Democrats are divided in their approach to resisting President-elect Donald Trump and his allies. Some are choosing a conciliatory stance, while others are determined to use all legal and legislative tools to block their policies. The resistance camp, including prominent figures like California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, has been preparing for this moment for months.
Their preparations, aided by Project 2025, a conservative blueprint outlining the next Republican administration’s policies, have led to blue states “Trump proofing” programs and strengthening legal teams to fight against the new administration in court. These Democrats are ready to challenge Trump and his allies, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta stating, “Bring it on.”
While some Democratic governors are open to cooperation with the incoming administration, others like Newsom are positioning themselves as the forefront of the resistance. Newsom has called for special legislative sessions to protect California initiatives targeted by Trump. Additionally, a nonpartisan group focused on countering threats of autocracy has been launched by Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis.
Democratic attorneys general, who were caught off guard by Trump’s policies in his first term, are now prepared to challenge the administration in court. Leaders like California’s Bonta, Minnesota’s Ellison, New Jersey’s Matthew Platkin, and New York’s Letitia James are expected to lead the litigation movement. These offices will likely challenge every move from the Trump administration with their teams of attorneys. In the aftermath of the election, several offices have put out an open call to recruit more litigation attorneys, emphasizing the need for top legal talent to join their ranks. However, these attorneys general face significant challenges in court due to a more conservative Supreme Court and increased Republican support in Congress under Trump’s influence.
While Democratic governors may be hesitant to directly oppose Trump, interest groups like Democracy Forward, with a strong focus on challenging federal regulations, are gearing up for a fight. Additionally, political groups advocating for abortion rights are prepared to hold Trump and anti-abortion politicians accountable for their actions.
In the realm of immigration, the American Civil Liberties Union has already taken legal action against the Trump administration to challenge deportation practices. Trump officials are strategizing on executive actions to withstand legal challenges from immigrant rights groups.
Climate organizations such as EarthJustice and the Sierra Club are anticipating further rollbacks of environmental regulations and are prepared to defend against these actions in court. EarthJustice, which has a track record of success in suing the Trump administration, has declared readiness to take on Trump in legal battles post-election.
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