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Sen. Alex Padilla says Donald Trump has “made it no secret that he has it in for California”
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California said on Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump “has made it no secret that he has it in for California” as Gov. Gavin Newsom has convened a special legislative session this week to prepare for legal fights in Trump’s upcoming term.
Padilla said on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” that there’s “a lot of reason for concern” for the second Trump administration “if the first administration is any indicator.”
The California Democrat cited reports that Trump initially withheld disaster funds for the state during his first term, saying the president-elect tried to keep federal dollars from California families “simply because it’s a state that did not vote for him in the presidential election.” In September, Trump threatened to block federal wildfire aid for California if elected again.
“We’re trying to inoculate ourselves from those types of threats,” Padilla continued.
California Democrats billed the state as the “resistance” state during the first Trump administration. And after Trump’s victory in the 2024 presidential election, Newsom announced that he would convene an emergency session of the California state legislature to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” In addition to bolstering legal resources, the governor pointed to protections for civil and reproductive rights, climate action, and immigrant families.
On immigration, Padilla said “we’re hearing a lot of bombast from Trump and his allies about the biggest deportation operation in our country’s history.” He said while “nobody disagrees” with a focus on violent criminals, that’s “very different than millions and millions of people being deported indiscriminately.” Padilla said that providing legal support for communities that could be impacted by Trump’s plans is “just the California way.”
“We embrace our diversity,” Padilla said. “Our diversity is what has made our communities thrive and our economy thrive. And so we will assist families against the threats of the Trump administration.”
Meanwhile, as a “sanctuary state,” California state law instructs local law enforcement not to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on deportations, teeing up what could be a clash with the Trump administration. Padilla, citing California’s status as the most populous state in the nation with more immigrants than any other state, argued that the issue concerns the ability for people to be able to come forward to report a crime, saying “the last thing you want is immigrants who may be witnesses to crime to be afraid to come forward and share any information that they have in the investigation and prosecution of crimes.”
“Let the federal government do the federal government’s job, but have state and local officials do the state and local officials’ job,” Padilla continued. “There doesn’t have to be a conflict unless that’s what Trump wants.”
More broadly, Padilla said “there’s also a lot of good that can be finalized” before President Biden leaves office, pointing to climate-related work and additional flexibility for public health care programs to target mental health issues. And the California Democrat noted that there’s “a lot of good work to be done” beyond the current administration if the federal government will continue to support California.
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“Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo on building trust with Ariana Grande to bring Elphaba and Glinda to life
Cynthia Erivo is earning widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Elphaba in the highly anticipated film adaptation of “Wicked.” The movie has already set records, grossing $262 million domestically and becoming one of the most successful Broadway adaptations.
In an interview on “CBS Mornings,“ Erivo opened up about how her friendship with singer and co-star Ariana Grande, who plays Glinda, became such an important part of their on-screen chemistry. She revealed that despite how close they are now, they didn’t know each other before filming.
“She came to my house, we sat, we chatted and talked,” Erivo said. “And we just talked about everything and nothing. We were there for ages, and it was very, very easy, so part of us kind of knew, ‘Oh, this might, this might work. We’ll be okay, and I think we’ll be able to get along with each other, and we’ll find it.'”
Their connection deepened during a dinner hosted by director Jon M. Chu.
“Stephen Schwartz played piano, and we sang ‘For Good’ together for the first time,” Erivo recalled. “Our voices are very different but somehow, they made sense together.”
To ensure their collaboration stayed strong, Erivo and Grande made a pact early and promised to take care of each other, the Tony Award winner said.
“Before we started shooting both of us had a conversation about making sure that we would take care of each other and make the space that we needed for each other, and take, you know, give each other what we needed, be generous with each other in this thing, because we knew it was a big undertaking,” she said. “We knew we had a big responsibility, but we knew neither of us could really do that alone.”
On fans singing along to the movie in theaters, Erivo was enthusiastic.
“I’m not ever going to be the person that says, ‘Don’t sing.’ I think there’s something really beautiful about people feeling comfortable enough to sing along,” she said.
On Christmas Day, a sing-a-long version of Wicked will be released in theaters, according to Erivo.
The actress said that playing Elphaba – who goes on to become the Wicked Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz” – required her to embrace her vulnerability.
“It means people can see the human being behind the character a little bit more,” she shared. “That meant I had to allow myself to do that a little bit, which was terrifying, but I knew it would be meaningful. That was really the only way to play this role.”
As Erivo reflected on her journey with “Wicked”, she said she remains proud of the bravery it took to bring authenticity to Elphaba.
“You have to put yourself on the line a little bit… This is scary, but it’s the only way to play her is to reveal a bit more of me,” she said.
Pop icon Elton John said on Sunday that he struggled to see his new musical, “The Devil Wears Prada” after losing his eyesight because of an eye infection.
John gave audience members an update on his condition at the conclusion of the musical’s opening night at London’s Dominion Theatre, which was also a charity gala for the Elton John AIDS foundation.
“I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews because, as you know, I’ve lost my eyesight so, it’s hard for me to see it,” he said. “But I love to hear it and it quite sounded good tonight.”
Dave Benett
John, 77, revealed in September that he had been dealing with a “severe eye infection” that left him with “only limited vision in one eye.” He said it was healing, but it “will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.”
Last week, he told “Good Morning America” that there’s “hope and encouragement” that he will recover, but admits he can’t even see a lyric at the studio.
“I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything,” John said.
John retired from touring in 2023, but wrote the score for “The Devil Wears Prada,” a stage musical based on the 2006 movie (which itself was based on the 2003 novel by Lauren Weisberger) about a young journalist navigating the demands of a fashion magazine and its fearsome editor. In addition to the show, he has a documentary, “Elton John: Never Too Late” about him coming out on Dec. 13.
The pop legend also achieved EGOT status earlier this year after winning an Emmy for outstanding variety special (live) for his show “Elton John Live: Farewell From Dodger Stadium.”
