An escalating clash pits a Republican president looking to fulfill his mass deportation goals against a Democratic governor with White House aspirations hoping to mobilize opposition.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) maintained a cooperative stance with President Donald Trump, seeking federal assistance to

During Trump's first term, the state sued the federal government more than 120 times — spending more than $40 million — over environmental regulations, immigration, health care and other issues. Trump lost about two-thirds of the cases, per CalMatters.