Tag Archives: political scandal

Katie Porter

Katie Porter’s Viral Meltdown Rocks California Governor Race

California Democratic frontrunner Katie Porter is facing intense political scrutiny after two viral videos surfaced showing her berating a staff member and clashing with a reporter. The incidents, which quickly spread across social media, have raised questions about her temperament as she campaigns to replace Governor Gavin Newsom in 2026.

In her first public statement since the controversy broke, Porter admitted she had “fallen short” of the standards expected from a public leader and issued an apology. “When I look at those videos, I want people to know that I understand that I could have handled things better,” Porter said during an interview on Inside California Politics.

She continued, emphasizing that she values her team’s contributions:

“I think I’m known as someone who can handle tough questions, who’s willing to face scrutiny. And I want people to know I really value the incredible work that my staff can do.”

However, the fallout within the Democratic Party has been swift. Many party members have distanced themselves, and some analysts suggest the controversy could damage her standing as the leading Democratic candidate for California governor.

Story Highlights

  • Katie Porter apologizes after viral videos show heated exchanges with reporter and staffer.

  • Democratic frontrunner faces questions over her temperament and leadership style.

  • One clip shows her threatening to walk out of a CBS interview.

  • Another video shows Porter shouting and using profanity at a staffer in 2021.

  • Governor Gavin Newsom’s successor race heats up ahead of the 2026 California primary.

  • Porter vows to stay in the race despite criticism from party insiders.

When pressed on whether more such videos might exist, Porter sidestepped direct confirmation.

“I can tell you what I’ve told you,” she said, “which is that I’m taking responsibility for the situation, and I’m also not going to back down from fighting for California—from being tough.”

Her comments reflect a delicate balancing act—acknowledging fault while doubling down on her image as a fighter. The incident underscores how quickly image and perception can shift in today’s digital age, where a few viral moments can alter a campaign’s momentum overnight.

The first viral clip, recorded during a recent interview with CBS News, showed Porter threatening to walk out mid-conversation and laughing off a journalist’s question. The second, older video from 2021, captured the former congresswoman shouting at a staffer and using an expletive.

For a politician once praised for her composed and sharp questioning style in Congress, the contrast has been striking. From 2019 to 2025, Katie Porter served in the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming famous for her viral whiteboard interrogations during congressional hearings. Her incisive questioning and fact-driven approach earned her a reputation as a fearless watchdog of corporate power.

Now, that same toughness is being reassessed by voters and fellow Democrats as a possible liability. Political strategists note that the controversy may not end her campaign but could shift the tone of the California governor race, especially as new contenders consider entering the field.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek another term, remains a central figure in California politics and is widely considered a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender. With Vice President Kamala Harris confirming she won’t run for governor, Porter had emerged as the natural frontrunner. But the latest developments may open the door for others—such as Senator Alex Padilla, who is reportedly being urged to join the race before the June 2026 primary.

Despite the uproar, Porter appears determined to continue.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she said firmly. “California deserves a leader who’s not afraid to fight—and I intend to be that leader.”

As the California governor race gathers momentum, Porter’s apology and response to the controversy will likely shape her public image in the months ahead. What began as a campaign about policy and leadership may now hinge on character and composure, two qualities voters will weigh heavily in a state known for its demanding political landscape.

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Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Pleads Guilty to Faking City Hall Bomb Threat

A former deputy mayor in Los Angeles is facing sentencing Monday after pleading guilty to falsely reporting a bomb threat to City Hall last year. Brian K. Williams, 61, of Pasadena, admitted in June to a single federal count of making threats involving fire and explosives.

Story Highlights

  • Brian K. Williams, former deputy mayor of Los Angeles, pleaded guilty to faking a bomb threat at City Hall.

  • Threat reported on Oct. 3, 2024; Williams falsely claimed an anonymous caller threatened City Hall over the city’s support of Israel.

  • LAPD searched Los Angeles City Hall but found no explosives; the call was fabricated.

  • Williams retired quietly in April 2025 and admitted no intent to carry out the threat.

