Top White House officials encouraged potential Bondi replacement to make case to Trump for AG job: Sources
FIRST ON FOX: Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche huddled with President Donald Trump in the hours after Pam Bondi was forced out last week to make his pitch for the job full-time, Fox News Digital confirmed. Blanche was encouraged by top White House officials to speak with the president while other names, like Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, briefly circulated as possible contenders, two sources familiar told Fox News Digital. During that conversation, Blanche made his case for why he should be the next attorney general. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed to Fox News Digital that the president and his then-deputy attorney general spoke on Thursday, as did a source familiar with Blanche’s movements that day. Trump announced Bondi’s departure from the Justice Department and in the same social media post last Thursday said that Blanche would be taking over the role in an acting capacity, as Fox News and Fox News Digital previously reported. HOMAN VOWS IMMIGRATION MISSION ‘WON’T SKIP A BEAT’ AS BONDI EXITS DOJ The next moves could prove crucial for Blanche if he wants to clinch the president’s nomination – and with the countdown ticking to the midterm elections, he only has a few months to convince the president he can lead the roughly 120,000-employee DOJ before a potential party power change in Congress. “It’s really Todd’s role to lose at this point,” one of the sources who spoke with Fox News Digital said. A 30-year department veteran, however, speculated that Blanche won’t get the nomination and will continue to run the DOJ in an acting capacity. PAM BONDI ALREADY FIRED AS ATTORNEY GENERAL, CABINET OFFICIAL TEED UP AS REPLACEMENT: SOURCES “The safest thing for Trump to do is just to keep Blanche, the ultimate loyalist, in place as Acting, at least through the midterms, and avoid a confirmation fight,” former DOJ prosecutor Kevin Flynn told Fox News Digital. “In terms of advancing Trump’s retribution agenda, I think Blanche could do pretty much everything as Acting [Attorney General] as a confirmed AG could do.” Trump fired Bondi on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, during an Oval Office meeting ahead of his speech to the nation on the war in Iran, Fox News Digital first reported a day after her ouster. Trump confirmed her departure on Truth Social at 1:17 pm, roughly 45 minutes after the report became public. In the hours after Bondi was dismissed and before Trump made his official DOJ personnel announcement, Blanche allegedly had a consequential conversation with the president where he was informed he would be acting attorney general. Blanche lobbied to get the full-time position in a following discussion, one source familiar said. They also said that Blanche went to the White House a few times for various reasons in the days after he became acting AG. The other source said it was this follow-up conversation that provided the president with the confidence to give Blanche the nod – at least for now. Trump told his one-time personal attorney, “Here’s your audition,” the source paraphrased. Blanche “got a call from POTUS after leaving a podcast taping on Thursday following the report on Fox,” a spokesperson for the Justice Department told Fox News Digital. When Leavitt was asked if the two chatted on Thursday, the president’s spokesperson replied, “Yes they spoke.” Neither the DOJ nor White House would comment on what the two discussed last week and whether Blanche made his case for a promotion. Either way, now it’s up to Blanche to prove he’s up for the job full-time. His first test was a Tuesday afternoon press conference focused on Trump’s push to crack down on fraud. Blanche likely passed the pulse test as he showered praise on the president and said there would be no love lost if he wasn’t selected to be the next attorney general. “I love working for President Trump,” he said. “It’s the greatest honor of a lifetime. And if President Trump chooses to nominate somebody else and asks me to go do something else, I’ll say, ‘Thank you very much, I love you, sir.’” He got to work right away shaping the DOJ. On Thursday, Blanche announced his appointment of Trent McCotter as the principal associate deputy attorney general. He also stood up the new DOJ fraud division at Tuesday’s press conference and put Colin McDonald in charge as assistant attorney general for the Fraud Division. Additionally, he took two trusted advisers with him to the attorney general’s office, Shane Hedges and James McHenry. Blanche will likely need to differentiate himself from Bondi and distance himself from her failures – namely the Jeffrey Epstein files debacle – if he wants longevity in the role, one of the sources familiar told Fox News Digital. US INTERIM ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE CALLS SPECULATION SURROUNDING BONDI’S FIRING ‘SIMPLY NOT TRUE’ In February 2025, Bondi said she had the Epstein files on her desk. A trickle of releases over the next year would yield no new investigations or prosecutions related to the sex trafficker’s crimes and left Americans unsatisfied. The source familiar said every move Bondi made after that was an effort to “clean up” her broken promise to release the Epstein client list. Convincing Trump he’s the right guy for the job is only the first hurdle. Blanche would also need to get past Congress and a confirmation process that is sure to be grueling. Bondi passed with a Senate vote of 54–46, with all 53 Republicans and lone Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., voting for her to be attorney general. Every other Democrat voted against her confirmation. Blanche, with the legacy of Bondi tied to his tenure in the Trump administration, could face an uphill battle even with some Republicans who have grown critical of the DOJ’s handling of the Epstein files.
