California Senate Leader Advises Democrats: Don’t Secede

Kevin de Léon, the President Pro Tem of the California State Senate, used his address at the swearing-in of new members on Monday to attack President-elect Donald Trump — but also advised fellow Democrats against seceding from the Union.

“Many Californians – some tongue-in-cheek, some hand-to-heart – have advocated withdrawal. But, in America, no state ever succeeds by seceding,” de León (D-Los Angeles) said.

De León described Trump as a threat to California. “[W]e confront a dichotomy of democracy, unique in our history,” he said, “where the most overt opponent to the state of our state appears to be an incoming Head of State.”

In contrast to his counterpart in the other legislative house, de León struck a few conciliatory notes:

I want to acknowledge my Republican counterpart, Jean Fuller, for her service and her friendship. And I want to say to all Senators, Republicans and Democrats, we are all part of the same California community.

The election is over – thank God. I could not care less which side of the aisle you sit on – only the quality of your ideas and values that you stand on.

And I look forward to working with all of you to help more Californians achieve their dreams.

…

California has always been a place where you can be whoever you are – and become whoever you dream of being. That’s a principle which has always been bigger than politics or partisanship. And there are 40 exemplary Californians on this floor – representing both sides of the political aisle – who I know are ready to stand up and speak out for you.

On the other side of the Capitol, California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Panorama) took a far more inflammatory approach, rejecting calls for national unity and instead urging Californians to “fight.” Hendon deliberately excluded those Californians who had voted for Trump.

Joel B. Pollak is Senior Editor-at-Large at Breitbart News. His new book, See No Evil: 19 Hard Truths the Left Can’t Handle, is available from Regnery through Amazon. Follow him on Twitter at @joelpollak.