California Republican requests Trump's help in open letter

A California Republican has requested President-elect Trump’s help in an open letter, saying that his state “is grappling with a variety of problems” like “devastating wildfires” and “an escalating housing crisis.”

“As Republican Leader in the California State Assembly, I am reaching out to extend my congratulations on your recent victory and to ask for your partnership in addressing the significant challenges facing California,” Assembly member James Gallagher (R) said in the letter.

“Many Californians believe your leadership can help us tackle issues that have plagued California for too long,” he added.

Gallagher said the Golden State faces challenges like “devastating wildfires, an escalating housing crisis, rising crime, and unaffordable energy and gas prices,” as well as “a critical need to ensure swift accountability for criminals throughout the state.”

“These issues require federal support, and I firmly believe that working together is the best way to deliver meaningful solutions for Californians,” he said. “While Governor Gavin Newsom wants to ‘Trump-proof’ California; Legislative Republicans want to partner with you to pursue real solutions.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), a frequent critic of the president-elect, issued a proclamation last week for the convening of a special session of California’s Legislature to try and preserve civil rights and allow for potential litigation before the new presidential administration.

“The freedoms we hold dear in California are under attack — and we won’t sit idle,” Newsom said in a previous statement.

“California has faced this challenge before, and we know how to respond,” he continued. “We will do everything necessary to ensure Californians have the support and resources they need to thrive.”

However, Newsom also said in a statement following Trump's win that “California will seek to work with the incoming president."

"Our job, my job, is not to wake up every single day and get a crowbar and try [to put it in the] spokes of the wheel of the Trump administration," Newsom said in a video posted to the social platform X last weekend. "And so again, in that spirit of an open hand, not a closed fist, that's how we want to proceed."

The Hill has reached out to Newsom’s press office and the Trump transition team for comment.