Trump’s Win Means It’s Time for California to Leave the US, Group Says

A group called Calexit Now says the time is right for California to divorce the United States as Republicans take control of the presidency and Congress.
“Trump just got reelected, so we view this as the best time ever for Calexit,” Evans told The Epoch Times.
Eight years ago, most liberals in the state didn’t believe Trump really won the presidential election, Evans said.
Democratic leaders at the time also pushed the idea of resistance instead of secession.
After the 2024 elections, the concept of separation is gaining some traction in the state, according to Evans.
“Liberals in California are saying, ‘I guess America really did select this guy,’” Evans said. “Now the message has completely changed for the first time in eight years. Now they recognize this is Trump’s America.”
Meanwhile, opponents like Hank Campbell, the founder of the nonprofit Science 2.0 and published writer, see problems with the idea.
Darel Paul, a professor of political science at Williams College in Massachusetts, said the last California secession failed largely because of a lack of a shared state identity.
“For all that Calexit talk back in the Trump era, one big reason it never went anywhere is that (today) only 48% of adult California residents are from California,” he posted on X in August. “Compare California to Scotland where 77% of adults are born in Scotland.”
The idea to secede from the U.S. or from California has emerged several times before in different states and communities, but the process would be monumental.
Calexit also has a few hurdles to overcome before approaching the federal government about leaving, according to its evaluation.
First, the group hopes to get permission from the state to place a ballot initiative on the Nov. 5, 2026, ballot. The question for voters would be: “Should California leave the United States and become a free and independent country?”
If that happens, the U.S. flag would be removed from public display at all California government buildings, including the State Capitol, and all public properties under the California state government. The California state flag would be put in its place, according to Calexit’s filing with the Attorney General’s Office.
Then, the state would create a racially diverse commission to evaluate and report on California’s sovereignty and independence.
The state would then choose a representative to present its secession case to Congress.
If a majority of representatives voted in favor of the plan, California would be officially able to break away, according to Calexit.