**California Prepares for Trump’s Potential Second Term with Legal Strategy**

As the probability of Donald Trump returning to the White House rises, California Democrats and their partners are gearing up to defend the state against potential federal challenges. On Thursday, Governor Gavin Newsom called for a special legislative session set to begin on December 2 to prepare for expected legal battles with the Trump administration.

California’s past experiences with the Trump administration were marked by frequent lawsuits, exceeding 100 during Trump’s first term. Anticipating similar conflicts, the state plans to ensure ample funding for its Department of Justice and other agencies, potentially allocating up to $100 million for “robust affirmative litigation.”

Attorney General Rob Bonta reinforced this strategy during a press event in San Francisco, emphasizing the state's determination to protect its residents' rights and environmental standards. "We’ve lived through Trump 1.0," Bonta remarked, highlighting the state’s readiness to counter efforts to roll back environmental protections, target immigrant and LGBTQ+ communities, and restrict access to reproductive healthcare.

Criticism was swift from Republican lawmakers, who labeled the special session as divisive and politically motivated. Bill Essayli, a Republican Assembly member from Corona, suggested that Congress should cut off all federal funding to California over immigration issues as soon as Trump is inaugurated. GOP Senate Leader Brian Jones accused Newsom of using his gubernatorial position to bolster his prospects for a presidential run in 2028.

Trump's potential second term poses significant risks to various aspects of California’s governance. The state’s initiatives on clean air, climate change, and water management could face obstruction, and there are fears that Trump might withhold wildfire aid or force increased water exports that could endanger local wildlife. Experts are also concerned about possible cuts to federal funds for homelessness programs, an area where Newsom and Trump differ significantly despite some shared opinions on encampment clearance.

In the education sector, Trump’s promise to shut down the U.S. Department of Education raises alarms, with a potential $7.9 billion loss in federal funding for California schools. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond aims to urge Trump and Congress to reaffirm their commitment to public education amidst these threats.

These preparations for legal confrontations underscore the expected turbulence between California and a potential second Trump administration, reflecting broader national political and policy divides.