Elmer Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right Oath Keepers, was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison on Thursday for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. Prior to his sentencing, Rhodes delivered a 20-minute-long diatribe in which he called himself a “political prisoner” and said his only crime was trying to stop politicians from “destroying” America. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta delivered a searing rebuke to Rhodes before handing down the longest sentence yet to any of the more than 400 people charged in connection with the attack.
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Steve Bannon, former chief strategist of President Donald Trump, will stand trial in May 2024 on charges of fraud related to a fundraiser for a wall along the U.S. southern border. The fundraiser, which raised more than $25 million, is accused of being "based on false promises" by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Bannon has denied all the charges against him and the trial is seen as a test of the legal system's ability to hold powerful people accountable.
The U.S. Treasury Department has warned that the government could run out of money to meet all its obligations as soon as June 1 due to House Republicans' efforts. Secretary Janet Yellen says the workarounds to keep the government paying its bills will be exhausted in the coming week, and the Bipartisan Policy Center warns that Social Security recipients, seniors and people with disabilities will likely be the first groups affected. Congress must act quickly to avoid a potential financial crisis and ensure the government can meet its obligations.
Stewart Rhodes, the founder of the far-right group Oath Keepers, is set to be sentenced Thursday on felony counts related to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol. Prosecutors have asked for a 25-year sentence, while Rhodes is asking for time served. U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta will issue the sentence.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced his campaign for the 2024 GOP presidential nomination on Wednesday, but was met with a barrage of insults and attacks from former President Donald Trump and other Republican figures. Nikki Haley called him an "echo" of Trump, while David Jolly and David Urban both commented that the announcement had become "humiliating." Despite DeSantis' vision of a "two-horse race" between him and Trump, the response to his announcement has been largely negative.
President Joe Biden is expected to announce the nomination of Air Force Gen. Charles "C.Q." Brown Jr. to serve as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, making him the first African American to serve in both the Pentagon’s top military and civilian positions. Brown is a history-making fighter pilot with deep knowledge of China and is currently the commander of the Pacific Air Forces. If confirmed, he will take over from Gen. Mark Milley, who held the job during the Jan. 6, 2021, assault on the Capitol and the deadly withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
Sai Varshith Kandula, a 19-year-old Missouri man, was arrested Monday night after crashing a U-Haul truck into a security barrier near the White House and waving a Nazi flag. He had been planning the incident for six months in an effort to "seize power" from the government, and authorities have clarified that he holds a green card for lawful, permanent U.S. residency. The incident is still under investigation, and it is unclear what charges Kandula may face.
Alex Murdaugh, a convicted murderer and former personal injury lawyer, has been indicted on 22 financial fraud-related charges in South Carolina, including conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and fraud against the estate of his late housekeeper. If convicted, Murdaugh could face up to 20 years in prison for each count of fraud, and the case is currently under investigation.