Russia seizes control of US-linked firm as it pushes for renewed ties with Washington
A Pennsylvania-linked manufacturer has been stripped of control over its Russian operations under a Kremlin order, raising fresh risks for Western companies as Moscow courts renewed economic ties with the United States. CANPACK, a global aluminum beverage can manufacturer owned by a Pennsylvania-based holding company, operates in multiple countries across Europe and North America and said its Russian business — valued at roughly $700 million — was placed under state “external administration” by a Dec. 31, 2025, decree signed by President Vladimir Putin, effectively transferring control of 100% of its shares to state-appointed managers. CEO Peter Giorgi said the company lost all operational authority after administrators arrived in mid-January. “I’m only a nominal shareholder,” Giorgi said in an interview with Fox News Digital. “I lose all control of the company.” BIPARTISAN SENATORS PROBE KREMLIN-LINKED DELEGATION’S MEETINGS WITH US OFFICIALS The case underscores the risks facing Western companies that remained in Russia during the war, even as Moscow signals interest in rebuilding economic ties with Washington as part of potential peace negotiations. Putin’s envoy for foreign investment, Kirill Dmitriev, is in the United States meeting with officials in President Donald Trump’s administration to discuss a potential Ukraine peace deal and future economic cooperation, according to Reuters. Analysts say the move is part of a broader shift in Russia’s handling of foreign-owned assets since the Ukraine War. “Let’s not be U.S.-centric about that,” said Alexander Kolyandr, a fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. “CANPACK is not alone.” CANPACK has operated in Russia for nearly 30 years and held an estimated 35%–40% share of the country’s aluminum beverage can market, according to the company, underscoring the scale of the takeover. The company has had no direct access to or communication with its Russian operations since the move, according to a person familiar with the matter, and several senior executives — including the general manager and chief financial officer — were removed following the takeover. Company officials say executives in Russia have faced pressure from state-appointed administrators, including demands to approve financial decisions under threat of dismissal or other consequences. The situation has not changed in recent months, according to the officials. The company’s Russian operations remain under external administration, with no restoration of control or ownership as of April. The move falls under a legal framework introduced in 2023 allowing the Russian government to place certain foreign-owned assets under temporary state control. The decree identified a company called Stalelement as the entity overseeing the assets, which company representatives describe as a shell entity with ties to the Russian government. The company has raised the issue with U.S. officials, but no formal action has been taken. Russian business daily Vedomosti reported in February that CANPACK’s Russian division donated approximately 500 million rubles to a pro-Kremlin fund supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine. The company believes roughly $18 million was directed to state-linked funds supporting Russian operations, with an additional approximately $6 million sent to a Russian Orthodox church, based on Russian media reports and information relayed by former executives. Fox News has not independently verified those claims. The estimated transfers represent a small portion of the company’s overall value, but underscore how quickly financial control can shift under external administration. The company continued operating in Russia after Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, even as many Western firms exited the market. Giorgi said the company considered leaving but faced challenges unwinding decades of investment and could not find a buyer at a fair price. “We decided to stay the course,” he said, adding that the company hoped conditions would eventually stabilize. The same December 2025 decree also targeted the Russian subsidiary of Danish insulation manufacturer Rockwool. Other Western companies, including France’s Danone and brewer Carlsberg, have faced similar actions by Russian authorities in recent years. “We are talking about dozens of companies,” Kolyandr said. Kolyandr said U.S.-linked companies have in some cases been treated more cautiously than their European counterparts. “American companies fared much better than the European ones,” he said, pointing to Moscow’s interest in preserving the possibility of improved ties with Washington. He said the trend accelerated after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, when Western companies began suspending operations or exiting the market. “It all started in earnest with the beginning of the war,” he said, adding that it became easier for authorities to take control of assets. Kolyandr said the policy reflects a wider redistribution of property aimed at bringing profitable or strategic assets under closer state influence. “It sends a signal across the system that if you do not toe the line, your property may be taken away,” he said. He added that while the process may generate some revenue for the state, funding the war is unlikely to be the primary driver. “On the one hand, it helps to generate a bit of cash for the budget,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s the main reason.” The Russian Embassy in Washington and the Russian foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Trump adversary running for Senate borrows his filibuster playbook
One of President Donald Trump’s top Democratic foes running for the Senate is taking a page from his and conservatives’ playbook in their pitch to reform the filibuster. Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills, who is running to unseat longtime Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, released her policy platform in recent days. Among several pitches to voters is a call to reform the filibuster. Mills, if elected, said in the 19-page document that she would require “Senators to remain on the Senate floor and actually speak, rather than simply threatening a filibuster to delay action.” The filibuster has become a flashpoint in the Senate, particularly for Republicans, given that its current 60-vote threshold requires legislation to be bipartisan in nature. And Mills’ position, which has been previously supported by Democrats, is one Trump and some in the GOP are pushing for to pass a massive election integrity bill. GRAHAM EYES ‘DOWN PAYMENT’ ON TRUMP-BACKED SAVE ACT WITHOUT DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT Her desire to change the filibuster echoes one made by Trump and conservatives, both in Congress and online, that have demanded Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., launch a talking filibuster to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act. “Washington is broken, and Maine people are paying the price,” Mills said in a statement introducing the platform. “Donald Trump and Washington Republicans are undermining our fundamental rights and driving up costs, all while Congress fails to solve the big problems facing Maine people. Enough is enough. Maine people deserve better than what D.C. is giving them.” Mills and Trump have an adversarial relationship that reached a chaotic crescendo in 2025 when, during a meeting of governors at the White House, she declared, “We’ll see you in court,” over the president’s executive order to deny federal funding to states that allowed transgender athletes to participate in sports. THUNE ACCUSES CRITICS OF ‘CREATING FALSE EXPECTATIONS’ AMID BACKLASH OVER STALLED SAVE AMERICA ACT The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the Senate GOP’s main campaign arm, warned that Mills’ desired change to the filibuster was a dog whistle for Democrats’ plan to slow-walk Trump’s agenda. “Janet Mills is saying the quiet part out loud: If she goes to Washington, she will use every tool at her disposal to push her radical anti-Trump agenda on Americans,” NRSC spokesperson Samantha Cantrell told Fox News Digital. Trump has asked Republicans to go a step further and nuke the filibuster altogether — an unlikely scenario in the Senate, given the lack of support to do away with the guardrail in its current form. MAINE SENATE CANDIDATE CITES COMBAT TRAUMA WHEN CONFRONTED ON ‘TERRIBLE’ POSTS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT A talking filibuster, as Mills suggested, would require senators to debate a bill rather than falling back on the typical 60-vote threshold. The Senate is currently doing a version of the talking filibuster in the GOP’s bid to shine a light on Senate Democrats’ refusal to support the SAVE America Act. But it won’t lead to the legislation passing because the GOP isn’t unified to block Democratic amendments that could drastically alter the bill. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., who handpicked Mills to run in Maine against Collins, has dubbed the legislation “Jim Crow 2.0” and rallied his caucus behind defeating the measure. Before Mills has a chance to square off against Collins, she’ll first have to survive a tough primary battle against insurgent candidate Graham Platner, an oyster farmer who has the backing of Schumer’s left flank. Fox News Digital reached out for comment from Mills, Platner and Collins, but did not hear back by publication.
