Accountability Crisis

Rights Group: Iranian School Massacre Should Be Investigated as War Crime

Human Rights Watch has called for an investigation into the bombing of a primary school in Minab, Iran, which killed an estimated 160 civilians, mostly children, on February 28. Evidence, including satellite imagery and videos, suggests the attack was carried out with precision-guided munitions. Human Rights Watch found no evidence that the school was being used for military purposes. The incident occurred on the first day of “Operation Epic Fury,” with the US denying responsibility.

Read More

Capitol Plaque Honors Police Three Years After Jan. 6

A plaque honoring the officers who defended the U.S. Capitol during the January 6, 2021, siege has been installed, three years after it was mandated by law. The marker, placed near the site of intense fighting, bears a message of gratitude for the officers’ heroism. Its installation followed delays and a unanimous Senate vote, with some officers involved in the defense expressing that the current placement and method of listing names do not fully comply with the original law, leading to continued legal action.

Read More

New Video Reveals Fatal ICE Shooting of US Citizen Ruben Ray Martinez

New evidence obtained by Newsweek, including body-worn camera footage and witness statements, offers a new perspective on the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Ruben Ray Martinez by an ICE agent in Texas. The footage shows Martinez’s car moving slowly and purportedly braking before an agent fired multiple shots through the driver’s side window, striking him. Statements from Martinez’s passenger, who later died in a car crash, suggest Martinez was scared and did not intend to harm officers, contradicting the federal agent’s account of being accelerating toward them. Attorneys for Martinez’s mother state the new evidence calls into question ICE’s narrative and shows no justification for the killing.

Read More

House Kills Effort To Release Congressional Misconduct Reports

A resolution by Representative Nancy Mace to make public all sexual misconduct allegations against members of Congress was effectively killed by the House, which voted to refer it to the Ethics Committee. Committee leaders argued that public disclosure could deter victims and witnesses, making investigations harder, and potentially retraumatize those involved. This vote occurred as the Ethics Committee opened an investigation into allegations against Representative Tony Gonzales, who is facing scrutiny over alleged sexual text messages to a former aide.

Read More

Oregon Senator Calls for Nuremberg 2.0 Accountability Amidst DHS Secretary Shakeup

Following Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s termination amid mounting criticism of the administration’s immigration policies and disaster response, Oregon U.S. Senator Ron Wyden issued a pointed social media statement. Wyden declared, “Turns out lawlessness is not a winning strategy. See you at Nuremberg 2.0.” This reference to the post-WWII international trials signifies a particularly sharp condemnation of the Trump administration’s actions, especially in light of Noem’s contentious tenure which included prolonged protests in Oregon and controversial federal agent conduct.

Read More

Leavitt Refuses to Discuss Iranian Schoolgirls Killed by U.S. Bombing

When asked if the U.S. was responsible for an attack that allegedly struck a girls’ elementary school and killed 175 people, a government spokesperson stated that the Department of War is investigating and that the United States does not target civilians. This response, however, did not provide a firm denial, raising questions about potential U.S. involvement. While an official confirmed the U.S. would not deliberately target a school, the possibility of unintentional civilian casualties, which can constitute a war crime, remains.

Read More

Booker Accuses Noem of Perjury; Consequences Unclear

In the aftermath of Good’s killing, the Trump administration actively sought to control the narrative, attempting to label him an insurrectionist or terrorist. This effort reportedly led the FBI to obstruct the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s investigation into the death. Despite the initial branding failing to stick, it contributed to widespread protests and the subsequent killing of Alex Pretti, who also faced similar accusations from the White House. The administration’s handling of these events, coupled with their immigration policies, ultimately resulted in the resignation of federal prosecutors in the state.

Read More

Trump Labor Secretary Caught Using Government Funds for Birthday Party

This article details a pronouncement regarding a new building project. The speaker, pointing to gold curtains, describes how their removal will reveal a deep hole that will, in about eighteen months, transform into a beautiful building. He humorously suggests saving money on doors by utilizing the existing curtains as an entrance, having personally selected them during his first term. Despite this grand vision for a new ballroom, the article juxtaposes these remarks with the ongoing war in Iran and the loss of American lives, questioning the prioritization of such projects amid conflict and the lack of a clear post-war strategy.

Read More