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Video exposes disrepair lurking beneath Trump Kennedy Center as $257M renovation looms
Peeling concrete, exposed steel rebar, rust-streaked electrical equipment and vents patched together with layers of duct tape are among the problems hidden beneath the Trump Kennedy Center, according to photos, project materials and board minutes obtained by Fox News Digital as officials push to temporarily shut down the building for major repairs.
The Trump Kennedy Center released documentation Wednesday of what it described as "decades of deferred maintenance and critical infrastructure needs" as part of a $257 million renovation effort, offering an unusually detailed look at the condition of the venue as leadership pushes forward with the project.
The disclosures come as debate intensifies over the plan to close the center for up to two years. While there appears to be broad agreement that the building requires significant repair, some Democrats have objected to the speed of the process.
According to March 16 meeting minutes reviewed by Fox News Digital, Democrat Rep. Joyce Beatty said she had "no opposition for the need for repair," but "strongly opposes voting on a closure."
The minutes also say Beatty argued there had not been "enough time to review, study, and discuss" the proposal.
The condition of the building is evident in images and video provided by the Trump Kennedy Center, which show water damage affecting electrical systems, rusted infrastructure and large sections of concrete where internal steel supports are exposed.
Project materials describe "2,000+ pound soffit panels" that have reached "end-of-life" and "present a public safety risk," along with "hundreds of structural failure points" in areas such as the parking garage. Officials also cited "extensive water infiltration," deterioration in electrical rooms beneath entrances and long-term damage affecting the center's iconic white marble exterior as well as concrete and core structural systems.
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Officials have warned that without repairs, deteriorating structural elements, water-damaged electrical systems and heavy overhead components nearing "end-of-life" could pose potential safety risks to visitors and staff.
The scope of the problems outlined in the new materials echoes earlier warnings from center leadership. In February, officials told Fox News Digital that decades of neglect had left the building in "extremely poor condition," citing broken elevators, failing HVAC systems and deferred maintenance needs they warned could threaten the venue’s very survival.
"We are financially stable yet the building is still physically in trouble," Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi said in a previous statement to Fox News Digital.
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Executive Director Matt Floca said the decision to close the center is driven by the scale of the work required.
"So the recommendation was just natural: you shut the building down, temporarily, and you make this investment, and then you reopen," Floca said.
President Donald Trump has also previously argued that closing the building is necessary to complete the work efficiently. "If we don’t close, the quality of construction will not be nearly as good," he said.
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Floca said the scope of the repairs is based on long-standing assessments of the building’s condition, not a newly developed plan. "The maintenance needs were all developed previously in a 2021 Comprehensive Building Plan," he said.
Asked how visitors have reacted when seeing the condition of the facility up-close, Floca said there has been "surprise across the board — ‘How did we get here, right?’"
Tours of the Trump Kennedy Center have been offered on a bipartisan basis to lawmakers, along with donors and other key stakeholders, as officials seek to demonstrate the extent of the damage firsthand.
The sessions began earlier this month while Congress was in recess and included staff for a bipartisan group of lawmakers, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as well as offices representing both parties in the House and Senate and a representative for Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser.
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Opponents have also raised concerns about process and oversight, and a lawsuit brought forth by the National Trust for Historic Preservation has argued that major changes could affect the historic integrity of the building.
"We're maintaining the JFK bust where it is," Floca told gathered press on Wednesday. "The memorial at large will stay the same. All of the quotes and everything on the marble on the exterior building, none of that's changing."
The physical deterioration outlined in the renovation plans comes even as the center has reported financial gains under current leadership. In December, officials told Fox News Digital the Kennedy Center Honors raised a record $23 million, nearly doubling the previous year’s total.
The fundraising gains followed leadership changes that saw Trump take on a more direct role in the institution, including as chairman of its board.
Congress has appropriated roughly $257 million for the work through the "One, Big Beautiful Bill" signed into law last year.
Renovations are expected to begin after July 4, 2026.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the center," Floca said Wednesday. "All of these improvements that we need to make are real, are needed. And we have the timeframe to do it. I'm incredibly excited about it."
The Office of Rep. Joyce Beatty did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Travel warning escalates for popular getaway as dangers and security threats mount
One of America's neighbors is warning travelers about safety risks in a North African destination, highlighting red flags for U.S. citizens as well.
