Blue state resistance builds against Trump
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Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
A week after the election, Democratic governors and attorneys general are sharpening plans to become the de facto blue state resistance to a second Trump term.
Why it matters: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announced Tuesday the creation of the Governors Safeguarding Democracy organization as a leading voice against President-elect Trump's policies — and to provide a playbook for other governors seeking to push back.
Driving the news: The effort will counter threats on state democratic institutions — including independent judiciary, executive agencies and electoral system — largely through legal action.
- "What we are doing is pushing back against increasing threats of autocracy fortifying the institutions of democracy that our country and our states depend upon," Pritzker said.
- The rollback of environmental regulations, immigration politics, attacks on reproductive rights and "any threats to our democracy that come from any president or from foreign powers" are foremost in mind, Polis added.
The big picture: Democratic state officials across the nation are wary of another Trump presidency and pledged to play an adversarial role, just as they did in his first term.
- In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special legislative session for Dec. 2 to "safeguard California values and fundamental rights" before Trump takes office.
- In Washington state, Attorney General Bob Ferguson's team has studied Trump's campaign promises and Project 2025 to prepare lawsuits to block federal actions.
- In Colorado, Polis promised to protect the "Free State of Colorado."
- In Arizona, Attorney General Kris Mayes said she "can't imagine a single Democratic attorney general in this country that won't be involved in fighting unconstitutional behavior."
- In Minnesota, Attorney General Keith Ellison said if Trump "violates the rights of people, we're gonna sue. It's simple as that."
The other side: The Trump campaign has repeatedly suggested such moves would thwart the will of the American people who support his agenda.
Between the lines: The organization is modeled on the Reproductive Freedom Alliance, created by Newsom. Both claim to be nonpartisan but are led by Democratic governors.
- Pritzker said he has contacted Republican governors about collaborating but declined to name them.
- The nonprofit Governors Action Alliance, led by former Newsom adviser Julia Spiegel, is spearheading the effort.
The intrigue: Both Pritzker and Polis, two key surrogates for Vice President Harris' campaign, are often mentioned as potential White House hopefuls.