Politics
'Willful coverup': Democrat in key House race hit with ethics complaint that could derail campaign
FIRST ON FOX: A Democratic House candidate in one of the most closely watched races in the country was the subject of an ethics complaint alleging that she had failed to act on allegations of sexual harassment and assault against a man working with her campaign.
Fox News Digital obtained a complaint filed with the state’s Legislative Equality Office against Janelle Bynum, running for Congress in Oregon’s 5th Congressional District, alleging that Bynum had failed to be a mandatory reporter of allegations against a man working for the PAC that staffed her State Representative campaign in 2022.
The complaint also alleged that when confronted about the alleged actions, Bynum was dismissive and even threatened the individual who had reached out to her.
“During the 2024 primary election, I was contacted by an informant with information about Rep. Bynum and her willful coverup of a sexual assault of a minor volunteer who worked for her during the 2022 cycle,” the complaint reads.
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The complainant claims to have “personally spoken” with two former staff members who alleged that they had reported inappropriate sexual behavior by a field organizer “directly” to Bynum, along with two others associated with the campaign, “only for nothing to be done.”
“For me, the primary issue here is that all Legislators are mandatory reporters,” the complaint says. “Bynum received credible information regarding one of her campaign staff sexually harassing and assaulting young volunteers, and not only did she not report it, but she also threatened to report the person who blew the whistle. . . .”
In a statement to Fox News Digital, a Bynum campaign spokesperson said, “This attempt to smear Rep. Bynum is not based in reality. As a mom of two young women and a legislator who has spent her career advocating for others, Rep. Bynum takes this subject personally — which is why she flagged these accusations directly to the accuser’s employer, Future PAC, as soon as she was made aware of them after the 2022 election.”
“It’s also why she’s openly aided the Legislative Equity Office’s investigation into the matter. Rep. Bynum expected Future PAC to deal with these accusations fairly and swiftly and to ensure their employees’ well-being and safety. If Future PAC did anything less, that is unacceptable.”
The Bynum campaign shared an email exchange between Bynum and the Legislative Equity Office on September 20 in which the office told her she is “not being investigated” by the office.
However, two sources familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that state police have conducted interviews regarding the complaint which was recently forwarded to them in the last couple of weeks. The nature and scope of that investigation is not known at this time.
Fox News Digital obtained text messages between a former Bynum campaign manager and Bynum in which Bynum appeared to show little interest in bringing attention to the alleged impropriety against her former staffer.
“I asked you not to send me anything and I meant that,” Bynum says in a November 17th text in response to a warning from a former campaign manager about the staffer harassing women associated with the campaign. “I really can’t take anything else on my plate.”
The former campaign manager continued pressing the issue a few days later.
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“While as unfortunate as this may be for you or [redacted] I am NOT siting (sic) by while someone like this gets off scott free treating young women abusively like that,” the former campaign manager texted Bynum on November 21, 2022. “If he gets a job down there this won’t be the last you hear of it I promise.”
Bynum responds by asking, “Are you threatening me?”
“Woah, easy there,” the former campaign manager responds. “I am promising you and anyone else that I am not OK with someone treating young women like that.”
“I’ll consider reporting your actions,” Bynum responded. “Thank you for letting me know.”
In another text thread on November 14, 2022, a FuturePAC staffer says, “It’s best we handle telling Janelle” and says we will “certainly flag” the concerns.
It is unclear the exact date that Bynum flagged the concerns through the appropriate channels, but two sources familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that the accused staffer has continued to be associated with FuturePAC in the last couple of years and held a position with the Oregon State Legislature after the 2022 campaign. FuturePAC did not respond to an inquiry related to this allegation shared with Fox News Digital.
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Fox News Digital reviewed text messages between Bynum and a FuturePAC staffer between November 22, four days after the text exchange with the former campaign manager, and November 30 where she attempted to get him on the phone about an unspecified matter.
Two sources familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that multiple staffers at FuturePAC, a campaign arm of Oregon House Democrats that staffs local campaigns, were aware of concerns and allegations against the individual during the campaign but told staffers it would be addressed after the campaign concluded. A spokesperson for FuturePAC denied these allegations.
