Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere
The Trump administration on Thursday announced a “significant expansion” of its visa restriction policy in the Western Hemisphere, targeting people working on behalf of U.S. adversaries. In its announcement, the State Department said the expanded policy allows it to restrict U.S. visas for people intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries to “undermine America’s interests.” “President Trump’s National Security Strategy makes clear: this Administration will deny adversarial powers the ability to own or control vital assets or threaten the security and prosperity of the United States in our region,” the department said in a press release. “The Department of State is working to advance American leadership in our hemisphere, protect our homeland, and ensure access to vital routes and areas throughout our region.” RUBIO IDENTIFIES ‘SINGLE MOST SERIOUS THREAT’ TO THE US FROM WESTERN HEMISPHERE “In support of this critical objective, the Department of State is announcing a significant expansion of an existing visa restriction policy that targets those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine our national interests in our hemisphere, including regional security and democratic sovereignty,” the department continued. The administration also said that family members of individuals subject to visa restrictions under this policy will not be allowed to enter the U.S. “This expanded policy enables us to restrict U.S. visas for nationals of countries in our region who, while within Western Hemisphere countries and while intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries, their agents, or enterprises, knowingly direct, authorize, fund, or provide significant support to, or carry out activities that are adversarial to and undermine America’s interests in our hemisphere. These individuals – and their immediate family members – will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States,” the department said. Activities the administration has deemed adversarial and that could trigger visa restrictions include enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in the Western Hemisphere, destabilizing regional security efforts, undermining American economic interests and conducting influence operations designed to weaken the sovereignty and stability of nations in the region. STATE DEPARTMENT TO ASK FOR BONDS OF UP TO $15,000 FOR VISA APPLICATION FROM A DOZEN MORE COUNTRIES The department said it has imposed visa restrictions on 26 people under this policy. “To demonstrate our commitment to this expanded policy, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities,” the department said. “The Trump Administration will use every available tool to protect our national security interests, defend American interests, and promote our region’s safety and prosperity.” This comes after a series of moves by the administration in recent months to restrict visas for people around the world, including a visa ban on people from dozens of countries listed by the State Department, which civil rights groups have previously sharply criticized. Critics, including civil rights advocates, have raised concerns about similar visa restriction policies, saying broad definitions of prohibited activity can create questions about how individuals are identified and what due process protections are available. “This administration’s targeting of people based on their national origin is part of an autocratic playbook designed to make America smaller – to shut out ideas, perspectives, and communities,” Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement earlier this year about the suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from around 75 countries.
Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash
Rev. Franklin Graham defended President Donald Trump in a statement shared Thursday on Truth Social after backlash over an image critics said depicted Trump as Jesus Christ. The statement was released Thursday by Graham and shared by the president as a signed letter. “I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate,” Graham wrote. He added that Trump believed the image showed “a doctor helping someone” and said the president “immediately removed the post” after concerns were raised. STEFANIK CLASHES WITH CNN HOSTS OVER TRUMP’S POPE COMMENTS WHILE ACCUSING SWALWELL OF ‘CRIMINAL’ CONDUCT “There were no spiritual references — no halo, there were no crosses, no angels,” Graham wrote. “It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles. … I think this is a lot to do about nothing.” Graham also referenced a separate image Trump shared on Truth Social that appeared to show Jesus standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder, suggesting it represented guidance rather than self-depiction, and said critics were attempting to “spin this into something that it isn’t.” “And the illustration from someone else he reposted on Truth Social today, I must say that I like