Meet the far-left insurgents waging war on the Democratic establishment in 2026 midterms
The high-stakes fight between the left-wing and the center-left establishment for the future of the Democratic Party is moving to a much larger stage. After victories by far-left and socialist candidates in dark blue congressional districts in New York City and Colorado the past couple of weeks drew plenty of national attention, the spotlight now shifts to Midwestern battlegrounds. Hours after Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) backed challenger and first-time candidate Melat Kiros toppled 15-term Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in last week’s primary in Denver’s deep blue 1st Congressional District, former Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri predicted on social media: “On August 4th, St. Louis will do the same.” A trio of far-left congressional candidates’ victories heavily supported by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani have emboldened progressives as they try to turn their upsets into a far-left national pressure campaign against the Democratic Party. DEMOCRATIC PARTY CIVIL WAR HITS DEBATE STAGE IN CRUCIAL PRIMARY SHOWDOWN “Only socialism can solve decades of capitalist mismanagement in the US. Our newly elected leaders will fight for the working class — not for crumbs,” the DSA proclaimed in a social media post celebrating the string of primary election victories. DSA-backed Bush is running to win back her seat in the Missouri’s St. Louis-anchored 1st Congressional District. The far left is also training its firepower on Michigan, which holds its primary on the same day as Missouri on Aug. 4. One week later, on Aug. 11, Wisconsin will hold its primary elections. That’s where DSA-backed state Rep. Francesca Hong is on the rise among a crowded field of candidates in the race to succeed retiring Democratic Gov. Tony Evers. “It’s a great day to be a democratic socialist,” Hong posted on X last month after the progressive victories in New York City, in which two Democratic congressional incumbents lost renomination. “Wisconsin is next!” DEMOCRACY ’26: STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE FOX NEWS ELECTION HUB It’s undeniable that progressives are gaining momentum and attention, but the real test will come in November when they face off with Republicans and find out if their message on “Medicare-for-all,” the Green New Deal, higher taxes on the rich and abolishing ICE will resonate when the stakes are higher. Ahead of the upcoming primaries, Fox News Digital takes a look at the 19 Democratic incumbents and 20 candidates who have won nomination so far this year who are backed by either the DSA or two other far-left groups, Justice Democrats (JD) and the Working Families Party (WFP). Charles Booker – Kentucky Senate WFP-backed Charles Booker is making his third bid for the Senate in red-leaning Kentucky. A former state representative, Booker lost in the 2020 Senate primary but won the nomination two years later before losing by over 23 points to Republican Sen. Rand Paul. This time around, Booker defeated Amy McGrath, the 2020 Senate nominee, in Kentucky’s May primary and is the underdog in the general election against GOP Rep. Andy Barr. The winner will succeed former Republican Senate Leader Sen. Mitch McConnell, who is in the throes of a health scare and retiring this year after four decades in the chamber. Bob Brooks – Pennsylvania 7th Congressional District Brooks, a retired firefighter and president of the Pennsylvania Fire Fighters Association, was handpicked by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro to run for Congress. The WFP-backed Brooks won the May Democratic primary in a swing district in northeast Pennsylvania, and is challenging incumbent GOP Rep. Ryan Mackenzie in a midterm race that’s among two or three dozen that will determine if Republicans hold their razor-thin House majority. Connie Chan – California 11th Congressional District Chan, born in Hong Kong and endorsed by the WFP, serves on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. She is running to succeed retiring former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Fellow Democrat Scott Wiener, a state senator, will face off with Chan in the general election in November in the heavily blue district that sits entirely within San Francisco’s city limits. Darializa Avila Chevalier – New York 13th Congressional District Chevalier, a DSA member who was also backed by the Justice Democrats, stunned political circles from coast to coast in the June New York primary by ousting incumbent Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat, chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The far-left Chevalier, a community organizer who has created controversy with past comments and anti-Israel rhetoric, is considered the overwhelming general election favorite in the Democrat-dominated district located in northern Manhattan and the Bronx. Alissa Ellman – New York 24th Congressional District Ellman, a U.S. Army veteran who later served as a military contractor in Afghanistan, won the June Democratic primary in the upstate New York congressional district. The WFP-backed Ellman, who worked at the Veterans Administration before being let go amid the DOGE cuts, faces an uphill climb to victory in November in the solidly red district against Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney. Chris Galant – New York 1st Congressional District Galant, an air traffic controller backed by the WFP, cruised to the Democratic nomination in New York’s June primary. But he’ll be the underdog against GOP Rep. Nick LaLota in the right-leaning district on the eastern end and north shore of Long Island. Aaron Gies – New York 23rd Congressional District A college professor, Geis is another candidate supported by the WFP that won hs Democratic primary election in New York in a landslide. But the candidate faces a steep uphill climb in the general election against incumbent Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy in the solidly red district based in western New York and in the state’s southern tier. Angela Gonzales-Torres – California 34th Congressional District Gonzales-Torres, a former neighborhood council president who also worked in the Los Angeles mayor’s office, advanced to the general election in last month’s California primary. Backed by the JD and the WFP, Gonzales-Torres is facing off in the autumn against incumbent Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez in the solidly blue congressional district anchored in Los Angeles. Deb Haaland – New Mexico governor Haaland,
