California Policy and Politics Wednesday

Californians sharply divided along partisan lines about immigration raids, poll finds -- California voters sharply divided on ICE raids along partisan lines; 90% of Democrats oppose deporting all undocumented immigrants, versus only 10% of Republicans. Nearly one-quarter of survey respondents know someone directly affected by immigration enforcement, illustrating widespread community effects beyond those being targeted for deportation. One-third of Latino voters who supported Trump now regret their choice, with 71% saying the administration’s deportation efforts have gone too far. Seema Mehta and Brittny Mejia in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

Cluster of earthquakes strike near San Jose in Bay Area -- The strongest quake struck first and was measured as a 4.0 magnitude temblor that struck east of Gilroy at around 6:15 a.m., according to the USGS The quake was initially measured as a 4.3 magnitude quake, but was downgraded after USGS updated its data. Dominic Fracassa in the San Francisco Chronicle$ Rick Hurd in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/26/25

This rural hospital closed, putting lives at risk. Is it the start of a ‘tidal wave’? -- Glenn Medical Center in Willows closed Oct. 21 after losing “Critical Access” status for being 3 miles closer to the nearest hospital than rules require. The closure strips emergency care from a poor farming community, eliminates 150 jobs and puts rural residents at risk of preventable deaths. Jessica Garrison, Christina House in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

 

Trump administration to investigate UC Berkeley over Turning Point USA event -- The U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into the University of California at Berkeley Tuesday over violence that erupted earlier this month at protests outside an event organized by conservative group Turning Point USA. Molly Gibbs in the San Jose Mercury$ -- 11/26/25

California attorney general sues Trump administration to stop homeless housing cuts -- California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta sued the Trump administration Tuesday seeking to stop a federal policy change that advocates say could force 170,000 formerly homeless Americans back on the streets or into shelters. Andrew Khouri in the Los Angeles Times$ Theresa Clift in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/26/25

Misinformation spreads as Trump moves to cut aid for some California students -- The Trump administration is suing California, asking the state to end its policies allowing students without legal status to access in-state tuition and financial aid. But the administration’s legal argument is weak, according to top legal experts. Adam Echelman and Mikhail Zinshteyn Calmatters Daniel Miller in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

 

Garofoli: How many Democrats is too many in the California governors race? -- Some think that is too many — and a few are even speculating that if the field remains unwieldy, it could create an epic divide that would allow two Republicans to advance to the general election in the nation’s bluest state. Joe Garofoli in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/26/25

Swalwell Files Suit Against Housing Official, Claiming Privacy Law Violations -- Representative Eric Swalwell of California on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against Bill Pulte, the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, claiming Mr. Pulte breached federal privacy laws by repeatedly disclosing documents intended to accuse prominent Democrats of mortgage fraud. Zach Montague in the New York Times$ Nicole Nixon in the Sacramento Bee$ -- 11/26/25

 

Man shot in back by ICE pleads not guilty to assault charges -- Carlos Jimenez, a father of three, was indicted by a federal grand jury last week after prosecutors accused him of trying to “reverse” his car into a Border Patrol agent conducting an early-morning Oct. 30 immigration stop near the Ontario mobile home park where he lives. Rachel Uranga in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

He fled religious persecution in Turkey. Then he got a one-day notice for an ICE check-in -- The U.S. deported just five immigrants from Turkey in the 2024 federal budget year. One Turkish immigrant now fears deportation after being summoned to a San Diego ICE office. Wendy Fry Calmatters -- 11/26/25

Newton: Harrowing experiences at the hands of ICE unify a diverse L.A. audience -- A congressional hearing Monday in Los Angeles on the Trump Administration’s immigration raids offered a searing look at a program that has been equal parts stupid and cruel. Jim Newton Calmatters -- 11/26/25

California labor leader calls charges of obstructing immigration officers during raid ‘baseless’ -- Union leader David Huerta pleaded not guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction of justice related to a confrontation with immigration officials during a raid this summer. Christopher Buchanan in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

Farm Workers sue Trump Administration over jobs displacement and wages cuts -- The United Farm Workers of America filed suit against the Trump Administration, seeking to reverse a new federal labor rule that allows employers to cut the pay of agriculture guest workers who are in the U.S. legally and temporarily to pick crops. María G. Ortiz-Briones in the Fresno Bee -- 11/26/25

Lawsuit challenges arrests of people showing up to ICE check-ins in San Diego -- The lawsuit alleges immigrants are being deprived of due process after previously being declared fit for release, only to be arrested and detained when suddenly summoned to reappear at an ICE office. Elliot Spagat and Valerie Gonzalez Associated Press -- 11/26/25

 

Federal Bureau of Prisons says falling concrete is forcing it to close a prison near Los Angeles -- The federal Bureau of Prisons is closing a California lockup that was once home to Al Capone and Charles Manson over concerns about crumbling infrastructure, including falling concrete that threatens to knock out the facility’s heating system, according to an internal memo obtained by the Associated Press. Michael R. Sisak Associated Press -- 11/26/25

Workplace

California court tosses Wonderful Company lawsuit over farmworker unionization law -- The Wonderful Company sued to overturn a farmworker unionization law, but a California appeals court found the lawsuit was premature. The company contends the law is unconstitutional. Jeanne Kuang Calmatters -- 11/26/25

