When Donald Trump made illegal immigration his political calling card, dubious Republicans wasted no time pointing out his financial support for one of the most prominent defenders of Sanctuary Cities: California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
Trump donated $5,000 to Harris’s campaign fund in 2011 and another $1,000 in 2013. Ivanka Trump gave Harris $2,000 in 2013. Trump has donated to several prominent Democrats over the years, including Gov. Jerry Brown and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, but it turns out that he had extra incentive to fortify Harris’ war chest.
Several news outlets reported this week that Trump contributed $25,000 to a group supporting Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi in 2013 at the same time her office was considering joining a lawsuit against the now defunct Trump University by New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. According to the New York Times, Trump gave money to Schneiderman, then-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott and Harris, whose office also was investigating the for-profit real estate academy for defrauding students.
Harris donated Trump’s money to charity. As for prosecuting Trump University, Harris won’t comment on “on-going matters,” said David Beltran a spokesman in her office. Beltran added that Harris has been aggressive in going after for-profit colleges. Earlier this year, she won a $1.1 billion judgment against now defunct Corinthian Colleges for their predatory practices.
