Pérez tells Nick Shirley to go after real corruption, not AB 2624
State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Glendale, Arcadia, Monrovia) pushed back Monday on conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley’s campaign against AB 2624, a bill by Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, that would extend privacy protections to immigration support services providers, their employees, and volunteers who face threats and harassment.
Shirley, an independent journalist known for videos alleging fraud at immigrant-serving nonprofits in Minnesota and California, has branded the measure the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” and argued it would criminalize investigative journalism into fraud. Pérez, a co-sponsor of the bill, rejected that characterization, saying AB 2624 would not stop legitimate investigative work.
“AB 2624 would protect immigration support services providers, their employees, and volunteers from threats and harassment,” Pérez said. “While Nick Shirley has attempted to rename this bill to be about him, it is not. Multiple acclaimed journalists have noted that AB 2624 would not prevent them from doing the important work of investigating and exposing corruption. Protecting investigative journalism and its ability to expose and end corruption is critical to a healthy democracy.”
Pérez, speaking outside the state Capitol, suggested Shirley redirect his reporting toward the Trump administration, citing alleged abuse of prediction markets by White House staff, President Trump’s cryptocurrency and Truth Social earnings, and Donald Trump Jr.’s investments in defense and private immigration contractors following campaign donations to the president.
“Given Nick Shirley’s relationships with members of the Presidential administration, he would be well positioned to uncover more corruption the public doesn’t even know about yet,” Pérez said.
AB 2624 has passed the Assembly and awaits further action in the Senate before potentially reaching Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
Sherman joins Jewish members of Congress condemning Bilzerian ad
U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks, Encino, Woodland Hills, Northridge, and the San Fernando Valley, including Malibu and Pacific Palisades) joined a bipartisan chorus of condemnation Sunday, signing a statement from Democratic Jewish members of Congress denouncing an antisemitic campaign video posted by Republican U.S. House candidate Daniel Bilzerian against Rep. Randy Fine, R-Fla., ahead of Tuesday’s GOP primary in Florida’s 6th Congressional District.
Bilzerian’s AI-generated video referred to Fine using antisemitic tropes and imagery, including invoking Adolf Hitler. The ad drew condemnation from both House Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries over the weekend.
“We are Democratic Members of Congress and proud Jewish Americans. We don’t agree with Randy Fine on much, if anything, and have condemned his racist, Islamophobic statements,” the lawmakers said. “But the grotesque, antisemitic campaign video posted by Republican Daniel Bilzerian has no place in America. We unequivocally condemn Bilzerian and his hateful antisemitic attacks. We urge all social media platforms to remove this post and Bilzerian’s previous antisemitic posts.”
“We call on the National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee and all Republicans to condemn and disassociate from Bilzerian and those promoting his hate,” the statement said.
U.S. Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, and parts of Los Angeles and Pasadena) also signed the statement.
Tran slams Trump for scaling back South Korea military exercises
U.S. Rep. Derek Tran (D-Cerritos, Artesia, Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood/Orange County) sharply criticized President Trump’s decision to substantially reduce joint military exercises with South Korea, calling the move a threat to regional deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
“President Trump’s decision to gut joint military exercises with South Korea is dangerous,” Tran said. “South Korea is one of America’s most critical allies in the Indo-Pacific. Reducing these readiness drills serves no legitimate national security objective; instead, it sacrifices vital military deterrence for short-term political posturing and transactional foreign policy.”
Tran warned the decision could embolden North Korea and unsettle other regional allies watching how the U.S. handles its commitments.
“The consequences of compromising readiness are immediate and far-reaching,” Tran said. “Suspending joint exercises emboldens Pyongyang at the precise moment North Korea is expanding its nuclear capabilities and supplying material support to Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. Beyond the Korean Peninsula, this decision signals to allies throughout the Indo-Pacific that U.S. security commitments are negotiable — subject to personal grievances rather than enduring strategic interests.”
“True national strength relies on credible deterrence, operational readiness, and unwavering commitments to key partners,” Tran added. “Weakening our collective defense posture leaves America less secure and erodes global trust in U.S. leadership.”
Torres designates Warehouse Worker Recognition Week for Inland Empire
U.S. Rep. Norma Torres (D-Pomona, San Bernardino County) introduced a resolution Monday designating Aug. 17–21, 2026 as Warehouse Worker Recognition Week, honoring the more than 120,000 Inland Empire logistics workers who move goods arriving through the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
“Every day, warehouse workers across the Inland Empire show up and do the hard work that keeps our economy moving,” Torres said. “They unload, sort, package, and move the goods that families and businesses across America depend on, often while working long hours in physically demanding conditions. Warehouse Worker Recognition Week is about making sure their contributions are seen, valued, and respected.”
Torres has pushed for stronger heat-safety protections for warehouse workers this summer, calling on federal and state labor officials to strengthen enforcement, conduct inspections, and advance stronger federal heat safeguards.
“Our gratitude to warehouse workers has to extend beyond one week of recognition,” Torres said. “As temperatures continue to climb in the Inland Empire, no worker should have to risk their health or their life just to earn a paycheck. I will continue fighting for safe workplaces, fair treatment, and an economy that recognizes the people whose labor makes our supply chains possible.”