Trump backs Hilton ahead of California GOP vote, testing Bianco’s grip on party endorsement
California Republicans this weekend will vote to endorse their pick for California governor in the race to succeed term-limited Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. The vote, this Sunday in San Diego at the California GOP’s annual convention, comes a week after President Donald Trump took sides between the two major Republican candidates in the race, backing conservative commentator and former Fox News Channel host Steve Hilton over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. Trump, whose endorsements are extremely influential in GOP primaries, argued in his endorsement statement that California had “gone to hell” and that “Steve can turn it around, before it is too late, and, as President, I will help him to do so!” The president’s support for Hilton is expected to pay immediate dividends at the state GOP convention. HERE’S WHO TRUMP IS BACKING IN THE GOLDEN STATE GUBERNATORIAL SHOWDOWN “I think it definitely can help rally the base behind a candidate and generate some noise and some enthusiasm,” California Republican Party chairwoman Corrin Rankin told Fox News Digital. Bianco is a loyal Trump supporter who has plenty of friends and support among California Republican insiders. But Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, a top adviser to then-British Prime Minister David Cameron a decade and a half ago before moving to the U.S. and becoming an American citizen in 2021, may boost him at the GOP convention, where backing from 60% of delegates is needed to land the party’s endorsement. But Bianco, the sheriff who recently grabbed plenty of national attention for seizing ballots in Riverside County, appeared defiant. “For too long, politicians and insiders from Sacramento to Washington have tried to pick our leaders for us. That’s not leadership, that’s a coronation, and it’s exactly how we ended up with the failed leadership Californians are living with today,” he said in a social media video. “This election belongs to the people, not the political class.” TOUGH ON CRIME REPUBLICAN SHERIFF LAUNCHES BID FOR CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR Trump’s endorsement may have another unintended consequence. Candidates from both major political parties appear on the same ballot in the left-leaning state’s June primary, with the top two finishers advancing to November’s general election. Some Democrats were concerned that with nine candidates in the race, support among Democratic voters would be so badly divided in the primary that no contender would reach the general election. Hilton and Bianco had been the top two candidates in some public opinion polls, giving some in the GOP hope of a final face-off between two Republicans. That scenario may be less likely now, as Hilton’s support is expected to rise and Bianco’s drop in light of the president’s endorsement. Polling in the past week gave a hint of a Hilton surge. “Trump kills any GOP hopes of an R vs R runoff in the California governor’s race,” Rob Pyers of California Target Book, which describes itself as a non-partisan and unbiased political almanac, wrote last week in a social media post. MEDIA PERSONALITY STEVE HILTON ENTERS CALIFORNIA GUBERNATORIAL RACE But Hilton dismissed as a pipe dream talk of shutting out the Democrats from the general election ballot. “That scenario of two Republicans [making the general election ballot], I’ve been saying this for months, was always a fantasy,” Hilton said on Fox Business’ “The Bottom Line.” “The idea that the Democrat machine in California was just going to hand over the state to two Republicans was never serious. It was never, never going to happen.” He further argued, “What was more likely was actually…you were going to have two Democrats in the top two and then we’ll have no chance of change. So this really makes sure that we have a Republican in the top two.” No Republican has won a statewide election in California since then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger‘s 2006 re-election victory. And with the president’s approval rating in California hovering in the 30s, Trump’s endorsement will likely do Hilton no favors if he makes it onto the November ballot.
Watchdog, GOP lawmaker warn NY voter registration systems lacks key safeguards
One blue state is failing to enact adequate voting safeguards and refusing to correct its mistakes ahead of November’s midterm elections, an election integrity watchdog warns. Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE), a nonpartisan organization focused on election security, alleges the New York State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) stonewalled a request to fix the state’s voter registration form to comply with federal voting law. The watchdog sent the NYSBOE a letter in late 2025 outlining several violations they claimed could undermine the state’s election integrity if left unaddressed. After the board failed to correct most of the violations, RITE and Tenney are demanding the board hand over comprehensive records and data to identify additional shortcomings in the state’s voter registration system. TRUMP SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER OVERHAULING MAIL-IN VOTING IN MAJOR ELECTION INTEGRITY PUSH “Your lack of a response is troubling and disregards the need to ensure public trust that New York is maintaining accurate voter rolls as required by federal law,” they wrote in a letter to the NYSBOE earlier this week that was obtained by Fox News Digital. If the board does not meet their May 2026 deadline, RITE and Tenney say they are prepared to go to federal court to enforce compliance with federal law. The watchdog alleges two errors in New York State’s voter registration forms that violate the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). First, New York State did not instruct individuals that they must provide their driver’s license information if they have one. It also continued registering individuals who did not provide a driver’s license, the last four digits of their Social Security number or a declaration that the applicant has neither, as required by federal law. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT’S TWO DECADES OF UNLAWFUL VOTES EXPOSE THE REAL ‘THREAT’ TO DEMOCRACY: EXPERTS These errors have, in part, led to millions of New York voters providing incomplete information during the registration process, making it more difficult for the state to accurately maintain voter lists, according to RITE. RITE and and Tenney also allege the board did not perform a requested audit to identify how many incomplete voter registration applications have been processed. A 2022 report from the conservative Public Interest Legal Foundation found that at least 3.1 million New York registered voters have not provided a driver’s license or Social Security number on their application form. “The law is clear: states may not accept registration forms that lack required identifying information,” RITE President Justin Riemer said in a statement. New York’s own regulations direct officials to do exactly that. This flagrant violation of an important federal safeguard significantly erodes the integrity of New York’s voter registration system.” “We are committed to getting answers about the breadth of the problem and ensuring the state fixes it,” Riemer added. Tenney, who is chair of the Election Integrity Caucus, said she has called for an investigation into the NYSBOE since 2022. “Transparency and accurate voter rolls are essential to maintaining public trust in our elections,” the New York Republican said in a statement. “The people of New York deserve answers, accountability, and full compliance with HAVA to ensure the integrity of every vote.” The New York City Board of Elections system has also come under recent scrutiny for failing to enact adequate safeguards. One of its employees declined to block a reporter who was posing as a noncitizen from attempting to register to vote, according to video footage obtained by Fox News Digital in February. Fox News Digital reached out to the New York State Board of Elections for comment.
