McCann recused himself from Chula Vista Council vote on resolution backing tariff lawsuit
Chula Vista city hall Photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego Mayor John McCann disclosed he recused himself from a key vote at Tuesday night s Chula Vista City Council meeting on a resolution supporting Gov Gavin Newsom s lawsuit challenging federal tariffs imposed by the Trump Administration McCann a Republican Navy Reservist and Iraq War veteran cited military obligations as the reason for stepping back As a military officer I am prohibited from participating in lawsuits against the Commander in Chief the Department of Homeland Assurance or the Federal Executive Branch McCann reported This particular lawsuit directly names the Commander in Chief and the Department of Homeland Safety While I have consistently opposed tariffs and strongly supported free commerce I could not take any action that would conflict with my military duties or undermine homeland defense The resolution introduced by several councilmembers expresses assistance for Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta s legal challenge which argues that only Congress has the authority to impose tariffs not the President unilaterally The measure is symbolic and carries no legal weight but supporters say it sends a strong message about the economic impact of tariffs on the demarcation region At a Monday news conference Deputy Mayor Carolina Chavez and Councilmember Cesar Fernandez warned that the tariffs are harming key sectors including exchange tourism and small businesses The resolution highlights the importance of the Otay Mesa Port of Entry which facilitates billions in bargain and serves as a critical link for cross-border economic activity McCann s recusal also comes at a politically sensitive time He is one of two candidates in the July special ballot to replace former County Supervisor Nora Vargas His opponent Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre is a Democrat With South Bay voters favoring Democrats in newest elections McCann s stance on federal issues and his ties to Trump-era policies could become a flashpoint in the race
