‘Lone actors’ are greatest safety threat during Trump’s inauguration: Capitol Police chief
“Lone actors” pose the greatest threat to safety during the upcoming presidential inauguration events, according to U.S. Capitol Police Chief J. Thomas Manger. He referenced two incidents last week on Capitol Hill where people sought to “disrupt” congressional proceedings with potentially violent tactics. An estimated 250,000 ticketed guests will attend the formal inauguration on Jan. 20, according to law enforcement. That will be supplemented by another 25,000, who law enforcement expect will attend various demonstrations going on around the Capitol on Inauguration Day. The inauguration and its accompanying events have been designated a “National Special Security Event,” the highest federal protective status an event can receive, authorities said. “The biggest threat, I think, for all of us remains the lone actor,” Manger said Monday. “Just in the past week, while President Carter was lying in state, we had two lone actors show up at the Capitol: one trying to bring in knives and a machete; another one who was trying – what I believe – to disrupt the proceedings by setting their car on fire down in the peace circle area.” “Capitol Police were able to interdict these folks before they had a chance to do any harm. But that threat of the lone actor remains the biggest justification for us being at this heightened state of alert throughout the next week.” TRAVEL TIPS FOR ATTENDING PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S INAUGURATION AS EXPERTS WEIGH IN Manger’s remarks came during a Monday press conference with federal and local law enforcement officials, including leaders from the Metropolitan Police Department, the Secret Service, the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police, during which they discussed their preparation for the inauguration. Representing the FBI was the assistant director in charge of the agency’s Washington field office, David Sundberg, who said the FBI was “not currently tracking any specific or credible threats to the inaugural ceremony or to the Capitol complex.” The upcoming week of events will be secured similarly to the two high-profile National Special Security Events from last week, the presidential election certification and the late President Jimmy Carter’s funeral, authorities indicated. However, the inauguration will get a little extra support from roughly 4,000 local law enforcement officers who have volunteered to help and an estimated 7,800 National Guard soldiers who will deploy to the nation’s capital. In total, according to the Secret Service’s special agent in charge of the agency’s Washington field office, Matt McCool, a total of about 25,000 law enforcement officers will be on duty. ABBOTT ORDERS FLAGS AT FULL-STAFF FOR TRUMP’S INAUGURATION DESPITE ONE MONTH ORDER TO HONOR CARTER The inauguration will get extra concrete barriers and more than 30 miles of anti-scale fencing, which is more than has been used for any National Special Security Event in the past. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela A. Smith said that the district is expecting to see 12 different First Amendment demonstrations during the inauguration. Smith said that while the “MPD will ensure your right to peacefully protest,” they “will not tolerate any violence.” “I want to reiterate – as I always have – that violence, destruction and unlawful behavior will not be tolerated,” Smith said Monday. “Offenders will face swift and decisive consequences.” When asked by a reporter what the biggest difference was between this inauguration and the last in 2021, McCool said there is a “slightly more robust security plan.” “We’ve learned,” McCool said. “This is our fifth NSSE this year in the Washington field office. We’ve done 83 NSSEs, each one we take a look at, and if there’s areas where we need to improve, we do it. But what I can tell you is that we are 100% confident in the plan that we have put in place for this inauguration that the public and our protectees will be safe.”
