NATION
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Campaign Finance Law
U.S. Supreme Court on April 2, 2014 ruled by 5-4 vote that the restriction on individual contribution in an election cycle violated the First Amendment right of free speech. Court's five conservative justices--Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas-- form the majority opinion, while the dissenters were the court's liberal bloc of four justices: Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Under the present restriction, an individual can contribute a total of $2,600 to a candidate in primary and general elections, but can't give more than $48,600 during a two-year election cycle. The ruling didn't change the base contribution of $2,600 per candidate, but gave away with the $48,600 limit. So, in an election cycle, if candidates are running for 300 House and Senate seats, an individual ends up spending up to a total of $5,200 * 300 = $1,560,000 instead of current limit of $48,600.
The ruling also lifted the limit on contributions to party committees. Under the current rule, an individual can contribute a maximum of $74,600 to party committees, with a maximum of $32,400 to each federal party committee and a maximum of $10,000 to each state committee. The ruling again didn't change the limit on base contribution ($32,400 to each federal committee and $10,000 to each state committee). So, if an individual, under the new rule, contributes to 3 federal party committees and 50 state committees, the individual can spend as high as $1,194,400 (2*$32,400*3 + 2*$10,000*50) in a two-year cycle instead of current limit of $74,600.
The ruling (McCutcheon vs. Federal Election Commission) echoes the 2010 Supreme Court's Citizen United ruling that has abolished the ceiling on how much corporations and unions can contribute to the political action committees.
Pregnancy Case Gets Supreme Court Hearings
The landmark Young VS. UPS case got its day in the country's apex court on December 3, 2014, with all eyes focused on how the justices would handle issues covered by 36-year-old Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The case stemmed from United Parcel Services' decline to re-assign the then-pregnant Peggy Young to another role in 2006, leading to Young to take unpaid leave to avoid lifting heavier packages as per her doctor's advice. The central question here was whether refusal to re-assign Young was tantamount to discrimination against pregnant women while people with disabilities would be accorded with such alternative assignment under the American with Disabilities Act. Young left the UPS in 2009, and the company also changed its policy regarding the pregnancy after EEOC had stepped in.
********************************* GITMO DETAINEES ****************************
Six Guantanamo Detainees Transferred to Uruguay
Six long-term detainees--four Syrians, one Palestinian and one Tunisian--on December 8, 2014 were transferred to Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, five years after they had been cleared for release. With December 8, 2014, release of six detainees, USA transferred 19 prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, leaving 136 prisoners still at the notorious facility.
Four Detainees Released and Returned to Afghanistan
Heeding the request from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the US military on December 20, 2014 released four low-risk detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay Prison and returned to Afghanistan. The latest prisoner release left eight Afghans among 132 prisoners still held at Guantanamo Bay.
Oman Receives Six Gitmo Detainees
US on June 12, 2015 released six Yemenis from the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, and all of them boarded a flight for Muscat, Oman. With the June 12, 2015, release of six Yemenis, who have been detained without charges since 2002, the detention center now holds 116 captives, down from 242 in 2009 when Obama has assumed presidency. Obama vowed to close the Guantanamo, and campaigned on that pledge as a US Senator and Democratic presidential candidate in 2008 presidential elections. However, his effort to shut down Guantanamo was thwarted by Republicans in Congress.
Status on Gitmo Detainees
As The Associated Press carried out a report on September 12, 2015, there were 116 prisoners still at Guantanamo Bay out of which 52 were eligible for release. At its heyday, the detention center on a parcel of Cuba housed 680 prisoners.
Mauritanian Freed from Gitmo
A Mauritanian detainee, Ahmed Ould Abdel al-Aziz, captured in 2002 in Pakistan, was sent home from Guantanamo Bay prison, according to a Pentagon release on October 29, 2015. Al-Aziz, 45, was cleared for repatriation back in 2009, but spent the last six years in limbo. With al-Aziz's freedom, 113 prisoners remained in Gitmo, including 53 approved for repatriation.
Five Gitmo Detainees Transferred to Emirates
The U.S. Defense Department said on November 15, 2015 that it had transferred five Yemenis from Guantanamo Bay to United Arab Emirates, where they had been detained for the last 14 years without any charge, reducing the remnant of detainees to 107. Four of the five were given go-ahead for transfer by a 2009 task force. The fifth, who was recommended for continued detention by the same task force, was later cleared by a parole-like board.
Two Yemenis Repatriated to Ghana
The Dallas Morning News reported in its January 7, 2016 edition that the two Yemenis captured in Afghanistan, who had spent nearly 14 years in Guantanamo Bay without being charged, was handed over to Ghanaian authorities. Two Yemenis were part of 17 prisoners to be released in the coming months. With the release of two Yemenis, the detainee ranks had thinned to 105.
Kuwaiti Repatriated after More than 14 Years
A Kuwaiti, Mohammed Ahmed al-Kandari, 38, who was swept up by the U.S. forces in late 2001 in Afghan battlefield, was repatriated to Kuwait on January 8, 2016 for closely observed rehabilitation. He was the third of the 17 Gitmo prisoners set to be released as per Defense Secretary Ash Carter's order issued in December 2015. A six-agency task force determined in 2009 that Kandari was too dangerous to be released. A parole-like board reviewed his case in July 2014, and recommended his continuous detention because of his "residual anger at the U.S." The board reconsidered his case last year, and decided to repatriate him to a supervised rehabilitation facility in his home country. With the release of Mohammed Ahmed al-Kandari, the number of detainees still locked up in Guantanamo Bay now stood at 104.
Saudi Detainee Repatriated after 14 Years
A Saudi detainee who was captured from the Afghan battlefield in late 2001, and arrived at Guantanamo Bay days after it was opened on January 11, 2002 was returned to Saudi Arabia, according to the U.S. military announcement on January 11, 2016, reducing the number of detainees still at the detention center to 103. Mohammad al Rahman al Shumrani was never charged, but a six-agency task force determined in 2009 that Mohammad al Rahman al Shumrani was too dangerous to be released. A parole-like board reviewed his case in September 2015, and decided that he could be sent to Saudi Arabia for a supervised rehabilitation.
10 Yemenis Moved to Oman
In the largest ever transfer of detainees, 10 low-level Yemenis were transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Oman on January 13, 2016, reducing the remnant detainee population to 93, the first time the figure hit two-digit number. Oman took 20 Guantanamo detainees so far over the past 13 months. Hailing the transfer, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter lauded the process during a January 14, 2016, event to transfer the authority of the U.S. Southern Command that includes Guantanamo Bay from Gen. John Kelly of the Marines to Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd.
President Obama Sends Congress a Plan to Close Guantanamo
President Barack Obama on February 23, 2016 sent Congress a plan to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison camp, his long-time campaign promise that remained illusive due to staunch opposition from Congress. Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Ash Carter, President Obama addressed a news conference during day, justifying his proposal to shut down the prison camp and saying that "this is about closing a chapter in our history". However, President Obama's plan fell short on any specific suggestions on where to move 60 or so detainees in the continental U.S. Since President Obama came to power, his administration had resettled 147 detainees deemed low value in terms of security threat. Of the 91 still remaining in Guantanamo Bay, 35 have so far been cleared to be transferred to other nations. To close down the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, President Obama needs Congressional to pass a measure that would allow the administration to move the detainees to the continental U.S. Current law bars Guantanamo detainees from being brought to the continental U.S.
House Republicans Take Legal Measures to Stop Obama on Guantanamo Closure
A day after President Barack Obama sent a 9-page blueprint for closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camp, House Speaker Paul Ryan on February 24, 2016 said that he not only had the vote to oppose the presidential plan, but the House was also considering legal action against Obama administration's plan.
Two Detainees Transferred to Senegal
Two Libyan detainees--Salem Abdul Salem Ghereby, 55, captured in Tora Bora in December 2001 and Omar Khalifa Mohammad Abu Bakr, 43 or 44, handed over by Pakistani authority in March 2002--were transferred to Senegal, according to an announcement by Pentagon authorities on April 4, 2016, reducing the number of Gitmo detainees to 89.
Nine Detainees Transferred to Saudi Arabia
U.S. on April 16, 2016 transferred nine Yemeni detainees to Saudi Arabia, reducing the number of enemy combatants being held at the Guantanamo Bay camp to 80.
15 Detainees Sent to UAE
In the largest ever transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees under the Obama administration, 12 Yemini and 3 Afghan nationals were transferred to the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, according to a Pentagon announcement on August 15, 2016. With the release of these 15 detainees, who were never charged, the population in the infamous detention camp was whittled down to 61. All 15 detainees were given approval for release by a six-agency Periodic Review Board.
U.S. Frees 4 Guantanamo Detainees
Pentagon on January 5, 2017 disclosed that four of Guantanamo's detainees had been released to Saudi Arabia, taking the total number of prisoners still there to 55. 19 of the 55 still remaining prisoners are cleared for release soon.
Trump Administration Fails to Deliver a Gitmo Detainee to Saudi Arabia
Donald Trump administration on February 20, 2018 failed to meet a pre-negotiated timeline as a Guantanamo Bay detainee, Ahmed al-Darbi, who had pleaded guilty in a February 2014 pre-trial hearing at a military commission to a 2002 attack on an oil tanker near Yemen and pledged to cooperate with the investigators in exchange for his release to Saudi Arabia four years later, remained languishing in the military detention as the timeline had passed. At present, 41 detainees are being held in the U.S.-operated detention center at a corner of Cuba.
First Detainee Transfer under Trump Administration Leaves Gitmo Population at 40
In the first ever transfer of Guantanamo detainee under the Donald Trump presidency, Ahmed Muhammad Haza al-Darbi was recently handed over to Saudi Arabia where he would spend remaining 9 of 13 years of imprisonment. Pentagon's May 2, 2018, statement marked an important chapter in the country's terrorist detention program and left the Guantanamo Bay detention facility with a remaining terrorist population of 40.
U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Part of Campaign Finance Law
U.S. Supreme Court on April 2, 2014 ruled by 5-4 vote that the restriction on individual contribution in an election cycle violated the First Amendment right of free speech. Court's five conservative justices--Anthony Kennedy, John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas-- form the majority opinion, while the dissenters were the court's liberal bloc of four justices: Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Under the present restriction, an individual can contribute a total of $2,600 to a candidate in primary and general elections, but can't give more than $48,600 during a two-year election cycle. The ruling didn't change the base contribution of $2,600 per candidate, but gave away with the $48,600 limit. So, in an election cycle, if candidates are running for 300 House and Senate seats, an individual ends up spending up to a total of $5,200 * 300 = $1,560,000 instead of current limit of $48,600.
The ruling also lifted the limit on contributions to party committees. Under the current rule, an individual can contribute a maximum of $74,600 to party committees, with a maximum of $32,400 to each federal party committee and a maximum of $10,000 to each state committee. The ruling again didn't change the limit on base contribution ($32,400 to each federal committee and $10,000 to each state committee). So, if an individual, under the new rule, contributes to 3 federal party committees and 50 state committees, the individual can spend as high as $1,194,400 (2*$32,400*3 + 2*$10,000*50) in a two-year cycle instead of current limit of $74,600.
The ruling (McCutcheon vs. Federal Election Commission) echoes the 2010 Supreme Court's Citizen United ruling that has abolished the ceiling on how much corporations and unions can contribute to the political action committees.
Pregnancy Case Gets Supreme Court Hearings
The landmark Young VS. UPS case got its day in the country's apex court on December 3, 2014, with all eyes focused on how the justices would handle issues covered by 36-year-old Pregnancy Discrimination Act. The case stemmed from United Parcel Services' decline to re-assign the then-pregnant Peggy Young to another role in 2006, leading to Young to take unpaid leave to avoid lifting heavier packages as per her doctor's advice. The central question here was whether refusal to re-assign Young was tantamount to discrimination against pregnant women while people with disabilities would be accorded with such alternative assignment under the American with Disabilities Act. Young left the UPS in 2009, and the company also changed its policy regarding the pregnancy after EEOC had stepped in.
********************************* GITMO DETAINEES ****************************
Six Guantanamo Detainees Transferred to Uruguay
Six long-term detainees--four Syrians, one Palestinian and one Tunisian--on December 8, 2014 were transferred to Montevideo, capital of Uruguay, five years after they had been cleared for release. With December 8, 2014, release of six detainees, USA transferred 19 prisoners out of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, leaving 136 prisoners still at the notorious facility.
Four Detainees Released and Returned to Afghanistan
Heeding the request from Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, the US military on December 20, 2014 released four low-risk detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay Prison and returned to Afghanistan. The latest prisoner release left eight Afghans among 132 prisoners still held at Guantanamo Bay.
Oman Receives Six Gitmo Detainees
US on June 12, 2015 released six Yemenis from the infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center, and all of them boarded a flight for Muscat, Oman. With the June 12, 2015, release of six Yemenis, who have been detained without charges since 2002, the detention center now holds 116 captives, down from 242 in 2009 when Obama has assumed presidency. Obama vowed to close the Guantanamo, and campaigned on that pledge as a US Senator and Democratic presidential candidate in 2008 presidential elections. However, his effort to shut down Guantanamo was thwarted by Republicans in Congress.
