ICYMI: Becerra’s Deep Ties to the Church of Scientology

Becerra championed Scientology in Congress; told members “I applaud you.”

CALIFORNIA – It took nearly 30 years – and The San Francisco Standard asking his campaign – for Xavier Becerra to finally publicly disavow the Church of Scientology. 

New reporting reveals that Becerra championed the church and its dark history of abuse and predatory behaviors, dating back to 1994. 

The piece reports that Becerra spoke at a 1997 congressional hearing in favor of a resolution defending Scientology’s most famous members, and in 2000 delivered remarks at the grand opening of a front group for the church on Hollywood Boulevard. 

This story is just the latest in a long pattern of Becerra's dangerous miscalculations

that question his judgement and ability to lead.

Becerra continues to be at the center of a corruption scandal that’s ensnared several of his top aides, and his incompetence as Biden’s HHS Secretary remains on full blast, as he failed to take accountability in losing over 85,000 migrant children.

Excerpts of the full piece are below. Read the full article here:

“Many of my constituents, as I suspect many of your constituents, are members of religious minority groups like the Church of Scientology,” Becerra said to persuade his colleagues to vote “yes.” “This resolution calls for protecting their rights… They deserve this protection.

“You revive Hollywood,” he said, according to Scientology’s Freedom magazine. “And perhaps most importantly, you kindle the spirit and determination of those of us who, through our health and our station in life, have an opportunity to work with ABLE to make life better for those who have fallen and are looking for a hand. This is just the beginning.”

Freedom magazine quotes him gushing over the contributions of Scientologists: “I applaud you, your efforts and your undying commitment to protect the rights of those who cannot fight for themselves. Thank you and keep the flame of freedom burning brightly.”

Thirteen years later, in 2016, Becerra sent a staffer to a ceremony on Capitol Hill held by a Scientology cutout called Youth for Human Rights.

Scientology’s abuses have been in the public domain for decades, Ortega said. Though he argues that Becerra should have known better before associating with the organization all those years ago, he should definitely know better after high-profile documentaries like Leah Remini’s A&E series from 2016 to 2019 and Alex Gibney’s 2015 HBO film “Going Clear,” litigation over alleged human trafficking, and accusations that church forced people to have abortions.

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