A group of blue state governors are already preparing a litany of political and legal actions to protect their states’ policies and residents from federal action under the new administration of Donald Trump.
The plans of Democratic governors across the country — including a handful of potential candidates for president in 2028 — offer both a repeat of the way leaders of liberal states opposed Trump during his first term and a snapshot of the backlash against him from the left will look like this this time.
In California, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Thursday that he would convene a special session of the Legislature explicitly intended to “protect California’s values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.”
In a news release, he said the session would focus “on strengthening California’s legal tools to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.”
Newsom outlined that the session, which starts on December 2, will take “expedited action” to “best protect California and its values from attacks” on LGBTQ rights and women’s rights. He also said it would “provide additional resources” to the state Department of Justice and other agencies to “pursue robust affirmative action” against future potential unlawful actions by the Trump administration, and to defend against any federal lawsuits of the government that could be filed. submitted.
He added that the session would be the “first of several actions” by his administration and the Legislature to begin “strengthening California’s defenses against an incoming federal administration that has threatened the state on multiple fronts.”
“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack – and we will not stand still. California has faced this challenge before and we know how to respond,” Newsom said in a statement. “We are prepared and we will do whatever it takes to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”
Newsom’s office told The Associated Press that the governor was trying to “Trump-proof” the state’s laws.
Trump hit back at Newsom in a lengthy post on Truth Social on Friday, referring to him as “Governor Gavin Newscum” and saying he was “using the term ‘Trump-Proof’ as a way to stop all the GREAT things that can be caused.” done to ‘Make California Great Again.’”
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who like Newsom is considered one of the Democrats in the 2028 mix, repeated many of the same themes during a news conference this week.
“To anyone who plans to come and take away the freedom, opportunity and dignity of the people of Illinois, I want to remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior,” he said Thursday. “You come for my people, you come through me.”
Pritzker, whose nonprofit Think Big America has spent millions of dollars on ballot measures on abortion rights in four states this cycle, called Illinois “a haven for those whose rights are denied elsewhere,” including those seeking political asylum, reproductive health care or persecution because of their sexual orientation or gender.
He nodded to policies his administration has enacted, including codifying abortion rights and a law requiring gender-affirming care to be covered by health insurers in Illinois.
Efforts to “Trump-proof” Illinois have been underway for months, if not longer, said Anne Caprara, Pritzker’s chief of staff.
She said the state is exploring other legal protections for women who travel to the state to access reproductive care, including protecting transponder data and medical records from out-of-state attorneys general.
The state has also been working to codify environmental regulations in case a Trump administration tries to roll back clean air and water protections, and to ensure labor protections are preserved.
“We’re literally going through Project 2025 to understand every element of what they can hit. Some of this work has already been done or has been going on for a while,” Caprara said.
She also said collaborative efforts involving other Midwestern states are in the works.
“Midwest governors governing through Covid with Trump at the helm – that’s when things got hairy – we’ve been through this before and this time are determined to learn those lessons and ensure that, to the extent it makes sense, we work together on the best practices and how to creatively deal with the more difficult parts of this,” says Caprara. “Relationships between governors on the Democratic side of the aisle have always been critical in navigating those Trump years.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also announced an effort this week — called the “Empire State Freedom Initiative” — that she said was intended to address “policy and regulatory” threats that could emerge during the Trump administration.
The effort, conducted in partnership with the office of Democratic New York Attorney General Letitia James, will address federal legal “threats” to reproductive freedom, immigration issues, civil rights, gun safety, progress on climate change, environmental justice and other issues, they said. in a joint announcement this week.
“I am committed to working with everyone on policies that make our state stronger, safer and more livable – but my administration will also be prepared to protect New Yorkers’ fundamental freedoms from potential threats,” Hochul said in a statement on Wednesday.
She said in the statement that officials leading the effort in the state had already developed an initial analysis of “likely” legal, regulatory and tax “vulnerabilities” based on comments and policy proposals from Trump and his team, and had begun developing of legislation, regulations, and appropriations that would serve to counter such federal actions.
In addition, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said on MSNBC on Wednesday that she would use “every tool in the toolbox” to “protect our residents” and “hold the line on democracy and the rule of law.”
Healey, who as the state’s attorney general during Trump’s first term challenged his administration several times on immigration policy, said she would exercise her executive and regulatory powers and use state legislation to push back on several of Trump’s policies to combat.
When asked specifically about Trump’s plan to implement mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, Healey said she would “absolutely not” allow state police to assist in such an effort.
Asked about the Democratic governors’ response to Trump’s return to the White House, Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement: “The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin, giving him a mandate to deliver on the promises he made.” he did during the campaign. . He will deliver.”
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, another possible 2028 candidate, referred to a statement he released Thursday in response to Trump’s victory that focused heavily on unity when asked if similar efforts were underway were in the state.
“Now that this election is over, it’s time to govern – to work together, compromise, and get things done,” Shapiro said in that statement. “I believe there is more that unites us than divides us – and we must work together to continue getting things done for Pennsylvania.
Unlike in the deep blue states of California, New York and Massachusetts, where Democrats enjoy a trifecta of power in state government, the legislature in battleground Pennsylvania is divided, which would make plans to oppose Trump more difficult. Moreover, Trump only carried the state at the presidential level.
“Let me also make it clear: I will never shy away from standing up for the freedoms I was elected to protect. I will continue to defend our democracy, defend our fundamental rights, and ensure we continue William Penn’s legacy by building a Commonwealth that is warm and welcoming to all,” Shapiro added.
In New Jersey, Gov. Phil Murphy vowed to both push back against Trump if necessary while looking for areas for compromise.
“If it goes against our values, we will fight to the death,” Murphy said at a news conference Wednesday, mentioning issues such as immigration and reproductive rights.
“If there is an opportunity to reach common ground, we will seize it as quickly as anyone,” he added.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
