenda. These include mass deportations, severe restrictions on the right to abortion, the cancellation of measures to protect the environment and against climate change, as well as unlimited gun rights.

Bonta expects more lawsuits against the government
Bonta thinks there may be more lawsuits against the government than the first time. He throws down the gauntlet to Trump: “I’m sure Trump will break the law.”

Newsom has the majority of Californians behind him as he defies the dictates of the Trump administration. The Constitution, which grants states explicit rights vis-à-vis the government in Washington, also gives him the latitude to: “Federalism is the cornerstone of our democracy. We are the United States of America!”