  • Previously served under Mayor James Hahn and as executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission.

  • FBI emphasized the breach of trust and responsibility for public safety officials in Los Angeles.

Williams’ actions sent shockwaves through Los Angeles city government, raising concerns about the integrity of public safety leadership. While serving as Mayor Karen Bass’ deputy mayor of public safety, Williams claimed he received a bomb threat on his city-issued phone from an unknown caller on Oct. 3, 2024.

According to his plea agreement, about ten minutes after the alleged call, Williams sent a text message to Mayor Bass and other top city officials. In the message, he wrote:

“Bomb threat: I received phone call on my city cell at 10:48 am this morning. The male caller stated that he was tired of the city support of Israel, and he has decided to place a bomb in City Hall. It might be in the rotunda. I immediately contacted the chief of staff of LAPD; they are going to send a number of officers over to do a search of the building and to determine if anyone else received a threat.”

Williams continued to update officials throughout the morning. In one message, he reassured them that no evacuation was necessary, stating:

“At this time, there is no need for us to evacuate the building. I’m meeting with the threat management officers within the next 10 minutes. In light of the Jewish holidays, we are taking this threat a little more seriously. I will keep you posted.”

Responding quickly, Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived at City Hall to investigate. The building was searched thoroughly, but no suspicious packages or devices were found. Williams showed officers the record of the incoming call, which appeared as a blocked number.

Federal prosecutors revealed, however, that the incoming call was not from a threatening caller. It was a call that Williams had placed to himself from his personal cell phone. At no time did Williams intend to carry out the threat.

Williams quietly retired from Los Angeles city government in April 2025. Prior to his departure, he had been placed on administrative leave while the FBI launched an investigation into the bomb threat.

Williams joined Mayor Bass’ office in March 2023 and worked closely with critical safety departments, including the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles World Airports police, and emergency services. Before this role, he spent seven years as executive director of the Los Angeles County Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission. He also previously served as a deputy mayor under Mayor James Hahn, overseeing the Department of Transportation, Public Works, and Information Technology Agency.

Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles bureau, said:

“Mr. Williams, the former deputy mayor of public safety for Los Angeles, not only betrayed the residents of Los Angeles but also responding officers and the integrity of the office itself by fabricating a bomb threat.”

He added, “Government officials are held to a heightened standard as we rely on them to safeguard the city. I’m relieved that Mr. Williams has taken responsibility for his inexplicable actions.”

The case highlights the severe consequences of misusing positions of authority in Los Angeles and the importance of maintaining trust in city leadership.

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Curren Price Faces Court Over Public Corruption Charges in Los Angeles

Los Angeles City Councilman Curren Price is set to face a crucial court hearing on November 3 to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for him to stand trial in a high-profile public corruption case. The 74-year-old councilman from the Ninth District appeared Tuesday in a downtown Los Angeles courtroom, confronting multiple felony charges, including grand theft by embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, and perjury by declaration.

The November hearing, which is expected to span several days, follows a rejection by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Sean D. Coen of a defense challenge to the legal sufficiency of the complaint. That challenge, if successful, could have resulted in the dismissal of the case against Price. The councilman, first charged in June 2023 with ten felony counts, now faces twelve charges after prosecutors added two more in August.

Story Highlights:

  • Curren Price faces 12 felony counts including embezzlement, conflict of interest, and perjury.

  • Alleged misuse of city funds to benefit his wife’s company, Del Richardson & Associates.

  • Subpoenas revealed additional evidence of public corruption.

  • Potential prison sentence of over 11 years if convicted.

  • Defense maintains Price acted without knowledge of any conflicts and votes were unanimous.

In a statement following the court’s decision, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman emphasized the importance of accountability.

“Public officials will not violate the public trust on my watch. The District Attorney’s Office, by law, is mandated to serve as a watchdog against public corruption,” Hochman said.
“Politicians are entrusted with immense power and control over vast sums of money and are accordingly bound to act in the interests of the public, not their pocketbook. Our Public Integrity Division will continue to hold politicians accountable. We look forward to moving forward with the criminal justice process in this case.”

