After independent journalist Nick Shirley sparked a national news cycle in January over alleged state-administered fraud, California lawmakers have moved to restrict the activities of independent journalists who question government spending, according to state officials.
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Signal, California state Assemblyman David Tangipa said the California Legislature is advancing what he described as “unconstitutional legislation” that would limit the release of video recordings by independent journalists who investigate taxpayer-funded programs.
Assembly Bill 2624 was introduced in February by California state Assemblywoman Mia Bonta following the viral success of a Shirley video questioning potential health care and day care fraud. That video amassed more than 149 million views on X.
“Ask yourself this—why are Democrats trying to protect people who are being questioned about state administrators and [nongovernmental organizations] over their funding and what that funding actually achieves?” Tangipa told The Daily Signal. “Why is the government alleging that those who question how funds are being used are harassing people?”
In the video, Shirley is seen directly questioning day care and health care administrators, some of whom accused him of racism and harassment while attempting to stop him from recording.
“When a government diminishes transparency, it has something to hide,” Tangipa added. “The government is trying to punish people for holding it accountable while adding protections for corrupt NGOs.”
In March, Shirley traveled to California, where he alleged that at least $170 million in hospice and day care fraud was taking place.
“People are asking questions for a reason,” Tangipa said. “This type of bill would protect people preying on the dead and the sick.”
Other Republicans in the Assembly have denounced the bill as an attack on transparency and the First Amendment.
“California Democrats are trying to intimidate citizen watchdog journalists and protect waste and fraud happening in far-left NGOs,” Assemblyman Carl DeMaio wrote in a press release. “AB 2624 can only be described as the ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’—a bill designed to silence citizen journalists exposing fraud and abuse of taxpayer dollars.”
“If this bill becomes law, the message is clear to every journalist in California: Expose corruption and you will be punished,” DeMaio continued. “AB 2624 is an unconstitutional, direct attack on transparency and the First Amendment, and it needs to be defeated.”
Shirley also responded to the legislation on X, calling it an effort by politicians to “protect fraudsters and illegal migrants,” and urging the public to resist what he described as government oppression.
“The enemy truly is within,” Shirley wrote.
