The necessity of the governor’s recent special session
Staff Writer
On December 2nd, California governor Gavin Newsom called for a special session to “Trump-proof” the state preemptively—to protect it from modern Republican policy before the presidential inauguration. Newsom’s proclamation, though criticized as political posturing, is necessary to protect LGBTQ+ students from exclusionary policy in the wake of Donald Trump’s second term.
The 2024 Republican Party Platform proposes “cutting federal funding for schools pushing critical race theory, radical gender ideology, and radical, sexual or political content; keeping men out of women’s sports; and closing the Department of Education,” antagonizing marginalized students under the guise of educational reform.
Trump also threatened to pull federal funding from states which protected “woke policy,” resulting in an estimated 7% decrease—$8 billion—from California’s education budget. The policy denies these students the acknowledgment of their identities in an educational setting, reducing them to parts of a larger political agenda. By politicizing identity, separate from the individual, he estranges marginalized students, attacking the institutions these students turn to for academic and social support.
During the special session, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, “If the president-elect follows through on his promises, we must be ready to act on day one. We need to meet the demands of the moment and robustly defend California’s people, progress, and values.” Bonta underscores an urgency with which legislators must act to slow, if not halt, the move toward Trump’s anti-woke, intolerant education. The principles with which the legislation would be instituted also define the state’s priorities moving into these next four years.
AHS’s LGBTQ+ club secretary, Shreeya Manga (10), said “Trump’s policies will affect LGBTQ+ youth and specifically, the trans community. His policies will create a ripple effect of harm because these communities already face disproportionate amounts of discrimination, mental health struggles, and stigma.” Mental health crises within these communities become exacerbated by identity politics and an increasing intolerance from other youth.
In fact, the direct impact of Trump’s policies are not just hypothetical, supported by data from both his first term and reactions in the post-election season. Under Trump’s first term, anti-LGBTQ+ policies led to an immediate spike in suicidal ideation in queer and trans youth, and a study led by the Trevor Project reported an alarming 700% increase in helpline service usage following 2024’s Election Day. Legislation policing queer identities was also found to be directly correlated with poorer mental health within those communities, and absenteeism trended similarly. In trying to Trump-proof the state, Newsom could confront declining mental health with unwavering support and resources. Given that queer students are being specifically prioritized, many of the consequences of a Trump presidency would be cushioned.
Newsom’s Trump-proofing is imperative to fostering a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ youth. Whether or not his stance is rooted in political mobility is unimportant because of the consequences of silence and the urgent need for action. It becomes obvious that Newsom needed to act swiftly, for the effects on students both mentally and socially appear so dire. In being proactive, Newsom asserts the Californian prerogative to protect queer communities, and in his defiance of Trump’s policies, he passively encourages other states to follow suit, defending a safe and inclusive education for Americans.
Governor Gavin Newsom and President-elect Donald Trump, shown in opposition, as Newsom calls for legislative action in response to Trump’s anticipated agenda (Photo Credit: The San Francisco Chronicle and The New York Times) (Art Credit: Amrita Venkatesh (12)).
Eagle Era 
Leave a comment