Senator's brutal ABC interview as Liberals look for new leader, Trump addresses election, Barnaby Joyce reveals cancer diagnosis
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Monday. The dust is settling after a disastrous election defeat for the Liberals and things are heating up as the party looks for a new leader after Peter Dutton lost his seat. One frontrunner is Angus Taylor, but one Liberal Senator has delivered a damning assessment of his suitability.
Donald Trump has addressed the federal election, and admitted he has no idea who Peter Dutton is. There was plenty of praise for Anthony Albanese from the US president.
Clive Palmer says he will be walking away from politics after throwing millions at a failed campaign for the Trumpet of Patriots. He's also addressed the text message drama that left Australians infuriated over the last few weeks.
Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce has announced he has prostate cancer and will undergo surgery today.
Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day.
While Peter Dutton has been accused of taking inspiration from Donald Trump and his policies, the US president says he has no idea who the outgoing Liberal leader is.
Trump was asked for his thoughts on whether the 'Trump effect' had swung the result in the favour of Labor, but he said he didn't know much at all about Australia's Opposition.
"I have no idea who the other person is that ran against [Anthony Albanese]," he told reporters, according to the ABC.
And while the Liberals went hard on claims Anthony Albanese's relationship with Trump was near non-existent, Trump heaped praise on the prime minister.
"Albanese I'm very friendly with," he said, adding he is "very good" and "a friend of mine".
Pressed on Labor's disappointment about Trump's tariffs, the US president said Albanese had been "very respectful to me".
There could well be another party leader on the way out, but the Greens' Adam Bandt is remaining confident he can retain his seat.
That's despite Labor recording a 8.6% swing so far in the seat of Melbourne, giving Sarah Witty 52% lead over Bandt on a two-party preferred basis. About two-thirds of the vote has so far been counted.
Several seats remain in a knife edge for the Greens, and Bandt has lamented the Liberal collapse which he says impacted his party thanks to Dutton's preferences.
Hitting the griddy! 🕺A fine celebration by @OscarPiastri 😅#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/bFCb6evuQL
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025
Oscar Piastri's celebration after winning the Miami F1 Grand Prix has had plenty of attention, with the Aussie star performing the celebratory 'griddy' dance, hugely popular on TikTok and used by stars across a range of sports.
But with the Australian now routinely on the podium, some are asking where's our traditional celebration, the shoey? Piastri has previously said he wants to bring something different to his celebrations after the shoey became synonymous with former driver Daniel Ricciardo. Or maybe he just doesn't like drinking beer out of his sweaty race shoe.
ABC News Breakfast host James Glenday said he's glad Piastri has opted for something else, calling the shoey "a bit gross", but others in the studio welcomed it.
So what do you think? Do you think our sporting achievements on the biggest stages need a shoey? Have your say below.
Taking you to US politics now and Donald Trump has put an end to speculation he could try and run for a third term in the White House.
"So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that, but it's something that to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do," he told NBC.
Trump, 78, had been selling Trump 2028 merchandise but has now said previous claims saying he wanted a third term were to troll "fake news media".
Trump said Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were two options that could lead the Republican party after him.
While there's been plenty of focus on what will happen at the top of the Liberal Party, there's some expected changes within Labor as well.
With a big Labor swing at the election, there are plenty of new MPs on offer to Anthony Albanese as he looks to name a new Cabinet.
But deputy prime minister Richard Marles wouldn't be drawn on who could be part of a new-look frontbench.
"These are matters for the caucus and then ultimately the prime minister. I want to be respectful of that process," he told ABC News Breakfast.
Clive Palmer has admitted he is now 'too old for politics' following the Trumpet of Patriots failed election campaign.
The billionaire spent millions on a mass advertising campaign, however, the minor party failed to pick up a single lower house seat and is looking unlikely to pick up any seats in the Senate.
The party only picked up 1.85 per cent of the primary vote, with One Nation outperforming it on 6.17 per cent, the Australian Electoral Commission said.
Mr Palmer told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that 'he was not really disappointed with the outcome', and said the Trumpet of the Patriots might not return in three years' time.
'I'm 71 and I'm getting too old for politics,' he said.
'I'd rather spend time helping the tens of thousands that are homeless and hungry in this country … that's why I've donated $5m to Foodbank.'