Defense attorney Michael Schafler, representing Price, responded by criticizing the newly added charges.

“These additional charges are nothing more than an attempt to pile on to a weak case,” Schafler said.
“They have gone back as far as six years, combing through thousands and thousands of votes, to find a couple more allegedly conflicted votes. The evidence will show that Councilman Price had no knowledge of any alleged conflicts at the time he cast those votes. The fact is that every one of those votes was passed unanimously and by consent.”

Schafler added that Price is committed to fighting the charges.

“The councilman will continue to fight these charges until his name is cleared and his innocence is proven,” he stated.

Curren Price’s Political Career and Allegations

Price has represented South Los Angeles and Exposition Park since 2013, following earlier service in the California Assembly and State Senate. Prosecutors allege that Del Richardson & Associates, a company solely owned by Price’s wife, received payments totaling more than $150,000 from developers between 2019 and 2021, coinciding with votes Price cast to approve related projects.

Price is also accused of embezzling nearly $33,800 in city funds from 2013 to 2017 to provide medical benefits for Richardson, falsely claiming she was his wife while still married to Lynn Suzette Price.

Subpoenas issued during the investigation yielded further evidence, prompting prosecutors to file an amended complaint adding two more counts of conflict of interest. The complaint includes 39 exhibits documenting payments to Richardson’s company and Price’s voting history.

Between October 2019 and June 2020, the Housing Authority of the city of Los Angeles allegedly paid Del Richardson & Associates nearly $609,600. During this period, Price voted to support a $35 million federal grant and a $252 million state grant application for the agency.

Between October 2020 and October 2021, LA Metro paid Del Richardson & Associates about $219,500, while Price introduced and voted for a motion to award $30 million to the agency. In both cases, prosecutors say Price’s staff flagged the potential conflicts prior to the votes.

Additionally, prosecutors claim Price leveraged his position to direct city lease agreements and over $2 million in federal COVID-19 grants to the nonprofit Home at Last, which operated as a tenant of the Urban Healthcare Project, where Price served as CEO.

Curren Price and the Broader Context of Los Angeles Politics

Price is the latest Los Angeles city official to face legal scrutiny. Former council members Jose Huizar and Mitch Englander have pleaded guilty to federal charges in recent years. Mark Ridley-Thomas was convicted in 2023 for trading votes in exchange for personal benefits. Former City Council President Nury Martinez resigned in 2022 following a leaked tape of a racially charged conversation regarding the city’s redistricting process.

If convicted of the charges, Price could face up to 11 years and four months in custody, including over nine years in state prison and up to two years in county jail, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Price has consistently maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to the original 10 counts in December 2023.

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Macrons Strike Back: Defamation Battle Heats Up Against Candace Owens

In a lawsuit brimming with drama and international intrigue, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation case in Delaware against U.S. commentator Candace Owens. The suit accuses Owens of spinning wild and damaging tales — from gender identity claims to secret CIA plots — in what the Macrons describe as a reckless attempt to stir sensation, feed her audience, and profit from scandal. With global attention now fixed on the courtroom, this bold legal strike may decide the cost of false fame and viral slander.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Filed in Delaware: The Macrons are suing Candace Owens and her business entities for defamation.

  • False Allegations: Claims include that Brigitte Macron is transgender, stole someone’s identity, and that she and President Macron are blood relatives.

  • Conspiracy Theories: Owens also allegedly linked President Macron to CIA mind-control programs like MKUltra.

  • Repeated Legal Notices: The Macrons sent three formal retraction demands before filing the suit.

  • Prepared to Testify: The Macrons are reportedly willing to appear in a Delaware courtroom.

  • Clare Locke Represents: The couple has enlisted the high-profile defamation law firm behind Dominion’s lawsuit against Fox News.

In a dramatic international legal development, French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron have initiated a defamation lawsuit against American conservative commentator Candace Owens. Filed in Delaware, the lawsuit accuses Owens of launching a sustained and calculated campaign of falsehoods, targeting the French first couple with inflammatory claims that the Macrons say have caused irreparable harm to their reputation and personal lives.

