Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security Committee released a report accusing federal law enforcement agencies of failing to properly analyze intelligence that showed the potential for violence on January 6, 2021. The report found that the agencies had misjudged or misread the risks, and had issued warnings too slowly and passively, leading to a failure of imagination similar to the one described by the 9/11 Commission. The report also highlighted specific threats of violence and accused the FBI and DHS intelligence analysts of “finger pointing” in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Posts tagged as “Capitol”
Daniel Rodriguez, a California man, was sentenced to 12.5 years in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to four felony counts related to the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, including assaulting a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon and conspiring to stop Congress from certifying the 2020 presidential election results. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson described him as a "one-man army of hate" and he will have to pay $96,000 to cover medical treatment for the officer and $2,000 in restitution for the destruction of the Capitol. The Justice Department has charged more than 400 people in connection with the attack.
Lashrecse Aird's victory in the Democratic primary race in Virginia on Tuesday has cemented a Democratic majority in the state Senate, offering a glimpse into how allegiance to former President Donald Trump is a weakness in many parts of the country. Aird's win is a significant victory for Democrats, as they are now in a strong position to maintain control of the Capitol and protect reproductive rights.
Attorney General Garland Makes First Public Comment on Historic Indictment of Former President Trump
Attorney General Garland Makes First Public Comment on Historic Indictment of Former President Trump
Attorney General Merrick Garland has made his first public comment on the historic indictment of former President Donald Trump, emphasizing the Justice Department's commitment to independence and accountability. He appointed Jack Smith, a highly qualified special counsel, to examine the facts of the case, and noted that Smith was limited in his role in the process. Trump is the first president in U.S. history to be indicted while in office, and the charges against him are still unclear.
Former President Donald Trump has been charged with mishandling classified documents, making him the first former president to face federal charges. The arrest follows a jury finding him liable for sexual abuse and defamation, as well as investigations into his involvement in the Capitol insurrection and attempts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results. Police had braced for up to 50,000 demonstrators outside the courthouse, but the scene was relatively sedate as Trump headed to a Cuban restaurant for a meeting with loyalists.
Mike Pence has announced his candidacy for the 2024 presidential race and has urged the Department of Justice not to indict former President Donald Trump, as it would be "terribly divisive" and fuel further division. He also criticized Trump's attempt to overthrow the Constitution in his announcement speech, saying that anyone who puts themselves over the Constitution should never be president. The DOJ is currently investigating whether Trump should be charged with any crimes related to the Capitol insurrection, but Pence has urged them to "think better" of it.
Steve Bannon, a former White House strategist and ally of former President Donald Trump, has been subpoenaed by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C. in connection with the investigation into the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The subpoena is for documents and testimony and is part of an investigation into Trump's actions surrounding the attack and his efforts to interfere with the peaceful transfer of power. Political strategists have noted Bannon's encouragement of Trump's efforts to overturn the election and his resistance to Joe Biden's presidency.
Jay Johnston, a Hollywood actor known for his roles in popular television shows, has been arrested in California and charged in connection with the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Johnston was identified by online sleuths and is facing felony obstruction of officers during civil disorder as well as several misdemeanor offenses. He is currently being held in Los Angeles and is expected to appear in court soon.