A free California? Trump visits as initiative to leave U.S. cleared to gather signatures

 

LOS ANGELES – President Donald Trump, long a vocal detractor of California, touched down in Los Angeles on Friday to tour fire ravaged areas, pledging federal support after days of criticizing Democrats over the fires. 

The visit came the day after a new ballot initiative asking voters whether the state should become an independent country was cleared by the California Secretary of State's office to begin gathering signatures.

Could the Golden State just fly the coop, become its own nation and walk away from 175 years of union with the United States?

After all, the idea of California becoming its own country has been around for decades. The state flag still commemorates the 25 days it was once its own republic. Even Gov. Gavin Newsom has slipped and called it a "nation state" more than a few times.

The fires have brought Californians together, said Michael Bryant, 56, whose girlfriend's Malibu home burned down. But recent events haven't brought them closer to the rest of the country.

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