A federal appeals court panel has ruled in favor of the Justice Department’s use of an obstruction charge against hundreds of defendants arrested in connection with the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The ruling affirms the department’s use of the charge and reverses a decision by a Trump appointee, but questions remain about the future of the statute and its impact on the defendants.
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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has released a statement in response to a ProPublica report detailing his and his wife's trips with Republican donor Harlan Crow. Congressional Democrats have called for an investigation into the matter, and the Supreme Court has issued new guidelines clarifying the type of gifts justices must disclose publicly. Thomas has said that he accepted the trips as "personal hospitality from close personal friends" and that he will comply with the new guidelines.
On Thursday, the Tennessee House of Representatives voted to expel two Democratic representatives, Justin Jones and Justin Pearson, in response to their participation in a peaceful gun protest. This decision has been met with criticism from both sides of the aisle, sparking a national debate on the issue of gun control and the power of the Republican party to silence dissenting voices. President Joe Biden released a statement condemning the decision, calling it "shocking, undemocratic, and without precedent".
Sheriff Billy Woods of Marion County, Florida has announced the arrest of two juveniles and the search for a third in connection with the shooting deaths of three teenagers. The suspects and victims are believed to have been associated with a criminal gang, and Woods said the suspects left behind a trail of evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with more information to be released as it becomes available.
Jeremy Renner, best known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was nearly killed in a New Year's Day snowplow accident that left him with 30-plus broken bones. In an exclusive interview, Renner discussed the incident, saying it was his mistake and he is now in a wheelchair recovering from the accident. Despite the trauma, Renner is determined to move forward and continue his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shifting the narrative of being victimized.
China has imposed sanctions against the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and other organizations in response to the meeting between the United States House Speaker and the Taiwanese President. This is the latest in a series of retaliatory measures taken by China in response to the United States’ support of Taiwan, and has further escalated tensions between the two countries. It remains to be seen how the United States will respond to China’s sanctions.
In February 2020, a 20-year-old man pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and home invasion robbery in connection with the killing of rapper Pop Smoke. The 20-year-old was 17 at the time of the shooting and was one of four men charged in the incident. Pop Smoke's death has been mourned by many in the music industry, and his posthumous album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart in July.
Two women were killed in a suspected terror attack near an Israeli settlement in the West Bank on Friday, prompting Israel to launch its biggest airstrikes on Lebanon in 17 years. In response to the attack, Israel targeted installations of Hamas in southern Lebanon and Gaza, while the Palestinian militant group has yet to comment. The violence has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning of further action.