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By Kevin Kiley – May 15 2026
Governor Newsom’s former chief of staff is pleading guilty to federal corruption charges. Somehow, that statement is both shocking and entirely not shocking at the same time. After all, we have long fought against the Sacramento culture of corruption personified by Newsom.
And we’ve fought to restore government by the people. As a latest example, we’re exposing a bill that would criminalize citizen journalists who expose fraud. I spoke with the Washington Post about the legislation – and their Editorial Page just came out in strong opposition.
The Post writes: “Instead of confronting allegations that tax dollars are being wasted,” California is “trying to discourage citizen-journalists from reporting on them.” The editorial calls the bill “galling because the state has dragged its feet for years on fighting hospice fraud.”
We’ve also just called attention to another shocking/not-shocking fact: Newsom borrowed $20 billion from the federal government for COVID-era unemployment benefits and then simply defaulted on the loan. This has now triggered an automatic tax increase on our businesses.
And the CEO of High-Speed Rail, reeling from our successful effort to cut off all federal funding, is now promising the Merced-Bakersfield line will be done “in our lifetimes.” Maybe our great grandchildren can one day ride from LA to SF. That’s the pitch for a $231 billion project.
Meanwhile, some good news in DC. The House passed the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act, a bill I sponsored to help bring sanity back to public safety in California through greater federal enforcement. This reinforces our landslide Prop. 36 victory making crime illegal again.
Elsewhere, in an Education Committee hearing I told Secretary McMahon about a new low in California’s attacks on girls sports that I’ve reported to the DOJ Civil Rights Office; and in the Transportation Committee, I will be seeking a vote next week on my Gas Tax Reduction Act.
Finally, I joined CNN to discuss our plan to end gerrymandering and identified America’s gerrymander-in-chief: Gavin Newsom. Another “galling” example of the culture of corruption.
Help me fight Newsom’s corruption
Kevin Kiley is a California Congressman
