Fact Check: "California's Governor Gavin Newsom secured $25 million to fund legal fights against the Trump administration in 2023."
What We Know
The claim that California Governor Gavin Newsom secured $25 million to fund legal fights against the Trump administration in 2023 is misleading. In December 2024, Governor Newsom announced a proposal to seek up to $25 million in additional funding for legal battles with the incoming administration of President-elect Trump, as reported by Reuters. This funding was intended to prepare for potential legal challenges, but it was not specifically allocated or secured in 2023.
Additionally, a more recent news article from June 2025 discusses a lawsuit filed by Governor Newsom against the Trump administration regarding the illegal takeover of the California National Guard. However, this lawsuit is part of ongoing legal actions rather than a direct result of the proposed funding from 2024.
Analysis
The assertion that Newsom "secured" $25 million is inaccurate because the funding was not finalized or confirmed in 2023. Instead, it was a proposal made in late 2024, which indicates a plan rather than an accomplished fact. The context of the funding relates to anticipated legal challenges rather than direct actions taken against the Trump administration during 2023.
The source from Reuters is credible, as it is a well-known news organization that reports on political matters. However, the timing of the funding proposal is crucial to understanding the claim's validity. The lawsuit mentioned in Governor Newsom's official statement is a separate issue that arose later and does not directly correlate with the claim about securing funds in 2023.
Furthermore, the CalMatters report corroborates that the $25 million was intended for future legal challenges, emphasizing that it was not an immediate allocation but rather a strategic move to prepare for potential conflicts with the incoming Trump administration.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that Governor Gavin Newsom secured $25 million to fund legal fights against the Trump administration in 2023 is misleading. The funding was proposed in December 2024, not secured in 2023, and was intended for anticipated legal challenges rather than specific actions taken during that year.
Sources
- Governor Newsom suing President Trump and Department of Defense for illegal takeover of CalGuard unit
- About California | CA.gov
- California governor proposes $25 million war chest for legal fights with Trump
- Kalifornia – Wikipedia
- California - Wikipedia
- California - Simple English Wikipedia
- Newsom v Trump holds promise and peril for California
- Newsom OK's $25 million for California to sue Trump administration
