Michael Gates on Crime, Fraud, and Running for California AG

California's Attorney General race is four weeks from a primary — and most voters don't know what the office actually does. In this episode, we sit down with Republican candidate Michael Gates, the former Huntington Beach City Attorney who spent a decade battling Sacramento in court and is now running to replace Rob Bonta as California's top law enforcement officer.Gates made his name as an elected city attorney — not appointed, elected — who launched a criminal prosecution program that drove downtown crime down 11.5%, claimed a 60% reduction in homelessness on his watch, and won a $38 million court verdict against the State of California. He then joined the Trump DOJ as Deputy Assistant Attorney General before returning to run statewide.We ask the questions every frustrated Californian should be asking: What has the AG's office actually been doing on fraud, fentanyl, and government accountability? Where has enforcement been missing? California Underground airs every Tuesday at 8PM PST on YouTube.🔔 Subscribe and hit the bell so you don't miss next week's show.📌 Sources:CalMatters — 2026 AG Race Voter Guide: https://calmatters.org/california-voter-guide-2026/attorney-general/Ballotpedia — Michael Gates: https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Gates_(California)Gates Campaign Site: https://www.gates4ag.com/AgNet West Interview (April 28, 2026): https://agnetwest.com/michael-gates-california-attorney-general-fraud-reform/LAist — DOJ Departure Story: https://laist.com/news/huntington-beachs-michael-gates-produces-letter-he-says-confirms-he-resigned-from-dojAre you a Californian who feels isolated and alone in your political views in a deep blue state? Feel like you can’t talk about insane taxes, an overbearing government, and radical social experiments without getting a side eye? Then join us on the California Underground Podcast, the most trusted podcast on all things California politics.Original air date  5.5.26*The California Underground Podcast is dedicated to discussing California politics from a place of sanity and rationality.*Check out our full site for more information about the show at www.californiaunderground.liveJoin the Members Only California Underground Telegram —>  https://im.page/7c0306da For more in depth California political news coverage, make sure to subscribe to our Substack at https://caunderground.substack.com Check out our sponsor for this episode, StopBox, by going to www.stopbox.com/californiaunderground to get 10% off your orderFollow California Underground on Social Media  Instagram: www.instagram.com/californiaunderground X: https://twitter.com/CAUndergoundTik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@californiaunderground?_t=8o6HWHcJ1CM&_r=1YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj8SabIcF4AKqEVFsLmo1jA Read about our Privacy Policy: https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/privacy-policy/