California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra fumbled a basic media interview with KTLA News, demanding preferential treatment and struggling to address questions about missing immigrant children under his watch as Biden’s Health and Human Services Secretary.

Candidate Demands ‘Profile Piece’ Treatment

During the KTLA interview, Becerra interrupted the reporter to clarify his expectations. “By the way, this is a profile piece — this is not a gotcha piece, right?” the former HHS Secretary asked. When the journalist indicated some challenging questions would be necessary, Becerra doubled down on his demands. “The way I describe a profile is: You talk about all the things that I’ve done, things that I want to do, along with some tough questions. But not only tough questions,” he insisted, revealing an expectation of friendly media coverage that Democrats typically receive from mainstream outlets.

Struggles With Biden Administration Record

The interview exposed Becerra’s difficulty defending his tenure as Health and Human Services Secretary. He visibly struggled when questioned about the thousands of illegal immigrant children who went missing during the Biden Administration while under his department’s oversight. The awkward exchange quickly spread across social media, with even liberal outlets like New York Magazine noting the disastrous performance. The moment highlighted a stark reality for Democratic candidates: they rarely face adversarial questioning from journalists who typically provide supportive coverage and attack their Republican opponents instead.

Crowded Primary Field Awaits Misstep

Becerra enters a packed Democratic primary to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, where only the top two candidates advance to the general election. Political observers note that the crowded field creates intense competition among Democrats seeking any excuse to eliminate rivals. The embarrassing interview could provide opponents with exactly the ammunition they need. Prior to this incident, Becerra had polled well among California Democrats, benefiting from his previous role as the state’s attorney general. The interview raises questions about whether he can withstand the scrutiny required in a competitive gubernatorial race, particularly when facing media that refuses to simply promote his campaign talking points without challenging his record on critical issues.