From a presidential prime-time speech that drew a blistering rebuke from Gov. Gavin Newsom to a new commemorative coin bearing President Donald Trump\u2019s likeness, Sacramento Bee readers had plenty to say last week. Here\u2019s a look at the stories that sparked the most conversation on sacbee.com from July 13-19 \u2014 and where you can jump in.<\/p>\n
\u2018Ramblings of a mad king\u2019: California leaders slam Trump\u2019s election claims<\/p>\n
Gov. Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla and other California Democrats fired back hard after Trump\u2019s Thursday night address alleging American voting systems are vulnerable to being \u201crigged and stolen.\u201d Trump pointed to newly disclosed CIA documents that The New York Times reported did not back up his claims<\/a>. \u201cTonight, America watched the ramblings of a mad king,\u201d Newsom posted on X. Padilla noted that more than 60 court cases and numerous audits have found no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Trump also alleged China carried out a major compromise of election data and claimed Homeland Security found nearly 200,000 noncitizens on California voter rolls.<\/p>\n \u00bb\u00bb Read the story, see the comments<\/a><\/p>\n Trump gold coin unveiled \u2014 and Rep. Kiley moves to block it<\/p>\n Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled a $1 commemorative gold coin featuring Trump to mark the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary. Rep. Kevin Kiley, I-Rocklin, wasn\u2019t having it. \u201cWe don\u2019t do this in our country,\u201d Kiley wrote, announcing plans for federal legislation to reaffirm that U.S. currency doesn\u2019t feature living presidents. Federal statutes bar the practice, though the Trump administration argues a 2020 law lets the Treasury classify the coins as collectibles to sidestep the restriction.<\/p>\n \u00bb\u00bb Read the story, see the comments<\/a><\/p>\n California lawmakers remember Sen. Lindsey Graham<\/p>\n South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday night at 71 from an aortic dissection. California lawmakers on both sides of the aisle reflected on the war hawk and Trump ally known for his sense of humor. Sen. Adam Schiff called him \u201clarger than life\u201d and \u201cthe Trump whisperer\u201d on NBC\u2019s \u201cMeet the Press.\u201d Rep. Kevin Kiley praised Graham\u2019s ability to \u201cwork with people on all sides,\u201d while Rep. Ro Khanna acknowledged \u201cprofound disagreements on foreign policy\u201d but honored Graham\u2019s service.<\/p>\n \u00bb\u00bb Read the story, see the comments<\/a><\/p>\n Padilla joins fight against California voter ID measure<\/p>\n Sen. Padilla endorsed Californians for Voting Rights, the ACLU-backed committee opposing Proposition 39, which would require voters to show government-issued ID each time they cast a ballot. Opponents say the measure would disproportionately harm Black and Latino voters, women who changed names after marriage, and people with disabilities. State Sen. Tony Strickland, who helped author the measure, called those concerns \u201ca stupid argument,\u201d pointing to a recent case in which a California woman admitted casting ballots on behalf of her pet.<\/p>\n