California state senator unveils 'No Kings Act' to combat Trump administration

SAN FRANCISCO (CN) — A California state senator scorched the Trump administration Tuesday while introducing a bill that would make it easier for people to sue law enforcement officers who violate their rights.

State Senator Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat running for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat, stood before the state Supreme Court’s courthouse in San Francisco as he revealed the No Kings Act, or Senate Bill 747.

“We have a lawless federal administration, the Trump administration, that is not being held accountable,” Wiener said.

Existing law gives the state attorney general, along with city attorneys and district attorneys, the power to file a civil suit when an officer interferes or tries to interfere with someone exercising their rights through threats, intimidation or coercion.

Current law also gives individuals power to file a civil suit, which if successful can lead to damages or other relief a judge deems appropriate.

Wiener’s bill would add to existing law, called the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act. It would make officers who deprive someone’s rights under color of law liable in a civil suit.

The senator in a post on X said the bill would enable people to sue federal agents and officials for damages when their constitutional rights are violated. The legislation also makes it clear that it applies to federal officers and agents.

“Under federal law it’s almost impossible to sue federal officers for damages, no matter how lawless their behavior or how much harm they cause,” Wiener said on X. “SB 747 ensures people can be made whole when federal officers violate their rights. We’ll finally have accountability for these thugs.”

Wiener repeatedly slammed President Donald Trump, calling his administration lawless. He pointed to federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detaining people off the street and cuts to university funding, saying Trump wielded unchecked power to punish political opponents.

The senator’s office said the bill would allow people to seek redress for retaliating against someone for protected speech, interfering with the free exercise of religion or the press, or the use of excessive force to stop a peaceful protest.

People also could sue under the bill for an unlawful search of a home or unreasonable seizure at a checkpoint, or for excessive force during an arrest.

Additionally, it would enable suits when an officer targets someone based on race, national origin or political identity.

According to the senator’s office, people for decades have sued the federal government under Bivens actions — named after the 1971 U.S. Supreme Court case Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents . However, the high court has recently limited those actions. That’s given federal officers a kind of immunity when they willfully violate someone’s rights.

“SB 747 restores a right of action to Californians who suffer from illegal acts by federal officials, providing a critical check on federal lawlessness in the second Trump era,” Wiener said in a statement.

Hector-Andree Pereyra, policy manager at the Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, said in a statement that racial profiling and unlawful enforcement actions have torn apart families. Wiener’s legislation will create a pathway to accountability.

“Immigrant communities deserve more than promises, they deserve real protection backed by enforceable accountability,” he added. “SB 747 is an essential step toward restoring trust, defending fundamental rights, and making clear that no level of government is above the Constitution.”

This isn’t the first time Wiener has pushed back on the Trump administration through legislation.

Senate Bill 627, called the No Secret Police Act, becomes law on Jan. 1, 2026. It targets federal immigration agents who have worn masks while detaining people suspected of being in the country without authorization. The bill also prevents local law enforcement from masking except in certain circumstances. State authorities are exempt.

Opponents of the unmasking mandate, including Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, say the bill will fall before the supremacy clause, which favors federal law over state law when conflicts arise. Wiener has said he’s confident the law will pass judicial muster. He said the same Tuesday about the No Kings Act.

“It they file a lawsuit, they’re entitled to do that,” Wiener said. “And we’ll defend it vigorously.”