California
California's AG filed 54 lawsuits protecting $188B in federal funding. The state leads on climate, housing, and immigrant protections.
Latest: August 8, 2026 Latest Brief2.2M Lose Medi-Cal CoverageAugust 7, 2026Democrats control the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature. Attorney General Rob Bonta has filed 37 lawsuits against the Trump administration and preserved $168 billion in federal funding through court orders. But the state is absorbing $30 billion in annual Medi-Cal cuts and a 1,500% surge in ICE arrests, while 61 candidates compete to replace the term-limited governor.
California is not just defending itself. It is setting the legal precedent for every other state that tries to push back.
The state that sues back
AG Rob Bonta filed 37 lawsuits against the Trump administration in its first six months. He led or co-led 23. He filed 40+ amicus briefs backing other states’ cases. The total for 2025 alone reached 52 lawsuits.
$168 billion in federal funding preserved through court orders
That number equals roughly one-third of California’s entire state budget. Bonta’s office also protected $11.1 billion in specific federal grants covering education and healthcare. A separate suit recovered $200+ million for California schools after Trump withheld $811 million in K-12 grant funding the day before it was scheduled to release.
Governor Newsom signed a $25 million legal defense fund in February 2025 specifically for federal litigation. During Trump’s first term, California filed more than 120 suits at a cost of approximately $42 million. The second-term pace is faster.
| Lawsuit | Date Filed | What’s at Stake |
|---|---|---|
| Tariffs (IEEPA authority) | April 2025 | Broad economic impact on imports |
| CalGuard federalization | June 2025 | Military control of state guard |
| Clean air vehicle policies | June 2025 | State emissions authority |
| High-speed rail funding | July 2025 | $4 billion in federal grants |
| SNAP food benefits | October 2025 | Food assistance for millions |
| Homeless housing funding | November 2025 | HUD program cuts |
| Energy and infrastructure | February 2026 | $1.2 billion in programs |
Trump withheld $500+ million in UCLA research grants over antisemitism allegations tied to Gaza protests. He demanded UCLA pay a $1.2 billion settlement and give up academic freedoms to get the money back.
”In his first week in office, President Trump went after a full-third of California’s budget — and we went to court less than 24 hours later and stopped him in his tracks.”
Attorney General Rob Bonta3.4 million people are projected to lose Medi-Cal
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 2025, cuts $30 billion per year from California’s Medi-Cal federal funding. It is the largest change to federal Medicaid policy since the Affordable Care Act.
If cuts take full effect
- January 2026 -- Eligibility for undocumented adults and seniors frozen. New enrollees get only emergency and pregnancy care.
- October 2026 -- Some lawfully present immigrants lose Medi-Cal eligibility, including trafficking victims and domestic violence survivors.
- January 2027 -- Work requirements begin for adults 19-64 without children under 13.
If California fights back
- AG Bonta challenges eligibility restrictions in court using existing lawsuit infrastructure.
- Legislature allocates state funds to cover the gap for the most vulnerable enrollees.
- Single-payer healthcare push gains momentum as the current system becomes unsustainable.
The enhanced federal ACA premium subsidies expired at the end of 2025. California set aside $190 million in state funds to cushion the lowest-income enrollees from steep premium hikes on Covered California plans.
Federal Medicaid cuts have revived a California lawmaker’s push for single-payer healthcare. Advocates argue the public is more aware than ever that the current system cannot hold.
ICE arrests surged 1,500% in San Diego
Between May and October 2025, ICE arrested more than 4,500 people in San Diego County. In the same period a year earlier, fewer than 300. From January 20, 2025 to April 1, 2026, ICE apprehended 16,368 people in San Diego County alone.
72% increase in the average daily ICE detention population since April 2025
California now operates 8 active ICE detention centers, up from 6 at the start of 2025. Two new centers opened in former state prisons.
The Legislature responded. AB 495, the Family Preparedness Act, prevents child facilities from collecting immigration-related information when a parent is detained. SB 627 bans law enforcement officers from wearing masks during immigration enforcement, a first-in-the-nation measure signed after raids across California.
Schools must now request valid identification from immigration officers seeking to enter non-public areas. They cannot disclose student records without a judicial warrant.
Who This Affects
DHS public pressure, Sacramento, May 2026
ICE publicly asked Governor Newsom not to release specific undocumented individuals from state custody, naming a truck driver in a fatal crash and a suspect in a San Francisco stabbing. The federal government is pressuring a governor by name on individual cases.
Based on documented cases and public data.
LA burned and the feds walked away
The January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires destroyed 16,251 structures. The Palisades Fire took 6,837 and the Eaton Fire took 9,414. Total property and capital losses ranged from $76 billion to $131 billion.
Newsom requested $40 billion for fire recovery, including $16.8 billion from FEMA. Trump denied California’s appeal for wildfire aid. When Trump released $5 billion in delayed disaster aid nationally, he excluded California and several other Democratic states.
California approved a $2.5 billion state wildfire relief package. FEMA allocated approximately $2.7 billion. As of July 2025, insurers had partially paid 93% of claims, totaling $20.4 billion.
The Legislature also extended and roughly doubled the California Wildfire Fund through SB 254, splitting costs between ratepayers and utility shareholders while limiting utility profits from wildfire-mitigation investments.
61 candidates want to be governor
Newsom is term-limited. The June 2, 2026 primary is a top-two race regardless of party. The crowded Democratic field has split voters, and two Republicans are polling near the top.
| Candidate | Party | May 2026 Polling |
|---|---|---|
| Xavier Becerra | D | 19% |
| Steve Hilton | R | 17% |
| Tom Steyer | D | 17% |
| Katie Porter | D | 10% |
| Matt Mahan | D | 8% |
| Chad Bianco | R | Competitive among GOP |
Becerra surged after Rep. Eric Swalwell dropped out amid sexual misconduct accusations. Trump endorsed Hilton in early April 2026. If Democrats split enough votes, the November general could be two Republicans.