the fact that this is a picture of Jesus whispering in his ear or at least His hand on his shoulder, guiding him,” Graham said. “We all need that — we all need to be listening to Jesus.” A representative for Graham told Fox News Digital said the reverend had no further comment and that he’d be appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity” Thursday night. The controversy began Sunday night when Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself appearing to heal a man while surrounded by patriotic imagery, prompting criticism from both political opponents and some of his own supporters. RILEY GAINES ADDRESSES SPAT WITH MAGA OVER AI JESUS POST, SAYS ‘HUMILITY’ WOULD SERVE TRUMP Trump addressed the backlash the following day. “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor. … Only the fake news could come up with that one,” Trump said. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.” The post was later deleted. BISHOP BARRON SAYS TRUMP ‘OWES THE POPE AN APOLOGY’ The episode comes as Trump has also been engaged in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, whom he criticized as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while the pope said he was “unafraid” of the Trump administration. Despite that defense, criticism earlier in the week came from within Trump’s base. OutKick contributor Riley Gaines questioned the post, while RedState writer Bonchie called the image “blasphemy” and urged Trump to apologize. Influencer Brilyn Hollyhand added that “faith is not a prop.” TRUMP ACCUSES POPE LEO OF BEING ‘TERRIBLE’ ON FOREIGN POLICY OVER PONTIFF’S ANTI-WAR COMMENTS Criticism also came from media figures and political opponents, including Cenk Uygur, who called it “blasphemous,” and NBC’s Richard Engel, who questioned whether Trump was joking. Others defended the post, arguing it was symbolic and misinterpreted. Graham also praised Trump’s record on religious freedom and expressed hope the president could meet with Pope Leo in the future. “I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank President Trump for his efforts to protect religious liberty,” Graham said. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Brian Flood and Eric Mack contributed to this report.
Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons submits resignation letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin
Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons submitted his resignation letter to Homeland Secretary Markwayne Mullin Thursday, writing that he will stay on through May 31 to assist the transition process, Fox News has confirmed. According to a source, Lyons said in his letter he wants to spend more time with his family, including his sons, who are “reaching a pivotal point in their lives,” and that it’s been a privilege to serve under President Donald Trump. “Director Lyons has been a great leader of ICE and key player in helping the Trump administration remove murderers, rapists, pedophiles, terrorists and gang members from American communities,” Mullin said in a statement. “He jumpstarted an agency that had not been allowed to do its job for four years. Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer.” WHITE HOUSE BLASTS POLITICO REPORT ON ACTING ICE CHIEF HOSPITALIZATIONS AS ‘INACCURATE TRASH’ Lyons has overseen roughly 584,000 ICE deportations since President Donald Trump was inaugurated for a second term last year. He has served with ICE for 20 years and was previously in special forces in the U.S. Air Force. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector. His last day is May 31, 2026,” Mullin concluded. In a statement to Fox News, Trump border czar Tom Homan praised Lyons’ selflessness in serving as director. WHITE HOUSE BLASTS POLITICO REPORT ON ACTING ICE CHIEF HOSPITALIZATIONS AS ‘INACCURATE TRASH’ “Todd has served selflessly as a highly respected and effective acting Director of U.S. ICE,” Homan said. “Under his leadership, ICE achieved a record number of removals in the first year of this Administration, despite unprecedented challenges, delivering on the President’s promise to deport illegal aliens who have no right to be in the U.S., especially those that are public safety risks or pose a threat to our national security. “I commend him for a distinguished law enforcement career and the countless contributions he has made to protect our country and advance its interests.” ACTING ICE DIRECTOR DEFENDS AGENCY’S FOCUS ON TARGETING CRIMINAL ILLEGAL ALIENS, DETAILS THREAT TO AGENTS White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller added in a statement to Fox News that, “Todd is a phenomenal patriot and dedicated leader who has been at the center of President Trump’s historic efforts to secure our homeland and reverse the Democrats’ sinister border invasion.” CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “His courageous work at ICE has saved countless thousands of American lives and helped deliver safety and tranquility to millions of Americans,” he added.
