The new package of 2025 reparations-adjacent bills come at a time when the Trump administration has been rolling back federal measures aimed at diversity, equity, and inclusion. Members of the Black Caucus have been resolute about going in the opposite direction.

“The President of the United States has spent his first months in office fighting to erase, disempower, and defund federal efforts to improve the conditions of life for Black people,” said Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, vice chair of the caucus and a Democrat from Culver City. “Here in California, we are prepared and willing to stand up and fight back.” 

But it remains to be seen how many of the bills Newsom would sign. The governor in February approved giving $25 million to sue the Trump administration. But that same month he also launched a podcast to try and understand the “Make America Great Again” voter base that elected Trump. He has made statements on the show reversing his prior, more progressive positions on trans athletes and distancing himself from defunding police and use of the gender-neutral ethnic descriptor “Latinx.” The governor’s office said in March he had not taken a position on the caucus’ legislation.

In past years, Newsom signaled caution. “Dealing with the legacy of slavery is about much more than cash payments,” he said in a statement in 2023.

Divisions among reparations advocates may peel support away from the Black Caucus’ slate.

Very few lawmakers publicly expressed support for the preliminary recommendations of the California Reparations Task Force. In CalMatters’ informal email poll of all 120 state legislators, just five not on the task force responded.

Those who expressed support include Assembly members in the Black Caucus — La Mesa Democrat Dr. Akilah Weber, Moreno Valley Democrat Corey Jackson, and Tina McKinnor, a Democrat from Inglewood — and Damon Connolly, a Democrat from San Rafael.

In opposition is Assemblymember James Gallagher, a Republican from Chico, who in a statement asked: “How can we ask new immigrants and low-wage workers to foot the bill for something done 150 years ago, on the other side of the country?” 

Gov. Newsom signaled caution. “Dealing with the legacy of slavery is about much more than cash payments,” he said in a statement.

Bradford, the Gardena senator on the task force, said he’s not surprised by caution from lawmakers. “This is an issue folks still don’t want to deal with head on,” he said, “and here we are in 2023 and not only California, but America wants to bury their head when it comes to addressing America’s original sin — slavery.”

Jones-Sawyer, the Assembly member on the task force, acknowledged: “Not all recommendations may see the light of day, but it is imperative that the ones aimed at undoing racially prejudiced laws are enacted.”