INTERNACIONAL
From Democratic insider to party exile: Lindy Li isn’t ruling out another run for Congress
Before raising millions of campaign dollars for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris or breaking ranks with the Democratic Party to publish a tell-all political memoir, Lindy Li was trying to build a political career from the candidate’s podium.
«I just knew,» Li said.
«I knew that I was supposed to run for Congress. But I didn’t know I was supposed to do it at twenty-four years old.»
In the lead-up to the 2024 election, that ambition crashed headlong into lifelong convictions about loyalty and stretched them to a breaking point. Li’s status as a top Democratic fundraiser would soon crumble as she switched her party affiliation over unheeded warning signs about President Joe Biden’s decline in the 2024 election.
That break has left her uncertain about her future but hasn’t stopped her from thinking about what could come next.
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«President Rubio calls me in two years, four years, then there’s an open seat in Pennsylvania for whatever reason,» Li said, ruminating about her future.
«You know, I could solidify my hand on a hundred million dollars. I think few people could do a better job, and I’m sorry if that sounds conceited. And I’m not saying I want it; I’m just saying if it falls into my lap, then sure, but who knows?»
Li’s family initially came to the United States from China, fleeing persecution from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which Li said had killed her great-grandfather. After growing up briefly in Sheffield, England, Li joined her parents in New England at the age of 5.
She recounted how her family moved from Boston to New Haven to Pennsylvania as her father worked as a doctor.
From her parents, Li said, she inherited a sense of work ethic that enabled her to fuel her sense of political destiny. At Princeton, Li used that work ethic to become the only female class president to hold the office for four consecutive years.
«I used to go around with candy and just be like, ‘Can you please vote for me? This is what I intend to do. I want to expand late meals and offer sushi,’ whatever the platform was. I was tenacious; nobody could outwork me,» Li said.
EX-DEM INSIDER BLOWS LID OFF FUNDRAISING ‘GIMMICKS’ DURING 2024 ELECTION: ‘PYRAMID SCHEME’
The «plan,» Li said, was to become a senator.
But that wasn’t supposed to happen for another ten years when, in 2012, a school shooter attacked Sandy Hook Elementary School, killing 20 children. Li recalled how the attack accelerated her convictions to enter public life and prompted her to leave a budding career in finance.
«I just felt it in my heart that I was supposed to help do whatever I could to save those kids,» Li said.
Despite conservative leanings, Li ran twice as a Democrat, never advancing past the primary stage. But her fundraising caught the attention of Democratic strategists. In 2016, she raised nearly $515,000 and in 2018 another $168,000.
«I didn’t intend to become a fundraiser,» Li recalled. «It’s a lot of salesmanship, and I hated it. I hate it. And I also know I’m very good at it. This is not me bragging; I just know.
«They came to my home. I remember. The executive director showed up to my home to recruit me for this. It was like Scientology. He noticed — I mean, everybody noticed that as a kid I basically raised $700,000. I just caught the eye of party leadership.»
Alongside her aspirations, Li said she also cultivated a sense of loyalty, a quality she said has been a key part of her character since she can remember.
«Like if somebody’s kind to me, I will go to the ends of the earth for them. And it always surprises me and I shouldn’t be surprised when someone doesn’t reciprocate because that’s just how I operate. You have to give me a reason to walk away from you. If you have my loyalty, there’s very little I wouldn’t do for you,» Li said.
That loyalty, combined with her fundraising prowess, led Li to climb swiftly, rubbing shoulders with some of the party’s top operatives. During the Biden and Harris campaigns, Li communicated with figures like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., many of whom she built personal relationships with.
But that loyalty reached a tipping point in 2024 when, as a fundraiser, Li saw the party selling donors and voters on the idea that President Joe Biden could serve effectively as president for another four years despite mounting concerns about his cognitive abilities.
In recent months, Li has published a book, «Unburdened,» documenting the party’s internal deliberations about Biden’s age and how, according to her, many of them knowingly understood the political liabilities that came with his age.
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That book and the warpath to writing it have severed virtually all of her relationships from when she was a Democrat. As she documented in her book, it even cost her a personal romantic relationship of eight years.
To an extent, Li understood the price tag that came with her decision to go public with her insider knowledge.
She suspects some of the people she left behind understand that price, too.
«If Josh Shapiro ever walks into the room, I know we’re gonna understand each other, I know. Like despite everything that’s happened. I think he’s going to understand. I understand why he needed to throw me, you know, to the wolves.
«I never would have done that to him, though.»
