California State Senator Scott Wiener recently engaged in a heated exchange with journalist Nick Shirley regarding Assembly Bill 2624, a piece of legislation critics have dubbed the "dubbed the "Stop Nick Shirley Act." The confrontation, captured in a widely circulated tweet, highlights the growing tension around the bill, which opponents claim could criminalize investigative journalism.
During the encounter, Shirley directly questioned Senator Wiener about AB 2624. Wiener responded dismissively, stating, > "I think you're a psycho scam artist. So, have a good day." Shirley, known for his investigative work exposing alleged fraud, retorted, > "Look at how they just run away. These guys are fools… It would suck to have the last name ‘Wiener’ anyway." The tweet, shared by Paul A. Szypula, criticized the response, noting, > "If AB 2624 was something to be proud of, these Democrat politicians would be championing it. Instead, they either ignore questions, plead ignorance, or make ad hominem attacks."
Authored by Assemblywoman Mia Bonta, AB 2624 aims to expand confidentiality protections for immigration support services providers facing harassment or threats. Proponents argue the bill is a necessary measure to safeguard vulnerable communities and their service providers. Assemblywoman Bonta has stated the bill would allow individuals to protect themselves when subjected to harassment, doxxing, or violence.
However, the bill has drawn significant criticism from various groups and lawmakers, who contend it would have a chilling effect on transparency and investigative reporting. Republican Assemblyman Carl DeMaio has been a vocal opponent, asserting that the bill would allow activists and taxpayer-funded organizations to demand the removal of video evidence, even if it captures misconduct in plain view. DeMaio has warned that AB 2624 threatens journalists with massive financial penalties and could be used to silence those exposing waste and fraud in government-funded programs.
Nick Shirley himself has claimed the bill is a direct response to his work, stating, "California is trying to pass a bill that would criminalize investigative journalism with misdemeanors, $10,000 fines, imprisonment, and content takedown." He alleges the bill was introduced after he exposed mass fraud by immigrant groups. While Senator Wiener's direct involvement in authoring or championing AB 2624 is not widely documented beyond this confrontation, his strong reaction underscores the contentious nature of the legislation.
