California Governor Gavin Newsom can't decide if he wants to cooperate with President Trump or obstruct him.

Just days after begging the president for federal assistance with wildfire recovery, Newsom (D) signed off on $50 million in state money to help illegal aliens avoid deportation. The move to "Trump-proof" California puts Newsom in direct opposition to the president's immigration agenda, and - since money is fungible - means Newsom is basically trying to siphon federal tax money towards his leftist agenda.

Newsom defies Trump

One of the bills Newsom signed provides $25 million to fund litigation against the Justice Department, which, under attorney general Pam Bondi, has moved to cut off federal money to "sanctuary" jurisdictions like California.

Newsom also set aside $25 million for legal services to help "vulnerable" people including aliens facing deportation.

The governor said the $25 million for aliens is not meant to help illegals convicted of serious felonies, but the law Newsom signed does not include that limitation. Newsom encouraged the legislature to pass another bill clarifying the issue.

"This slush fund isn’t about solving any real problems — it’s a political stunt designed to distract from the urgent issues our state faces and it won’t bode well for fire victims,” Republican Senate Minority Leader Brian Jones said in a statement.

Begging for a bailout

Newsom quietly signed the two anti-Trump bills on a Friday, Breitbart noted, when people tend to pay less attention to news and one day after Newsom returned from a trip to Washington to beg for a federal bailout.

Trump and Newsom had a cordial meeting in California last month as the president visited the state to see the destruction of the Los Angeles wildfires.

President Trump's mass deportation plans have once again put him at odds with Newsom, who "resisted" Trump's immigration agenda during the president's first term. Despite the governor's renewed effort to block Trump's agenda, Newsom struck a conciliatory tone during his visit to the capital last week.

"We're working across the aisle, as we always have, to ensure survivors have the resources and support they need. Thank you President Trump for coming to our communities to see this first hand, and meeting with me today to continue our joint efforts to support people impacted," Newsom said.

Trump cracks down

Newsom has long made California a safe haven for unlawful aliens, defending the state's status as a "sanctuary" where local authorities limit cooperation with federal immigration officials. Under Newsom, California became the first state to offer publicly funded health insurance for illegal aliens.

Even as Newsom pretends to reach across the aisle, California is preparing for prolonged legal battles against the White House.

Attorney general Pam Bondi has cut off millions in federal grant money to "sanctuary" jurisdictions like California, prompting pushback from Newsom, who called the move "illegal."

The Trump administration's crackdown on illegal aliens will target Los Angeles next, according to a leaked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document.

President Trump has faced criticism for suggesting certain conditions for California to receive federal aid, such as requiring that the state reform its voter ID laws. But it's clear that Newsom believes "cooperation" is a one-way street. Trump shouldn't be afraid to use his leverage against an arrogant governor who is clearly doing his best to obstruct Trump's common-sense policies - no matter how much Newsom might pretend to be the president's buddy.