Donald Trump

A person stands at a podium in front of the U.S. Supreme Court building, speaking into multiple microphones with a sign reading “#FAIRMAPS” attached to the podium. Behind them is a large red and blue map graphic. Surrounding the speaker, people hold signs with messages such as “#FAIRMAPS,” “END GERRYMANDERING IN MARYLAND,” and “END GERRYMANDERING NOW,” indicating a rally advocating for fair redistricting practices.

Commentary

Why California should avoid revenge politics and stay out of the redistricting wars

President Trump has asked Texas to stack the congressional deck in Republicans' favor. Gov. Newsom should still keep California's redistricting process independent because it's what voters wanted.

By Jeanne Raya • August 13, 2025

A person, wearing a black mask and sunglasses holds a cardboard sign that says "FUND SCIENCE!" on it while they march next to other protesters

Education

Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore hundreds of UCLA research grants

The administration terminated the grants over alleged DEI violations. University of California attorneys argued the suspensions were arbitrary and capricious.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • August 12, 2025

Housing

Hidden in Trump’s spending package: A surprise boost to California’s affordable housing

Trump’s spending bill includes cuts to Medicaid, food assistance and more. But it also increases a federal tax credit that helps build affordable housing in California.

By Ben Christopher and Marisa Kendall • August 12, 2025

A line of California National Guard members in full riot gear stands shoulder to shoulder, holding transparent shields labeled “CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD.” They wear helmets with face shields and camouflage uniforms. The photo is taken at face level, with tall downtown buildings visible in the background on a sunny day.

Justice

5 things to know as Newsom and Trump go back to court over the National Guard in LA

Gov. Gavin Newsom alleges the Trump administration broke a 19th Century law called the Posse Comitatus Act when it deployed military units to Los Angeles in June.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • August 11, 2025

Law enforcement officers in tactical gear detain a person on the ground during a raid, pinning them on a sunlit sidewalk beside a vehicle. Several officers surround the individual, while scattered red and black pellets or debris are visible on the pavement. The officers wear patches and insignia indicating federal or border enforcement agencies.

Justice

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to lift temporary ban on roving immigration stops in L.A.

The federal government on Thursday filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to lift a temporary ban on “roving” immigration sweeps.

By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos • August 7, 2025

A hand holding a pencil points to the number 73 on a colorful classroom poster displaying numbers from 1 to 100. The chart is decorated with stars and bordered in green and purple, with "100 One Hundred 100" written at the bottom. The person’s hand wears a scrunchie on the wrist.

K-12 Education

Students without legal status have the right to attend public school. Will Trump try to change that?

Since last year about a half-dozen states have attempted to pass laws that would allow schools to charge tuition to noncitizens. None passed, but advocates said they plan to keep trying.

By Carolyn Jones • August 6, 2025

The UCLA campus in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2022. Photo by Raquel Natalicchio for CalMatters

Higher Education

UC researchers are pushing back on Trump’s UCLA grant suspensions. Here’s how

UC researchers claim a judge’s previous order barred the National Science Foundation from suspending UCLA’s grants.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • August 5, 2025

A person with his hands in his pockets stands next to a row of grape vines on a sunny day. The view of the person is slightly obscured by the green leaves of a grape vine and wires,

Economy

Some California winemakers don’t want tariffs on their European competitors. Here’s why

American wine industry stakeholders have different opinions about the potential fallout from tariffs on European wine, with California likely feeling the biggest impact.

By Levi Sumagaysay • August 5, 2025

Three people run on a tree-lined sidewalk at a college campus on a sunny day. UCLA banners can be seen on lamp posts the right side of the sidewalk.

Higher Education

UCLA research grants suspended after Trump administration faulted campus for antisemitism

The suspensions affect hundreds of UCLA grants and come days after Trump’s Department of Justice concluded in an investigation that “Jewish and Israeli students at UCLA were subjected to severe” harassment.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn • July 31, 2025

A heavily armed individual in military-style gear and a gas mask stands behind yellow caution tape marked "crime scene do not cross." They are holding a rifle and surrounded by others in tactical uniforms. Behind them, a crowd of onlookers gathers near a building with a sign that reads "ambiance – not open to the public." The scene appears tense, unfolding in an urban area.

Housing

They already live on the edge. Trump’s immigration crackdowns now threaten their housing

In Santa Rosa, a mother of six children says she’s struggling to pay the rent following her husband’s deportation — but fears eviction if she even requests to move into a smaller place from her landlord. In Los Angeles, a Latino family sued their landlord and a real estate agent over illegal eviction, only for […]

By Yue Stella Yu and Ben Christopher • July 30, 2025