Proposition 50, passed in November 2025, redraws congressional maps using legislative lines instead of the independent commission. New maps give Democrats a shot at flipping up to 5 House seats. Republicans currently hold 9 of California’s 52 congressional seats. The Supreme Court allowed California to use the new map in February 2026.
If the Democratic vote splinters across five candidates, two Republicans could advance to the November general. The governor who replaces Newsom will decide whether California keeps suing the federal government or backs down.
Protect yourself right now
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Check your voter registration. The June 2 primary is the next election. Verify your status at registertovote.ca.gov. Same-day registration is available at any polling place, but lines are shorter if you register early.
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Verify your Medi-Cal eligibility. If you receive Medi-Cal, confirm your enrollment status at benefitscal.com. Eligibility changes begin January 2026 for undocumented adults and seniors. Do not wait for a letter.
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Know your rights during immigration enforcement. Schools cannot share student records without a judicial warrant. Officers must show valid identification. You do not have to open your door without a warrant signed by a judge.
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Review your insurance coverage. If you live in a wildfire-prone area, confirm your homeowner’s or renter’s policy before the next fire season. The California Department of Insurance has a complaint and assistance line for claim disputes.
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Know who is on your primary ballot. 61 candidates are running for governor. Your choices in the June 2 top-two primary determine whether a Democrat or two Republicans advance to November. Look up your full ballot at voterguide.sos.ca.gov.
Show Up Locally
WSAC Monday Morning Visibility Brigade
Visibility Event · Indivisible Yolo
West Sacramento, CA, 95691
Demonstrate with the West Sacramento Action Circle Banner Brigade and share the message of RESISTANCE! Mondays at 9:00 a.m. on the Harbor Blvd. at Highway 50 Overpass Our giant banner displays a.
Weekly 6th Ave Bridge Bannering Over I-5 | Monday Afternoons
Visibility Event · Indivisible
1620 6th Ave, San Diego, CA, 92101
There is street parking, but a lot of it is metered; Linda will have quarters with her on the bridge in case you need some. There aren't meters on the bridge itself so try to nab a spot there first.
Change Begins With ME Overpass Alliance-Mondays
Visibility Event · Change Begins With ME (Indivisible)
2366 Clairemont Dr, San Diego, CA, 92109
Make some "Good Trouble" - Join us for an overpass visibility event at Clairemont Dr. over I-5. We use huge letters to spell out an inspiring message for passing cars during the evening commute and.
Weekly Island Ave Bridge Bannering Over I-5 | Tuesday Afternoons
Visibility Event · Indivisible
465 17th St, San Diego, CA, 92101
Join us on the Island Avenue bridge every Tuesday! We provide large physical messaging in the real world to connect with and activate voters to demonstrate that resistance is possible. Bring a sign.
Tuesday Protest!
Visibility Event · Indivisible
Intersections of Carlson Dr and J and H streets, Sacramento, CA, 95819
This a local WEEKLY Indivisible event! Protest Now! What's on your mind? We are a group of people who have common goals to protect our Democracy, stand up for liberty and our planet via signs/posters.
Weekly 22nd Street Bridge Bannering Over Hwy 94 | Wednesday Mornings - Visibility Brigade
Visibility Event · Indivisible
F Street & 22nd Street, San Diego, CA, 92102
We provide large physical messaging in the real world to connect with and activate voters to demonstrate that resistance is possible. Bring a sign for cars on the bridge or just wave to the cars.
Indivisible Inland Empire Voter Registration Drive!
Indivisible Inland Empire
This event’s address is private. Sign up for more details, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, 91737
Please join us as we go out to register new voters. No experience necessary! We'll meet up off-site, where a brief training will be provided and supplies will be distributed. Then we will drive.
Ice Out of Pomona! Third Thursday Protest
Visibility Event · Indivisible
180 W Mission Blvd, Pomona, CA, 91766
Join us for Pomona’s monthly community protest against ICE and DHS's ongoing attacks on our friends and neighbors. We show up and show out every 3rd Thursday of the month at the corner of Mission and.
What Changed Recently
DHS Paid $1.5 Billion for 2 California Detention Centers. CoreCivic Still Runs Them.
The federal government bought two of California's largest immigrant detention centers from CoreCivic for $1.5 billion on July 2, 2026, part of a broader ICE
Medicaid Cuts Cost California $30B a Year. 2.2M Lose Coverage by 2030.
Trump's 2025 tax law cut nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid nationally. California alone could lose $30 billion annually, and researchers warn even privately
California Police Search Trans People at Twice the Rate. Arrest Rates Are Double.
A new Williams Institute study of 4.6 million California police stops found officers searched 24% of people perceived as transgender, compared to 8% of
An AI Data Center Promised No River Water. Now It's Suing for 260 Million Gallons.
An AI data center that pledged to use no Colorado River water is suing for 260 million gallons a year. Imperial County may pause data centers entirely.
CoreCivic Sold 2 California Detention Centers to DHS for $1.5B
Private prison company CoreCivic sold its Otay Mesa and California City ICE detention centers to the Department of Homeland Security for $1.5 billion on July
148 California Officers Kept Jobs After Bias Findings. Only 12% Were Fired.
An investigation found 148 California officers engaged in racist, sexist, and anti-LGBTQ conduct between 2014 and 2024.
Voter Registration and Resources
Don't see a letter on your issue? Text RESIST to 50409 to write your own to any official.