Known for its historic cities, bustling markets and ancient sites, Morocco is the subject of an updated travel advisory from the Government of Canada.
The country draws tourists across the world to Marrakech's souks and Medina, camel treks in the Sahara Desert, historic cities like Fez and coastal destinations such as Essaouira — but new warnings highlight potential risks.
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Canadian officials on Tuesday urged travelers to exercise a high degree of caution in an updated advisory.
The notice warns of petty theft, armed robberies and credit and debit card fraud, as well as "terrorism and attacks that have targeted foreigners."
The travel alert also urges travelers to avoid areas near the Algerian-Moroccan border "due to the increased military presence, the unstable security situation and the difficulty of finding the border’s exact location."
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The warning isn't limited to remote areas.
The advisory also notes that demonstrations, often near government buildings in major cities such as Rabat and Casablanca, "can turn violent at any time."
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It adds, "They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation."
Canada's advisory is broadly in line with the U.S. State Department, which also lists Morocco as a Level 2 destination, urging travelers to exercise increased caution.
The alert this week also warned of a "threat of kidnapping against Westerners" in Morocco, particularly in remote regions and the areas bordering Algeria and Mauritania.
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"Maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, especially when traveling in the southern and border areas of Morocco," the advisory notes. "Don’t hike alone in remote mountain regions."
Fox News Digital reached out to the U.S. State Department for additional insight on American travelers in Morocco, which joins a string of recent travel advisories.
Earlier this month, U.S. officials issued an advisory for Albania, a budget-friendly destination along the Adriatic coast, citing Iran-related tensions.
Additionally, the U.S. Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago said Americans should "reconsider travel" due to crime, noting a heightened risk of terrorism.
Mexican national convicted of illegally voting in US after false citizenship claims faces removal: DHS
FIRST ON FOX: A Mexican national who voted illegally in U.S. elections and falsely claimed to be a citizen has been convicted and could face removal under federal immigration law.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed to Fox News Digital that Jose Ceballos-Armendariz, a lawful permanent resident who has held a green card since 1990, pleaded guilty to three counts of disorderly election conduct following prosecution by the Kansas Attorney General’s Office.
Officials said Ceballos-Armendariz unlawfully voted multiple times and falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on voter registration forms, including a 1999 application in which he affirmed he was a citizen of the United States.
He later applied for U.S. citizenship in February 2025. DHS said he falsely stated on that application that he had never claimed to be a U.S. citizen.
Under federal immigration law, false claims to U.S. citizenship can make a noncitizen removable, though DHS has not detailed any potential action in this case.
"This alien has now been convicted of illegally voting in American elections, voting in American elections," DHS acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said. "The SAVE program is a critical tool for state and local governments to safeguard the integrity of elections across the country."
Records provided by DHS and reviewed by Fox News Digital show Ceballos-Armendariz checked "yes" when asked if he was a U.S. citizen on a Kansas voter registration form and signed to affirm the information was true.
On his naturalization application, however, he marked "no" when asked whether he had ever claimed to be a U.S. citizen despite his prior voter registration.
DHS said Ceballos-Armendariz also has a prior criminal conviction, having been found guilty of battery in 1995.
President Donald Trump has made election integrity a central focus of his administration, with officials pointing to enforcement actions like this case as part of broader efforts to prevent noncitizens from participating in U.S. elections.
Existing federal law — 18 U.S.C. § 611: "Voting by aliens" under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996 — prohibits noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents, from voting in elections for all federal offices.
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"Nothing is more fundamental than the integrity and security of our elections," Bis said. "That’s why the Trump Administration has repeatedly called on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, commonsense legislation that requires voters to present photo ID and implements other critical measures to protect federal elections from fraud.
"Our elections belong to American citizens, not foreign citizens."
Despite the IIRIRA, since April 2025, more than 24,000 potential non-U.S. citizens have been identified on voter rolls through the SAVE program and referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further investigation, according to DHS.
Officials said more than 60 million voter verification queries have been processed during that time.
Federal officials say the system allows states to verify citizenship status and prevent unlawful voting, and they continue to urge broader adoption nationwide.
Dual-threat tennis player and lingerie model Camila Giorgi is ending her retirement after tax drama
There's big news in the tennis world regarding Italian dual threat Camila Giorgi, who walked away from the sport without saying a word in May 2024. The lingerie model is planning to return to tennis next year.