Vance arrives in Pakistan for high-stakes Iran talks as ‘fragile’ ceasefire teeters
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Vice President JD Vance arrived in Pakistan early Saturday, where he is leading high-stakes negotiations with Iran aimed at preserving a fragile ceasefire and preventing a broader regional war. Vance is joined by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, as part of a senior delegation engaging Iranian officials in Islamabad. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf will be negotiating for Iran. The talks, scheduled for Saturday, come over a month after the U.S. launched Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28 — a sweeping military campaign targeting Iran’s military infrastructure following the collapse of nuclear negotiations. IRAN REVEALS 10-POINT PLAN FOR PEACE WITH THE US – HERE’S WHAT’S IN IT That operation pushed the U.S. and Iran to the brink of a ground war before a tenuous diplomatic breakthrough in recent days. Trump announced a two-week ceasefire Tuesday, agreeing to suspend further U.S. strikes on the condition that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. While Iran signaled it would allow passage through the strait as part of the agreement, traffic remains severely disrupted, with shipping companies hesitant to resume normal operations amid ongoing security concerns and uncertainty over enforcement. Vance struck a cautious tone before departing, warning Iran not to test the U.S. negotiating posture. “If they’re gonna try and play us, then they’re gonna find that the negotiating team is not that receptive,” Vance said, adding that he still expects the talks to be “positive.” The outcome of the talks could determine whether the ceasefire holds or collapses into renewed hostilities, as both sides remain deeply divided after weeks of conflict. Iranian officials have struck a cautious and conditional tone ahead of the talks. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said it accepted the two-week ceasefire but warned “this does not signify the termination of the war,” adding that “our hands remain upon the trigger” if the agreement is violated. Vance described the agreement Wednesday as a “fragile truce.” Iran also has tied the success of the ceasefire to developments in Lebanon, insisting that Israeli strikes on Hezbollah must stop as part of any broader agreement. Tehran has warned that continued attacks could jeopardize the talks, highlighting a key dispute with Israel and the U.S., which have argued Lebanon is not covered by the truce. VANCE WARNS IRAN WILL ‘FIND OUT’ TRUMP IS ‘NOT ONE TO MESS AROUND’ IF CEASEFIRE DEAL FALLS APART Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary, positioning itself as a neutral venue between Washington and Iran after helping broker the initial truce. But that role is already facing scrutiny. Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Asif, sparked backlash recently after calling Israel’s actions a “curse on humanity” in a now-deleted X post and, in a separate exchange, saying critics should “burn in hell.” The remarks drew a sharp response from Israeli officials, who questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a neutral broker. Israeli leaders described the comments as “outrageous” and warned such rhetoric was incompatible with serving as a mediator, while Israel’s ambassador to India publicly said, “we don’t trust Pakistan.” Pakistani officials have not directly addressed the controversy surrounding Asif’s remarks but have defended their broader role, emphasizing Islamabad’s efforts to broker the ceasefire and facilitate talks. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for “dialogue and diplomacy,” while officials say both Washington and Iran have expressed confidence in Pakistan’s mediation. The talks are also unfolding against a challenging security backdrop. U.S. officials have long treated Pakistan as a high-threat environment for official travel, with strict movement controls and layered security measures typically required for American personnel. Bill Gage, a former Secret Service agent who traveled to Islamabad with President George W. Bush, told Fox News Digital the threat environment in Pakistan historically has ranked among the most severe faced by U.S. protective teams, requiring constant coordination and heightened precautions. “The threat environment in Pakistan was one of the worst the Secret Service had ever operated in,” Gage said of his experience in 2006. “We were briefed that al-Qaeda wanted to kidnap an agent, so we always had to be in pairs.” Pakistan continues to grapple with persistent terrorism threats. The State Department currently classifies the country as a Level 3 travel risk, warning of potential attacks, crime and kidnapping, and noting that extremist groups have carried out strikes in major cities, including Islamabad. Still, U.S. officials view the Islamabad meeting as a rare opening for diplomacy, with discussions expected to include nuclear restrictions, sanctions relief and broader regional security issues. Whether the talks produce a lasting breakthrough or plunge the Middle East back into conflict may hinge on whether both Washington and Iran are willing to move beyond decades of mistrust.