Exposed docs reveal why Tim Walz board awarded repeat child rapist pardon: ‘No future’
A 42-year-old illegal immigrant convicted of repeatedly raping a child was awarded a pardon by Gov. Tim Walz’s board of pardons after the state’s clemency commission recommended it be granted to him due to “immigration concerns.” Fox News Digital reviewed documents from the Minnesota Clemency Review Commission, which voted 4-2 to grant a pardon to Laotian national Tue Lue Vang following his conviction for criminal sexual conduct. Vang admitted to repeatedly raping a girl over a multi-year period beginning when she was 10 years old. While the two board members who voted against granting a pardon noted the serious nature of Vang’s offenses, the four members recommending a pardon each listed concern about him being deported. One commissioner, Zach Linstrom, who voted in favor of granting the pardon, wrote in his recommendation, “Very tough case but the kids not having a father is not in the best interest of society,” referring to Vang’s six children. Artika Roller, another commissioner who voted in favor of the pardon, wrote, “The applicant stated the need for clemency related to immigration issues.” Following the commission’s recommendation, the Minnesota Board of Pardons, which consists of Walz, state Attorney General Keith Ellison and Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Natalie Hudson, awarded Vang a full pardon on June 10, essentially giving him a clean slate as he was set to be deported. DOJ ACCUSES MARYLAND OF ‘ACTIVE AND DELIBERATE EFFORT’ TO PREVENT DEPORTATIONS OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS: LAWSUIT At the time of the pardon, Homeland Security Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis remarked that “Governor Tim Walz’s decision to pardon an illegal alien convicted child rapist so he can remain in our country is disgusting.” “These are the criminal illegal aliens he and his Minnesota sanctuary politicians are protecting,” she said. Vang entered the U.S. through California in 1994 and was granted legal status by the Clinton administration. Between 2002 and 2004, when Vang was between 18 and 20 years old, he had sexual intercourse with the victim four to six times. The abuse took place in St. Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. The first rape took place when the victim was in fourth grade. Documents reviewed by Fox News Digital reveal that the victim “did not understand what Vang was doing, so she let him.” As time went on, the document notes that the victim began to tell her friends about the abuse, who testified that she was “angry and sad” about it. At one time, the document said that Vang offered the victim $10 to keep quiet about the abuse. While Ramsey County District Court Judge Sara Grewing did not take a position on Vang’s pardon, Ramsey County Assistant Attorney Tami McConkey recommended against granting it. WATCH: ANGEL MOM TURNS TABLES ON SANCTUARY POLITICIANS WITH BASIC QUESTION ABOUT THEIR PRIORITIES In her formal opposition statement, McConkey noted that her office had offered a dispositional departure to Vang because the then-12-year-old victim experienced pressure from her family not to cooperate with law enforcement after his arrest. Vang was sentenced to 12 years in prison following his conviction. However, the sentence was stayed in favor of 30 years of supervised probation, which included one year of local confinement. Ultimately, he served eight months at the county correctional workhouse. He was discharged from probation early in 2019. McConkey noted that there were several additional aggravating factors in the case, including Vang abusing the victim over an extended period of time, in one instance even driving her to his home to abuse her, and not using sexual protection. A criminal complaint shared with Fox News Digital states that upon his arrest, Vang told police, “I made a mistake, but this is a minor thing. It is a cultural thing in Thailand to marry and have sex with girls as young as 12.” The complaint also notes that “Vang stated [the victim] should be arrested also because she was as much at fault.” McConkey noted that “while Mr. Vang expresses shame and regret about what his children experience when then [sic] learn of the offense, he does not share any thoughts or insight about what the victim must have gone through.” Despite this, several commissioners noted that the victim supported a pardon for Vang in their reasons for their recommendation. Commissioner Nadine Graves wrote, “The victim supports this pardon. His [Vang’s] wife stayed and has forgiven. He also [has] immigration concerns. He has remorse and was discharged from probation.” Graves noted Vang’s early discharge from probation and wrote that “he retracted his prior statement about this being a result of culture. He admits this was wrong then and will always be wrong.” Lindstrom likewise noted, “applicant’s wife supports” and “victim supports” a pardon. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT SOCCER COACH WHO USED ALCOHOL AND DRUGS TO SEXUALLY ABUSE KIDS LEARNS FATE Commissioner Perry Moriearty wrote, “Despite the extraordinary severity of the underlying offense, there is substantial evidence of rehabilitation, remorse and acceptance of responsibility.” He also noted in his reasons that Vang “is facing deportation” and “victim supports.” In his application for a pardon, Vang wrote, “I carry deep shame and regret for the harm I caused.” He noted that he was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in December and was facing a final order of removal. He expressed worry that, because he arrived in the U.S. as a child, if he were deported he “would be sent to a place entirely unfamiliar to me, with no family, no home, and no future.” Vang wrote, “My fear is that, if deported, my children will grow up without a father, like I did” and “I will do all that I can to be here and to protect them from the outcomes of my deportation.” SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER None of this stopped the Trump administration from taking action against Vang. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that he had stepped in to terminate Vang’s legal status in the U.S. and that he had been removed to his
Medical examiner releases preliminary findings in Lindsey Graham’s death as death certificate remains pending
