Newsletter: Essential Politics: California Democrats enlist Eric Holder

If ever there was any doubt Democrats in Sacramento were serious about the trench warfare strategy in the era of President-elect Donald Trump, look no further than the lawyer they’re hiring to help fight back in 2017.

That lawyer is Eric Holder. You might recognize that name.

Good morning from the state capital. I’m Sacramento Bureau Chief John Myers, and legislators gather today for a new two-year session shaped, in so many ways, by their counterparts in Washington, D.C.

Which explains why they’re bringing in a very big hired gun.

LEGISLATORS HIRE HOLDER TO WATCH TRUMP

As the former attorney general of the United States, Holder brings gravitas to the effort by legislators to take the fight to Trump and the new GOP congressional dominance on Capitol Hill.

Melanie Mason reports that Holder is expected to complement the efforts of California’s new attorney general in a whole host of policy areas in which Democrats differ from the incoming presidential administration.

And speaking of that new attorney general…

HARRIS IS OUT, BECERRA IS ON DECK

The oath of office taken on Tuesday by Sen. Kamala Harris also meant her official resignation from the job she’s held since 2011 as attorney general. Gov. Jerry Brown wasted no time in officially nominating Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Los Angeles) for the job, sending notice to legislative leaders in a brief letter.

(And after that, Brown caught a flight to Hawaii for a short siesta.)

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) quickly announced that his house’s select confirmation committee will meet to consider Becerra’s nomination on Jan. 10.

And keep an eye on this nugget: Becerra was given a questionnaire to fill out by the end of this week. Lawmakers want him to opine on topics including immigration, civil rights, the environment, policing and consumer protection.

The conventional wisdom is that Becerra is a shoo-in, but don’t be surprised if next week’s hearing features some attempts by his fellow Democrats to set a baseline of what’s expected once they sign off on his new job.

HARRIS, HOUSE MEMBERS CELEBRATE THEIR NEW JOBS

California’s new United States senator made history Tuesday by becoming the first black woman the Golden State has sent to the Senate and the first Indian American to ever serve in the body.

Her guests at the swearing-in included more than two dozen family members and friends from across the world, and they all jumped in for a big group photo with Vice President Joe Biden.

On the other side of the U.S. Capitol, the state’s five new House members were sworn in, calling the day a “whirlwind” and saying they are ready to start legislating.

REPUBLICANS REVISE PLANS AS TRUMP TWEETS

What otherwise would have been a first day full of Republican huzzahs on Capitol Hill was disrupted when President-elect Trump took to Twitter.

How many times will we write that sentence in 2017?

Trump’s criticism was focused on the House GOP’s decision to revamp its ethics operation.

As Lisa Mascaro points out, the instant reversing of course by Republicans may be a sign of things to come for their relationship with the man who will soon be sitting in the Oval Office.

AND THEN THERE’S OBAMACARE

Meantime, congressional leaders are still debating how to handle the tricky policy and political calculus of dismantling the Affordable Care Act. That includes whether to scrap hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes that have helped provide health insurance to more Americans.

In the era after Obamacare, the issue of money — as in, how to pay for healthcare programs — will be key.

VICTORY FOR CALIFORNIA GUARD MEMBERS

After more than two months of scrutiny over the efforts to require repayment of enlistment bonuses from members of the California National Guard, the Pentagon said Tuesday it’s changing course.

More than 15,000 soldiers and veterans will have the repayment mandate waived, though about 1,000 service members will not.

“We think that the number of cases in which we’ll be recouping will be a few hundred, as opposed to the many thousands of cases that are under the sword of Damocles right now,” said personnel official Peter Levine.

TODAY’S ESSENTIALS

— House Speaker Paul D. Ryan was easily reelected on Tuesday, a sign of how hard he’s worked behind the scenes to close ranks with the various GOP factions.

— The president-elect again challenged U.S. intelligence agencies on Tuesday on their evidence of Russian hacking.

— Trump’s choice for U.S. trade representative is Robert Lighthizer, an advisor the president-elect may be talking to a lot if Tuesday’s criticism of General Motors is any indication.

— And GM wasn’t alone: Trump also jabbed at Ford Motor Co. as the week began, apparently with some success.

— Dream assignment as fly on the wall: The presidential inauguration platform on Jan. 20, as Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton have confirmed they will be on hand for Trump’s oath of office.

— Three prominent Democrats vying for governor in 2018 are bragging about the size of their campaign coffers. Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday he’s raised $11.5 million, which would put him in the cash grab lead.

— Longtime Sacramento watchers are mourning the passing of John Keplinger, a former executive director of the state Fair Political Practices Commission.

LOGISTICS — AND SOME CHANGES

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