California

Democrats 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.

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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.

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3.4 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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Protect yourself right now

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.