Status on Gitmo Detainees
As The Associated Press carried out a report on September 12, 2015, there were 116 prisoners still at Guantanamo Bay out of which 52 were eligible for release. At its heyday, the detention center on a parcel of Cuba housed 680 prisoners.
Mauritanian Freed from Gitmo
A Mauritanian detainee, Ahmed Ould Abdel al-Aziz, captured in 2002 in Pakistan, was sent home from Guantanamo Bay prison, according to a Pentagon release on October 29, 2015. Al-Aziz, 45, was cleared for repatriation back in 2009, but spent the last six years in limbo. With al-Aziz's freedom, 113 prisoners remained in Gitmo, including 53 approved for repatriation.
Five Gitmo Detainees Transferred to Emirates
The U.S. Defense Department said on November 15, 2015 that it had transferred five Yemenis from Guantanamo Bay to United Arab Emirates, where they had been detained for the last 14 years without any charge, reducing the remnant of detainees to 107. Four of the five were given go-ahead for transfer by a 2009 task force. The fifth, who was recommended for continued detention by the same task force, was later cleared by a parole-like board.
Two Yemenis Repatriated to Ghana
The Dallas Morning News reported in its January 7, 2016 edition that the two Yemenis captured in Afghanistan, who had spent nearly 14 years in Guantanamo Bay without being charged, was handed over to Ghanaian authorities. Two Yemenis were part of 17 prisoners to be released in the coming months. With the release of two Yemenis, the detainee ranks had thinned to 105.
Kuwaiti Repatriated after More than 14 Years
A Kuwaiti, Mohammed Ahmed al-Kandari, 38, who was swept up by the U.S. forces in late 2001 in Afghan battlefield, was repatriated to Kuwait on January 8, 2016 for closely observed rehabilitation. He was the third of the 17 Gitmo prisoners set to be released as per Defense Secretary Ash Carter's order issued in December 2015. A six-agency task force determined in 2009 that Kandari was too dangerous to be released. A parole-like board reviewed his case in July 2014, and recommended his continuous detention because of his "residual anger at the U.S." The board reconsidered his case last year, and decided to repatriate him to a supervised rehabilitation facility in his home country. With the release of Mohammed Ahmed al-Kandari, the number of detainees still locked up in Guantanamo Bay now stood at 104.
Saudi Detainee Repatriated after 14 Years
A Saudi detainee who was captured from the Afghan battlefield in late 2001, and arrived at Guantanamo Bay days after it was opened on January 11, 2002 was returned to Saudi Arabia, according to the U.S. military announcement on January 11, 2016, reducing the number of detainees still at the detention center to 103. Mohammad al Rahman al Shumrani was never charged, but a six-agency task force determined in 2009 that Mohammad al Rahman al Shumrani was too dangerous to be released. A parole-like board reviewed his case in September 2015, and decided that he could be sent to Saudi Arabia for a supervised rehabilitation.
10 Yemenis Moved to Oman
In the largest ever transfer of detainees, 10 low-level Yemenis were transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Oman on January 13, 2016, reducing the remnant detainee population to 93, the first time the figure hit two-digit number. Oman took 20 Guantanamo detainees so far over the past 13 months. Hailing the transfer, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter lauded the process during a January 14, 2016, event to transfer the authority of the U.S. Southern Command that includes Guantanamo Bay from Gen. John Kelly of the Marines to Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd.
President Obama Sends Congress a Plan to Close Guantanamo
President Barack Obama on February 23, 2016 sent Congress a plan to shut down Guantanamo Bay prison camp, his long-time campaign promise that remained illusive due to staunch opposition from Congress. Flanked by Vice President Joe Biden and Defense Secretary Ash Carter, President Obama addressed a news conference during day, justifying his proposal to shut down the prison camp and saying that "this is about closing a chapter in our history". However, President Obama's plan fell short on any specific suggestions on where to move 60 or so detainees in the continental U.S. Since President Obama came to power, his administration had resettled 147 detainees deemed low value in terms of security threat. Of the 91 still remaining in Guantanamo Bay, 35 have so far been cleared to be transferred to other nations. To close down the Guantanamo Bay prison camp, President Obama needs Congressional to pass a measure that would allow the administration to move the detainees to the continental U.S. Current law bars Guantanamo detainees from being brought to the continental U.S.
House Republicans Take Legal Measures to Stop Obama on Guantanamo Closure
A day after President Barack Obama sent a 9-page blueprint for closure of Guantanamo Bay prison camp, House Speaker Paul Ryan on February 24, 2016 said that he not only had the vote to oppose the presidential plan, but the House was also considering legal action against Obama administration's plan.
Two Detainees Transferred to Senegal
Two Libyan detainees--Salem Abdul Salem Ghereby, 55, captured in Tora Bora in December 2001 and Omar Khalifa Mohammad Abu Bakr, 43 or 44, handed over by Pakistani authority in March 2002--were transferred to Senegal, according to an announcement by Pentagon authorities on April 4, 2016, reducing the number of Gitmo detainees to 89.
Nine Detainees Transferred to Saudi Arabia
U.S. on April 16, 2016 transferred nine Yemeni detainees to Saudi Arabia, reducing the number of enemy combatants being held at the Guantanamo Bay camp to 80.
15 Detainees Sent to UAE
In the largest ever transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees under the Obama administration, 12 Yemini and 3 Afghan nationals were transferred to the authorities of the United Arab Emirates, according to a Pentagon announcement on August 15, 2016. With the release of these 15 detainees, who were never charged, the population in the infamous detention camp was whittled down to 61. All 15 detainees were given approval for release by a six-agency Periodic Review Board.
U.S. Frees 4 Guantanamo Detainees
Pentagon on January 5, 2017 disclosed that four of Guantanamo's detainees had been released to Saudi Arabia, taking the total number of prisoners still there to 55. 19 of the 55 still remaining prisoners are cleared for release soon.
Trump Administration Fails to Deliver a Gitmo Detainee to Saudi Arabia
Donald Trump administration on February 20, 2018 failed to meet a pre-negotiated timeline as a Guantanamo Bay detainee, Ahmed al-Darbi, who had pleaded guilty in a February 2014 pre-trial hearing at a military commission to a 2002 attack on an oil tanker near Yemen and pledged to cooperate with the investigators in exchange for his release to Saudi Arabia four years later, remained languishing in the military detention as the timeline had passed. At present, 41 detainees are being held in the U.S.-operated detention center at a corner of Cuba.
First Detainee Transfer under Trump Administration Leaves Gitmo Population at 40
In the first ever transfer of Guantanamo detainee under the Donald Trump presidency, Ahmed Muhammad Haza al-Darbi was recently handed over to Saudi Arabia where he would spend remaining 9 of 13 years of imprisonment. Pentagon's May 2, 2018, statement marked an important chapter in the country's terrorist detention program and left the Guantanamo Bay detention facility with a remaining terrorist population of 40.
Biden Resumes Emptying out Process of Infamous Guantanamo Bay Detention Center
Resuming a process begun by Obama administration, but stalled under Former President Donald Trump, Biden administration released the first detainee under its watch to Morocco, Abdullatif Nasser's home country. Nasser spent almost 19 years without facing any charge. During its entire stint, Guantanamo Bay has housed about 800 detainees and attracted infamy, disgrace and anger from across the world. With July 19, 2021, transfer of Abdullatif Nasser to Morocco, 39 detainees are still being held in the infamous prison camp on a parcel of land in Cuba, out of which 10 are eligible to be transferred, 17 are eligible for transfer review process, 10 are being subjected to military commission process for prosecution and remaining two have been convicted.
First U.N. Investigator to Visit Guantanamo Calls for Closure of
Detainee Center
In the first ever visit by a U.N. investigator, an Irish law professor, Fionnuala
Ni Aolain, visited the infamous Guantanamo Bay detention center. On June
26, 2023, Fionnuala Ali Aolain submitted her 23-page report to the Human
Rights Council. In her report, Ali Aolain, said that although “significant
improvements” had been made, the U.S. continued with harmful and inhuman detention
policy against 30 men still under its custody. She praised Biden administration
for allowing unfettered access to her, but she insisted on shuttering the
infamous detention center. Michelle Taylor, U.S. ambassador to the U.N.
HRC, filed a response that disputed the findings of “special rapporteur” Fionnuala
Ali Aolain.
Defense Chief Revokes Plea Agreement
Two days after the military commission in the Guantanamo Bay,
Cuba announced a plea deal with 9/11 mastermind Khaled Sheikh Mohammad
and two other defendants--Walid bin Attash and Mustafa al-Hawsawi-- that would commute their sentences from a possible
death penalty to life terms, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on August 2,
2024 revoked the plea deal and restored the original death penalty option
back.
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***************** Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture of Detainees **********
Senate Report Sheds New Light on Torture
The outgoing head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Diane Feinstein, D-CA, on December 9, 2014 released a scathing report on CIA's interrogation practices in the aftermath of 9/11, calling them as "a stain on our values" that didn't yield any tangible results and add any more protection to the homeland. The report was in the making since 2009, and the panel's staff often clashed with CIA officials. Much of the report remained classified, and only 524-page executive summary of more than 6,000-page report was voted in April 2014 to be released. The report provides insight into some of the cruel treatments, including now much reviled waterboarding, meted out to the detainees at several black sites. The then-President George W. Bush shut down the CIA interrogation program, now under the scanner of Feinstein's Senate intelligence committee, in 2006 four years after launching it. The report also included a rebuttal by panel's Republican members, and the CIA released its separate rebuttal. The report also sheds light on how the enhanced interrogation technique (EIT) was designed and developed, and who were behind it. According to the report, two former Air Force psychologists had developed the interrogation technique, and their company had netted about $81 million in contract. The Dallas Morning News named the two psychologists behind the designing of EIT: James E. Mitchell and Bruce Jessen. The Dallas Morning News carried an article on December 11, 2014, two days after the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee released the findings, that describes the context and pertinent details of the working of ex-Air Force psychologist duo that ran counter to the CIA's own argument given to Congress in 1989 that "inhuman physical or psychological techniques" were not effective in eliciting valuable answers.
Poland Admits Hosting the CIA Black Sites
Former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, 60, and former Polish Premier Leszek Miller, 68, on December 10, 2014 admitted that their country had the secret detention center that CIA had operated from December 2002 to Autumn 2003. However, both of them denied any knowledge of torture committed there.
Brennan Admits Some "Abhorrent" Interrogation Tactics
CIA Director John Brennan on December 11, 2014, addressing for the first time to the Senate Intelligence Committee report issued on December 9, 2014, said that some CIA interrogators had resorted to some "abhorrent", but refused to call them torture. Brennan held a news conference during the day at the agency's headquarters.
***************** Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture of Detainees **********
President Proposes Bold Measures in the State of the Union Address
Unconstrained from electoral fortunes, President Barack Obama set his ambitious political agenda during his sixth State of the Union address on January 20, 2015. Among his big items, included were
* Free community college education for millions of people
* Tax credit and incentives for working families
* Tax increase for wealthy Americans and financial institutions
Republicans, who control both houses of Congress, immediately dismissed those proposals.
Key Democratic Senator Indicted
A federal grand jury on April 1, 2015 issued 14-count indictment against Senator Bob Menendez, D-NZ, former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, for doling out favor to an influential Democratic donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida eye doctor, in exchange for funding lavish trips, parties and donations.
****************************** BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA **********************
Gates Makes Plea to Do Away with Current Practice of Gay Ban in Scouts Leadership
Addressing the national conference of the Boy Scouts of America at Atlanta on May 21, 2015, former CIA Director, Defense Secretary and current Scouts President Robert Gates called for elimination of ban on gays from assuming scouts leadership, two years after the famed organization had allowed gays to become Scout.
Boy Scouts Vote to Lift Blanket Ban on Gay Adults
The 17-member Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts of America on July 13, 2015 voted to give the local chapters the freedom on whether to accept gays as adult leaders in the venerable organization. Now, BSA admits openly gay scouts, but still has ban on gay adults. The executive committee vote will give the church groups to continue with the present policy, but otherwise open up for gay adults to be admitted in the organization. Now, the measure goes to Boy Scouts' National Executive Council, an 80-member panel that will vote on it on July 27, 2015.
Boy Scouts to Lift Ban on Gay Adults
Boy Scouts of America's Executive Council on July 27, 2015 voted overwhelmingly to end the blanket ban on gay adults. The vote empowered local chapters to choose their adult leaders, giving the leeway to church groups to continue their present ban on gay adult leaders. 45 of 57 board members, who had voted, favored change. There are total of 71 voting members of the council.
