Huntington Beach’s city attorney joins Trump’s Justice Department
WASHINGTON — Michael Gates, Huntington Beach’s city attorney for the last decade and tireless antagonist of the state’s liberal politics, has joined the U.S. Department of Justice’s…
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta won’t run for governor in 2026
California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta said Wednesday that he will not join the crowded field of Democrats vying to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026…
No, Donald Trump’s return to power doesn’t make him right
The MAGA Republican triumphalism unleashed by Donald Trump’s return to the White House has extended, unsurprisingly, to many of my most antagonistic correspondents. They urge…
Oscar nominations 2025: Predictions in top categories
Oscar nominations will (probably) arrive Thursday morning, six days after they were originally scheduled to be announced, though with all that has happened to our…
Column: Trump’s inaugural speech was short on unity, long on promises
WASHINGTON — President Trump promised an inaugural address focused on “unity,” but what he delivered was more a campaign speech in a formal suit — long…
Column: Is there any hope Trump will aim to unite in inauguration speech?
WASHINGTON — For 236 years, ever since George Washington, a newly elected president’s inaugural address has traditionally served several purposes.One is simply to mark the beginning…
Democrats’ crisis of future: Big states that back them are shrinking
WASHINGTON — Texas and Florida are growing rapidly. California, Illinois and New York have been shrinking. With America’s population shifting to the South, political influence is…
Despite a starstruck image, California favors bland governors
California is about to ease into the 2026 race for governor, and if you can pick any of the current candidates from a police lineup,…
Column: Biden’s legacy is complex — and in Donald Trump’s hands now
WASHINGTON — By the standard President Biden set himself, the core purpose he proclaimed when he ran in 2020, it is impossible to assess his one-term…
Column: I got some things wrong in 2024. At least I hope I did
WASHINGTON — I spent much of 2024 warning readers that a second Trump presidency would do serious damage to American institutions, beginning with democracy and the…
Hand-written signatures were a sticking point for young California voters
More than a month after voting by mail in the presidential election, South Los Angeles resident Taylor Johnson learned that his vote had not been…
Florida is winning the political battle with California as Trump takes office
WASHINGTON — The rivalry between California and Florida reached a high mark in November 2023 when Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, faced off against Florida Gov.…
Orange County GOP pushes back on ‘false claims of voter fraud’
The Republican Party of Orange County has forcefully swatted down unfounded claims of voter fraud in the 2024 election, debunking allegations that went viral after…
Labor boosted California Democrats by not talking like Democrats
SACRAMENTO — Democrats have a growing problem with union members and working-class voters, a building block that’s been foundational to their political success.Lorena Gonzalez, head of…
Mayor and LAPD chief tout double-digit drop in homicides
Los Angeles has so far this year recorded double-digit percentage declines in homicides, nonfatal shootings and slayings stemming from gang feuds, according to police data…
It’s hard to admit you voted for Trump in ‘the Mexican Beverly Hills’
A surge of migrants at the border. President Biden’s debate performance. High interest rates. Phillip can tick off the reasons he voted for President-elect Donald…
Where Harris, Trump stand on immigration: election voter guide
Trump has called for rapid and historic deportations of the estimated 11 million immigrants — he says there are more — who are in the…
After election day, some legislatures aim to undermine results
WASHINGTON — Even though the election was over a month ago, voters in some parts of the country are discovering that having their say at the…
How Latino Republican flipped a heavily Democratic Assembly district
BRAWLEY, Calif. — While Assemblyman Jeff Gonzalez, a newly elected Republican, was taking the oath of office in Sacramento last week, the phones of two supporters…
As voters shift right, Democrats flipped 3 House seats in California
The electoral map in November was largely a sea of red, but there is a bright spot — or really, three — for Golden State…