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Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta announced that California has successfully protected more than $168 billion in federal funding through an aggressive legal strategy challenging actions taken by the Trump Administration. Over the past six months, the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) has filed 37 lawsuits—leading or co-leading 23 of them—and submitted more than 40 amicus briefs in coordination with other states.
According to state officials, California has secured early court victories in 17 of 19 cases where a district court ruled on preliminary relief. These rulings have blocked numerous executive orders issued by President Trump and ensured continued funding for critical programs in education, public health, infrastructure, and environmental initiatives.
In 2024, anticipating a wave of federal challenges, Governor Newsom convened a special legislative session allocating $50 million—half to fund CA DOJ litigation efforts and half to support legal aid services for vulnerable Californians. Attorney General Bonta emphasized the return on investment, stating that for every dollar spent, the state has preserved more than $33,600 in federal resources.
Among the high-profile cases is a lawsuit challenging President Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard without the governor’s consent. Nearly 5,000 guard members were deployed to the Los Angeles area; 4,700 have since been demobilized, and the state is pressing forward with litigation to prevent future unauthorized deployments.
Other legal victories secured by California include blocking an attempt to freeze nearly $3 trillion in federal funding, which preserved $168 billion for the state—about one-third of its annual budget. The state also prevented the U.S. Department of Transportation from imposing immigration enforcement conditions on $7 billion in annual transportation grants, restored $939 million in education funding that had been withheld by the Department of Education, protected $11 billion in nationwide public health funding (including $972 million for California), and reclaimed over $300 million in funding for electric vehicle infrastructure.
The CA DOJ has also pursued litigation defending constitutional rights, such as birthright citizenship and voting access, and acted to safeguard Californians’ sensitive personal data from federal misuse.
Officials underscored that these efforts reflect a broader mission to uphold California’s values, maintain legal oversight of executive power, and ensure continued investment in essential services. As cases trial head, California remains committed to challenging any federal action it deems unlawful or unconstitutional.
Newsom has emerged as an anti-Trump critic, using his platform to challenge conservative policies in courts and public discourse. Over the past several years, Newsom has led California through a legal gauntlet against Trump-era actions on immigration, environmental deregulation, and reproductive rights. His administration has filed dozens of lawsuits to preserve federal funding and state-level autonomy, portraying California as a progressive counterweight to Republican-led states. This assertive posture has earned him national attention and reinforced his image as a defender of liberal values.
Newsom’s escalating presence on the national stage is fueling speculation about a potential presidential run, particularly as he sharpens his contrasts with Trump during campaign-season interviews and public appearances. Though he has repeatedly denied interest in challenging President Joe Biden in 2024 or 2028, his recent travels to red states, media sparring with conservative governors like Ron DeSantis, and policy advocacy beyond California suggest otherwise to some observers. With Democrats seeking fresh leadership for the post-Biden era, Newsom’s strategic positioning and high-profile confrontations with Trump are seen by political analysts as moves to expand his national profile and test the waters for future ambitions.