Former special counsel Jack Smith is set to testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee next week, following a closed-door deposition in December regarding his investigations into Donald Trump. This public hearing was requested by Smith before the initial deposition, which focused on Trump’s alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and the mishandling of classified documents. During the closed-door deposition, Smith stated he could prove Trump’s “criminal scheme” beyond a reasonable doubt and that Trump was “the most culpable” in the election interference case. The upcoming hearing marks a significant development in the ongoing legal scrutiny of the former president.
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Democrats have received a boost in their efforts to regain control of the Senate with the announcement of Mary Peltola’s candidacy in Alaska, a state with a challenging political landscape. Peltola, known for defeating Sarah Palin in 2022, will challenge incumbent Republican Mark Sullivan, positioning herself as an outsider focused on local issues. Her strengths include her centrist appeal, Alaska’s unique election system, and her status as the first Alaska Native to serve in Congress. The race could be further complicated by Senator Lisa Murkowski’s endorsement of Sullivan, creating an unusual dynamic in the context of their historical relationship and potentially impacting the election’s outcome.
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Special Counsel Jack Smith, overseeing investigations into Donald Trump, testified in a closed-door hearing, maintaining his decision to prosecute Trump regardless of political affiliation. Next week’s public hearing anticipates Republican attempts to discredit Smith, accusing him of bias. Democrats are expected to focus on the evidence gathered against Trump. Smith has expressed a desire to publicly share the election investigation’s findings but is currently restricted by the Department of Justice.
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Following the decision not to pursue a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent, at least six career prosecutors, primarily supervisors in the Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, announced their departure. The Justice Department shifted the investigation to focus on an assault on a federal officer rather than a civil rights violation, despite the prosecutors’ offering to investigate the shooting. This change in direction, coupled with broader frustrations within the division, influenced their decision to retire, including a prior incident where the division intervened in the sentencing of a former officer. The departures, which include the section’s chief, are part of a larger trend of personnel losses in the Civil Rights Division due to changes in mission and handling of cases.
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During a hearing in a Minnesota federal court, a Department of Justice attorney argued that observing police does not receive First Amendment protection. This assertion was made in response to a lawsuit by Minnesota protesters who claimed immigration agents arrested, pepper-sprayed, and intimidated them. The attorney cited a 2023 ruling to support his argument. Judge Katherine Menendez, overseeing the case, questioned the legality of federal law enforcement stopping protesters following them in vehicles.
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Danish and Greenlandic leaders have strongly opposed President Trump’s consideration of acquiring Greenland, emphasizing its status as part of Denmark and under the protection of NATO. The leaders highlighted that any attempt to take the island would undermine the transatlantic alliance. Trump, however, has dismissed these concerns, stating he intends to obtain Greenland “one way or the other,” sparking worry and fear among Greenlanders. While Danish officials remain open to military cooperation with the U.S., they maintain Greenland is not for sale, as the island’s leaders assert they prefer to remain with Denmark.
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Trump’s envoy secretly met Iran’s exiled crown prince, and it immediately sparks a whole lot of questions, doesn’t it? The very idea of a “secret” meeting between a former US President’s representative and the son of the last Shah of Iran sounds like something straight out of a Cold War novel. But here we are, and the implications are, to say the least, complex. On the surface, it looks like a potential power play, a bid to influence the unfolding situation in Iran. But when you dig a little deeper, the waters get muddy very quickly.
“Secretly” might be stretching the truth a bit, given that the news seems to have made its way around the internet and into various news outlets.… Continue reading
SpaceX, under Elon Musk, has begun providing free Starlink internet access to users in Iran, where the government has severely restricted internet access amid ongoing anti-government protests. This initiative follows discussions between Musk and former US President Trump, aiming to offer an alternative means of communication. While the service provides crucial access to information, especially regarding human rights violations, it is limited in scope and faces the possibility of being jammed by the Iranian regime. Despite these challenges, there’s been a surge in demand for Starlink in Iran, with approximately 50,000 receivers providing a crucial link to the outside world.
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An ophthalmologist in Tehran reported over 400 eye injuries from gunshots in a single hospital, as medical staff struggle to cope with the escalating violence. Doctors describe hospitals overwhelmed with wounded protesters, with injuries concentrated on the head and eyes, suggesting deliberate targeting by security forces. The demonstrations, which began over economic issues, have transformed into the largest anti-government movement since 2009, prompting a severe crackdown by authorities, including internet shutdowns. Rights groups accuse the government of using the blackout to carry out a brutal crackdown. Doctors suspect the death toll is significantly higher than reported, citing a lack of medical supplies and the deliberate targeting of vital organs.
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South Korea prosecutor seeks death penalty for ex-president Yoon over martial law. This is a pretty striking headline, isn’t it? The thought of a former head of state facing the ultimate penalty is definitely a conversation starter. We’re talking about a man who once held the highest office in the land, now potentially facing execution. While the death penalty is a really complex issue, there’s a strong argument to be made that in cases of such egregious betrayal of public trust, it’s perhaps more justified.
South Korean citizens, judging from what’s been said, appear to have a wide range of opinions on this.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood