Huntington Beach’s outspoken city attorney — who has spent years being a thorn in the side of Gov. Gavin Newsom — is taking a job in the Trump administration.
Michael Gates will be Trump’s deputy assistant attorney general in the Department of Justice’s civil rights division.
Here’s what you need to know
Gates was first elected Huntington Beach’s city attorney in 2014 and has won reelection ever since. Huntington Beach is among a minority of cities in California that elects rather than appoints a city attorney.
Gates has been a vocal supporter of Pres. Trump and his policies. He’s a frequent guest on conservative radio and TV talk shows and posts frequently about his views on social media. He called the new job “an absolute honor, an absolute privilege.”
Why it matters
Gates leaves the beach city in the middle of multiple legal battles with the state of California, including over housing, voter ID, immigration and gender identity issues.
🚨🚨🚨 Headed to DC! Going to fight to Make America Great Again! It is a privilege and an honor to accept a position with the U.S. Department of Justice – Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/IWBQ2tTxfe
— Attorney Michael E. Gates (@MichaelGatesESQ) February 10, 2025
What is Gates’ legacy?
The Huntington Beach City Council, as Gates has frequently pointed out to critics, ultimately signs off on the city’s legal positions and lawsuits. But Gates has claimed a prominent role in positioning the city as a foil to the overwhelmingly liberal state government and its policies.
Gates led the city in several lawsuits over the state’s laws designed to encourage more, and more…
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