When she walked away, there was no formal announcement or farewell tour. She simply popped up on the retired list one day a couple of months after her last time stepping foot on a court.
Then came the stories about why she had suddenly retired.
The first was that Camila had done so to pursue her lingerie modeling career full-time. That was followed by stories that she had fled to the United States because the taxman in Florence was after her.
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She and her family were accused of all sorts of bad behavior, from issues regarding tax returns, to not paying rent and stealing furniture. She called fake news on all of it, claiming her exit from tennis was years in the making.
"I wanted to quit for years, being a tennis player is a hard life," Camila said at the time. "I put it off for a long time until, in May, one morning, I decided to do it. I told my father."
Nothing to see here. She had burned herself out on the sport she participated in professionally is all and wanted to focus on her other career as a lingerie model. It's not her fault she had options.
Fast-forward to today and the buzz about Camila Giorgi making her return to tennis is picking up. She did a Q&A with her followers on Instagram where she confirmed the rumors.
"Will you come back to tournament tennis in the future?" a fan asked her during the Q&A. She replied, "Yes, in 2027."
Another asked, "Are you making a comeback?" to which the now 34-year-old confirmed, "Yes, next year."
"Are you sure you’ll come back to play on the WTA circuit? And if so, when?" yet another of her followers asked, reports Tennis World USA. She once again said, "Yes, in 2027."
Camila is now a married woman. She's put all that speculation about her retirement behind her, and she's gearing up to go full dual threat by picking up her racket again, but that's not all.
Her return to tennis isn’t taking place this year because she's pregnant. Say what you want about her, but she's not leading a boring life. There's action, there's controversy, and there's lingerie.
Virginia court declares state's redistricting vote was unconstitutional in legal win for Republicans
Republicans are cheering a circuit court victory in Virginia that showed Democrats' redistricting efforts in Virginia are not quite over yet despite a referendum to accept a new map drawn by Democrats getting approved by voters Tuesday.
Virginia Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley ruled Wednesday, one day after the Democrat redistricting referendum passed, that all votes for or against the proposed redistricting amendment were unconstitutional, citing rules that impose certain requirements that the referendum did not meet.
There are a handful of cases making their way through the Virginia court system challenging various aspects of the referendum, including the one Hurley ruled on Wednesday.
"The Tazewell Circuit Court just ruled the referendum unconstitutional. The Judge entered an injunction blocking certification of the election & denied a motion to stay pending appeal. A final order will be entered once drafted, & it will be immediately appealed," former Republican Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said on X after Hurley's ruling.
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Shortly after the ruling came down, Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones, a Democrat who beat GOP incumbent Jason Miyares in November, indicated his office will "immediately file an appeal."
Cuccinelli, who heads the American Principles Project Election Transparency Initiative, indicated Wednesday there are four constitutional challenges to the referendum making their way through the courts, three of which are challenges to the amendment process itself.
"Virginia has a process to amend its constitution that has the General Assembly pass a proposed amendment and then have a state election — an intervening election — where the new House of Delegates was elected and so forth. And then that new General Assembly comes back and has to pass the exact same amendment," Cuccinelli told CNN conservative commentator Scott Jennings on Wednesday.
"The General Assembly passed the amendment for the first time — called first passage, very creative — on Halloween. Well, these same Democrats, five years ago, gave us a 45-day election. So, voting began September 19 of 2025. Over a million people had already voted before first passage, and they want to treat that election as the intervening election. They're going to have a very difficult time with that."
Cuccinelli added that there are other "equally difficult" constitutional challenges Democrats are facing in this legal battle, which he said he expects to move quickly through the courts. Cuccinelli told Jennings he expects a final ruling on the matter by May.
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Shortly after news of the Virginia circuit court ruling in Tazewell, Jones announced his office would be immediately appealing the measure. Jones argued that "an activist judge" should not have the power to veto "the People's vote."
"Virginia voters have spoken, and an activist judge should not have veto power over the People's vote," Jones said Wednesday after the ruling. "We look forward to defending the outcome of last night's election in court."
Democrat strategist Adam Parkhomenko echoed Jones' criticism after the news broke Wednesday but also said he has expectations that Republicans' legal challenges will not hold up in court.