“To our knowledge, during the 2022 cycle no official complaints that would have triggered [an] investigation under the contract were made regarding the staff assigned to Rep. Bynum’s campaign,” a FuturePAC spokesperson told Fox News Digital. “FuturePAC hires and manages the campaign staff working on campaigns that we are supporting — as such, campaign staffers are FuturePAC employees, not employees of individual candidates. We take all allegations regarding staff conduct during campaign work seriously.”
“Our union contract agreement with the Campaign Workers Guild requires official complaints and investigations to be handled through FuturePAC — campaigns and candidates are not allowed to be responsible for investigations of any workplace conduct. To our knowledge, during the 2022 cycle no official complaints were made that would have triggered investigation under the contract.”
Rule 27 of the Oregon State Legislature says, “Members of the Legislative Assembly … are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is free of harassment and to discourage all harassment in the workplace and at professional meetings, seminars, or at any event at which the Legislative business is conducted.”
Multiple state laws on the books in Oregon deal with state legislators being required to report allegations of sexual assault, specifically related to children and minors, and legislators are commonly understood to be mandatory reporters of such allegations.
Bynum drew criticism in 2019 from sexual assault survivors for voting against a bill that would have given more time for victims to sue by expanding the statute of limitations for rape.
“It’s not popular to protect the accused, but it is our job,” Bynum said at the time.
A spokesperson for the Oregon State Police confirmed they have “received an initial complaint” regarding the July complaint against Bynum but would not comment “in regards to the status or scope of an investigation” or on where the complaint they received originated.
“Janelle is the only person in this race who has been a consistent champion for the underserved and underrepresented, and she’ll do what’s best for Oregonians in the halls of Congress,” DCCC spokesperson Dan Gottlieb told Fox News Digital. “Lori Chavez-DeRemer has no business lecturing anyone about standing up for victims and survivors.”
Congressional Black Caucus PAC Senior Advisor Chris Taylor told Fox News Digital that Bynum is not to blame for the complaint.
“Future PAC and Oregon Speaker of the House Julie Fahey ought to take responsibility for the alleged HR failures in their organization – We won’t tolerate politically convenient blame shifting on the only Black woman in the State House,” Taylor said. “As a mother, small business owner and dedicated public servant, Janelle has a track record of delivering for Oregon and we know she’ll do even more good for Oregonians when she gets to Congress.”
A spokesperson for EMILY’s List told Fox News Digital that Bynum “is a mother and a state representative who has been a steadfast advocate for Oregonians throughout her entire career.”
“Throughout this election, Republicans have shamefully tried to smear Bynum’s record and this is just their latest attempt to distract from the extremist agenda Lori Chavez-DeRemer and her MAGA allies are pushing. We are proud to stand by Bynum and we are confident she will continue to stand up for Oregonians against Republican extremism.”
A source familiar with the situation told Fox News Digital that Bynum “would have received annual training on her duties as a mandatory reporter” making her certain of her “obligation to report this to law enforcement” and not to FuturePac.”
“Her dereliction of duty is not on Fahey or anyone else.”
Bynum is running against Republican Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer in a race that some experts believe could tip the balance of power in the House.
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Tracking Trump’s Cabinet Nominations
President-elect Donald J. Trump is assembling the cast of characters who will serve in his cabinet and in other senior positions during his second term. The cabinet always comprises at least 16 positions — the vice president and the heads of the 15 executive departments — and presidents have discretion to elevate other officials, like the White House chief of staff, to the cabinet level. This page will be updated as new announcements are made.
Politics
Mutiny threat sparks House GOP infighting ahead of Trump visit: 'Just more stupid'
Tensions were high among House Republicans on Tuesday with a group of GOP hardliners threatening to protest Speaker Mike Johnson’s leadership during the next day’s House GOP Conference leadership elections.
Three sources told Fox News Digital that members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus were exploring ways to show their discontent with House GOP leaders during the closed-door races to decide who will likely lead the majority next year.
Meanwhile, those threats sparked frustration among rank-and-file House Republicans, including one lawmaker who said such discussions were “just more stupid.”