Schumer gathers key committee Dems to talk looming Hegseth confirmation hearing
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., is meeting with Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Democrats on Monday evening to discuss the confirmation hearing for controversial Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth — just hours before its set to take place. A Senate Democratic source confirmed the last-minute meeting to Fox News Digital. Schumer and other Democrats have made their opposition to the former Fox News host clear in the days leading up to the hearing, which is the first to take place of all President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees. MEET LEADER JOHN THUNE’S ALL-STAR CABINET AS REPUBLICANS TAKE OVER SENATE MAJORITY The meeting, first reported by Axios, comes after the New York Democrat urged his fellow caucus members to grill Trump’s nominees in their upcoming hearings and force them to go on record about controversial Trump agenda items, per a Senate Democratic source. The source added that Democrats are planning to lay the groundwork to say that they warned about Trump’s Cabinet picks early on. SCHUMER DIRECTS DEMS TO PUT PRESSURE ON TRUMP NOMINEES AHEAD OF CONFIRMATION HEARINGS In floor remarks on Monday, Schumer said, “Unfortunately, Mr. Hegseth’s background is deeply troubling, to put it generously. We have all read the reports about his radical views, his alleged excessive drinking, the allegations about sexual assault, and his failures in the financial stewardship of multiple organizations.” Hegseth has denied all allegations, including those suggesting financial mismanagement, sexual assault and alcohol consumption. The Secretary of Defense nominee’s spokesperson did not immediately provide comment to Fox News Digital. SENATE GOP TEES UP CONFIRMATION HEARING BLITZ IN EFFORT TO MEET AMBITIOUS TRUMP TARGETS Democrats on SASC include Ranking Member Jack Reed, D-R.I., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Tim Kaine, D-Va., Angus King, I-Maine, Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Gary Peters, D-Mich., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Jacky Rosen, D-Nev., Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. TULSI GABBARD CHANGES TUNE ON CONTROVERSIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOL FOLLOWING GOP LOBBYING Reed and Hegseth met last week for a notably brief discussion. Afterward, the SASC ranking member said in a statement, “Today’s meeting did not relieve my concerns about Mr. Hegseth’s lack of qualifications and raised more questions than answers.” “As with any nominee for this critical position, Mr. Hegseth must undergo the same high-level of scrutiny as prior Secretary of Defense nominees,” he added.
GOP revives illegal immigrant detention bill named after 12-year-old murder victim: ‘Justice for Jocelyn’
FIRST ON FOX: Republican lawmakers in the House and Senate are reviving a push to require that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) beds be filled before illegal immigrants are released from custody – a bill named after 12-year-old murder victim Jocelyn Nungaray. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, are re-introducing the “Justice for Jocelyn Act.” The bill would require that every ICE detention bed be filled before any releases of illegal immigrants into the interior. Even if they are filled, the bill would require DHS to exhaust all additional measures before releasing migrants into the interior, including enrolling them in continuous GPS monitoring via ankle bracelets or similar devices. CRUZ VOWS TO MAKE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION PUSH AT GOP CONVENTION AFTER CHILD MURDERED: ‘SPEAKING FOR JOCELYN’ The bill is named for Nungaray, who was killed last year. Two illegal immigrants face capital murder charges and are accused of luring her under a bridge, tying her up and killing her before throwing her body into a river. Officials confirmed they were in the country illegally. One arrived in March and the other in May. Both were released on an order of recognizance pending their immigration court hearings. “Last year, I began the fight for justice for 12-year-old Jocelyn. The aliens responsible for her murder crossed the southern border illegally and should have been detained by ICE,” Cruz told Fox News Digital. “Democrats’ reckless open-border policies prevented ICE and Border Patrol agents from acting, left thousands of detention center beds empty, and allowed these criminals to go free. Congress should act with urgency to ensure no other American family ever has to endure what Jocelyn’s mother, Alexis Nungaray, has been forced to face,” he said. “Standing alongside Alexis in this fight for justice has been an immense privilege, and I will not stop fighting until our communities are safe and justice is served.” “I am proud to join my Texas colleague in the Senate, Senator Ted Cruz, in reintroducing the Justice for Jocelyn Act,” Nehls said in a statement. “Jocelyn Nungaray’s death was entirely preventable. The Justice for Jocelyn Act would improve the detention and tracking of illegal aliens released into the United States and would put the safety of the American people first.” DA TO SEEK DEATH PENALTY AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ACCUSED IN NUNGARAY MURDER CASE “Congress, meaning the House and Senate, must immediately pass this legislation and get it to President Trump’s desk as soon as possible,” he said. The bill is one of a number of bills being introduced in Congress that focuses on cracking down on illegal immigration. Last week, the House passed the Laken Riley Act, which would require the detention of illegal immigrants charged with theft-related crimes. It has also advanced in the Senate. SENATE DEMS TO JOIN REPUBLICANS TO ADVANCE ANTI-ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION BILL NAMED AFTER LAKEN RILEY On Monday, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, re-introduced “Sarah’s Law,” which would require the detention by ICE of illegal immigrants charged with killing another person. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The incoming Trump administration is expected to launch a “historic” mass deportation operation when it enters office next week, and it will have the backing of Republicans in the House and Senate.
