Resistance to the Trump administration: Democratic governors vow to fight White House policies next year

Democratic governors have already announced plans to resist the policies of a second Trump administration after the president-elect is sworn into the White House next year.

The governors of California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York and Washington’s governor-elect all pledged to fight the Republican administration’s policies ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration in January.

Trump’s policies are outlined in his platformwhich range from securing the border and deporting illegal immigrants to making the US the world’s largest energy producer and scaling back climate change policies.

While some Democratic governors have expressed concern about some of those policies, they also said there will be pushback on issues not listed in the platform, such as abortion.

California Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special legislative session on Thursday after Trump’s victory in the presidential election. The session “will focus on strengthening California’s legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.” according to the governor’s office.

“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we will not stand idly by,” Newsom said in a statement. “California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are ready and will do whatever it takes to make sure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”

Newsom’s proclamation for the special session states: “lawyers in the attorney general’s office and in my office have been preparing for a potential second Trump term for more than a year, and we are gathering the arguments and evidence necessary to be ready to challenge in court unconstitutional and illegal. federal policies and mount robust and vigorous defenses of California laws, policies and programs on issues critical to Californians.”

Meanwhile, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said Thursday that he will work to protect his state’s policies after the outcome of the presidential election.

“People have often said that I am a happy warrior, and I have always taken my role as a happy warrior seriously on behalf of this state.” Pritzker said during a press conference. “Even today, as I face many of the difficult questions this election raises, my optimism for the future remains undiminished.”

“To anyone who intends to come and take away the freedom, opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans: I would like to remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior.” he added. “You come for my people, you come through me.”

“Over the years ahead, we will do more than guard against a possible return to an agenda that threatens to take us back,” Pritzker said. “We will continue to promote our own, positive, productive and inclusive agenda.”

“Despite its threats to health coverage and educational opportunity and a fair minimum wage, Illinois will continue to invest in the well-being and prosperity of all our people,” the governor said of Trump.

Washington Governor-elect Bob Ferguson, who is currently the state’s attorney general, said Thursday that his team also prepared for a Trump White House over the past year. Ferguson said he spoke with Democratic attorneys general in other states and named Nick Brown, the attorney general-elect, as a special assistant attorney general before he was sworn in.

The governor-elect said he is concerned about the new Trump administration’s policies on abortion, birth control, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and LGBTQ+ rights.

It won’t work with Trump

Ferguson called litigation an “important tool for challenging federal actions we believe are illegal or unconstitutional and holding the administration accountable to the rule,” noting that his team successfully challenged 55 policies under the first Trump administration.

Federal immigration policies under the Trump administration are a particular concern of New England states, many of which have declared themselves “sanctuary” states. Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey said Wednesday that she will not work with Trump on his mass deportation policy.

“Following the Eisenhower model, we will conduct the largest internal deportation operation in American history,” Trump said during his campaign last year.

In response to a question about whether the Massachusetts State Police would assist the Trump administration in this effort, Healey said“No. Absolutely not.”

“I think it’s important that we all recognize that there’s going to be a lot of pressure on states and state officials. I can assure you that we will work hard to fulfill them”, she added.

“Some realities need to be noted, that is, in 2016, we had a different situation in the courts and I’m sure there could be litigation in the future, there are many other ways that people will act and they need to act for the sake of the states and their residents” , Healey said. “There is regulatory authority and executive powers and the like, there is legislation in our state as well.

“So I think the key here is that, you know, every tool in the toolbox has to be used to protect our citizens, to protect our residents, and to protect our states, and to hold the line on democracy and the state of justice. a basic principle”.

“We will fight to the death”

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that he will fight the Trump administration over policies that run counter to the state’s policies.

“If we respect the peaceful transition of power, if there is any attack on the Garden State or any of its Washington communities, I will fight back with every fiber of my being.” Murphy said.

“If it goes against our values, we will fight to the death.” he added. “If there’s an opportunity for common ground, we’ll take it as quickly as anyone.”

“Just as it is our responsibility to continue to fight against any threat to our state or our people, it is also our responsibility to take every opportunity that presents itself to work with (Trump) to protect and uplift the people of the state our. because that’s what responsible leaders do,” Murphy said.

He claimed that during the last Trump administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted raids to find illegal immigrants in the state. “There was a time when ICE would randomly show up on street corners and pick up … brothers and sisters in the immigrant community.” Murphy said.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced On Wednesday, the launch of the Empire State Freedom Initiative, which came together before Election Day to develop “comprehensive plans to address any policy and regulatory threats that may arise from the Trump administration.”

“The safety and well-being of New Yorkers are my top priorities,” Hochul said in a statement. “I am committed to working with anyone on policies that make our state stronger, safer, and more accessible — but my administration will also stand ready to protect New Yorkers’ fundamental freedoms from any potential threats.”

The governor’s office said that it will protect the state against “federal legal threats” and “policy and regulatory threats.”

“This task force focuses on key areas where New York State and New Yorkers are most likely to face threats from a Trump administration, including reproductive rights, civil rights, immigration, gun safety and the environment, among others problems.” Hochul’s office said.