Calls to LGBTQ crisis lines spiked after President Donald Trump’s election. His policies target health care for young transgender people, creating uncertainty for a vulnerable community.
The Trump presidency and Santa Cruz County

News and opinion coverage of reaction in Santa Cruz County to the election of Donald Trump to a second term as president, plus news from around California via Lookout’s content partners.
‘A lose-lose situation’: Trump administration registry leaves Santa Cruz County’s undocumented community in a bind
The Trump administration announced last week that it will require all undocumented residents in the United States, age 14 and older, to register their fingerprints and address with the Department of Homeland Security. Local immigration lawyers say the new requirement puts undocumented residents in a tough position, whether or not they follow the law.
First wave of NOAA layoffs raises familiar feelings in Santa Cruz County: confusion and uncertainty
As a wave of layoffs hits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the effects on the local operations of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and National Weather Service remain largely unclear. Although most of the sanctuary staff are permanent employees, and the firings appear to cover only workers with probationary status, the Monterey Bay chapter director says the agency is expecting local cuts — which could have immediate impacts.
‘Todos pierden’: Nuevo registro de la administración Trump pone en aprietos a indocumentados en Santa Cruz
La administración Trump anunció la semana pasada que exigirá que todos los residentes indocumentados en Estados Unidos, mayores de 14 años, registren sus huellas dactilares y su dirección en el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional. Los abogados de inmigración locales dicen que el nuevo requisito pone a los residentes indocumentados en una posición difícil, cumplan o no la ley.
In the Public Interest: Unbeknownst to the public, Santa Cruz joins lawsuit against the Trump administration
Around Santa Cruz County politics & policy with Lookout correspondent Christopher Neely.
From funding to free speech, local non-commercial radio reckons with Trump 2.0
Two prominent non-commercial radio stations in the Monterey Bay area – KAZU and KSQD – are facing the second Trump administration with different concerns, the former with the threat of the withdrawal of federal funding, and the latter with worries about free speech.
A California sheriff is planning to break the state’s sanctuary law. Here’s how
California passed a sanctuary state law to protect immigrants during the first Trump administration. Now, Amador County’s sheriff wants to test it at the beginning of the second.
Uncertain times as Trump layoff axe looms over local federal agencies, employees
The threat of mass firings of federal workers has a number of industries concerned about the future of their services, even if many in Santa Cruz County say they have not heard of any local layoffs.
California Democrats grow quieter on ‘sanctuary’ for immigrants as Trump promises mass deportation
Eight years ago, California Democrats adopted “sanctuary” policies to protect immigrants from President Donald Trump’s deportation plans. But now, as Trump ramps up threats against sanctuary states and cities, Democratic leaders have taken on a softer tone.
The protest movement is coming together, but is it up to the task?
National protests against the Trump administration came to Santa Cruz on Monday, thanks largely to the local chapter of the group Indivisible. But progressive protesters have a long way to go before their dissent can become effective.

