Criminalisation and law enforcement

The Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol has renewed calls for federal domestic terrorism statutes akin to existing laws targeting foreign terrorist groups such as ISIS and al Qaeda. Similar demands were made in the aftermath of Robert Bowers’s anti-Semitic attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018. At the time, some legal experts argued that it was a moral imperative to label domestic violent extremists as terrorists equal to Islamist extremists. Following the 2019 mass shooting perpetrated by Patrick Crusius at an El Paso Walmart, several law enforcement officers also sought a federal domestic terrorism rule. Such calls for enhanced legal authority may seem understandable when viewed in the context of the aftermath of senseless, tragic attacks. However, U.S. laws treat foreign perpetrators of violent extremism and domestic perpetrators differently for good reason — namely, protections granted to U.S. citizens under the Constitution make aspects of foreign terrorism laws unworkable … [Read more...] about We cannot let fear create a new PATRIOT Act for Americans

President Trump Donald Trump Biden to sign executive order aimed at increasing voting access Albany Times Union editorial board calls for Cuomo's resignation Advocates warn restrictive voting bills could end Georgia's record turnout MORE on Saturday called Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (R), and for more than an hour sought to persuade him that there is evidence of election fraud in the Peach State. The Hill has independently confirmed the below transcript of the call, based on audio released by The Washington Post . This transcript has been edited to remove the name of an election worker that the president in the call accused without evidence of fraud. ADVERTISEMENT Read the full transcript below: Meadows: OK. Alright. Mr. President, everybody is on the line. This is Mark Meadows Mark Meadows Trump attacks Karl Rove: 'A pompous fool with bad advice' How scientists saved Trump's FDA from politics Liberals howl … [Read more...] about READ: Transcript of Trump phone call with Georgia secretary of state

WASHINGTON (AP) — The board that oversees the U.S. Capitol Police is beginning a search for a permanent police chief, a person familiar with the matter said, as the fallout from the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol continues. Acting Chief Yogananda Pittman has faced scrutiny from Capitol Hill leaders and congressional committees over law enforcement failures that allowed thousands of rioters to overtake police officers during the insurrection. READ MORE: COVID-19 In Maryland: Over 1 Million First Doses Administered The search for the permanent leader of the force, which has more than 2,300 sworn officers and civilian employees, will be nationwide, and while Pittman can apply for the position, she is not guaranteed it, according to the person, who had direct knowledge of the search. This person was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The department’s eventual permanent leader will face calls to improve the force’s intelligence … [Read more...] about Board To Begin Search For Permanent Capitol Police Chief

A large, out-of-control party on University Hill raged for several hours Saturday evening until Boulder police were able to disperse the large crowd, but not before hundreds of people gathered with no social distancing, set off fireworks and flipped a car. Social media posts about the gathering near Pennsylvania Avenue and 10th Street began shortly before 7 p.m. Saturday, as hundreds of college-aged revelers packed the street with no social distancing and very little mask wearing. Boulder police spokeswoman Dionne Waugh said police estimated that there may have been up to 800 people in the area at one point. Waugh initially said police were “aware of what’s going on and have been developing a strategy response.” Shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, a Boulder police SWAT vehicle arrived and began telling those gathered over the loud speaker to disperse or face “arrest,” “tear gas,” or “use of force.” A large number of people dispersed upon seeing the police vehicle, but some … [Read more...] about Boulder police break up massive party on University Hill

close Video Capitol riot task force led by Lt. Gen. Russel Honore recommending 24/7 'quick reaction force' Fox News exclusively obtained a draft copy of the task force’s recommendations; Lucas Tomlinson reports. A federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that a former Marine accused of dousing at least 15 police officers with a chemical spray outside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 and bragging about it later on video will remain in custody, according to a report. Daniel Ray Caldwell, 49, of The Colony, Texas, will stay behind bars until his trial in Washington, D.C., The Dallas Morning News reported. After hearing testimony during several detention hearings in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Magistrate Judge Kimberly Priest Johnson decided no conditions of release would "reasonably assure the safety" of the community. Caldwell was arrested by FBI agents on Feb. 10 at Texas Instruments, his place of employment in … [Read more...] about Capitol rioter accused of assaulting cops with chemical spray served as Marine, to remain jailed before trial