Fox News Politics Newsletter: Judge’s Report Reversal
Welcome to the Fox News Politics newsletter, with the latest updates on the Trump transition, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content. -Elon Musk, AI and tech titans, venture capitalists invited to pre-inauguration dinner at dawn of Trump era -These are the 2025 elections to watch as Trump returns to White House –Senate GOP tees up confirmation hearing blitz in effort to meet ambitious Trump targets A federal judge cleared the way for the release of the special counsel report on President-elect Trump’s election interference case on Monday. Judge Aileen Cannon approved the release of the first of two volumes of Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation in her Monday ruling. Cannon will consider releasing the second volume, which relates to Trump’s handling of classified documents, on Friday. Smith suspended his investigations into Trump after the president-elect secured his return to the White House in November…Read more CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE: Biden calls for immediate ceasefire in call with Israel’s Netanyahu…Read more ‘MORE PURPOSEFUL AND BIGGER’: Sullivan claims Biden admin leaves Russia, China and Iran ‘weaker,’ America ‘safer’ before Trump hand-off…Read more ‘DISTRACTING’: Trudeau says 51st state is distraction from Trump tariff threat, acknowledges facing ‘successful negotiator’…Read more ‘MUTUAL IMPORTANCE’: Canadian leader meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, discusses energy relationship…Read more GRASS IS GREENER: Trump’s House GOP allies unveil bill to authorize country’s purchase…Read more BANKING BREAKS WITH CLIMATE: Wall Street breaks from net zero climate alliance ahead of Trump term…Read more TRUMP TAX CUTS: Major push to protect, renew Trump tax cuts launched by powerful conservative group…Read more ‘HE IS TRULY EVIL’: Trump ally Steve Bannon pledges to ‘take… down’ Elon Musk…Read more GLIMMER OF HOPE: Wife of detained American in Afghanistan meets with Trump’s national security adviser…Read more ‘BATTLE-PROVEN’: Hegseth was ‘incredibly talented, battle-proven leader,’ military evaluations show…Read more ENDING ‘LOOPING’: Sen Ernst renews push for bill ending illegal immigration ‘loophole’ as Congress takes action…Read more FIRESTORM: The political firestorm that’s about to singe Capitol Hill…Read more NOT GOING EASY: Schumer directs Dems to to put pressure on Trump nominees ahead of confirmation hearings…Read more NEW DAY: Meet Leader John Thune’s all-star cabinet as Republicans take over Senate majority…Read more AN ENDURING DEPARTMENT: The Department of Education through the years: A look at long-term trends of pitiful student performance…Read more SILENCE IS DEAFENING: Major blue city mayor silent after illegal immigrant uses shelter for criminal activity…Read more BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Trump tasks blue state Republicans with ‘homework’ as GOP plots massive conservative policy overhaul…Read more JOB CHANGE: DNC hires former Harris staffers behind @KamalaHQ for social media response to Trump…Read more ACTBLUE DONATIONS: Newsom defends fire response with fact-check site linking to Dem Party fundraising platform…Read more GRANITE SPLIT: NH bill would divide presidential electors by district: ‘We want voters to feel their vote counts’…Read more ‘LOUD AND CLEAR’: State conservatives demand action on noncitizen voting: ‘Time for Congress to listen’…Read more ‘HARM AND DISTRESS’: ACLU Colorado warns law enforcement to not cooperate with ICE…Read more POLLUTION SOLUTION?: Cap-and-trade returns: NY plans to force big oil to ‘invest’ in ‘green’ by paying for emissions…Read more ‘WITHOUT ROADBLOCKS’: Newsom suspends CA environmental law to eliminate ‘roadblocks’ for wildfire victims rebuilding homes…Read more BORDER TO BLAZE: Man arrested near LA fires with possible blowtorch is an illegal immigrant: ICE sources…Read more ACTBLUE DONATIONS: Newsom defends fire response with fact-check site linking to Dem Party fundraising platform…Read more HALF-BAKED IDEA: New NYC ‘char broil’ rule would force restaurants to cut emissions by 75%…Read more APPEAL SHOT DOWN: Supreme Court makes decision on gun law challenges in Delaware, Maryland…Read more Get the latest updates on the Trump presidential transition, incoming Congress, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com
