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Newsom's $500K Fund Sparks Debate on Police Defunding

7/22/2025

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Summary

Story summary

California Governor Gavin Newsom has allocated $500,000 in 2023 to the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, a group that champions defunding police and aiding undocumented immigrants. This funding, sourced from the James Irvine Foundation, raises eyebrows given Newsom's past criticisms of the "defund the police" movement, adding to the over $324 million he has directed since taking office.

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Story summary

California Governor Gavin Newsom has allocated $500,000 in 2023 to the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, a group that champions defunding police and aiding undocumented immigrants. This funding, sourced from the James Irvine Foundation, raises eyebrows given Newsom's past criticisms of the "defund the police" movement, adding to the over $324 million he has directed since taking office.