Category: Justice Department

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Crime Domestic Terrorism Donald Trump Justice Department Racism Sedition

DOJ May May Have A Way To Destroy All Right-Wing Extremist Groups In The U.S.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is ratcheting up the pressure on the insurrectionists who attacked the U.S. Capitol in January, leaving five people dead, with reports suggesting that federal prosecutors are planning to charge as many as 500 more people for their connection to the riots.

And now we’re learning that the Justice Department may use a legal theory which would allow them to take down right-wing extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

 

Former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi was a guest on MSNBC recently and was asked by host Alex Witt about the ongoing investigation:

“The Justice Department is now saying it expects to charge at least 500 people with taking part in those riots on Capitol Hill. So far over 400 have been charged in what the DOJ is calling one of the largest investigations in U.S. history.

“DOJ lawyers is calling this one of the largest — not just because of the number of people charged, but the sheer volume of evidence. It includes, last count, something like 20,000 hours of video from surveillance and police body cameras. I mean, can you put this in perspective and your reaction to all of it?”

Figliuzzi responded:

“Yeah, Alex, certainly, in my 25-year career including, by the way, 9/11 and the aftermath and inquiry of that — this makes that pale in comparison in terms of the span and scope of this investigation and the volume of evidence related to it.”

And that’s where the legal theory about charging groups with conspiracy and other crimes that would shatter them into a million pieces comes into play, Figliuzzi explained:

“And I am hearing from people I talked to involved in the investigation that yes, indeed, they will hit the 500 number in arrests and maybe surpass that, but that far more importantly, Alex, the magnitude of the charges will move from things like trespass and assault all of the way up to conspiracy and we’re seeing more of that and even possibly sedition and even possibly an enterprise theory of approach which is under consideration to take down and dismantle groups like Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.”

Dismantle them completely. Destroy them and everything they stand for. They’re right-wing terrorists and belong in prison.

 

Categories
Corruption Crime GOP Justice Department

Here’s How Merrick Garland Is Becoming Every Republican’s Worst Nightmare

Though he’s only been on the job for a few months, Attorney General Merrick Garland has already made it clear that he plans to start dismantling some of the most disgusting tenets of the Trump administration and run the Department of Justice (DOJ) in strict adherence with the U.S. Constitution.

For example, the DOJ announced recently that it would be restoring the use of consent decrees for abuses committed by police departments across the country:

“In easing restrictions placed on the use of consent decrees, the Justice Department is making it easier for its prosecutors to use the tool to force changes at police departments and other government agencies with widespread abuse and misconduct.”

The DOJ under Garland is also going after longtime Trump stooge Roger Stone, who owes nearly $2 million in back taxes to the IRS. Justice filed suit against Stone demanding immediate repayment of the money he and his wife owe the government, which means that Stone can either comply or face imprisonment for failure to comply.

Those two moves alone are antithetical to everything Republicans have been pushing for the past four years with Trump as president: That police can abuse or kill anyone and get away scot-free and that friends of the Donald are immune to facing any consequences for their actions. Under Trump, the GOP ran roughshod over the rights of anyone who wasn’t on their side while coddling those who supported their neo-fascist agenda of hatred, scapegoating, and grift.

What does this tell us about what to expect from Merrick Garland and the DOJ in the months ahead? Well, consider what remains on the agenda:

  • The conclusion of an investigation into the January 6 Capitol insurrection, which could well result in criminal charges being filed against Donald Trump and his son, Don Jr., along with some Congressional Republicans such as Sens. Ted Cruz and Josh Hawley.
  • A second look at the Russia investigation and the release of the full, unredacted report from former Special Counsel Robert Mueller
  • Possible criminal charges against the Trump family, the Trump Organization, and others associated with the Trump corporation.
  • Charges being filed against Rudy Giuliani, Steve Bannon, and other close Trump associates who may have served in the administration, i.e. Stephen Miller.
  • Filing suit against states such as Georgia and Texas that have passed new voter suppression legislation.
  • A return to the rule of law without interference from the White House and in accord with the way things are supposed to be done.

Attention, Republicans: The days of lawlessness that existed for you under Trump are over with. Merrick Garland is going to flush some of you right down the crapper.

 

Categories
Elections Justice Department Voting Rights

DOJ Preparing To Take Action Against Georgia For Their Voter Suppression Law

Now that we once again have a U.S. Attorney General who believes in protecting the Constitution and the rights of all Americans, the Department of Justice is once again working to make sure that all of us have an equal voice in deciding who represents us and makes the laws that govern our nation.

According to multiple reports, the DOJ under AG Merrick Garland is giving serious considering to suing the state of Georgia for the package of voter suppression restrictions that were signed into law Thursday evening by Governor Brian Kemp (R).

CNN White House correspondent Arlette Saenz reports that President Joe Biden was asked about whether or not the DOJ would indeed challenge voting restrictions in the Peach State:

That’s not all the president had to say on the matter, according to the New York Daily News:

President Biden took blistering aim Friday at Georgia Republicans and suggested they could face Justice Department scrutiny for enacting an ‘outrageous’ law that places ‘Jim Crow’-like restrictions on voting in the critical swing state.

“Biden also told reporters later in the day that Justice Department intervention could be warranted.

“’We don’t know quite exactly what we can do at this point. The Justice Department’s taking a look as well,’ he said.”

A lawsuit has already been filed in Georgia by several civil rights groups. The Justice Department could either join that action or file its own lawsuit to block implementation of the voting restrictions and eventually have them ruled unconstitutional and therefore illegal.

The Biden administration also continues to push for passage of the For the People Act in the U.S. Senate. While Republicans are expected to try and delay a vote on the bill by using the filibuster, it increasingly looks like Senate Democrats will overhaul the filibuster rules so that the voting rights bill can reach the Senate floor for a vote. With the Senate currently divided 50-50 among the two parties, a tie vote would allow Vice President Kamala Harris to cast the deciding vote that would make the For the People Act the law of the land.

The DOJ needs to fight the Georgia voting restrictions and get them overturned. If Republicans cannot win elections without cheating, then they should disband their party and admit they’re bereft of any real ideology other than repression.

 

Categories
Justice Department Supreme Court U.S. Senate

Justice Department May Reopen Investigation Into Alleged Misconduct By Brett Kavanaugh

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) is demanding that the Justice Department and FBI reopen their investigation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, The Guardian reports:

“The FBI is facing new scrutiny for its 2018 background check of Brett Kavanaugh, the supreme court justice, after a lawmaker suggested that the investigation may have been ‘fake.’

“Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democratic senator and former prosecutor who serves on the judiciary committee, is calling on the newly-confirmed attorney general, Merrick Garland, to help facilitate ‘proper oversight’ by the Senate into questions about how thoroughly the FBI investigated Kavanaugh during his confirmation hearing.

“The supreme court justice was accused of sexual assault by Christine Blasey Ford and faced several other allegations of misconduct following Ford’s harrowing testimony of an alleged assault when she and Kavanaugh were in high school.”

Whitehouse’s allegations about the FBI investigation of Kavanaugh drew immediate reaction on social media, where many suggested the justice needs to be examined for all of his prior behavior:

https://twitter.com/everyone_blue/status/1371845863505588233?s=20

https://twitter.com/dambaras/status/1371845591978938376?s=20

If Kavanaugh truly has nothing to hide, he should welcome Sen. Whitehouse’s call for a real FBI investigation. But he won’t.