Newsom signs California "No Kings Act" allowing state lawsuits against federal agents
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 747, the "No Kings Act," letting California residents sue federal, state and local officials for constitutional violations. Coverage from two right-leaning outlets differs: one stresses the ICE angle, the other the law's limits under qualified immunity.
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The story, neutrally told
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the "No Kings Act" (SB 747) on Tuesday 29 September 2026, as one of 21 bills he signed that day. BreitbartR “signed 21 bills into law on Tuesday” Read at Breitbart ↗ ReasonRC “signed the No Kings Act (SB 747) into law” Read at Reason ↗ The law, sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco), lets residents sue anyone who, under color of law, violates their constitutional rights, including federal officials. ReasonRC “government actors accused of violating a California resident's constitutional rights can no longer avoid accountability simply because they are federal rather than state or local officials” Read at Reason ↗ It sets a two-year filing limit and is retroactive to conduct on or after 1 March 2025, with nominal and compensatory damages available. ReasonRC “so long as the conduct happened on or after March 1, 2025, a lawsuit can be filed for nominal and compensatory damages” Read at Reason ↗
Breitbart describes the measure as making it easier for activists to target ICE agents, and says other signed bills include a 25-percent tax on private detention centers, a ban on flash-bang devices and a "detainees' bill of rights". BreitbartR “makes it easier for left-wing migrant activists and others to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents”“a ban on the use of flash-bang devices” Read at Breitbart ↗ Newsom said California was "stepping up where the federal government has failed our communities", while Wiener said ICE and Border Patrol had "terrorized California communities with impunity" and that "That ends today." BreitbartR “This is about stepping up where the federal government has failed our communities.”“That ends today.” Read at Breitbart ↗ Reason reports that the law does not abolish qualified immunity, so officers can still raise it as a defense. ReasonRC “The bill does not eliminate qualified immunity.” Read at Reason ↗
Because it applies equally to federal, state and local officials, it differs from Illinois's 2025 law aimed at immigration enforcement, which the Department of Justice challenged in federal court. ReasonRC “California's law applies equally to federal, state, and local officials, unlike a similar law passed by Illinois”“The Department of Justice swiftly filed a complaint in federal court against the Prairie State.” Read at Reason ↗ Northwestern law professor James Pfander said even-handed treatment will be central to analysing the statute, and Reason says it is unclear what challenge the Justice Department will bring; Breitbart expects some provisions may not "pass legal muster". ReasonRC “question of even-handed treatment will be central to analysis of the statute”“It's unclear what, if any, challenge the department will muster against California's new law.” Read at Reason ↗ BreitbartR “some of the provisions in these various bills won’t pass legal muster” Read at Breitbart ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right2 outlets
- Framing
- Breitbart treats the signing as a Democratic move against ICE and expects legal problems. Reason, a libertarian-leaning outlet, treats it as a civil-liberties development whose force is limited by qualified immunity.
- Emphasis
- Breitbart: ICE targeting, the wider package of immigration bills, and ICE arrest figures. Reason: legal mechanics, Bivens precedent, qualified immunity, Illinois comparison and expert comment.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Breitbart gives no legal detail on the law's terms, such as the two-year limit, retroactivity or qualified immunity. Reason does not cover the wider bill package or Newsom's and Wiener's statements.
- Charged language
- “left-wing migrant activists”“Radical left-wing state Senator”“terror campaign”“Federal courts routinely use qualified immunity to shield abusive government officials”
- For example
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“makes it easier for left-wing migrant activists and others to target Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents” — Breitbart
“Californians can now sue federal officers for civil rights violations, but cops can still claim qualified immunity as a bona fide defense for official misconduct.” — Reason
What every side reports
- Newsom signed the No Kings Act on Tuesday 29 September 2026.
- The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Scott Wiener.
- The law makes it easier to sue federal officers, including immigration agents.
- Legal challenges to the law are possible.
Where accounts differ
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Purpose and effect of the law
- Right
- Breitbart says it helps "left-wing migrant activists" target ICE agents "for doing their job"; Reason says it restores accountability for federal officials but leaves qualified immunity intact, limiting its bite.
Gavin Newsom person
Newsom presents the bills as accountability and oversight of immigration enforcement where the federal government has failed.
“if the federal government operates in California, we will hold them accountable” — Breitbart
Immigration and Customs Enforcement organisation
ICE is the target of the law as portrayed by Breitbart; no agency response is reported in either article.
“makes it easier to sue federal immigration officers for doing their job” — Breitbart
Qualified immunity topic
Reason says the doctrine survives the law and remains a defense for officials.
“The bill does not eliminate qualified immunity.” — Reason
California place
The state is creating its own route to sue federal officials, which Reason says places the burden on states like California to create such forums.
“That has placed the burden on California and other states to create forums to adjudicate claims of civil rights violations by federal officials.” — Reason
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right2 articles
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CA Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs 'No Kings Act,' Making It Easier to Sue ICE Agents
Critical Presents the law as a tool for activists against ICE agents and suggests parts may be unconstitutional.
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ReasonRC ·
You Can Now Sue Federal Agents in California. Good Luck Getting Past Qualified Immunity.
Mixed Explains the law's legal structure and argues qualified immunity will blunt its effect, quoting legal scholars.
- 29 Sep 23:04 First BreitbartR CA Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs 'No Kings Act,' Making It Easier to Sue ICE Agents
- 30 Sep 19:34 +20h 30m ReasonRC You Can Now Sue Federal Agents in California. Good Luck Getting Past Qualified Immunity.
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.