Boy Scout to Allow Transgender Boys
In a tectonic shift in how the more-than-a-century-year-old admits its young members, Boy Scouts will no more require the gender declared in the birth certificate. Instead, according to a January 30, 2017, historic decision, Boy Scouts will immediately implement a policy of accepting the gender declared in the application form, allowing for the first time the transgender boys to become a scout. The announcement came after a transgender New Jersey boy, Joe Maldonado, was kicked out of Boy Scouts late last year, creating a nationwide fury and outrage. In July 2015, Boy Scouts decided to allow openly gays to become adult leaders, two years after lifting a ban on gay youths in 2013.
Boy Scouts to Admit Girls among Its Ranks
Expanding its reach wider and diversifying its composition further, Boy Scouts of America on October 11, 2017 announced to open its doors for girls beginning next year. Starting in 2019, BSA announced that young girls could become eligible for becoming Eagle Scouts. Announcing this historic decision on the International Day of the Girl, BSA Chief Executive Michael Surbaugh said that the step would help "our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences" of scouting.
Boy Scout Program Name to Change
Six months after announcing to open the doors for girls, Boy Scouts of America on May 2, 2018 announced to change the name of its flagship program. The program, Boy Scouts, that has been catering for decades to nation's boys of ages ranging from 11 years to 17 years will henceforth be renamed Scouts BSA. The rename will take effect in February 2019.
Boy Scouts File Chapter 11
After months of speculation, Boy Scouts of America on February 18, 2020 filed bankruptcy as the iconic institution faced the most severe challenge to its very survival stemming from the sexual abuse charges.
********************************* GITMO DETAINEES ****************************
***************** Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture of Detainees **********
Senate Report Sheds New Light on Torture
The outgoing head of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Diane Feinstein, D-CA, on December 9, 2014 released a scathing report on CIA's interrogation practices in the aftermath of 9/11, calling them as "a stain on our values" that didn't yield any tangible results and add any more protection to the homeland. The report was in the making since 2009, and the panel's staff often clashed with CIA officials. Much of the report remained classified, and only 524-page executive summary of more than 6,000-page report was voted in April 2014 to be released. The report provides insight into some of the cruel treatments, including now much reviled waterboarding, meted out to the detainees at several black sites. The then-President George W. Bush shut down the CIA interrogation program, now under the scanner of Feinstein's Senate intelligence committee, in 2006 four years after launching it. The report also included a rebuttal by panel's Republican members, and the CIA released its separate rebuttal. The report also sheds light on how the enhanced interrogation technique (EIT) was designed and developed, and who were behind it. According to the report, two former Air Force psychologists had developed the interrogation technique, and their company had netted about $81 million in contract. The Dallas Morning News named the two psychologists behind the designing of EIT: James E. Mitchell and Bruce Jessen. The Dallas Morning News carried an article on December 11, 2014, two days after the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee released the findings, that describes the context and pertinent details of the working of ex-Air Force psychologist duo that ran counter to the CIA's own argument given to Congress in 1989 that "inhuman physical or psychological techniques" were not effective in eliciting valuable answers.
Poland Admits Hosting the CIA Black Sites
Former Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski, 60, and former Polish Premier Leszek Miller, 68, on December 10, 2014 admitted that their country had the secret detention center that CIA had operated from December 2002 to Autumn 2003. However, both of them denied any knowledge of torture committed there.
Brennan Admits Some "Abhorrent" Interrogation Tactics
CIA Director John Brennan on December 11, 2014, addressing for the first time to the Senate Intelligence Committee report issued on December 9, 2014, said that some CIA interrogators had resorted to some "abhorrent", but refused to call them torture. Brennan held a news conference during the day at the agency's headquarters.
***************** Senate Intelligence Committee Report on Torture of Detainees **********
President Proposes Bold Measures in the State of the Union Address
Unconstrained from electoral fortunes, President Barack Obama set his ambitious political agenda during his sixth State of the Union address on January 20, 2015. Among his big items, included were
* Free community college education for millions of people
* Tax credit and incentives for working families
* Tax increase for wealthy Americans and financial institutions
Republicans, who control both houses of Congress, immediately dismissed those proposals.
Key Democratic Senator Indicted
A federal grand jury on April 1, 2015 issued 14-count indictment against Senator Bob Menendez, D-NZ, former Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman, for doling out favor to an influential Democratic donor, Dr. Salomon Melgen, a wealthy Florida eye doctor, in exchange for funding lavish trips, parties and donations.
****************************** BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA **********************
Gates Makes Plea to Do Away with Current Practice of Gay Ban in Scouts Leadership
Addressing the national conference of the Boy Scouts of America at Atlanta on May 21, 2015, former CIA Director, Defense Secretary and current Scouts President Robert Gates called for elimination of ban on gays from assuming scouts leadership, two years after the famed organization had allowed gays to become Scout.
Boy Scouts Vote to Lift Blanket Ban on Gay Adults
The 17-member Executive Committee of the Boy Scouts of America on July 13, 2015 voted to give the local chapters the freedom on whether to accept gays as adult leaders in the venerable organization. Now, BSA admits openly gay scouts, but still has ban on gay adults. The executive committee vote will give the church groups to continue with the present policy, but otherwise open up for gay adults to be admitted in the organization. Now, the measure goes to Boy Scouts' National Executive Council, an 80-member panel that will vote on it on July 27, 2015.
Boy Scouts to Lift Ban on Gay Adults
Boy Scouts of America's Executive Council on July 27, 2015 voted overwhelmingly to end the blanket ban on gay adults. The vote empowered local chapters to choose their adult leaders, giving the leeway to church groups to continue their present ban on gay adult leaders. 45 of 57 board members, who had voted, favored change. There are total of 71 voting members of the council.
Boy Scout to Allow Transgender Boys
In a tectonic shift in how the more-than-a-century-year-old admits its young members, Boy Scouts will no more require the gender declared in the birth certificate. Instead, according to a January 30, 2017, historic decision, Boy Scouts will immediately implement a policy of accepting the gender declared in the application form, allowing for the first time the transgender boys to become a scout. The announcement came after a transgender New Jersey boy, Joe Maldonado, was kicked out of Boy Scouts late last year, creating a nationwide fury and outrage. In July 2015, Boy Scouts decided to allow openly gays to become adult leaders, two years after lifting a ban on gay youths in 2013.
Boy Scouts to Admit Girls among Its Ranks
Expanding its reach wider and diversifying its composition further, Boy Scouts of America on October 11, 2017 announced to open its doors for girls beginning next year. Starting in 2019, BSA announced that young girls could become eligible for becoming Eagle Scouts. Announcing this historic decision on the International Day of the Girl, BSA Chief Executive Michael Surbaugh said that the step would help "our programs meet the needs of families interested in positive and lifelong experiences" of scouting.
Boy Scout Program Name to Change
Six months after announcing to open the doors for girls, Boy Scouts of America on May 2, 2018 announced to change the name of its flagship program. The program, Boy Scouts, that has been catering for decades to nation's boys of ages ranging from 11 years to 17 years will henceforth be renamed Scouts BSA. The rename will take effect in February 2019.
Boy Scouts File Chapter 11
After months of speculation, Boy Scouts of America on February 18, 2020 filed bankruptcy as the iconic institution faced the most severe challenge to its very survival stemming from the sexual abuse charges.
BSA Agrees to $850 million Deal
Boy Scouts' attorneys on July 1, 2021 reached a $850 million deal with attorneys representing about 60,000 victims of child sex abuse.
$850 million Agreement at Judge's Hands
A trial was held at a Delaware court for three days ending August 16, 2021 over whether to bless a $850 million deal, a key component for the Boy Scouts to emerge from the bankruptcy that it had filed in February 2020. As part of the deal, Boy Scouts will contribute $250 million, and about 250 local councils will contribute the remaining $600 million. In addition, both the national organization and local councils will transfer their rights to insurance policies to the victims fund in exchange for getting immunity from liability. The deal, agreed by lawyers representing about 70,000 of 82,500 abuse claimants, is opposed by insurance companies, lawyers representing other abuse victims and church groups that have sponsored local Boy Scouts events.
Judge Approves the BSA Deal Except Two Key Provisions
A federal bankruptcy judge on August 19, 2021 approved a $850 million deal arrived by Boy Scouts of America, about 250 of its local affiliates and attorneys representing about 70,000 victims. Judge Laura Selber Silverstein, though, rejected two key provisions, thus potentially jeopardizing the entire agreement. Two key provisions rejected by the judge include
* Millions in legal fees and expenses to be paid by BSA to attorneys representing the plaintiffs
* Granting immunity from additional lawsuits to the insurance company The Hartford for its proposed $650 million payment to the compensation fund
The $850 million deal is being opposed by the BSA's insurers, lawyers representing tens of thousands of abuse victims and church groups that have sponsored local scouts events.
Judge Signs off The BSA Reorg Plan
U.S. District Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein of Delaware on September 8,
2022 signed off a $2.46
billion reorganization plan for Boy Scouts of America.
Judge Upholds BSA’s Bankruptcy Reorg Plan
U.S. District Judge Laurie Selber Silverstein on March 28, 2023 upheld the Boy Scout’s
$2.46 billion re-organization plan. The judge approved the plan in
September 2022.
Boy Scouts to be Rebranded as Scouting America
To begin a new conversation and engagement with broader public after
years of court cases from sexual abuses, declining enrollment, and eventually, emerging
from bankruptcy, Boy Scouts of America on May 7, 2024 announced that it
would change its name to Scouting America. The name change will usher in
an environment of more inclusiveness and embrace for a much-vaunted
organization that has over 1 million members, including 176,000 girls and women.
****************************** BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA **********************
Rosenberg Papers Declassified
The U.S. government on July 15, 2015 made public the 46-page transcripts containing the statements and other testimonial details of David Greenglass, whose testimony in 1951 would pave the way for execution of his sister Ethel Rosenberg and her husband, Julius, on charges of treachery for passing the atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. Many historians believe that overzealous prosecutors have framed Ethel, who may have played only peripheral roles, part of a conspiracy theory that has lingered for years and fascinated millions of people. A federal judge ruled in favor of de-classifying the documents related to Greenglass, who had passed away last year at the age of 92. The transcript, according to experts and historians, failed to reveal any solid connection between Ethel Rosenberg and alleged spying of her husband, reinforcing the conspiracy theory.
***************** HOUSE SPEKAER BOEHNER'S RESIGNATION *******************
Boehner's Sudden Announcement Throws GOP into Scramble
It came out of nowhere. No inkling, no rumor, no immediate threat. More than ever, House Speaker John Boehner had all the reasons to feel accomplished and happy, as just a day ago, he had achieved his life-long dream of hosting the Pope at a joint session of Congress. However, as the murmur of dissension and discord had mounted over the past several months by Tea Party-backed lawmakers, Boehner chose his timing and place on September 25, 2015 to decide that it was time to quit. Boehner will step down as the Speaker and member of the House at the end of October. Boehner's decision triggers a new balance of power struggle in the House Caucus. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California is sure to throw his fate in the race for speakership.
Utah Republican to Challenge McCarthy; McCarthy Draws Flak on Benghazi Comments
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, is reported to have decided to run against McCarthy in speakership race to be held on October 8, 2015. Chaffetz is going to announce it on October 4, 2015 at an appearance with the Fox News Sunday. Meanwhile, the heavily favored Kevin McCarthy is facing heavy criticism for his recent gleeful comments that the panel investigating into the 2012 Benghazi attack that had killed the then-Ambassador Christopher Stevens was responsible for the drop in Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's drop in approval rating.
McCarthy's Decision to Quit the Speaker's Race Pushes House to the Brink
Surprising all, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy shocked the Capitol on October 8, 2015, saying that he was quitting the race to succeed outgoing Speaker John Boehner. During a press conference before the House Republicans were almost set to elect him as their new leader, McCarthy said that there might be others in the party who could unite the fractious House Republicans. Many political analysts think that McCarthy's recent comments suggesting the recent drop of Hillary Clinton's approval as an outcome of House's Benghazi panel's ongoing inquiry has created dismay in the party. As soon as McCarthy announced his unwillingness to run for speakership, all eyes were set on Paul Ryan, R-WIS, Vice Presidential candidate in 2012 elections.
Ryan Becomes New Speaker
On October 29, 2015, Paul Ryan assumed the mantle of House speakership from John Boehner.
***************** HOUSE SPEKAER BOEHNER'S RESIGNATION *******************
Episcopal Church Makes History by Installing a Black Preacher to Lead the Church
Michael Curry chosen early in the year to lead the Episcopal Church was installed as its new Presiding Bishop at a joyous ceremony on November 1, 2015 at the cavernous Washington National Cathedral. Curry, the first African American bishop in the church's history, delivered an upbeat and optimistic sermon to the audience. Curry took over from Katharine Jefferts Schori, who as the first woman bishop of the church, ended a nine-year term.
************* SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT CONTROVERSY ***************
Texas Governor Doesn't Want to Participate in Syrian Refugee Re-settlement Program
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on November 16, 2015 wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, expressing his strong reservations for re-settling any Syrian refugee in Texas without strengthening the vetting process. Governor Abbott joins two dozens other governors to oppose Obama administration's current policy of re-settling 10,000 Syrian refugees in the USA. Abbott's letter, coming on the heels of November 13, 2015, Paris attacks in which one of the perpetrators was a Syrian passport holder, though, may not have much executive, or legal, binding as the refugee re-settlement program falls exclusively under the federal authorities, and once resettled, refugees can move about anywhere in the country.
