California Assemblyman Carl DeMaio plans to sue Governor Gavin Newsom over a new law he claims criminalizes citizen journalism amid concerns over rampant fraud in the state.
California’s Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio is preparing to file a lawsuit against Governor Gavin Newsom’s recently signed legislation, which he argues criminalizes citizen journalism. DeMaio warns that the law exacerbates the state’s ongoing issues with fraud.
Officially titled “Privacy for Immigration Support Services Providers,” the new law aims to establish privacy protections for immigration support service providers, including employees and volunteers. It shields their addresses and imposes penalties on individuals who publish their images on social media. DeMaio contends that the legislation effectively criminalizes the work of investigative journalists and seeks to “silence citizen journalists” while protecting taxpayer-funded organizations from public scrutiny.
“What does the Stop Nick Shirley Act do? It basically makes it illegal for a citizen journalist to document fraud involving taxpayer money and share that information online in the form of a video,” DeMaio told Fox News Digital.
Signed into law last week, the measure is set to take effect on October 1. DeMaio, alongside a coalition of civil liberty advocates, is preparing to challenge the law in court. “We have a plaintiff and are putting together the legal briefs,” he stated. “It is only a matter of time before we get before a judge to stop this act.”
He expressed hope that the U.S. Department of Justice would intervene in the case, describing the law as a clear infringement on First Amendment rights. “California’s fraud scandal makes the Minnesota fraud look like ‘garden variety government mismanagement,'” he added, drawing comparisons to other states’ issues with government oversight.
DeMaio criticized California’s handling of taxpayer funds, claiming that organizations receiving public money are not delivering the promised services. “They claim to provide public services to immigrants when, in fact, they organize rallies, harvest ballots, and endorse candidates during campaigns,” he said. “They are essentially an extension of the Democratic Party.”
The planned lawsuit follows discussions with the Justice Department’s Office for Civil Rights. “I have asked the U.S. Department of Justice to examine the Stop Nick Shirley Act to see if they can intervene to prevent its implementation,” DeMaio explained. “We have been dialoguing with the Department of Justice, and now we have a game plan to proceed in court to overturn this unconstitutional law.”
Addressing Governor Newsom directly, DeMaio stated, “Gavin Newsom, once again, you’re a bully trying to silence citizen watchdogs from exercising their First Amendment rights and exposing your fraud—the billions of taxpayer dollars wasted under your watch—all for the benefit of left-wing NGOs that support you politically.”
DeMaio accused Newsom and California’s Democratic supermajority of creating a “monumental problem” with taxpayer money, suggesting that the situation is intentional. “You’re going to be exposed as a bully,” he warned Newsom. “You’re going to be exposed as the fraud ringleader.”
In response, Newsom’s spokesperson, Diana Crofts-Pelayo, stated that “this law has nothing to do with Nick Shirley” and accused DeMaio and other Republicans of spreading misinformation. “The real controversy here is that MAGA Republicans are either lying to create fake conspiracy theories, or they simply do not know how to read,” she said.
Crofts-Pelayo emphasized that the law does not impact Shirley’s journalism, which Newsom’s office has previously criticized as “grifting” and “lying.” She asserted that the measure does not conceal fraud.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the offices of California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate President pro Tempore Monique Limón for comment on the matter.
As the situation develops, the implications of this law and the potential legal challenges it faces will likely continue to draw attention from both sides of the political spectrum, highlighting the ongoing debate over transparency and accountability in government.
According to Fox News Digital, the controversy surrounding this legislation underscores the tensions between state governance and citizen oversight.