Epstein survivors push back on Melania Trump hearing call as Comer vows ‘we will have hearings’
Some Jeffrey Epstein abuse survivors are pushing back on first lady Melania Trump’s call for public congressional testimony, as House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., confirmed Friday “we will have hearings,” following a rare public statement Thursday by Trump at the White House where she came out swinging at those who have linked her to Epstein. The first lady also called on Congress to conduct hearings “specifically centered around the survivors.” “Give these victims their opportunity to testify under oath in front of Congress with the power of sworn testimony,” Trump said. “Each and every woman should have her day to tell her story in public if she wishes, and then her testimony should be permanently entered into the Congressional Record.” But a group of 15 Epstein victims released a joint statement Friday against the move. “First Lady Melania Trump is now shifting the burden onto survivors,” they said. “Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein have already shown extraordinary courage by coming forward, filing reports, and giving testimony,” they added. “Asking more of them now is a deflection of responsibility, not justice.” MELANIA TRUMP DENOUNCES ‘LIES’ CONNECTING HER WITH DISGRACED FINANCIER JEFFREY EPSTEIN IN WHITE HOUSE EVENT Comer said such hearings have always been on his radar. “I agree with the first lady and appreciate what she said. We will have hearings,” Comer told Fox News’ Sandra Smith. “I’ve always planned on having hearings with the victims. “My attorneys on the Oversight Committee have been communicating on a constant basis for months with the attorneys representing Epstein victims,” he added. “There are some victims who are willing to come in, [but] most victims aren’t, and I completely understand that, but we have always planned on having a hearing with Epstein’s victims once the depositions have been completed.” Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton both sat for closed-door depositions with the House Oversight Committee in February for questioning related to Epstein, and a deposition is forthcoming for Microsoft founder Bill Gates in June. EPSTEIN’S LAWYER ‘NOT AWARE’ OF ANY RELATIONSHIP TRUMP HAD WITH LATE CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER, COMER SAYS “The first lady accomplished three things [Thursday] as it relates to the disgraceful Epstein,” the first lady’s senior advisor, Marc Beckman, told “Fox & Friends” Friday. “First, she cleared her record; she set the record straight, she debunked all of the lies surrounding her and Epstein.” MELANIA TRUMP ADVISOR SAYS SHE’S HAD ‘ENOUGH’ AFTER BREAKING SILENCE TO DENY JEFFREY EPSTEIN CONNECTION “Second, she became a champion for these women, for the victims, and finally, third, she’s a real leader in Washington, D.C. She’s calling on Congress to act now.” It is unclear when or how many of the survivors will come forward to testify. “Survivors have done their part. Now it’s time for those in power to do theirs,” the survivors said in the statement.
Sen Tim Sheehy makes emergency landing after in-flight engine failure
Sen. Tim Sheehy, R-Mont., was forced to make an emergency landing Friday after experiencing in-flight engine failure while piloting a plane. According to Sheehy’s chief of staff, Mike Berg, the senator was conducting a routine flight training exercise that he completes twice a year. “This afternoon, Sen. Sheehy was engaged in a routine flight training exercise which he completes twice a year,” Berg said in a statement. “The aircraft experienced a mechanical engine failure.” Berg said Sheehy and his co-pilot made an emergency landing in a field. EMERGENCY LANDING ENDS IN TRAGEDY AS PLANE CRASHES ON NEW MEXICO GOLF COURSE “Neither pilot was injured,” he added. PLANE DOOR OPENS IN MIDAIR MOMENTS AFTER TAKEOFF, LEAVING FLIGHT PASSENGERS STUNNED AND SOCIAL MEDIA BUZZING The plane landed in a field in Ennis, Montana, according to KBZK. The outlet reported that Sheehy is an FAA-certified commercial pilot and certified flight instructor. Reached for comment, Sheehy’s office referred Fox News Digital to Berg’s statement. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
Pelosi, California Dems slam Swalwell over bombshell sexual assault allegations: ‘Indefensible’
California Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., have come out against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell after multiple bombshell reports were published Friday accusing Swalwell of sexually assaulting a former female staffer and allegedly sexually harassing other female staffers. Amid repeated denials and cease and desist letters sent by Swalwell’s lawyer Thursday, one of the alleged victims shared her story publicly for the first time, accusing Swalwell of taking advantage of her while she was intoxicated. The alleged victim’s story also included claims Swalwell pressured her to send naked pictures of herself and sent sexually explicit photos of his own, pulled out his private parts while driving in a car with her and requested she perform oral sex on him. She said these and other incidents affected how Swalwell treated her professionally. SWALWELL’S FORMER FEMALE STAFFER DROPS BOMBSHELL ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, EXPOSING HIMSELF: REPORT On multiple occasions, the young staffer recalls blacking out from alcohol consumption, before waking up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed with signs she had engaged in intercourse. Swalwell allegedly distanced himself after the incident. Their relationship faded before they reunited when she no longer worked for him, and another incident allegedly took place. After the bombshell report from the San Francisco Chronicle surfaced Friday, Swalwell’s campaign website displayed an error page for endorsements, and a slew of Democrats withdrew their endorsements and called for Swalwell to drop out of the race for governor. “The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,” Pelosi told media outlets. “As I discussed with Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.” “I have read the San Francisco Chronicle’s account, and I am deeply distressed by its allegations,” added Schiff. “This woman was brave to come forward, and we should take her story seriously. I am withdrawing my endorsement immediately and believe that he should withdraw from the race.” ERIC SWALWELL CAMPAIGN SETS OFF ALARM BELLS AFTER ACCEPTING $25K DONATION FROM CCP-TIED LAWYER: ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ “To the survivor who risked everything to come forward – I believe you. To the Democratic Party – you’d better hold him accountable,” Matt Mahan, a former San Jose mayor and fellow Democrat gubernatorial candidate in California said Friday. “If we don’t, we have no credibility asking anyone else to do the same. To Eric Swalwell – drop out.” “The allegations against Congressmember Swalwell are deeply disturbing,” California Democratic Party Chairman Rusty Hicks said in a statement. “First, the stories of victims and survivors should be heard and believed. Period. “Second, any person engaged in misconduct must take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions – including a member of Congress and candidate for Governor. Finally, my call for all — repeat, all — candidates for Governor to ‘honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign’ still stands. In fact, that call is more important now than ever before.” “The allegations are incredibly disturbing and unacceptable against Rep. Swalwell,” the California Teachers Association said on X. “We are immediately suspending our support. Our elected board will be meeting as soon as possible to follow our union’s democratic process to determine next steps.” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a longtime friend and former campaign chair for Swalwell’s failed presidential campaign, is now backing away from his initial support for Swalwell amid the sexual misconduct allegations he is facing as the California congressman runs for governor. Earlier this week, Gallego faced blowback for attempting to discredit a user on X who said sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell will end up “kick[ing] his a–.” Gallego also defended Swalwell for being “targeted” in a separate post on social media, arguing he is the subject of sexual misconduct allegations because he is “in first place.” However, after the report released by the San Francisco Chronicle, Gallego changed his tune dramatically. SWALWELL THREATENS FBI WITH LEGAL ACTION AS PATEL REPORTEDLY WEIGHS ‘FANG FANG’ FILES RELEASE “I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously. What is described is indefensible,” Gallego posted on social media Friday after the report. “Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed. I regret having come to his defense on social media prior to knowing all the information. I am equally as shocked and upset about what has transpired.” Swalwell has fiercely denied the allegations that were first being elevated on social media by Democratically-aligned politicos, including Cheyenne Hunt, a former Capitol Hill staffer who is a nonprofit director at the group Gen-Z for Change, and Arielle Fodor, a “political content creator,” teacher and mother who refers to herself “Mrs. Frazzled” online. On Friday, the first first-hand account of these allegations surfaced. Neither Swalwell nor his attorney responded to Fox News Digital’s inquiries about the first-hand allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Following the San Francisco Chronicle’s report Friday, CNN published a separate report indicating three other women it had spoken to also alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman, including Swalwell sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.
