Kevin Kiley Unleashes On California's Newsom Administration'

JUST IN: Kevin Kiley Unleashes On 'Runaway Lawlessness Of The Newsom Administration' - YouTube

During remarks on the House floor, Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-CA) tore into Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and laid out a series of federal investigation into California's practices.

Congressman Kiley Outlines "10 Federal Investigations" into California Policies

In a recent House speech, Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) detailed what he characterized as ten ongoing federal investigations into various California policies under Governor Gavin Newsom's administration.

Kiley framed these investigations not as targeting California, but as necessary responses to what he called "flagrant violations of federal law." He criticized the state's "one-party rule" and "unchecked radicalism," suggesting that federal oversight would restore "balance and common sense" to California governance.

The congressman highlighted investigations into several controversial policy areas, including:

1. California's policies regarding transgender athletes in women's sports
2. School policies that prohibit disclosing students' gender identity to parents
3. University admissions practices following the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action
4. Anti-Semitism concerns at University of California campuses
5. Visa revocations for international students allegedly involved in pro-Hamas activities
6. California's troubled high-speed rail project and its $17 billion expenditure
7. The state's cap-and-trade program, which Kiley blamed for California's high gas prices
8. California's homelessness crisis and the spending of federal funds
9. Restrictions on concealed carry permits in Los Angeles County
10. "Sanctuary" immigration policies in various California jurisdictions

Kiley, who has been a vocal critic of Governor Newsom, also mentioned his own legislative efforts to counter California policies, including bills to overturn the state's ban on gas-powered vehicles and to prevent undocumented immigrants from receiving state medical benefits.

Throughout his speech, Kiley positioned these federal actions as necessary oversight of state policies he described as "radical," "harmful," and "failed."

Federal Investigations Target California Policies Under Newsom Administration

In recent months, the federal government has launched a series of investigations into various California policies that Congressman Kevin Kiley (R-CA) claims violate federal law. These investigations span multiple areas, from education to immigration to infrastructure, and according to independent sources, represent a significant federal challenge to California's governance under Governor Gavin Newsom.

1. Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has launched a directed investigation into the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) over its policies allowing transgender students to participate on sports teams aligned with their gender identity rather than biological sex.

In February 2025, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor announced the investigation, stating that regardless of any "meaningless virtue-signaling," the CIF "must abide by federal law." This action followed President Trump's executive order titled "Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports," which threatens to withhold federal funding from schools that allow transgender women to compete in women's sports.

Meanwhile, the CIF has maintained that it "provides students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete in education-based experiences in compliance with California law," creating a direct conflict between state and federal authorities.

2. Schools Keeping Gender Identity from Parents

The Department of Education's Student Privacy Policy Office has launched an investigation into the California Department of Education for alleged violations of the Family Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA). The federal investigation centers on California Assembly Bill 1955, which took effect January 1, 2025, and prohibits schools from requiring personnel to disclose a child's gender identity to parents.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon described such policies as "both illegal and immoral," while the California Department of Education maintains that the law protects vulnerable students. If California is found to be violating FERPA, it could lose federal education funding.

California's Governor Newsom has defended the law, arguing that "parents still have the right to access their child's education records," while LGBTQ+ advocates maintain the policy is necessary to protect students whose families may not be supportive.

3. Affirmative Action in Higher Education

The Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pamela Bondi, has launched investigations into Stanford University and three University of California schools—Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Irvine—to ensure compliance with the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down race-conscious admissions. Attorney General Bondi directed the department's Civil Rights Division to begin these compliance reviews, stating: "President Trump and I are dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity across the country."

What makes this investigation particularly noteworthy is that California banned affirmative action in public universities in 1996 through Proposition 209, nearly three decades before the Supreme Court's nationwide ruling. In the application cycles following that state ban, Black and Hispanic enrollment fell precipitously at UC schools.

Stanford University said it took "immediate steps to ensure its admissions process complied with the law" after the Supreme Court ruling, while the University of California system stated it "has adhered to a ban on affirmative action in admissions since California voters approved one in the ballot initiative Proposition 209 in 1996."

4. Anti-Semitism at Universities

The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced in March 2025 that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the University of California (UC) system under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether UC "has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, religion and national origin against its professors, staff and other employees by allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses."

"This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation's universities," said Attorney General Pamela Bondi in announcing the probe.

Leo Terrell, leading task force member and senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for civil rights, cited an "outbreak of antisemitic incidents" at higher education institutions throughout the country following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel. The UC system responded that it is "unwavering in its commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting everyone's civil rights."

5. International Students and Pro-Hamas Activities

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the State Department has revoked more than 300 student visas in a program known as "Catch and Revoke," which is focusing on students who protested against the war in Gaza or who officials claim have shown support for Hamas.

The Department of Homeland Security has revoked the visas of international students at multiple universities, including several in the University of California system. Axios reported that the Trump administration has discussed using the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to potentially strip colleges they deem to be "pro-Hamas" of their ability to enroll international students.

