Roman Mars

Attorney General Bonta wasn't always so concerned with the federal government.

He took over the job in 2021 when then AG Javier Becerra left to join the Biden administration.

Over those four years, Bonta's office was mostly focused on issues like consumer protection and upholding Biden's environmental regulations.

Now his relationship with the federal government is decidedly adversarial.

We start with how the job has changed for him before Trump was elected and after.

So even in Trump's first term, California and other democratically led states were threatened with the loss of millions of dollars in federal funding if they did not cooperate with immigration enforcement.

And we're seeing these same threats again in Trump's second term.

And, you know, it is typical for the federal government to attach conditions to monies that it gives to states.

But could you explain why these threats to young federal funds particularly violate states' rights and what kind of funding threats has California faced?

Many of the lawsuits that your office has been involved with against Trump are part of this multi-state coalitions of Democratic attorneys general.

Apart from just reacting to actions from the administration, like, have you been in planning mode?

How do you coordinate?

How do you talk to each other?

This, you know, new fraternity of people, fraternity, sorority, collection of people, you know, is really on new ground.

And how are you working together in a way that's different?

Could you talk about the Interaction Act a little bit?

Why is this a weapon that he's threatening to brandish?

Well, Attorney General Rob Bonta, thank you so much for taking time and talking with us.

And we really enjoyed our conversation.

My pleasure.