In his commencement address to the UC Irvine School of Social Ecology on Monday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta did not shy away from politics as he challenged graduates to take a stand against injustice.
“I’m here to call you to action,” he told the graduates, who have completed studies in fields related to criminology and law, urban planning and public policy and other social studies.
Students react after turning their tassels during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) A student waves to supporters during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) Students receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) Show Caption1 of 9Students react after turning their tassels during graduation ceremonies for the School of Social Ecology at UC Irvine in Irvine, CA on Monday, June 16, 2025. (Photo by Paul Bersebach, Orange County Register/SCNG) Expand“UC Irvine gave you the skills, curiosity and willingness to question and challenge the status quo — use that,” Bonta said. “Across the nation, our rights, freedoms and safety are under attack. Our diverse communities and our people are under attack. Now is not the time for silence or blind compliance; the stakes are too high.”
In just over four months, Bonta has sued the second Trump Administration 26 times. And when he called attention to that number during his speech, the graduates and their families who packed the Bren Events Center broke into a loud swell of applause.
Last week alone, Bonta filed three lawsuits against the Trump Administration.
One was related to what he called an unconstitutional threat from the U.S. Department of Justice to compel California school districts to certify bans against transgender students from playing on sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
Another was related to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s move to block California’s mandates to phase out gas-powered cars and clean up diesel trucks.
The third was a challenge to the president’s decision to federalize and call the California National Guard to Los Angeles, without authorization from Gov. Gavin Newsom and against the wishes of local law enforcement, to respond to people downtown protesting immigration raids.
After a judge ruled on Thursday that Trump did not have the authority to federalize the California National Guard, the administration quickly appealed and was subsequently granted a stay to maintain control of the troops.
A panel of three judges, including two Trump appointees, on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear the case on Tuesday.
“We remain confident,” Bonta said in an interview after delivering his speech. “We think in any tribunal, in any court, where the judges are fair, objective, look at the law, look at the facts — they’ll find for us. We don’t bring cases unless we think we’re going to win.”
Still, Bonta signaled that, if the result does not go in favor of California, he would be interested in seeing it through to the Supreme Court.
“This might not be the last stop, so we’ll see where it ends up,” he said. “But we think we have a really strong case here.”
In his speech, Bonta tackled the uncertainty of the moment — and the immigration raids — head-on.
“We all know no one does it alone, so let’s hear it for all the parents, loved ones, professors and faculty who helped you to get here — including those who might have stayed home out of fear of their safety,” Bonta said.
“As much as today is and should be a joyous celebration, I know many of you may have mixed feelings as you walk across the stage,” he added. “You might be thinking about tomorrow with some sense of trepidation.”
UC Irvine is recognized as a Hispanic-serving institution, a federal designation awarded to universities where at least 25% of undergrads identify as Latino and at least half of all students receive financial aid.
“We did want to recognize the fact that some people might not be here out of fear,” Bonta said after the speech. “Given some of the ICE raids in the region last week, we didn’t want to just gloss over that. We wanted to recognize it and address it.”
To the graduates, Bonta called this era a “uniquely daunting time to enter the so-called ‘real world.’”“Our democracy, the very foundation our nation stands on, is being stress-tested,” he said. “No doubt about it.”
“Still,” he said, “I’m filled with hope.”
The root of his optimism, he told them, stems from their resilience.
“You endured a global pandemic, grew up experiencing active shooter drills and sometimes active shooters,” he said to the crowd in their academic gowns and mortar boards. “You witnessed miscarriages of justice and took to the streets declaring, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Stop Asian Hate.’”
“You turned your pain into purpose,” he said.
Now, he implored them, “Don’t slow down.”“If anything, put your foot on the gas,” he said. “We need you. We are counting on you.”
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