Li still holds fast to the idea of loyalty as a matter of personal conviction. But regardless of where her ambitions take her next, she believes she will have to temper them with honesty that makes few allowances for party narratives.
«I think I would describe my worldview as realpolitik with Lindy characteristics,» Li said.
«I’m no longer going to half-heartedly support anybody. I learned my lesson about Biden and Harris. So I’m just waiting.»
kamala harris, joe biden, democratic party
INTERNACIONAL
Top investigator in Biden-era election probe wanted to tear key constitutional right away from lawmakers
Newly uncovered documents reveal that one of former special counsel Jack Smith’s top deputies advocated for repealing a key constitutional protection for lawmakers.
«I’m an advocate for repealing the clause but absent that, we’re stuck with it and the way it’s been interpreted,» J.P. Cooney, who served as Smith’s principal deputy prosecutor, wrote in a 2021 exchange first obtained by the Washington Examiner. He was speaking with Molly Gaston, another prosecutor who would go on to join Smith, about the Constitution’s speech or debate clause.
The speech or debate clause of the Constitution protects members of Congress from civil or criminal prosecution stemming from their legislative actions or speech. In theory, it shields the legislative branch from being coerced by the executive branch under threat of prosecution.
JACK SMITH THRUST BACK INTO SPOTLIGHT AT BLANCHE HEARING OVER EXPOSED SENATORS’ MESSAGES
«Records provided to my office revealed that Jack Smith’s right-hand man, J.P. Cooney, flaunted his disdain for the speech or debate clause, which protects the separation of powers,» Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told Digital.
«Later, Cooney and Smith violated this constitutional safeguard by secretly obtaining toll records and text messages from dozens of members of Congress.»
«Jack Smith and his team disgracefully tore up the Constitution throughout his partisan investigation. That’s what happens when runaway Democrat government is in power,» Grassley added.
Smith and his staff were responsible for investigating efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.
Cooney’s position on the speech or debate clause was a point of contention during Smith’s Tuesday hearing on Capitol Hill.
«When you became special counsel, what direction did you give your staff to handle speech or debate and attorney-client material? Did you issue any directives? If so, to whom? Please explain,» Grassley asked Smith, citing Cooney’s support for repealing the clause.
«So, with respect to the speech or debate clause, first, we took our obligations seriously under the speech or debate clause. It’s, in my view, an important part of the separation of powers,» Smith responded.
«I had members of my staff who were very familiar with the clause, having worked in the public integrity section for years. We also, when it was appropriate or required, consulted with the public integrity section regarding application of that clause.»
Grassley dismissed Smith’s defense by arguing that the behavior of his staff contradicted his statement.
BIDEN SPECIAL COUNSEL’S ‘RUNAWAY TRAIN’ SCOOPED UP SENSITIVE LAWMAKER INFO: ‘ABUSE OF POWER’
Republicans have argued Cooney’s views foreshadowed Smith’s later use of subpoenas for lawmakers’ communication records.
Smith’s team obtained and reviewed communications involving dozens of lawmakers, while separate subpoenas sought telephone records associated with a smaller group of members of Congress.
Among the lawmakers whose messages with White House personnel were obtained and reviewed were senators Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa; Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; John Cornyn, R-Texas; Josh Hawley, R-Mo.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; and the late Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.
«In 2023, Cooney, Gaston, Windom and Ray Hulser were given warnings that subpoenaing congressional information could violate the speech or debate clause,» Grassley previously said.
EXPLOSIVE NEW REPORT PUTS JACK SMITH BACK IN HOT SEAT AS JIM JORDAN ALLEGES HE TRIED TO ‘SWAY’ 2024 ELECTION
Cooney complained about statutory restrictions surrounding efforts to obtain lawmakers’ telephone records during a separate 2021 investigation, at one point calling the language «ridiculous,» according to previously released messages.
When asked about Cooney’s position on the speech or debate clause, Democracy Forward, the advocacy organization where he now works, referred Digital to a press release announcing its hiring of both him and Gaston.
Cooney and Gaston said in the release that they had spent years «holding the most powerful accountable for public corruption and civil rights abuses» and said they joined Democracy Forward amid what they characterized as the Trump administration’s «de-prioritization» of public corruption enforcement.
While Republicans have characterized Smith’s investigation as a political witch hunt, he maintains that he acted impartially and in the best interests of the United States.
