Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Xavier Becerra

A closer look at the most debated and controversial moments involving Xavier Becerra.

Xavier Becerra is an American attorney and politician. He served as the 25th United States Secretary of Health and Human Services from March 2021 to January 2025, becoming the first Latino to hold that position. Prior to this, he was the Attorney General of California from 2017 to 2021. Becerra also served as a U.S. Representative for downtown Los Angeles from 1993 to 2017 and chaired the House Democratic Caucus from 2013 to 2017. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals

March 28, 2017: Felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists

On March 28, 2017, Becerra brought fourteen felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists for recording videos, and one felony charge for conspiring to invade privacy.

July 2017: Refiling felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists

In July 2017, after initial charges were dismissed, Becerra refiled the felony charges against Center for Medical Progress activists with the names and dates.

2018: Writing Ballot Titles and Summaries in the 2018 elections

In the 2018 elections, as Attorney General of California, Becerra was tasked with writing ballot titles and summaries that appeared on voter information guides and ballots.

February 2019: Lawsuit Filed Against Trump Administration Over Border Wall Funding

In February 2019, Becerra, Governor Gavin Newsom, and 15 other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration regarding the president's declaration of a national emergency to fund a wall at the southern U.S. border.

December 2019: Trump administration opens 1 million acres in California to fracking and drilling

In December 2019, the Trump administration opened 1 million acres in California to fracking and drilling.

2019: Threat of legal action against reporters

In 2019, Becerra threatened "legal action" against reporters who had received records of California law enforcement officers convicted of crimes.

February 2020: Lawsuit against Trump Administration for Endangered Species Protection

In February 2020, Becerra, as Attorney General, filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the federal government's failure to adequately protect endangered species in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Rivers. The lawsuit scrutinized the biological opinions under the Endangered Species Act regarding federal water export operations.

December 2020: Faulted for lack of leadership in unemployment fraud

In December 2020, Becerra was faulted by state district attorneys for not taking leadership to help stop unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Becerra's Actions on Reproductive Rights and Addiction Treatment

In 2020, Xavier Becerra requested that the Supreme Court of California block the murder prosecution of a woman who had consumed methamphetamine during her pregnancy. In response to the Trump administration's decision to restrict federal funding to California because it requires insurance providers to cover abortion, Becerra stated that "California has the sovereign right to protect women's reproductive rights".

2020: Writing Ballot Titles and Summaries in the 2020 elections

In the 2020 elections, as Attorney General of California, Becerra was tasked with writing ballot titles and summaries that appeared on voter information guides and ballots. Proponents accused Becerra multiple times of writing biased descriptions.

2022: Criticism of Becerra's response to monkeypox outbreak

In 2022, Becerra faced criticism for his agency's response to the monkeypox outbreak, which was considered slow, and for issues with health policy communication. White House officials accused Becerra of attempting to scapegoat the states instead of taking responsibility for the inadequate response.

2023: Reports of immigrant child labor violations

In 2023, The New York Times released investigations about immigrant child laborers working in violation of child labor laws across the U.S. The reports indicated that the Health and Human Services Department, including Secretary Xavier Becerra, was informed that children appeared to be at risk.

February 2024: Becerra Considering a Run for Governor

In February 2024, Politico reported that Xavier Becerra was considering a run for governor of California, and that he or affiliated individuals had approached a political consulting firm to that effect, a potential violation of the Hatch Act.