The legal action focuses on a series of statements and media productions made by Owens beginning in early 2024. The commentator, known for her provocative and often controversial takes, made headlines after declaring publicly that she would “stake [her] entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man.” According to the lawsuit, Owens did not stop at that statement but escalated her narrative through social media and a dedicated eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte.

Rather than issuing a retraction or clarifying her statements, Owens is alleged to have ridiculed the Macrons’ legal efforts and used them to further inflame her audience. The lawsuit accuses her of turning the couple’s identities into a “profit-driven spectacle,” amplifying bizarre theories and deeply personal falsehoods to attract followers and monetize outrage.

The suit specifically details a number of baseless and damaging claims: that Brigitte Macron was born a man and assumed someone else’s identity; that she and President Macron are related by blood and involved in an incestuous relationship; that Emmanuel Macron was selected to lead France through a covert CIA-run mind-control initiative like MKUltra; and that the couple has committed fraud and abuse of power to keep these so-called secrets buried.

The Macrons, in a rare joint statement released through their attorneys, said:

“Ms Owens’ campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety. We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused.”

They added:

“It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.”

Beyond the reputational damage, the couple says they have endured significant emotional distress. According to the lawsuit, they now live under the constant weight of public mockery and invasive scrutiny. The lawsuit describes how the falsehoods have taken a real toll, noting that:

“Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications. It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust.”

The Macrons allege that despite three formal requests for retraction—including supporting documentation meant to dispel Owens’ claims—Owens chose not only to ignore the demands but to double down. A press release from their law firm, Clare Locke LLP, states that Owens used the retraction requests themselves as “fodder” for more provocative content, mocking the couple and creating even more damaging narratives in their wake.

The Macrons are represented by Clare Locke, a firm known for handling major defamation cases in the U.S., including the high-profile Dominion Voting Systems lawsuit against Fox News. According to The Financial Times, the couple is willing to appear in court in Delaware, signaling how seriously they view the matter.

For now, Owens has not responded publicly to the lawsuit or media requests for comment.

With high-profile attorneys, international attention, and deep emotional stakes involved, this case could mark a significant turning point in the legal treatment of online defamation—especially when public figures are targeted across borders by conspiratorial narratives that blur the lines between commentary and fabrication.

As legal proceedings loom in Delaware, the lawsuit filed by Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron against Candace Owens underscores the rising tensions between public figures and the unchecked spread of sensational content. At its core, the case is not only about reputational defense but also about setting a precedent in an era where provocative claims can travel faster than facts. With courtroom arguments soon to unfold, all eyes now turn to whether justice will prevail—or if controversy will continue to outpace truth in the digital age.

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Tulsi Gabbard Unleashes Storm Over Secret Obama-Era Plot Against Trump

In a stunning disclosure stirring waves across Washington, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has unveiled over 100 declassified documents alleging a high-level scheme within the Obama administration to construct the Trump-Russia collusion narrative just weeks before President Obama left office. The documents, released Friday, claim top intelligence officials shaped a politically charged storyline contradicting earlier findings. With whistleblowers now surfacing and criminal referrals underway, the revelations have thrown a fresh spotlight on past power plays, shaking the core of political trust and testing the pulse of American democracy.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Gabbard releases 100+ declassified documents alleging a post-election conspiracy under the Obama administration.

  • Claims suggest intelligence narrative shifted after Trump’s win, allegedly without new evidence.

  • Former top officials named, including Clapper, Brennan, Comey, and Rice.

  • Documents claim no Russian interference in vote counts was found before 2016 election.

  • Whistleblowers reportedly coming forward after document release.

  • Gabbard sending materials to DOJ and FBI for criminal referral.

  • Rep. Jim Himes and other Democrats reject the claims as unfounded.

In a development drawing intense scrutiny across the political spectrum, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has released a trove of declassified documents that, according to her, outline what she describes as a coordinated operation led by former Obama administration officials to influence the post-2016 political narrative surrounding Donald Trump and alleged Russian interference.