Voters across the country shared frustration over the party's mass text campaign.
The party sent out over 17 million texts and had received over 10,000 complaints as a result, he said.
However, Mr Palmer said he didn't believe it impacted their results.
'Ten thousand is pretty minimal compared to 17 million and the people who were complaining were not going to vote for us anyway,' he said.
Read more from NCA NewsWire here.
So who are the favourites to be the Liberals' next leader?
Well if the bookmakers are anything to go by, it's a four-horse race.
Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie is the favourite, according to Sportsbet. He is the youngest of the four at 42 and reservations have been raised of his experience, meaning it may be his time comes later on.
He's ahead of Angus Taylor, who has come in for a fair bit of criticism from within the party after fronting the economic policy during what was repeatedly dubbed the cost-of-living election.
Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan is next up after holding several key portfolios in the Morrison government.
And finally Sussan Ley, the Liberal's deputy leader. Senator Hollie Hughes told the ABC this morning she believes having a female in the top spot could help "change the narrative around the party".
Police in Sydney say one decision from a fisherman who was washed into the ocean on Sundaymost likely saved his life.
With authorities across Australia increasingly concerned about the choices of anglers near rough waters, police in Sydney's Sutherland Shire hailed one key safety measure one man decided on before he was swept off rocks near Kurnell and swept 200 metre off shore.
"Fortunately the angler was wearing a life jacket," police said.
"This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the need to remain vigilant around it. Also, the fact that wearing a life jacket when in and around the ocean can save your life."
The man was pulled from the ocean after about 10 minutes by NSW Water Police and was taken to hospital for further assessments.
Federal Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has been praised for being "very brave" after revealing he will undergo surgery for prostate cancer.
The one-time deputy prime minister, who comfortably won his regional NSW seat of New England in Saturday's election, revealed his diagnosis on Sunday.
Joyce, 58, received the diagnosis following a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
The test came back with an elevated result and a subsequent MRI and biopsy revealed he had prostate cancer.
Joyce, who will have the surgery on Monday, told Seven's Sunrise program he kept his diagnosis quiet until after the election.
"I waited until obviously after the election - I didn't want a big circus going on," he said.
"Literally, straight after this ... I'm going ... straight down the road and straight into surgery."
Joyce said he felt fine, before noting that was normal with a disease like prostate cancer.
"You don't feel bad, you go to the toilet a bit more than you should," he added.
Federal Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek said Joyce was "very brave" for going public with his diagnosis.
After a disastrous night for the Liberals on Saturday night, the knives are well and truly out.
For the second straight federal election, the party lost more senior members who held metropolitan seats, leaving less options, and less talent, to choose from as it picks a new leader.
NSW Senator Hollie Hughes admitted 'a complete lack of policy and economic narrative' from her team leading up the election was to blame for their disastrous night.
One of the front runners to take over the leadership will no doubt be the shadow treasurer Angus Taylor – but not if Hughes can help it.
When asked if he is capable of leading the party on ABC's Radio National this morning, she said: 'Not in my view.
'I have concerns about his capability.
'I don't know what he's been doing for three years?' she continued in a remarkable spray. 'There was no tax policy, no economic narrative.'
The pair do have a history, which she alluded to, but the senator said a 'huge number' of her colleagues shared her doubts about his ability to unite and capably lead the party.
'His efforts to get rid of people like me in his leadership ambitions means that I'm still in the party room until June 30 and get to vote for the next leader, so it may not work out too well for him,' she said.
As the party licks its wounds, members past and present have lamented how it lost its way.
Former Coalition finance minister Simon Birmingham wrote in a blog post on LinkedIn that 'the brand of conservatism projected is clearly perceived as too harsh and out of touch' and that it had lost its sense of classic liberalism.
'Our base is too narrow and so, occasionally, are our sympathies. You know what some people call us: the nasty party.'
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
While Peter Dutton has been accused of taking inspiration from Donald Trump and his policies, the US president says he has no idea who the outgoing Liberal leader is.
Trump was asked for his thoughts on whether the 'Trump effect' had swung the result in the favour of Labor, but he said he didn't know much at all about Australia's Opposition.
"I have no idea who the other person is that ran against [Anthony Albanese]," he told reporters, according to the ABC.
