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California Policy and Politics Wednesday
Swalwell’s anti-ICE campaign collides with his past backing of sheriff tied to agency -- As Rep. Eric Swalwell makes keeping federal agents out of California a key tenet of his campaign for governor, the Castro Valley Democrat faces scrutiny for votes supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as his endorsement of a former Republican Alameda County sheriff who cooperated with ICE. Grace Hase in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/8/26
Swalwell campaign denies online claims that congressman behaved inappropriately with staffers -- “This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” spokesman Micah Beasley said in a statement. Seema Mehta and Dakota Smith in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
Top Republican running for California governor sidesteps questions on Trump after endorsement -- Steve Hilton got good news and bad news this week: President Donald Trump endorsed him to be California’s next governor. The potential bad news for Hilton, a Republican, is that two-thirds of California voters loathe Trump. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/26
Chad Bianco, Steve Hilton still lead poll of California governor hopefuls -- Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton continue to lead a congested field of Democrats in the California governor’s race, according to the latest poll released Tuesday by the California Democratic Party. Jeff Horseman in the Orange County Register$ -- 4/8/26
At L.A. ‘shadow hearing’ on elections, House Democrats join experts to defend voting systems -- House Democrats and a panel of elections experts expressed unwavering confidence in state voting systems and dismissed Trump administration claims of widespread fraud and other vulnerabilities during a special “shadow hearing” in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Kevin Rector in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
ICE
ICE agents in Northern California shoot man after he allegedly tries to run them over -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Northern California shot and wounded a man wanted for murder after he allegedly tried to use his vehicle to run over an officer — a claim previously made in several shootings involving the agency. Ruben Vives in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
What new data reveals about immigration arrests in San Diego so far this year -- ICE arrests have dropped so far in 2026 following backlash over operations in Minnesota. Still, the number of immigrants arrested without a criminal record remains high. Alexandra Mendoza, Kristen Taketa in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 4/8/26
Workplace
Sony Pictures Entertainment to cut hundreds of film and TV jobs -- Sony Pictures Entertainment plans to lay off a few hundred employees globally in a move to restructure its business. Cerys Davies in the Los Angeles Times$ Anna Bauman in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/26
Oracle lays off over 500 Silicon Valley workers as California cuts top 700 -- Oracle’s mass layoffs will affect 318 employees in Redwood City and 184 in Santa Clara, according to new state filings, adding to a toll that also includes 158 workers in Pleasanton. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/26
Marketplace
Federal judge could halt Nexstar-Tegna TV station merger -- At the conclusion of a two-hour hearing in Sacramento on Tuesday, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Troy L. Nunley signaled he was preparing to issue a preliminary injunction that would prevent Nexstar and Tegna from combining operations amid an ongoing legal challenge. Meg James and Katie King in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
This maverick Napa Valley winery couldn’t sell. Now, it’s headed for auction — and more wineries could follow -- After lingering on the market for well over a year, one of Napa Valley’s most idiosyncratic wineries will sell to the highest bidder in a May auction. Jess Lander in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/8/26
Street
Activists suing LAPD allege officer shot foam rounds at their groins at point-blank range -- A vocal LAPD critic and two lawyers have filed a lawsuit against the LAPD after being hit with less-lethal rounds at a protest last year. Libor Jany in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
Trove of sensitive LAPD records leaked in suspected hack -- A trove of sensitive LAPD records, including officer personnel files and documents from Internal Affairs investigations, are among the materials believed to have been seized by hackers in a breach last month involving the L.A. city attorney’s office. Libor Jany and Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
‘Gladiator fight’ cases against L.A. juvenile hall staffers are falling apart -- More than a year after California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta announced indictments against 30 probation officers accused of coordinating or allowing so-called “gladiator fights” between youths inside L.A. County juvenile halls, almost half of the criminal cases are falling apart. James Queally and Rebecca Ellis in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
POTUS 47
Some Republicans Set Their Own Deadline on Iran War. It’s Getting Close -- A federal law requires congressional approval for military operations in Iran lasting over 60 to 90 days, a deadline some Republicans are tracking. The 1973 War Powers Act mandates termination of military operations after 60 days without the approval of Congress. Iran operations began Feb. 28. Lindsay Wise, Siobhan Hughes and Olivia Beavers in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/8/26