"Virginia voters spoke. MAGA lost. And now a rogue Republican judge is trying to override the will of the people because they didn’t like the outcome," Parkhomenko said on X. "That’s not democracy. That’s desperation."
Parkhomenko added he has "full confidence a higher court will overturn this nonsense quickly, and the will of Virginia voters will prevail."
"Nice try," the Dem strategist added.
Hasan Piker sparks backlash with Luigi Mangione remarks, claims slain CEO engaged in 'social murder'
Hasan Piker stirred more controversy in a recent New York Times interview in which he addressed the Luigi Mangione case and the December 2024 murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
Mangione is accused of murdering Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, as the healthcare CEO was on his way to a medical conference. He is facing both state and federal charges, and his federal trial was recently delayed until October. Mangione's state trial is expected to begin on Sept. 8.
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Piker, a controversial Twitch streamer, said that the American people "understand" why Thompson was killed and accused the slain CEO of committing "social murder."
"Friedrich Engels wrote about the concept of social murder. And Brian Thompson, as the UnitedHealthcare CEO, was engaging in a tremendous amount of social murder," Piker said during an appearance on The New York Times podcast "The Opinions."
"And that was a fascinating story for me, because Americans are very Draconian about crime and punishment. They’re very black and white on this issue. And yet, because of the pervasive pain that the private health care system had created for the average American, I saw so many people immediately understand why this death had taken place," he added.
Piker argued that the pain associated with private healthcare costs was so "universalized" that "virtually every American had a similar experience." He then said too many Americans had seen loved ones spending their last days on the phone with healthcare providers trying to find ways to not pass the debt to the next generation.
"That’s a harrowing process for a lot of people. And for them, that is murder; for them, that is torture. And that is the reason why, I think, the reaction to Luigi Mangione, especially by younger generations, was not so negative," Piker said.
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In the same "The Opinions" interview, Piker also sparked backlash when he stated that he was "pro-piracy" and "pro stealing from big corporations because they steal quite a bit more from their own workers."
The New York Times interview was not the first platform where Piker has addressed the Mangione case. When reacting to Mangione's arrest, Piker referred to the suspect as "our boy" and said that the perp walk made him "look sick as f--k," according to a clip of the stream posted on TikTok.
A 2025 article in the New Yorker also noted that Piker said Mangione was "hotter" than him. The article stated that he repeatedly said that he did not condone violence.
Fox News Digital reached out to Piker's representatives for comment.
Nicole Scherzinger marks Earth Day in zebra-print bikini with Hawaiian heritage message
Nicole Scherzinger is taking a moment to ground herself.
The 47-year-old superstar marked Earth Day on Wednesday by sharing a breathtaking look back at her favorite moments in nature.
Leading the carousel, the "Don't Cha" singer sat in a meditative yoga pose in a secluded beach area, showcasing her toned physique in a striking black-and-white zebra-print bikini.
With her eyes closed and her palms turned upward, Scherzinger appeared to be in total peace as the ocean tide gently foamed around her feet.
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In another shot, the former Pussycat Doll showcased a more artistic perspective. Captured from behind, she stood at the water's edge at sunset, raising her arms to perfectly frame the glowing orange sun between her hands. The golden-hour snap captured a serene moment of reflection.
Scherzinger also pivoted to athletic wear, highlighting her commitment to movement. In one photo, she stood overlooking a vibrant blue infinity pool and the turquoise ocean beyond, resting her hands on her hips. Wearing a teal workout set, her long, dark hair flowed down her back as she took in the tropical horizon.
The theater star also took to the heights, sharing a powerful image of herself standing atop a grassy ridge at dusk. With her arms spread wide, she overlooked a lush valley as the sky transitioned into shades of gold and purple.
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The imagery served as a backdrop for a deeply personal message regarding her heritage.
"Being Hawaiian has shaped how I see the world… the land isn’t just where we live, it’s who we are," Scherzinger wrote to her 7.4 million followers. "Our roots, stories, and identity are deeply tied to the earth, and caring for it isn’t a trend, it’s a responsibility passed down through generations.🌿
"Earth Day is a reminder that this planet is not ours to own, but to protect. Every small action matters. Today and every day, I stand with the land, ocean, and skies. Protecting the earth means protecting our people, culture, and future.🌊🌺"
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Reflecting on a career-defining chapter that saw her sweep the major theater awards on both sides of the Atlantic, Nicole Scherzinger sat down with Official London Theatre April 7, 2026, to discuss the roots of her success.
