California Attorney General Rob Bonta was appointed to his position by Governor Gavin Newsom to fill a vacancy.
Posted by The John Phillips Show, Checked
- Sources
- 4 support1 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 90%
The John Phillips ShowOct 17, 2026
Multiple reliable sources state that Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Rob Bonta as California attorney general to fill the vacancy left by Xavier Becerra's departure for HHS secretary. The claim is supported; the sources also show Bonta was confirmed by the legislature, which the claim does not dispute, and the post's wording matches the claim.
What was said
… Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. They should be held accountable for that. Uhm, that's not what this is. This is a scorched earth effort by the federal government on a broad basis to advance debunked conspiracy theories, try to sow you know what's so wild to me? He's the attorney general because Gavin Newsom appointed him to fill a vacancy. Had that not happened, do you realize he would have been just another termed out member of the state legislature with nothing to run for and no political capital to spend? …
The John Phillips Show · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. AP (2021) describes Bonta as 'appointed by Newsom to the post to fill a vacancy.'[1]
Supports. Reuters (2021) reports Bonta was appointed AG in March 2021 after Xavier Becerra left to become HHS secretary.[2]
Supports. LA Times (2021) reports Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Bonta, filling a vacancy left by Becerra's departure.[4]
Supports. KQED (2021) reports Newsom tapped Bonta to fill the position vacated by Becerra, subject to legislative confirmation.[5]
Context. The 2026 Governor's judicial appointments release does not address the attorney general position and neither confirms nor refutes the claim.[3]
Sources
5 sources: 2 fact-checkers, 1 primary, 2 not rated
- 1California governor boosts efforts to combat smash-and-grabsapnews.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 2California's new AG on fighting bad cops and representing Asian-Americansreuters.com · fact-checker · cited for: supports
- 3Governor Newsom announces Judicial Appointments 9.18.2026 | Governor of Californiagov.ca.gov · primary source · cited for: context
- 4Newsom appoints Rob Bonta as California's attorney generallatimes.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Newsom Names East Bay Assemblyman Rob Bonta to Be ... - KQEDkqed.org · not rated · cited for: supports
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- Rob Bonta served as a member of the California state legislature before his appointment as Attorney General.True
- Xavier Becerra was appointed as Secretary of Health and Human Services, creating a vacancy in the California Attorney General office.True
- Rob Bonta is a candidate for reelection in 2026.True
- Gavin Newsom appointed Alex Padilla to a U.S. Senate seat.True
- Rob Bonta has been covering for corruption as Attorney General of California for years.Can’t tell