Newsom And Cali Dems Reach 50M Deal

As wildfires tear through Southern California, destroying homes, taking lives, and wreaking havoc on communities, California’s leadership seems to be focusing its priorities elsewhere—namely, setting aside $50 million to fight the incoming Trump administration and defend illegal immigrants.

In a move that’s as tone-deaf as it is infuriating, Governor Gavin Newsom and the Democrat-controlled legislature have decided that their top priority isn’t battling the devastating fires or helping the thousands of displaced Californians but instead creating a political war chest to oppose federal immigration enforcement.

The deal, first proposed by Newsom shortly after Trump’s resounding defeat of Vice President Kamala Harris in November, allocates $25 million to fund legal battles against the Trump administration and another $25 million to provide resources for shielding illegal immigrants from deportation, detention, and other legal issues.

Newsom has framed the move as a defense of California’s “values” against what he calls Trump’s “extremist agenda,” but critics see it for what it really is: a blatant misuse of taxpayer money to score political points.

California Republicans have wasted no time condemning this outrageous misallocation of funds. Assembly Minority Leader James Gallagher summed up the frustration perfectly, saying, “At a time when California should be laser-focused on responding to the devastating wildfires in L.A., Democrat lawmakers’ priority is creating a $50 million slush fund to hire government lawyers for hypothetical fights against the federal government and to defend criminal illegal immigrants from being returned to their home countries.” It’s hard to argue with him. While the state burns and residents lose everything, Newsom and his allies are more concerned with virtue signaling than addressing the real, immediate needs of their constituents.

Let’s put this into perspective. Los Angeles County is dealing with some of the most destructive fires in its history, with tens of thousands displaced, dozens dead, and damages that could soar into the billions. Firefighters are stretched thin, communities are in ruins, and recovery efforts will take years. And yet, Newsom and Senate Democrats are prioritizing funding for illegal immigrants over funding for wildfire response and prevention. It’s a slap in the face to the very people they claim to represent.

State Senate Budget Chair Scott Wiener’s comments only underscore the absurdity of the situation. He proudly declared that the funding “cements California’s readiness to serve as a bulwark against Trump’s extremist agenda.” But what about serving as a bulwark against the wildfires ravaging the state? What about prioritizing the safety and well-being of Californians over political theater?

This is not the first time Newsom has put ideology over practicality, but it might be one of the most egregious examples. California has long had the highest illegal immigrant population in the country, with Pew Research estimating 1.8 million illegal immigrants residing in the state as of 2022. While Democrats argue that the funding will protect vulnerable individuals, the reality is that this money could be far better spent on fire prevention, rebuilding efforts, or upgrading California’s failing infrastructure to withstand future disasters. Instead, it’s being funneled into a political fight that serves no one but Newsom’s ambitions and his party’s progressive base.

What’s worse, this decision comes as California Republicans have called for a special session focused entirely on wildfire response. But instead of uniting the state around solutions for an ongoing crisis, Newsom is busy doubling down on his ideological crusade. His appearance on the Left-leaning Pod Save America podcast, where he offered vague reassurances about being “happy to do whatever moves the needle forward,” does little to inspire confidence in his ability—or willingness—to tackle the state’s real challenges.