Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed into law what has colloquially been known as the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.”
Today, Governor Newsom quietly signed Assembly Bill 2624, which has been dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act.”
I spoke out against it earlier this week. I’m concerned it could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism and protected speech. The law allows at least $4,000… pic.twitter.com/ru2iewqwVA
— Senator Tony Strickland (@SenStricklandCA) August 23, 2026
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BREAKING: Gov. Gavin Newsom just signed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” (AB2624) into law!
I’m asking the US DOJ to intervene immediately to block this blatantly unconstitutional law from taking effect! MORE: pic.twitter.com/6DpE4OncXb
— Carl DeMaio (@carldemaio) August 23, 2026
🚨 HOLY CRAP! California Gov. Gavin Newsom just signed the Stop Nick Shirley Act into LAW, which was pushed by the CA AG’s wife to punish journalists that confront fraudsters and immigrant centers
He’s not even hiding it.
Journalists could face FINES and PRISON for exposing the… pic.twitter.com/cuedBBl67F
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 23, 2026
Gov. Gavin Newsom signs bill dubbed “Stop Nick Shirley Act” into law.
— Leading Report (@LeadingReport) August 23, 2026
The law gives government-assisted cover to non-profit groups by restricting the publication of their information and prohibiting recordings and photos of employees or volunteers.
The legislation initially would have criminalized the shocking investigations undertaken by citizen journalist Nick Shirley that exposed the massive fraud schemes rampant across Minnesota and California. The press account even posted an AI-generated meme depicting Shirley as a creepy man attempting to break into daycares. Carve outs were granted for journalists after widespread backlash.
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Nick Shirley, right now pic.twitter.com/vWrp34Dmfa
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) March 17, 2026
Shirley has criticized the passage of the bill, claiming that the state “would rather protect fraudsters over law-abiding taxpayers.”
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