Dems blame LA fire on ‘climate change’ despite city cutting fire department budget
Democratic lawmakers are claiming the severity of the Los Angeles wildfires was a result of climate change, despite reports that the city’s fire hydrants ran out of water and the fire department’s budget was slashed just weeks before the Palisades fire destroyed thousands of homes and burned more than 15,000 acres. Several fires broke out across the Southern California mountains in early January, quickly spreading to coastal residential areas and destroying more than 10,000 homes and structures. As the fires gained national attention, Democratic lawmakers across the country began to claim it was climate change rather than state policies that caused the disastrous fire damage. “And what has happened is that climate change has dried out our foliage, our flora. And coupled with these massive winds, these 50 to 100 miles an hour winds that happen every year around this time, a little ember can turn into a massive fire,” Rep. Dave Min, D-Calif., who represents a district not far from the raging fires, told NewsNation’s “The Hill Sunday.” LA COUNTRY CUT FIRE BUDGET WHILE SPENDING HEAVILY ON DEI, WOKE ITEMS: ‘MIDNIGHT STROLL TRANSGENDER CAFE’ “Climate change has wreaked havoc on us,” Min said. After the fires engulfed the Los Angeles mountains, it was reported that local fire hydrants were not producing water and that the firefighter funding had recently been cut by millions. Gov. Gavin Newsom acknowledged these reports, and demanded an independent investigation be conducted into the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) regarding the lack of water in the middle of the crisis, but Democratic lawmakers shifted the blame away from state leaders. “The scale of damage and loss is unimaginable. Climate change is real, not ‘a hoax.’ Donald Trump must treat this like the existential crisis it is,” Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., said in a social media post on Wednesday morning. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said that the state leaders who don’t acknowledge climate change as a crisis, who are commonly Republican, are at fault. “I’m so heartbroken at the devastation that’s continuously inflicted upon our country & the world & elected ‘leaders’ are ignorant, impotent, or just incompetent to doing the smart thing, which is to acknowledge that climate change is real & start to solve it,” Crockett wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Jan. 8. Another Democratic lawmaker, Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington, said in January that he was “glad to be working with Gov. Newsom and helping CA, ravaged repeatedly by the effects of climate change.” Months before the fires broke out, Los Angeles city officials cut the fire department budget by $17.6 million, while hundreds of thousands of dollars were being allocated to fund diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the state. Celebrities immediately began pointing fingers at city leadership for investing in programs such as a “syringe exchange” program that gives sterile syringes to homeless drug addicts, instead of more funding for fire prevention efforts. “We pay the highest taxes in California. Our fire hydrants were empty. Our vegetation was overgrown, brush not cleared. Our reservoirs were emptied by our governor because tribal leaders wanted to save fish. Our fire department budget was cut by our mayor. But thank god drug addicts are getting their drug kits,” actress Sara Foster wrote in a post on X. On the same platform, Khloé Kardashian called out the city’s Democratic mayor, writing, “Mayor Bass you are a joke!!!!” Rick Caruso, founder of a real estate company and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, suggested that forest management could have mitigated the fires. “We knew the winds were coming. We knew that there was brush that needed to be cleared 20 years ago,” Caruso, founder of a real estate company and former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, told the LA Times. “This fire could have been mitigated — maybe not prevented.”
