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From a presidential prime-time speech that drew a blistering rebuke from Gov. Gavin Newsom to a new commemorative coin bearing President Donald Trump’s likeness, Sacramento Bee readers had plenty to say last week. Here’s a look at the stories that sparked the most conversation on sacbee.com from July 13-19 — and where you can jump in.
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‘Ramblings of a mad king’: California leaders slam Trump’s election claims
Gov. Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla and other California Democrats fired back hard after Trump’s Thursday night address alleging American voting systems are vulnerable to being “rigged and stolen.” Trump pointed to newly disclosed CIA documents that The New York Times reported did not back up his claims. “Tonight, America watched the ramblings of a mad king,” Newsom posted on X. Padilla noted that more than 60 court cases and numerous audits have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump also alleged China carried out a major compromise of election data and claimed Homeland Security found nearly 200,000 noncitizens on California voter rolls.
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Trump gold coin unveiled — and Rep. Kiley moves to block it
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a $1 commemorative gold coin featuring Trump to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary. Rep. Kevin Kiley, I-Rocklin, wasn’t having it. “We don’t do this in our country,” Kiley wrote, announcing plans for federal legislation to reaffirm that U.S. currency doesn’t feature living presidents. Federal statutes bar the practice, though the Trump administration argues a 2020 law lets the Treasury classify the coins as collectibles to sidestep the restriction.
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California lawmakers remember Sen. Lindsey Graham
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday night at 71 from an aortic dissection. California lawmakers on both sides of the aisle reflected on the war hawk and Trump ally known for his sense of humor. Sen. Adam Schiff called him “larger than life” and “the Trump whisperer” on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Rep. Kevin Kiley praised Graham’s ability to “work with people on all sides,” while Rep. Ro Khanna acknowledged “profound disagreements on foreign policy” but honored Graham’s service.
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Padilla joins fight against California voter ID measure
Sen. Padilla endorsed Californians for Voting Rights, the ACLU-backed committee opposing Proposition 39, which would require voters to show government-issued ID each time they cast a ballot. Opponents say the measure would disproportionately harm Black and Latino voters, women who changed names after marriage, and people with disabilities. State Sen. Tony Strickland, who helped author the measure, called those concerns “a stupid argument,” pointing to a recent case in which a California woman admitted casting ballots on behalf of her pet.
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AG Bonta sues to block $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 12 other state AGs filed an antitrust lawsuit to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery deal, calling it a “death knell” for California’s film and TV industry. Paramount projects $6 billion in immediate cuts, with at least 2,500 Los Angeles jobs at risk. Democrats have also raised alarms over the $24 billion in backing from wealth funds in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
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This report was produced with the assistance of a proprietary tool powered by artificial intelligence and using our own originally reported, written and published content. It was reviewed and edited by our journalists.
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