© Eduardo Munoz / Reuters
State Democratic leaders in California said early Wednesday they have hired former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. to represent their interests in legal fights against President-elect Donald Trump’s administration. “Having the former attorney general of the United States brings us a lot of firepower in order to prepare to safeguard the values of the people of California,” said Democratic leader of the State Senate Kevin de León. “This means we are very, very serious.” De León said he expects California to challenge the federal government on immigration, environmental, and criminal-justice issues. “It was very clear that it wasn’t just campaign rhetoric,” de León said, of Trump's general-election campaign talking points. “He was surrounding himself with people who are a very clear and present danger to the economic prosperity of California.”