SAN FRANCISCO — California Gov. Jerry Brown on Tuesday swore to protect the state’s liberal policies, underscoring the state’s position as a likely adversary to President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a brief state-of-the-state speech that introduced no new proposals, the Democratic governor said the state was expecting a “battle ahead, and would defend its policies.” Brown, who never mentioned Trump by name, also said the state would seek to find common ground with the new administration, citing the Republican president’s plan to spend heavily on infrastructure building.
The governor, who has made climate-change policies a hallmark of his administration, has criticized Trump before. California pre-emptively hired former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to help in future legal battles with the Trump administration. But Brown used Tuesday’s address as a broad liberal call to arms, outlining the state’s commitment to its positions on immigration, health care, and the climate.
“California is not turning back, not now, not ever,” Brown roared from the podium, in an address interrupted by standing ovations and applause from the majority Democratic legislature.
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