President Obama Defends His Syria Policy, Refugee Re-settlement Plan
In the aftermath of November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris, U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration was at the receiving end of Republicans and those opposed to his Syria policy. However, President Obama, on the sidelines of G-20 summit at Antalya, Turkey, on November 16, 2015 defended both his administration's current Syria policy and Syrian refugee re-settlement plan spiritedly. He rejected call for further military escalation Syria, dismissing his critics for trying to profit politically. Obama also said that his administration would go forward to re-settle approximately 10,000 Syrian refugees despite objection from about two dozens governors, almost all of them are Republicans.
GOP Seeks to Block Entry of Syrian Refugees into the USA
In the aftermath of November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks on Paris, the public mood on administration's plan to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees definitely turned sour. Cashing in on it, GOP presidential candidates and politicians made a concerted effort to prevent any future Syrian refugees from entering the country. House Speaker Paul Ryan on November 17, 2015 called for a "pause" on Syrian refugee re-settlement program. The Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the similar sentiment, calling for a temporary stay on the refugee plan. U.S. President Barack Obama, now in Philippines, chimed in on November 18, 2015 (Filipino time), saying that the comments were offensive and needed to stop.
House Passes Measure to Tighten Requirements for Syrian and Iraqi Refugees
Acting on the hysteria and hyperbole stemming from the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris, the U.S. House of Representatives on November 19, 2015 overwhelmingly approved a measure that would impose stricter requirements on any Syrian or Iraqi refugee to be accepted by the USA. The measure passed by a margin of 289-137, a veto-proof majority, was backed by 47 Democratic lawmakers. The current vetting process that already takes 18 to 24 months before anyone is accepted is not enough to flag anyone with terrorist ties, according to Conservatives and many Democratic lawmakers which the White House strongly disputes. Under the House-passed measure,
* There will be a host of screening, including overseas interviews, fingerprinting and biometric investigations
* Approval certifications are to be issued by Secretary of Homeland Security, FBI Director and Director of National Intelligence, an onerous burden. At present, DHS has final say although many of the other agencies are involved.
The House law approved November 19, 2015 will make it harder for Obama administration to re-settle 10,000 Syrian refugees as timely manner as it has done so for 2,500 other Syrian refugees since 2011.
**** TEXAS' LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT
Texas Sues Fed, Agency to Stop Refugee Re-settlement
The state of Texas under Attorney General Ken Paxton on December 2, 2015 took a very unusual and rare, but controversial, step to go to a federal court to block any future re-settlement of Syrian refugees in Texas. The case was filed in the federal court in Dallas against the Obama administration and International Rescue Committee, a New York-based refugee re-settlement agency that worked closely with federal and state governments to help new migrants and asylum seekers to settle down.
Texas' Legal Challenge Fizzles
Two days after suing the federal government and International Rescue Committee to prevent Syrian refugee from coming in Texas, state made an about face on December 4, 2015 and withdrew a request for temporary injunction on refugee re-settlement plan. The case is pending in the court of the U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas.
Texas Files a Second Motion for Temporary Injunction
Texas AG Ken Paxton on December 9, 2015 submitted a second motion to the court of the U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas, requesting a temporary injunction. However, Judge Godbey denied the request on the same day.
Texas Loses its Case to Block Syrian Refugees
The U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas on February 8, 2016 rejected the Texas Health and Human Services' motion filed in December 2015 to request the federal court to issue a temporary injunction against the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state as the case went through the legal system. Judge Godby ruled that there might be some risks arising out of the refugees being settled in Texas, but the responsibility for mitigating the risks lied with federal executive authorities, not with the court or state authorities.
Texas Exits the Refugee Re-settlement Program
Pandering to the right, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott announced on September 30, 2016 that his state would immediately exit the Syrian refugee re-settlement program. Texas leads the nation in re-settling Syrian refugees, by far hosting more than 7,000 of them. On ground, Abbott's move will trigger not so significant change as the federal government has to work with non-profit relief agencies to take on the onus from the state. In Fiscal 2017, according to a September 2016 announcement by the Obama administration, USA will take in about 110,000 Syrian refugees for re-settlement. In response to Texas' move, the U.S. Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement said that it was working to name a replacement agency for the state to co-ordinate future re-settlement in Texas.
**** TEXAS' LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT
House Takes Aim at Visa-Free Travel
House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted on December 8, 2015 to tighten control on visa-free travel for citizens from 38 nations who don't require any visa to travel to and stay in the for 90 days and less. As per the measure, passed by 407-19 votes, anyone who has visited Iraq or Syria in the past five years, will now require to have visa to travel to the USA.
This measure was later passed by the Senate, and signed by President Barack Obama as part of the omnibus spending bill ten days later.
Obama Administration to Reach the Refugee Quota
The U.S. ambassador to Jordan, Alice Wells, said on August 28, 2016 that U.S. would reach the Obama administration's target of accepting and settling 10,000 Syrian refugees this week. Alice Wells reiterated the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the vetting process to ensure homeland security. The news from Amman about fulfilling the quota of settling Syrian refugees brought rare cheers to refugee support groups.
************* SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT CONTROVERSY ***************
President Tries to Assure a Nervous Nation with a Oval Office Address
In the wake of December 2, 2015, San Bernardino shooting by a radicalized husband-wife team, President Barack Obama delivered a rare--only the third in his presidency--address from the West Wing of the Oval Office on December 6, 2015 to assuage a nervous populace. President has assured that the nation will eventually overcome the new phase of threat that seeks to "poison the minds" of people. However, he didn't indicate any shift in the current strategy to take on ISIL that had already drawn widespread criticism. He called for Congress to give his administration new authorization force to carry out fight against ISIL and other extremist groups in Syria and Iraq. He also urged Congress to ban selling guns to people who were on the government's no-fly list. His most specific policy prescription came during his speech for State Department to conduct a comprehensive review of the fiancée visa system, one with apparent loophole that was exploited by one of the shooters, Tashfeen Malik, in San Bernardino shooting to get into the USA. However, Obama's address failed to sway any Republican and have any significant positive impact on how Americans viewed the administration's counterterrorism policy. House Speaker Paul Ryan dismissed President Obama's address as an effort to defend and distract from failed policy in Syria and Iraq. Obama's Oval Office address on December 6, 2015 was only his third such address. First two were delivered in 2010, one in the aftermath of Gulf of Mexico BP oil rig disaster that had killed 11 people and the second to mark the military mission in Iraq.
Trump Panned for Anti-Muslim Comments
Politicians, presidential candidates and lawmakers of all stripes blasted immediately after Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump made an outlandish demand on one of his campaign stops on December 7, 2015 that US immediately impose a blanket ban on Muslims entering the U.S. pending figuring out a way on how to deal with blocking potential terrorists from coming to the USA. Jeb Bush called Donald Trump totally "unhinged", Marco Rubio called it "outlandish and offensive", and Hillary Clinton called it "reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive".
President Obama's Last State of the Union Address Calls for Nation to Believe in Change
President Barack Obama, with the Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan behind him, delivered his last state of the union address from the cavernous House of Representative on January 12, 2016, and harped on the theme he had espoused all along: optimism, hope and belief in change. He repudiated the calls, especially from some GOP presidential contenders, which were divisive and mocked the strength of ISIL as nothing more than what's posed by a bunch of armed youths on the back of pick-ups. President Obama held it firm when he criticized the angry rhetoric that had been daily staple in presidential circuit, a theme later echoed by Nikki Haley, South Carolina's Governor in the GOP's response to the State of the Union. Governor Haley said that during "anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices" and "we must resist that temptation".
************** RUSSIAN OLIGARCH'S SON-IN-LAW
*************************** ANDREW MCCABE *****************
Self-pardon is His Right, Trump Tweets
President Donald Trump claimed on June 4, 2018 in a tweet that he had absolute right of "self-pardon".
Russia Still Meddling, Mueller says in Legal Filing
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on June 12, 2018 filed a brief at the court of a federal judge in D.C. against the request of Concord Management and Consulting, one of the three Russian companies and 13 Russian individuals charged in February 2018, to gain access to the special prosecution document, saying that it would be harmful to share any document with the Russian company as Russia continued meddling in the U.S. internal affairs.
DOJ Watchdog Criticizes Comey, Others for Mishandling Clinton Probe, Russia Inquiry
DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz on June 14, 2018 issued a report that questioned how former FBI Director James Comey handled Clinton probe and dug up the controversy anew related to text exchanges between former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. In his report issued during the day, the DOJ watchdog accused Comey of publicly displaying "insubordination" as he had called a press conference in July 2016 to announce that there would not be any charge against Hillary Clinton, a very unusual move as it was the prerogative of DOJ, not the FBI, to make such public announcement. Again, at the fag end of 2016 presidential election campaign, Comey sent letter to Congress, informing that FBI would reopen investigation into Clinton e-mail saga despite advice from DOJ officials against doing so. However, the IG report stated that at no time, the investigation would have reached a different conclusion without those missteps. The IG report also blasted missteps by duo of FBI officials who were involved in both Clinton and Trump investigations, Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. According to the report, they have shown immense bias against Trump as exemplified by one of the text messages by Strzok that had said FBI would "stop" Trump at any cost, and thus had brought upon themselves immense discredit, but at the end, did not influence the direction of investigation or do anything illegal.
Trump Confidante Roger Stone at Cross-hairs with Mueller Prosecution
A long-time friend and confidante of Donald Trump had come under scrutiny by the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigators as a hitherto unknown meeting between Roger Stone and a Russian expatriate magnate, Henry Greenberg, in May 2016 in Florida came to light. According to a June 17, 2018, report carried by The Washington Post, Greenberg offered to share damaging information on Hillary Clinton for $2 million, an ask that Stone rejected immediately with a retort "you don't understand Donald Trump" and "he doesn't pay for anything". Later in the day, Stone received a text from a Trump campaign communication official Michael Caputo, who had arranged the Florida meeting between Greenberg and Stone, asking Stone "how crazy is the Russian?", to which Stone replied a total "waste of time". Two years later the Florida meeting between Roger Stone and Henry Greenberg re-surfaced, but both Michael Caputo and Roger Stone hid this meeting from Congressional investigators.
****************** PETER STRZOK
GOP, FBI Agent Clash Fiercely
At a House hearing that lasted 10 hours, GOP lawmakers on July 12, 2018 launched a full-fledged personal attack on FBI agent Peter Strzok, whose anti-Trump text exchanges with a FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, led his removal from Mueller team, but made no visible effect on the FBI agent as he, instead of being flinched, clashed repeatedly with GOP lawmakers and reiterated that there was no tainting in investigation into Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russia.
Strzok Fired over anti-Trump Text
FBI's one of the most senior counterintelligence officials, Peter Strzok, was fired on August 13, 2018 for exchanging anti-Trump texts. Strzok's lawyer, Aitan Goelman, denounced his client's firing, calling that it flew in the face of FBI Director Christopher Wray's Congressional testimony that FBI intended to "follow its regular process" in "all personnel matters". Goelman blamed Deputy Director of FBI David Bowdich for overruling the Office of Professional Responsibility and going ahead to fire Strzok.
Strzok Sues DOJ
A year after being fired from FBI, Peter Strzok on August 6, 2019 filed a lawsuit, alleging that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had caved into "unrelenting pressure" from the president when it had fired him and demanding that he be reinstated, compensated with backpay and issued an acknowledgement from the DOJ that his constitutional rights had been violated. The August 6, 2019, lawsuit against the Justice Department ensured that Strzok's firing will be an issue as the presidential campaign gets into higher gear.
****************** PETER STRZOK
12 Russian Officials Indicted in Hacking into Democratic Party Database
Three days before President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Helsinki, his own Justice Department indicted on July 13, 2018 dozen Russian intelligence officials in 2016 hacking into Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign databases. The indictment unveiled by Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein came nothing short of a political embarrassment to the president and, for the first time, implicated the Russian government officials. The indictment, obtained by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, stated that these 12 Russian government officials ran their operation from an office 2 miles from Kremlin.
******************** Russian Agent Maria Butina
Russian Agent Arrested
A Russian student, apparently studying higher education in the USA, was on July 15, 2018 arrested for failing to register as an agent for foreign government. Maria Butina was presented at the court on July 18, 2018 and ordered by a judge to be remanded in the custody without any bond. Prosecutors alleged that Butina had allegedly led a covert life, with portraying a life of a charming foreign student and dating a Conservative activist, Paul Erickson, while maintaining a close contact with a former Russian legislator and current official of Russian central bank. Although the filing did not name the Russian official, but it was evident that it pointed to Alexander Torshin, who had become a lifetime NRA member in 2012 and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in April 2018.
