Happily Divorced And After

By Joe W. Bowers Jr, | California Black Media

With Donald Trump recently elected as the 47th President, many Black Californians are feeling a mix of concern and uncertainty, especially with Project 2025 — a conservative plan poised to impact social services, voting rights, education reform, and environmental protections — areas that support the well-being of Black communities across the state.

At the November meeting of the Inglewood Area Ministers Association (IAMA) held two days after the General Election at the Center of Hope Church, IAMA charter member retired Rev. William Thurmond shared how he had comforted family members troubled by the election’s outcome.

Thurmond turned to the Book of Samuel, recounting how Samuel, a prophet and leader, anointed Israel’s kings and guided the people through turbulent political transitions. He suggested that Samuel’s story offers insight into how to view leadership that may seem flawed or contrary to one’s personal values.

Drawing from 1 Samuel 8, Thurmond explained how the people of Israel demanded a king to lead them despite Samuel’s warnings of the hardships that the decision would bring.

Quoting directly, Thurmond shared Samuel’s warning: “This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: he will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen… he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your olive yards… he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.” (1 Samuel 8:11, 14–15).

“Much like that moment in history,” Thurmond said, “we, too, may need to brace ourselves for difficult times. But just as the Israelites were called to press on, we are called to stay resilient, support one another, and keep our focus on a future beyond this administration.”

His reflections inspired a broader discussion among the IAMA members present, who agreed that when leaders change, the community’s responsibility to each other and to their faith stays unwavering and strong.

“Samuel’s journey teaches us that when leaders change, our calling to stand together in faith and purpose does not,” Thurmond continued. “This isn’t the time to sink into worry or feel defeated.” Instead, he encouraged everyone to find strength in the story, viewing it as a call to rise, support one another, and act with purpose.

Facing Project 2025 and Trump’s Leadership

In response to Thurmond’s reflections, the ministers shared concerns that Trump’s authoritarian leadership style, marked by divisive rhetoric, along with Project 2025’s proposed policy changes, could pose significant challenges for Black Californians.

They agreed that Trump and Project 2025 could undo hard-won progress and limit access to essential resources. Given these challenges, the ministers emphasized the need for vigilance, unity, and civic engagement.

“We have every reason to be watchful,” said one minister. “Project 2025 aims to undo progress that we fought so hard for over decades. We must stay informed and resilient.” 

Principles for Resilience and Unity

From the ministers’ discussion inspired by the Book of Samuel, a set of guiding principles naturally took shape that could help Black Californians face the challenges ahead. Rather than prescribing specific actions, they focused on values rooted in faith and community — awareness, support, civic engagement, and resilience — that can serve as anchors in these times. 

1. Building Resilience Through Awareness
   The ministers underscored that staying informed is fundamental to resilience. They encouraged attending forums, joining discussions, and actively engaging with local representatives to stay connected and aware of any policy changes stemming from Project 2025. 

2. Strength in Community Support

Through their discussions, the ministers concluded that coming together as a community is crucial. During uncertain times, shared support becomes a vital resource. Organizing community events, supporting Black-owned businesses, and participating in local groups can foster resilience and provide resources for those impacted by policy shifts. 

3. Engaging in Civic Life
   Active participation in civic life is more essential now than ever, the ministers stressed. Trump’s presidency and Project 2025 present serious challenges for Black communities. The ministers expressed that everyone should get involved in local government, vote, and participate in advocacy efforts. Every voice counts and Black Californians can help influence policies that support their communities by staying engaged.

4. Fostering Unity and Resilience
   Nurturing resilience through spiritual and cultural practices offers additional strength. The ministers suggested regular gatherings, community circles, and cultural events to build hope, foster unity, and create a foundation of resilience during uncertain times.

Moving Forward with Purpose

As the meeting concluded, one minister shared, “Just as Samuel guided the people through turbulent times, we have the chance to guide each other. This is not a time for fear but a call to face the future with confidence, grounded in faith, community, and purpose.”

In facing the changes ahead, Black Californians can draw upon a legacy of resilience, transforming uncertainty into strength. With faith as a guiding light, the community can move forward — not just to survive but to shape a future grounded in unity, action, and hope.