Secretary Rubio told reporters: "We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses. And if we've given you a visa, and then you decide to do that, we're going to take it away."

6. High-Speed Rail Project

In February 2025, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a review of the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) to determine whether approximately $4 billion in federal taxpayer money should remain committed to the proposed project to build high-speed rail in the California Central Valley between Merced and Bakersfield.

"For too long, taxpayers have subsidized the massively over-budget and delayed California High-Speed Rail project," said Duffy. "President Trump is right that this project is in dire need of an investigation."

The project was initially supposed to be completed by 2020 at a cost of $33 billion, but the latest estimate for the San Francisco to Los Angeles segment is $106 billion — more than three times the original estimate. The Merced-to-Bakersfield segment alone has a funding gap of at least $6.5 billion despite California being due to receive over $4 billion from the previous administration.

7. Cap and Trade Program

While there is less publicly available information about a specific formal investigation into California's cap and trade program, Kiley mentioned an executive order directing Attorney General Bondi to identify state and local acts that may be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law, specifically singling out California's cap and trade program. This program sets limits on greenhouse gas emissions and allows companies to buy and sell credits.

8. Homelessness Crisis and Federal Funds

According to Kiley, a homelessness fraud and corruption task force has been formed by the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California to investigate the use of federal funds allocated toward addressing homelessness, particularly in Los Angeles. He pointed out that despite spending $24 billion on homelessness over the past five years, the problem has continued to worsen in California.

9. Concealed Carry Restrictions

The Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division announced an investigation into the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department to determine whether it is engaging in a pattern or practice of depriving residents of their Second Amendment rights. The federal investigation focuses on the lengthy delays—reportedly up to 18 months—that the Sheriff's Department imposes when processing concealed handgun license applications.

According to the Sheriff's Department, a staffing crisis is responsible for the delays, with only 14 personnel in their Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) Unit working through approximately 4,000 active cases. The Department stated it has "successfully approved 15,000 CCW applications" despite these constraints.

Attorney General Bondi stated: "This Department of Justice will not stand idly by while States and localities infringe on the Second Amendment rights of ordinary, law-abiding Americans... The Second Amendment is not a second-class right, and under my watch, the Department will actively enforce the Second Amendment just like it actively enforces other fundamental Constitutional rights."

10. Sanctuary Jurisdictions

In his speech, Kiley referenced an executive order directing the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to evaluate actions to ensure that sanctuary jurisdictions, which "seek to interfere with the lawful exercise of federal law enforcement operations," do not receive access to federal funds.

Kiley's Proposed Legislation

In response to California policies, Rep. Kiley has been active in proposing federal legislation. He introduced Congressional Review Act resolutions to reverse California's ban on gas-powered vehicles and has proposed the "No Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants Act" aimed at preserving medical benefits for American citizens. He has also introduced legislation to make the high-speed rail project ineligible for federal funding.

Recently, Kiley joined Representatives Jay Obernolte, Ken Calvert, Vince Fong, David Valadao, and Darrell Issa in introducing the Election Results Accountability Act, which aims to improve transparency in the democratic process by setting federal deadlines for ballot counting and certification of election results.

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Sources:

1.      U.S. Department of Education. "U.S. Department of Education Launches Title IX Investigations into Two Athletic Associations." https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-title-ix-investigations-two-athletic-associations

2.      ABC10. "US Dept. of Education investigates California sports organization over trans athlete ban enforcement." https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/us-doe-investigating-cif-trans-order/103-e83f3e83-4626-4042-a2b7-f4961d22c91a

3.      KCRA. "Trump administration launches investigation over California transgender high school students playing sports." https://www.kcra.com/article/department-of-education-california-transgender-students-sports/63790627

4.      U.S. Department of Education. "U.S. Department of Education Launches Investigation into California Department of Education for Alleged FERPA Violations." https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-launches-investigation-california-department-of-education-alleged-ferpa-violations

5.      EdSource. "Federal investigation targets California ban on parental notification policies." https://edsource.org/2025/federal-investigation-targets-california-ban-on-parental-notification-policies/729240

6.      U.S. News. "Things to Know About the Federal Investigation Into California's Law on Students and Gender." https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2025-03-27/things-to-know-about-the-white-house-investigation-into-californias-law-on-students-and-gender

7.      U.S. Department of Justice. "Attorney General Pamela Bondi Launches Compliance Review Investigation into Admissions Policies at Stanford University and Several University of California Schools." https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-pamela-bondi-launches-compliance-review-investigation-admissions-policies

8.      Reuters. "US investigates Stanford, University of California schools over affirmative action." https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-justice-dept-probing-admissions-policies-stanford-university-california-2025-03-27/

9.      Inside Higher Ed. "Feds Investigate Stanford, UC Campuses' Admissions Offices." https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2025/03/28/feds-investigate-stanford-uc-campuses-admissions-offices

10.  U.S. Department of Justice. "U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation of University of California Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964." https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-justice-department-launches-investigation-university-california-under-title-vii-civil

