New California Rep. James Gallagher on Iran, President Trump and his priorities in Congress | CA Politics 360
Congressman James Gallagher, thank you so much for making time for us. It’s great to be with you, Ashley. How have the first few days been there in Washington DC? Uh, you kind of overwhelming, um, you know, ***, *** wash of emotions, you know, certainly thinking of, uh, of Doug, you know, as I’m, I’m stepping into this new role, uh, and you also excited for the work and, uh, and thinking about my constituents and And it’s really great that we, you know, we finally have representation again, you know, and that, that, that’s something that uh is really powerful and being, being on that floor yesterday, um. And being able to have, have that vote, that voice, uh, you know, it’s just really, um, It makes you feel like this is what this is really all about, and this is what this is, this whole campaign has been about, and it was sort of *** culmination, I guess you could say, uh, as I had my, my friends and family looking on and uh cheering me on. Uh, and got to, you know, be sworn in by the Speaker and, and have, you know, uh, you know, *** special moment with him as well. Uh, so all of that, you know, packed into *** couple of days is, is been pretty overwhelming. Yeah, I, I saw you strike *** bipartisan tone in your speech on the floor. Also, I saw Representative Zoe Lofgren, Representative Doug Garamendi, two Democrats, uh, were there, um, and, and so I just, uh, just how was that? What was that moment like for your first, uh, I mean, really coming into Congress. Yeah, I mean, it was, it was great to, uh, you know, stand there on the floor and, um, you know, there’s Ken Calvert, you know, who’s been, uh, you know, the, uh, the chairman of our, of our California Republican delegation, uh, and he, you know, gave some really nice remarks, you know, about Doug and also about, uh, you know, me coming in and being elected. Um, and then we also had, you know, Zoe Lofgren, uh, you know, as the dean, uh, you know, of the California delegation, and it was very, it was very bipartisan. Um, you know, we, we know that, hey, there’s important work to be done. I also took that opportunity to really talk about how, you know, we, I come from the overlooked part of California, and, uh, you know, this, this part of California needs *** voice, and I, and I intend to use it. And I apologize. I said Doug Garamendi. I meant John Garamendi. Um, OK, so Garamendi was there as well, and, uh, you know, Congressman Thompson and, uh, and, and others, so it was, uh, yeah, you know, the whole, uh, California delegation, I believe, was, was all there, uh, you know, to, to look on as I was sworn in. OK, so looking ahead, have you been assigned to any committees yet, or are there any that you’ve already requested that you’d really like to serve on? Uh, I haven’t yet, uh, you know, that’s, it’s part of the process that I’m learning. They have what’s called the steering committee, uh, you know, here in Congress, and that’s really who determines, you know, what committees you will sit on, um. I certainly like him, you know, hoping to get, uh, on the Transportation Infrastructure Committee. Uh, Congressman LaMalfa sat on that committee, and that’s very important, obviously trying to ensure we get investments in water storage and, and roads and infrastructure, uh, you know, in the state I think are, you know, very key things. Agriculture, obviously very important to the district as well. Water, um, resource issues, uh, wildfire, so the Natural Resources Committee would, would be another one that I think I’d be interested in, um. So, uh, you know, we’ll, we’ll see what, you know, what transpires. I’m certainly putting in, uh, for the things that I’m, I’m interested in, uh, but no matter what, we’re gonna get to work for the issues that matter most to my constituents in the, in the first district. Are there other federal issues, um, that, you know, you look forward to addressing in your new office that might not be directly related to your district, but overarchingly may broadly help? Well, one, we got right too. I mean, my first vote on the floor was about *** bill about waste, fraud and abuse, and I think that has been *** huge issue cutting across the entire nation, but certainly here in California. You know, where we’ve just seen this rampant fraud, you know, with the hospice, uh, crisis where people were, you know, billing MediCal millions and millions of dollars fraudulently, you know, we had one doctor who billed $2287 million you know, that’s, that’s money that we don’t have, you know, for our most vulnerable communities because of that. So, uh, right away we’re getting on top of and we passed several pieces of legislation. To get on top of oversight and stopping the waste, fraud, and abuse that has become way too rampant in our programs. I know this is an evolving situation. I know again you’re just now right, really getting to work, but what do you make of the war in Iran and the president’s approach to this whole situation so far and now that you’re directly there in DC as some of these decisions are being made? Yeah, well, one, I, I mean, I think it was *** necessary move, uh, you know, Iran is ***, you know, sponsor of terror, you know, they have been behind Hezbollah and Hamas. They have attacked, you know, our soldiers for 40 years. There’s been *** reign of terror over the people of Iran, and I think that the president saw *** unique opportunity to, you know, do something about this problem. You know, the Obama administration, the Biden administration had. Red lines and piles of cash that you know that was their foreign policy. Uh, this president means business, you know, and he took *** decisive action. Um, there certainly needs to be congressional oversight and you’re, you’re hearing that from folks, you know, here in the, in the house, uh, there’s discussions about, you know, the War Powers Act, for example, um, but you know what I, what I do see from this president is he took decisive action. He’s already accomplished several of the objectives. Uh, and right now he’s trying to get to ***, *** real peace, right? *** real peace here where Iran gives up on its nuclear ambitions, you know, that’s *** very key part of this, and that they reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and so those are the two things he’s really pushing for, but you’re dealing with *** pretty obstinate group here. It’s, it’s, it’s why it has been challenging for so long and has eluded so many presidents before, uh, as you don’t have rational actors. On the other side, so he’s continued to push on that, um, and I think that, you know, we need to give that president that leeway to make that decisive action and bring this to *** lasting peace. Yeah, I mean, critics of Congress have said that Congress has been giving the president *** lot of leeway and, and not just, I mean, not on this issue but broadly. Looking at your resignation letter from the assembly, you noted that the legislative branch in California is the weakest, and you said that it is most important to our republic. You urged your colleagues to stand up for the institution. I just want to confirm in Congress you’ll do the same. I, I absolutely will, and I, I’ve always taken the separation of powers very seriously. One thing that should be stated, this is not out of the ordinary, uh, you know, this has been the case for *** long time going back to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Lendlease program, uh, you know, Obama’s actions that were taken, you know, against terrorists, you know, in the Middle East. Um, that doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be oversight, you know, of *** president’s actions, and, and I believe in that. And I think that’s something that we need to work on, but for many, many, many years, Congress, you know, has not exerted that strong, uh, check, uh, on the executive branch, and I, I do think that the legislature, uh, you know, across the, in, in states across the nation and certainly in Congress needs to utilize and exercise its powers, um, and that needs to be done as *** body. It needs to be *** deliberative process. Uh, and so you know that that that will continue to be the case and continue to be something that I, I stand for, you know, in, in, in my role as *** member of Congress. In that letter you also advocated for *** state resolution to allow rural parts of California to potentially break away and become their own state. Are you looking at any pathways to try to push that forward at the national level? Yeah, I mean, look, this is *** serious conversation, um, I mean, you know, one, the Constitution does allow for statehood and especially in the aftermath of Prop 50, I think that this is *** conversation that is very warranted, uh, you know, when you are proposing to take away our very voice, our, our very ability to elect *** person of our choice, uh, when you put party over over people and places and making sure that they have representation. Then I think we have to seriously consider whether or not we wanna continue as *** part of *** state like that, right? And that maybe we want our own self-determination. Now 6 counties have already said that they do, uh, you know, they’ve signed on in support of my resolution. Uh, I anticipate we’ll see more counties do that, and I think if, I think it has to start there, you know, it starts with, uh, you know, counties and local governments, uh, you know, *** groundswell of, of support. Uh, and then it goes to, I think that next step of getting consent of the state legislature, uh, and, and, and the federal congress, right? That, those are the pro that would be the process. I don’t think this is something that would happen overnight, uh, but I do think it is something that should be *** serious discussion, um, and if it, and if it continues to move forward, I think we do look at taking that next step. Maybe it’s introducing some federal legislation, uh, providing for that federal consent. Um, but right now again, I think it’s at that stage of, you know, we, we are very much, uh, taken aback by what has happened with Prop 50. Uh, many people in, in Northern California do feel like we want something better than what we’ve been given. Um, and I think other people in the state as well, as I’ve said, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire, for example, feel very overlooked. Uh, and underrepresented by the state of California and look, they continue to do things, you know, pass policies and enforce, you know, bans on, you know, uh, gas powered vehicles, for example, right, that had to be overturned by this Congress. Uh, they continue down the path of higher costs, uh, you know, with, with the cap and trade extension, with the, the governor’s refusal to do anything about, um, uh, uh. Suspending the gas tax that has become overwhelming, especially in these areas where we have to drive long distances, uh, you know, that, that, that sort of, uh, obstinate attitude, uh, arrogant attitude towards these parts of the state continues to this day, and it’s *** problem. Before I let you go, you just named *** lot of policies out of Sacramento, but I mean, again, before I let you go, is there anything you might already miss from Sacramento? Um, you know, look, I miss my colleagues, you know, uh, especially my, you know, Republican