The documents—over 100 in total—were released on Friday and have already ignited a firestorm of debate in Washington. Speaking on Sunday Morning Futures, Gabbard emphasized the gravity of the materials, calling the implications “nothing short of historic.”

“Over 100 documents that we released on Friday really detail and provide evidence of how this treasonous conspiracy was directed by President Obama just weeks before he was due to leave office after President Trump had already gotten elected,” Gabbard stated during the interview.

Framing her remarks beyond party lines, she added:

“This is not a Democrat or Republican issue. This is an issue that is so serious it should concern every single American because it has to do with the integrity of our democratic republic.”

According to the documents made public by Gabbard’s office, prior to the 2016 presidential election, U.S. intelligence reports had concluded there was no direct evidence suggesting Russia had attempted to manipulate or alter vote counts. Yet, in the final days of the Obama administration and immediately following Trump’s election, a shift reportedly occurred in how intelligence officials presented Russia’s involvement.

Gabbard asserts this shift was not rooted in new evidence but was instead a deliberate recalibration for political purposes. She claims that senior intelligence leaders began promoting a new narrative suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin had intended to help Donald Trump win the presidency.

“Creating this piece of manufactured intelligence that claims that Russia had helped Donald Trump get elected contradicted every other assessment that had been made previously in the months leading up to the election,” Gabbard argued. “Those assessments said exactly the opposite—that Russia had neither the intent nor the capability to try to ‘hack the United States election.’”

She further alleged that the actions taken by President Obama and his national security team following the election had a far-reaching effect—one that, she claims, fundamentally undermined American democratic norms.

“The effect of what President Obama and his senior national security team did was subvert the will of the American people,” Gabbard said. “They enacted what would be essentially a years-long coup against President Trump, who was duly elected by the American people.”

Among those named in the documents are several high-profile figures who held powerful intelligence and national security positions during the Obama administration. The list includes former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director James Comey, and former National Security Adviser Susan Rice. According to Gabbard, these individuals were directly involved in shaping what she described as a false intelligence narrative.

Gabbard also revealed her intent to formally send the newly released documents to the Department of Justice and the FBI for review, seeking a criminal referral.

“We’re not just stopping at disclosure,” she explained. “We are forwarding all materials to the DOJ and FBI. There must be accountability.”

When asked if she anticipates prosecutions, Gabbard did not offer specifics but affirmed her commitment to pursuing justice:

“We have whistleblowers, actually, coming forward now after we released these documents,” she said. “There are people who were around, who were working within the intelligence community at this time who were so disgusted by what happened. We’re starting to see some of them come out of the woodwork here because they want to see justice delivered.”

According to Gabbard, the emergence of whistleblowers is a signal that the revelations may only be the beginning. She believes the consequences should be significant.

“There must be indictments,” she stated. “Those responsible, no matter how powerful they are and were at that time, no matter who was involved in creating this treasonous conspiracy against the American people—they all must be held accountable.”

Despite the weight of the allegations, not everyone in Washington is convinced. Some Democratic leaders have already rejected the claims. Representative Jim Himes of Connecticut, the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, dismissed Gabbard’s statements as “baseless.”

Gabbard’s office has reportedly reached out to representatives of former President Obama, James Clapper, John Brennan, James Comey, Susan Rice, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. At the time of publishing, none had issued a response.

While reactions remain sharply divided along partisan lines, the release of these documents is expected to fuel further investigations, inquiries, and national debate in the months to come. Whether these revelations will lead to formal indictments or merely fade into the fog of political controversy remains to be seen.

As Tulsi Gabbard’s revelations echo through political and intelligence circles, the controversy surrounding the alleged Obama-era conspiracy has reignited sharp national debate over the boundaries of power, truth, and accountability. While her claims draw both whistleblowers and critics into the spotlight, the road ahead appears set for deeper investigations and growing public scrutiny. Whether these documents lead to legal consequences or remain a flashpoint in partisan warfare, the questions they raise about democratic integrity and institutional trust may leave a lasting imprint on America’s political landscape.

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