A federal jury has awarded $500,000 to the widow and estate of a police officer who died by suicide shortly after defending the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. The eight-member jury found David Walls-Kaufman liable for assaulting Officer Jeffrey Smith, awarding the widow and estate for damages. The encounter, which took place during the riot, was captured on the officer’s body camera. Walls-Kaufman, who served a 60-day prison sentence for a riot-related misdemeanor, denied assaulting the officer.
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Former Vice President Pence condemned President Trump’s deployment of troops to quell anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles, asserting that violence against law enforcement is unacceptable and those responsible must be held accountable. He further criticized Trump’s pardoning of January 6th rioters who assaulted police officers. Pence also criticized President Putin’s actions in Ukraine, suggesting the current administration should not seek advice from him regarding the Israel-Iran conflict. This multifaceted critique highlights Pence’s sharp disagreement with Trump’s handling of both domestic and international issues.
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Two Capitol Police officers sued House Speaker Mike Johnson for failing to install a legally mandated plaque honoring officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The lawsuit alleges that Johnson’s inaction, despite the existence of the plaque and a 2022 law with a one-year deadline, is a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and minimize the events of that day. This refusal contrasts sharply with the numerous honors bestowed upon former President Trump by some Republicans. The officers’ attorney argues this omission encourages a false narrative of the January 6th attack and disrespects the officers’ sacrifice. A Democratic Representative is publicly supporting the officers by displaying the plaque design.
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Two Capitol Police officers, Daniel Hodges and Harry Dunn, filed a lawsuit to force Congress to install a memorial honoring law enforcement injured during the January 6th attack. This legal action stems from Congress’s failure to comply with a 2022 law mandating the memorial’s placement, despite the Architect of the Capitol stating House Speaker Mike Johnson’s lack of instruction as the reason for the delay. The officers, who suffered significant physical and psychological harm during the riot, argue this inaction reflects an attempt to rewrite the history of the event. The lawsuit contends that the refusal to honor the officers’ service exacerbates their existing injuries.
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FBI Director Kash Patel’s assertion that assaulting police will result in jail time drew significant online mockery. Critics highlighted the stark contrast with the Trump administration’s pardons for January 6th rioters, many of whom violently attacked law enforcement. This perceived hypocrisy was further emphasized by the planned compensation to the family of a deceased rioter. Patel’s previous distancing from the pardons during his confirmation hearing failed to mitigate the criticism. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s similarly insensitive remarks added to the controversy, prompting concerns about potential military mobilization.
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The Proud Boys leaders’ demand for $100 million in compensation over their January 6th prosecutions is a truly astonishing development. The audacity of this claim, following their convictions for seditious conspiracy and other charges related to the attack on the Capitol, is staggering. It’s difficult to comprehend how individuals who participated in an attempt to overturn a democratic election could even contemplate such a lawsuit.
The sheer nerve involved is breathtaking. These individuals were convicted, their actions were undeniably aimed at undermining democratic processes, and yet they seek financial reward from the very government they sought to overthrow. It’s a blatant attempt to profit from sedition, a complete disregard for the rule of law, and an insult to every American who believes in the principles of democracy.… Continue reading
Greg Rosen, the former chief of the Justice Department’s Capitol Siege Section, resigned his position to join a private law firm. Rosen expressed alarm at President Trump’s pardons of January 6th rioters, deeming them a dangerous message condoning political violence. He highlighted the Justice Department’s exceptionally high conviction rate in these cases, attributing it to overwhelming evidence, not bias. Rosen also criticized the subsequent demotion or dismissal of prosecutors involved in these cases, viewing it as an attack on the department’s independence.
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Former Justice Department official Greg Rosen defends the department’s handling of January 6th cases, asserting that prosecutions were fair, thorough, and upheld the Constitution. He criticizes President Trump’s pardons of rioters, arguing they condone political violence and undermine the rule of law. Rosen further condemns the Trump administration’s targeting and dismissal of federal employees involved in the investigation, claiming this hinders future efforts to prevent similar crimes. He concludes that the historical record of the prosecutions should serve as a testament to the rule of law despite ongoing political efforts to distort the events of January 6th.
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Pamela Hemphill, a January 6th Capitol rioter, is actively rejecting a potential presidential pardon. She pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge and served two months in jail, acknowledging her guilt and denouncing Trump’s claims of a stolen election. Hemphill believes accepting a pardon would perpetuate Trump’s false narrative and considers his actions irresponsible. With the assistance of Idaho Senator James Risch, she has formally refused clemency.
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Despite Congressional mandate, a bronze plaque honoring law enforcement’s January 6th, 2021 Capitol defense remains uninstalled, relegated to a Capitol basement. House Republicans, citing no public reason, have not directed its installation near the West Front as required by law, a delay Democrats attribute to pressure from former President Trump. This inaction, condemned by Democrats and affected officers’ families, ignores the heroism of officers who defended the Capitol during the attack. The plaque’s delayed installation highlights a partisan divide over acknowledging the events of January 6th.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood