As US President, Trump will not be able to act as he pleases. The governors of some states have announced alliances to undermine extreme decisions. Can this work?
Just a few days after the US election, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker described himself on “His people” aside, I have to get past him first.
This was a declaration of war on Donald Trump after he had just been re-elected US President. And Pritzker was not alone. California Governor Gavin Newsom said he wanted to make California's laws “Trump-proof.” How this would actually work was initially unclear.
On Monday, lawmakers in California met for the first time in an emergency session. Governor Newsom's specific proposal: Up to $25 million should be set aside for possible legal costs for the California Department of Justice, among others. The aim is to prepare for possible legal disputes with the new Trump administration.
Newsom told reporters he hopes California doesn't have to take advantage of any of the options the legislation provides. But if necessary, be ready for it.
The goals differ sharply
Such disputes seem to be programmed in states like California, Colorado and Illinois. They are all governed by Democratic governors. Some of their policies are in sharp contrast to Trump's campaign promises.
Trump announced, among other things, that he would start “the largest mass deportation in American history.” Illinois, Colorado and California, on the other hand, are considered states with special protection for immigrants – even without residency rights.
The governors of Illinois and Colorado have now announced a coalition that wants to “respond quickly to new threats.” The alliance is called “Governors Safeguarding Democracy”. She is concerned with protecting the courts in her states, protecting voting rights and fending off further attempts at overreach from Washington.
The model is a group that was formed after the Supreme Court tightened abortion rights, the Reproductive Freedom Alliance. According to the group, 23 governors took part in it, who, among other things, ensured that larger stocks of abortion pills were built up before the presidential election.
Lawsuits are not uncommon
It is not known how many governors have joined the new group. Perhaps the fact that the Democrats are still repositioning themselves after their defeat also plays a role here. There is also always the question of who will stand for a leadership position and possibly also a presidential candidacy in 2028.
But it is not unusual for states to sue against the policies of the president and the incumbent federal government. There were also such proceedings against the Biden government. During his last term in office, Trump was sued by 17 states, among others, after his “zero tolerance” immigration policy led to the separation of parents and children. Illinois and California were among the states that sued.
Dispute over climate protection
Another of Trump's campaign promises was “drill, baby, drill”, i.e. to drill more for oil and thus promote fossil energy instead of green technology. California is considered a pioneer, especially when it comes to climate protection. Electric cars play an important role in this. Trump had announced that he would abolish a $7,500 bonus for electric cars.
If this happens, Governor Newsom wants to go it alone and reintroduce a previous California subsidy program for battery-operated vehicles. This also provided for reimbursements of up to $7,500 when purchasing an electric car.
Little understanding from Trump
Trump criticizes the fact that California should become “Trump-proof”. Shortly after his election, he posted on his social network Truth Social that they wanted to prevent him from making the state great again.
Criticism also comes from other Republicans in California. The emergency meeting was “political theater”.
