Overview
- After Tuesday’s CNN debate, former Biden DOJ spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa told a CNN panel she does not trust Xavier Becerra to stand up to President Trump.
- Hinojosa said Becerra was not effective in government and called him an ineffective HHS secretary during the Biden administration.
- Biden-era allies pushed back, as White House policy chief Neera Tanden called Hinojosa’s claim “bs” and former chief of staff Ron Klain praised Becerra’s work on drug prices and health coverage.
- The CNN debate featured sustained attacks on Becerra’s record, including his handling of unaccompanied migrant minors, shifts on single-payer health care, ties to oil money, and a theft case tied to ex-aide Sean McCluskie; Becerra denied any role in the alleged theft.
- Becerra has climbed to frontrunner status in recent polls, and with mail ballots already out for the June 2 primary, the scrutiny could sway undecided voters who are filling out ballots now.