Democratic Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks at his gubernatorial campaign’s primary night watch party in San Francisco, Tuesday, June 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

While standing next to one of the few ASL interpreters still working in the state due to the draconian AB5 anti-independent contracting law he signed, California Gov. Gavin Newsom told the state’s residents that their tax dollars will fund a $500/person giveaway to illegal aliens sheltering in place in the state – right after he refused to suspend AB5, effectively prohibiting tens of thousands of freelancers from working.

Newsom had gained some political capital for his handling of the coronavirus crisis in the state after being the subject of two recall petitions in 2019 that were fueled by voter frustration over the homeless crisis and his continual prioritization of illegal aliens over California citizens, but that capital has evaporated this week. Monday he announced a vague six-point plan for re-opening the economy that could last for months, and Wednesday’s handout announcement irritated the 2.7 million Californians who filed for unemployment in March, most of whose claims haven’t been processed due to understaffing and antiquated computer systems at the Employment Development Department (EDD). It’s not surprising that when Californians (who are at home watching TV since they’re not working) learned that $75 million in taxpayer money that could be spent on, oh, upgrading those antiquated computer systems, would be going to illegal aliens, #RecallGavinNewsom started trending on Twitter.

Gavin Newsom is breaking the law. Legitimately. Is he above the law ? He should be arrested for aiding and abetting people who have broken US law. #RecallGavinNewsom immediately. CA , FIGHT back!

If you want to cuss me out for this.. SO? Facts don’t care about your feelings.

— † YESHUA PORVIDA † (@Jesus_porvida) April 15, 2020

Hey #RecallGavinNewsom you forgot quite a few homeless people on the streets out here…while you were extending lockdown til May 15 and letting Weinstein out and getting money for illegals and fighting for open borders. pic.twitter.com/riOOB4DB7P

— Ojai Paranormal (@OjaiParanormal) April 11, 2020

While it’s absolutely maddening that Newsom continues to support illegal behavior and even place a higher value on the lives of illegal immigrants than the lives of regular Californians who are just trying to raise their families in safe, clean neighborhoods, this program isn’t as comprehensive as people may think. As with many of Newsom’s signature programs, this one is a lot of smoke and mirrors.

Approximately 2 million illegal aliens live in California, but only 150,000 adult illegal aliens will receive the $500 payment. That’s a lot of families who won’t receive anything. Still, Newsom couched the introduction of his program with flowery language:

“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for people that are in fear of deportations that are still addressing essential needs of tens of millions of Californians,” said Newsom, a Democrat, who noted 10 percent of the state’s workforce consisted of immigrants living in the country illegally who paid over $2.5 billion in state and local taxes last year.

Taxpayers would be kicking in $75 million for the money, while a group of charities has committed to raise another $50 million for a total of $125 million. A group of charities already has donated $5.5 million for the fund, including the Emerson Collective, Blue Shield of California Foundation, the California Endowment, the James Irvine Foundation, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and an anonymous donor.

Adding insult to injury (but not unpredictably), Newsom said “personal information will not be required to get those support.” In other words, you don’t need any documentation.

Though it’s obvious the state government knows at least where those 150,000 illegal aliens are, due to SB54 it is illegal for any state government department or any entity even partially funded by state dollars to share information about those illegal aliens with the federal government.

With independent contractors, freelancers, and gig workers, .@GavinNewsom fails miserably to "meet the moment". #RepealAB5 #NoPROAct #RecallGavinNewsom https://t.co/kRKaqlyvSc

— Jennifer "Burnt Sienna Lives Matter" O'Connell (@asthegirlturns) April 15, 2020

In every press conference Newsom tells Californians that we have to dig deep to “meet the moment” and that we’re all in this together, but really, we’re not. As usual.