The Justice Department admitted in court that the grand jury was not presented with the final indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, potentially weakening the prosecution. This admission follows concerns regarding the case’s presentation, including the absence of a record of the grand jury reviewing the indictment. Furthermore, only the foreperson and a second grand juror were present for the indictment’s return. Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement and obstructing Congress, was fired by then-President Trump in 2017 amid an investigation.
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The Justice Department recently replaced pardons posted online after it was discovered that they contained identical copies of President Donald Trump’s signature, sparking scrutiny and questions. The agency attributed the error to a “technical error” and staffing issues, however, the original versions raised concerns due to their identical signatures. Despite the controversy, legal experts maintain that the use of an autopen or an electronic signature does not affect the validity of a pardon as long as the president’s intent is clear. This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s clemency decisions, especially those benefitting political allies and individuals claiming victimization.
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A federal judge has criticized the Justice Department for “disturbing investigative missteps” in the case against former FBI Director James Comey, ordering prosecutors to provide all grand jury materials to defense lawyers. Judge William Fitzpatrick cited “fundamental misstatements of the law,” the use of potentially privileged communications, and unexplained irregularities in grand jury transcripts as reasons for concern. These issues raise questions about the integrity of the proceedings, prompting the judge’s unusually strong stance. The ruling comes amid other challenges to the indictment, including concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan.
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The Justice Department replaced pardons online that initially featured identical copies of President Trump’s signature, attributing the error to technical and staffing issues. Experts confirmed the signatures on the original documents were identical, raising questions about their authenticity. The administration insisted Trump signed all pardons personally and blamed the error on a “technical” problem, despite Trump’s criticism of his predecessor’s use of an autopen. Legal experts maintain the identical signatures do not affect the pardon’s validity.
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The Justice Department has replaced pardons posted online after it was discovered that the initial documents featured strikingly similar copies of Donald Trump’s signature. Officials attributed the issue to technical errors and staffing problems, claiming Trump personally signed all the pardons, which included individuals like Darryl Strawberry and Glen Casada. This comes amid a focus on the validity of pardons, with Republicans previously criticizing Biden’s use of an autopen and questioning his involvement in signing documents. Legal experts emphasize the president’s intent as key to pardon validity, regardless of the signature method used.
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Following a “technical error,” the Justice Department replaced online pardons bearing identical copies of President Trump’s signature. The original pardons, including those for Darryl Strawberry and Glen Casada, were found to have strikingly similar signatures, confirmed by forensic document experts. The Justice Department attributed the error to staffing and technical issues, despite Trump’s history of mocking his predecessor’s use of an autopen and criticism of the practice. Legal experts maintain that the validity of the pardons is not affected.
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Trump asks Justice Department to probe Epstein ties with Clinton, other Democrats, setting off a wave of reactions, and it’s easy to see why. The immediate gut reaction from many seems to be a mix of “Here we go again” and a healthy dose of skepticism. It’s hard not to notice the timing of this move, especially considering the mountain of allegations swirling around Trump and his own connections to the late Jeffrey Epstein. The feeling is that this is a classic deflection tactic, designed to shift the focus away from his own potential involvement in the Epstein scandal by directing attention toward his political rivals.… Continue reading
AP News reports that a federal judge has ordered prosecutors to provide James Comey’s defense lawyers with a wealth of investigation materials, expressing concern that the Justice Department may have “indict[ed] first” and investigated later. The judge’s order includes grand jury materials and evidence seized through search warrants, following arguments that Comey’s lawyers lacked access to crucial information gathered during the investigation into FBI media leaks. Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of lying to Congress, claims the prosecution is vindictive and politically motivated. Furthermore, the judge granted a request for a transcript of grand jury proceedings, signaling potential irregularities and legal errors in the case.
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In August 2022, the FBI conducted a surprise raid on Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, uncovering highly sensitive classified documents. Internal discussions revealed the gravity of the materials, including those detailing covert operations, and the potential risk to national security. The Justice Department, initially hesitant due to Trump’s position, faced the dilemma of how to proceed. Ultimately, a special counsel was appointed, leading to Trump’s indictment on felony counts related to the mishandling of these records.
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Autocrats wield law enforcement to punish dissent and protect allies. Under Mr. Trump’s leadership, the Justice Department has pursued legal action against critics and ordered investigations, often at the President’s behest. Appointees, including former personal lawyers, have issued indictments and targeted those perceived as enemies, while executive orders have also been utilized. This environment of retaliation has created fear among public officials, while supporters have been shielded from legal repercussions, as seen with pardons for January 6th rioters.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood