California Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Congressman Xavier Becerra to be the new California attorney general, reported The Guardian.
Becerra is leading the state’s court battles with President Donald Trump over climate change, immigration and more, the newspaper story reported.
Becerra is a 24-year veteran of Congress. He graduated from Stanford University with a law degree and also worked in the Civil Division of the California Attorney General’s Office, The Guardian noted on Dec. 1.
He became the highest-ranking Latino member of Congress. He is the state’s first Latino attorney general.
“Gov. Brown has presented me with an opportunity I cannot refuse,” said Becerra. “ I relish the chance to be our state’s chief law enforcement officer to protect consumers, advance criminal justice reform, and, of course, keep our families safe.
“California right now is ahead of the country when it comes to clean energy, common sense treatment of immigrants, real health security and so much more,” he added.
Trump has called global warming a hoax “created by and for the Chinese.” The newspaper story stated the president has promised to deport millions of migrants and cut federal funding to “sanctuary cities,” where local authorities limit their assistance to federal deportation.
Mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco have promised to protect migrants from Trump’s encroachment into local policies, The Guardian reported.
California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said, “Becerra clearly has the experience to step into this vital role. Just as important, he has great tenacity, and he respects the rights of all Californians — much-needed qualities for an attorney general, given the troubling times ahead.”
Becerra replaces outgoing Attorney General Kamala Harris, who in November won the Senate seat held by Barbara Boxer, who retired this year. Becerra is 58.
