Category: fox-news/us/new-york-city

Hollywood producer who introduced Hunter Biden to art dealer raised at least $25K for Joe Biden’s campaign

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

The Hollywood producer who introduced Hunter Biden to his art dealer, George Bergès, previously helped President Biden raise over $25,000 for his campaign, a Fox News Digital review of a cached version of his campaign website found.

House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer identified California-based producer Lanette Phillips as the individual who had linked the first son up with Bergès following his closed-door interview this month before the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees as part of the House impeachment inquiry against President Biden.

According to Bergès' interview transcript, which was reviewed by Fox News Digital, the art dealer said he met Phillips a "couple of years ago" at a French restaurant near his New York City gallery and knew she was involved "to some degree" with Democratic politics but did not know the entire scope.

Phillips, whose website states she has produced music videos for musicians such as Elton John, Rihanna, Justin Bieber and Jennifer Lopez, told Variety in 2019 that she has known President Biden for some time.

ART DEALER REVEALS HUNTER BIDEN KNEW 'SUGAR BROTHER' WAS TOP BUYER, MAKING WH ETHICS PLEDGE A 'SHAM': COMER

"I've known Biden for many years and I believe in his policies," Phillips said. "We need to bring our parties together and work together, and he's proven to be able to do that very successfully."

In fact, Phillips helped Biden round up at least $25,000 in donations from individuals for his 2020 campaign, according to a cached version of his campaign website showing its "volunteer fundraisers." The money presumably came from a November 2019 fundraiser she hosted at her Los Angeles home alongside actress Alyssa Milano, which Variety detailed in its article. In addition to fundraising for Biden, Phillips has also donated $5,000 to the Democratic National Committee and thousands in support of John Kerry's failed presidential campaign.

Phillips, meanwhile, has also communicated with Hunter Biden since at least 2010, according to emails from his abandoned laptop. Her earliest email was sending condolences to Hunter in 2010 after his grandmother passed away.

In October 2015, a couple of days before Biden announced he was not running for president, Phillips wrote to Hunter saying she is "keeping her fingers crossed your father will announce" a run for president, adding that if he did, she has a team of "really exciting and dedicated people who are eagerly awaiting to jump in and give 100% support!"

She wrote to him again in January 2018, wishing him a Happy New Year and asked if he would be in attendance for his father's book tour stop in Los Angeles at the time. It does not appear that he responded, so she emailed him again a few days later and noted his book tour was "sold out" and wanted to know if Hunter would be "able to sort us out for passes." It is unclear whether she was able to attend the Los Angeles book tour event.

HUNTER BIDEN GALLERIST TELLS LAWMAKERS HE NEVER SPOKE TO WHITE HOUSE ABOUT PAINTINGS: SOURCES

Bergès' testimony seemingly contradicts earlier statements from Phillips. The New York Times reported in February 2020 that Phillips had initially worked with Hunter Biden to find him an art dealer. She, however, told the publication that Hunter Biden did not sign with anyone under her guidance, that she was no longer advising him and he was still looking for a gallery.

Phillips and Biden's campaign did not respond to Fox News Digital's requests for comment.

Hunter Biden's artwork has reportedly brought in at least $1.3 million, and one of the buyers was Elizabeth Hirsh Naftali, a real estate investor from Los Angeles who is a prominent Democrat donor whom President Biden appointed to a prestigious commission. Phillips also introduced her to Bergès, according to his testimony.

President Biden appointed Hirsh Naftali to the Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage Abroad in July 2022 – eight months after the first son's first art opening. It is not clear, however, whether her purchase came before or after the appointment. 

Naftali donated over $200,000 to the Biden Victory Fund during the 2020 election cycle and over $30,000 to the Democratic National Committee in 2023. She also maxed out to the Biden campaign with two $3,300 donations last April.

Bergès also testified that Hunter Biden knew the identities of approximately 70% of his art buyers, contradicting earlier narratives from the White House. 

The most lucrative was from Kevin Morris, the Hollywood lawyer dubbed Hunter Biden's "sugar brother" due to his financial support, help writing a book and lending a private jet to the president's son. He purchased $875,000 worth of artwork in a January 2023 deal.

