California gubernatorial frontrunner Xavier Becerra avoided questions from reporters regarding his handling of migrant children during his time as Health and Human Services secretary. Becerra was attending a press conference in Sacramento to support state legislation on voting rights when he and his aides departed abruptly, attempting to evade assembled journalists.
A spokesperson for Becerra stated that the candidate would not be taking questions at the event. Despite being pressed by reporters, Becerra ignored inquiries about potential regrets concerning his leadership at HHS under President Joe Biden, a period marked by criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the management of unaccompanied migrant children and COVID-19 responses. His rival in the governor's race, Republican Steve Hilton, has actively criticized Becerra's record, citing whistleblowers who allege that Becerra expedited the placement of children with sponsors without adequate vetting, potentially exposing minors to trafficking risks. Hilton also pointed to Becerra's inability to track tens of thousands of migrant children during his tenure at HHS, an issue that also drew criticism from within the Democratic party during the primary season.
"Becerra has time for staged press conferences, but he has yet to accept the growing pile of debate requests or answer for the children failed under his watch," Hilton said in a statement. "If Becerra wants to be governor, he must stop hiding."
While Becerra largely ignored other reporters' questions as he walked to his car, he did confirm his intention to debate Hilton at some point, though he did not specify a timeframe or the number of debates. A spokesperson for Becerra, Jonathan Underland, explained the candidate's departure by citing a tight schedule and an upcoming private event in Fresno focused on healthcare capacity in rural counties, a point he attributed to federal budget cuts under the Trump administration.
Underland maintained that Becerra was not attempting to avoid the press, stating that the campaign intended to engage with journalists who would be working with Becerra if elected. The Becerra campaign has previously defended his tenure as HHS secretary, characterizing Hilton's criticisms as anti-immigrant given his association with former President Donald Trump. Becerra had previously informed Congress that his agency's oversight of unaccompanied migrant children concluded upon their placement with an approved sponsor, unless Congress granted further authority.