And while the Liberals went hard on claims Anthony Albanese's relationship with Trump was near non-existent, Trump heaped praise on the prime minister.
"Albanese I'm very friendly with," he said, adding he is "very good" and "a friend of mine".
Pressed on Labor's disappointment about Trump's tariffs, the US president said Albanese had been "very respectful to me".
There could well be another party leader on the way out, but the Greens' Adam Bandt is remaining confident he can retain his seat.
That's despite Labor recording a 8.6% swing so far in the seat of Melbourne, giving Sarah Witty 52% lead over Bandt on a two-party preferred basis. About two-thirds of the vote has so far been counted.
Several seats remain in a knife edge for the Greens, and Bandt has lamented the Liberal collapse which he says impacted his party thanks to Dutton's preferences.
Hitting the griddy! 🕺A fine celebration by @OscarPiastri 😅#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/bFCb6evuQL
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 4, 2025
Oscar Piastri's celebration after winning the Miami F1 Grand Prix has had plenty of attention, with the Aussie star performing the celebratory 'griddy' dance, hugely popular on TikTok and used by stars across a range of sports.
But with the Australian now routinely on the podium, some are asking where's our traditional celebration, the shoey? Piastri has previously said he wants to bring something different to his celebrations after the shoey became synonymous with former driver Daniel Ricciardo. Or maybe he just doesn't like drinking beer out of his sweaty race shoe.
ABC News Breakfast host James Glenday said he's glad Piastri has opted for something else, calling the shoey "a bit gross", but others in the studio welcomed it.
So what do you think? Do you think our sporting achievements on the biggest stages need a shoey? Have your say below.
Taking you to US politics now and Donald Trump has put an end to speculation he could try and run for a third term in the White House.
"So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that, but it's something that to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do," he told NBC.
Trump, 78, had been selling Trump 2028 merchandise but has now said previous claims saying he wanted a third term were to troll "fake news media".
Trump said Vice-President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were two options that could lead the Republican party after him.
While there's been plenty of focus on what will happen at the top of the Liberal Party, there's some expected changes within Labor as well.
With a big Labor swing at the election, there are plenty of new MPs on offer to Anthony Albanese as he looks to name a new Cabinet.
But deputy prime minister Richard Marles wouldn't be drawn on who could be part of a new-look frontbench.
"These are matters for the caucus and then ultimately the prime minister. I want to be respectful of that process," he told ABC News Breakfast.
Clive Palmer has admitted he is now 'too old for politics' following the Trumpet of Patriots failed election campaign.
The billionaire spent millions on a mass advertising campaign, however, the minor party failed to pick up a single lower house seat and is looking unlikely to pick up any seats in the Senate.
The party only picked up 1.85 per cent of the primary vote, with One Nation outperforming it on 6.17 per cent, the Australian Electoral Commission said.
Mr Palmer told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that 'he was not really disappointed with the outcome', and said the Trumpet of the Patriots might not return in three years' time.
'I'm 71 and I'm getting too old for politics,' he said.
'I'd rather spend time helping the tens of thousands that are homeless and hungry in this country … that's why I've donated $5m to Foodbank.'
Voters across the country shared frustration over the party's mass text campaign.
The party sent out over 17 million texts and had received over 10,000 complaints as a result, he said.
However, Mr Palmer said he didn't believe it impacted their results.
'Ten thousand is pretty minimal compared to 17 million and the people who were complaining were not going to vote for us anyway,' he said.
Read more from NCA NewsWire here.
So who are the favourites to be the Liberals' next leader?
Well if the bookmakers are anything to go by, it's a four-horse race.
Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie is the favourite, according to Sportsbet. He is the youngest of the four at 42 and reservations have been raised of his experience, meaning it may be his time comes later on.
He's ahead of Angus Taylor, who has come in for a fair bit of criticism from within the party after fronting the economic policy during what was repeatedly dubbed the cost-of-living election.
Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan is next up after holding several key portfolios in the Morrison government.
And finally Sussan Ley, the Liberal's deputy leader. Senator Hollie Hughes told the ABC this morning she believes having a female in the top spot could help "change the narrative around the party".
Police in Sydney say one decision from a fisherman who was washed into the ocean on Sundaymost likely saved his life.
