Appointed by Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom chose Bonta for attorney general on March 24, 2021, to fill the seat Xavier Becerra vacated to become U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. Newsom said Bonta “represents what makes California great.” Bonta answered: “Thank you, Governor. I am humbled by the confidence you have placed in me.”
CalMatters described Bonta at the time as a “trusted political ally” and a “loyal lieutenant” in Newsom’s fight against the recall. Bonta said he would be “moving from day one with the re-election in mind.” The Legislature confirmed him on April 22, 2021, and Newsom swore him in the next day.
CalMatters columnist Dan Walters wrote that the pick “ensured that all of the major groups would remain loyal during the ensuing recall campaign.”
The recall fight
Months after his appointment, Bonta, by then the state’s top law enforcement officer, campaigned against the September 2021 recall of the governor who appointed him. At an August 2021 briefing he urged voters to “beat back this cynical Republican recall effort” and said, “Gavin is a champion for APIs in California.”
Writing the ballot label for Newsom’s signature measure
The attorney general’s office writes the official title and summary for statewide ballot measures. For Proposition 50, the 2025 redistricting measure Newsom championed, Bonta’s office titled it: “Authorizes temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to Texas’ partisan redistricting.” Opponents, including the group Reform California, called the title dishonest.
Bonta’s office then defended Prop 50 in court. After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block the new maps in February 2026, Bonta said in a release from the governor’s office that “my office has now successfully defended this critical ballot initiative.”
Co-plaintiffs and a $25 million litigation fund
The two have sued side by side, including over President Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard in June 2025 and over Huntington Beach’s housing plan in 2023.
In February 2025, Newsom signed $25 million in special-session funding for the attorney general’s litigation against the Trump administration, alongside $25 million for immigrant legal aid. Appearing with Bonta later, Newsom said, “he will not be in need of resources to do his job.” On October 15, 2026, Bonta filed his 100th lawsuit against the second Trump administration.
When Newsom is the subject
When Newsom disclosed a federal investigation involving his wife in June 2026, Bonta called the probe “highly dubious” and said of President Trump, “This is someone who’s weaponized the U.S. DOJ time and time again.”
In September 2026, Newsom denied reports that he pressured Bonta to settle the state’s antitrust challenge to the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger. “I didn’t pressure anybody,” Newsom said, while acknowledging, “The minute that Rob said that on CNBC, we amplified that.” Bonta said the settlement “is not a vote of support for this merger.”
Republican lawmakers have asked Bonta to investigate Newsom-linked matters, including a 2024 request over a fast-food wage-law exemption they said benefited a Panera franchisee who had given to Newsom, and a September 2026 request over High-Speed Rail consultant travel that the rail authority’s inspector general found unallowable. No public response from Bonta to either request has been reported.
Becerra’s office, Becerra’s team
The office came to Bonta from Becerra, who stepped down on March 18, 2021, after filing 122 lawsuits against the first Trump administration. Bonta kept that posture.
At least seven members of the 21-person executive team Bonta announced in October 2021 had served under Becerra, including Becerra’s former policy director, communications director and senior economic advisor. Bonta’s new executive speechwriter, Izzy Gardon, had worked on both Becerra’s and Bonta’s attorney general campaigns and in Newsom’s office. Gardon later became Newsom’s spokesperson.
Endorsing Becerra for governor
Bonta weighed his own run for governor, then ruled it out in January 2026: “my place is here, on the front lines, in the trenches.” Becerra finished first in the June 2026 primary and faces Republican Steve Hilton on November 3. Becerra’s campaign lists Bonta, along with Newsom, among its statewide endorsers, and the California Democratic Party’s slate pairs Becerra for governor with Bonta for attorney general.
Becerra’s campaign has been shadowed by a federal fraud case. Prosecutors say $225,000 was siphoned from a dormant Becerra campaign account in a scheme involving Becerra’s former chief of staff, Sean McCluskie, and Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson. McCluskie pleaded guilty in November 2025 and Williamson in May 2026. Prosecutors said no candidate for governor has been implicated, and Becerra said, “I was not involved, I did nothing wrong.” The case is federal; no role for Bonta or the state Justice Department has been reported.
Newsom backs Bonta again
The governor is listed among the featured endorsements on Bonta’s 2026 campaign site. After the June primary, he also endorsed Becerra for governor.
Questions and answers
Who appointed Rob Bonta attorney general?
Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Bonta on March 24, 2021, to replace Xavier Becerra, who left to become U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary. The Legislature confirmed Bonta on April 22, 2021, and Newsom swore him in the next day. CalMatters described Bonta as a “trusted political ally” of Newsom.
Link to this answerDid Rob Bonta campaign for Gavin Newsom in the 2021 recall?
Yes. While serving as attorney general, Bonta campaigned against the September 2021 recall, urging voters to “beat back this cynical Republican recall effort” and calling Newsom “a champion for APIs in California.”
Link to this answerDid Rob Bonta’s office write the ballot label for Newsom’s Proposition 50?
Yes. The attorney general writes the official titles and summaries for state ballot measures, and Bonta’s office titled Newsom’s 2025 redistricting measure “Authorizes temporary changes to congressional district maps in response to Texas’ partisan redistricting.” Critics including Reform California called the title dishonest. Bonta’s office then defended Prop 50 in court.
