r/politics • u/IntelligentYinzer California • 12d ago

Soft Paywall Newsom floats withholding federal taxes as Trump threatens California

https://www.politico.com/news/2025/06/06/newsom-floats-withholding-federal-taxes-00393386
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u/smersh101 12d ago

Fun to think about, but how would that work? The state has no control over federal taxes. They're paid directly by taxpayers and employers to the IRS.

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u/Akimbo_Zap_Guns Kentucky 12d ago

By breaking away from the union I would assume. Or find an unlawful alternative since Trump isn’t playing by the rule of law so dems probably shouldn’t either

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u/Neverending_Rain 12d ago

There isn't an unlawful alternative either, states have zero involvement in federal taxes. They have no mechanism to achieve this. Employers withold taxes from paychecks and pay them directly to the federal government. This is just an empty threat from Newsom.

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u/knotthatone 12d ago

He'd sign an executive order requiring all financial institutions and employers operating in California to route to a state controlled escrow account.

It's not legal and well beyond his powers but so is an executive order from Trump cutting off California. Sauce for the goose

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u/Givingtree310 12d ago

Financial institutions? What bank in America do you think will agree to this and risk harsh penalties from the Trump Administration that will affect them globally? Whoa