The Tony and Olivier winner credited her "humble beginnings" in Hawaii and the "warrior" spirit of her mother for the resilience she brought to the stage as Norma Desmond.
"I am of Hawaiian Ukrainian Filipino descent and I come from a little tiny island in the Pacific, right? Hawaii," Scherzinger said. "And I grew up actually in the south, and I came from very humble beginnings. And I had this dream. It was this dream as a little girl.
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"I want to thank my families back in Hawaii. My mom, she is the reason I am," she said during the emotional interview. "She is the reason that Norma is the warrior that she is. My dad, my sister Kala, my fiancé for being my biggest cheerleader."
Reflecting on her record-breaking success in the musical "Sunset Boulevard," she noted that the achievement felt like a win for her entire community.
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"All of the years and years of hard work … and the discipline and the determination and the heart and the soul and the life experiences and the struggles and the pain just led to this moment where you're able to make art," she reflected.
"It's alchemy, beautiful alchemy that you're able to transform it into art that can really hopefully make a difference in other people's lives and that's what we're here for."
Scherzinger concluded with a nod to the future, noting, "I've learned to just keep my mind and my heart completely open because you never know what role or opportunity is the one that's truly meant for you."
Longtime NASCAR crew chief tells wild story about one of the sport's biggest characters
One of the most memorable names in NASCAR history is that of Dick Trickle, and now his former crew chief is telling some wild stories about what a character the 1989 Winston Cup Rookie of the Year was.
Jimmy Fennig was a longtime NASCAR crew chief who worked with the likes of Mark Martin, Kurt Busch, and Carl Edwards.
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In 1989, Fennig was paired with Trickle, who was entering his rookie campaign at the age of 48 after making occasional one-off appearances in the Winston Cup Series and racing in various other series before that.
Fennig talked about working with his fellow Wisconsinite, Trickle, during an appearance on Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s podcast, The Dale Jr. Download.
"I think our first race was Rockingham, and I'll never forget this one because old Dick was from the north, you know, and Dick always wore cowboy boots. So, he got (to the track) and I had a set of driving shoes for him because I know the interiors of these cars are hotter than ASA (American Speed Association) cars, you know.
"I said, 'Dick, you're going to need to take these boots off and put these Simpson (racing) shoes on.' And, he said, 'No, I'm going to be all right. I'm going to be all right.'"
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So, Fennig acquiesced, and Trickle hopped in the car with his cowboy boots on, something that would never fly today.
However, Trickle — who sadly died in 2013 — realized this may have been a mistake.
"So, I think halfway during the race, they had a yellow," Fennig recalled. "He says, 'I need them shoes.' So I said, 'Okay, four tires and a set of shoes, guys.'"
Earnhardt then asked about another Dick Trickle legend.
"Did he have a cigarette lighter in your car?" Earnhardt asked.
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"Oh, yeah," Fennig said. "He put it in there."
Fennig talked about a race at Dover in which Trickle crashed entering the pit lane, and he suspected it was because he was lighting a cigarette.
Well, we may never know for sure, but just before this interview came out, footage was making the rounds on X that showed Trickle puffing away on a lung dart mid-race.
They certainly don't make them like they used to, do they?
EXCLUSIVE: Eric Swalwell hit with fresh complaint over alleged use of House office to boost his business
Former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is facing a fresh ethics complaint urging the Justice Department to investigate whether he leveraged his position in Congress to promote a startup business he was running on the side with his chief of staff.
The complaint comes as Swalwell has also been accused by multiple women of sexual misconduct in recent weeks, allegations he has denied despite conceding he has made poor choices in his past with women.
The Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT), a conservative ethics watchdog, filed a complaint Wednesday calling on the Justice Department's Office of Congressional Conduct to investigate allegations Swalwell was personally pitching Findraiser, an artificial intelligence political fundraising tool, to Democratic lawmakers, staff and campaigns.
Included in FACT's complaint is Yardena Wolf, Swalwell's former chief of staff and also the co-founder of Findraiser. Wolf eventually left her chief of staff role to lead Swalwell's now defunct gubernatorial campaign.
Swalwell already is facing multiple investigations related to sexual misconduct allegations, including from the Los Angeles County District Attorney, Manhattan District Attorney and the Justice Department.
