As you might have suspected Planned Parenthood donated at least $3,000 to California’s AG, Xavier Becerra, when he ran for Congress in 2012 and 2014. His former aide is also now a lobbyist for Planned Parenthood:
WASHINGTON EXAMINER – Planned Parenthood donated to the two California attorney generals responsible for bringing charges against the anti-abortion activists behind the fetal tissue scandal. The group also appears to have colluded with one of the State Attorneys in crafting legislation that would punish the undercover activists.
Though these ties are certainly worth mentioning in coverage of the charges, newsrooms have been conspicuously silent this week on both points. There’s nothing to be found in reports published by the Associated Press, the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, the Washington Post, USA Today and so on.
State Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who announced Tuesday that 15 felony charges had been brought against activists David Daleiden and Sandra Merritt, is a former congressman. He served California’s 34th district from 2012 to 2017.
As a member of Congress, Becerra received campaign donations from Planned Parenthood. He received $2,000 in 2012, and $1,000 in 2014, according to OpenSecrets.org
Though Planned Parenthood’s donations to its friends in the AG’s office were small, it’s still worth mentioning that the people investigating Daleiden and Merritt have also received money from the targets of the anti-abortion activists’ undercover investigation.
It’s also worth mentioning that former Becerra aide Lia Parada is a current Planned Parenthood lobbyist, and Ways & Means-connected lobbying firm Capitol Counsel claims the “sexual and reproductive health” group as a lobbying client.
Where are all the media questions on whether Becerra should recuse himself? And where are all the questions about how illegitimate these charges seem to be, especially in light that all the recorded conversations took place in public places?
*Chirp* *Chirp* *Devin Nunes* *Chirp* *Chirp*