Newsom's Tax Revolt: California Defies Trump Over University Funding Cuts

California Governor Newsom's Threat to Withhold Taxes Escalates Conflict with Trump Administration California Governor Gavin Newsom has escalated his conflict with the Trump administration, threatening to withhold billions of dollars in federal taxes. This action comes in response to the Trump administration's decision to cancel grants for state universities, a move Newsom called "unacceptable" and "an attack on California's economy." Newsom's threat is significant, as California is the nation's most populous state and one of its largest economies. The state contributes substantially to federal tax revenue. Withholding these funds would represent a major blow to the federal budget and could trigger a wider political crisis. "This is not a game," Newsom said in a recent press conference. "The Trump administration's actions are reckless and irresponsible, and I will not stand by and watch them harm our state's universities and students." The dispute highlights growing tensions between California and the federal government under the Trump administration. The state has consistently clashed with the administration on issues ranging from environmental regulations to immigration policy. Newsom's threat to withhold taxes represents a dramatic escalation of this conflict and could have significant long-term consequences.