Special Counsel Weiss blasts Biden in final Hunter prosecution report
FIRST ON FOX: FIRST ON FOX: Special Counsel David Weiss blasted President Biden in his highly-anticipated report on his years-long investigation into Hunter Biden, saying the commander-in-chief’s characterizations of the probe into his son were “wrong” and “unfairly” maligned Justice Department officials, while admitting that the presidential pardon made it “inappropriate” for him to discuss whether any additional charges against the first son were warranted. Fox News Digital obtained a copy of Weiss’s final report after his years-long investigation into Hunter Biden. The Justice Department transmitted the report to Congress on Monday evening. Weiss, in his report, chided President Biden for his Dec. 1, 2024 decision to grant his son a “Full and Unconditional Pardon” covering nearly eleven years of conduct, including conduct related to both convictions the special counsel obtained. Hunter Biden was found guilty of three felony firearm offenses stemming from Special Counsel David Weiss’ investigation. The first son was also charged with federal tax crimes regarding the failure to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. Before his trial, Hunter Biden entered a surprise guilty plea. HUNTER BIDEN: A LOOK AT HOW THE SAGA SPANNING OVER SIX YEARS UNFOLDED The charges carried up to 17 years behind bars. His sentencing was scheduled for Dec. 16, but his father, President Biden, pardoned him on all charges in December. Weiss, in the report, blasted the president’s decision to pardon but also the press release that was sent out to the public that “criticized the prosecution of his son as ‘selective,’ ‘unfair,’ ‘infected’ by ‘raw politics,’ and a ‘miscarriage of justice.’” “This statement is gratuitous and wrong,” Weiss wrote in his report. “Other presidents have pardoned family members, but in doing so, none have taken the occasion as an opportunity to malign the public servants at the Department of Justice based solely on false accusations.” Weiss also pointed to a comment made by Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who said: “The Constitution provides the President with broad authority to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, U.S. Const. art. II, § 2, cl. 1, but nowhere does the Constitution give the President the authority to rewrite history.” “These prosecutions were the culmination of thorough, impartial investigations, not partisan politics,” Weiss wrote in his report. “Eight judges across numerous courts have rejected claims that they were the result of selective or vindictive motives.” Weiss added: “Calling those rulings into question and injecting partisanship into the independent administration of the law undermines the very foundation of what makes America’s justice system fair and equitable. It erodes public confidence in an institution that is essential to preserving the rule of law.” In another section of the report, Weiss notes that, in light of the presidential pardon, he “cannot make any additional charging decisions” and said it would be “inappropriate” to discuss “whether additional charges are warranted.” “Politicians who attack the decisions of career prosecutors as politically motivated when they disagree with the outcome of a case undermine the public’s confidence in our criminal justice system,” Weiss wrote. “The President’s statements unfairly impugn the integrity not only of Department of Justice personnel, but all of the public servants making these difficult decisions in good faith.” Weiss added: “The President’s characterizations are incorrect based on the facts in this case, and, on a more fundamental level, they are wrong.” The federal investigation into Hunter Biden began in November 2018. But it wasn’t until 2023 that whistleblowers from the IRS, Gary Shapley and Joseph Ziegler, brought allegations of politicization in the federal probe of Hunter Biden to Congress. The two alleged that political influence had infected prosecutorial decisions in the federal probe, which was led by Trump-appointed Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, who they said had requested to become a special counsel. BIDEN PARDONS SON HUNTER BIDEN AHEAD OF EXIT FROM OVAL OFFICE After Shapley and Ziegler testified publicly, Attorney General Merrick Garland appointed Weiss as special counsel to continue his investigation of the first son and, ultimately, bring federal charges against him in two separate jurisdictions — Delaware and California. Justice Department regulations require Weiss to transmit any final report to Attorney General Merrick Garland, who has pledged to release as much as possible to the public. The Justice Department and Special Counsel Weiss’ office declined to comment. Meanwhile, President Biden’s pardon of his son came after months of vowing to the American people that he would not do so. But last month, the president announced a blanket pardon that applies to any offenses against the U.S. that Hunter Biden “has committed or may have committed” from Jan. 1, 2014, to Dec. 1, 2024. “From the day I took office, I said I would not interfere with the Justice Department’s decision-making, and I kept my word even as I have watched my son being selectively, and unfairly, prosecuted,” Biden said. “There has been an effort to break Hunter — who has been five and a half years sober, even in the face of unrelenting attacks and selective prosecution. In trying to break Hunter, they’ve tried to break me — and there’s no reason to believe it will stop here. Enough is enough.” Biden added, “I hope Americans will understand why a father and a president would come to this decision.”