With authorities across Australia increasingly concerned about the choices of anglers near rough waters, police in Sydney's Sutherland Shire hailed one key safety measure one man decided on before he was swept off rocks near Kurnell and swept 200 metre off shore.
"Fortunately the angler was wearing a life jacket," police said.
"This incident highlights the unpredictable nature of the ocean and the need to remain vigilant around it. Also, the fact that wearing a life jacket when in and around the ocean can save your life."
The man was pulled from the ocean after about 10 minutes by NSW Water Police and was taken to hospital for further assessments.
Federal Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has been praised for being "very brave" after revealing he will undergo surgery for prostate cancer.
The one-time deputy prime minister, who comfortably won his regional NSW seat of New England in Saturday's election, revealed his diagnosis on Sunday.
Joyce, 58, received the diagnosis following a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
The test came back with an elevated result and a subsequent MRI and biopsy revealed he had prostate cancer.
Joyce, who will have the surgery on Monday, told Seven's Sunrise program he kept his diagnosis quiet until after the election.
"I waited until obviously after the election - I didn't want a big circus going on," he said.
"Literally, straight after this ... I'm going ... straight down the road and straight into surgery."
Joyce said he felt fine, before noting that was normal with a disease like prostate cancer.
"You don't feel bad, you go to the toilet a bit more than you should," he added.
Federal Labor frontbencher Tanya Plibersek said Joyce was "very brave" for going public with his diagnosis.
After a disastrous night for the Liberals on Saturday night, the knives are well and truly out.
For the second straight federal election, the party lost more senior members who held metropolitan seats, leaving less options, and less talent, to choose from as it picks a new leader.
NSW Senator Hollie Hughes admitted 'a complete lack of policy and economic narrative' from her team leading up the election was to blame for their disastrous night.
One of the front runners to take over the leadership will no doubt be the shadow treasurer Angus Taylor – but not if Hughes can help it.
When asked if he is capable of leading the party on ABC's Radio National this morning, she said: 'Not in my view.
'I have concerns about his capability.
'I don't know what he's been doing for three years?' she continued in a remarkable spray. 'There was no tax policy, no economic narrative.'
The pair do have a history, which she alluded to, but the senator said a 'huge number' of her colleagues shared her doubts about his ability to unite and capably lead the party.
'His efforts to get rid of people like me in his leadership ambitions means that I'm still in the party room until June 30 and get to vote for the next leader, so it may not work out too well for him,' she said.
As the party licks its wounds, members past and present have lamented how it lost its way.
Former Coalition finance minister Simon Birmingham wrote in a blog post on LinkedIn that 'the brand of conservatism projected is clearly perceived as too harsh and out of touch' and that it had lost its sense of classic liberalism.
'Our base is too narrow and so, occasionally, are our sympathies. You know what some people call us: the nasty party.'
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Newsweek
28 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Gavin Newsom Just Launched His Presidential Campaign, Scott Jennings Says
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former George W. Bush adviser Scott Jennings said that Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom just launched his presidential campaign Tuesday night amid the ongoing protests and riots over Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in California. Newsweek reached out to Newsom's office via email for comment on Tuesday. Why It Matters Since his January 20 inauguration, President Donald Trump has implemented sweeping change, mainly through executive orders, and has prioritized immigration control as a key pillar within the administration. Trump last month utilized the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a wartime law that grants the commander in chief authority to detain or deport non-citizens. The implementation was originally blocked in federal court and sparked a contentious legal back-and-forth. The president also campaigned on the promise of mass deportations and appointed Tom Homan as his administration's border czar to execute his agenda. What To Know Protests broke out on Friday in reaction to numerous ICE raids throughout Los Angeles. Amid the ongoing tumult, city officials including Mayor Karen Bass implemented a curfew for portions of downtown, from 8 p.m. Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, and it could continue throughout the coming days if warranted. Los Angeles police warn that people who break the curfew and who are not exempt—like first responders, credentialed media and those who live in the affected area—will be subject to arrest. During a news conference, the officials displayed a map of the curfew zone. Newsom then followed with a formal address to the Golden State, ripping Trump and his administration for inflaming an already combustible situation. "Trump and his loyalists, they thrive on division because it allows them to take more power and exert even more control. And by the way, Trump, he's not opposed to lawlessness and violence as long as it serves him. What more evidence do we need than January 6th," Newsom said in part. The Democratic governor also denounced any violence or harm to law enforcement, vowing to prosecute any lawlessness. Reacting to the formal address, Jennings, opinion contributor on CNN, told the outlet's Kaitlan Collins, "It's amazing to me, first of all, this guy's the governor of a state and ... it's got one of its most important cities burning, on his watch, and he's out here launching a presidential campaign." Jennings added, "I mean, there is no other way to listen to what happened," he said, still reacting to Newsom's address. "I conclude that he just launched his presidential campaign on top of this lawlessness that's going on in California. He governs a failed state, he sits atop of a failed state, and he sits, I guess, at the leadership right now of a political party that's wanting to coddle the illegal invasion of our country that's causing what's happening." "It's not particularly controversial for Donald Trump to enforce federal law," Jennings said, later adding that Newsom spouted off a "litany of complaints" and it will "look opportunistic" and not "resonate." California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is pictured on June 10 in a formal address to his state. (Photo from Governor Newsom's Facebook) California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is pictured on June 10 in a formal address to his state. (Photo from Governor Newsom's Facebook) What People Are Saying Trump posted to his Truth Social on Tuesday: "If we didn't send out the National Guard—Los Angeles would be burning right now!" Newsom, in a video segment of his speech on X, formerly Twitter, on Tuesday: "Donald Trump deployed more than 700 active U.S. Marines — men and women trained in foreign combat, not domestic law enforcement. We honor their service and bravery. But we do not want our streets militarized by our own Armed Forces. Not in L.A. Not in California. Not anywhere." Vice President JD Vance posted to X on Tuesday: "Gavin Newsom says he didn't have a problem until Trump got involved. Both of these photos were taken before the president authorized the national guard to go protect our border patrol in California. Does this look like 'no problem'? "Newsom and his stooge Karen Bass fomented and encouraged the riots, because their entire political movement exists for one purpose: to promote mass migration into our country. It is their reason for being. Democratic leadership has no solution for the economy, for prosperity, or for security. They use their power when they're in the majority to import millions of illegal immigrants and when they're in opposition they do everything possible to prevent deportations," Vance continued. "Under Newsom's leadership, medicaid was extended to all illegal immigrants in 2024. This means that he elected to take healthcare from impoverished and disabled Californians and give it to illegal aliens. And now, everything is President Trump's fault? Give me a break. If you want to know why illegal aliens flocked to your state, stop accusing Donald Trump. Look in the mirror. Concluding, Vance said, "If you want to know why border patrol fear for their lives over enforcing the law, look in the mirror. It was your policies that encouraged mass migration into California. Your policies that protected those migrants from common sense law enforcement. Your policies that offered massive welfare benefits to reward illegal immigrants. Your policies that allowed those illegal migrants (and their sympathizers) to assault our law enforcement. Your policies that allowed Los Angeles to turn into a war zone. You sure as hell had a problem before President Trump came along. The problem is YOU." What Happens Next It is immediately unclear if the curfew for a portion of downtown will continue for the rest of the week as the protest and riots continue to unfold.

