California Allocates $50M for Legal Aid, Trump-Proofing

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $50 million legislative package to protect the state's policies from challenges by the Trump administration and to defend immigrants amid mass-deportation plans. This funding allocates $25 million for the state Department of Justice to battle federal policies and another $25 million for legal aid groups assisting immigrants facing deportation. Newsom's move, described as 'Trump-proofing', followed his Washington visit seeking federal aid for wildfire recovery. Republican critics argue the funds are a political diversion from pressing state recovery issues post-wildfires. The legislation specifies that the funds should not support noncitizens convicted of serious violent felonies. The governor's administration expects federal reimbursement for the $2.5 billion fire relief package signed earlier.