caucus. We had *** great team, um, and I was proud to lead that team, uh, and many of them, you know, were, you know, have, have texted me and, and given me encouragement. Uh, so, you know, that, that means *** lot, and, uh, you know, I, as much as there were, I said in my speech, you know, there were, there were certainly *** lot of frustrating times in that legislature. I didn’t like the direction that policy was moving. Um, but I did have good relationships with people there, and I, you know, I think that’s, you know, uh, something that I will certainly miss, uh, you know, as I, as I step into this, this new role, uh, and I’ll tell you what, it’s also very humid out here, and, you know, I’m coming to really miss California weather, uh, in, in the second day, um, but, you know, look, I’m excited about really the opportunity to just really get things done for my constituents, be that voice, be that, uh, representative. Uh, that we’ve been missing, you know, for these past 6 months. Congressman Gallagher, we really appreciate your time. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Ashley.
New California Rep. James Gallagher on Iran, President Trump and his priorities in Congress | CA Politics 360
Updated: 8:25 AM PDT Jun 14, 2026
California’s newest congressman, James Gallagher, described his first few days in Washington as “overwhelming” and filled with emotions as he steps into his new role representing California’s U.S. House District 1. Gallagher decisively won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the sudden death of his mentor, Rep. Doug LaMalfa. The seat has been vacant since his passing in January. “Certainly thinking of Doug as I’m stepping into this new role, and also excited for the work and thinking about my constituents,” Gallagher said in an interview on California Politics 360. “It is really great that we finally have representation again, and that’s something that is really powerful.” Gallagher has not yet been assigned to any committees but said he’s interested in serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, citing its importance for water storage, roads, and agriculture in his rural district.He also mentioned the Natural Resources Committee as another area of interest, given the district’s focus on water resource issues, wildfire prevention, and agriculture. “No matter what, we’re going to get to work for the issues that matter most to my constituents in the 1st District,” Gallagher said. On broader federal issues, Gallagher highlighted his first vote on legislation addressing waste, fraud, and abuse, particularly in Medicaid programs, which in California, is known as Medi-Cal. “We just saw this rampant fraud with the hospice crisis where people were billing Medi-Cal millions and millions of dollars fraudulently. We had one doctor who billed $287 million. That’s money we don’t have for our most vulnerable communities because of that,” Gallagher said. He emphasized the importance of oversight and legislation to curb such abuses.Gallagher also weighed in on the president’s approach to Iran, calling recent actions “necessary.” “Iran is a big sponsor of terror. They have been behind Hezbollah and Hamas, they have attacked our soldiers for 40 years. There’s been a reign of terror over the people of Iran. I think the president saw a unique opportunity to do something about this problem,” Gallagher said. Gallagher noted the importance of congressional oversight while supporting what he said are the president’s decisive actions to push for peace and address Iran’s nuclear ambitions. “What I do see from this president is he took decisive action. He’s already accomplished several of the objectives. And right now he’s trying to get to a real peace, where Iran gives up on its nuclear ambitions. That’s a very key part of this and that they reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” Gallagher said. In his resignation letter to the California Assembly, Gallagher wrote state’s legislative branch is the most important part of republican but is the weakest right now. Gallagher, a Republican, spent more than a decade as part of the super minority in a Democratic-ran legislature. He urged state lawmakers to stand up for the institution. Will he do the same in Congress, which is controlled by Republicans? “I absolutely will,” he said. “Congress has not exerted that strong check on the executive branch for many, many years. I do think the Legislature, across states and certainly in Congress, needs to utilize and exercise its powers,” he said. Gallagher also discussed his resolution advocating rural parts of California to potentially break away and form their own state. “The Constitution does allow for statehood, and especially in the aftermath of Prop 50, I think this is a conversation that is very warranted,” he said. Gallagher noted that six counties have already expressed support for the resolution and emphasized the need for a groundswell of local support before moving forward with federal legislation. “Many people in Northern California do feel like we want something better than what we’ve been given. And I think other people in the state as well, as I’ve said, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire, for example, feel very overlooked and underrepresented by the state of California,” Gallagher said. When asked if he misses anything about Sacramento yet, Gallagher responded, “I miss my colleagues, especially my Republican caucus. We had a great team, and many of them have texted me and given me encouragement. That means a lot.” He added, “it’s very humid out here, and I’m going to really miss California weather.” KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.
