Trump’s Second First Year: 54 Lawsuits and $188 Billion Restored to CA

If Trump wants to stop losing, he should stop breaking the law.

Today marks one year since President Donald Trump returned to the White House and began his sweeping, often illegal, campaign to remake America.

Over the last year, Trump has doubled down on his vendetta against California, other democratic-led states and cities, and anyone who dares to speak out against him.

He has repeatedly attacked so much of what makes our nation great: our rights and freedoms, our children, families, immigrants, workers, seniors, and small businesses.

Sadly, none of Trump’s lawlessness came as a surprise.

Trump laid out his plans in Trump 1.0, in his campaign speeches, and in Project 2025, which allowed my team at California DOJ and I, along with my fellow Democratic Attorneys General, to prepare.

We went into Trump’s first year suited up and ready to hit whatever curveball the federal administration threw our way — and we have delivered.

In just one year, I have taken Trump to court 54 times and won, repeatedly. California DOJ has secured a victory 80% of the time, including 12 final rulings and 35 preliminary injunctions and other emergency relief.

As we’ve racked up the wins, more than once, the Trump Administration has waved the white flag, backing down instead of duking it out in court.

Out of our 54 cases, 27 have centered on federal funding our state and communities rely on. Thanks to our lawsuits, we’ve returned approximately $188 billion to California children, seniors, workers, schools, and communities.

We ended the unlawful federalization of California’s National Guard and stopped the militarization of our streets, defended birthright citizenship, blocked sweeping voter restrictions, preserved AmeriCorps, and blocked Trump from clawing back funds for childcare, cutting-edge medical research, and FEMA’s disaster mitigation.

If Trump wasn’t used to losing in court before, he has got to be by now. If he wants to stop losing, he should stop breaking the law. But you’ve got my word, as long as he’s a repeat offender, he’ll be a repeat loser.

I really don’t think it is too much to ask that the President of the United States uphold the Constitution, as he swore an oath to do, and to operate within the bounds of his authority, which not for nothing, is expansive and incredibly powerful as it is.

Unfortunately, that has not been our reality.

The Trump Administration militarized our streets — undermining public safety, heightening tension between law enforcement and our communities, hampering local businesses, and misusing and disrespecting members of our military.

It actively fought to keep food out of hungry families’ mouths.

It drove up prices of groceries, gas, utilities, and rent through unlawful tariffs.

One year has made it clear: The Trump Administration’s lawlessness is bad for business, bad for workers, bad for families, and bad for our economy.

I refuse to stand idly by as Trump breaks the law, hurts our people, and targets our communities.

As I have proven 54 times in one year, when Trump breaks the law, I take him to court. When Trump harms our people, I fight back.

I will never turn my back on our rights, our freedoms, our people.

I am grateful that I do not stand alone. I stand beside Governor Newsom, a coalition of courageous Democratic Attorneys General, public servants across the state and nation, and everyday people who are willing to stand up for what’s right.

If a year of resounding successes in court, marches that flooded our streets, and acts big and small that spoke out against this administration’s unlawful policies taught us anything, it’s this:

We ought not be hopeless. Because we’re not helpless. Not when we stand united. Not when we stay engaged. Not when we stand up for what makes our nation great: our Constitution, our democracy, our people.

As California Attorney General, you’ve got my word: I always will.