Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii has stated that he will not be sending Hawaii National Guard troops to the mainland to enforce potential Trump administration immigration policies that would separate families. Instead, he has drafted a budget that includes $10 million in each of the next two fiscal years for Attorney General Anne Lopez to potentially file lawsuits against such policies. Green and other governors and attorneys general from Democrat-leaning states across the country are preparing to push back against policies and cuts promised by President-elect Donald Trump.
During Trump’s first term, cuts to federal social service programs cost Hawaii $300 million a year, according to Green. Trump and his appointees have promised deep cuts to federal agencies, which could further impact Hawaii’s ability to maintain vital programs such as public education, nutrition programs, Social Security, and healthcare services.
Green, a medical doctor, has vowed to continue a media campaign criticizing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s qualifications for the health and human services secretary position under Trump. In Congress, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has emphasized the need for bipartisan cooperation to address potential challenges posed by Trump’s policies and budget cuts, particularly in areas like disaster relief funding.
Governors like Green will be working together through organizations like the Western Governors’ Association to ensure their states’ needs are met. Despite potential conflicts, Green is preparing for any changes that may come from the Trump administration in the coming years.
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