Five members of the far-right extremist group, the Proud Boys, are facing nine counts, including the rarely-used charge of seditious conspiracy, in connection with the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021. Assistant U.S. Attorney Conor Mulroe has argued that the Proud Boys were “thirsting for violence, and organizing for action” before the attack and that they were “lined up behind Donald Trump and willing to commit violence on his behalf.” The jury is expected to reach a verdict soon, and the charge of seditious conspiracy carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
Posts tagged as “Joe Biden’”
Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) suggested that Senate Republicans may refuse to fill a vacancy on the Judiciary Committee if Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) were to resign. In response, Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin (D-IL) advanced seven of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees through committee on Thursday with Republican votes, allowing them to pass without Feinstein’s decisive vote. The news of Tester’s comments has caused speculation among Capitol staff, and it remains to be seen what the outcome of this situation will be.
Senate Republicans have blocked a request from Democrats to temporarily replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) on the Senate Judiciary Committee while she recovers from shingles, prompting criticism from Democrats. Feinstein is the top Democrat on the Judiciary Committee and her absence has raised concerns that it could impede the confirmation of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees. The decision has been met with criticism from Democrats, who argue that it is unfair to sideline a temporary absent colleague from the Judiciary Committee.
Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over former President Donald Trump's arraignment and the recent criminal tax fraud trial involving the Trump Organization, has donated $35 to Democratic political campaigns in 2020, including $15 to President Joe Biden's campaign. This has sparked debate over the propriety of a judge making political contributions while presiding over a case involving a political figure, and has raised questions about the impartiality of the judicial system.
Phillip Washington, President Joe Biden's pick to lead the Federal Aviation Administration, has withdrawn his nomination due to Republican attacks on his service and experience. The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation was scheduled to vote on Washington's nomination, but it was cancelled due to lack of support. The White House praised Washington's public service record and qualifications, and is expected to move quickly to find a suitable replacement.
A special grand jury in Georgia has revealed that former President Donald Trump called then-Georgia House Speaker David Ralston after the 2020 elections to try to overturn Joe Biden's victory. Five jurors listened to a recording of the call, during which Ralston "basically cut the president off". Sen. Lindsey Graham also testified, saying that Trump would have believed "if somebody had told Trump that aliens came down and stole Trump ballots". The investigation is ongoing, but the jurors' revelations provide insight into Trump's state of mind after the election.
Key takeaways: Trump and DeSantis have made it clear that if they become president, US weapons and ammunition to Ukraine would be in danger and…
The Biden administration has approved the Willow Project, a controversial oil drilling project in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve led by oil giant ConocoPhillips. The project is expected to produce up to 590 million barrels of oil over 30 years, and could create nearly a quarter of a billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. Despite criticism from environmental groups, the project is expected to create jobs and economic opportunities in the region.