|
|
President Trump continues to act as if he is above the law — he is not. No one is. This week, I had to file four new lawsuits against the President following unlawful actions that attempt to:
➡️ Impose sweeping voting restrictions across the nation, attacking the life blood of our democracy.
➡️ Terminate $11 billion in critical public health funding, hurting our nation’s public health infrastructure and ability to weather future pandemics.
➡️ Cut NIH research grants that save lives, improve public wellbeing, and create new economic opportunities.
➡️ Gut federal agencies that support libraries, museums, and minority-owned businesses; help resolve labor disputes; and create jobs in our communities.
President Trump is rampaging through the federal government, slashing critical programs and firing workers left and right. As California’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer, I will not allow the President to violate the U.S. Constitution, override Congress and the separation of powers, or put our people in harm’s way. I am ensuring, and will continue to ensure, President Trump follows the law.
In solidarity,
Rob
|
|
Taking the Trump Administration to Court Four Times in One Week
 Donald Trump was sworn in 10 weeks ago, and since then, I have filed 12 lawsuits against him and his Administration — four this week alone. The American people are looking for leadership and evidence our institutions will not falter under attack, and each of those four lawsuits helps to provide that. I encourage you to read our press releases explaining them: the first can be found here, the second here, the third here, and the fourth here. As Attorney General, it is my job to protect California’s people, values, and resources. Rest assured: We’re watching and monitoring everything that the President and his Administration do. When Trump breaks the law, we’ll take action.
|
|
Securing Four Early Court Victories Against the Trump Administration in One Week
 In addition, we secured four early court victories against the Trump Administration this week. First, after co-leading 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in National TPS Alliance v. Noem, a federal district court granted a motion to postpone, blocking the Trump Administration from unlawfully terminating the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Venezuela while litigation continues. Second, another federal district court issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump Administration from conducting unlawful mass terminations of federal probationary employees who live or work in California. Third, still another federal district court granted a temporary restraining order that immediately restores $11 billion in critical public health funding, including $972 million to California. Finally, our motion to enforce a preliminary injunction over continued disruptions to FEMA funding was granted, ordering the Administration to fully reinstate FEMA funding.
|
|
Unveiling Legislation to Protect Californians From Unfair Rent Fees
 Assemblymember Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) and I unveiled Assembly Bill 1248 this week, legislation that seeks to protect tenants from unpredictable and costly housing fees. In recent years, some landlords have adopted the practice of charging separate piecemeal fees in addition to the rent. These fees, which can include fees for pest control and trash services, can cost tenants hundreds of dollars more each month on top of the base rent. This practice hinders tenants’ financial stability and ability to budget for housing and other needs — and hurts landlords who do not charge these fees by putting them at a competitive disadvantage and creating an unfair marketplace.
|
|
Putting An End to HomeOptions’ Predatory Real Estate Scheme
 Furthermore, I announced a settlement with HomeOptions, a realty company based in Oakland that engaged in a predatory real estate scheme impacting over 500 California homeowners, and its Chief Executive Officer. In partnership with the District Attorneys of Napa County and Santa Barbara County, California DOJ launched an investigation into HomeOptions that found the company lured financially vulnerable homeowners with an immediate payment of anywhere between a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars in exchange for the exclusive right to be the homeowner’s real estate listing agent for the next 20 years and deceptively recorded liens against the homeowners’ homes, among other things. As part of the settlement, HomeOptions has agreed to terminate all liens and contracts in California, pay full restitution to victims, and pay civil penalties.
|
|
Making Your Life Affordable
 From groceries to gas, costs seem to be rising and rising ... and rising. California DOJ has your back and is committed to protecting California families grappling with the high cost of living and the struggle to keep costs down. In this segment, find some of the ways California DOJ is protecting Californians — and their wallets.
Hot Tip: Tax Day is Tuesday, April 15th! Through the IRS Direct File and CalFile programs, eligible California taxpayers can file their 2024 federal and state taxes for free!
What We Did: Last month, we issued a consumer alert urging folks to learn about free or low-cost tax filing options.
What This Means to You: For many families, tax season brings an opportunity to get a catch up on bills, build some financial breathing room for emergencies, or finally take the car in for repairs. As Tax Day approaches, many Californians turn to third-party tax preparation services for help filing their tax returns and too often wind up paying when they could file for free. Through the IRS Direct File and CalFile programs, eligible California taxpayers can file their 2024 federal and state taxes for free and keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.
Don't forget! You may qualify for up to $3,644 cash back or a reduction of the tax you owe under the Earned Income Tax Credit and the California Earned Income Tax Credit programs.
|
|
Keeping You Safe
 In recent weeks, we have also celebrated three significant victories in the fight against gun violence.
The first victory came when an en banc panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit confirmed that California's ban on large-capacity magazines used in many mass shootings does not infringe upon the Second Amendment. The second win occurred when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 7-2 in favor of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' regulation of ghost guns, classifying certain ghost gun products as firearms subject to requirements like background checks and serialization. Lastly, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California determined that California's age-based restrictions on the sale and transfer of firearms are constitutional.
These wins are the result of years of litigation to protect and defend laws that are vital to community safety and violence prevention.
|
|
Post of the Week
|
|
FLASH BRIEFING
Attorney General Bonta Joins Coalition Opposing Federal Legislation That Would Create Substantial Barriers to Voting
Attorney General Bonta: Despite Supreme Court’s Stay Order, California Remains Committed to Fighting to Protect Grants That Support Our K-12 Teacher Preparation Pipeline
Attorney General Bonta to California Attorneys: Guidance on Solicitation Limits After L.A. Fires Is Available
Attorney General Bonta Alerts Businesses: It Remains Illegal to Bribe Foreign-Government Officials
|
|
Video of the Week
|
 We all know that voting is the lifeblood of democracy.
We won’t sit back while Trump violates the law and attempts to take over our elections and disenfranchise voters.
|
|
Make a Difference at California DOJ
 Apply today to help the California DOJ protect the health, well-being, and public safety of Californians. Check out our featured jobs below and visit oag.ca.gov/careers for a full listing of available positions:
Deputy Attorney General III, Correctional Law
Deputy Attorney General IV, Health Education & Welfare Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, Special Prosecutions Section
Deputy Attorney General IV, DMFEA Facilities Enforcement Team
Deputy Attorney General III, Tort & Condemnation
Chief Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Law Division
Chief Assistant Attorney General, Civil Law Division
Project Director, Firearms Information Technology System Modernization
Paralegal, Charitable Trust Section
Procurement & Solution Contract Manager, Enterprise Services Bureau
|
|
|
|
|