But, prior to sexual misconduct allegations against him coming to light earlier in April, the former member of Congress also was facing heat for his behavior on Capitol Hill as it pertained to promoting Findraiser.
One Democratic operative reportedly told news outlet NOTUS that Swalwell was "peddling the s--- out of" Findraiser on Capitol Hill.
NOTUS released a pair of reports in March, one of which cited Federal Election Commission data that showed the artificial intelligence-powered political fundraising tool was getting business from some of Swalwell's longtime political allies, including Sens. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., and Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz.
NOTUS published a follow-up days later based on interviews with a half dozen Democratic Party political operatives and other unnamed sources and reviews of emailed communications and texts. Both Swalwell and Wolf allegedly would send texts to Democratic staff and lawmakers about their company, according to the subsequent report, in addition to promoting it during in-person interactions.
FACT's ethics complaint seeks to have the allegations revealed by NOTUS and substantiated by other outlets investigated.
"Public office is a position of trust, and no individual should be able to skirt accountability for potential abuses of power simply by resigning," FACT's Executive Director Kendra Arnold said in a press release accompanying the group's complaint.
"The reported actions using an official position to promote a personal business and potentially misusing government resources raise serious legal concerns that warrant a thorough investigation by the Department of Justice. Ensuring accountability in cases like this is essential to maintaining public confidence in government."
Fox News Digital reached out to Swalwell's legal team, Wolf and Findraiser for comment but did not receive any responses.
The Justice Department also did not provide any comment on whether it plans to look into FACT's complaints.
While lawmakers on Capitol Hill are legally allowed to earn passive income through businesses they own, House rules do prohibit lawmakers and their staff from using their "political influence, the influence of (their) position ... to make pecuniary gains."
According to the 2022 House Ethics Manual, lawmakers and their staff are expected to avoid even an appearance that they may be using their political influence for financial gain.
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"In any event, the Standards Committee routinely advises Members and staff to avoid situations in which even an inference might be drawn suggesting improper conduct," the manual states.
In addition to allegedly pitching the company in-person, Wolf, while still working as Swalwell's chief of staff on Capitol Hill, allegedly emailed congressional campaigns offering demos for Findraiser and texted congressional staff below her to set up business meetings with her and Swalwell to discuss their startup company, according to the accusations reported by NOTUS.
Democratic operatives described Swalwell's promotion of Findraiser on Capitol Hill as "relentless" and said he "aggressively" peddled it to Democratic candidates for office and senior campaign officials, according to NOTUS. One of the operatives told NOTUS that being approached by Swalwell or his staff about his company has been "surprisingly universal" in some Democratic circles.
"They were really hitting up everyone," a source with knowledge of the situation told the New York Post. "I bet every California member probably got outreach."
The New York Post also reported it had spoken to sources who indicated Swalwell allegedly would use his company as a legislative negotiating tactic.
"The only way you get Swalwell to sign on to your bills is if you take this weird call from his chief of staff," a source reportedly told the New York Post.
According to NOTUS' reporting, Findraiser received about $60,000 from more than a dozen Democratic campaigns. Meanwhile, Swalwell's congressional financial disclosures have listed his company as being worth between $200,000 and $500,000.
NOTUS did indicate that it was informed by a former Swalwell spokesperson in March, who has since left his position, that both Swalwell and Wolf consulted with the necessary House Ethics personnel about Findraiser. The spokesperson also claimed that Swalwell receives no income from the company.
"These alleged facts deserve to be criminally investigated," FACT's complaint to the Justice Department argues. "This is just one issue of many during Swalwell’s problematic tenure in Congress, which among others includes being accused of using campaign funds to pay for a Brazilian nanny in our country illegally and being removed from the House Intelligence Committee over his association with a Chinese spy."
Fox News Digital previously reported on the other ethics complaints Swalwell has faced that are mentioned in FACT's letter to the Justice Department.
Swalwell was accused of paying his nanny, Amanda Barbosa, with campaign funds for roughly two years while she allegedly did not have valid work authorization. Following multiple complaints against Swalwell over the matter, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed to Fox News that it has referred the matter to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation.
Swalwell's removal from the influential House intelligence committee in 2023 involved concerns about the former congressman's actions related to a decade-old scandal over his ties to a suspected Chinese spy.
