ICYMI: Becerra Defensive Over His Own Threats to Journalists

Becerra's testy Sac Bee interview fits decades-long pattern of failing to take accountability, doubling down on mistakes

SAN FRANCISCO — As California voters begin to fill out their ballots, Xavier Becerra is showing signs of wear as his record as a career politician comes under scrutiny.  

In a new Sacramento Bee interview, Becerra characteristically ducked accountability and attempted to defend his past threats to journalists who were seeking out information about cops who had been convicted of crimes, including sexual assault and child abuse. 

“Xavier Becerra’s 36 years as a career politician were defined by incompetence and serial failures, and now it’s spilling over to his campaign for governor,” said Steyer for Governor spokesperson Danni Wang. “His record of threatening journalists, and his refusal to acknowledge his past mistakes, is just another indication that Becerra just isn’t up to the task.”

In the interview, Becerra “doubled down on his incorrect interpretation of the law which EXPLICITLY exempts journalists under the CA reporter's shield law. Becerra was laughed at by first amendment attorneys 6 years ago, and “hasn't learned his lesson,” wrote journalist Jason Paladino. 

Excerpts from the Sacramento Bee can be found below and the full piece is here.

On Becerra’s time as Attorney General, where he threatened journalists for accessing information about cops who had been convicted of crimes:

…During that time, Becerra was criticized for being slow to join a multistate effort investigating tech monopolies and for opposing police reform legislation. That included legislation to make misconduct records more publicly available. Becerra warned journalists they could be prosecuted for possessing confidential information after reporters with UC Berkeley’s Investigative Reporting Program obtained a list of cops and applicants who had been convicted of crimes.

“I simply repeated what the law says. If you are in possession of information that is confidential and you disclose and you make that information public, or you disclose it, you are subject to action for violation of privacy laws,” Becerra said.

One bill from former Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, which died in committee, would have required departments to release records of officers accused of racism or discrimination. Another, by former Assemblymember Kevin McCarty — now Sacramento mayor — required the Attorney General’s office to investigate police shootings, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law in 2020…

…

McCarty said he had introduced his legislation, which law enforcement opposed, five times before the Legislature passed it in 2020. Becerra’s office initially opposed it, citing concerns that it did not have adequate staffing and funding to adequately investigate police shootings.

McCarty has not endorsed anyone in the governor’s race.

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