The demonstration, led by a right-wing provocateur pardoned in connection to the January 6th Capitol riot, was a brief anti-immigration protest held on a cold Saturday in Minneapolis. The event quickly escalated, drawing counterprotesters who confronted the demonstrator. As he attempted to depart the scene, the situation devolved into physical altercations, with counterprotesters throwing punches.
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.
Following former President Trump’s pardons of over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants, a House committee is now investigating whether any are employed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The committee has requested records from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding the hiring of individuals connected to the January 6th attack. Concerns arise from ICE’s rapid hiring spree, fueled by a substantial funding increase, and the agency’s practice of concealing agent identities, making it difficult to identify former rioters. The inquiry was spurred by the appointment of at least one pardoned defendant to a high-ranking Justice Department position, and the committee seeks information on all relevant hires by January 26th.
During a CNN interview, Kristi Noem defended the actions of an ICE agent who fatally shot Renée Nicole Good, echoing the Trump administration’s stance on enforcing laws. However, when confronted with the January 6th insurrection and Trump’s pardons for the Capitol rioters, Noem struggled to reconcile the administration’s support for federal law enforcement with its tolerance of attacks on officers. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey refuted Noem’s claims about Good’s actions and criticized the Trump administration’s portrayal of the city’s safety. Democrats are advocating for new rules to curb abuses by federal immigration officers, including warrant requirements before arrests, with Senator Chris Murphy expected to introduce legislation.
Regarding the events of January 6th, when asked if officers were justified in using lethal force against those causing them harm, Noem stated that each situation would depend on the specifics, and officers had the authority to arrest individuals using weapons or physically harming them. Tapper countered, noting that Trump had pardoned all the rioters involved in the incident.
The timeline provided by the website omits critical details of the January 6th Capitol attack, including the discovery of bombs and the initial breach by supporters. It neglects to mention that the events led to a lockdown and chants for violence against lawmakers. While Trump did tweet a call for peace, the White House’s account fails to acknowledge that this was after the Capitol was already breached and after Trump criticized Vice President Pence for not overturning the election results.
The “MAGA Granny,” Pamela Hemphill, offered an emotional apology to Capitol Police officers during a hearing commemorating the fifth anniversary of the January 6th insurrection. This hearing, reconvened by Democrats, allowed witnesses and lawmakers to reflect on the events of that day. Despite a previous recommendation to prosecute Trump on federal charges, Hemphill refused a pardon offered by Trump in his second term to 1500 individuals charged in connection to the riot.
White House webpage claims Jan. 6 “insurrection” was a Democratic fabrication. The very idea that the White House would put out a claim that the January 6th events were fabricated by Democrats is, frankly, mind-boggling. It’s the kind of thing that makes you rub your eyes and wonder if you’re actually seeing what you think you’re seeing. It’s hard to believe this could be a genuine stance, particularly given the overwhelming amount of evidence to the contrary.
The immediate reaction is, of course, disbelief. How could anyone, especially those in positions of power, claim something so demonstrably false? The insurrection was, after all, a live event, broadcast across the world.… Continue reading
The article details the story of Thomas Webster, a former police officer who was present at the January 6th Capitol riot. Webster, swayed by Donald Trump’s rhetoric and conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, drove to Washington, D.C. where he assaulted a police officer. Following his conviction, Webster was sentenced to prison, but was later pardoned by Trump. Despite the pardon, and now living in Mississippi, Webster still believes the election was stolen. The article concludes by highlighting Webster’s continued struggles with the events of that day and the difficulty in reconciling his actions with his self-perception as a patriot.
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood
Democrats Question ICE Hiring of January 6th Insurrectionists
House Democrats are investigating whether the Department of Homeland Security has hired individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol attack, raising concerns about potential bias and abuse. Representative Jamie Raskin has requested hiring records and communications related to any individuals charged in connection with the attack, particularly those who received presidential pardons. This inquiry follows the Trump administration’s hiring spree for its mass deportation campaign. Critics worry that the surge in officers without adequate screening could invite the misuse of force, especially as the agency has been offered lucrative incentives. This investigation occurs as Congress considers DHS funding amidst increased scrutiny of the agency’s practices.
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