The matter gained new life amid sexual misconduct allegations that came to life earlier in April as FBI officials weighed whether to release documents about Swalwell's relationship with the alleged spy, Christine "Fang Fang" Fang.
Child reunited with mom after transgender dad, partner allegedly kidnap abroad amid gender surgery fears: feds
A Utah custody dispute escalated into an international case after a 10-year-old child was allegedly kidnapped by a trans parent as family members feared gender reassignment surgery in Cuba, authorities said.
Federal authorities allege the child’s biological father, Rose Inessa-Ethington, 42, who also goes by Eri, and the father’s partner, Blue Inessa-Ethington, 32, also known as Carly Ann Crosby, never made it to their planned destination for a camping trip in Canada.
Instead, investigators say the pair took the child across multiple international borders without the mother’s knowledge or court approval, a move now at the center of a federal international parental kidnapping case.
The two were found in Cuba April 16 with FBI assistance and brought back to the U.S. Monday, where they appeared in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. They are expected to be transferred to Utah, where the case will proceed as they face charges of international parental kidnapping.
According to a federal criminal complaint, the trip began March 28, when the child left for what the mother, who shares custody of the child, believed was a camping excursion to Calgary.
The next day, the group crossed into Canada on foot through the Peace Arch border crossing in Washington state but never checked into their hotel or campsite, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Utah said.
Instead, authorities say they quickly changed course.
Court documents outline a multi-country route, flying from Vancouver to Mexico City on March 29, then traveling to Mérida before boarding another flight to Havana, Cuba, April 1. Mexican immigration officials later confirmed the group’s movements using U.S. passports.
Investigators say the trip appeared far from spontaneous. According to the complaint, searches of the couple’s home uncovered detailed planning notes, including references to learning Spanish, securing travel documents and preparing for extended travel. One defendant withdrew $10,000 in cash just days before the trip, and additional notes referenced banking activity, storage plans and travel logistics.
MOTHER CLAIMS CHILDREN DISAPPEARED AFTER RELIGIOUS BRAINWASHING AS AMBER ALERT ISSUED
Back in Utah, the child’s mother was left waiting. The last time she heard from the child was March 28, when the child communicated that the group had arrived safely in Canada. The child was due home April 3 but never returned.
As days passed with no contact, concern intensified.
Court documents state both adults shut off their phones after March 28, cutting off communication, while the child had no independent way to contact family.
FOUR CHARGED IN TEXAS WITH SMUGGLING CHILDREN ACROSS BORDER WHILE POSING AS PARENTS
According to court filings, family members raised serious concerns about the child’s well-being. The child, born male but identifying as female, was believed by some relatives to have been influenced by Rose, authorities said. There were also fears the child may have been taken out of the country for potential gender reassignment surgery before reaching puberty.
Tess Davis, a lawyer representing the child’s biological mother, told The New York Times the issue of gender-related medical treatment had been an ongoing point of contention during the parents’ divorce.
"I don’t think she ever imagined that Rose could do this until it was too late," Davis told the outlet. "She was worried about never seeing her child again."
Fox News Digital has reached out to Davis for additional comment.
On April 13, a Utah state court granted the mother exclusive custody and ordered the child’s immediate return.
Three days later, on April 16, Cuban authorities located the group. U.S. officials, working with international partners, secured the child’s recovery and return to the U.S.
The two defendants are now in federal custody facing international parental kidnapping charges.
An FBI agent wrote in the complaint that the level of planning suggested the pair intended to leave the country with the child and not return.
"We are grateful to law enforcement for working swiftly to return the child to the biological mother," said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak.
"Our priority in every parental kidnapping case is the safety and well-being of the child," said FBI Salt Lake City Special Agent in Charge Robert Bohls. "This case reflects the strength of partnerships in locating victims, supporting reunification, and ensuring accountability."
FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in on the case, saying agents and their partners "acted quickly and saved a young child who was kidnapped and ended up in Cuba," adding that the child is now "safely home."
Patel also praised FBI teams in Salt Lake City and Richmond, along with specialized response units, for their role in the recovery.
The case involved coordination across multiple agencies, including the FBI, the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service, ICE personnel in Havana and the FBI’s legal attaché office in Mexico City.
Prosecutors say the case is being brought as part of the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, a nationwide effort launched in 2006 to combat child exploitation and better coordinate resources to locate victims and prosecute those who endanger them.