The heart of the issue lies in proposed rule changes that the House GOP Conference will also vote on, including a measure pushed by some Republicans to punish colleagues who purposely sink their own party’s legislation on the House floor by stripping their committee assignments.
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Johnson told Politico on Tuesday evening that he would not support “punitive” measures against people who blockade the House floor, but sources signaled that would not be enough.
“There’s a difference between saying, ‘I don’t support it’ and ‘I’m going to stop it.’ That’s a big difference,” one source said. “His easy route is just to say, ‘All right, no rules changes. We’re just going to go forward.’”
Reports indicated earlier that Freedom Caucus members were looking for a candidate to challenge Johnson – something its chairman did not rule out.
“Having two people in a race is kind of the norm,” Chairman Andy Harris, R-Md., told reporters when asked if his group was putting up a candidate. “We can do this Soviet-style, or we can do it American-style.”
But no one candidate appeared to emerge as of Tuesday night, though Fox News Digital’s sources said conservatives could still coalesce around someone.
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Instead, Johnson’s GOP critics could seek a recorded vote where they could either simply vote against his candidacy for speaker or write another name in via secret ballot, Fox News Digital was told.
The discord comes as President-elect Donald Trump plans to address House Republicans on Wednesday morning ahead of their leadership races, two other sources familiar with planning told Fox News Digital.
Several GOP lawmakers who spoke with Fox News Digital were frustrated that the public chaos that permeated the 118th Congress could once again rear its head – this time, when Republicans were poised to control all the levers of power in Washington.
“Frankly, I am tired of the instigators. I am tired of the conflict for the sake of conflict-type nonsense that happened last session,” Rep. Greg Murphy, R-N.C., told Fox News Digital.
Asked if lawmakers who help lead that charge should face consequences, Murphy said, “Absolutely. You can put that with an exclamation mark.”
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Another GOP lawmaker said they were concerned about whether such a protest would lead to another messy House floor fight over the speakership, similar to the 15 rounds of voting ex-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., faced nearly two years ago.
“What would worry me is if they’re willing to take that battle to the floor again. That’s where it doesn’t serve any kind of positive purpose at that point,” that lawmaker said.
Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, posted on X, “Enough is enough with the unserious political games – we have work to do.”
Others who have criticized Johnson in the past – like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla. – signaled little appetite for supporting a challenger against Johnson, particularly if Trump backs the speaker on Wednesday morning.
The Hill was first to report that House Freedom Caucus members were seeking a challenger to Johnson.
Politics
Trump picks Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Fox News personality Pete Hegseth to lead the Department of Defense, making him the first on-air talent from the conservative-leaning network to join the incoming administration. And he may not be the last.
Hegseth, a decorated combat veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, will leave the network immediately, a Fox News representative said Tuesday.
Hegseth, 44, has been a co-host of the weekend edition of morning program “Fox & Friends” since 2017 alongside Will Cain and Rachel Campos-Duffy. An Army National Guard officer, he joined the network as a contributor in 2014.
“Pete is tough, smart and a true believer in America First,” Trump said in his statement announcing the appointment. “With Pete at the helm, America’s enemies are on notice — Our Military will be Great Again, and America will Never Back Down.”
A number of Fox News contributors are expected to join the new Trump administration. Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan, who made paid appearances on the network, was named as Trump’s border czar on Monday.
But Hegseth’s exit is a surprise. He is a full-time host who enjoys a comfortable salary and the perks that come along with a high-profile TV job.
There has been chatter inside the network that others may follow him.
The revolving door of White House administrations and cable news channels has been active in recent years due to the number of opinion programs the outlets now present.
Former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany joined Fox News in 2021 after Trump lost the 2020 election.
Jen Psaki, who served in the same capacity for President Biden, moved to MSNBC after serving two years. She now hosts a program on Sundays and Mondays on the network. Symone Sanders, former chief spokeswoman for Vice President Kamala Harris and former Biden campaign senior adviser, is also a weekend host on the network.
Hegseth is a graduate of Princeton University, and has a graduate degree from Harvard University. For his military service, he was decorated with two Bronze Stars, as well as a Combat Infantryman Badge.
Hegseth is a best selling author for Fox News Books, the network’s publishing imprint.
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