Bergès testified that Morris only paid 40% commission on the $875,000 purchase and that the lawyer worked with Hunter to figure out the financial implications. He admitted to never having done an art deal like that before.

House Homeland Security Republican demands Mayorkas’ impeachment as migrants to be housed at major NYC airport

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

EXCLUSIVE – Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., is leading the charge in calling for Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ impeachment.

Speaking to Fox News Digital by phone on Monday, Esposito, who serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, said Mayorkas has shown "a real dereliction of duty" and demanded he resign or face full impeachment. 

A retired NYPD detective, D'Esposito cited the "breakdown of law and order along the border," as well as the impact of the ongoing migrant crisis on New York communities, namely as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved New York City's plan to house migrants in a hangar at John F. Kennedy International Airport over the weekend. 

"I'm not going to be the last to have to ask for his impeachment. I think it's clear from the outrage, you know, among lawmakers that Mayorkas is not doing the job that he swore to do," D'Esposito told Fox News Digital. "I believe that one of the most important cabinet positions in the United States is that which protects our homeland." 

"The fact is he's just not living up to his oath," he said of Mayorkas. "Not only is he failing the administration, he is failing the American people. And that's my biggest concern." 

HOCHUL DEFENDS NYC CONTROVERSIAL MIGRANT BUSSING PROGRAM AS LAWSUITS MOUNT: 'THEY'RE ABSOLUTELY HERE LEGALLY'

D'Esposito said it's been weeks since he was able to question Mayorkas before the House Homeland Security Committee in late April. 

"With the ending of Title 42, he claimed that he had been planning for months and months and months. There was no plan in place. And if there was, we wouldn't be worrying about the opening of vacant warehouses in JFK Airport weeks after Title 42 ended," said D'Esposito, who also sits on the House Transportation Infrastructure Committee and is chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology.

"I am not about just not allowing anyone into this country," said the freshman congressman, whose district represents parts of Long Island's Nassau County. "My mom came here with her seven brothers and sisters from Puerto Rico in 1955, and my grandparents worked their tails off to give my aunts and uncles and my mom a good life and a good education. And they did it the right way. I believe that people should be given the opportunity for the American dream." 

"We don't have the ability to handle these asylum seekers. And that's the problem. It's not about just giving people entry into this country, it's about making sure that we afford them the opportunities and the resources that they need for the life here," D'Esposito continued. "We're millions of cases behind and, you know, increasing the amount of people into this country are only going to put those cases that are backlogged further in backlog." 

DHS on Thursday expanded slots to seek asylum at land crossings with Mexico through a mobile app for the second time in less than a month, seeking to dispel doubts it isn't a viable option. There are now 1,250 appointments daily at eight land crossings, up from 1,000 previously and 740 in early May.

D'Esposito's office blamed a "lack of planning by the Department of Homeland Security," for New York City Mayor Eric Adams' controversial program sending busloads of migrants "to unprepared suburban communities surrounding New York City as the Big Apple has found itself overwhelmed by the sheer number of recent border crossers." 

FORMER EMPLOYEE REVEALS SHOCKING CONDITIONS IN NYC MIGRANT HOTEL: 'FREE FOR ALL'

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey successfully petitioned the FAA for use of warehouse space at Kennedy airport to house migrants. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has said state officials are working with New York City to devise a plan to house migrants in SUNY college dormitories. 

"That is a slippery slope. And we're going to start having migrants and asylum seekers living among our students. And that's not what parents pay tuition for, is to have their children go to an educational institution and have to share their campus with asylum seekers," D'Esposito told Fox News Digital. 

The congressman further spoke to the impact on crime in New York communities, as Nassau County officials announced a large takedown of illegal narcotics believed to have come from the souther border within the last month, as well as a burglary ring busted by the Nassau County Police Department within the last six months. 

"These are people that are here illegally. They've been arrested before. And the fact is that people are concerned, people are scared, people are nervous, and they should be," he said. 

"I met with leadership in many school boards throughout Long Island. And they have serious concerns," D'Esposito added. "When they plan their budget for the year, they try to run those schools like a business. They want to make sure they do their very best to deliver the most for the taxpayers. And the fact is that there are some school districts that are seeing such a large increase in unaccompanied minors that they can't keep their budget in check because they need to afford resources that they just don't have. So even our schools are taking a hit." 

In addition to the millions of migrants who have been apprehended by DHS personnel and released into communities, it has been reported that over 530,000 migrants have illegally entered the country and evaded capture since October 2022, as per May 2023 estimates by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, according to D'Esposito's office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

Republicans push resolution to ‘recognize and honor’ Daniel Penny for ‘heroism and courage’

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

EXCLUSIVE: Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a resolution Thursday to "recognize and honor" Daniel Penny – a military veteran charged with manslaughter – for his "heroism and courage" on a New York City subway train earlier this month.

The resolution aims to set the record straight about what happened this month, and it recognizes Penny’s heroism in stepping up to protect himself and other frightened passengers in the subway car.

Penny is charged with manslaughter in the May 1 chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man, aboard a subway train. Penny, a 24-year-old Marine veteran, was questioned by police that day and released, but cellphone video, which showed two other men holding Neely's arms as Penny held Neely in a chokehold for several minutes, went viral online. A medical examiner later ruled Neely's death a homicide, even though prosecutors noted Neely was yelling threats toward other subway passengers when Penny intervened.

Disturbed by the treatment received by Penny, Ogles, with assistance from other Republicans in the House, is making it clear where he stands on the issue.

DANIEL PENNY BREAKS SILENCE OVER JORDAN NEELY DEATH: 'HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH RACE'

"The disgusting political abuse of power by Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg is an egregious assault on our justice system. On May 1, Daniel Penny took action to protect himself and innocent commuters on the F Train from an out-of-control individual," Ogles, who has represented Tennessee's Fifth Congressional District since January, told Fox News Digital. "DA Bragg and the mainstream media were quick to jump to the defense of Jordan Neely, who had a record of 42 arrests, including three assaults on women riding the New York subway."

"Instead of joining in with the full-throttled woke mob in unjustly demonizing Mr. Penny, I introduced a resolution to recognize and honor him for his heroism and courage," Ogles added.

In agreement with Ogles, Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene told Fox that Penny – referred to by his critics as a "White supremacist" and a "vigilante" – is the ideal "American hero."

"The world needs more men like Daniel Penny. He is exactly what an American hero looks like," Greene said in a statement.

The resolution, according to its text, recognizes "Daniel Penny of West Islip, New York, for his heroism and courage in apprehending a threat to public safety."

Neely, 30, was homeless and had more than 40 prior arrests, but his supporters have demanded Penny be charged with murder. Penny, who is charged with second-degree manslaughter and is free on $100,000 bond, spoke out for the first time Saturday, saying in a recent interview with the New York Post that his choice to step in had "nothing to do with race."

JORDAN NEELY PROTESTERS ARRESTED IN CLASH WITH COPS AT NYC VETERANS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF DANIEL PENNY

Penny said he was "deeply saddened" by Neely's death and insisted it is "tragic what happened to him."

"I judge a person based on their character. I’m not a White supremacist," Penny said. "I mean, it’s, it’s a little bit comical. Everybody who’s ever met me can tell you, I love all people, I love all cultures."

"Hopefully, we can change the system that’s so desperately failed us," he added.

Penny told the Post that he was on his way to the gym when Neely entered his subway car on May 1. Neely, who reportedly suffered from mental illness, began yelling about going to jail and being hungry and tired.

Passengers have said Neely was yelling and acting erratically when Penny intervened by putting him in a chokehold. Penny's lawyers have argued that the Marine veteran was trying to defend himself and passengers by restraining Neely.

Authorities are still determining to what extent Neely was threatening the train's passengers. Freelance journalist Juan Alberto Vazquez, who filmed the incident, said Neely was yelling and threw his jacket to the ground, but that he did not physically attack anyone.

But an eyewitness told Fox News Digital that Penny was a "hero" and recalled that Neely was using words like "kill" and "bullet" when he was yelling.

"It was self-defense, and I believe in my heart that [Penny] saved a lot of people that day that could have gotten hurt," the retiree told Fox News Digital.

The 24-year-old veteran told the Post that he did not regret the encounter and did not feel ashamed.

Fox News' Danielle Wallace, Andrea Vacchiano, and Rebecca Rosenberg contributed to this article.

