California Attorney General Rob Bonta Signals Readiness for Legal Battles Over Trump’s Executive Orders

Trump’s Sweeping Immigration Actions

On Monday night, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting immigration, including efforts to militarize enforcement and revoke birthright citizenship. As these policies take effect, California Attorney General Rob Bonta has vowed to closely monitor their implications and take legal action if necessary.

In an interview with KCRA 3 ahead of Trump’s executive actions, Bonta made it clear that his office was prepared. “We’ve been readying and preparing for months, and all of our actions will be fully dependent on his,” Bonta said. “A president has authority, but it’s limited. A president certainly cannot amend the U.S. Constitution unilaterally.”

Concerns Over Birthright Citizenship

One of Trump’s most controversial moves is his push to end birthright citizenship—a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Bonta called this effort a “full-front attack on the Constitution and American citizens.” Legal experts anticipate lawsuits challenging the move, arguing that such a fundamental change requires a constitutional amendment rather than an executive order.

While Bonta did not immediately confirm whether California would be involved in these legal challenges, he emphasized the need to analyze the details of Trump’s orders before taking action. “We’ll of course want to read its details,” he said.

National Emergency and Immigration Crackdown

During his swearing-in ceremony, Trump outlined a hardline approach to immigration, including:

• Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border

• Halting illegal border crossings

• Initiating mass deportations

• Reinstating the ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy

In addition, his administration shut down the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) app and canceled appointments for undocumented immigrants who were in the process of legally seeking residency.

California’s Role and Legal Limitations

Despite California’s strong stance against Trump’s immigration policies, legal experts caution that the state’s ability to challenge federal immigration enforcement is limited. While California sued the first Trump administration more than 120 times—primarily over environmental policies—immigration is largely under federal jurisdiction.

Chris Micheli, an adjunct professor at the McGeorge School of Law, noted that federal law governs immigration nationwide. “In some instances, California may be successful in challenging federal government actions, but when it comes to border control and immigration, no,” Micheli said. “It’s a matter of federal law, and they want the same laws applicable to all 50 states—not different immigration laws in Florida versus California versus Michigan or Texas.”

Preparing for Legal Battles

To bolster its ability to fight back, California lawmakers have proposed an additional $25 million in funding for Bonta’s office. This move is a focal point of a special legislative session at the state capitol, highlighting the state’s intent to mount legal challenges against Trump’s policies.

While California’s legal options may be limited in immigration matters, Bonta signaled his commitment to defending constitutional rights. “We have open lines of communication and will engage as appropriate,” he said, emphasizing that the state will take action where it can.

As the Trump administration moves forward with its immigration crackdown, the battle between California and the federal government is just beginning.