The District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Sunday released preliminary findings indicating Sen. Lindsey Graham suffered an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease before his death. Graham, 71, was pronounced dead at George Washington University Hospital at 10:23 p.m. Saturday, according to a joint statement from the Metropolitan Police Department and the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. An autopsy was performed Sunday. The medical examiner emphasized that the findings are not final and that Graham’s death certificate will remain pending while toxicological and microscopic testing is completed. “The preliminary examination findings were: Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease,” the medical examiner’s office said in a statement. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN’ ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS The office emphasized that the findings are preliminary and that Graham’s death certificate remains pending. Officials said comprehensive toxicological and microscopic testing is routinely conducted when an autopsy is performed in the District and must be completed before the death certificate is updated with the cause and manner of death. An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s largest artery, that allows blood to flow between the layers of the vessel wall, according to the Mayo Clinic. The condition is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that can lead to severe internal bleeding or organ damage. Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease refers to the buildup of plaque inside the arteries, which can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of serious heart and vascular complications. LINDSEY GRAHAM, SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO ROSE FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO GOP POWER BROKER, DIES AT 71 The release of the preliminary findings comes after Graham, 71, died Saturday night, shocking colleagues in Washington and across the nation. Graham, a Republican who was first elected to the Senate in 2002 after serving four terms in the House of Representatives, became one of the chamber’s most influential voices on national security, foreign policy and the judiciary. He chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee during President Donald Trump’s first term and was one of the president’s closest allies on judicial nominations and defense policy. Following news of Graham’s death, tributes poured in from lawmakers across the political spectrum, with colleagues remembering his decades of public service and his influence on some of the Senate’s most consequential debates. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said it will update Graham’s death certificate after toxicological and microscopic testing is complete.
Mitch McConnell breaks silence on mystery hospitalization after Graham’s death
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., nearly a month after being hospitalized, revealed what actually happened to cause his absence from the Senate. In a lengthy statement released Sunday evening, McConnell attributed his childhood fight with polio to a fall he suffered last month which landed him in the hospital. He was “briefly unconscious,” he said in an open letter to Kentuckians, and while recovering was hit with a “mild case of pneumonia.” “My doctors have confirmed that I didn’t break any bones or suffer a concussion,” McConnell said. “I didn’t have a heart attack or a stroke. I don’t have any tumors or hemorrhages.” MCCONNELL FACES FRESH CALLS TO COME CLEAN ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES Yet, when he will return to the Senate remains a mystery, something that McConnell himself acknowledged. “As much as it frustrates me, this process takes time. And on the advice of my doctors, I won’t be able to return to the Senate floor to vote quite yet,” McConnell said. “But rest assured that, in the meantime, I’m not taking a break from the Senate business that matters to you.” His attending physician noted that McConnell has, “experienced several falls throughout the year that have been attributed to his post-polio condition.” MCCONNELL WAS FOUND ‘UNCONSCIOUS’ IN HOME LAST MONTH AS CONDITION REMAINS UNKNOWN “He was admitted to the hospital four weeks ago after falling at home and sustaining minor injuries,” McConnell’s doctor said. “A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team determined that he had no fractures, cardiac abnormalities, stroke, tumor, or hemorrhage,” his doctor continued. “Early in his hospitalization, he developed pneumonia, which responded rapidly to antibiotic treatment.” The latest update on the longtime lawmaker’s health comes after the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who had just returned from a trip to Ukraine on Saturday night. McConnell’s absence, coupled with the shocking death of Graham, leaves the Senate down two crucial votes amid a dead sprint to wrap up key parts of President Donald Trump’s agenda through July and into early August. FROM ‘DISGRACE’ TO ‘FAMILY’: TRUMP’S REMARKABLE JOURNEY WITH LINDSEY GRAHAM It also comes after over three weeks of speculation as to why the Senate GOP’s longest serving leader in history was sidelined. His office for several weeks did not reveal the true nature of his condition, nor explain how he ended up in the hospital. That prompted a firestorm online that alleged that McConnell was in a vegetative state. Adding to the morbid intrigue was leaked emergency dispatch audio from June 14, the day he was hospitalized, that revealed the longtime Senate Republican was “unconscious” and may have suffered a heart attack. Further compounding the hazy nature of the situation was his wife, former Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao’s, trip to China just days after his hospitalization. Chao’s office previously told Fox News Digital that, “The secretary was on a long-planned trip in China to support her family’s philanthropic endeavors.” “During the trip, she met with a number of people, including the U.S. ambassador,” her office said. “The Senator’s health did not warrant an immediate return to the U.S.” McConnell’s statement did not directly address much of the speculation that surrounded his hospitalization. But, he did vow to return to the Senate once he was able. “You’re right to expect your representatives to work hard for you. And part of my decision to retire at the end of my term this coming January was being honest about the demands of Senate work,” McConnell said. “But I still have unfinished business to complete on your behalf, and I have every intention of finishing the job you elected me to do.”
