A federal judge in Austin, Texas is set to consider the legality of a floating barrier installed by Texas in the Rio Grande along the border with Mexico. The Justice Department has argued that the barrier is a violation of international law and should be removed, while the state of Texas has argued that the barrier is necessary to protect the border and deter illegal crossings. The outcome of the case could have implications for the ongoing migrant crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Posts published in “Crime”
Special Counsel Jack Smith has argued that Donald Trump's federal trial for his efforts to stop the peaceful transfer of power should not be delayed until 2026, as requested by Trump, but instead should begin in December with jury selection and start in January. Smith's team argued that this timeline would provide ample time for the defense to review the evidence and prepare for trial, and would not violate the public's right to a speedy trial.
Former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows has filed a motion to move the Fulton County election interference case to federal court, citing a federal law that allows U.S. officers to remove civil actions or criminal prosecutions. Meadows' lawyers argue that the charges in the indictment pertain to actions he took while serving in the Trump administration. The motion is currently pending, and the outcome of the motion will determine the implications for Meadows and the other co-defendants.
Yevgeny Prigozhin, the owner of the Wagner Group military contractor, has released a video of himself in military fatigues and holding a rifle, hinting at his location in Africa. The video appears to be a recruitment drive for the Wagner Group, and the exact whereabouts of Prigozhin remain unknown. The Wagner Group has been linked to the Kremlin and has been active in Syria, Ukraine, and other countries, and Prigozhin has been sanctioned by the U.S.
The New York Knicks have filed a lawsuit against the Toronto Raptors, their new head coach, and a former Knicks scouting employee for allegedly stealing thousands of videos and scouting secrets. The Knicks are seeking unspecified damages for the alleged theft of their confidential material and hope the lawsuit will serve as a warning to other teams. The case is ongoing and it remains to be seen how it will play out.
Former President Donald Trump has been ordered to post a $200,000 bond in connection to the 13 charges brought against him by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. Trump confirmed his surrender date with a post on his Truth Social page on Monday evening and will turn himself in on Thursday at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta. The charges stem from his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia, which he has denied and called a "witch hunt".
The House Ways and Means Committee, led by Republican Representative Jason Smith, has subpoenaed two senior IRS officials and four other IRS and FBI officials to testify before Congress about an October 2022 meeting. The investigation is related to the Justice Department's investigation into Hunter Biden and the committee has requested documents and communications related to the meeting. The two IRS officials subpoenaed are Michael Batdorf and Darrell Waldon, while the four other officials have yet to be identified.
Tracy Fiorenza, a 41-year-old Chicago woman, was arrested by the Secret Service on Monday for allegedly sending threatening emails to former President Donald Trump and his son Barron. The emails, sent on May 21, 2023, included threats to shoot the former president and his son, and to "slam a bullet in Baron Trump's head." Fiorenza is currently in federal custody and the Secret Service is investigating the incident.