The last Democrat knight on the board has fallen. They’ve completely given up.
Because Governor Newsom of California has thrown in the towel and bent the knee to Donald Trump.
California Governor Gavin Newsom to Veto Bill Blocking ICE Cooperation with State Prisons
California Governor Gavin Newsom is set to veto a bill that seeks to prevent the state’s prison system from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a move that reflects the growing tension among top Democrats regarding how to respond to Donald Trump’s extremely popular immigration agenda. Clearly, many top Democrats don’t feel just stiff-arming the Trump admin on all issues is a viable solution anymore.
The bill, Assembly Bill 15, argues that California’s prisons and jails should not transfer immigrants and refugees eligible for release to ICE for deportation purposes. According to the bill, such actions subject these individuals to “double punishment and further trauma.” The bill’s text also includes specific language instructing the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to cease all cooperation with ICE.
“If an individual is eligible for release,” the bill states, “the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) shall not detain on the basis of a hold request, provide an immigration authority with release date information, or respond to a notification request, transfer to an immigration authority, or facilitate or assist with a transfer request.”
Despite the bill’s support in some quarters, Newsom’s office confirmed to Fox News Digital that the governor intends to veto it if it reaches his desk. He’s previously signed similar bills, leading to curiosity if Newsom wants to keep his political paint dry for a potential run for President for the Democrat Party in 2028 or the near future.
The bill is sponsored by Assemblymember Mike Gipson, a Democratic lawmaker representing Los Angeles. Gipson argues that immigrants who are eligible for release should not face further detention by ICE, emphasizing that the transfer from state custody to ICE results in “double punishment” and the trauma of being separated from family and community.
This is not the first time Newsom has opposed such legislation. Two years ago, he vetoed a similar bill, Assembly Bill 1306, which also aimed to limit the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) cooperation with ICE. In his veto message at the time, Newsom explained that the bill would restrict the flow of critical information between state and federal law enforcement. Specifically, Newsom noted that the bill would “prohibit the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from providing any information or responding to a request for coordination from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, a federal law enforcement agency, regarding the imminent release of an incarcerated non-citizen, if the person is being released under specific circumstances.”
Newsom continued by stating that such restrictions would interfere with CDCR’s ability to assess public safety risks, and therefore, he believed that current laws already strike the right balance between limiting law enforcement cooperation and ensuring community trust. “I believe current law strikes the right balance on limiting interaction to support community trust and cooperation between law enforcement and local communities,” Newsom wrote in his 2023 veto message.
The California governor’s office further clarified that under the state’s existing laws, CDCR is allowed to coordinate with ICE to take custody of individuals convicted of serious felony offenses who have completed their sentences within the state prison system. According to Newsom’s office, since he became governor in 2019, more than 10,500 inmates, including individuals convicted of violent crimes like murder and r*pe, have been transferred from state prisons to ICE custody.
Trump’s Agenda As Popular As Ever
There is significant public support for increased deportations and a stronger military presence at the U.S.-Mexico border, both of which are central components of President Donald Trump’s executive actions. According to recent polling data, a majority of Americans back Trump’s efforts to address illegal immigration, especially through enhanced deportation measures and military deployment.
The CBS News/YouGov poll reveals that 59% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s decision to increase efforts to deport individuals living in the U.S. illegally. This includes 35% who strongly support this action. Additionally, 58% of Americans are in favor of sending additional military forces to the U.S.-Mexico border, with 35% expressing strong approval of this move. Among Republican and Republican-leaning independents, 74% say that the Trump administration is taking the right approach to deporting immigrants, with 12% feeling the efforts are insufficient and 13% believing they go too far. Interestingly, even 33% of Democrats express approval for the increased deportations.
The poll also shows that Trump is enjoying a relatively high approval rating of 53% for his early days in office, compared to 47% who disapprove of his performance. A closer look at the poll’s internals reveals broad support for his immigration-related actions, particularly his initiative to find and deport individuals living in the U.S. illegally and his deployment of troops to secure the southern border.
Trump had highlighted illegal immigration as a key issue in his campaign, predicting that it would be a decisive factor in the election. The 59% approval rating for his approach to immigration largely confirms this assertion.
When broken down by demographic groups, the support for Trump’s deportation efforts is particularly strong among white and male respondents, with 66% of both groups approving of the deportation program. However, support is more divided among Black and Hispanic respondents, with 51% disapproving and 49% approving in each group.
In terms of age demographics, support for Trump’s immigration actions spans all age groups. Among those aged 65 and older, 62% approve, while 63% of those between the ages of 45 to 65 express approval. Even among younger respondents, the support remains significant, with 55% of those aged 30 to 55 and 56% of Americans under the age of 30 backing Trump’s deportation policies. This younger demographic’s approval is particularly notable, as it reflects a broader cross-generational support for his stance on immigration.
Additionally, the poll indicates that younger respondents were more likely than older age groups to support Trump’s actions on issues related to “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) programs. Among those under 30, 47% said Trump was doing the “right amount” to end such programs, compared to 43% of respondents between the ages of 30 to 44, 46% of those aged 45 to 65, and 44% of those aged 65 and older. Furthermore, younger respondents were less likely to feel that Trump was doing “too much” to end DEI, with 36% of those under 30 expressing this view compared to higher percentages in older age groups.
The findings from the CBS News poll suggest that Trump’s policies on immigration and DEI resonate with a significant portion of the U.S. population, particularly among older adults and certain demographic groups, while highlighting a trend of younger Americans showing less opposition to his approaches.
The Federalist Wire will update you on any further updates from the Trump administration.