Butina Reported to have Reached a Deal
The New York Times reported on December 10, 2018 that Russian spy Maria Butina, arrested in July 2018, had reached a deal with the prosecutors. Soon, Butina will appear at a federal court to change her plea.
Butina Pleads Guilty
Maria Butina on December 13, 2018 pleaded guilty to the charges that she was a secret Russian agent.
Butina Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, on April 26, 2019 sentenced Maria Butina to one-and-half years of imprisonment followed by her deportation to Russia for being an unregistered foreign agent.
******************** Russian Agent Maria Butina
Trump Shown the Proof of Russian Meddling before Swearing in
The New York Times on July 18, 2018 reported that before even he was sworn in as president, Obama administration's intel officials showed Donald Trump classified evidence of Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election and Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct connection to it. Former CIA Chief John Brennan, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers and the then-FBI chief James Comey held the meeting at Trump Tower in New York City on January 6, 2017 and shared the classified information with Trump, implicating Russia and Putin to election meddling.
Trump Administration Releases Document related to Carter Page's Surveillance
Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), The New York Times and other media organizations on July 21, 2018 were able to access Trump administration's DOJ document related to surveillance of Carter Page. FBI in 2016 reportedly reached out to the FISA court to get a warrant to spy on Rick Gates, implicating him to Russian intelligence officials, or worse, Russian spy himself, an accusation Gates had denied. The FISA application filed by the FBI called out Page for being "the subject of targeted recruitment by the Russian government". Although many of the sentences of the document released to the media were redacted because of being classified in nature, the application clearly accused Russia of trying to "undermine and influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election in violation of U.S. criminal law". This is the first time a FISA application was made public since the law went into effect in 1979. Many Republican lawmakers accused FBI of leveraging the research of a former British intelligence officer, Christopher Steele, who had been bankrolled by Hillary Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee to investigate into and report on Donald Trump Campaign's collusion with Russia, to prepare its application to submit to the FISA court for spying on Carter Page.
Trump Accuses FBI of Illegal Spying of Page
A day after Trump administration shared with media FBI's application to FISA Court to seek warrant for surveillance of Carter Page in 2016, president on July 22, 2018 tweeted, without evidence, that Obama Justice Department had misled court to spy on his campaign and called it "illegal".
Trump Stirs Conspiracy Pot
President Donald Trump on August 17, 2018 targeted a little-known DOJ official, Bruce Ohr, a career Justice Department employee who had mostly worked in anti-drug and anti-gang areas, for instigating the Russia collusion investigation and threatened to revoke his security clearance days after he had scrapped the access to classified information for former CIA head John Brennan. By training his gun at Ohr, Trump bought into right-wing conspiracy theory that Ohr and his wife, Nellie, a former contractor with the Fusion GPS that had prepared a detailed dossier on Trump, had been behind the launch of collusion investigation.
White House Counsel Reported to have Co-operated with Special Counsel
The New York Times reported on August 18, 2018 that White House counsel Don McGahn had co-operated with special counsel's office numerous times during the past nine months, giving a significant degree of insight to investigators into White House action that might be used to construct obstruction of justice charges. According to the report, McGahn had sat down for a total of at least 30 hours with the investigators.
Trump Sends Written Answers to Mueller
President Donald Trump sent written answers to the questionnaire from the special counsel on November 20, 2018, and his lawyers--Rudy Giuliani and Jay Sekulow--issuing a joint statement that called for bringing the special counsel "inquiry to a conclusion".
At least 14 Russians Reported to Have Interacted with Trump Team
Since the beginning of his unconventional presidential run in 2015, at least 14 Russians interacted with Donald Trump's campaign team in order to influence the future president, according to a December 9, 2018, The Washington Post report.
Research Points Russian Meddling to Help Trump in 2016 Polls
A report prepared for the U.S. Senate and based on the research by Oxford University's Computational Propaganda Project and a network analysis firm, Graphika, portrayed a systemic meddling by Russians tied to Internet Research Agency (IRA) to sow confusion and division in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election in order to tip the election in Donald Trump's favor. The research is being reported by The Washington Post on December 16, 2018.
************ ROGER STONE
Trump's Former Campaign Adviser Roger Stone Indicted on Seven Felony Counts
The Nixon-era rough-edged political operative who helped launch Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Roger Stone, was indicted on seven counts by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on January 25, 2019. FBI agents in tactical gear stormed Roger Stone's mansion early in the morning, and hauled him into their custody. Later appearing at a Fort Lauderdale courthouse, a defiant Roger Stone vowed to vigorously defend himself and flashed V-signs with two extended hands. At the heart of the charges were Roger Stone's false testimony to the House Intelligence Committee over his communication with WikiLeaks related to the hacking of the DNC e-mails in the run-up to 2016 presidential election. In addition, Roger Stone tried to persuade another person to lie before the House Intelligence Committee.
Stone Pleads not Guilty
Appearing before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson, Roger Stone's lawyer Roger Buschel on January 29, 2019 entered not guilty plea on behalf of his client to charges of obstructing and tampering with a congressional investigation.
Judge Issues Gag Order
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 15, 2019 issued a gag order, targeting Roger Stone and his legal team not to press their case in public.
Judge Tightens Gag Order
Roger Stone faced the full wrath of Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 21, 2019 after he had posted an image of the judge on the social media with a gun sight near her head three days earlier. Subsequently that image posted on February 18, 2019 was taken down, but not before raising the Stone's intimidating tactic in full public view. Judge Jackson warned Stone, who was slapped with seven counts of false testimony to Congress and witness tampering in Russia investigation, that "this is not baseball. There will not be a third chance", referring to her first gag order issued on February 15, 2019.
Stone Convicted on All Seven Counts
A jury of nine women and three men issued a searing verdict on November 15, 2019, convicting former Trump aide Roger Stone guilty on seven counts of witness tampering and lying to Congress. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson set a February 6, 2020, sentencing date for Roger Stone. A week of hearings, including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Rick Gates. exposed how Roger Stone used his tormentor image to get information to hurt Hillary Clinton. Roger Stone joined a long list of former Trump campaign officials either convicted or pleaded guilty as part of Mueller Probe.
Democrats' Renewed Push to Ascertain whether Trump Lied to Mueller
Three days after a jury convicted Roger Stone on all seven counts, House investigators are now looking into whether President Donald Trump has lied to Robert Mueller, according to House of Representatives General Counsel Douglas Letter who has made the case on November 18, 2019.
Prosecutors in Stone Case Quit
Four prosecutors who had recommended seven to nine years in imprisonment for Roger Stone, but overturned by the department's leaders--including Attorney-General William Barr--after President Donald Trump's tweet blasting long sentence for his one-time confidante quit from their roles on February 11, 2020. Trump's tweet vilified the DOJ's original sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years as "miscarriage of justice".
Barr under Fire for Reduced Sentencing Recommendation and Quitting of Four Career Prosecutors
Several former prosecutors and Democratic lawmakers on February 12, 2020 assailed Attorney-General William Barr and DOJ top officials after reduced sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone and quitting of four prosecutors from the case.
Barr Skewers Trump in ABC Interview
Attorney-General William Barr on February 13, 2020 criticized President Donald Trump in an interview on the ABC News that president's frequent tweets about the cases pending with the Justice Department were making his job harder. This is one of the rare occasions, if not the only time, that one of Trump's cabinet officials has vented out frustration in public on how president has been intervening in their respective areas of work.
More than 1,100 Former Depart Employees Demand Barr's Resignation
The Washington Post reported on February 16, 2020 that an open letter signed by more than 1,100 former DOJ employees asked Attorney-General William Barr to resign over the botched handling of Roger Stone's sentencing and after four of the career prosecutors had quit from the case after DOJ higher-ranking officials' overturning of their sentencing recommendation. This is the latest incident where department retirees and veterans are getting concerned over, the letter states, "Mr. Barr's actions in doing the President's personal bidding". The letter asks the current department employees to be brave and report any unethical actions or directives to the department's Inspector-General's office.
Stone Sentenced to 40 Months
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 20, 2020 sentenced former Trump aide Roger Stone to serve 40 months in jail. Judge Jackson had some harsh words to say against Stone, who was not "prosecuted for standing up for president", in the words of Jackson, but "for covering up for the president". Judge Amy Berman Jackson even didn't spare the Attorney-General William Barr, saying that his intervention to reduce the prison term recommendation [for Stone] was "unprecedented".
Appeals Court Upholds Lower Court Ruling against Trump's DACA Drawdown Order
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on November 8, 2018 upholding a January 9, 2018, ruling by the U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco that had put a hold on President Donald Trump's September 2017 order to draw down DACA.
U.S. Supreme Court Gives a Temporary Lifeline to Dreamers
In a historic ruling on June 18, 2020, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the four liberal justices--Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan--to uphold the Obama-era Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The majority called the way that Trump administration tried to end the program "arbitrary and capricious". The ruling was not an affirmative verdict on merits of DACA, instead it's a repudiation of how the rule had been formulated by Trump administration in 2017, violating the Administrative Procedure Act.
********************************* DACA PROGRAM ******************************
Infighting in the White House Takes Reality Show Form
Infighting in the West Wing escalated to a new level since the departure of Sean Spicer as communications director. Spicer's replacement Anthony Scaramucci foul-mouthed against White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in an interview on July 27, 2017 with The New Yorker.
Trump Dumps Priebus
Donald Trump on July 28, 2017 dropped his Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and hired Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, a four-star general, to run day-to-day operation.
Trump Fires Scaramucci; Brings Kelly as Chief of Staff
The foul-mouthed Anthony Scaramucci did not survive in his Communications Director's role very long as he was shown the door by President Donald Trump on August 31, 2017. Trump appointed Homeland Security Secretary Gen. John Kelly as his Chief of Staff.
Trump Announces that Kelley Leaving the White House
President Donald Trump on December 8, 2018 announced that White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly, a steady hand in otherwise turbulent White House, was leaving by the yearend.
Trump Names Mulvaney as Chief of Staff
President Donald Trump on December 14, 2018 named Mick Malvaney as his new Chief of Staff.
***************** REPUBLICAN TAX OVERHAUL PROPOSAL **********************
Beef with Bannon: Trump Blasts Bannon over "Treasonous" Comments
President Donald Trump on January 3, 2018 blasted his former strategic adviser Steve Bannon as someone who had "lost his mind" for saying, as written by Michael Wolff in his soon-to-be-released book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, that meeting Russians by Donald Trump Jr. along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort in the summer of 2016 to seek adversarial information about then-Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton constituted "treasonous act".
Trump Disbands Probe Panel for Poll Irregularities
President Donald Trump on January 3, 2018 disbanded the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity led by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a long-time proponent for tightening voting requirements on the ground of unfounded allegation that illegal voting was rampant, after raising eyebrows among Democrat-ruled states and few Republican-ruled states for the panel's demand for states to provide voter information such as full names, date of birth, political party affiliation and the last four digit of Social Security Numbers. Voting rights groups welcomed the dissolution of the panel.
*********************** Trump's Infrastructure Revamp Proposal ********************
Trump Unveils Infrastructure Overhaul Plan
Delivering on one of his campaign promises, President Donald Trump on February 12, 2018 unveiled his 53-page, $1.5-trillion infrastructure overhaul proposal to address country's crumbling infrastructures and create millions of good-paying construction jobs, an undertaking that could only be compared with similar grand-scale project undertaken by Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System project in 1950s. The caveat of the Trump Plan is the scarcity of funding information as the federal government will bear only $200 billion of the tab while the remaining $1.3 trillion is left for states and private sector to foot in. The breakdown of federal government's $200 billion allocation is as follows:
* $100 billion in Infrastructure Incentives Program that would provide grants to state and local projects and can't exceed 20 percent of new revenue of the project
* $40 billion in Rural Infrastructure Program to be disbursed to state governors
* $10 billion in Rural Infrastructure Program to be disbursed as block grants to states
* $20 billion in Transformative Projects Program to be administered by the Department of Commerce on futuristic, innovative projects
* $20 billion in Infrastructure Financing Program to expand on existing federal credit programs to pay for investments and broaden the use of private activity bonds
* $10 billion in Federal Infrastructure Projects to fund purchases of properties and buildings to avoid paying money for leases
*********************** Trump's Infrastructure Revamp Proposal ********************
In an obvious act of political revenge, President Donald Trump on August 15, 2018 revoked the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan, who was unsparing in his criticism of president, especially after president had sided--over his own intel agencies--with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the news conference in the aftermath of Helsinki Summit, and threatened to take similar action against other former security officials. In a press statement, President Trump justified his action, citing Brennan's "erratic conduct and behavior". The president's statement was dated in late July, but the announcement was made August 15, 2018. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during the day that Trump was also considering to revoke the security clearances of other former intelligence officials such as former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former National Security Adviser Michael Hayden, former Deputy Attorney-General Sally Yates, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, DOJ official Bruce Ohr, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former FBI Agent Peter Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page.
