The Department of Justice has ruled that former President Donald Trump can be sued by Capitol Police officers and Democratic lawmakers for the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. The lawsuits seek to hold Trump liable for damages stemming from the riot, and the ruling sets a precedent for future presidents and the limits of executive power. The Capitol Police officers and Democratic lawmakers are now able to pursue their claims against the former president, and the ruling is a reminder that no one is above the law.
Posts tagged as “the Department of Justice”
The House Ethics Committee has voted to create an investigative subcommittee to investigate allegations of misconduct by Representative George Santos. The panel, chaired by Rep. Jackie Speier, will have the authority to review documents, take testimony, and issue subpoenas. The subcommittee will report its findings and recommendations to the full Ethics Committee, which will then decide whether to take further action.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has criticized the Department of Justice for not charging any protesters outside Supreme Court justices' homes in the wake of the Dobbs decision. In response, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that white supremacists are the most dangerous domestic terror group in the US, and that the DOJ is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans. The DOJ has yet to comment on Cruz's criticism.
Jesse James Rumson, a Donald Trump supporter, was arrested on Monday for his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. Video footage shows him entering the Capitol through an emergency fire escape wearing a panda costume, and he has been charged with multiple offenses including assaulting an officer. This is the latest in a series of arrests related to the Capitol riot, and has sparked a renewed focus on Capitol security.
Former Member of Armed Forces Arrested in Connection with 2001 Murder of Pregnant Soldier in Germany
Former Member of Armed Forces Arrested in Connection with 2001 Murder of Pregnant Soldier in Germany
Shannon Wilkerson, a former member of the armed forces, was arrested Thursday in Florida in connection with the murder of Pfc. Amanda Gonzales, a pregnant soldier stationed in Germany in 2001. Gonzales was found dead in her barracks room after failing to report for work, and Wilkerson is being held in Florida awaiting extradition to Germany. The FBI is asking anyone with information about the case to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate.
The Department of Justice has concluded its investigation into allegations of sex trafficking and obstruction of justice against Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) and has determined not to bring any charges against him. Gaetz has denied all allegations and his attorneys have confirmed the Justice Department's decision. The investigation has now concluded, with no charges brought against Gaetz, bringing an end to months of speculation and uncertainty.
Donald Trump's 2020 campaign team commissioned the Berkeley Research Group to investigate his claims of electoral fraud, but the research team failed to substantiate the theories. The findings did not match what the team had hoped for, and the research team found no evidence to support the notion that dead people voted in the election. Numerous other investigations also found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.
Leslie Bethea, a Tennessee woman, has been sentenced to more than six years in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining coronavirus relief funds and using the money for personal luxuries such as travel and plastic surgery. The Department of Justice has ordered Bethea to pay back the money she fraudulently obtained and has warned that those who attempt to defraud the government during the pandemic will be held accountable.