Surf City USA now on the frontlines of Trump-era politics

Since a conservative majority took over the Huntington Beach City Council a little more than a year ago, it has vigorously pursued an agenda aligned with the Republican Party politics of former President Donald Trump and his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

The pushback has been just as dedicated, led by a grassroots opposition movement called Protect Huntington Beach, made up of Democrats, independents and moderate Republicans. Clashes between supporters of the two sides have turned City Council meetings into rancorous affairs.

Last week the conservative bloc with the 4-3 City Council majority addressed an issue close to the heart of MAGA supporters - security along the U.S.-Mexico border - whipping up a debate punctuated by boos and cheers from both sides. Conservative hecklers shouted “You’re done!” and “USA baby!” at liberal speakers.