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media

California voters have rejected Proposition 33, which aimed to expand rent control protections by repealing the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act. With nearly 95% of precincts reporting, 61.6% of voters opposed the measure, while 38.4% supported it. The proposition would have allowed cities to extend rent control to properties not previously covered, such as newer homes and units with new tenants.

The initiative, backed by labor unions and tenant advocacy groups, sought to ease housing costs for groups like seniors, low-wage workers, and veterans. However, it faced strong opposition from landlords, real estate developers, and property owners, who argued that it would worsen California’s housing crisis by discouraging new construction and lowering property values.

This marks the third failure of a similar measure, following two unsuccessful attempts in 2018 and 2020. Proponents of Prop. 33 raised $50.1 million, while opponents outspent them with $124.6 million.

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

With as much going on in our society and in the world today, tomorrow is not promised. I want you to understand that there are two pressing deadlines and that both of them are urgent. Christ has a deadline for His return of which no man knows the day nor the hour [Matthew 25:13] and at the very same time, we are reminded in [James 4:14] that we do not know what our life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? A vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. So, consider today with some urgency your eternal life and repent before it is too late! Because once the Master of the house gets up and closes the door, you’ll stand outside knocking and pleading, sir open the door for us. But “He will answer,” I don’t know you or where you come from [Luke 13: 25-27].

Listen, you don’t have to go to Hell. God has provided a way of escape for you. But even God’s way of escape will do you no good unless you reach out and take it. Why should you die in your sins? Why go to Hell when Jesus has opened the door to Heaven? Consider today with some urgency your eternal life. For you are not the master of your fate. You are not the captain of your soul. Consider the words of Jesus in [Mark 1:15]: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the gospel.

And please, don’t make the mistake of thinking that you can wait until the last minute to prepare for it. Just as we don’t know the “day nor the hour” that Christ will return, the same goes for our own demise. Death can come at any time, whether we are ready or not! Take advantage of the fact that you are alive and well to seek God’s mercy and grace today [Proverbs 27:1]. The Bible says that God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance [2 Peter 3:9]. Don’t gamble with your soul because one day an angel will place one foot on the sea and the other on the dry land and lifting his hand to heaven, swear by Him that liveth forever and ever, that “Time shall be no more.” [Revelation 10:5-6].

Now I know some will say, well the thief on the cross was spared at the last minute. Yes, he was. But although the story of the criminal on the cross demonstrates that last-minute conversions are possible, the Bible warns us to repent now, without waiting another moment [Matthew 3:2; Matthew 4:17]. We are not instructed to consider converting someday, but to believe today! For none of us knows how much time we have left in this life or what the circumstances of our death will be. We may die in a sudden, unexpected manner that will preclude a deathbed conversion. The only reasonable option is to repent and believe in Jesus Christ today [Hebrews 3:7-8, 14; 4:7]. For in [2 Corinthians 6:2; Luke 16:26] Jesus declares, “In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.

Now this day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God [Deuteronomy 30:19-20].

For a small reward, a man will hurry away on a long journey; while for eternal life, many will hardly take a single step – [Thomas a Kempis].
They know the truth and even believe the truth, in the sense that they acknowledge its truthfulness, its rightness. They are well aware of the good news of salvation provided in Jesus Christ but are not willing to commit their lives to Him. So, they drift past the call of God into eternal damnation [2 Timothy 4:4 –
2 Thessalonians 2:11:12].

The Tragedy Of Delay and Rejecting Salvation!

By Bo Tefu and Antonio Ray Harvey ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media

In the wake of the general election and Donald Trump winning another term as president, State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) Tony Thurmond is on a mission to protect public education in California.

On Nov. 8, Thurmond, members of the California legislature, educators, union leaders, and other elected officials expressed their concerns at a news conference about the possibility of the Trump Administration dismantling the U.S. Department of Education (DOE).

“To tear down and abolish an organization that provides protections for our students is a threat to the well-being of our students and our families and of Americans,” Thurmond said.

Thurmond said losing $8 billion dollars in federal funding is at stake. During his campaign, Trump didn’t hesitate to take barbs at the DOE.

Closing the doors of the DOE could affect a range of scholastic programs such as Special Education, English as a Second Language (ESL), free lunch, federal grants for college students and Title I, a program that provides support to educate disadvantaged families.

