LOS ANGELES – President Donald Trump, known for his critical stance on California, arrived in Los Angeles on Friday to inspect areas affected by wildfires, promising federal assistance after days of blaming Democrats for the disasters.

This visit coincided with the California Secretary of State’s office approving a new ballot initiative that seeks to ask voters if the state should become its own independent country.

Is it possible for California to break away and forgo its 175 years of union with the United States?

The notion of California seeking independence isn’t new. The state flag acknowledges the brief 25 days it operated as an independent republic. Governor Gavin Newsom has even referred to California as a “nation state” on multiple occasions.

According to Michael Bryant, 56, whose girlfriend’s Malibu home was destroyed by the fires, the recent events have united Californians, but may have distanced them from the rest of the country.

“If the trends from the current (Trump) administration continue as I believe they will, I think secession should be considered,” he expressed to YSL News while walking his dog along Venice Beach on Thursday. “I’m unsure if that makes me un-American, but it’s how I feel.”

Rising Tensions with the White House

Tensions between President Trump and Governor Newsom have intensified recently, particularly over water management issues.

Trump claims that California has ample water resources for fighting wildfires, but that they are being diverted for fish protection purposes.

“All they need to do is open the valve. It comes from the Pacific Northwest, where millions of gallons often flow into California each week,” Trump stated at a news conference on Tuesday.

In a chat with Sean Hannity on Wednesday, Trump indicated he might withhold federal disaster relief unless California amended its water management strategies.

“I don’t believe California deserves any assistance until they manage their water correctly,” he told Hannity. He also toured fire-affected areas in Los Angeles on Friday.

Bryant described Trump’s stance on withholding federal funds as “repugnant.”

Newsom’s office countered that water reservoirs in Southern California are at capacity. The failures of fire hydrants during the recent fires were attributed to the city’s inadequate infrastructure to handle such massive wildfires, not a shortage of water.

Trump often refers to Newsom as “Newscum” in his online rhetoric. In response, Newsom tweeted, “The only thing misleading here is Trump’s claims. California utilizes as much water as it could under previous Trump-era policies. There is no water shortage in Southern California.”

The conflict isn’t limited to just the two leaders; a YouGov survey in February revealed that 29% of Californians supported the idea of secession. Interestingly, Texas recorded an even higher figure with 31% expressing a similar sentiment.

Amid current tensions, is it really plausible for California, the Golden State, to venture out on its own?

Unlikely.

However, the discussions surrounding the idea continue to arise from various groups.

Is Secession Possible for California?

The concise answer is no; there is currently no legal avenue for California to separate from the United States.

According to Section 1 of Article III of California’s State Constitution, California “is an inseparable part of the United States of America.”

Furthermore, the U.S. Constitution does not provide any legal mechanism for a state to exit the union. This is a historical point that contributed to the Civil War, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 620,000 Americans.

California’s constitution clearly states that the U.S. Constitution stands as the highest law of the land. Thus, if the Constitution prohibits it— as it does— then secession is not an option.

“It’s similar to the song ‘Hotel California,’” noted Andrew Torrance, who co-authored a 2020 study titled “Fault Lines: An Empirical Legal Study of California Secession.” “You can check out any time you want, but you can never truly leave.”

Attempts at Secession in California’s History

While secession is not a possibility, there have been numerous attempts by Californians to pursue independence, although the state remains connected to the rest of the nation.

Historically, California was momentarily an independent nation.

Known as the California Republic, it existed for a mere 25 days in 1846 during a period when what was called Alta California was part of Mexico. This unrecognized breakaway state was situated in a small northern area near modern-day San Francisco, now recognized for its viticulture in Sonoma County.

This independence was quickly dismantled, and in 1850, California was officially admitted as the 31st state in the United States. Nevertheless, the bear imagery on the state flag, which was first adopted in 1911, still references this brief rebellion, famously known as “The Bear Flag Revolt.”

It’s worth mentioning that California’s grizzly bears were declared extinct in the state by 1924, 78 years after the revolt.

In the last ten years, at least three significant campaigns aimed at facilitating California’s secession have emerged, according to research by Torrance and Bill Tomlinson from the University of California, Irvine.

These included the formation of the California National Party and Yes California in 2015, both advocating for self-determination and independence. Additionally, the California Freedom Coalition, established in 2017, aimed to promote peaceful, legal actions to initiate California’s establishment as a sovereign nation.

Yes California suspended its operations on December 31, 2024, citing that its initiative had morphed “into more of a showcase for personal ambitions rather than a legitimate political movement.”