Proponents argue that Smith’s investigation was necessary because the allegations involved conduct at the core of constitutional government, including efforts to overturn the 2020 election and obstruct the lawful transfer of power, as well as the retention and alleged concealment of highly classified documents on part of President Donald Trump.
Digital reached out to Gaston & Cooney PLLC Wednesday.
chuck grassley, judiciary, law, hearings, constitution, politics, senate
INTERNACIONAL
Honduras realiza ocho vuelos de siembra de nubes tras 10 meses de sequía en el Corredor Seco
El Gobierno de Honduras ha realizado hasta la fecha ocho vuelos de estimulación de lluvias como parte del Programa de Siembra de Nubes, una estrategia implementada para favorecer las precipitaciones en regiones afectadas por el déficit de agua, especialmente en sectores del Corredor Seco.
Las operaciones, coordinadas por la Secretaría de Agricultura y Ganadería (SAG) con el aporte del sector privado, han permitido intervenir diferentes zonas consideradas prioritarias por su importancia para la producción agrícola, ganadera y la disponibilidad de fuentes de agua.
Durante los ocho vuelos efectuados se han utilizado aproximadamente 800 litros de yoduro de plata, a razón de unos 100 litros por operación. El programa contempla un total de 20 vuelos, por lo que todavía están pendientes 12 operaciones, cuya realización dependerá de que existan condiciones atmosféricas adecuadas.
Las operaciones se han desarrollado en sectores de Francisco Morazán, Comayagua, Choluteca, Valle, La Paz, Intibucá, Lempira y Yoro, departamentos incluidos dentro de las zonas priorizadas por el programa debido a los efectos provocados por la reducción de las precipitaciones.
En el sur de Honduras, los vuelos han comprendido sectores de Nacaome, San Lorenzo y San Marcos de Colón, en Choluteca, además de áreas vinculadas con cuencas y fuentes estratégicas de agua.
El objetivo es contribuir a mejorar las condiciones de humedad en regiones donde la falta de lluvias ha afectado las actividades productivas.
Mientras avanzan las operaciones, productores del Corredor Seco han comenzado a reportar cambios en las condiciones climáticas. En San Antonio de Flores, Choluteca, agricultores señalan que después de aproximadamente 10 meses de sequía se han registrado precipitaciones de mayor volumen.
Carlos Torres, productor de Tierra Blanca, en el municipio de San Antonio de Flores, relató que el pasado 25 de septiembre se presentaron lluvias después de un prolongado período de sequía.
“Se presentaron lluvias después que estábamos en una sequía, en completo verano en todo este Corredor Seco”, manifestó.
Las precipitaciones generan expectativas entre los productores debido a la posibilidad de mejorar las condiciones de los suelos, cultivos y fuentes de agua, además de representar un alivio para las actividades agrícolas y ganaderas que durante meses han enfrentado limitaciones por la escasez del recurso hídrico.
Sin embargo, las autoridades aclaran que la siembra de nubes no crea nubosidad desde cero. Para ejecutar cada vuelo es indispensable que existan formaciones nubosas con determinadas características atmosféricas que permitan realizar el proceso de estimulación de precipitaciones.
La técnica consiste en dispersar yoduro de plata sobre nubes que ya reúnen condiciones específicas, con el propósito de favorecer los procesos que pueden contribuir a la formación de precipitación. Por ello, los vuelos no pueden realizarse de manera automática ni bajo cualquier condición climática.
Los equipos técnicos realizan un monitoreo de variables como la temperatura, humedad y nubosidad para identificar los momentos y lugares que presentan mejores condiciones para efectuar las operaciones.
La programación de los vuelos, por tanto, está directamente condicionada por el comportamiento de la atmósfera.
El programa contempla una cobertura estimada de entre 1.8 y 2.3 millones de hectáreas, principalmente en áreas del Corredor Seco que han sido afectadas por la reducción de las lluvias y que presentan una alta dependencia de las precipitaciones para sus actividades productivas.
Las primeras operaciones también abarcaron sectores relacionados con las cuencas que abastecen la represa José Cecilio del Valle y el río Nacaome, además de otras zonas consideradas estratégicas para la disponibilidad de agua.
De igual manera, se han efectuado intervenciones en áreas vinculadas con las cuencas que abastecen las represas del Distrito Central y otras reservas estratégicas, debido a la importancia de estas fuentes para el consumo humano y el abastecimiento de las poblaciones.
La iniciativa forma parte de las medidas adoptadas por el Gobierno para hacer frente al déficit de precipitaciones y buscar alternativas que contribuyan a recuperar las reservas de agua necesarias para diferentes sectores de la población.
