Jerry Brown lashes out at Jeff Sessions for 'sad political stunt'

Gov. Jerry Brown delivers his final State of the State address in Sacramento, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. Gov. Jerry Brown delivers his final State of the State address in Sacramento, Calif. on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2018. Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Jerry Brown lashes out at Jeff Sessions for 'sad political stunt' 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

California Governor Jerry Brown is calling U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions' lawsuit against California a "sad political stunt," and Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is saying the Trump administration is bullying the state.

In an effort led by Sessions, the U.S. Justice Department filed a suit Tuesday aimed directly at blocking California laws which extend protections to undocumented people living in the U.S.

The department is challenging three California laws that, among other things, bar police from asking people about their citizenship status or participating in federal immigration enforcement activities. The suit filed in federal court in Sacramento says the laws are unconstitutional and have kept federal agents from doing their jobs.

"The Department of Justice and the Trump administration are going to fight these unjust, unfair and unconstitutional policies that have been imposed on you," Sessions said in prepared remarks. "I believe that we are going to win."

California officials were quick to speak out against the lawsuit; on Tuesday night, Brown tweeted, "At a time of unprecedented political turmoil, Jeff Sessions has come to California to further divide and polarize America."

Brown went on: "Jeff, these political stunts may be the norm in Washington, but they don't work here. Sad!!!"

Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) also commented on the decision on Twitter, writing Trump and Sessions "think they can bully California — but it won't work."

Newsom weighed in, saying, "Sanctuary policies (like SB-54) keep our communities safe and are consistent with the Constitution.

"Hope you're paying attention @jeffsessions and @realDonaldTrump because CA has a message for you: We will not be bullied into accepting your 'fear of everything' agenda."

Sessions is expected to speak to law enforcement officials in the state's capital Wednesday, just hours after the U.S. Justice Department filed suit — the most aggressive move yet in the Trump administration's push to force so-called sanctuary cities and states to cooperate with immigration authorities.

Brown is named in the lawsuit along with Democratic Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who said the state is on firm legal footing.

"Our track record so far when it comes to any dispute with the federal government has been pretty good," Becerra said.

The lawsuit is the latest salvo in an escalating feud between the Trump administration and California, which has resisted the president on issues from taxes to marijuana policy and defiantly refuses to help federal agents detain and deport immigrants. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has said it will increase its presence in California, and Sessions wants to cut off funding to jurisdictions that won't cooperate.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.