Sen. Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) and Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), the chair of the Assembly Education Committee, spoke at the news conference held in the boardroom of the California Department of Education building.

Muratsuchi said, “We need to get ready now for what is going to start on Jan. 20 (2025).”

“It is the job of every teacher, every school board member, every principal, every elected representative in the state of California who believes in public education,” he said. “It is time for us to stand up to protect all of these kids. When we are facing a bully who is targeting our most vulnerable students, we all need to stand up.”

Trump has said that he prefers the Choice School initiative, a policy that provides parents and students the choice to use public funds to attend a school other than their district or local public school.

Thurmond and supporters of the traditional public school system are asking President-elect Trump and the U.S. Congress to continue federal supporting the funding of the programs.

Thurmond said he has started reaching out to lawmakers in Washington, D.C., and in the California legislature to get in front of Trumps policy plans.

“I’m prepared to sponsor legislation that would call on the California State Legislature and the Governor to backfill that funding to preserve and protect that funding for the students of California,” Thurmond said.

By Jynona Norwood

In the 1970’s, Jim Jones, cult leader and deceiver was able to draw thousands of African Americans to his church from far and near. He used numerous tools to lure them: The Bible, Black gospel music, and activism among false promises.

Our grandmother, Mrs. Julia Gales, was Jones’s first Black member to join Peoples Temple in San Francisco. She recruited many families and friends from across the country. Later, it was our grandmother, who identified – with unbearable screams – the names of our relatives when they scrolled down on the news. From that day to now, the Jones family and church members have caused our memorial services and efforts constant problems to give the innocent victims a dignified memorial.

I do not have the money, staff, nor time to fight a cult, but they do. Jim Jones is listed in honor at the gravesite of the babies that he ordered to be murdered. Jones does not deserve to be honored on top of their sacred final resting place. It is like reliving a second Jonestown.

We were the first to hold a Memorial Service in San Francisco in May 1979 on Fillmore St, at the Queen Adah Hall. We are appreciative that last year in 2023 Madame Vice President Kamala Harris honored our 45th Jonestown Memorial with a recognition. It was healing for those who are still hurting.

We will continue the Memorial Service this year on Monday, Nov. 18 at 11 am with keynote speaker, Dr. Amos Brown. It will take place at the Evergreen Cemetery 6450 Camden, Ave. in Oakland, California.

Jones’s family tried to get our grandmother to recruit new people after killing her only daughter, my mom, her daughter-in-law, 7 grandchildren, and a host of family and friends, with the youngest being our 2-month-old cousin, Charles Gary Henderson. How did Jones, a Euro-American, who posed as a Native American Indian get almost 1,000 people mostly African American to trust him into a snake and mosquito-filled hot Jungle?

He lied with a fully laid out plan just like Hitler. His plan succeeded because Blacks were tired of having their blood drench this land with little or nothing being done about it. America was built off the backs of their ancestors, yet, they were experiencing inequality, injustice, murders, racial profiling, and more.

He seized the Black community – both wealthy and struggling families – because he copied our greatest hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches and dreams. The world was reeling from the assassination of Dr. King, President John F. Kennedy, and Senator Robert Kennedy which devastated our community. Here you have the perfect atmosphere: “JONESTOWN” with political leaders gracing his pulpit and news media praising him day and night. Jones lured everyone with pictures of happy children and letters in which parents were forced to lie by saying, “Everything is great over here. Come over. We have the land that flows with milk and honey.”

U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan of California traveled to Guyana in November 1978 with a media crew and a few concerned relatives to investigate rumors that people were being held there against their will. I missed the trip with Ryan and the concerned relatives only to live out my days honoring the wonderful people held at gunpoint in America and Jonestown. Many of those who got away were Jones’s family and personal henchmen who were in power to hurt and maim, according to Rev. Richard Clark who died mysteriously from food poisoning.

Jones’s favorite statement was, “You will never forget me.” Help us forget and remove him and remember the innocent victims in which 300 were Children. Forty infant caskets lay buried under Jim Jones’s name in Evergreen Cemetery.

