Becerra Defends Record in California Governor Debate Amid Migrant Children, Corruption Attacks

Former Biden Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra repeatedly defended his record during this week's California gubernatorial debate. Both Democratic and Republican opponents attacked him over a migrant children controversy, a corruption case tied to his former chief of staff and claims of mismanagement as HHS secretary.

The attacks unfolded in a contentious CNN primary debate with five Democrats and two Republicans competing to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom. Becerra became a main target as candidates questioned his leadership claims.

Becerra, a decades-long elected official, highlighted his federal experience as a key qualification for governor. He rejected the attacks as false or politically motivated, at one point labeling HHS criticism a "MAGA talking point." He later called the migrant children controversy "Trump lies," even as Democratic rival Antonio Villaraigosa countered that it arose from a Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigation.

"The experience we hear from Secretary Becerra didn’t lead to better outcomes," said San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat running against him. "It led to 85,000 migrant children who were lost. More fraud in our health care system."

Becerra and his allies have denied that migrant children were "lost." The issue plagued his HHS tenure amid the Biden administration's response to a surge of unaccompanied minors. Officials rushed children from overcrowded shelters to adult sponsors.

A New York Times investigation in February 2023 found the administration eased safeguards like background checks and file reviews to speed placements and protect minors from exploitation.

"If Henry Ford had seen this in his plants, he would have never become famous and rich. This is not the way you do an assembly line," Becerra told HHS staff, per the Times. That came as HHS dropped long-standing protections.

Nearly a dozen officials in the HHS division for unaccompanied children warned of rising labor trafficking. They said the system rewarded quick releases over preventing unsafe ones, according to the Times.

Becerra pushed back in the debate, calling Mahan’s criticism "totally untrue" and like "a MAGA talking point."

"Under my watch, more Americans gained health coverage than ever in the history of the country," Becerra said. He pointed to Obamacare expansions and lower premiums for millions.

Mahan later accused Becerra of higher healthcare costs, worse outcomes and "fraudulent and wasteful spending" as California attorney general and HHS secretary.

Republican Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, charged Becerra with a corruption scandal involving ex-chief of staff Sean McCluskie and campaign funds used to boost McCluskie’s salary after Becerra joined Biden's team.

"My view is that it’s a bit rich for Xavier to talk about following the law when he is mired personally in a corruption scandal," Hilton said.

Villaraigosa also criticized Becerra, saying he "may not be indicted at this point," but the situation "doesn’t pass the smell test."

Hilton said his running mate for attorney general, Michael Gates, sent Becerra a letter threatening investigation and prosecution if they win.

Becerra denied involvement, telling Hilton to "read the indictment." "I was not involved," he said. "If I had been involved, the U.S. attorney would’ve had me in that indictment."

The Tuesday debate showed Becerra’s long public record as both an asset and liability. Rivals from both parties used his Sacramento and Washington stints against him.

Becerra urged voters to focus on his achievements. "If you want to judge me, judge me on the things that I’ve done," he said. "I expanded health care to more Americans than anyone in the history of the country. Serving as secretary, I was able to negotiate for the first time ever, lower drug prices."