Trump Wants State Democrats’ Cooperation. State Democrats Are Prepping for a Fight.

Democratic lawmakers are approaching Trump’s calls for partnership on crime and immigration policy with caution.

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Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom called lawmakers to come together for a special session in early December to prepare for potential legal fights with Trump. Gregory Bull/AP

Congressional lawmakers representing some of the bluest parts of the country say they won’t let Donald Trump walk over their states’ local governments, even as Democratic state legislatures prepare for a fight over Republicans’ agenda.

“We realize this is a new administration and he wants to come in and do things his way,” said Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume, whose district encompasses nearly the entire city of Baltimore. “We’re not going to be intimidated. If there are areas we can work together on, we will. If not, we will stick to our principles.”

Trump has acknowledged that his agenda on immigration and crime necessitates cooperation from state and local governments.