California Governor Gavin Newsom is urging President Donald Trump to redirect a controversial $1.776 billion fund, initially intended for January 6 rioters, towards vital public safety initiatives. The call comes after a federal judge temporarily paused the "slush fund," which Newsom argues should instead be invested in protecting children from sexual abuse, dismantling trafficking networks, reducing shootings, and supporting crime victims.
Governor Newsom criticized the Trump administration, stating, "Donald Trump is robbing victims to pay his supporters. He is willing to spend $1.776 billion rewarding January 6 criminals and political loyalists, while cutting programs that help actual victims of crime, protect children from sexual abuse, support law enforcement, and prosecute criminals." He highlighted that the administration has allegedly eliminated or reduced hundreds of millions in federal public safety grants for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other offenses.
Newsom outlined several areas where the $1.776 billion could be utilized, including restoring terminated Department of Justice victim-services grants for child abuse and trauma, and combating human trafficking by reinstating grants for survivor support and law enforcement efforts. He also pointed to cuts affecting domestic violence shelters and sexual assault response services, which could be bolstered by the redirected funds.
Further proposals include hiring local police officers and prosecutors through programs like COPS and JAG, expanding cybercrime and financial fraud enforcement, and fighting organized retail theft. Newsom also emphasized the importance of funding community violence intervention programs, which saw $158 million in cuts in 2025, and supporting juvenile crime prevention and drug crime victim services. He concluded that if President Trump truly cared about public safety, he would invest in preventing crime and supporting victims.