Recently, another initiative was cleared by the California Secretary of State’s office, asking voters if California should become an independent nation.

Should 50% of registered voters participate in the November 2028 election, and at least 55% favor the initiative, a commission would be set up to investigate the feasibility of California operating as an independent country.

California projects that the election and formation of the commission will cost around $10 million initially, with about $2 million annually for the commission’s ongoing operations. Organizers must collect a minimum of 546,651 registered voters’ signatures by July 22, 2025, in order to qualify for the ballot.

A survey by Torrance and Tomlinson in 2020 indicated that more Americans believed California should leave the union than the number of Californians who thought so themselves. Yet both groups remain a minority.

California’s Global Importance

Though California is not a sovereign nation, it carries significant global influence. This is evident in the branding of Apple products which state “Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China.”

If it were an independent country, California’s economy would stand on its own as a formidable force.

rank fifth worldwide, trailing only the U.S., China, Germany, and Japan. Despite its population being comparable to Canada’s, it is home to one out of every eight Americans. The residents of California contribute the most to the federal income tax system in the nation.

California has historically been more than just a state; it symbolizes a dream — a place where extraordinary events take place, unlike anywhere else. When the Mamas & the Papas first performed their famous song “California Dreamin'” in 1965, the entire nation joined in.

California represents the Gold Rush, Hollywood, Disneyland, and the Summer of Love.

It’s where innovations like the transistor, the computer, and the Internet originated, marking the beginning of a new era. Many leading technology firms, including Apple, Google (or Alphabet), Facebook (now Meta), Twitter (now X), and Tesla, along with eBay, PayPal, Adobe, Square, Salesforce, Oracle, and Intel, call it home.

The state’s open-minded culture also made it a welcoming place for the LGBTQ+ community (evident in San Francisco’s Castro District) and the entertainment industry (Hollywood). Additionally, California boasts the highest number of certified organic farms in the U.S.

However, in recent years, the California dream has dimmed somewhat, resulting in some businesses and individuals departing the state.

Nevertheless, California continues to be an economic giant, boasting a gross domestic product of $3.9 trillion, accounting for 14% of the national total. It generates 9% of the U.S.’s international goods exports, 17% of the nation’s agricultural output, and 18% of computer and electronic goods, as reported by the Public Policy Institute of California.

As frustrating as the situation can be, leaving is a significant choice. The motivations for leaving California and who considers it can shift with each decade and political trend. It’s worth noting that California was once a stronghold of conservative politics.

California’s conservative credentials

Amid passionate disputes between Trump and Newsom, it’s easy to forget that California has all along been home to not only progressive ideas but also some of America’s most dedicated conservatives.

“Ronald Reagan served as governor of California long before he became President,” stated Torrance. “And Richard Nixon was there before him.”

The state also led the way in decreasing legislative power over tax increases. A voter-driven initiative passed in 1978 known as Proposition 13 drastically reduced property taxes and made instating any form of taxes more difficult.

This tax revolt resonated nationally and can be viewed as a precursor to the modern conservative Tea Party movement.

Torrance remarked, “California is a bellwether for where America is headed – in either direction.”

“California is innovative on both ends of the political spectrum. It often leads cultural trends that eventually spread to the rest of the nation and even the globe,” he added.

What would happen if California left the U.S.?

Disorder. Although it’s an unlikely scenario, contemplating California’s exit from the United States leads to chaos on both sides of the border.

The economic fallout would be colossal.

Data from the Rockefeller Institute of Government shows that in 2022, California contributed over $83 billion more in taxes than it received from the federal government.

The loss of such a crucial segment of the national economy would be catastrophic, necessitating new trade agreements, treaties, and work permits. The state shares extensive borders with neighboring states and has significant rivers like the Colorado and Klamath that are governed by contentious treaties. Moreover, over one-third of the nation’s vegetables and more than three-quarters of its fruits and nuts are produced in California.

Maya Jones, a 24-year-old hairstylist from Palm Springs, celebrated her birthday at the Santa Monica Pier on Thursday.

She mentioned hearing Newsom’s ambitions to make California “Trump-proof,” making the notion seem plausible. “But it feels like a ridiculous idea for California to become its own nation,” she expressed.

Jones also found it “illogical” for Trump to deny aid to California.

Do people recognize the contributions the state makes to the nation?

“I doubt that,” Jones replied. “I often hear people criticize California.”

(This story has been updated to include new information.)