Bernie Sanders, AOC-backed Democrat wins key House race; GOP fails to expand fragile majority
Republicans fell far short in their bid to flip a vacant U.S. House seat in a blue-leaning district in northern New Jersey. Democrat Analilia Mejia, who was backed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of neighboring New York, convincingly defeated GOP candidate Joe Hathaway in Thursday’s special election in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, The Associated Press reported. The race was called minutes after the polls closed at 8pm ET. With her victory, Mejia will fill the final eight months of the term of Gov. Mikie Sherrill, the Democratic representative who stepped down from Congress in November after winning New Jersey’s gubernatorial election. The special election came as the GOP clings to a fragile House majority. Republicans would have relished the opportunity to pick up the seat, but they faced a steep uphill climb to flip the suburban district Sherrill won by 15 points in her 2024 re-election and carried by roughly the same margin in last year’s gubernatorial election. DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, in congratulating Mejia on her victory, said her “grassroots campaign spoke to hardworking New Jersey families. I know she’ll fight to lower costs, protect health care, and tackle the affordability crisis head-on.” Mejia, a progressive organizer who served as national political director on the 2020 Sanders presidential campaign, pulled off an upset in the February Democratic primary, narrowly edging out a more moderate rival, former Rep. Tom Malinowski, in a field of 11 candidates. While Mejia was the clear choice of the party’s left flank, the rest of the field appeared to divide the moderate and center-left vote. Her primary victory was another boost for the left against the establishment after democratic socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani sent shock waves across the nation with his Democratic primary victory in June 2025. Hathaway, a former Randolph Township mayor and current council member who was unopposed for the GOP congressional nomination, aimed to paint Mejia as too far to the left for the district. He told Fox News Digital the choice for voters was “between a common sense, practical independent leader who’s gotten things done at the local level in New Jersey and knows the issues, contrasted with someone who’s running on pure ideology, far left-wing ideology, Squad-backed ideology.” PROGRESSIVES NOTCH ANOTHER WIN OVER DEMOCRATIC MODERATES AS SANDERS-AOC ALLY NEARS CONGRESS Mejia recently appeared at a town hall with Malinowski and, on Sunday, teamed up with Sherrill on the campaign trail as she aimed to unite Democrats, who enjoy a sizable registration advantage in the district. Sherrill, a moderate Democrat, flipped the district in her 2018 election to Congress. Hathaway claimed Mejia was trying “to hide a little bit” from “some of her rhetoric, because she knows that those policies are completely out of touch, but it’s not fooling voters. It’s certainly not fooling us.” Jewish voters make up a key part of the district’s electorate, and Hathaway, in the only debate in the special election, claimed Mejia was antisemitic, noting she has said Israel committed genocide in Gaza. “She blamed Israel for the attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7,” Hathaway said. “I think Jewish individuals across this district, Republican or Democrat, are very afraid of this kind of rhetoric.” Hathaway said, “I’ve spoken to more members of the Jewish community who have told me they’ve never voted for a Republican in their life, who are going to vote for me in this race. I mean, that shows you where the Jewish community is on the importance of this race and how they are not aligned with Mejia … and her platform.” Mejia pledged to “protect the rights of Jewish constituents” and said her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza should not be conflated with antisemitism. In a statement to Fox News Digital, Mejia said, “Joe Hathaway’s inability to distinguish between criticism of a government or government official and bigotry is troubling and disgusting in equal measure.” Mejia last week wrote that she was “honored” after being endorsed by the liberal pro-Israel political group J Street PAC. But her acceptance of the endorsement triggered pushback on the left, with the North Jersey Democratic Socialists of America calling her move a “heel turn.” As he worked to win over independents and Democrats, Hathaway pointed out where he agrees and disagrees with President Donald Trump, who lost the district by eight points in the 2024 presidential election. REPUBLICANS WIN BUT DEMOCRATS ALSO CLAIM VICTORY WITH BALLOT BOX SURGE IN TRUMP TERRITORY “I’m always going to do what’s right for this district first. And I’ve been clear: If the president’s going to do things that are good for the district, increasing the SALT cap deduction, putting money back in people’s pockets, especially New Jersey, affordability is so tough here. If we’re doing things like border security, reducing fentanyl deaths like we’ve seen in our community, those are good things. I support those policies,” Hathaway said. “But, on the other hand, if the president’s going to do things that aren’t in the best interest of our district, it’s my job to push back, and that’s exactly what I’ve done.” Hathaway pointed to Trump’s move last year to terminate billions of federal dollars for the Gateway Project, which is funding a new train tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York, and the president’s plans to cut roughly 1,000 jobs and nearly $1 billion in funding for an Army base located in New Jersey. “I’m going to call balls and strikes in this race. I’m not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody,” Hathaway said. “I think we have the right math, the right bipartisan coalition to come together to win this thing on April 16.” But Hathaway came up short, given the rough political climate facing Republicans and the traditional headwinds for the party in power. Mejia repeatedly linked Hathaway to Trump and Republicans in
Tennessee governor signs nuclear family month resolution as critics push back on exclusions
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee has signed a resolution declaring June Nuclear Family Month as an alternative to the usual LGBTQ+ Pride Month. Lee, a Republican, signed House Joint Resolution 182 April 9 after it passed the House in April 2025 and the Senate last month. The legislation highlights the importance of celebrating the traditional family unit, described as “consisting of one husband, one wife, and any biological, adopted, or fostered children.” “The nuclear family is under attack in our beloved State and nation, and it is our responsibility to uplift, protect, and support values that help Tennessee prosper,” the resolution adds. NASHVILLE TEACHER HAS RECORD CLEARED AFTER REFUSING TO READ SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BOOK TO FIRST-GRADERS A spokesperson for the governor did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have begun to speak out against the resolution, and a representative for GLAAD gave Fox News Digital its opinion on the bill. OHIO TEACHER SUES HIGH SCHOOL FOR DEMANDING HE REMOVE LGBT POSTER INSIDE CLASSROOM “The strongest families are grounded in love, not legislative definitions. It is disturbing to see lawmakers use their platform to intentionally exclude their own constituents,” the organization wrote in a statement. “Instead of drafting resolutions that aim to divide Tennessee families, Gov. Lee should be focused on building a state where every family is treated fairly, and every child has the opportunity to succeed.” The news of the legislation comes a few days after the pride flag at Stonewall National Monument’s federal flagpole in New York City, a well-known symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, was restored after a two-month legal battle and settlement with the Trump administration. “This is a victory for the LGBTQ+ community and for our entire city,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani wrote in an X post Monday. “It’s a reminder that New Yorkers won’t let our history be rewritten. “Our administration will keep working to ensure LGBTQ+ New Yorkers can live safely and with dignity in our city.” Fox News Digital’s Ashley J. DiMella contributed to this report.
Shouting match erupts between RFK Jr and Dem lawmaker over his comments about Black children
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. found himself in a shouting match with a congresswoman after she questioned him about previous comments he made about Black children during a budget hearing Thursday. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., confronted Kennedy about remarks he made during a 2024 podcast interview alleging that all Black children are overmedicated and need to be “reparented.” “Mr. Secretary, you’ve already admitted that you are not a board-certified physician, and you’ve already admitted you did not go to medical school. Have you ever reparented or parented, I should say, a Black child?” Sewell asked Kennedy. RFK JR LAUNCHES INVESTIGATION INTO SCHOOL FOR ALLEGED VACCINATION OF CHILD WITHOUT PARENTAL CONSENT At the time of the podcast, Kennedy was a candidate in the 2024 presidential election. Throughout the interview, he explored various campaign promises, including a plan to fight the drug epidemic by creating “rehabilitation facilities” in rural areas. The facilities would mirror “wellness farms” he encountered during his time in the Peace Corps. “Rehabilitation facilities that I’m going to start in rural areas all over the country — where any American can go for free, anyone who is dependent on drugs, either legal drugs or illegal drugs, psychiatric drugs — which every Black kid is now just standardly put on Adderall, SSRIs, benzos, which are known to induce violence,” Kennedy said on the “Earn Your Leisure” podcast. “And those kids are going to have a chance to go somewhere and get reparented — to live in a community where there’ll be no cellphones, no screens. You’ll actually have to talk to people.” MICHIGAN DEMOCRAT REP. STEVENS CITES ‘HEALTH CARE CHAOS’ IN IMPEACHMENT MOVE AGAINST RFK JR. For several minutes, the pair bickered back and forth over whether Kennedy made those remarks. Standing behind Sewell, an aide held a poster board displaying Kennedy’s remarks. Kennedy said he didn’t know what the phrase “reparented” meant and denied ever saying it. “You absolutely said it,” Sewell said. But Kennedy refused to answer Sewell’s question about whether he had ever reparented or parented a Black child. He accused Sewell of “making up” those remarks. “I am absolutely not making this up. Mr. Secretary, in your opinion, what factors should the federal government consider when reparenting a Black child who has been on ADHD or ADD [medication]? That’s rhetorical, sir,” Sewell said. An HHS spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Kennedy’s comments on the podcast were taken “out of context.” “Prior to his time as secretary, he described these communities as spaces where individuals, particularly young people facing alienation, mental health challenges, and rising rates of despair could undergo a form of ‘reparenting,’ HHS said. “In psychotherapy terms, reparenting involves developing the emotional regulation, discipline, boundaries and self-worth that may not have been established in childhood, through consistent care, accountability and supportive relationships.”
Hillary Clinton rips Trump on migrant child detentions, but Bill Clinton’s own record cuts deep
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement practices, warning that the detention of thousands of migrant children is causing “terrible damage” – but data from former President Bill Clinton’s tenure shows a similar trend. “Terrible damage to children is being done in our name,” Clinton shared in an X post on Wednesday, along with data showing the Trump administration has so far detained 6,200 children, with an average of 226 children held a day. Clinton’s criticism lands against a historical record that complicates the attack, because federal data from the 1990s showed hundreds of juveniles in custody on an average day under former President Clinton as immigration enforcement toughened. IGNORED ICE DETAINERS ‘PUT LIVES AT RISK,’ DHS SAYS, TARGETING NEWSOM, PRITZKER, HEALEY The Clinton administration’s Immigration and Naturalization Service, a former agency within the Department of Justice, detained 4,136 unaccompanied illegal juveniles in fiscal year 2000 for longer than a 72-hour period, according to a Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) report published in 2001. About 400 to 500 children were held in custody on an average day that same year, the report continued. In 1996, former President Clinton signed the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, two laws that expanded immigration enforcement by broadening mandatory detention and speeding up removals. The data Clinton referenced in her tweet came from the Marshall Project, a nonprofit news outlet that reports on the criminal justice system, and outlined detainee figures during the second Trump administration. “ICE does not target children or separate families,” a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday when asked about Clinton’s post. “Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children, or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates. This is consistent with past administrations’ immigration enforcement.” Clinton’s tweet followed her appearance at the Munich Security Conference in February, when she said there’s a “legitimate reason” to have a debate on immigration policies, adding that it “went too far.” “It’s been disruptive and destabilizing, and it needs to be fixed in a humane way with secure borders that don’t torture and kill people, and with a strong family structure, because that is at the base of civilization,” said the former 2016 presidential candidate. Following the influx of over 18 million illegal immigrants under the Biden administration, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), DHS says it has stopped the exploitation of 450,000 unaccompanied children. “Many of the children who came across the border unaccompanied were allowed to be placed with sponsors who were smugglers and sex traffickers,” the DHS spokesperson said. “The Trump administration has located more than 145,000 of these children in person in the United States through visits and door knocks.” HILLARY CLINTON SAYS MIGRATION ‘WENT TOO FAR’ AND ‘NEEDS TO BE FIXED IN A HUMANE WAY’ Fox News Digital reached out to the offices of Bill and Hillary Clinton.
US general warns Russia may be developing nuclear anti-satellite weapon in orbit
The head of U.S. Space Command said the U.S. is “very concerned” that Russia may be developing a nuclear weapon in space to target satellites, warning such a move could disrupt global communications, GPS systems and daily life on Earth. Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, the commander of U.S. Space Command, made the remarks during an appearance on The General & The Journalist, a weekly podcast by The Times. “Russia remains a very historic and sophisticated space power. Yes, they have been hurt by economic sanctions, but they continue to invest in counter-space weapons, with the most concerning reports being that they are potentially thinking about placing on orbit a nuclear ASAT weapon,” he added. “That would violate the Outer Space Treaty that they’re a party to, and it would hold at risk everyone’s satellites in low Earth orbit, and that would be an outcome that we just couldn’t tolerate.” Whiting noted that space is considered a global commons, with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty — signed by nearly every nation, including all major space powers — prohibiting claims of sovereignty. SWEDEN JAMS SUSPECTED RUSSIAN DRONE NEAR FRENCH CARRIER AS NATO WAR FEARS RISE He said that differs from earlier eras when explorers would plant flags to claim land for a king or country. Whiting stopped short of confirming the underlying intelligence, but emphasized the seriousness of the concern. “I won’t speak about our intelligence sources and methods, but obviously it’s a report that we’re very concerned about,” he said. PUTIN PUTS ‘NUCLEAR TRIAD’ ON FAST TRACK, ZELENSKYY CLAIMS ‘WORLD WAR 3’ UNDERWAY Fox News Digital has reached out to the Pentagon for further comment on the matter. A nuclear detonation in low Earth orbit — which spans roughly 100 to 1,200 miles above Earth — could have devastating consequences for both military and civilian infrastructure, according to Whiting. “All of low Earth orbit would be at risk, and you know, that’s over 10,000 satellites today with these new proliferated low earth orbit constellations like Starlink,” he said. RUSSIA, CHINA SQUEEZE US ARCTIC DEFENSE ZONE AS TRUMP EYES GREENLAND Such an event could cripple satellite networks that underpin GPS, communications, financial systems and global internet access. Whiting noted that most people do not realize how dependent modern life is on space-based systems. “The average citizen around the world probably doesn’t think about how space enables their life every day, but if they carry a smartphone in their pocket, they are leveraging space multiple times a day,” he said. US COMMANDER SAYS RUSSIA AND CHINA’S ARCTIC PATROLS ARE ‘NOT FOR PEACEFUL PURPOSES’ He suggested Russia may view space-based attacks as a way to offset what it sees as U.S. and NATO advantages in conventional warfare. “From a Russian perspective, they look at the United States, they look at NATO and they see a conventional overmatch there of conventional arms,” Whiting said. “They believe that novel ways of trying to undermine the United States and NATO, such as by neutralizing our space capabilities, helps them to level the battlefield.” Whiting also pointed to ongoing Russian activity targeting satellite systems, including widespread interference in Europe. ‘THEY WERE SPYING’: SULLIVAN SOUNDS ALARM ON JOINT RUSSIA-CHINA MOVES IN US ARCTIC ZONE “Clearly across Europe, we have seen sustained satellite communication jamming and GPS jamming,” he said. He warned that such actions are already having real-world consequences, particularly for civilian aviation. “The real problem with that GPS jamming, for example, is it’s being done in a way that’s affecting civil aviation in Eastern Europe and across Southern Europe,” Whiting said. “When we put at risk civilian airliners full of citizens just trying to go on business or holiday, that’s incredibly problematic,” he added. “We do not want to see this normalization of trying to interfere with other satellites.”
House lawmakers express disgust over Swalwell not being exposed sooner: ‘It’s shameful’
Lawmakers from both parties expressed disgust and alarm that Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., has been able to hold elected office for 16 years, build a national profile — even mount a front-running gubernatorial campaign — all the while masking the alleged sexual misconduct that forced him from office earlier this week. “There needs to be a zero-tolerance policy in the Capitol for that type of behavior,” Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., said. “I’m glad that he resigned. He needed to resign. My heart breaks for any victim, all the women who have come forward thus far. And I’m horrified by his behavior.” McBride’s thoughts were echoed by Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas, who noted Swalwell’s conduct had crossed obvious red lines. SEX CRIMES COULD COST LAWMAKERS TAXPAYER-FUNDED PENSIONS UNDER HAWLEY’S NEW PROPOSAL “I think it’s pretty clear. Don’t sleep with your staff. Don’t sexually harass people that work for you. And don’t rape women. It’s not really that hard of a list to follow,” Van Duyne said. The remarks from lawmakers come as Capitol Hill grapples with how to prevent similar stories from repeating themselves down the road. Bombshell reporting from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle last week laid out accounts from multiple victims detailing how Swalwell had made sexual advances toward intoxicated women, pressured employees into intimate situations and invited them to send him explicit images over text. In their wake, Swalwell announced he would abandon his campaign to become the next governor of California on Sunday. A day later, he also announced his resignation from Congress. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, was left baffled by how Swalwell had managed to keep his conduct under wraps — despite an apparent reputation for pushing the envelope. “I don’t know — I mean it’s a shame and it’s shameful. I know folks say that there were rumors and so forth,” Castro said. LEAVITT PUTS DEMOCRATS ON DEFENSE AS ‘DISGUSTING’ ALLEGATIONS AGAINST SWALWELL MOUNT At the same time, he noted that members have limited visibility into each other’s lives. “This place — people don’t generally, unless they intend to, they don’t generally hang around with each other a lot,” Castro said. To Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., future instances of misconduct might be prevented by a greater culture of transparency between offices. “I think that people need to know that they can come to women members like me and do something,” Dingell said. “And I’ll tell you one thing. If Nancy Pelosi had had any indications, she would have cut his ‘blanks’ off,” she added, referring to the former speaker of the House. Even after his resignation, Swalwell has continued to rebuff the claims against him. “These accusations are false, fabricated, and deeply offensive — a calculated and transparent political hit job designed to destroy the reputation of a man who has spent twenty years in public service,” Sara Azari, Swalwell’s attorney, wrote on social media Tuesday. “The timing, nature and coordinated rollout of these vile and heinous allegations speak for themselves.” Other members reacting to Swalwell’s comments said they were not concerned about when the claims surfaced. “It’s always unfortunate whenever allegations like this emerge at whatever time. But I don’t think there’s a wrong time for truthful allegations to ever come out,” Rep. Shomari Figures, D-Ala., said. ERIC SWALWELL CAMPAIGN PAID HOTEL WHERE ACCUSER LONNA DREWES CLAIMS ASSAULT TOOK PLACE With Swalwell having resigned office, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that the state would hold a special election to fill to fill the vacancy on Aug. 18. A special primary is scheduled for June 16.
DOJ opens investigation into Eric Swalwell over sexual assault allegations
The Department of Justice is investigating the multiple sexual assault allegations against former California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a source familiar with the matter confirmed to Fox News Digital. Within the last few weeks, Swalwell has been accused by five different women of sexual assault and harassment over the last several years. District attorneys for both Los Angeles and New York have also launched their own respective investigations. The string of allegations includes that he allegedly drugged and raped one woman and sexually assaulted one of his staffers, which have spurred at least two local criminal investigations. He has denied all the allegations, but has admitted to making mistakes. Following the allegations, Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from his position in Congress. ‘THE VIEW’ CO-HOST CLAIMS SHE PERSONALLY WITNESSED TROUBLING BEHAVIOR FROM SWALWELL “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in a statement announcing his resignation. “I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” he continued. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.” While Swalwell was originally silent as the allegations began, his office broke its silence earlier this week speaking to the New York Post. ROSIE O’DONNELL HEARTBROKEN OVER SWALWELL SCANDAL, DECLARING ‘MEN SUCK’ AFTER BILL CLINTON COMPARISON “This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” Micah Beasley, a spokesperson for Swalwell, said at the time. Swalwell first became a member of the House of Representatives in 2013 after serving as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. He was also a city councilmember in Dublin, California, in 2010.