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California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized a $1 billion settlement offer from the Trump administration to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), branding it as an attempt at 'extortion.' The Governor stated that California will not be pressured into complying with political demands, asserting the state's commitment to defending its principles and protecting its institutions.

The dispute stems from a legal battle between the federal government and UCLA over the university’s handling of research related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The Justice Department, under the Trump administration, has been seeking access to UCLA's records and data, alleging that the university concealed information about its collaboration with the Chinese lab.

Newsom’s strong rebuke underscores the escalating tensions between the state and the federal government over the investigation into the origins of COVID-19. He argued that the offer of $1 billion, while seemingly generous, is a thinly veiled attempt to force UCLA to surrender its autonomy and potentially compromise the integrity of its research.

"This is not a genuine offer of support; it’s an attempt to intimidate and coerce,” Newsom said in a statement released on Saturday. “California will not yield to such tactics. We will vigorously defend our universities and their right to conduct independent research without political interference.”

The $1 billion proposed settlement would have required UCLA to grant the Justice Department broad access to its records and to comply with specific demands related to the Wuhan Institute of Virology research. Critics have argued that this would set a dangerous precedent, allowing the federal government to dictate the terms of research at public universities across the country.

Newsom’s decision to reject the offer signals a willingness to challenge the Trump administration’s actions, even if it means a protracted legal battle. The Governor emphasized that California is committed to transparency and accountability in research, but not at the expense of academic freedom and institutional independence.

The case has drawn attention from across the political spectrum, with some praising Newsom’s stance as a defense of academic freedom and others questioning his willingness to cooperate with the federal government’s investigation. The legal battle is likely to continue, with the outcome potentially having significant implications for the relationship between states and the federal government, as well as the future of research integrity in the United States.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Newsom has vowed to keep the public informed and to work with legal experts to ensure that UCLA’s rights are protected. He reiterated his commitment to uncovering the truth about the origins of COVID-19, but insisted that this pursuit must be conducted through rigorous scientific inquiry, free from political manipulation.