How Trump Took the U.S. to War With Iran -- In a series of Situation Room meetings, President Trump weighed his instincts against the deep concerns of his vice president and a pessimistic intelligence assessment. Here’s the inside story of how he made the fateful decision. Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/8/26
With Threat to Wipe Out Iran’s Civilization, Trump’s Rhetoric Goes Beyond Bluster -- The president’s violent rhetoric risks damaging his credibility as a negotiator and the country’s standing in the world. Katie Rogers in the New York Times$ -- 4/8/26
The White House Is Keeping Kristi Noem’s $70 Million Jet -- The administration plans to use the plane, which is nicer than most other government jets, for travel by select cabinet secretaries, some of the officials said. First lady Melania Trump’s office would also have access to the jet, the officials said. Michelle Hackman and Josh Dawsey in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/8/26
Teen who went to photograph L.A. ‘No Kings’ rally shot, blinded by Homeland Security agent, attorney says -- A USC freshman who went to photograph a recent “No Kings” protest in downtown Los Angeles was allegedly shot with a less-lethal projectile by a Department of Homeland Security agent and had to have one of his eyes removed, according to his attorney. Summer Lin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/8/26
California Policy and Politics Tuesday
Swalwell campaign denies ‘false, outrageous’ claims of inappropriate behavior -- Rep. Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor denied on Tuesday that he had ever behaved inappropriately with female staffers, countering a number of left-leaning influencers and other social media accounts that have alleged without evidence that he has a record of improper behavior. Melanie Mason Politico -- 4/7/26
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council says it has accepted a two-week ceasefire --U.S. President Donald Trump says he’s pulling back on his threats to widen attacks on Iran. The president says that includes an array of bridges, power plants and other civilian targets — subject to Iran being ready for a two-week ceasefire and to reopen Strait of Hormuz. Bridget Brown, Lorian Belanger, Brian P. D. Hannon, Bernard Mcghee, Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Drew Callister, Jim Anderson, Nell Clark Associated Press Tyler Pager, Farnaz Fassihi, David E. Sanger and Eric Nagourney in the New York Times$ Jacob Wendler and Paul McLeary Politico Karen DeYoung, Isaac Arnsdorf, Sammy Westfall and Tara Copp in the Washington Post$ -- 4/7/26
DHS threatens to halt international travel at SFO over sanctuary policies -- The federal government may withdraw Customs and Border Protection officers from San Francisco International Airport and other major “sanctuary” hubs, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggested Monday. If the move actually goes through, it would effectively halt international travel at SFO, one of the nation’s busiest airports. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/7/26
Iranian general’s relatives lived lavish L.A. lifestyle while promoting ‘Iranian regime propaganda’ -- The niece and grand-niece of an Iranian general have been arrested by immigration agents after the niece extolled the Iranian leadership and denigrated the U.S. Both women posted images and videos depicting them living a decidedly Western lifestyle. Fedor Zarkhin in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
LA business groups unite behind Bass and switch up their playbook -- For the first time, the city’s fragmented business interests are coordinating their political efforts. Melanie Mason Politico -- 4/7/26
Spencer Pratt’s move to Santa Barbara County after his Palisades house burned raises eligibility questions in L.A. mayor’s race -- Candidates running for city office were required to be registered to vote in L.A. and to be residents of the city by Jan. 3 in order to be eligible, according to the city clerk’s office. Noah Goldberg and Richard Winton in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
Loomer, Fox and 'a RINO': Inside Trump's earthquake endorsement in California -- Donald Trump’s intervention in the California governor’s race caught much of the state’s political establishment by surprise. It shouldn’t have. Blake Jones, Dasha Burns, Jeremy B. White, Lindsey Holden, Dustin Gardiner and Melanie Mason Politico -- 4/7/26
Walters: Trump endorsing Hilton may help keep California governorship in Democratic hands -- For weeks, leaders of California’s Democratic Party have worried aloud about having so many Democrats running for governor that two Republicans could finish first and second in the state’s June 2 primary election, thus guaranteeing election of a GOP governor in November. Dan Walters Calmatters -- 4/7/26
State senator sues Sacramento, accuses police of fabricating evidence in ‘retaliatory’ DUI arrest -- State Sen. Sabrina Cervantes is suing Sacramento, claiming police falsely accused her of driving under the influence in retaliation for authoring legislation that the department opposed. Blood testing showed no traces of alcohol or drugs in her system, and the district attorney declined to file charges against her. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
The Supreme Court put conversion therapy bans at risk. California has a backup plan -- The Supreme Court’s 8-1 decision against Colorado’s conversion therapy ban has California considering a replacement that could be tougher than its landmark law. Raheem Hosseini in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/7/26
Workplace
Families, union workers bracing for a crippling, historic LAUSD strike in exactly one week -- Los Angeles schools are one week away from a historic employee walkout — which for the first time would involve three major unions representing teachers, most non-teaching staff and school administrators, including principals and assistant principals. Howard Blume in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