They did not die willingly. They were murdered and surrounded by guards with crossbows and gunmen. First news reports stated with pictures that Jones had enough guns for a military coup and enough poison to kill multiplied thousands. No one drank the Kool-aid as the slogan goes. They were held at gunpoint and ordered to drink or be shot and that included their children, their future, the jewel of their lives, with whom they trusted Jones who is now honored alongside them. This should not be.

Pastor Jynona Norwood is founder of the official Jonestown Memorial Services. She can be reached at Innocent300Jonestown@gmail.com and JonestownOfficialMemorial.com

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jamaal Liddell)

YOKOSUKA, JAPAN — Operation’s Specialist 2nd Class Jazmin Rodriguez, from Ontario, California, participates in a sea-and-anchor evolution as the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) returns to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka after a routine patrol, November 8. Ralph Johnson is forward deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th fleet’s principal surface force.

SAN DIEGO, CA— U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Seaman India Hawkins, from San Bernardino, California, tapes a panel light for painting aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Nov. 6, 2024. Theodore Roosevelt, the flagship of Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, is currently pierside at Naval Air Station North Island in its homeport of San Diego.

By Antonio? ?Ray? ?Harvey? ?|? ?California? ?Black? ?Media?

There is one African American woman currently serving in the California State Senate, Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Ladera Heights).

It’s the same in the U.S. Senate.

In October of 2023, Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) to complete the term of Sen. Dianne Feinstein after she passed away in September 2023. Butler will likely be replaced in January by Adam Schiff, who is projected to win the seat after the Nov. 5 general election.

Now, two more Black women are on pace to become California State Senators.

In the United States Senate, two Black women have already won seats. Lisa Blunt-Rochester of Delaware and Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland will be going to Capitol Hill in January after winning their respective U.S. Senate races.

It will be the first time in U.S., history that two Black women have served in the Senate at the same time.

“It is remarkable to think that in two years, America will celebrate is 250^th birthday and in all those years, there has been more than 2000 people who have served in the United States Senate and only three have looked like me,” said Alsobrooks in her victory speech on Nov. 5.

“So, I want to salute all of those who came before me, who made it possible for me to stand on this stage tonight, whose sacrifice and stories I will continue to carry with me,” added Alsobrooks.

In Southern California, as of Nov. 9, Laura Richardson leads Michelle Chambers with 107,255 votes to 103 638 votes in Senate District 35. Both women are Democrats. The 35th Senate District 35 encompasses an area in South L.A. County, including parts of Inglewood, Compton, San Pedro, Hawthorne, and Carson.

That seat is currently held by California Legislative Black Caucus vice chair Sen. Steven Bradford (D-Inglewood), who terms out in December and is running for lieutenant Governor in 2026.

Richardson served in the California State Assembly in 2006-2007 before she was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served from 2007 to 2013.

“As a dedicated housing advocate for the past decade, I stand unwavering in my commitment to ending homelessness,” Richardson stated on her campaign website. “With a profound understanding of the pressing issues at hand, my top priority is to spearhead the creation of more affordable housing options.”

Chambers is a former Compton city Councilwoman who has worked for the State’s Attorney General’s office.

“Our campaign is about fighting for the needs of working families,” Chambers posted on the social media platform X, formerly called Twitter, on Oct. 11. “I’ll always stand up for our #SD35 communities – not special interests.”

In San Diego, Assemblymember Akilah Weber (D-La Mesa), is leading her Republican opponent, Bob Devine, in the race for the 39th Senate District seat. Weber has 219, 465 votes (62.4%) so far to Devine’s 132, 044 (37.6%).

Weber and Devine are vying for a seat that is currently held by Sen. Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), who will be running for governor in 2026.

“I am extremely humbled and incredibly grateful for the support you’ve shown me throughout the election,” Weber posted Nov. 6 on the X. “San Diego has just made history by electing the first African American woman to the CA State Senate south of Los Angeles. Thank you for believing in me. Now let’s get to work.”

Eight years ago, Blunt-Rochester first made history in Congress as the first Black person and woman elected to represent Delaware. Alsobrooks was a Maryland states attorney and a County Executive in Prince Georges County before running for the Senate.

Vice President Kamala Harris, the first Black person elected as U.S. Senator from California, served from 2016 to 2020. Blunt-Rochester pointed out that Kamala Harris had only four months to launch her presidential campaign, highlighting the significant challenge of such a tight timeline.