From ‘disgrace’ to ‘family’: Trump’s remarkable journey with Lindsey Graham
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., never wanted President Donald Trump to be nominated, let alone win the presidency in 2016. “If we nominate Trump, we will get destroyed…….and we will deserve it,” Graham said on X at the time. Graham had run on the same ticket as Trump, and like many other Republicans on the debate stage, challenged Trump’s candidacy as preposterous — he once likened his candidacy to “being shot in the head.” LINDSEY GRAHAM, SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO ROSE FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO GOP POWER BROKER, DIES AT 71 But Trump ultimately clinched the nomination, took the White House and eventually won over Graham. Now, in the fast-moving hours after Graham’s sudden death at 71 years old, and as private jockeying to fill his empty seat takes place behind the scenes, Trump has lost a once-fierce political enemy turned friend. Trump told NBC’s “Meet the Press” that he had just spoken with Graham the night before and believed “It could have been his last call.” “I don’t know exactly, but I got a message about 1 in the morning from one of the people in his office that he had passed away. I said, ‘I just can’t believe it,’” Trump said. “He was like a member of the family to me. It’s very tough, actually.” It wasn’t always that way for Trump. He once told a crowd in South Carolina nine years ago that Graham was a “disgrace,” and “one of the dumbest human beings I’ve ever seen.” TRUMP REVEALS DETAILS OF FINAL PHONE CALL WITH GRAHAM AFTER SENATOR’S DEATH, CALLS LOSS ‘BIG BLOW’ TO SAVE ACT “I don’t think he could run for dogcatcher in this state and win again,” Trump said at the time. “I really don’t. Other than that, I think he’s wonderful.” Still, their relationship evolved from potshots online and on the debate stage into steadfast friends who weren’t shy about hitting the golf course. Graham transformed into one of Trump’s most vocal allies in the Senate and a key bridge from the upper chamber to the White House during Trump’s second term — even after Graham believed Trump should never step foot in the White House. After winning his primary for the GOP nomination in June, Trump was almost top of mind for Graham. “I want to thank the big guy, God,” Graham said during a speech last month. “Trump comes later. Mr. President, you’re not far behind God, but we’re going to start with him.” GRAHAM’S DEATH IGNITES GOP SCRAMBLE FOR SENATE SEAT AS TRUMP HINTS HE ALREADY HAS A FAVORITE But that reverence, be it political or sincere, took time. Years ago, Trump at one point grew so angry at Graham that he leaked the lawmaker’s phone number online, which prompted Graham to make a show of destroying several of his phones. And after the Jan. 6, 2021, riots on Capitol Hill, Graham turned his back on Trump. “Trump and I, we’ve had a hell of a journey. I hate it to end this way. Oh my God, I hate it. From my point of view, he’s been a consequential president,” Graham said on the Senate floor as the vote to certify the election neared. “All I can say is count me out. Enough is enough.” In the run-up to and during Trump’s second term, Graham became a fierce ally of Trump’s. He led the vanguard for the “one, big beautiful bill,” as Senate Budget Committee chair and has championed Trump’s flagship election integrity legislation, the SAVE America Act. And in the hallways of the Senate during the last year and a half, you’d often hear Graham say he’d just spoken with Trump or was headed to the White House to hammer out a legislative dispute — be it with Democrats standing in the way or Republicans. Now, after a rocky, explosive and tight-knit journey together, the road has run out. “I said, ‘We’ll see you soon,’” Trump recalled of his last call with Graham. “Come over anytime you want. He came into the White House, because I liked him. Can’t do that with everybody.”