Has Gavin Newsom endorsed Rob Bonta?
Yes. Newsom is listed among the featured endorsements on Bonta’s 2026 reelection campaign site. Newsom also endorsed Xavier Becerra for governor after the June 2026 primary.
Link to this answerDoes Rob Bonta endorse Xavier Becerra for governor?
Yes. Becerra’s campaign lists Bonta among its statewide endorsers, and the California Democratic Party’s 2026 slate pairs Becerra for governor with Bonta for attorney general. Bonta succeeded Becerra as attorney general in 2021, and at least seven of Bonta’s first 21 executive hires had served under Becerra.
Link to this answerIs Rob Bonta connected to the Becerra campaign account fraud case?
No connection has been reported. Federal prosecutors say $225,000 was siphoned from a dormant Becerra campaign account in a scheme involving Becerra’s former chief of staff, Sean McCluskie, and Newsom’s former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, both of whom pleaded guilty. Prosecutors said no candidate for governor has been implicated.
Link to this answerDid Newsom pressure Bonta on the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery settlement?
Newsom denied it in September 2026: “I didn’t pressure anybody.” He acknowledged, “The minute that Rob said that on CNBC, we amplified that.” Bonta said the settlement “is not a vote of support for this merger.”
Link to this answerSources for this page
- Newsom to submit Bonta’s nomination for Attorney General
Office of the Governor · March 24, 2021
The appointment announcement.
- Newsom picks Rob Bonta as California’s new attorney general
CalMatters · March 24, 2021
Bonta as Newsom’s ally in the recall fight.
- Rob Bonta confirmed as California Attorney General
CBS San Francisco · April 22, 2021
Legislative confirmation.
- Newsom swears in Rob Bonta as Attorney General
Office of the Governor · April 23, 2021
The swearing-in.
- Newsom’s attorney general selection was pre-ordained
Dan Walters, CalMatters column · March 31, 2021
Opinion.
- AG Bonta on recall: Gov. Newsom is a champion for APIs
Asian Journal · August 18, 2021
Bonta campaigning against the recall.
- Proposition 50 official title and summary
California Secretary of State · November 2025
Prepared by the Attorney General.
- Newsom puts dishonest ballot title on Prop 50
Reform California · August 28, 2025
Advocacy organization’s criticism.
- Republicans lose challenge to new congressional maps
Office of the Governor · February 4, 2026
Includes Bonta’s statement on defending Prop 50.
- Bonta and Newsom challenge order federalizing the California National Guard
California DOJ · June 9, 2025
Joint lawsuit.
- Bonta and Newsom administration sue Huntington Beach
California DOJ · April 10, 2023
Joint lawsuit.
- Newsom approves $50 million to help migrants, fight Trump agenda
Bloomberg Law · February 8, 2025
Special-session litigation funding.
- Bonta says millions spent, billions saved
Los Angeles Times via Yahoo · 2025
Newsom on Bonta’s resources.
- Bonta files 100th lawsuit against Trump administration
Spectrum News · October 15, 2026
Lawsuit count.
- California AG claims DOJ ‘weaponization’ over Newsom probe
Fox News · June 19, 2026
Bonta on the federal probe.
- Newsom challenges DOJ amid probe into governor’s wife
CBS Sacramento · June 16, 2026
Context on the federal probe.
- Newsom insists he didn’t pressure Bonta into Paramount settlement
TheWrap · September 23, 2026
Newsom’s and Bonta’s statements.
- Republicans call on Bonta to investigate ‘PaneraGate’
Senate Republicans via Rancho Cordova Independent · March 12, 2024
Partisan press release.
- GOP lawmakers ask Bonta to investigate High-Speed Rail expenses
SJV Sun · September 22, 2026
Inspector general findings and request.
- Becerra names Matthew Rodriquez Acting Attorney General
California DOJ · March 18, 2021
The transition.
- California attorney general files nine lawsuits in one day as Trump leaves office
CapRadio · January 19, 2021
Becerra’s lawsuit count.
- Attorney General Bonta announces new executive team
California DOJ · October 29, 2021
Staff biographies, including prior service under Becerra.
- Bonta won’t run for governor
Spectrum News · January 12, 2026
Bonta’s decision.
- Becerra, Hilton shift focus to November
San José Inside · June 12, 2026
Primary results.
- Becerra for Governor 2026: Endorsements
Becerra campaign · undated
Lists Bonta and Newsom.
- 2026 general election endorsements
California Democratic Party · August 2026
Party slate. PDF.
- Sean McCluskie pleads guilty
CBS Sacramento · November 20, 2025
Plea in the federal case.
- Former Newsom chief of staff pleads guilty
CalMatters · May 14, 2026
Williamson plea; prosecutors’ and Becerra’s statements.
- Rob Bonta for Attorney General: Endorsements
Bonta campaign · undated
Lists Newsom among featured endorsements.
- Gavin Newsom officially endorses Xavier Becerra
TheWrap · June 9, 2026
Newsom’s endorsement of Becerra.