CalExitNow.com Endorses Xavier Becerra for Governor, Warns of Federal Threats to 2026 Elections, and Unveils Pathway to California Citizenship
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — May 20, 2026 — CalExitNow.com, the official organization advocating the lawful, peaceful separation of California from the United States and the establishment of California as a fully sovereign independent nation, today announced its endorsement of Xavier Becerra for Governor of California, warned that recent federal election-security concerns reinforce the case for California sovereignty, and unveiled a platform commitment to a future pathway to California citizenship for Americans who share California values.
CalExitNow.com stated that the three announcements reflect a single governing reality: California now faces a defining political moment, one requiring leadership capable of defending the state within the existing federal system while permitting Californians to examine, through lawful and democratic means, whether that system continues to serve them.
“California does not need symbolic leadership in this moment. California needs a Governor who understands law, power, federal overreach, and the duty to protect 38 million people,” said J.J. Ames, Political Director of the CalExit Movement. “Xavier Becerra has already shown that he knows how to fight Washington when Washington threatens California. That record matters now more than ever.”
CalExitNow.com cited Becerra’s tenure as California Attorney General as central to the endorsement. During the first Trump administration, Becerra became one of the nation’s most active state-level legal opponents of federal action, challenging Washington on matters affecting immigration, health care, environmental protection, civil rights, public lands, and state authority.
“Xavier Becerra did not merely talk about defending California. He did it,” said Marcus Ruiz Evans, Founder of the CalExit Movement. “He used the legal authority of this state to challenge federal abuse, protect California residents, and resist policies that treated California as subordinate to Washington’s political agenda. That is precisely the type of leadership this moment requires.”
The organization also cited Becerra’s prior role as Attorney General in the state’s official review process involving a CalExit proposed ballot initiative. CalExitNow.com stated that this history remains important because California sovereignty must proceed through lawful, peaceful, and democratic means, including constitutional principles reflected in Texas v. White, the 1868 United States Supreme Court decision recognizing that state withdrawal may occur through consent of the states.
CalExitNow.com stated that Becerra’s institutional experience now carries heightened significance in light of escalating federal action toward California during the second Trump administration, including disputes over wildfire assistance, federal force deployments, immigration enforcement actions affecting California communities, federal pressure on state authority, and recent military activity that raised serious public-safety concerns inside California.
CalExitNow.com also addressed recent action by U.S. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, who has publicly warned that Trump administration conduct toward the 2026 midterm elections raises serious concerns about federal interference with democratic election administration. Senator Warner has pressed the Department of Homeland Security over reported failures at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to provide election-security support, and his office has warned about threats to “take over” or “nationalize” elections.
“Senator Warner’s warning matters because it confirms what CalExitNow.com understood before Washington was prepared to admit it,” said Ruiz Evans. “J.J. Ames saw this danger early. He warned that the Trump administration’s election posture, immigration enforcement strategy, federal pressure on state systems, and open contempt for democratic limits could converge into a direct threat to the 2026 midterms. Those warnings were dismissed. They are now the subject of Senate action.”
CalExitNow.com stated that Warner’s position should be understood as part of a broader pattern, not as an isolated legislative concern. The organization cited federal pressure on election systems, demands involving state voter information, aggressive immigration raids, threats to federalize election authority, mid-cycle redistricting efforts in Republican-controlled states, and public uncertainty about whether federal enforcement or military personnel could be used in ways that chill voting activity.
“Senator Warner’s action is not the solution,” Ruiz Evans said. “It is evidence of the problem. When a senior United States Senator believes the threat to the midterm elections is serious enough to require federal intervention, California must stop pretending this is politics as usual. California must prepare to defend itself, its people, and its democratic future.”
CalExitNow.com also announced that its sovereignty platform includes a lawful pathway to future California citizenship for Americans outside California who share California values and seek to participate in the construction of a fully sovereign California nation.
The organization stated that California sovereignty is not an act of abandonment. It is an act of democratic renewal. CalExitNow.com said the movement speaks first for California, but it also recognizes the millions of Americans outside California who support equality, pluralism, reproductive freedom, labor dignity, environmental responsibility, immigrant protection, democratic self-government, and the full realization of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
“California is not leaving anyone behind,” said Ruiz Evans. “California is preparing to lead. From the beginning, J.J. Ames has insisted that this movement must speak not only to Californians, but also to every American who still believes that freedom, equality, and human dignity must have governing force. That vision is now part of the CalExit platform.”
CalExitNow.com stated that, following independence, a sovereign California should establish an orderly, lawful, and values-based pathway to California citizenship for individuals who seek to join the California national community. The organization said future California citizenship should rest on civic commitment, democratic values, and respect for human dignity, not birthplace, wealth, race, religion, or inherited status.
“This movement is about California, but it is not only about California,” Ames said. “It is about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all who still believe those words should mean what they say. It is about true equality under law. It is about building a nation where rights do not depend on who controls Washington.”
CalExitNow.com described California independence as the next stage in California’s traditional role as an innovator, protector, and national trendsetter. The organization said California has long led in technology, culture, civil rights, environmental protection, public health, labor policy, and democratic inclusion. Sovereignty, CalExitNow.com argues, would allow California to convert those values into the foundation of a new nation.
CalExitNow.com said today’s announcement is not merely an endorsement, a warning, or a policy statement. It is a call for California to recognize the scale of the present moment.
“California sovereignty is not retreat,” Ruiz Evans said. “It is leadership. California can light the path for those who still believe government should protect people, expand freedom, and honor human dignity. The future California nation will not be built against those Americans. It will be built for those who are ready to share in its values.”