Graham’s death ignites GOP scramble for Senate seat as Trump hints he already has a favorite
Sen. Lindsey Graham’s, R-S.C., sudden death from an undisclosed illness has triggered a two-pronged approach to replace him, and President Donald Trump will likely be a focal point in the process. Graham’s passing overnight comes at a time when Republicans in the upper chamber need every vote they can get. The Senate GOP now holds a 52-seat majority, and with the timetable for Sen. Mitch McConnell’s, R-Ky., absence still unclear, that majority is now effectively 51 votes. That will up the pressure, and drama, to find a replacement for the longtime South Carolina lawmaker. LINDSEY GRAHAM, SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO ROSE FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO GOP POWER BROKER, DIES AT 71 Trump, during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, said, “I have somebody that I think would be great.” “But I don’t want to say it now because it’s just, it’s too soon with Lindsey,” Trump said. “I don’t wanna even talk about anybody, but I do have somebody that I think is really good.” It’s a process guided by the Constitution and state law. The first step will require South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, a Republican, to appoint a replacement for Graham on a temporary basis. McMaster, a close ally of Trump, can appoint a temporary replacement as soon as he wants. That pick will serve until the next special or general election. MCCONNELL FACES FRESH CALLS TO COME CLEAN ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES Fox News Digital did not immediately hear back from McMaster’s office on when he would make the announcement, or who he was considering for the seat. Graham was already in-cycle running for a fifth term in the upper chamber, and he easily cruised to a primary victory early last month. That means that whoever McMaster taps would serve until the end of the year to finish off the remainder of Graham’s fourth term. The second prong is finding his long-term successor. The candidate filing period for that special election to win the GOP nomination opens July 21. The election is slated for Aug. 11, according to South Carolina law. That race could see several familiar faces in South Carolina GOP politics jumping in, including McMaster himself, who is termed out as governor. TRUMP’S ENDORSEMENT POWER FACES ANOTHER GOP TEST IN SOUTH CAROLINA AFTER ALAN WILSON ADVANCES Trump heaped praise on McMaster, noting that he endorsed his first bid for the White House in 2016. “Henry’s been a great governor, you know now he’s termed out, but he’s going to do the right thing,” Trump said. “I think Henry will be fantastic.” There are six members of South Carolina’s GOP congressional delegation who could toss their hats into the mix. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., who recently lost a bid for the GOP gubernatorial nomination, is eyeing jumping into the special election. A person familiar with Mace’s plans told Fox News Digital, “Congresswoman Mace is considering a bid to run.” Then there’s Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., the longest-serving Republican member of the Palmetto State’s delegation. He quickly snuffed speculation about whether he’d leap into the fray. “I was grateful to speak with President Trump today reminiscing about our mutual friend, Senator Lindsey Graham,” Wilson said on X. “I assured him my goal is to remain in the House to keep his two-vote majority for the American people!!!” Then there’s the remaining four: South Carolina Republican Reps. Ralph Norman, who also lost out on scoring the GOP nomination for governor, Russell Fry, William Timmons and Sheri Biggs, none of whom, so far, have signaled that they would jump into the battle for Graham’s seat. Meanwhile, Pamela Evette, who Trump endorsed in the governor’s race but ultimately lost to GOP nominee and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, could also be in the mix. Fox News Digital did not immediately receive responses to requests for comment from each possible contender.
Lindsey Graham, South Carolina senator who rose from small-town roots to GOP power broker, dies at 71
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who died Saturday at 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness,” spent more than three decades as one of the Republican Party’s most influential voices. The South Carolina Republican forged a congressional career spanning more than 30 years, emerging as one of Capitol Hill’s most recognizable Republicans and a trusted advisor to President Donald Trump on national security, judicial nominations and foreign policy. Born on July 9, 1955, in Central, South Carolina, Graham grew up helping his parents run the family business before becoming the first in his household to attend college. His life changed dramatically while he was a student at the University of South Carolina, when both of his parents died within 15 months of each other, leaving him to raise his younger sister. SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN’ ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS After earning a law degree, Graham joined the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving as a military lawyer before entering politics. He remained in the Air Force Reserve throughout much of his congressional career, retiring as a colonel after more than three decades of service. His political career began in 1992, when he was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives. Two years later, he won a seat in the U.S. House as part of the Republican wave that gave the GOP control of Congress. He emerged as a national figure during President Bill Clinton’s impeachment, serving as one of the House managers who presented the case against Clinton during the 1999 Senate trial. The high-profile role elevated his standing within the Republican Party and helped establish him as a rising conservative voice on Capitol Hill. ‘AMERICA AND THE WORLD HAVE LOST A DETERMINED LEADER’: TRIBUTES POUR IN AFTER SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM’S DEATH In 2002, he was elected to the Senate, succeeding longtime Republican Sen. Strom Thurmond. Over the next two decades, Graham became one of the Senate’s most influential Republicans on national security, serving on the Armed Services and Judiciary committees while emerging as a leading voice on military affairs, judicial confirmations and U.S. foreign policy. One of Graham’s closest political relationships was with Arizona Sen. John McCain. Along with Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman, the three became known as the bipartisan “Three Amigos,” frequently traveling to war zones and emerging as some of Congress’ strongest advocates for American military power and support for U.S. allies. CHAD PERGRAM BREAKS DOWN WHAT’S NEXT FOR GOP AFTER GRAHAM’S DEATH Graham championed higher defense spending and was among Congress’ most vocal supporters of Israel and, more recently, Ukraine. He also played a central role in reshaping the federal courts. As chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Graham helped steer the confirmation of dozens of federal judges, including Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett. He also emerged as one of Brett Kavanaugh’s fiercest defenders during the justice’s contentious 2018 confirmation battle, calling the process “the most unethical sham” he had seen in politics. His relationship with Trump underwent one of Washington’s most notable political transformations. SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER After sharply criticizing Trump during the 2016 Republican primary, Graham became one of the president’s closest congressional allies, advising him on judicial nominations, national security and foreign policy while serving as a key defender of his agenda. Graham was once again critical of Trump in the wake of the January 6 Capitol Hill riots, but Trump appeared to shrug that off when he returned to the White House. Graham remained a leading voice in the Republican conference until his death. At the time of his death, he was serving as chairman of the Senate Budget Committee and campaigning for a fifth Senate term. He never married and had no children. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called Graham “irreplaceable” and the “fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America.” Per South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November. President Trump wrote on Truth Social that Graham “was always working,” and called the Palmetto State senator “a true American Patriot.” Funeral and memorial arrangements were not immediately announced. Trump said on Truth Social that “details and arrangements” would follow.