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for stepping up to run when our country needed her leadership, tenacity, and commitment to serve the American people,” Blunt-Rochester stated. “Because of the trails she blazed, the lives she touched, the communities she fought for, the stories she uplifted, we are better.”

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media 

After a 12-hour public comment period and debate, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved updates to the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) with a 12-2 vote, ensuring its ambitious commitment to reaching zero-emission goals for the transportation sector by 2045.

The meeting took place at Haagen-Smit Auditorium in Riverside. The approval of the fuel standards is expected to trigger an increase in gas prices in the state, but board members are uncertain how much more Californians would have to pay at the pump.

“The proposal approved today strikes a balance between reducing the environmental and health impacts of transportation fuel used in California and ensuring that low-carbon options are available as the state continues to work toward a zero-emissions future,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph.

CARB board members serve as the air quality regulators for the state aligned with climate change programs, and they oversee all air pollution control efforts in California. From requirements for clean vehicles and fuels to promoting solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, CARB creates standards for effective air and climate programs.

The amendments of LCFS are directed to decrease the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuel pool by 30% by 2030 and by 90% by 2045, according to CARB. The provisions also expand support for zero-emissions infrastructure, including for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and make more public transit agencies eligible to generate credits.

According to CARB staff, the LCFS program is designed to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by “setting a declining carbon intensity target for transportation fuels” used in the state.

The modifications to LCFS arrived after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation legislation to help prevent gas price spikes.

Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer (D-Los Angeles), a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), voted for the Newsom-backed measure to protect consumers from gas prices spikes, but during the special session he said many people of color in his South Los Angeles district were struggling with high gas prices and were looking for relief.

“I am hoping that in this legislation that we do have the teeth to ensure that people in South Los Angeles will be protected,” Jones-Sawyer said. The lawmaker is termed out of office in December.

CLBC members Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Los Angeles) and Assemblymembers Chris Holden (D-Pasadena) and and Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) attended the governor’s signing event of Assembly Bill (AB) ABX2-1 at the State Capitol in October.

“The state has the tools to make sure they backfill supplies and plan ahead for maintenance so there aren’t shortages that drive up prices,” Newsom said in an Oct. 14 written statement.

Senate Minority Leader Brian Dahle (R-Bieber) expressed his concerns about the vote. In a written statement released after the meeting, he indicated that California residents could see gas prices upwards of 65 cents per gallon.

Dahle referred to the governor’s extended session as “Special Session Stunt 2.0.”

“(The) decision by CARB will not only make it more expensive for families, but also disproportionately affect residents in rural communities in my district who must travel long distances for groceries, healthcare, etc.,” Dahle stated. “Californians shouldn’t have to forfeit taking their family out to dinner in order to afford putting gas in the car just to get to work.”

In October, California Legislative Republicans (CLR) sent a five-page letter to Randolph estimating that the change could lift gasoline prices 47 cents a gallon, or $6.4 billion a year.

The letter was signed off by 25 Republicans in the California Legislature, including Dahle.

“A separate study placed the pump cost much higher – 65 cents a gallon. Now the air board has backed off its 47-cent price hike estimate. And it refuses to offer a revised forecast,” the Oct. 15 document stated.

At present, the LCFS program currently limits the “pass-through costs companies can shift to consumers,” according to CARB. This action is done by putting a lid on the price of credits that are high-carbon-intensity fuel-producing.

CARB shared that information provided by third-party product experts explains the current LCFS pass-through to Californians is $0.10 per gallon of gasoline.

The data, according to CARB, is in line with the self-reported data by high-carbon-intensity fuel producers, which reflects an LCFS cost pass-through to consumers of $0.08 to $0.10 per gallon of gasoline.

“(The board’s) approval increases consumer options beyond petroleum, provides a roadmap for cleaner air, and leverages private sector investment and federal incentives to spur innovation to address climate change and pollution,” Randolph stated.

By Tanu T. Henry | California Black Media 

Early on Nov. 6 — shortly after 2 a.m. ET in Palm Beach, Fla.– President-elect Donald J. Trump declared victory in the 2024 General Election. He thanked supporters and pledged to “fix” the United States with the support of “the biggest, the broadest, the most unified coalition” the country has ever seen.

