California passed a law because of one citizen journalist.
Posted by The Kuhner Report, Checked
- Sources
- 1 contradict3 support3 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 55%
The Kuhner ReportOct 7, 2026
The sources support the timing and the nickname but do not establish that Shirley was the reason the law passed. Sources say the bill was introduced in response to Shirley's investigations and was nicknamed after him, but the sponsor describes it as a privacy measure and Snopes reports the bill text never mentions Shirley.
A detail. The sources confirm the gist; the verdict faults a detail such as a date, number or wording.
What was said
… There was no argument. You know, this is what we say. This is the God, you know, the gospel truth. And now that, you know, you've got these rivals, like California just had to pass a law because of one citizen journalist, one kid. That's how desperate they are now. That's where that's where it's getting worse, is because, oh, you mean Nick Shirley, right? …
The Kuhner Report · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Contradicts. Snopes reports the bill's language does not mention Shirley, journalism or investigations in any context, which undercuts the claim that the law was framed around him.[1]
Supports. KMPH reports that Assemblymember Mia Bonta introduced AB 2624 'in response to' Shirley and others' investigations into immigration support services fraud.[2]
Supports. KSL reports the bill was introduced less than two months after Shirley's viral Minnesota fraud video, and Republican lawmakers nicknamed it the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act.'[3][4]
Context. Sponsor Mia Bonta says the bill is about 'privacy for immigration support services providers,' and the 'Stop Nick Shirley Act' name was applied by supporters and opponents rather than the legislation itself.[5][6]
Context. The law was signed by Governor Newsom in August 2026 and takes effect October 1, 2027, per multiple outlets; this is consistent with the claim's premise that the state passed a law.[2][7]
Sources
7 sources: 1 fact-checker, 6 not rated
- 1California Articlessnopes.com · fact-checker · cited for: contradicts
- 2Citizen journalist Nick Shirley fighting back after state passes 'Stop Nick Shirley Act'kmph.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
- 3'Stop Nick Shirley Act' passes in California's Assemblyksl.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 4'Stop Nick Shirley Act' gets GOP pushback at Capitolhighlandcountypress.com · not rated · cited for: supports
- 5Gov. Newsom Wails Grimes: About Assaults on the Free Press ...capoliticalreview.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 6www.lassennews.com · assembly-passes-stop-nickAssembly passes ‘Stop Nick Shirley Act’ to Make it a crime ...lassennews.com · not rated · cited for: context
- 7Nick Shirley blasts California's political climatefox21online.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
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