Mother of NYC murder victim shouts down Democrat lawmaker: ‘Don’t insult my intelligence’

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The mother of a New York City murder victim shouted down Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., during a House Judiciary Committee field hearing on Monday, warning the lawmaker not to "insult my intelligence."

The mother, Madeline Brame, was one of many witnesses to testify before the committee during Monday's hearing highlighting the crime problem in Manhattan. Goldman attempted to use the time granted to him to question Brame to instead criticize the hearing itself, arguing it was a "coverup" for Republicans attempting to defend former President Donald Trump.

Goldman, who served as impeachment counsel during Trump's first impeachment, sought to explain his view of the situation to Brame after other Democrats had stated that Republicans were using the witnesses as "props" to defend Trump.

"We're not insulting you. Your experiences are devastating, but the problem is, is that this is a charade to cover up for an abuse of power. [Republicans] are going around incessantly, outside of this hearing, about Donald Trump, and the purpose of this hearing is to cover up for what they know to be an inappropriate investigation [into District Attorney Alvin Bragg]," Goldman said.

MANHATTAN DA ALVIN BRAGG SUES REP. JIM JORDAN OVER TRUMP INDICTMENT SUBPOENAS

"Can I respond to you, please?" Brame asked as Goldman attempted to move on.

"Not right now, because I only have 20 seconds, I'm sorry. But I, I do–" Goldman said.

"Don't insult my intelligence," Brame interjected as Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, attempted to maintain order. "You're trying to insult me like I'm not aware of what's going on here. I'm fully aware of what's going on here, OK? That's why I walked away from the plantation of the Democratic Party."

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DEMANDS MANHATTAN DA ALVIN BRAGG TESTIFY ABOUT POSSIBLE TRUMP INDICTMENT

Brame had testified earlier about Bragg's mishandling of her son's murder case. Her son, Army Sgt. Hason Correa, was beaten and stabbed nine times by multiple people in 2018. The prosecution for the cases dragged on for more than four years, and Bragg ultimately removed the indictments against two of the suspects in favor of lesser charges. Two others ended up receiving life sentences.

Brame argued that Bragg's office has only served to escalate the city's crime problem, showing no "measurable results" in lowering the city's violent crime rate.

What happens if Trump is elected president while under indictment? ‘This is uncharted territory’

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

Former President President Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury Thursday following nearly two weeks of anticipation after he said he expected to be arrested for alleged campaign finance violations. 

While Trump remains the clear front-runner in the field of Republican presidential candidates and shows no sign of slowing down his campaign, a myriad of questions remains about what a second Trump presidency could look like if he is elected while under indictment.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office was reportedly investigating alleged hush-money payments Trump made as a presidential candidate in 2016 to adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016.

It was not immediately clear Thursday what charges were brought against the former president.

TRUMP INDICTED AFTER MANHATTAN DA PROBE FOR HUSH MONEY PAYMENTS

There are no constitutional restrictions keeping Trump from continuing his campaign and eventually moving back into the White House if he is elected while under indictment, which means the country is quickly moving into unknown waters. 

Ilya Shapiro, director of constitutional studies at the Manhattan Institute, told Fox News Digital there are no "hard and fast legal rules" on the process, which consequently gives a lot of breathing room for politics.

"Presumably, what would happen is the president's lawyers would move to hold the indictment in abeyance, just to pause it while he serves," Shapiro said. "I can't imagine that a president would be taken into custody and sentenced to prison while a serving president. There may well be impeachment charges at that point as well. It would be a political matter."

"Presumably, these charges can continue, but just as a matter of prudence, I would imagine a court would stay these kinds of charges as a matter of national security, not presidential privilege or something, but just prudential considerations, and given the nature of the charges, given that what we're talking about here is campaign finance violations, it's not it's not murder or something," he said.

"This is uncharted territory," he added. 

Andrew McCarthy, former assistant U.S. Attorney, echoed a similar sentiment when speaking to Fox Business’ Neil Cavuto.

"Anyone who tells you they know what would happen is the either delusional or lying," McCarthy said. "We've never had a situation like this. I don't think the Framers ever thought that there could be a situation like this. I think part of the reason they designed the Electoral College was to make sure something like this didn't happen. But you know, here we are."

