Embarrassing Scientology clip comes back to haunt Xavier Becerra in California governor’s race

Resurfaced claims about Xavier Becerra’s ties to, and praise for, the controversial Church of Scientology are fueling renewed criticism as the gubernatorial candidate gains momentum in the race to become California’s next governor.

The internet erupted with criticism of Becerra after Yashar Ali, a Democratic political influencer, responded to a clip praising Becerra by writing, “Xavier Becerra, the man who protected Scientology for years?”

“The man who was so trusted by David Miscavige that he would reference him in private conversations as someone to reach out to when the organization needed something?” he added on X.

Ali was referencing Becerra’s alleged close connection to Miscavige, the second leader of the Church of Scientology, who has faced widespread allegations of human trafficking, forced labor, physical abuse of subordinates, and child abuse.

Critics and defectors have described a culture of fear within the organization, while legal battles have accused Miscavige of evading service.

While Ali helped spark the conversation surrounding Scientology and Becerra, another journalist, Tony Ortega, a former Village Voice editor turned independent journalist, shared details of the former Health and Human Services secretary’s interactions with and opinions about Scientology.

In 1997, Becerra, while serving in the House of Representatives, urged colleagues to vote for a resolution defending Scientologists in Germany, stating, “Many of my constituents,” he noted, “are members of religious minority groups like the Church of Scientology,” and they “deserve this protection.”

In 2000, he spoke at the grand opening of the headquarters for ABLE, a Scientology-affiliated group, praising the organization by saying, “You revive Hollywood… you kindle the spirit and determination of those of us who… have an opportunity to work with ABLE to make life better.”

Becerra also attended a star-studded gala at the Scientology Hollywood Celebrity Centre in 2003 in his official capacity as a U.S. representative.

This renewed scrutiny comes as Becerra continues to surge in the polls.

New Vegas betting odds heavily favor the former Biden cabinet member in California’s crowded governor’s race — and it’s not even close. A recent Emerson poll also placed him at the top of the field, with 19% of voters saying they were likely to vote for him.

The Becerra camp defended his actions and described what they called a troubling pattern of the Church of Scientology’s deceiving and abusive nature towards its own members, including the manipulation of an elected official.

“The Church of Scientology is facing the reckoning it deserves for decades of deception, abuse, and coercion,” Becerra campaign spokesperson Jonathan Underland told the San Francisco Standard. “It is dishonest to apply what we know today to decisions made in the 1990s and early 2000s, before the truth was public record. In the years since, public figures and elected officials like Becerra have rightly chosen to disengage. And when it comes to this particular organization, Becerra will do what he has always done: go after powerful institutions that prey on Californians.”

The Church of Scientology is a global movement founded in the 1950s by science-fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard. It combines spiritual teachings with self-help practices, including “auditing,” a form of counseling used by members. The church has faced decades of scrutiny and controversy but continues to operate worldwide, with headquarters in Los Angeles.

Its best-known members include Tom Cruise, John Travolta, and Elisabeth Moss, while former members such as Leah Remini, Lisa Marie Presley, and Jason Lee have publicly left or criticized the organization.

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