California's legislative session began Monday with a mix of pomp and circumstance and sweeping declarations from Democrats about the policies they'll pursue, from tackling climate change to ending childhood poverty.

Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon also promised to keep up the fight against President Donald Trump, an effective foil that allowed Democrats to gain historic margins in both the Senate and Assembly in November.

"Two years ago, before that man even took office, I said California must be defiant whenever justice, fairness and righteousness require, and we have backed up those words with action," Rendon, a Democrat from Paramount, said after being nominated by his colleagues for another term at the chamber's helm.

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