California Lawmakers Postpone Special Legislative Session Amid Wildfires
In a significant move, California lawmakers announced on Monday that they will postpone a special legislative session set for Tuesday, originally intended to “Trump-proof” the state ahead of President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration. The timing of the postponement coincides with devastating wildfires wreaking havoc in the Los Angeles region.
Postponement Due to Wildfire Devastation
The California Assembly’s budget office confirmed to Fox News Digital that the hearing was postponed primarily due to ongoing wildfires. Assembly Member Jesse Gabriel, who chairs the committee overseeing the session, represents districts heavily impacted by the fires, rendering his participation impossible.
When inquired about the potential rescheduling of the session before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, the budget office indicated that the new date remains “up in the air.” The uncertainty surrounding the wildfires and their toll on local constituents seems to have taken priority over the planned legislation.
New Proposals Amid Legislative Adjustments
Despite the postponement, lawmakers made adjustments to the proposed legislation just ahead of the scheduled session. As reported by KCRA in Sacramento, updates to the legislative agenda included the introduction of a new website specifically designed to track anticipated lawsuits between the state and the incoming Trump administration. Furthermore, added provisions involve enhanced regulations governing the allocation of an additional million earmarked for the California Department of Justice to combat potential legal battles arising from Trump administration policies. An additional proposal for million in grants to support legal services and immigration aid was also appended to the special session bills, designated as ABX1-1 and ABX1-2.
This latest development follows intense questioning directed at California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas by a KCRA reporter. The reporter challenged Rivas on whether this was the right time to convene a legislative session focused on allocating resources to combat Trump, especially as lawmakers could address such matters without necessitating a special session.
Assembly Speaker Redirects Focus to Wildfires
In response to the query, Rivas deflected, emphasizing the gravity of the wildfire situation impacting residents throughout the state. “This is a historic, historic wildfire,” he stated, adding that the ongoing fires could potentially rank among the worst disasters in state and national history.
However, the reporter persisted, pointing out the juxtaposition of legislative action against the backdrop of people’s immediate concerns regarding disaster relief and homeowners’ insurance. “While this wildfire is happening… your chamber gaveled into a special legislative session to prepare for Donald Trump,” the reporter noted. Once again, Rivas reiterated his focus on wildfire recovery, without directly addressing the concerns raised.
Widespread Legal Efforts Against the Trump Administration
Shortly after Trump’s electoral victory, California Governor Gavin Newsom highlighted the need for a special legislative session to bolster the state’s legal defense fund, anticipating possible challenges from the incoming Trump administration. Trump’s response to the announcement was robust, taking to his Truth Social account to criticize Newsom, stating, “He is using the term ‘Trump-Proof’ as a way of stopping all of the GREAT things that can be done to ‘Make California Great Again,’ but I just overwhelmingly won the Election.”
From 2017 to 2021, California’s Department of Justice significantly ramped up its legal pushback against the Trump administration, leading 122 lawsuits that cost the state approximately million in litigation expenses. In one notable case, a court ordered the federal government to reimburse California nearly million in public safety grants.
Contrasting Legal Actions
During the same period, California’s aggressive legal stance against federal policies vastly outnumbered Trump’s own lawsuits against the state, with only four major cases filed. One of the significant lawsuits came in 2018, when Trump’s Department of Justice challenged three state sanctuary laws in California that sought to limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Additionally, that year saw Trump’s administration suing California over its state-level net neutrality law.
As the situation unfolds, the postponement of the special legislative session underscores the complex interplay between local crises and broader political battles. The wildfires have not only posed immediate threats to the safety of Californians but also shifted legislative priorities as lawmakers grapple with pressing issues on the ground.
Fox News Digital’s Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.
