I think many people will assume you're historically unpopular president and fed gov are the current ones.

Since the federal law requiring this was passed in 2005, it's another historically and unpopular president and fedgov.

(I am of course referring to Abraham Lincoln and the 1861 federal government)

States can choose not to comply, in fact the lack of compliance is why the deadlines keep getting pushed back. CA joining removes a huge roadblock for full implementation given its population.