TRUMP CALLS MANHATTAN DA INVESTIGATING HIM A ‘RACIST IN REVERSE’

Shapiro warned that an indictment could bolster Trump’s popularity and make him a "martyr."

"I mean, indicting Trump benefits only Alvin Bragg, raising his profile, and Donald Trump – consolidating his support and making him a martyr," Shapiro said. "I agree with the statement [Ron] DeSantis and some others have put out – it's politically charged. Even if the allegations are completely true, nobody's lauding that kind of behavior, but so many years later, going after this ticky tack campaign finance violation – there's no upside here for the American people."

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who pundits widely expect to launch a White House bid later this year but has yet to officially announce, previously criticized Bragg over the potential indictment and accused him of "pursuing a political agenda and weaponizing the office."

However, the governor also emphasized, "I don’t know what goes into paying hush money to a porn star to secure silence over some type of alleged affair. I can’t speak to that."

Even an average criminal case in New York can take from six months to more than a year to move from indictment to trial, meaning it could coincide with the 2024 presidential election and even into the next presidency.

As president, Trump would not have the constitutional authority to pardon himself of state charges. However, Congress could move forward with impeachment proceedings or trying to remove him from office via the 25th Amendment.

Trump declared himself the "most innocent man in the history of our country" during a rally earlier this month in Waco, Texas.

"The district attorney of New York under the auspices and direction of the 'department of injustice' in Washington, D.C., is investigating me for something that is not a crime, not a misdemeanor, not an affair," Trump told the crowd. 

Manhattan DA’s office ‘asked for a meeting’ with law enforcement ahead of possible Trump indictment

Posted on by Latest Political News on Fox News

The Manhattan District Attorney's office has asked for a meeting with law enforcement ahead of a possible indictment of former President Donald Trump next week, according to a court source.

According to the source, the meeting was requested Thursday and hasn't been set. The meeting is to "discuss logistics for some time next week, which would mean that they are anticipating an indictment next week," the source familiar with the planning said.

Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung reacted to the news by ripping district attorney Alvin Bragg in a statement to Fox News Digital, calling his investigation a "witch hunt" and accusing him of being in the pocket of President Biden and "radical Democrats."

NEW YORK PROSECUTORS SIGNAL TRUMP MAY FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES FROM STORMY DANIELS SCANDAL

"President Donald J. Trump is completely innocent, he did nothing wrong, and even the biggest, most Radical Left Democrats are making that clear," Cheung said. "From Russia, Russia, Russia, to the Mueller Hoax, to Impeachment Hoaxes 1 and 2, and even the Unlawful Mar-a-Lago Raid, Democrats have investigated and attacked President Trump since before he was elected – and they’ve failed every time." 

"Now Democrats are at it again, pushing the 'Nuclear Button' and attacking a President because of a disgraced extortionist," he said. "This is happening because President Trump is leading in the polls by a large margin against both Democrats and Republicans, and there’s never been anything so blatant in American political history." 

TRUMP ATTORNEY CALLS OUT ‘COMPLETELY WEAPONIZED’ LEGAL SYSTEM AS MANHATTAN DA WEIGHS INDICTMENT

"Everyone knows it’s a sham. In fact, the Department of Justice stocked the DA’s office with top people from DC to help ‘Get Trump’ at a local level. Americans will not tolerate Radical Left Democrats turning our justice system into an injustice system to influence a presidential election, which is all they want to do. Our Country is not going to let this happen. This will backfire massively for the Democrat Party, and end in disgrace for our Nation," he added.

The potential indictment stems from the yearslong investigation surrounding Trump's alleged hush money scandal involving porn star Stormy Daniels. Towards the end of the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump's then-lawyer Michael Cohen sent $130,000 to Daniels to prevent her from disclosing her 2006 affair with Trump. Trump reimbursed Cohen through installments.

The Manhattan District Attorney's office declined to "confirm or comment," when contacted by Fox News.

NY GOP leader: ‘Enough evidence’ to move forward with Cuomo impeachment commission

Posted on by Joshua Nelson
A New York State Assemblyman wants to set up a bipartisan impeachment commission against Gov. Andrew Cuomo over his mishandling of the coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes.