After three video testimonials from workers at the Pomona Fairplex processing center exposing the lack of vetting, abuse, and damage to unaccompanied minors at the hands of former HHS Secretary and California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra, one would assume that Becerra would at least issue a statement on the veracity of these videos or put forth opposition research on the former employees and alleged victims making the claims against him.
But Becerra has been radio silent, refusing to acknowledge that under his watch as HHS Secretary, over 300,000 unaccompanied minors went missing, and others who came across the Southern border were farmed through his processing centers and handed over to mostly unvetted sponsors to be used as slave labor or trafficked for sex work.
Republican candidate for Lieutenant Governor Gloria Romero talked about the wall of silence they have encountered, despite overwhelming evidence of malfeasance and corruption which occurred under his watch.
WATCH:
Under Xavier Becerra at HHS, tens of thousands of migrant children were handed to unvetted sponsors and disappeared into trafficking and abuse.
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 6, 2026
This is a moral failure Californians cannot ignore. pic.twitter.com/EDh9Z6Vmx1
Xavier Becerra couldn't explain why he lost contact with tens of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children. He couldn't explain how some ended up with MS-13.
— James Gallagher (@J_Gallagher4CA) August 5, 2026
And he wants to be governor? pic.twitter.com/GXj4TnJ9Kx
Meanwhile, with a little over two months before the November election, Becerra has not bothered to respond to Hilton's requests to set a debate schedule, acting as though he is not running against anyone.
Hilton has repeatedly called on Becerra to participate in televised debates, arguing voters have a right to hear directly from both candidates. The public push comes as Hilton seeks to raise his profile in a race where Becerra enters as the better-known Democrat and early frontrunner.
Hilton has cited polling showing a significant share of California voters remain undecided, arguing the race is still fluid despite Democrats' longstanding dominance in statewide elections. His campaign says multiple televised debates would give voters a clearer understanding of the candidates' competing visions for California.
But Becerra is running from someone — or several someones. Despite supposedly being the leading candidate in the governor's race, Becerra has not engaged with the California press corps since June 9. Becerra literally has the press chasing after him and his staff. These are the very people who, for the most part, are the uncredited public relations for Democrat governors. Becerra is giving a glimpse of how it would go should he win in November: If he has use for you, he'll give you a call; otherwise, wait your turn like everyone else. Is this really who Californians want as their governor?
WATCH:
The video. Again, @XavierBecerra and campaign spox @junderland confirm he will be debating @SteveHiltonx @TeamSteveHilton pic.twitter.com/sB5gpXNm62
— Jenny Jiin Huh 🇰🇷🇺🇸 (@jenny_huh) August 5, 2026
Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton continues to do the drip, drip, drip of receipts covering Becerra's failures, while campaigning across the state in order to meet with constituents and lay out his platform of common sense initiatives to make California affordable and safe.
Greetings from Lake Tahoe!
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 5, 2026
What state has a more beautiful campaign trail than California? pic.twitter.com/W5i5DS7iyr
On Monday, alleged trafficking victim Juana Rebecca Pérez Santay told her story of being farmed into slave labor and the mistreatment and abuse by her supposed sponsor, while fighting off a sexual assault. On Wednesday, her testimony was edited with that of her 15-year-old brother, Antonio David Pérez Santay, who illegally crossed the border along with her, and claims he was also forced into a labor contract in order to pay off his debt for being coyoted into the U.S.
WATCH:
🚨 MORE BECERRA CHILD TRAFFICKING VICTIMS SPEAK OUT:
— Steve Hilton (@SteveHiltonx) August 5, 2026
15 yr old boy forced into “debt bondage” after Becerra released him to child traffickers. He tells Becerra: "How could you do this?"
No wonder Becerra is dodging questions from the press and a debate with me. Shameful. pic.twitter.com/dlXBgYWa96
Bottom Line: Becerra has no answers that would address his abject incompetence and rampant abuse of a system that was supposed to help children, not harm them. Hilton should be cutting campaign ads with Becerra running away from the press, and his dismissive attitude toward being held accountable for the horrors perpetrated through HHS when he was its head.
Hilton also needs to do all he can to amplify these videos. They should be aired 24/7 and on loop through November because Californians have short attention spans, and even shorter memories.
Editor's Note: This article was updated post-publication to correct the spelling of Gloria Romero's name.
Editor’s Note: The 2026 Midterms will determine the fate of President Trump’s America First agenda. Republicans must maintain control of both chambers of Congress.
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