11.  CBS News. "Justice Department opens antisemitism investigation into University of California system." https://www.cbsnews.com/news/university-of-california-antisemitism-investigation-justice-department/

12.  Mercury News. "U.S. Department of Justice launches investigation into UC over 'antisemitic hostile' workplace." https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/05/investigation-university-california-antisemitism/

13.  NBC News. "Trump administration revokes visas of 10 Colorado international students, universities say." https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/trump-administration-revokes-visas-10-colorado-international-students-rcna199313

14.  Axios. "Exclusive: Trump's "pro-Hamas" purge could block foreign students from colleges." https://www.axios.com/2025/03/27/trump-palestinian-hamas-purge-colleges-protests

15.  Inside Higher Ed. "Trump Administration Revokes 300 Student Visas, More to Come." https://www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2025/03/28/trump-administration-revokes-300-student-visas-more-come

16.  U.S. Department of Transportation. "U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy Announces Review of California High-Speed Rail Project." https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-duffy-announces-review-california-high-speed-rail-project

17.  NY1. "Duffy orders investigation of California high-speed rail funding." https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/transportation/2025/02/20/dot-sean-duffy-high-speed-rail-california

18.  Reuters. "US opens probe into whether to rescind $4 billion in California high-speed rail grants." https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/us-opens-probe-into-whether-rescind-4-billion-california-high-speed-rail-grants-2025-02-20/

19.  U.S. Department of Justice. "U.S. Department of Justice Announces Second Amendment Pattern-or-Practice Investigation into California's Los Angeles County." https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/us-department-justice-announces-second-amendment-pattern-or-practice-investigation

20.  OC Register. "Feds launch investigation into whether LA County Sheriff's Department infringes on 2nd Amendment rights." https://www.ocregister.com/2025/03/27/feds-launch-investigation-into-whether-l-a-county-sheriffs-department-infringes-on-2nd-amendment-rights/

21.  NBC Los Angeles. "DOJ to investigate LA County Sheriff's Department over gun permit wait times, fees." https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/doj-investigation-la-county-sheriffs-department-over-gun-permit-wait-times-fees/3664698/

22.  Rep. Kevin Kiley Official Website. https://kiley.house.gov/

 

SIDEBAR: Rep. Kevin Kiley — California Conservative on the Rise

Background and Education

Kevin Patrick Kiley, born January 30, 1985, represents California's 3rd Congressional District since being elected to Congress in 2022. Before his congressional career, Kiley served in the California State Assembly from 2016 to 2022, representing the 6th district.

Kiley grew up in the Sacramento area, where his mother was a special education teacher. After graduating from Granite Bay High School, he pursued higher education at Harvard University for his bachelor's degree, Yale Law School for his J.D., and earned a master's in secondary education from Loyola Marymount University.

His professional career includes experience as a 10th-grade English teacher at Manual Arts High School in Los Angeles, where he chaired the English Department and founded a speech and debate team. Kiley also worked as an attorney, helping prosecute a case against China's Huawei Technologies for intellectual property theft.

Political Career

Kiley's political ascent began with his election to the California State Assembly in 2016. During his tenure in state government, he established himself as a vocal critic of Governor Gavin Newsom's administration. In 2021, he published a book titled "Recall Gavin Newsom: The Case Against America's Most Corrupt Governor" and was one of 53 candidates who ran in the unsuccessful recall election against Newsom.

In Congress, Kiley serves on several key committees:

• House Judiciary Committee
• Education and Workforce Committee (Chairman of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education)
• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

Policy Positions

Kiley has positioned himself as a conservative foil to California's progressive policies. He advocates for:

• Education reform: Supporting school choice and opposing teachers' unions' influence in education policy
• Fiscal responsibility: Promoting fiscally sound policies to reduce inflation and government spending
• Limited government: Opposing what he describes as government overreach in various sectors
• Second Amendment rights: Defending gun ownership rights against restrictive California laws
• Immigration enforcement: Opposing sanctuary policies and benefits for undocumented immigrants
• Environmental deregulation: Fighting California's ban on gas-powered vehicles and climate initiatives he views as excessive

Key Legislation

Kiley has introduced or co-sponsored several pieces of legislation challenging California state policies:

• Congressional Review Act resolutions to reverse California's phased ban on gas-powered vehicles
• The "No Medicaid for Illegal Immigrants Act"
• Legislation to block federal funding for California's high-speed rail project
• The PRESS Act, protecting journalists from being compelled to disclose their sources
• The Election Results Accountability Act, aiming to set federal deadlines for ballot counting and election certification

Personal Life

Kiley married Chelsee Gardner on December 30, 2023, in a ceremony at Pioneer Church in Auburn, California. The couple resides in Roseville, California.

Political Style

In his congressional role, Kiley has emerged as one of the most prominent conservative voices from California, regularly appearing on Fox News and other conservative media outlets to critique California's governance. His approach combines detailed policy critiques with passionate rhetoric about restoring what he calls "balance and common sense" to California politics.

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