“They came from all quarters,” Trump said to applause. “Union, nonunion, African American, Hispanic American, Asian American, Arab American, Muslim American, we had everybody, and it was beautiful.”

The next day, Gov. Gavin Newsom thanked Vice President Kamala Harris for a well-fought campaign and congratulated the President-elect, promising to work along with him.

However, Newsom put a stake in the ground with a pledge he made as well: to defend the Constitution of the United States and stand up for policies and values that may be at odds with Trump’s politics but are supported by the majority of Californians.

“Though this is not the outcome we wanted, our fight for freedom and opportunity endures,” said Newsom in a statement. “California will seek to work with the incoming president — but let there be no mistake, we intend to stand with states across our nation to defend our Constitution and uphold the rule of law.”

Throughout his governorship, Newsom has introduced and rallied support for a number of progressive policies on a range of issues from criminal justice reform, immigration and trade to the environment, abortion and racial justice. Championing those views has positioned Newsom as the protagonist of the political Left and a punching bag of the political Right, including Trump. The incoming POTUS frequently references California in his criticisms and invokes Newsom by name, or a disparaging nickname (“Newscum”), setting the Governor up as his arch-nemesis in political diatribes.

On November 8, Newsom issued a proclamation calling for a special convening of the California 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,” wrote Newsom.

Like Newsom, a number of California elected officials congratulated Trump last week but moderated their well wishes with a commitment to fight against the policies that they disagree with.  In anticipation, many have even begun to put forth counterproposals and organize their opposition to the incoming President and the policies he has promised to introduce to address various problems.

For example, On Nov. 8, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond,  who is running for governor, organized a press conference with leaders and advocates in the California education sector to respond to Trump winning the presidential election.

“This week I heard from some educators in Special Education, and they shared with me their fears and their consternation because of what they heard about a threat to end the U.S. Department of Education,” said Thurmond. “They said, ‘If the U.S. Department of Education is abolished does that mean that they are getting rid of Special Education services for California students?’”

Thurmond addressed those concerns, “Let me be clear,” he continued. “We will not be ever getting rid of Special Education services in the great state of California. And we call on President-elect Trump and the members of Congress to reaffirm their commitment to public education.”

Attorney General Rob Bonta said the California Department of Justice is working closely with the state Legislature “to shore up our defenses and ensure we have the resources we need to take on each fight as it comes.”

“No matter what the incoming Administration has in store, California will keep moving forward,” said Bonta. “We’ve been through this before, and we stand ready to defend your rights and protect California values.”

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12), who served as a surrogate for the Harris-Walz campaign, said in a statement, “We cannot hide our disappointment.”

“This is a dangerous and frightening moment for our democracy,” she continued. “I am fearful that the progress we’ve made over the past four years will be undone,” added Lee.  “That said, we cannot lose sight of the fact that more than 68 million Americans voted to take our country forward. They voted for progress. They voted for Vice President Kamala Harris.”

Lee went on, “We must fight to preserve our democracy and our Constitution. We must fight to preserve our rights.

On November 7, Lateefah Simon, who won the election to succeed Lee in the U.S. Congress, told KQED, a Bay Area news outlet, that “We have to fight like hell to ensure that the people of the United States have health care, that we push back on the Trump administration’s promise to gut Social Security.”

On November 6, during a television interview with News Nation’s Chris Cuomo, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) said it will be difficult to work with Trump.

“He said he is going to get retribution from those who have not worked with him, who don’t like him. He is out to get people like me,” she said.

U.S. Rep Sydney Kamlager (D-CA-37) said “I want the State Legislature here and the attorney general and the governor to go hard in the paint against him,” referring to Trump.  “They will have the backing of the California delegation” in Congress.

Assemblymember James Gallagher (R-Yuba City) and other Republican leaders, on the other hand, celebrated Trump’s victory.

“President Trump has accomplished the comeback of the century! #45 and #47!” Gallagher posted on X election night.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11) reminded everyone of one of their most important civic duties.

“We all pray for America’s success under the next administration. The peaceful transfer of power is the cornerstone of our democracy,” she posted on X.  “After every election, we all have a responsibility to come together and find common ground.”