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After the newly elected President Donald Trump, who will take office as of January 6, 2025, made clear his intentions against the most vulnerable communities, the Attorney General of California, Rob Bonta, assured that, regardless of who is in the White House, progress and the protection of values, people and natural resources will prevail in the state.
Bonta joined California Governor Gavin Newsom in his remarks and said that the California Department of Justice is already preparing for the second Trump administration.
"As the reality of a second Trump administration takes hold, I know there is a lot of fear, sadness, anxiety and panic. I understand. I'm here today to assure you that progress will prevail in California. No matter who is in the White House, no matter who has control of Congress, we will continue to move forward in California," Bonta said.
The official stressed that one advantage over the next administration is that Donald Trump's way of working and behavior is already known.
“We’ve been here before. We’ve lived through Trump 1.0. We know what he’s capable of. We know what he has in store. The silver lining is precisely that: we know. We know to take Trump at his word when he says he will roll back environmental protections, attack our immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, attack our civil rights, and restrict access to essential reproductive care. Which means we won’t be caught off guard come January.”
In response, the Attorney General of the Golden State said he would protect all the rights of California residents in the face of Trump's attacks.
“You can be assured that as California’s Attorney General, if Trump attacks your rights, I will be there. If Trump comes to attack your freedoms, I will be there. If Trump endangers your safety and well-being, I will be there. The California Department of Justice has done it before, and we will do it again.”
In that regard, he said that, if necessary, California is ready to face the challenges of a second Trump administration, moving towards greater progress.
“While there is much change ahead, California’s path to progress continues full steam ahead. It may not always be linear. Progress rarely is, it zigzags and takes frustrating detours, it inches forward and backward and then back again. Detours and setbacks do not define our progress. Our commitment to forward momentum defines our progress. It defines us. What we do next will define us,” he said.
Likewise, Bonta called for facing adversity with strength.
If you're feeling discouraged today, remember that you're not alone. In California, we don't look back. We don't retreat. We are California! We will meet any challenge and rise to the occasion. As is often said, as goes California, so goes the country.
Notably, during the last Trump administration, the California Department of Justice fought to stop illegal reductions and proposals that would have harmed the well-being, health, safety and civil rights of its residents and people across the country.
“No matter who is in charge of the federal government? No matter what the next administration has in store? California will remain the unwavering beacon of progress it has long been, a steady, unwavering, immovable force to be reckoned with.”
In this regard, Rob Bonta was clear and stated that the California Department of Justice will continue to control excesses and combat the abuse of power, as well as being the antidote to poisonous, dangerous, extremist and hateful language, and with this the state will become the model of progress that the nation must follow.
"In California, we will choose calm over chaos. Fact over fiction. Belonging over blame. Unity over division. 'We' instead of 'me and I,'" he said.
Rob Bonta recalled that California has become the fifth largest economy in the world thanks to its commitment to workers, consumers and the environment. “Because we believe in the power of inclusivity. Because we believe in truth and not lies. In hope and not hate. In light and not darkness. Because we believe in looking forward.”
"It's who we are in the Golden State. It's in our DNA. Nothing and no one can change that. As Attorney General, I will continue to use the full weight of the law and the authority of this office to address injustice," she said.
Finally, Bonta said that all people will be defended, especially those who have long been ignored and undervalued, reproductive rights will be safeguarded, and more housing will be advocated for, especially more affordable housing for low- and middle-income families.
“I will continue to protect, defend, and serve all Californians, no matter their political beliefs. I am here to ensure that every person, no matter what they look like, how much money they make, where they are from, who they love, how they identify, or how they worship, can pursue their version of the California dream. That is my promise to you, no matter who is in the White House.”
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