El propósito del Programa de Siembra de Nubes es favorecer el incremento de las lluvias y contribuir a la recuperación de las fuentes y reservas de agua utilizadas para consumo humano, agricultura y ganadería.
Las autoridades prevén continuar con las operaciones hasta completar los 20 vuelos programados, siempre que las condiciones meteorológicas permitan identificar nubes con las características necesarias.
De esta manera, aún quedan 12 vuelos pendientes, cuya ejecución estará determinada por la evolución del clima en las zonas priorizadas.
corresponsal:Desde Tegucigalpa, Honduras
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France’s violent student protests are fueling fresh warnings about the consequences of open-border immigration policies, with the unrest being held up as a «cautionary tale» for the U.S.
«I would also say as we’re sitting here in beautiful New York City, this is a cautionary tale,» «The Big Weekend Show» co-host Tomi Lahren said Saturday.
She continued: «This is something we’re learning from Europe, and we would be wise to learn from Europe. They decided they wanted to have open borders. They decided they wanted diversity as their strength, and of course, Joe Biden tried that for four years. We’re undoing that currently.»
FRANCE’S TEEN RIOTS TAKE EXPLOSIVE NEW TURN AS GOVERNMENT POINTS FINGER AT HARD LEFT
Policemen stand in front of burning garbage as they face students during a protest against under-resourced schools in Paris on Friday. (Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo)
Lahren posited that «when you let so many people come into your country, leech off of your system, then the people who are from there are going to at some point get upset.»
She said that anger often becomes misplaced and, «they end up lighting things on fire, which I think is stupid no matter what you’re angry with, but it’s no doubt these countries that say we’re going to be a global home for everybody, they end up paying the price, and it’s usually the native Frenchmen, or whenever they are that end up paying the highest price.»
Students in Paris began to protest late last month against what they deemed as overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, long school days and deteriorating conditions, blaming the government for not investing enough in education.
REPUBLICAN GLEE ERUPTS AS WHITE HOUSE BOASTS SHARP DECLINE IN IMMIGRATION FROM MUSLIM-MAJORITY NATIONS
A student kicks a tear gas canister during a protest against under-resourced schools in Paris on Friday. (Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo)
The demonstrations started peacefully in Paris’ poorer suburbs but quickly spread to Paris itself, then went nationwide in cities like Marseille, Strasbourg, Tours, Nantes, Toulouse and Lille, becoming increasingly violent as they expanded.
The protests were also fueled by the government’s 2027 budget unveiling on Thursday, which showed education spending would rise by only 1.7%, excluding teacher pensions, an increase which is below the rate of inflation, Reuters reported.
Rioters have committed arson, vandalism, thrown objects at police and even assaulted people in some cases, prompting authorities to respond with tear gas and rubber bullets.
TENS OF THOUSANDS FLOOD STREETS TO PROTEST SPAIN BORDER CRISIS
Students block the entrance of Voltaire high school in Paris as they protest against under-resourced schools on Friday. (Aurelien Morissard/AP Photo)
More than 5,000 protesters were arrested this week across the country, according to Reuters, and more than 400 schools remained closed as of Friday.
Euronews reported Friday that at least 65 school staff members, including 40 principals, have been injured since the unrest began, along with roughly 170 students.
More than 100 high schools have suffered what Education Minister Édouard Geffray described as «severe damage.»
French intelligence agencies told a government crisis meeting Thursday that the protest movement had been initiated by politicians from the hard-left France Unbowed Party, known as LFI, Reuters reported Friday.
LIZ PEEK: ANGRY, AFFLUENT AND ADRIFT — WHAT’S DRIVING SOME YOUNG AMERICANS TO VIOLENCE
Anti-riot police officers face protesting students carrying out blockading action outside the secondary school Le Corbusier, in Aubervilliers, northern Paris on Friday. (Lou Benoist / AFP via Getty Images)
LFI has denied the allegations and accused President Emmanuel Macron’s government of politicizing the protests ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election.
Simone Rodan-Benzaquen, senior envoy to Europe at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Fox News Digital on Thursday that the unrest began with legitimate concerns but has since evolved into something far more serious.
«The students’ grievances about missing teachers and deteriorating schools were real at first,» Rodan-Benzaquen said. «But dousing a principal in gasoline and attacking firefighters are acts of extreme violence. What makes this politically significant is the effort to turn frustration over schools into a much broader confrontation with the government.»
Fox News’ Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
france, world, world protests, big weekend show
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