Swalwell’s former female staffer drops bombshell allegations of sexual assault, exposing himself: report
Sexual harassment allegations have been amplified online by Democrat-aligned politicos targeting Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., one of the leading Democratic candidates in California’s gubernatorial race. Amid repeated denials and cease-and-desist letters sent by Swalwell’s lawyer, one of the alleged victims shared her story publicly for the first time, accusing Swalwell of taking advantage of her while she was intoxicated on multiple occasions, according to a bombshell report published by the San Francisco Chronicle Friday. The alleged victim’s story also included claims that Swalwell pressured her to send naked pictures of herself and sent sexually explicit photos of his own, pulled out his private parts while driving in a car with her and requested she perform oral sex on him, among other incidents the victim said affected how Swalwell treated her professionally. DEM SENATOR RIPPED FOR ‘SMEAR’ OF FEMALE ACTIVIST ADVOCATING FOR SWALWELL’S ACCUSERS The unnamed female accuser, who spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle, reportedly worked for Swalwell for about two years and revealed that he started pursuing her, despite being married, shortly after she was hired as a 21-year-old staffer in his district office. On multiple occasions, the young staffer recalls blacking out from alcohol consumption, before waking up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed with signs she had engaged in intercourse. Swalwell allegedly distanced himself after the incident, and their relationship faded, before they reunited when she no longer worked for him when another incident allegedly took place. “Eric Swalwell should immediately drop out,” Democratic strategist Bhavik Lathia said after the San Francisco Chronicle’s report dropped. “It is damning.” Matt Mahan, a former San Jose Mayor and fellow Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate in California, also called on Swalwell to “drop out.” “To the survivor who risked everything to come forward – I believe you,” Mahan said. “To the Democratic Party – you’d better hold him accountable. “If we don’t, we have no credibility asking anyone else to do the same.” Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., a longtime friend of Swalwell who faced backlash earlier this week for trying to discredit allegations against the California Democrat, posted on Friday that he “regret[s] having come to his defense on social media prior to knowing all the information. I am equally as shocked and upset about what has transpired.” “What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed,” Gallego said. “I am withdrawing my endorsement of Congressman Swalwell, effective immediately.” Swalwell’s team did not respond to Fox News’ request for comment, but he recently said during a press gaggle that the allegations are “false,” including allegations that Swalwell previously pressured female staffers to sign non-disclosure agreements so they cannot speak out or that he was involved in an alleged hush money settlement. “It’s false. And also some of the allegations I’ve seen, which is that we’ve had NDAs in the office – never. There’s never been an allegation, and there’s never been a settlement,” Swalwell insisted this week. “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, also said Tuesday. Cheyenne Hunt, a former Capitol Hill staffer who is a nonprofit director at the group Gen-Z for Change, is among the voices acting as a proxy for alleged Swalwell accusers and has been helping amplify their stories. On Friday, she blasted Swalwell for “tak[ing] a page out of the Trump playbook by attempting to silence women” with cease-and-desist letters he allegedly sent out late Thursday night ahead of the San Francisco Chronicle’s report sharing a first-hand account from one of Swalwell’s alleged accusers. Fox News Digital has not independently verified the allegations from the report. The alleged victim, who began working for Swalwell during his short-lived presidential campaign in 2019, said a married Swalwell, who was 38, began pursuing her, including through messages on Snapchat, which allows users to send photos that subsequently disappear after someone has looked at them. She claimed the relationship rapidly progressed as Swalwell began asking for pictures of her face, then her naked body and eventually her genitalia. When messaging, the victim alleged Swalwell would sometimes send shirtless selfies or other images of his own genitalia. SWALWELL THREATENS FBI WITH LEGAL ACTION AS PATEL REPORTEDLY WEIGHS ‘FANG FANG’ FILES RELEASE Swalwell then allegedly tried to kiss the victim in her car when she drove him home from a donor meeting one night. On another occasion, he allegedly pulled out his penis while in the vehicle and asked her to perform oral sex on him. She admitted to doing so in a parking lot but soon stopped out of fear someone might see them. In September 2019, the alleged victim, who was then working in Swalwell’s Castro Valley district office, reportedly said Swalwell invited her out for dinner and drinks when she drank too much and blacked out. She claimed to have not even remembered leaving the restaurant but woke up in Swalwell’s hotel room the next day with vaginal soreness indicative of sexual intercourse. She also reportedly had a brief memory of Swalwell sucking her toes. After the alleged September 2019 incident in Swalwell’s hotel room, the victim said the pair’s relationship faded as Swalwell distanced himself from her and began treating her more formally during public interactions. She eventually stopped working for Swalwell but stayed in politics and noted Swalwell would occasionally remain in touch with her, including reaching out when she was looking for a job. However, she claimed that, five years later, while attending an April 2024 charity event Swalwell was being honored at, the pair reunited. She was not working for Swalwell at this later date, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The woman indicated that she and Swalwell went out for drinks after the event, during which she once again became inebriated and could only remember