Former Security Experts Blast Trump for Revoking Brennan's Security Clearance
12 former senior intelligence leaders from both Republican and Democratic administrations on August 16, 2018 issued a joint letter, blasting president's decision a day earlier to revoke former CIA chief John Brennan's security clearance as criticism began to flow in against president's action from former officials as well as politicians and lawmakers from both political parties. The letter called Trump's act "an attempt to stifle free speech". Meanwhile, Brennan himself, in an Op-Ed in The New York Times on August 16, 2018, asserted that denying him the access to classified information was part of president's desperate effort to shut down the Mueller investigation. Meanwhile, an iconic figure of the U.S. intelligence community, Admiral William McRaven, chief architect of the Operation Neptune that had taken out Osama bin Laden in 2011, assailed Trump's action on August 16, 2018 in an article in The Washington Post. McRaven described Brennan "a man of unparalleled integrity" and condemned Trump's "McCarthy-era tactics" to "suppress the voice of criticism".
****************** DATA THEFT, HACKING AND CYBERSECURITY **************
Scale of Data Breach Revealed
On July 9, 2015, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed a massive data breach of the government computer system, hitherto unknown, due to hacking, most likely from overseas. The data breach affected nearly 21.5 million people, including 19.7 million people who had applied to get their background checked and 1.8 million others such as spouses and friends related to applicants. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts the background checks for federal government. This data breach came to light by happenstance as OPM informed the Department of Homeland Security in April 2015 that there was an intrusion of its computer system compromising the private records of 4.2 million current and former employees. OPM then went ahead to work with FBI, and only then the massive data breach of 21.5 million people were detected. The massive data breach was revealed in a conference call by OPM Director Katherine Archuleta, who was adamant that she won't resign.
Personnel Management Chief Quits
As the scale of data breach and its impact began to sink in among the lawmakers and administration officials, the Director of Office of Personnel Management Katherine Archuleta couldn't put up any more defiant attitude in the face of rising demand for her to go, and announced her resignation on July 10, 2015.
OPM Admits Hack of More People's Fingerprints
Office of Personnel Management on September 23, 2015 said that fingerprints of at least 5.6 million people were stolen, almost five times the previous estimate of 1.1 million people.
China Acknowledges Country's Hackers Responsible for Data Breach
An article carried by the state-run Xinhua on December 2, 2015 acknowledged that the data breach, revealed in April 2015, at the White House's Office of Personnel Management that had compromised the personal information of about 21.5 million was carried out by people from China, but denied that it was state-sponsored as accused by some in the U.S. government.
****************** DATA THEFT, HACKING AND CYBERSECURITY **************
STATES AND US TERRITORIES
ALABAMA
********************************** HISTORIC SELMA MARCH ******************
Obama, Bush Join Thousands to Mark the 50th Anniversary of Historic Selma March
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush led a march on March 7, 2015 on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to observe the Bloody Sunday, the Sunday March 7, 1965, when Alabama state troopers clubbed the demonstrators who were en route to the capital Montgomery to demand for voting rights for the black people. The beating and the bloody scenes transformed the conscience of a nation, eventually helping the then-President Lyndon B. Johnson to push Congress to pass Voting Rights Act later that year. Among the demonstrators beaten mercilessly by the state troopers were John Lewis, youngest leader of the movement, who subsequently became a lawmaker from Georgia and is still serving the House of Representatives. On that fateful Sunday (March 7, 1965), Martin Luther King II was not at Selma as he preached at his church on that Sunday.
Outraged by barbaric oppression by the state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Martin Luther King II urged volunteers and ministers to join for a second march from Selma to Montgomery. However, a federal judge, Frank Johnson, put a hold on any march pending his ruling to provide protection to demonstrators from the police interference. King obliged with Judge Johnson's ruling, and instead of crossing the bridge, he had led a prayer before the demonstrators had dispersed two days later on Tuesday March 9, 1965.
Eventually, demonstrators succeeded in completing the 50-mile journey from Selma to Montgomery on their third try on March 21, 1965 after Judge Frank Johnson ordered federal protection for the marchers.
In a fitting tribute to the participants of three Selma-to-Montgomery marches, Congress on March 6, 2015 bestowed upon them with the Congressional Gold Medal, and President Barack Obama signed it on the 50th anniversary on March 7, 2015.
One Last Time, John Lewis Crosses the "Bloody Sunday" Fame Bridge
45 years after March 7, 1965, John Lewis was badly beaten by Alabama State troopers and his skull was fractured on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the Alabama River, scores of Alabama State troopers stood in stoic silence and paid respect to the last of "Big Six" in the Civil Rights Movement as the body of John Lewis, who had breathed his last on July 17, 2020 after a long bout with Pancreatic Cancer, as his body was being drawn on a horse carriage over the bridge on July 26, 2020. Many from the crowd screamed "good trouble", often used by Lewis, who had represented an Atlanta House of Representative seat since 1987, to reflect his fighting against the White authorities.
********************************** HISTORIC SELMA MARCH ******************
Alabama Governor Issues Executive Order to Remove to Confederate Flags
In response to brutal killing of nine African American parishioners during a bible study in the historic Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston by a White gunman, Dylan Roof, who had embraced confederate flag and harbored deep loathe against Black people, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, a conservative Republican, issued an executive order on June 24, 2015, immediately removing four secessionist flags. Governor Bentley called displaying the Confederate Battle flag akin to displaying Nazi symbols. What's made Bentley's executive order all the more significant was that the Confederacy was formed 154 years ago in Montgomery and Jefferson Davis was elected President.
Alabama Speaker Guilty of Corruption
An Alabama jury on June 10, 2016 ruled guilty verdict to one of the state's most prominent politician and rising star, Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, on 12 counts of corruption that would not only deprive him from the position of speaker and cost him his seat in legislature, but also might land him in jail for up to 20 years.
Alabama Chief Justice Removed for the Second Time
Alabama's controversial chief justice Roy Moore, who had already been suspended by the state's Judicial Inquiry Commission since May 2016 on the grounds of judicial impropriety for refusing to carry out the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell vs. Hodges June 2015 ruling, was on September 30, 2016 ordered removed from the bench by the nine-member Alabama Court of the Judiciary for the rest of his terms. Roy Moore was chastised by the court of judiciary for the extra-judicial overreach by issuing a January 6, 2016, letter to Alabama's county clerks, ordering them to refuse giving same-sex marriage license. Roy Moore was not new to the controversy on the social issues. In 2003, he was ousted from the state supreme court for disobeying the order to remove a 2-and-half-ton 10 Commandments plaque from the court building. However, Moore was re-elected to the court subsequently and he had resumed pursuing his extreme right-wing agenda in the courthouse. This time will be different as his existing term will end in 2019. By that time, he will be 72, more than 70-year-upper limit, and prohibited from running for one more term.
Governor on a Hot Couch, Impeachment to Begin
As a fallout of a recording that had surfaced in 2016 exposing a scandalous and suggestive relationship with a female aide, leading to the divorce of first couple of Alabama after half-a-century of marriage, Alabama Supreme Court on April 8, 2017 quashed a lower court ruling issued a day earlier and paved the way for the Alabama House Judiciary Committee to hold an impeachment hearing against Governor Robert Bentley. A day earlier on April 7, 2017, a judge blocked the impeachment proceeding, handing a short-lived victory to Governor Bentley, 74, a dermatologist and a former Baptist Deacon. Within hours of state Supreme Court ruling, Alabama House Judiciary Committee announced plans to begin impeachment hearings on April 10, 2017.
Justice Demanded at EJ's Funeral
The Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2018) shooting death of a Black man at the Riverchase Galleria Mall triggered outrage in the community and led to week-long protest. The Hoover Police Department responded to gunshots that day at the mall in which two people were wounded by an unknown gunman. Initially police said that a Hoover police officer shot the gunman, identified as 21-year-old Emantic "EJ" Fitzgerald Bradford, but later retracted. The near daily demonstrations demanded the release of video cam of the incident. Hoover Police had turned in the video to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, but didn't release publicly. On December 1, 2018, a funeral service was held for "EJ" under a cloudy sky at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham and attended by a 1,000-strong crowd. Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson Jr. electrified the crowd, demanding justice for "EJ".
Alabama's Restrictive Abortion Law Rejected by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 28, 2019 rejected to take up the state of Alabama's appeal to lower court's ruling that had tossed out a controversial 2016 law that would all but ban the second-trimester abortions.
CONNECTICUT
Governor Issues Executive Order to Ban Gun Sales to People on No-Fly List
Four days after President Barack Obama called on Congress during a rare Oval Office address to the nation to ban gun sales to people on federal government's no-fly list, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy on December 10, 2015 issued an Executive Order to ban gun sales to people on the federal government's no-fly list. In addition to the new gun sales, the Executive Order has called for revoking the permits for those on the no-fly list who already own guns. If implemented, Connecticut's gun restriction will be one of the most expansive restrictions in the nation proposed so far.
FLORIDA
************************* ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING *********************
Worst Terrorist Attack since 9/11 Kills 49
It was a night of joy, and partying on June 11, 2016. Youths were dancing to the tune of lively music, filling up the air of Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, with pomp and joy. It was a warm Saturday night full of energy and enthusiasm, with patrons mingling around amongst themselves. Then the saga of indescribable tragedy and scene of horrors began to play out for the next few hours that would end in the wee hours of June 12, 2016, but only after 49 people were dead and 53 injured in the worst terrorist attack since 9/11. Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old former security guard, turned the night club, locally known as "Orlando's night hotspot" into a butcher field. He opened fire from his assault-style weapon, killing person after person in cold blood. Around the time of killing, Mateen, who was born in New York, pledged his loyalty to the Islamic State in a 911 call. Orlando Police showed extreme caution and restraint, and eventually brought the standoff to an end around 5 AM local time, according to Orlando Police Chief John Mina. At least 30 people inside were rescued, and Mateen was killed in the shootout with the police. Responding to the worst terrorist attack since 9/11, President Barack Obama addressed the nation from the White House on June 12, 2016, resolved to "stand united as Americans to protect our people and defend our nation, and to take action against those who threaten us".
Omar Mateen, the son of Afghan immigrants, was born in New York. He graduated with an associate degree in criminal justice technology in 2006, and a year later, was hired by the country's one of the premier security companies, G4S. In 2009, he got married with a Uzbek immigrant, Sitora Yusufiy, and bought home. However, his marriage didn't last long, and Yusufiy divorced him in 2011. Omar first came under the radar of FBI in 2013 when his co-workers complained over his claim to have links to terrorist organizations. FBI interviewed him, put him under surveillance and closed the case when nothing had turned up suspicious. FBI again put a dragnet around him two months later in July 2014 after Mateen's tie with the first American suicide bomber in Syria was known. Both Omar Mateen and Moner Mohammad Abusalha, who had joined Nusra Front and blew up a truck bomb in Syria, grew up in the neighboring Vero Beach, Florida and occasionally went to the same mosque.
Meanwhile, there is no dearth of political opportunism even in the wake of such horrific attack. Both Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized President Obama for not using the word radical Islam, which the president had consistently refused to use in his effort not to give credibility to the terrorists. However, taking a leap, by several laps, over all Obama critics, Texas Lieutenant General Dan Patrick took to Twitter world on June 12, 2016 morning to express his anti-gay venom: "A man reaps what he sows", only to take it down later.
No Evidence of Direct Terrorist Support in Orlando Shooting, President Says
President Barack Obama said on June 13, 2016 at a Oval Office press conference that there was no evidence of direct link of Orlando shooter Omar Mateen , who was put under the FBI's terror watch list twice, with any outside terrorist groups, although he might have been inspired by them.
President Rips Trump over His Comments
President Barack Obama said at the treasury department on June 14, 2016 that Republican Party's presumptive nominee Donald Trump had displayed "dangerous" mindset through the "language that singles out immigrants" and "entire religious communities". Obama blasted Trump for the real estate mogul's provocative and hateful comments against Muslims in the aftermath of Orlando shooting that had killed 49 people and wounded 53.
Killer's Wife under Investigation
Orlando shooter Omar Mateen's wife Noor Zahi Salman is now under scrutiny for her role to drive her to the Pulse night club before shooting as well as her presence with him during purchase of ammunition, according to a report published by The New York Times on June 14, 2016.
President Visits Orlando, Comforts Families
As has become almost a ritual to play the role of comforter-in-chief, President Barack Obama visited Orlando on June 16, 2016, and met with the families of victims, an emotional task he had become too used to in the aftermath of mass shootings during his seven years presidency. Accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, Obama visited the makeshift memorial and laid two white roses there to pay respect to the victims.
FBI Arrests Wife of Orlando Night Club Attacker
FBI on January 16, 2017 took Noor Zahi Salman, wife of Pulse Night Club attacker Omar Mateen, into custody.
One-Year Anniversary Marked with "We Are One Pulse" Spirit
The names of 49 people, many of them from Orlando's LGBTQ community, were read exactly at 2:02AM on June 12, 2017 as an observance to the first anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks since 9/11. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer mentioned the "strength" of the community to go about the normal life for the past year.
Shooter's Widow Stands in Trial
Orlando Pulse night club shooter Omar Mateen's widow Noor Salman's trial on the charges that she had helped her husband in the Pulse Night Club shooting began on March 1, 2018 in the U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron's federal court in Orlando.