Los Angeles Times
33 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Amid fears of pending California education cuts, top Trump official says state is ‘at risk'
As concerns heighten among officials and educators about possible pending federal funding cuts to California, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said Tuesday that the state is at risk, but did not elaborate on when a decision would be made or what the cuts could be. McMahon, in a videotaped interview with Bloomberg, was responding to a question about the possible termination of grant funding to California public universities by referencing issues related to Title IX, which prohibits discrimination based on gender. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold unspecified federal funding from California because it allows transgender athletes to compete with cisgender athletes in girls' and women's sporting events. 'Well in California I think we saw pretty flagrant violations of Title IX,' McMahon said, 'and that is why this ... focus ... was put on them.... We have, you know, men participating in women's sports, which is clearly against Title IX, and the president has made it very clear that he is definitely going to uphold Title IX.' If the Trump administration did not 'address' violations 'as they occur then it's sort of by acquiescence that it's OK to continue and it's not,' she said. The remarks were made during a Bloomberg event in which McMahon addressed a variety of topics, including the mass Education Department layoffs under her leadership — halted by federal courts and appealed to the Supreme Court — and an ongoing battle with Harvard University. Trump has stripped billions of dollars from Harvard and tried to ban foreign-born students and the university has launched multiple lawsuits in response. Reports, including one Friday by CNN, have emerged in recent days that the Trump administration is preparing to withhold wide swaths of federal funding from the Golden State's universities, scientific researchers and K-12 schools. The California State University and University of California systems already face hundreds of millions of dollars in grant cuts from multiple federal agencies, including the Education and Health and Human Services departments. These cuts too are the subject of litigation, and some have been put on hold by the courts. The possibility of further cuts have alarmed some California legislators. In a letter sent Friday to the administration, Rep. Dave Min (D-Irvine) called talk of cuts 'targeted political vengeance' and said 'any significant move to cut federal funding to California would be outrageous, illegal and set a dangerous precedent. It would also have devastating impacts for our residents, whether they are Democrats, Republicans or independents.' He also raised a constitutional issue. 'Your withholding of funds that have been appropriated would constitute a direct attack on the separation of powers that is at the heart of our democratic republic,' Min wrote. The White House did not immediately respond to a request Tuesday related to McMahon's remarks, but in a statement Friday said that 'no final decisions' had been made on funding cuts. 'No taxpayer should be forced to fund the demise of our country, and that's what California is doing through its lunatic anti-energy, soft-on-crime, pro-child mutilation, and pro-sanctuary policies. The Trump administration is committed to ending this nightmare and restoring the California Dream,' the statement said. 'No final decisions, however, on any potential future action by the Administration have been made, and any discussion suggesting otherwise should be considered pure speculation.' Madison Biedermann, a spokesperson for McMahon, on Tuesday affirmed the last part: No decision had been made. Biedermann said it would be incorrect to interpret McMahon's remarks as confirming imminent cuts. McMahon was restating the department's position: California is at serious risk of losing funds if it does not comply with Trump administration policies, including banning transgender athletes from women's and girls' sports. Biedermann said any reports about the timing or extent of any cuts is, at this point, 'speculation.' To date, she said, California is under investigation but has not been penalized based on its actions. Reports of imminent — but unconfirmed — cuts have appeared in Politico and the Washington Post. Among the areas of funding potentially at risk are the so-called formula funding programs that are approved and mandated by Congress. This includes Title I dollars that the federal government provides to schools to offset the effects of poverty. These funds alone are worth about $2.1 billion a year to California and about $460 million to Los Angeles Unified, the state's largest school system, where about 80% of students have family income low enough to qualify them for a free or reduced-price lunch. Aid for school meals — totaling $363 million to L.A. Unified alone — also is a potential lever of influence for the Trump administration. These dollars are administered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, outside McMahon's jurisdiction. Another potentially affected funding stream is $1.33 billion annually to offset part of the cost of educating students with disabilities — of which $177 million goes to L.A. Unified. When asked Tuesday about withholding formula funding, McMahon again raised the issue of Title IX compliance. 'I think that is part of what we found with the state of California just blatantly refusing to be in compliance with Title IX regulations,' McMahon said. 'So that is one of the tools and the other options that we have with California and I think it's right that we make them aware that that is a risk that they run.' California officials have defended their policy as consistent with state and federal law, prioritizing rights based on gender identity. California sued the U.S. Justice Department on Monday over its demand last week that local school districts ban transgender youth from competing in sports, arguing the federal agency had overstepped its authority in violation of both state and federal law. Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi (D-Rolling Hills Estates), chair of the California State Assembly's Education Committee, told The Times that he has kept a close eye on the Trump administration's attacks on public education. 'We know that the hardest hit would be our students with special needs and our disabled students,' he said. 'Also, Title I funding for our low-income students is a big concern.' Muratsuchi said that California's 'best defense' against Trump's actions 'is our Constitution and the rule of law.... The president should not have a unilateral power to cut funding appropriated by Congress.' Muratsuchi also stressed the importance of federal funding to the UC and CSU systems. 'To have the federal research funds cut is tremendously impactful,' he said. The Times' Washington bureau chief Michael Wilner and Bloomberg News contributed to this report.


Bloomberg
35 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
California's Newsom Says Democracy Is Under Assault
'Democracy is under assault." California Governor Gavin Newsom has accused Trump of misusing his power and warned rest of the country to prepare for unrest as LA imposes a curfew after protests over immigration raids. (Source: Bloomberg)