‘America and the world have lost a determined leader’: Tributes pour in after Sen Lindsey Graham’s death
Tributes poured in Sunday from President Donald Trump, congressional leaders and foreign allies after Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., died at 71 following what his office described as a “brief and sudden illness,” bringing to an end the career of one of the Senate’s most influential Republican voices. The South Carolina Republican had served in the Senate since 2003 and became one of the GOP’s leading voices on national security and foreign policy. Once a sharp critic of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, Graham later emerged as one of the president’s closest allies while maintaining a prominent role on issues ranging from judicial confirmations to Ukraine, Israel and Iran. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Graham “was always working,” and called the Palmetto State senator “a true American Patriot.” “Lindsey will be greatly missed!!!” Trump wrote. “So sad!” SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER ‘BRIEF AND SUDDEN’ ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYS South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster called Graham “irreplaceable” and the “fiercest of fighters for South Carolina and America.” Per South Carolina law, McMaster will appoint a temporary replacement for Graham, who was seeking a fifth term in November. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said his “heart is heavy” following Graham’s death, calling him a trusted advisor whose influence “on the federal judiciary, our national defense, and his beloved South Carolina will be felt for generations.” Thune praised Graham as a tireless advocate for the United States and its allies, saying he believed in “the might of America to achieve good in the world” and spent his career advancing that cause. Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, remembered Graham not only as a senator, but as a fellow military officer. Waltz said he first met Graham when he was serving as a colonel in the Air National Guard, recalling that Graham spent his annual training deployments in Afghanistan helping train Afghan Army Judge Advocate General officers. Waltz also praised Graham’s commitment to the U.S. military and foreign policy, saying no member of Congress traveled more extensively “from Libya to Lebanon” to meet with American troops and bring “ground truth back to legislating.” “Rest easy, Patriot,” he wrote on X. Graham’s death also prompted tributes from across the aisle. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., remembered his Republican colleague as “kind, gracious, and thoughtful,” and an expert on foreign policy. “Sudden and awful news about Senator Lindsey Graham,” Fetterman wrote. “The United States Senate lost a foreign policy giant.” The outpouring of tributes quickly spread beyond Washington, with world leaders remembering Graham as one of America’s most influential voices on national security and foreign affairs. CHAD PERGRAM BREAKS DOWN WHAT’S NEXT FOR GOP AFTER GRAHAM’S DEATH In one of his final overseas trips, Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week. The visit marked his 10th trip to Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, where the two, according to readouts of the meeting, discussed tougher sanctions on Russia and the country’s air defense needs. After Graham’s death, Zelenskyy posted on X, calling him “a true defender of freedom” who stood with Ukraine “when it was most needed.” He said Graham’s bipartisan work to increase pressure on Moscow helped bring “peace closer,” adding, “America and the world have lost a determined leader.” Other European leaders echoed those sentiments. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte described Graham as “a powerful advocate for America who believed strongly in the NATO Alliance and was actively working to bring an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.” Former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised his “tireless commitment” to NATO and the trans-Atlantic bond, as well as his “staunch support” for Ukraine. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Graham was “a true friend and partner of Germany in the transatlantic alliance. We stood side by side for more than four decades.” SIGN UP TO GET THE POLITICS NEWSLETTER The tributes extended to the Middle East as well, where Graham was remembered as one of Israel’s strongest allies in Washington. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him “a great friend of Israel” and “a cherished friend of mine,” saying Graham understood that the security of Israel and the United States “is inseparable” and devoted his life to strengthening the alliance between the two countries. “Israel has lost one of its greatest friends. America has lost a great patriot. I have lost a beloved friend,” Netanyahu said. Former Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Oren told The Associated Press that Graham’s death leaves Congress without one of its most steadfast pro-Israel voices at a particularly precarious moment. “You have a few Democrats and Republicans willing to stand up in Israel’s defense, but those type of people are few, it’s not a body of people,” he said. “So when you lose someone like Lindsey Graham, it’s a diplomatic and strategic loss for the state of Israel.”