Shooter's Dad was FBI Informant
As the trial of the widow of the Pulse Night Club shooter entered the third week, Noor Salman's lawyers on March 26, 2018 dropped an explosive statement about the shooter's father, Seddique Mateen. He was an informant for FBI for eight years prior to the shooting. The defense lawyers also said that prosecution told them in a March 24, 2018, e-mail that they had found elder Mateen raising money on the day of shooting to send them to Afghanistan and Turkey as well as record of funding anti-government activities in Pakistan.
Shooter's Widow Acquitted
The Pulse Night Club shooter Omar Mateen's widow, Noor Salman, was acquitted of all charges on March 30, 2018, handing a stinging defeat to the U.S. government.
MAINE
Governor Rules out Stepping down
Maine Governor Paul LePage whipped up political dust by his irresponsible actions and comments. His relationship with the legislature is anything but normal. However, his recent tirade against the Blacks for drug problems in the state was shamefully low even in his standard. However, he crossed all limits of political decency on August 25, 2016 as he had left a message for the state Rep. Drew Gattine, saying that "I am after you" and followed up with his equally bizarre comments to the reporters that he wished to have challenged Gattine and put a bullet between his eyes. The incident created a national firestorm and drew widespread condemnation. Governor Paul LePage seemed to have backtracked after days of condemnation from across the political spectrum and apologized to Gattine. The speculation that LePage was toying with the idea of stepping down was nipped in the bud by the governor himself as he told reporters on August 30, 2016 that it was not happening.
MARYLAND
Black Person's Death in Police Custody Triggers Protest in Baltimore
The April 19, 2015, death of Freddie Gray, a black man, triggered massive outrage in Baltimore as more information was made public about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Gray's death. Gray was arrested a week ago on April 12, 2015, shackled and put inside a prison van without being strapped. His spine was reported to have been badly damaged, and he was transferred to a hospital on the same day (April 12). After fighting for his life, he succumbed week later on April 19, 2015.
Mourners File Past Gray's Casket at Funeral
A night after violence had let loose in Baltimore, thousands of people on April 26, 2015 paid their last respect to Freddie Gray at the Vaughn Green East funeral home. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake held a news conference during the day and called the protesters to maintain peace. About 34 people were arrested as part of crackdown after April 25, 2015, night violence.
Riot mars Protest in Baltimore
Protest against police brutality turned violent on April 27, 2015 after the funeral of Freddie Gray. The northwest Baltimore neighborhood of Mondawmin saw the most of scourge, with protesters throwing bottles, setting cars ablaze, torching a CVS pharmacy storefront and adopting widespread looting. By the end of the day, the situation deteriorated so much that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan activated National Guard and declared a state of emergency. Maryland State Police, which took over the law and order responsibility for Baltimore, called for an additional 5,000 in reinforcement from Mid-Atlantic region. At the City Hall, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced a nighttime curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM for a week. Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, who is black, struggled to assert his authority as the situation turned volatile and precarious. In Washington, the new Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who took the oath of office from the Vice President Joe Biden just hours ago, spent much of her first day deliberating on the deteriorating situation in Baltimore and providing President Barack Obama an update on the situation.
Baltimore Remains Tense amid Violence
A day after the worst violence stalked Baltimore, the city remained tense on April 28, 2015, with National Guardsmen deploying throughout the city and a nighttime 10PM to 5AM curfew being enforced. Police used tear gas and pepper balls to disperse a crowd of 200 protesters who had flouted the curfew that was clamped after the worst riot since 1968. All public schools were closed on April 28, 2015, and Baltimore Orioles canceled the night's game at Camden Yards and announced that April 29, 2015, night's game would be closed to public.
Police Submits Internal Investigation to Prosecutor
Baltimore Police Department on April 30, 2015 submitted its own internal investigation into the death of Freddie Gray to city's new, untested state's attorney, Marilyn Mosby. Now, all eyes are set on Mosby.
Swift Action by Prosecutor Assuages a Restive Baltimore
Baltimore's state's attorney Marilyn Mosby on May 1, 2015 became an instant celebrity among civil rights activists and object of scorn to a section of so-called tough-on-crime supporters as she announced varying degree of charges against the six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray. All six have been booked during the day. At a press conference during the day, Mosby said that the April 12, 2015, arrest of Freddie Gray was illegal and unjustified, and his neck was broken because of gross police negligence. Gray was stopped by police at Sandtown, a poor neighborhood, and he fled after locking eyes with a police officer. He was arrested couple of blocks away, shackled and hand-cuffed, and put into a prison van without being strapped, leading to his spinal injury.
Baltimore Mayor Fires City Police Chief
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on July 8, 2015, frustrated over escalating crimes and not-so-good community relationship drive, fired the Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, a fellow African-American. In the interim, Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, who has joined the city police department only in January 2015, will work as acting city police chief.
Judge Refuses to Drop Charges against Police Officers
A Baltimore judge, Circuit Judge Barry Williams, on September 2, 2015 rejected an appeal by one of the six defendant police officers in Freddy Gray death episode to drop charges on the ground that the state's attorney Marilyn Mosby had resorted legal irregularities by making "reckless and unprofessional" public comments. All six police personnel, three of them Black and three White, were asked to appear in court on September 10, 2015 for a separate hearing on change of venue. The six are Officers Caesar Goodson, Edward Nero, Garrett Miller and William Porter as well as Lt. Brian Rice and Sgt. Alicia White.
Family Reaches at a $6.4 Million Settlement
Family of Freddie Gray on September 8, 2015 agreed to a $6.4 million settlement with the city of Baltimore.
Trial to Stay in Baltimore
A Baltimore judge, Circuit Judge Barry Williams, on September 10, 2015 rejected defendants' plea to move the case out of Baltimore because of publicity and direct connection of the city in the Freddie Gray murder case.
Mayor Not to Seek Re-Election
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on September 11, 2015 announced that she won't seek re-election.
Trial in Gray Murder Begins
Trial in Freddie Gray murder began on December 2, 2015 involving one of the police officers, William Porter.
Mistrial Declared in First of Freddie Gray Trials
The jury for the first police officer on the Freddie Gray murder trial, William Porter, was hung, and a mistrial was declared on December 16, 2015. A racially mixed jury of 7 men and 5 women had reached at a deadlock on December 15, 2015, but the judge, Circuit Judge Barry Williams, pushed them to continue deliberations. Attorney Billy Murphy, who had obtained a $6.4 billion settlement for the family of Freddie Gray called the jury deadlock a "temporary bump on the road to the justice". Reacting to the legal outcome and the possibility of eruption of violence on the streets, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on the protesters to maintain peace. The judge called both the prosecutors and defense team of William Porter, charged on the counts of manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment, on December 17, 2015 to discuss on retrial dates.
Retrial Date Set for the Police Officer
After a hung jury failed to issue a definitive verdict and five days after a mistrial was declared in the case of the Baltimore police officer William Porter, the Circuit Judge Barry Williams on December 21, 2015 set a new date for Porter's retrial. The retrial will begin on June 13, 2016.
Trial of a Second Police Officer Postponed Indefinitely
A Maryland appeals court, Court of Special Appeals, on January 11, 2016 postponed the trial of a second police officer, Caesar Goodson, indefinitely in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.
Appeals Court Rules that Defendant Has to Testify against Fellow Officers
Maryland's Court of Appeals on March 8, 2016 ordered that a police officer, William Porter, who himself was on the trial, had to testify against other defendants in the Freddie Gray murder trial. The appellate court issued two separate rulings:
* Upholding the ruling of a lower court judge, Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, that Porter had to testify against Sgt. Alicia White and Officer Caesar Goodson.
* Overturning Williams' ruling that Porter didn't need to testify against officers Garrett Miller, Edward Nero and Lt. Brian Rice.
A Second Police Officer Acquitted
A second Baltimore police officer, Edward Nero, charged in the death of Freddie Gray was acquitted on May 23, 2016 on all four charges, raising new questions on prosecution's approach and tactic. Nero from the outset had foregone jury trial, and instead, asked the judge, Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, to rule on his case. After days of hearing, the judge's verdict came as a shock to the Baltimore community and a jolt to the prosecution. Some scattered protests, mostly outside the courthouse, erupted after the verdict was delivered.
Third Police Officer Waives Jury Trial
On June 6, 2016, a third Baltimore police officer, Caesar Goodson, facing criminal charges in the death of Freddie Gray decided to forego with jury trial and instead rely on the sole jurisprudence of Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, a tactic that had worked with a second defendant, Edward Nero, who was acquitted of all charges on May 23, 2016.
Officer Acquitted in Freddie Gray Murder Charge
The sole officer facing murder charge, Caesar Goodson, was cleared on June 23, 2016 by the Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams as the evidence presented by the prosecutors seemed not at all standing on the firm legal grounds.
Freddie Gray Case: Prosecution Egged on the Face
Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams dealt another blow to the prosecution's case on July 18, 2016 as he acquitted the highest-ranking police official indicted in the case, Lt. Brian Rice, on all counts, including manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. After this ruling, prosecution's rationale and rushed manner to bring charges against six officer are likely to attract more condemnation.
Charges Dropped for All Remaining Police Officers
After receiving one legal jolt after another, prosecutors in Freddie Gray case on July 27, 2016 dropped charges against remaining officers. Addressing a press conference during the day, state's attorney Marilyn Mosby said that there was merit behind the charges she and her team had brought against the accused police officers. However, the investigative responsibility lied with the same police department where the accused officers belonged to, and the agency didn't pursue all possible leads. However, many in legal circle warned at the time when the charges had been brought that the prosecutors had not been able to bring forth indisputable circumstantial evidence leave alone any compelling proof against the officers. However, Ms. Mosby remained adamant during the press conference, reiterating that she stood by the "medical examiner's determination that Freddie Gray's death was a homicide". Gray's family settled the case with the city of Baltimore and received $6.4 million.
Justice Department Slams Baltimore Policing Practices
The U.S. DOJ on August 10, 2016 has issued a 163-page report that is data-rich with illustrations of Baltimore Police Department's systemic and shameful bias in how it deals with the Black residents and sheds a bright light on the degree of discriminatory practices applied with respect to African Americans that constitute 63 percent of Baltimore's population. The report was released at a press conference held in Baltimore City Hall that was attended, among others, by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis. The report is an eye-opener to community activists and law enforcement agencies alike for the granular details such as
* 91 percent of those arrested for misdemeanors are Blacks that constitute 63 percent of Baltimore's population
* 82 percent of all traffic stops are Black motorists although Blacks represent 60 percent of city's drivers
* Out of 410 pedestrians stopped by Baltimore police at least 10 times over the past 5-and-1/2 years, a whopping 95 percent people are Black
Shootings at a Newspaper Office Kill Five
Driven by old grudge, a suspected gunman, identified as Jarrod W. Ramos, on June 28, 2018 entered the office of Capital Gazette Communications in Annapolis, and opened fire, killing five people in one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in U.S. history. Four of the people killed were journalists--Rob Hiaasen, brother of Miami Herald's longtime columnists Carl Hiaasen, editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, 61, Wendy Winters, 65, an editor and community reporter, and local reporter John McNamara. Also killed in the rampage of suspected gunman was a sales assistant, Rebecca Smith.
*********** Coast Guard Officer Hasson
Coast Guard Officer Arrested for Planning to Resort to Violence
A Coast Guard lieutenant, Christopher Paul Hasson, was taken to custody on February 15, 2019 from his apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland on charges of weapons and drugs. Hasson had harbored neo-Nazi and White supremacist view and collected an arsenal of guns and ammunition to create havoc. The charges were filed on February 20, 2019.
Hasson Sentenced for 13 Years
U.S. District Judge George Hazel on January 31, 2020 sentenced Coast Guard Lieutenant Christopher Paul Hasson to 13 years of imprisonment. Judge Hazel said that the gravity of charges, including a "mass casualty assault as a way to act out his white nationalist views", merited the harsh sentence
*********** Coast Guard Officer Hasson
Baltimore Mayor Resigns over Scandal
The federal investigation into a scandal involving hundreds of thousands of dollars stemming from unethical sales of children books written by her that had resulted in searches of her homes, city hall office and other locations a week earlier had forced Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign on May 2, 2019, becoming the second mayor to resign halfway in the term in the past decade.
NEW YORK
Grand Jury Refuses to Indict White Police Officer in Chokehold Death of a Black Man
Before the raw emotions and raucous demonstrations had even subsided over the verdict of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, another grand jury issued a verdict along similar line on December 3, 2014. This time, a Staten Island grand jury refused to bring indictment charges against a White police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, who was accused of putting a chokehold on Eric Garner on July 17, 2014. Garner has been alleged to have been selling loose cigarette which remains illegal in New York. Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, reacting to the jury verdict, said that his department would launch a federal investigation into Garner's death.