California’s newest congressman, James Gallagher, described his first few days in Washington as “overwhelming” and filled with emotions as he steps into his new role representing California’s U.S. House District 1.
Gallagher decisively won a special election to fill the seat left vacant by the sudden death of his mentor, Rep. Doug LaMalfa. The seat has been vacant since his passing in January.
“Certainly thinking of Doug as I’m stepping into this new role, and also excited for the work and thinking about my constituents,” Gallagher said in an interview on California Politics 360. “It is really great that we finally have representation again, and that’s something that is really powerful.”
Gallagher has not yet been assigned to any committees but said he’s interested in serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, citing its importance for water storage, roads, and agriculture in his rural district.
He also mentioned the Natural Resources Committee as another area of interest, given the district’s focus on water resource issues, wildfire prevention, and agriculture. “No matter what, we’re going to get to work for the issues that matter most to my constituents in the 1st District,” Gallagher said.
On broader federal issues, Gallagher highlighted his first vote on legislation addressing waste, fraud, and abuse, particularly in Medicaid programs, which in California, is known as Medi-Cal.
“We just saw this rampant fraud with the hospice crisis where people were billing Medi-Cal millions and millions of dollars fraudulently. We had one doctor who billed $287 million. That’s money we don’t have for our most vulnerable communities because of that,” Gallagher said. He emphasized the importance of oversight and legislation to curb such abuses.
Gallagher also weighed in on the president’s approach to Iran, calling recent actions “necessary.”
“Iran is a big sponsor of terror. They have been behind Hezbollah and Hamas, they have attacked our soldiers for 40 years. There’s been a reign of terror over the people of Iran. I think the president saw a unique opportunity to do something about this problem,” Gallagher said.
Gallagher noted the importance of congressional oversight while supporting what he said are the president’s decisive actions to push for peace and address Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“What I do see from this president is he took decisive action. He’s already accomplished several of the objectives. And right now he’s trying to get to a real peace, where Iran gives up on its nuclear ambitions. That’s a very key part of this and that they reopen the Strait of Hormuz,” Gallagher said.
In his resignation letter to the California Assembly, Gallagher wrote state’s legislative branch is the most important part of republican but is the weakest right now. Gallagher, a Republican, spent more than a decade as part of the super minority in a Democratic-ran legislature. He urged state lawmakers to stand up for the institution.
Will he do the same in Congress, which is controlled by Republicans?
“I absolutely will,” he said.
“Congress has not exerted that strong check on the executive branch for many, many years. I do think the Legislature, across states and certainly in Congress, needs to utilize and exercise its powers,” he said.
Gallagher also discussed his resolution advocating rural parts of California to potentially break away and form their own state.
“The Constitution does allow for statehood, and especially in the aftermath of Prop 50, I think this is a conversation that is very warranted,” he said. Gallagher noted that six counties have already expressed support for the resolution and emphasized the need for a groundswell of local support before moving forward with federal legislation.
“Many people in Northern California do feel like we want something better than what we’ve been given. And I think other people in the state as well, as I’ve said, the Central Valley and the Inland Empire, for example, feel very overlooked and underrepresented by the state of California,” Gallagher said.
When asked if he misses anything about Sacramento yet, Gallagher responded, “I miss my colleagues, especially my Republican caucus. We had a great team, and many of them have texted me and given me encouragement. That means a lot.”
He added, “it’s very humid out here, and I’m going to really miss California weather.”
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala reports in-depth coverage of top California politics and policy issues. She is also the host of “California Politics 360.” Get informed each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KCRA 3.