Blue state proposes protections for unemployed illegal immigrants
A Washington state Democrat is floating a policy to help protect unemployed illegal immigrants who are unable to receive unemployment benefits. The news comes as President-elect Trump and his border czar-designate Thomas Homan signal a crackdown on illegal immigration and talk of “mass deportation” plans in a reversal of the Biden-era status quo. State Sen. Rebecca Saldaña is introducing a bill that would ensure Washington residents legally ineligible to work in the U.S. – a group for which illegal immigrants compose the vast majority – have access to assistance. Saldaña, of Seattle, declined to comment further on her bill to Fox News Digital, but a representative for the lawmaker noted she had previously highlighted “undocumented workers’ … substantial contributions to Washington’s economy.” BIDEN’S BORDER CRISIS WREAKING HAVOC ON K-12 SCHOOLS SAYS TOP GOP LAWMAKER That group collectively paid almost $400 million in unemployment taxes over the past 10 years, and the bill will aim to ensure those who pay into the system are able to rely on it when they need to, her office said. The representative said Saldaña has reintroduced similar legislation during both Democrat and Republican administrations in the past because the “inequities in our immigration system” are systemic and longstanding. Saldaña has previously argued that providing unemployment benefits to undocumented workers who qualify will help stabilize the workforce and prevent future cases of poverty and homelessness due to job loss. It will therefore have lasting positive effects on the Evergreen State’s economy, her office said. Senate Minority Leader John Braun, R-Centralia, said he had not seen the text of the bill as of Monday afternoon but was aware of the proposal itself. CALIFORNIA BILL AIMED AT MAKING IT EASIER FOR MIGRANTS TO BUY HOMES MAKES MAJOR ADVANCEMENT “We have a lot of work to do on immigration, both on undocumented immigrants and on legal immigration in our state. That’s largely a federal issue,” Braun said. “I look for the folks in D.C. to handle [the immigration issue] and for us [in state government] to stay clear.” Under federal law, illegal immigrants are not eligible to apply for work permits and, therefore, unable to register or file for unemployment compensation. Neither are individuals with expired work authorizations and dependents of people living in the U.S. under several visa classifications. The excluded visa classes include O – “extraordinary ability”; R – Religious worker; and F – student visas. According to a 1985 memo from the Department of Labor, “an alien must be legally authorized to work in the United States to be considered ‘available for work’ – Therefore, an alien without current, valid authorization to work from the INS is not legally ‘available for work’ and not eligible for benefits.” The memo referred to the INS, or Immigration and Naturalization Service, a predecessor entity to today’s Department of Homeland Security. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Elsewhere in the U.S., the Colorado Office of New Americans allows undocumented workers to access a “Benefit Recovery Fund” to help those who have been “separated from employment through no fault of their own” and meet several other specifications. In California, however, Democrat lawmakers sought to offer assistance similar to that Saldaña is seeking but were blocked by fellow liberal Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom vetoed that legislation in September and also blocked a proposal that would have allowed illegal immigrants better access to home loans and mortgages.
Gov. Greg Abbott appoints Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Shawn Thierry to juvenile justice board
Thierry became a Republican cause celebré for breaking with Democrats over her views on transgender rights.
When is a business to blame for over-serving? Texas Supreme Court weighs the line in drunk driving case
The court’s ruling could boost a state law that allows drunk driving victims to sue businesses that over-serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals.
