California Governor Gavin Newsom has often positioned himself as a staunch opponent of former President Donald Trump’s policies, particularly on immigration.
However, his latest decision to veto a bill restricting state prisons from cooperating with federal immigration authorities has raised eyebrows.
While Newsom has championed California’s sanctuary laws, this latest proposal crossed a line even he wasn’t willing to support.
Breaking Ranks with His Own Party
The bill, introduced by fellow Democrats, aimed to limit state prisons’ cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
It would have prevented state authorities from holding undocumented immigrants at the request of ICE, sharing inmate release dates, or transferring individuals into ICE custody.
Newsom’s veto underscores a rare moment where he diverges from his party’s stance, reinforcing his belief that federal law enforcement agencies must retain their ability to assess public safety risks.
A Step Toward Federal Compliance?
Newsom’s decision comes just days after the Biden administration reaffirmed the federal government’s stance on immigration enforcement, reminding sanctuary cities of their legal obligations.
Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a warning to states like New York and California, emphasizing that the Department of Justice (DOJ) would take legal action against those prioritizing undocumented immigrants over U.S. citizens.
“This is a new DOJ, and we are taking steps to protect Americans,” Bondi stated. “It stops today.”
The message was clear: states that don’t comply with federal immigration laws could face legal consequences.
Newsom’s veto may be seen as a preemptive move to avoid potential federal lawsuits while maintaining his broader pro-immigrant policies.
Newsom vs. Trump: A History of Clashes
Despite this unexpected alignment with federal authorities, Newsom and Trump have a long history of political battles.
During Trump’s presidency, the two often exchanged harsh words, with Trump even mockingly referring to Newsom as “Newscum.”
One of their most publicized disagreements occurred during the devastating wildfires in California.
Trump accused state officials of mismanaging water resources, claiming they could prevent wildfires by simply “turning a valve” to release water.
“Think of a sink but multiply it by many thousands of times the size of it—it’s massive,” Trump said at a press conference.
“They throw the water into the Pacific Ocean—these people are crazy.”
Newsom swiftly pushed back, calling Trump’s claims “completely false” and arguing that the former president either misunderstood how California’s water system works or was deliberately misleading the public.
What’s Next for California’s Immigration Policies?
Newsom’s latest move signals a balancing act—upholding California’s sanctuary policies while avoiding outright defiance of federal law.
Whether this will lead to further compromises or spark backlash from progressive lawmakers remains to be seen.
With ongoing legal threats from the DOJ and the ever-evolving debate over immigration policy, California’s stance on federal cooperation will likely continue to shift.
Newsom may have vetoed this bill, but the broader conversation on sanctuary policies and state-federal relations is far from over.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn