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Prosecutors May Use RICO Statutes to Charge Rioters

February 3, 2021 at 3:55 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Justice Department is considering whether to charge members of far-right groups involved in the deadly Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol under a federal law usually used against organized crime,” Reuters reports.

“The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, enables prosecutors to combat certain ongoing racketeering crimes such as murder, kidnapping, bribery and money laundering. The 1970 statute provides for hefty criminal penalties including up to 20 years in prison and seizure of assets obtained illegally through a criminal enterprise.”

More Than 10,000 Arizonans Left the GOP Last Month

February 3, 2021 at 3:53 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“More than 10,000 Arizona Republicans left the party in January — a historic month marked by the insurrection of the US Capitol, an impeachment trial, and the censure of three prominent Republicans,” the Copper Courier reports.

“Most former Republicans — 6,750 — chose to forego any party affiliation, while 1,374 switched to the Democratic Party and 1,108 opted for Independent. The Libertarians gained another 485 members from former Republicans and two individuals changed their registration to the Green Party. Another 554 voters opted for what the Secretary of State’s Office describes as a ‘non-recognized political party.'”

Biden Will Keep Space Force

February 3, 2021 at 2:57 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that the U.S. Space Force “absolutely” has the “full support of the Biden administration,” Axios reports.

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Most Americans Optimistic About Biden

February 3, 2021 at 2:52 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A new Quinnipiac poll finds that two weeks into Joe Biden’s presidency of Joe Biden, a majority of Americans say, 61% to 34%, say that they are generally optimistic about the next four years with Biden as president.

Said pollster Tim Malloy: “Amid a palpable uncertainty about the months and even years ahead, there is a sense that President Biden is the man for the moment. And that moment can’t come too soon.”

Canada Declares the Proud Boys a Terrorist Group

February 3, 2021 at 1:41 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Canada on Wednesday declared the Proud Boys a terrorist entity, adding the far-right group to a list that includes al-Qaeda, ISIS and al-Shabab as part of an effort to crack down on what senior government officials called one of the country’s ‘most serious threats,'” the Washington Post reports.

Boebert’s Mileage Reimbursements ‘Raises Red Flags’

February 3, 2021 at 1:10 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) paid herself more than $22,000 in mileage reimbursements from her campaign account last year. Boebert’s campaign defends the reimbursements but three ethics experts who reviewed the money transfers for the Denver Post say they raise questions.

“To justify those reimbursements, Boebert would have had to drive 38,712 miles while campaigning, despite having no publicly advertised campaign events in March, April or July, and only one in May. Furthermore, because the reimbursements came in two payments — a modest $1,060 at the end of March and $21,200 on Nov. 11 — Boebert would have had to drive 36,870 miles in just over seven months between April 1 and Nov. 11 to justify the second payment.”

Biden May Release Trump Visitor Logs

February 3, 2021 at 12:43 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“The Biden administration is looking at whether it could make public White House visitor logs from early last month, a step that could reveal whether people connected with the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” the Washington Post reports.

“We already know that some of the most prominent people spreading the baseless conspiracy theory that Trump was cheated out of reelection darkened the West Wing’s doorstep in his waning days: My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell, retired general Michael Flynn, and Sidney Powell. But the logs could flesh out more fully who was bending the president’s ear and shaping his mind in the run-up to the deadly Capitol riot.”

House Will Vote to Remove Greene from Committees

February 3, 2021 at 12:33 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

House Democrats announced plans to hold a vote on removing Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) from her House committees after Republican leaders declined to do so Wednesday on their own, the Washington Post reports.

House Republicans also plan to debate Wednesday whether to retain Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) in her leadership position after her Jan. 13 vote to impeach then-President Donald Trump.

All About Redistricting

February 3, 2021 at 11:46 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

This is a great site: Professor Justin Levitt‘s guide to drawing electoral district lines.

Biden Tells House Democrats to ‘Go Big’

February 3, 2021 at 11:02 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

President Joe Biden urged House Democrats to “go big, not small” on a new COVID-19 relief package and to stick together as they sell his nearly $2 trillion stimulus plan to the American people, The Hill reports.

Said Biden: “We have to go big, not small. Every major poll shows the American people are with us.”

He added: “I’ll have your back. I ask that you have mine.”

Democrats Look to Exploit GOP Divisions

February 3, 2021 at 10:36 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Democrats tasked with protecting majorities in the House and Senate are seizing on deep divisions within the Republican Party, hoping that stoking the discord could help them overcome the legacy of losses the party in power usually suffers in midterm elections,” CNN reports.

“The Democratic strategy is two-fold. The party, led by Biden, looks to get the coronavirus pandemic under control and campaign on policy believed to be broadly popular. And Democrats will also attempt to link vulnerable Republicans to some of the most extreme members in their party, hoping to fan the flames of conflict highlighted by far-right members like Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Lauren Boebert.”

U.S. Extends Nuclear Arms Treaty with Russia

February 3, 2021 at 10:17 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The United States has extended a key nuclear arms control treaty with Russia for five years, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday, CNN reports.

Greene Lashes Out at Effort to Remove Her

February 3, 2021 at 10:07 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) lashed out over a reported proposal to remove her from one of her committees because of her past controversial comments.

Said Greene: “No matter what Kevin McCarthy does it would never be enough for the hate America Democrats. They are only set out to destroy Republicans, your jobs, our economy, your children’s education and lives, steal our freedoms, and erase God’s creation. And the bloodthirsty media are their henchmen who help them by relentlessly attacking anyone in their path.”

Senate Reaches Agreement on Organizing Resolution

February 3, 2021 at 10:04 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

After weeks of negotiations, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) have come to terms on how to run a 50-50 Senate, The Hill reports.

The agreement will allow Senate Democrats to take control of committees, which play a pivotal role in crafting legislation and holding hearings.

Democrats hold the tie-breaking vote with Vice President Harris.

House Begins Sweeping Security Overhaul

February 3, 2021 at 8:45 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Politico: “The House took an unprecedented step Tuesday night, voting to levy hefty fines against colleagues who bypass the recently installed metal detectors that surround the chamber. The reason is simple but speaks to the new reality: lawmakers are afraid of being injured, or worse, by colleagues trying to sneak weapons on to the House floor.”

Congressional Aides Call for Trump’s Conviction

February 3, 2021 at 8:38 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“More than 370 Democratic congressional aides will issue an unusual public appeal on Wednesday, imploring senators — in some cases their own bosses — to convict former President Donald Trump for inciting a violent ‘attack on our workplace’ that threatened the peaceful transition of power,” the New York Times reports.

Eric Trump Slams Scottish Politicians

February 3, 2021 at 8:30 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Eric Trump “has lashed out at Scottish politicians ahead of a parliamentary debate on whether to launch an investigation into the financing of his father’s resorts,” Politico reports.

“The debate in the Scottish parliament, scheduled for 5 p.m. on Wednesday, was called by Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, who is urging the government to seek a so-called unexplained wealth order against the Trump Organization’s two golf courses in Scotland.”

McConnell Lies Low Ahead of Trump Trial

February 3, 2021 at 7:45 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“Kevin McCarthy is hugging former President Donald Trump as tightly as he can. Liz Cheney voted to impeach him. But Mitch McConnell isn’t making any sudden movements as House Republicans tear each other apart in Trump’s wake,” Politico reports.

“The Senate minority leader is deferring a final verdict on Trump, even with the opportunity to do so via the president’s forthcoming impeachment trial. McConnell’s strategy reflects the consensus of his fellow Senate Republicans, who have watched uneasily as the House minority leader and conference chair staked out polarizing positions on Trump’s conduct.”