Among the dignitaries attending President Biden’s star-studded fundraiser at the Peacock Theater on Saturday night was the man Biden is urging to resign from the Los Angeles City Council: Kevin de Leon.
De León weathered a scandal that rocked City Hall and was seen in theater lobbies while other elected officials met with Biden and former President Obama.
Outside the theater, de León took the opportunity to speak to reporters about what he said was the danger of Donald Trump being re-elected as president.
“What’s at stake right now in battleground states … is the well-being of immigrants, undocumented immigrants, the poor, the most vulnerable, our senior citizens,” he said, referring to the pro-Palestinian protesters who lined the theater. That’s what’s at stake here too – not just global affairs.
In a video posted online by the Pasadena Star-News, de Leon added: “I look forward to President Biden and President Barack Obama really instilling deep enthusiasm in Democrats. Listen, this is a blue house. Colorful town; it’s a blue state. We’re not going anywhere. … I hope California makes a huge positive impact.
De Leon is working to make a political comeback after the Los Angeles Times revealed in 2022 that he participated in a secretly recorded conversation with other lawmakers filled with racist remarks. The audio leak led to the resignation of then-council president Nuri Martinez. Many have also called for de León to resign — including Biden.
“The president is pleased to see one of the participants in the dialogue resign, but they should all resign,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at the time.
Instead, de León stayed in his seat — despite ongoing protests inside City Hall, the cancellation of his committee assignments, and a physical altercation with a critic that was caught on video. He launched a re-election campaign and finished second in the March primary. Last month, Council President Paul Krekorian announced he would appoint de Leon to four council committees.
The controversial congressman was spotted attending a downtown event Saturday night that was the largest Democratic fundraiser ever in Los Angeles. But other elected dignitaries from Southern California, including Mayor Karen Bass and Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach), mingled with Biden and Obama in the VIP area.
Los Angeles City Councilman Curran Price was also spotted arriving at the theater, but he was blocked from entering near the JW Marriott hotel while protesters sat down in front of the gate. Some demonstrators yelled at him, referring to his pending criminal charges.
Price was indicted last year on 10 counts of corruption, perjury and conflicts of interest for voting on development projects in which he allegedly had a financial interest. He is also under review by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission over similar allegations.
Staff writers Liam Dillon and Seema Mehta contributed to this report.