Platner aide hit with brutal timeline check after campaign denied rape claim, then folded days later
A political advisor to Graham Platner’s now-defunct Senate campaign is facing scrutiny after saying the team urged him to end his candidacy “as soon” as it learned of a rape allegation — despite the campaign publicly denying the claim before Platner suspended his run two days later. “As soon as the team became aware of the rape allegations against Graham Platner, we advised he suspend his candidacy, and in the following days worked to wind down the campaign,” Platner political advisor Morris Katz wrote on X Wednesday. The allegation, first reported by Politico on Monday, came from Maine resident Jenny Racicot, who said Platner raped her in 2021. Platner has denied the claim, calling it false and politically motivated. EXPLOSIVE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATION ROCKS PLATNER CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF KEY DEADLINE IN CRUCIAL SENATE RACE Katz, one of Platner’s top political advisors, faced scrutiny over the post on Thursday, including receiving an X community note for its timeline. “When asked by CNN about Jenny Racicot’s rape allegation on July 6, Platner’s campaign denied it was true rather than immediately advising suspension, which occurred two days later,” the community note reads. CNN’s Jake Tapper weighed in on Katz’s message, posting to X: “As soon as we asked the campaign about what Jenny Racicot told us on the record and on camera Monday, the campaign said that her assertion he had raped her was false.” Platner responded within minutes to the Politico article, posted at 3:18 p.m. Monday, sharing a video on X at 3:29 p.m. He said his campaign was “taking time to reflect on the best path forward.” His campaign also commented in the article, noting Platner “vigorously denies” the “very serious” allegations, while arguing critics were working to push him out of the running. “They are also coached and coordinated by out of state establishment operatives,” the campaign told Politico on Monday “For a year, opponents of this campaign have thrown everything they can at Graham –– calling him a Nazi, a war criminal, and a communist. None of it has been true and this is no different. It is not a coincidence that this story comes a week before the ballot deadline, just as the previous false allegations came a week before the primary. Graham began this campaign to fight for a Maine where everyone is treated with dignity and where Mainers are put first, and no amount of desperate smears will stop this movement from seeing that vision through.” PLATNER’S LATEST ACCUSER CLAIMS THE DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE ‘ABSOLUTELY’ RAPED HER As calls grew for him to exit the race, Platner’s campaign announced Wednesday that he would speak later that day, but did not say what he planned to address before he posted an 11-minute recorded video on X. In the video, Platner said the allegations were “all false,” blaming the political establishment for working against him to force him out of the race. “Much like the news that was created the week before the primary. There is a reason that this is happening now. I only have until July 13th until I am officially the nominee. This was the last week to try to get me off of the ballot. And that’s why this is occurring,” said Platner. He announced the suspension of his campaign in the Wednesday video. “For the movement to continue, it can’t be me. For that reason, we are suspending campaign operations,” Platner said in a video posted to social media. Platner officially ended his Senate campaign on Friday afternoon. Critics on social media seized on the timeline, questioning when the campaign learned of the allegation and why Platner did not suspend his campaign until two days later. “Important to note that Morris and his team began calling former girlfriends of Platner LAST YEAR because they knew there were issues,” wrote Republican commentator Matt Whitlock on X. “The Democrat establishment was fully ready to make a rapist a United States Senator. They only took him out because he was going to lose,” wrote the Republicans X account. “11 minutes and zero accountability,” wrote Democratic, pro-choice women’s PAC, Emily’s List. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IF PLATNER DROPS OUT? HERE’S WHO COULD REPLACE HIM ON THE BALLOT AND HOW IT WOULD WORK Maine Democrats were racing a July 13 deadline for Platner to formally withdraw from the race, a step that would allow the party to select a replacement nominee by July 27 to face incumbent Republican Sen. Susan Collins. Fox News Digital reached out to Platner’s team and Katz for comment.