Apple quietly cuts jobs as it reshapes its retail strategy -- Apple has reportedly trimmed parts of its sales division — a rare move for a company that typically avoids layoffs — as it retools how it works with major customers. Aidin Vaziri in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/26/25

Gas Appliances

Bay Area considers easing gas appliance ban with new homeowner exemptions -- Two years ago, Bay Area pollution regulators passed the strictest rules in the country aimed at phasing out two types of air-fouling appliances — water heaters and furnaces that use natural gas. But now they are considering softening the rules. Julie Johnson in the San Francisco Chronicle$ -- 11/26/25

Street

California cop allegedly stole cash from motorists he stopped. He now faces felony charges -- Jose Antonio Garcia, 38, of Long Beach, was arrested and charged Friday by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office with one felony count of misappropriation of public funds, one felony count of grand theft by embezzlement and two misdemeanor counts of petty theft. Andrea Flores in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

Thief steals Thanksgiving turkeys meant for hundreds of needy families -- Members of the nonprofit U.R. Important Foundation were sorting food Saturday morning in the 31000 block of Auto Center Drive when someone took off with the truck, according to police and published reports. The turkeys were intended to be distributed to needy families. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

Toxic L.A. port fire burned for hours before emergency alerts were sent -- It took nearly six hours after a massive hazardous materials fire ignited at the Port of L.A. for an order to be issued telling residents to shelter in place due to air quality concerns. Some emergency alerts were erroneously sent to Rancho Palos Verdes residents, underscoring continued challenges with regional alert systems. Clara Harter in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

Also

Wealthy California coastal city bans pickleball, saying it ‘turned into a madhouse’ -- Carmel-by-the-Sea has become the first California city to ban pickleball at public courts following years of resident complaints. Pickleball’s explosive growth has created tension between enthusiasts and noise-weary neighbors across the country. Hannah Fry in the Los Angeles Times$ -- 11/26/25

POTUS 47

Appeals court upholds $1M penalty against Trump in lawsuit against Hillary Clinton -- A federal appeals court has upheld a penalty of nearly $1 million against President Donald Trump and attorney Alina Habba, concluding they committed “sanctionable conduct” by filing a frivolous lawsuit against Hillary Clinton and former FBI Director James Comey. Josh Gerstein and Kyle Cheney Politico -- 11/26/25

Shorter Days, Signs of Fatigue: Trump Faces Realities of Aging in Office -- President Trump has always used his stamina and energy as a political strength. But that image is getting harder for him to sustain. Katie Rogers and Dylan Freedman in the New York Times$ -- 11/26/25

Trump rages about New York Times story on age: ‘PERFECT PHYSICAL EXAM AND A COMPREHENSIVE COGNITIVE TEST’ -- President Donald Trump lashed out at The New York Times for a story this week that pointed to his advanced age and a diminished White House schedule, extolling what he sees as his administration’s wins and accusing the publication of unfair coverage. Gregory Svirnovskiy Politico -- 11/26/25

The big sticking point in the White House's health care proposal -- For many GOP members, an expansion of abortion restrictions in Obamacare is a must-have in any tentative health care plan. Alice Miranda Ollstein, Jordain Carney and Cheyenne Haslett Politico -- 11/26/25

Trump opens the door to Obamacare subsidy extension -- The president said an extension of subsidies that help people pay for health insurance "may be necessary" to buy time for a broader overhaul. Cheyenne Haslett and Sophie Gardner Politico -- 11/26/25

Once Foes of Obamacare, Some Republicans Push to Protect It -- A small cadre of politically vulnerable Republicans in Congress is breaking with the party to push for the extension of health care tax credits for a program the G.O.P. reviles. Robert Jimison in the New York Times$ -- 11/26/25

Inside lobbying efforts to make the Mar-a-Lago foreign worker visa a staple of MAGA -- The group’s visa push is the latest in the tug-of-war between business interests that need foreign labor and immigration hard-liners who say foreigners are taking American jobs — with Trump straddling an uncomfortable middle. Diana Nerozzi Politico -- 11/26/25

U.S. Negotiates Lower Prices for Ozempic and 14 Other Drugs -- The new prices, which will take effect in 2027, shave 38% to 85% off the list prices for drugs for diseases including asthma, cancer and diabetes. The reductions are estimated to save Medicare, the health-insurance program for the elderly, $12 billion. Peter Loftus in the Wall Street Journal$ -- 11/26/25

Democratic Lawmakers Say FBI Is Targeting Them Over Calls to Disobey Unlawful Orders -- A group of Democratic lawmakers said the Federal Bureau of Investigation had requested interviews with them after they appeared in a video that criticized the Trump administration and called on troops to disobey unlawful orders. Alyssa Lukpat and Joseph De Avila in the Wall Street Journal$ Noah Robertson and Jeremy Roebuck in the Washington Post$ -- 11/26/25

National parks announce ‘America-first’ upcharges for foreign visitors -- The National Park Service is introducing a digital annual pass that charges foreign visitors $170 more than United States residents across the federal recreation system. Gabe Hiatt, Natalie B. Compton and Andrea Sachs in the Washington Post$ -- 11/26/25