Gov. Gavin Newsom said he could work with a Donald Trump administration, but “that’s a question for him.”

Newsom visited Fresno on Tuesday to sign legislation aiding farmworker housing. But national politics quickly became part of the conversation.

“This anti-immigrant rhetoric that’s vile and so predictable this time of year, particularly with a former president that is in the heart of division, we believe in addition, not division,” Newsom said.

Even so, Newsom said he can work with Trump.

“I work with anyone that works with us. I work with anyone that is willing to work with us,” Newsom said.

Newsom said he “always had an open hand, not a closed fist” in his prior dealings with Trump, from 2019 through 2021. He referenced working together during the pandemic, wildfires, and floods.

“I was a little disappointed, but not surprised the former president … said unless we do his bidding on issues that have nothing to do with emergency preparedness, then he’s not going to have the backs of the people in the Valley. He’s not going to have your back in Fresno,” Newsom said.

During a stop in Los Angeles earlier this month, Trump said he would withhold firefighting aid if Newsom did not change his water policy.

Make America Rake Again

Newsom also chided Trump’s comments during the former president’s previous term about forest management, and the need to keep the ground clear.

“He’s still fixated on the laughable notion that somehow we need to make America rake again, that somehow we need to be raking the forest, which is so demeaning to decency, common sense, and the hard work that’s being done by the U.S. Forest Service, by our Conservation Corps, by Cal Fire, by the National Guard that are out there every day doing vegetation management, doing the work on home hardening and addressing the tough and real work that’s required of managing our forests.

“So I say all that, yes, in the spirit of collaboration, but also not naïve about what we’re up against with the prospect of a second Trump presidency,” Newsom said.

Asked if he would consider a position in a theoretical Kamala Harris administration, Newsom said such talk was premature.

“That’s the last thing on my mind,” Newsom said. “What is on my mind is getting through 200 remaining bills by Sunday. This is when the pressure starts to come into shape.”

Newsom Praises Dyer

Newsom also praised the city of Fresno and Mayor Jerry Dyer for how Fresno is handling the homeless issue.

“(Housing and homelessness) continue to be vexing issues. The mayor of Fresno has been an unbelievable partner to the state with our Homekey model,” Newsom said.

The governor said Fresno has received $10 million in grants to address the homeless issue.

At a news conference Monday, Dyer and other city officials addressed how they would enforce a new anti-camping resolution in Fresno. It is illegal to camp on private and public property.

Dyer said the city would target only the most problematic behaviors.

Newsom Signs Farmworker Housing Bill

Newsom signed legislation in Fresno on Tuesday, helping farmworkers with affordable housing. The bill, AB 2240 and authored by Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, would remove restrictions for migrant farmworker housing.

Arambula said there are 7,000 units across 24 migrant farmworker centers in the state, including one in Parlier — operated by the Fresno Housing Authority. State rules dictate the workers can only live at these centers for six months in a year, and that they have to move at least 50 miles away when done.

The goal, Newsom and Arambula said, was to keep stability for families, especially school children.

“By passing this bill and addressing that 50-mile rule, we’re better able to create stability and encourage those students to be enrolled year-round,” Arambula told GV Wire.

Newsom held the ceremony at the offices of the Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative near Fresno Yosemite International airport.

Prior to his Fresno event, Newsom signed legislation at a private ceremony in East Orosi — AB 805 by Arambula — that would provide state support for communities with failing sewer systems.