EXCLUSIVE: Former ‘Apprentice’ star picked by Trump to showcase America’s 250th anniversary through art
WASHINGTON — Nearly two decades after hearing “You’re fired!” on NBC’s “The Apprentice,” Erin Scavino says President Donald Trump chose her to lead one of the federal government’s least-known offices as it helps tell America’s story to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Scavino, director of the State Department‘s Art in Embassies program, told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview inside the Art Museum of the Americas that she never imagined she’d go from reality TV to overseeing one of the Trump administration’s signature America 250 cultural initiatives. She said she views her appointment as part of Trump’s broader effort to elevate American culture alongside American history ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary. WHITE HOUSE TOUTS TRUMP’S ‘BOLD VISION’ FOR TOWERING INDEPENDENCE ARCH FOR AMERICA 250 “I was a day one hire by President Trump because just like we’ve seen with the Kennedy Center, he wanted to make the performing arts great again, and he also put me at Art in Embassies to make visual arts great,” Scavino said. Although little known to most Americans, the Art in Embassies office has existed since 1964, placing American artwork in nearly 190 diplomatic properties around the world as a form of cultural diplomacy. Scavino said the nation’s 250th anniversary offered an opportunity to introduce the program to a broader audience. Opening July 30 at the Art Museum of the Americas, “Passport to Patriotism: 250 Years of Diplomacy” will bring together more than 30 contemporary American artists whose work explores patriotism, diplomacy, military service, immigration and national identity in what organizers describe as a celebration of the ideals that have shaped the U.S. since its founding. The exhibition, presented through a partnership between the State Department’s Office of Art in Embassies and the American Arts Conservancy, will be free to the public through Oct. 18. PRO-TRUMP ARTIST UNLEASHES POWERFUL MESSAGE ABOUT AMERICAN FLAG, TOUTS MASSIVE OLD GLORY PAINTING The exhibition spans dozens of contemporary works exploring patriotism through photography, painting, sculpture and fashion, with each gallery approaching the American story from a different perspective. Among the featured works is “Gallantly Streaming” by acclaimed artist Barbara Ernst Prey, a sweeping interpretation of the American flag that anchors the exhibition’s exploration of national identity. Internationally recognized pop artist Romero Britto also reimagines the Statue of Liberty in his signature bold palette for the exhibit, layering vibrant colors against the Stars and Stripes to celebrate what Scavino described as the enduring promise of the American dream. The exhibit will feature a powerful series of photographs by Korina Marie Moore, whose images capture moments of military service through a deeply personal lens. Rather than focusing solely on combat, Moore’s photographs spotlight the men and women who serve — from sailors gathered around a U.S. Navy vessel to service members standing watch as the Statue of Liberty rises across New York Harbor and the solemnity of Arlington National Cemetery. THE STORY BEHIND BETSY ROSS AND THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG AS AMERICA CELEBRATES 250TH BIRTHDAY Visitors will also encounter an America 250 haute couture gown created specifically for the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, inspired by Betsy’s Ross’ flag. For Scavino, the exhibit represents the latest chapter in a career that unexpectedly led from “The Apprentice” to the Trump administration. Looking back on that journey, she said there has been one constant. “The common thread throughout all of this is President Trump,” Scavino said. “That’s why I always thank him so much for these great opportunities.” Scavino says the opportunity has opened her eyes to the people behind the offices. “Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe,” she said. “That’s what’s really special about the State Department.” “People often think [the State Department is] really serious, and yes, of course, there’s so much diplomacy and so many very serious things that are going on,” Scavino said. “But there are so many interesting components, like Art in Embassies.” “This isn’t something that was created for me,” she added. “Art in Embassies has been around since 1964 under President Kennedy… Every time you learn about someone’s job, you’re actually understanding a whole new universe.” Scavino said one of her goals was to create an exhibition that feels welcoming to visitors who might never consider themselves “art people.” “Art has become sort of a gatekeeping situation or something that’s only for the rich or the elite,” she said. “I wanted to say, ‘Hey, no. We want kids. We want grandparents. We want moms. We want families. We want dads. We want people all over the world to come to this museum because there is something for everyone.’” Each artwork includes QR codes allowing visitors to hear directly from artists about their work and creative process, an effort Scavino said makes the exhibit more approachable. “You don’t have to have your nose in the air saying, ‘Oh, that Monet’ or ‘That Degas,’” she said. “You’re going to see a flag. You’re going to see a sculpture. You’re going to hear Americans tell their stories.” Scavino pointed to Romero Britto’s colorful Statue of Liberty piece, “Liberty for All,” as one example of the American dream reflected throughout the exhibit. “When I think about his hearts or his Statue of Liberty, it just makes me think about the American dream,” she said. “He is so patriotic and he loves this country.” “There are so many stories that are often overlooked,” Scavino said. “We show pictures of loss. We show people that have lost their lives for this nation. We show people who are celebrating serving our country… I think that we have to honor those who have served.” One of the exhibition’s most unexpected pieces isn’t a painting or sculpture — it’s a couture gown inspired by Betsy Ross’ American flag. Scavino said the idea came while she was searching for a wedding dress ahead of her February wedding to fellow Trump administration official Dan Scavino at Mar-a-Lago, when she discovered designer Kate Wasserbach Moore, whose appreciation for American