Anthropic leases two more San Francisco offices as AI boom continues -- Leading artificial intelligence startup Anthropic has signed two more major leases for San Francisco offices, another sign of the sector’s voracious appetite for real estate. Roland Li in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/7/26
Phone startup Nothing moves into S.F. neighborhood dominated by Jony Ive and OpenAI -- London-based smartphone startup Nothing is said to have leased space in Jackson Square near Lovefrom, the design studio founded by Jony Ive, who helped define the modern smartphone — a move that positions the 5-year-old company within the orbit of one of the industry’s most influential creative hubs. Laura Waxmann in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 4/7/26
Hypersonic aircraft company moves headquarters from Atlanta to El Segundo -- Aerospace startup Hermeus is moving its headquarters to El Segundo from Atlanta as it aims to build autonomous hypersonic aircraft for the military, the latest sign of revival in the region’s aerospace and defense sectors. Laurence Darmiento in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
Oracle cuts over 600 Bay Area jobs in new waves of layoffs -- The software and cloud services company will eliminate 312 jobs in Redwood City, 184 positions in Santa Clara and 158 jobs in Pleasanton, according to WARN notices that this news organization obtained from the state Employment Development Department. George Avalos in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 4/7/26
Mental Health
$110-million donation seeks to address shortage of Southern California mental health workers -- UCLA, Cal State L.A. and Cal State Dominguez Hills will receive $110 million to bolster their mental health programs, providing financial assistance and clinical resources to students seeking to fill the gaps of a major statewide shortage in the field of social work. Christopher Buchanan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
Sheriff’s deputies committed crimes before man died in Vista jail, oversight board finds in unprecedented ruling -- The Citizens’ Law Enforcement Review Board has found that two San Diego County sheriff’s deputies engaged in criminal conduct in connection with the jail death of a man who repeatedly pleaded for help as he struggled to breathe. Kelly Davis, Jeff McDonald in the San Diego Union Tribune -- 4/7/26
Rough & Tumble
For more than 30 years — day in, day out — he’s chronicled California. One paragraph at a time -- The Sacramento-based Rough & Tumble may be California’s longest-running aggregator of politics and policy. Mark Z. Barabak in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 4/7/26
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Trump warns a ‘whole civilization will die tonight’ if a deal with Iran isn’t reached -- The American leader issued the stark threat Tuesday, about 12 hours ahead of his deadline for Iran to agree to a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. also struck military targets on the Iranian oil hub of Kharg Island, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The attack marked the second time the island was targeted. Bridget Brown, Lorian Belanger, Brian P. D. Hannon, Bernard Mcghee, Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira Associated Press -- 4/7/26
Trump Says Iran Proposal Isn’t Enough to Stop Attacks on Bridges and Power Plants -- President Trump said on Monday that a cease-fire proposal put forth by mediators between the United States and Iran was a “significant step,” but he warned that it was “not good enough” as his deadline of Tuesday evening for a deal approached. Tyler Pager and Erika Solomon in the New York Times$ Isaac Arnsdorf, Sammy Westfall and Tara Copp in the Washington Post$ -- 4/7/26
Pentagon’s new plans in Iran give Trump a way out of war crime accusations -- The Pentagon is expanding a list of Iranian energy sites it can target for attacks to include ones that provide fuel and power to both civilians and the military, a likely workaround if the administration is accused of war crimes for striking basic infrastructure. Paul McLeary and Leo Shane III Politico -- 4/7/26
Trump threats cause dilemma for US officers: disobey orders or commit war crimes -- Legal experts say attacking Iran’s infrastructure would constitute a war crime – but would military officers be held responsible? Julian Borger in The Guardian -- 4/7/26
Hegseth Likens Easter Rescue of U.S. Airman to Resurrection of Jesus Christ -- President Trump also asserted that God supports the American war against Iran “because God is good, and God wants to see people taken care of.” Chris Cameron in the New York Times$ -- 4/7/26
Trump threatens to jail reporters if they don’t turn over Iran source -- “Give it up or go to jail,” the president said at a Monday press briefing, referring to the identity of a source who disclosed details to an unidentified news organization about the U.S. airman previously missing in Iran. Scott Nover in the Washington Post$ -- 4/7/26
Trump promised a post-war economic rebound. The damage may linger far longer -- The war’s damage to energy infrastructure and closure of a key shipping lane could mean lasting price spikes for everything from housing to food even long after the fighting ends. Megan Messerly Politico -- 4/7/26
Five Risks Jamie Dimon Is Worried About in 2026 -- Jamie Dimon has a lot on his mind. There’s the war in Iran. Americans’ loss of trust in the government. An ineffective European Union. Intensifying competition from startups and other banks, and artificial intelligence’s transformation of the workforce. Alexander Saeedy in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 4/7/26