Nick Shirley Schools NYT Reporter Who Confronted Him Over Newsom Law

Independent journalist Nick Shirley flipped the script on a New York Times reporter outside the California Capitol, pressing her to explain why Gov. Gavin Newsom’s new privacy law won’t end up punishing journalists who expose fraud.

She struggled to convince him.

The sidewalk exchange with Times Sacramento correspondent Laurel Rosenhall centered on AB 2624, a measure Republicans have dubbed the “Stop Nick Shirley Act” after Shirley began scrutinizing taxpayer-funded immigrant-service providers.

Newsom signed the bill last weekend.

The law expands California’s Safe at Home program to certain immigration nonprofit workers, allowing participants to shield personal information including addresses and photographs.

Supporters say it protects workers from doxxing and politically motivated harassment.

Shirley says it could also make investigative reporting considerably riskier.

Watch the exchange below:

🔥 WOW! Nick Shirley spotted absolutely MIC DROPPING an insufferable New York Times “reporter” who’s defending the California Stop Nick Shirley Act

You can tell she did NOT expect Nick to outsmart her!

These people think they’re more important than all of us.

They support…

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 27, 2026