Steadfast, practical and solution-oriented, Supervisor Laura Capps acknowledges that Donald Trump poses clear and present dangers to Santa Barbara County communities, but maintains that California and local jurisdictions are prepared to withstand his vows of "retribution."
"Retribution is what (Trump) has promised" to those who oppose his authoritarian MAGA movement, said Capps, set to become Board of Supervisors president in January,
"But this isn't our first rodeo," she added.
Six weeks before Trump reoccupies the White House, elected officials and other leaders in Democratic and progressive communities across the nation are preparing for an expected, broad set of aggressive political and policy attacks, on issues from abortion, budget cuts, and climate, to disaster relief, the environment, and immigration. For starters.
In advance of Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration, Newsmakers is hosting a series of conversations with local officials, to discuss how they are preparing for the onslaught, and to platform their thinking about ways to push back. The erstwhile reality TV host has set forth a nihilistic vision for the nation, divided between those who support his authoritarian project and those who do not, not only in his vicious and violent campaign rhetoric, but also in the nearly 1,000 pages of Project 2025, the right-wing policy manifesto, which he already has set the stage to implement.
On Tuesday, Capps led the supervisors in unanimous approval of a resolution that recognizes the crucial role that immigrants play in Santa Barbara, expresses support for their rights, and commits the county to helping ensure the safety of their families.
Although the advisory resolution does not mention Trump, Capps told Newsmakers, it is important that local government send a political signal that "lays down a marker (about) our values," addresses widespread fears amid Latino communities, and affirms adherence to state law about "safe spaces" for immigrants, such as schools, clinics and hospitals.
At a time when Trump has vowed to round up millions of immigrants -- some here illegally, many legally -- and force them into detention camps before deportation, Capps said it is important that community members receive clear and accurate information about immigration law, and the ability of state and local government to oppose illegal federal action, subjects that will be the focus of a hearing before the supervisors later this month.
In our conversation, Capps also outlined the state of play on a host of other conflicts, vulnerabilities, and potential flashpoints with the Trump Administration, including the civil rights of LGBTQ people, the availability of birth control and other women's health services, and federal funding for public schools.
"I do see some seeds of hope," she said. "We don't really have another option."
Over the next several weeks, Newsmakers also will interview Rep. Salud Carbajal, state Senator Monique Limon, Assembly member Gregg Hart, among others, about their assessments of the political landscape in the wake of Trump's overblown claims of winning a "mandate," following a narrow 49 percent victory in the popular vote, but Republicans taking over of the U,.S. Senate, holding a five-seat majority in the House, and dominating the Supreme Court.
JR
Check out our conversation with Supervisor Laura Capps via YouTube below, or by clicking through this link. The podcast is here. TVSB airs Newsmakers on public access Channel 17 every week night at 8 p,m., and at 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. KCSB, 91.9 FM, broadcasts the program at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.
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