Former Dem fundraiser sees ‘overwhelmingly positive’ response as her longtime donors give to Trump inaugural
FIRST ON FOX: Longtime Democrat fundraiser and Kamala Harris critic Lindy Li was named this month to President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural fundraising committee, an about-face that she says has been met with overwhelming support from donors, including from some longtime contributors to the Democratic Party vying to get a spot at the table. Li’s appointment to the Trump fundraising committee was previewed exclusively to Fox News Digital. It comes just weeks after Li announced her decision to leave the Democratic Party last month, citing what she described as its broader culture of finger-pointing, vitriol and blame in the aftermath of the 2024 elections. Li herself endured a torrent of criticism and calls to exit the party after she criticized certain spending decisions made by Harris’s campaign, despite having raised millions on its behalf and donating several Philadelphia-area buildings to the campaign. She in turn voiced concerns about party leadership “permitting no dissent, no criticism” and failing to learn from their wide losses in the House, Senate and presidential elections. For Li, her departure from the DNC’s national fundraising committee has been an eye-opening one. She told Fox News in an interview this week that she was approved as a member of Trump’s inaugural fundraising committee just three days before many of the events reached capacity, forcing the committee to block access, if only for the near-term, in hopes of securing a bigger venue. When she told the donors that they were at capacity, she noted, some responded by doubling their offer in hopes of gaining access. DNC FUNDRAISER TAKES AIM AT ‘VINDICTIVE’ TORRENT OF CRITICISM OVER HEGSETH COMMENTS “The demand has just been unprecedented,” Li said of the response from donors. “Honestly, Biden and Harris never had this issue. They never had to turn people away.” Fox News Digital was told that donors offering as much as $1 million to the inaugural committee have been turned away due to space limitations, as first reported by the New York Times. Since then, the inaugural committee said they are working to find a bigger location for some of the events in order to meet the intense and growing demand. To date, Trump’s inaugural committee has raised a record-shattering $170 million in donations, with proceeds used to fund both the inauguration weekend and longer-term projects, such as a presidential library. HARRIS CAMPAIGN STILL ASKING FOR DONATIONS WEEKS AFTER MASSIVE LOSS TO TRUMP For donors, their contribution earns them access to an inauguration weekend agenda of highly exclusive VIP events before the Inauguration Day ceremony, including intimate dinners, black-tie galas and sit-downs with Cabinet nominees. It’s an opportunity to make inroads and gain influence in an incoming administration. And ahead of Trump’s second term, many are shelling out big-time to do so. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman are all among the tech executives who announced within the past month that they plan to donate at least $1 million to Trump’s inaugural fund. For Li, a prominent fundraiser whose experience is largely rooted in the Democrat world, pivoting to raising money for Trump’s inauguration has been easier than expected. Li formerly served as a member of the DNC’s national fundraising committee, a membership that requires raising “millions of dollars” on behalf of Democrat candidates. Still, she said, the inaugural committee donations and enthusiasm surrounding them feels unprecedented. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” Li said in an interview of the funding raised, which could roughly triple the amount raised by Biden in 2021 and exceeds Trump’s first inaugural committee, which raised roughly $117 million. The committee is expecting donations to climb higher to upwards of $200 million, according to estimates shared with Fox News Digital. TRUMP ANNOUNCES NEW CABINET DEPUTIES AS INAUGURATION DATE DRAWS NEAR Asked whether it was difficult to build out a base of Republican donors less than a month after leaving the Democratic Party, Li told Fox News that she is dealing with many of the same financial contributors. “These are Democratic donors,” she said. While Li noted they aren’t among the most liberal Democrat donors she has worked with, “They’re still donating,” she said. “They’re still so eager and willing to come to the table.” Many, she said, share in the belief that Trump has been “great for the business community” and hope to build on that in future conversations with the administration. And even donors who have been wait-listed or turned down from attending the VIP events during the inaugural weekend due to the lack of space have expressed interest in working with the administration in the future. Just yesterday, she said, a donor noted, “‘You know, even if we can’t can’t come this time, please let us know the next time that we can show our support.’” The reception as a whole has been “overwhelmingly positive,” Li said of the response from donors. “The enthusiasm is just through the stratosphere.”