Just days after Donald Trump was announced as the winner of the 2024 presidential election, Democratic leaders in several states have vowed to fight back against some of the policies he plans to enact during his second term.
California Governor Gavin Newsom called a special session of the legislature to "safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration."
"The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won't sit idle," Newsom said in a statement. "California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond. We are prepared, and we will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive."
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said that she would not allow state police to assist with Trump's plan to deport illegal immigrants.
"I do think it's important that we all recognize that there's going to be a lot of pressure on states and state officials, and I can assure you, we're going to work really hard to deliver," she told MSNBC anchor Lawrence O'Donnell. "I'm sure there may be litigation ahead."
"I think that the key here is that every tool in the toolbox has gotta be used to protect our citizens, to protect our residents and protect our states, and certainly to hold the line on democracy and the rule of law as a basic principle," she added.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also issued a warning to Trump, vowing, "If you come for my people, you come through me."
"Even today, when I'm struggling with many of the difficult questions this election poses, my optimism for the future remains undiminished," Pritzker said during a press conference.
"To anyone who intends to come take away the freedom and opportunity and dignity of Illinoisans: I would remind you that a happy warrior is still a warrior," he added. "You come for my people; you come through me."
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy sent mixed messages during a question-and-answer session following Trump's victory.
"[A]s we respect the peaceful transition of power, if there is any attack on the Garden State or any of its communities from Washington, I will fight back with every fiber of my being," Murphy said, according to Fox News.
However, Murphy did suggest that he would be willing to work with the Trump administration if their policy goals aligned.
"If there's an opportunity for common ground, we will seize that as fast as anybody," he added.
In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul offered a similar message, pledging to work with Trump on certain issues but promising to push back on any attempts to restrict the rights of New Yorkers.
"And I'll work with him or anybody regardless of party on these kinds of efforts that I know will benefit the state of New York," she said. "However, if you try to harm New Yorkers or roll back their rights, I will fight you every step of the way."
However, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who actively pushed back against Trump during his first term by filing nearly 100 legal actions, vowed to continue her fight during his second term in office.
"If possible, we will work with his administration, but we will not compromise our values or our integrity, our principles," she said. "We did not expect this result, but we are prepared to respond to this result, and my office has been preparing for several months because we've been here before, we've faced this challenge before, and we use the rule of law to fight back."