Two Police Officers Assassinated
In cold blooded murders, a man with history of anti-police rhetoric shot dead two NYPD officers at point blank range on December 20, 2014. The officers--Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu--were inside a patrol car at Brooklyn when the armed man, Ismaiiyl Brinsley, approached them, opened fire and then killed himself. Before turning the gun on the police officers, Brinsley shot his ex-girlfriend in Baltimore and headed to New York to kill what he had described in an instagram posting "pigs" to avenge the death of Eric Garner. Maryland police tracked his movement and issued an alert. But the alert had reached just few minutes before the officers were shot dead. Recent anti-police rhetoric put country's police departments on the defense, and, according to many, eventually led to this tragic event in New York.
Backlash against Police Tactics Protest Movement
After the gruesome assassination of two NYPD police officers by a hatred-filled Ismaiiyl Brinsley to take revenge for the killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown by taking measures to put "wing on pigs", there was an outpouring of sympathy and support for the police departments across the nation and there was expected, but irrational, accusation and finger-pointing at the recent protest movements that had flared up across the nation to raise popular voice against some of the recent police brutalities. While it's undeniable that the tone and tenor of some of the demonstrations went overboard in accusing the police departments in a broad brush, it's also unwanted in some quarters to link the December 20, 2014, assassination of Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu on Brooklyn streets not only to recent protest movements, but also to comments attributed to President Obama, AG Eric Holder and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. The NAACP President Cornell William Brooks said on CBS' Face the Nation on December 21, 2014 that "it's not fair" to link the carnage of a lunatic gunman to a largely peaceful protest movement. On the other side of the political spectrum, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former New York Governor George Pataki lashed out against months of anti-police rhetoric orchestrated by leaders including President Obama, AG Holder and Mayor de Blasio.
New York Joins California to Raise Minimum Wage to $15
Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joined Governor Andrew Cuomo at a raucous rally on April 4, 2016 in a Manhattan restaurant where New York governor signed a minimum wage bill that called for minimum wage to rise to $15 per hour in
* three years in the New York City
* phased manner in other parts of the state with the rate of increase tied to inflation
Gunman Arrested after Shootout
Ahmad Khan Rahami, the 28-year-old Afghan-born American suspected of carrying out two powerful explosions at the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and Jersey Shore two days ago that had narrowly missed causing any fatality, was arrested on September 19, 2016 after a brief shootout at Linden, New Jersey.
******* WORST TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE SEP 11, 2001 ******
Eight People Killed in a Halloween Afternoon Terrorist Attack
It was a balmy, lovely Halloween afternoon of October 31, 2017. People were walking, biking on a trail along the Hudson River in the heart of Manhattan. Suddenly a truck veered into the trail, and began plowing down the pedestrians and bikers, reminiscing a Hollywood horror movie scene. Before people even grasped that it was the deadliest terrorist attack in New York City since September 11, 2001, scores of people lay bloodied, shoes tattered and bikes mangled on the trail. Emerged from the pick-up that banged on a school bus and ended up near the Stuyvesant High School the suspect, later identified as Sayfullo Saipov, and ran back and forth on the road with a pellet gun and a paintball gun before shot by the police on abdomen. He was critically injured and taken to hospital. At the end of the day, eight people were killed and 11 injured in the ensuing mayhem. Five of the people killed were Argentine tourist who happened to be in New York for a school reunion. A sixth Argentine was also injured. One Belgian tourist was killed too and three of the injured are from Belgium. Immediately after the attack, Saipov's immigration status came under the scanner. Saipov has immigrated to the USA in 2010 from Uzbekistan, and is a Green Card holder. He lived in New Jersey and Florida. He rented the pick-up from a Home Depot store in New Jersey.
Feds Implicates the Attacker to ISIL Inspiration
Federal prosecutors in their court filing on November 1, 2017 said that the perpetrator of the worst terrorist attack in New York City since September 11, 2001 had been inspired by the ISIL ideology. The filing a day after the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, 29, transformed a busy bike path in the heart of the city into a killing field by ramming a rented truck and killing eight people in addition to injuring dozen. Saipov was brought to a Manhattan federal courtroom in a wheel chair on November 1, 2017. The filing put the fate of Saipov in the civilian court system, thus tossing out the possibility of transferring the suspect to Guantanamo Bay military prison as President Donald Trump had preferred. President Trump blasted the U.S. criminal justice system "a laughingstock" and "a joke". Talking to reporters during the day, Trump said that he would definitely consider sending the suspect to Gitmo. Trump also derided the immigration system, saying that Saipov had entered the nation after receiving visa based on diversity lottery system. The bill that had created the diversity visa program was passed 27 years ago by Congress with bipartisan support and signed in 1990 by then-President George H.W. Bush. Noting that Chuck Schumer at that time supported the bill, Donald Trump did not forget to tinge the Senator from New York, tweeting that "Diversity Visa Lottery Program" was a "Chuck Schumer beauty".
NEW JERSEY
Gunman Arrested after Shootout
Ahmad Khan Rahami, the 28-year-old Afghan-born American suspected of carrying out two powerful explosions at the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and Jersey Shore two days ago that had narrowly missed causing any fatality, was arrested on September 19, 2016 after a brief shootout at Linden, New Jersey.
Democrat Wins in New Jersey Governor Race
Democrat Phil Murphy defeated Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno in November 7, 2017, race.
NORTH CAROLINA
********************************** LGBT LEGISLATION *************************
North Carolina Law Raises National Eyebrows
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a controversial bill on March 23, 2016 that would supersede all local ordinances related to banning same-sex discrimination as well as Charlotte's so-called bathroom ordinance that allowed the transgender to use the bathroom that aligned with their gender now, not the with their birth time gender. All large corporations, civil rights groups, universities, and gay rights groups asked the governor not to sign the bill, but of no avail. Among the protesters included venerable names such as IBM, American Airlines, Duke University, Microsoft, Facebook, National Basketball Association and Google. The one-day session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 23, 2016 passed the bill with lightning speed. The bill also included a provision banning local governments from raising the minimum wage beyond the state's $7.25 per hour.
Rights Groups Files Lawsuit
North Carolina's civil rights and gay rights groups on March 28, 2016 filed a federal lawsuit against a discriminatory bill signed by Governor Pat McCrory on March 23, 2016.
State Attorney General to Ignore the Law
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat and fighting with incumbent Pat McCrory in the upcoming November gubernatorial elections, said on March 29, 2016 that he would not enforce the controversial HB 2 that was signed into law by the governor six days ago.
North Carolina's Bathroom Law Illegal, U.S. Says
The top civil rights lawyer in the Department of Justice, Vanita Gupta, on May 4, 2016 upped the ante on North Carolina, saying its so-called bathroom law, as part of Public Facilities Privacy and Securities Act, or House Bill 2, was illegal and gave the state until May 9, 2016 to get it correct. Ms. Gupta wrote a letter to Governor Pat McCrory, threatening legal action as the bathroom law hindered with the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and would deprive the employees of public agencies of "full enjoyment of Title VII right". Besides, the House Bill 2, according to the DOJ, violates the Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, which bars discrimination in education based on sex.
Additional Scrutiny of North Carolina's Bathroom Law
In addition to the U.S. Justice Department's much publicized letter admonishing the North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory over the Public Facilities Privacy and Securities Act, or the House Bill 2, two other federal agencies are studying the law for possible action. The involvement of Department of Transportation and the Housing and Urban Development brings more bad news for the state which has seen in recent days cancellation of concerts, threatened boycott of the state and eschewing the state by convention organizers.
DOJ, North Carolina Sue, Countersue
The legal punch and counterpunch began in the earnest on May 9, 2016 as the U.S. DOJ deadline had passed without North Carolina complying with the department's May 4, 2016, directive over the state's so-called bathroom law. The DOJ filed a lawsuit on May 9, 2016, holding the state in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, which bars discrimination in education based on sex. In the May 4, 2016, letter, the top civil rights official of the Department of Justice, Vanita Gupta, admonished the state for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by implementing the Public Facilities Privacy and Securities Act, or House Bill 2, after the North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory had signed it on March 23, 2016. On May 9, 2016, the U.S. DOJ added an additional charge, one related to the Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, in its lawsuit against the state. The U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, making public the filing of lawsuit, blasted the House Bill 2, saying that it "provides no benefit to society, and all it does is harm innocent Americans". The governor, Pat McCrory, during the day escalated the fight by filing another lawsuit at a different federal court in the state, saying that the federal government had run amok by a sharp "radical reinterpretation" of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
North Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Repeal and replace Bathroom Bill
North Carolinian Governor Roy Cooper on March 30, 2017 signed a bill that would repeal and replace House Bill 2, infamously known as Bathroom Bill, that had brought national shame and embarrassment upon the state. Under the new bill, state will be in charge of any bathroom ordinances and local jurisdictions are prohibited from enacting any measure related to bathroom issues through 2020.
North Carolina's Now-Repealed Bathroom Bill Would have Severe Costs on State Economy
An Associated Press study released just before infamous House Bill 2 was repealed and replaced pegged an impact of $3.7 billion over the next dozen years on the state economy if the bill would have gone into force.
********************************** LGBT LEGISLATION *************************
Voter ID Law Struck Down
A Panel of 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 29, 2016 struck down North Carolina's voter ID law, calling it a discriminatory against "African-Americans with surgical precision". The appeals court ruling reversed a late April 2016 lower court ruling by a federal judge in Winston-Salem.
U.S. Supreme Court Frustrates GOP, not to Intervene in Voter ID Law
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory received a severe jolt on August 31, 2016 in his bid to restore one of the most restrictive, if not discriminatory, voter ID laws of the nation in the aftermath of the July 29, 2016, ruling by a panel of 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as the U.S. Supreme Court was deadlocked with 4-4 vote and decided not to accept the appeal.
********* CONTINUING BLUE-BLACK TENSION: LATEST IS CHARLOTTE **********
Black Man's Death Sparks Violence
Capping another streak of police shootings and deaths of Black men, Keith Lamont Scott was the latest addition to that growing statistic on September 20, 2016. Scott was apparently waiting in his car on a reserved spot at a Charlotte apartment complex and what ensued next led to fatal shooting of Scott by a police officer. The initial report by police sources said that Scott had a gun in his possession. Scott's death came four days after September 16, 2016, killing of an unarmed Black man, Terrence Crutcher, 40, in Tulsa by a White female officer, Betty Shelby, who was responding to a stalled car. Scott's killing sparked outrage and violence in Charlotte. Angry mobs set vehicles ablaze, vandalized properties and looted stores.
Emergency Declared by Governor to Curb Violence
A day after Keith Lamont Scott was shot dead by a fellow Black police officer, Brentley Vinson, state and local officials worked frantically to deescalate the tense situation on September 21, 2016. Police had to fire tear-gas shells to disperse protesters who throughout the day staged demonstrations across Charlotte. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory late on September 21, 2016 declared a state of emergency and activated National Guards and State Troopers. Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, appearing at CNN, said that the city was trying its best to bring back normalcy. Later in the evening, Roberts said that she would review the video of the events leading to shooting, but would not release the video to public. Meanwhile, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Kerr Putney, an African-American, said that investigators had found gun in Keith Lamont Scott's car that he had been alleged to have brandished at an officer were looking into the encounter.
Video of Encounter Adds More to the Confusion
Relatives of Keith Lamont Scott on September 22, 2016 saw the video of the encounter in which the Black man was shot to death by a fellow Black police officer. After seeing the video, both sides agreed on one thing: there was no conclusive proof what Scott was holding in hand--a book as claimed by family or a pistol as claimed by police. The third night on September 22, 2016 was by and large peaceful as a night curfew was imposed. A man who was shot a day before in what was dubbed a "civilian on civilian violence" succumbed to his injury during the day. National Guards troops fanned out across Charlotte during the day to maintain peace. On the national level, Congressional Black Caucus walked from Capitol to the U.S. DOJ to hand a letter to the U.S. Attorney-General Loretta Lynch demanding that the department conduct more thorough investigations into killings of Black people by law enforcement agencies.
Widow Releases Cell Phone Video
The widow of the African-American man shot to death in Charlotte on September 20, 2016 released a video taken on her cell phone just before and after the encounter of the police shooting, but the video released on September 23, 2016 by Rakeyia Scott shed little light on what had happened during encounter. Keith Lamont Scott was waiting in his White truck at a reserved parking space in an apartment complex for his son to be dropped off by a school bus. Police went to the apartment complex to serve warrant for another man. As Rakeyia Scott emerged from the apartment, she saw swarms of police officers surrounding her husband's truck, and she screamed to her husband to get out of the car as well as to officers not to shoot.
********* CONTINUING BLUE-BLACK TENSION: LATEST IS CHARLOTTE **********
North Carolina's Congressional Map Rejected
A panel of federal judges on January 9, 2018 issued a damning report against North Carolina's General Assembly-drawn Congressional map, calling it unconstitutional and hyper-partisan gerrymandering. The judges gave GOP-controlled General Assembly until January 24, 2018 to come up with new maps or face the court-mandated re-districting ahead of February 12, 2018, start of nomination filing for 2018 midterm election.
NORTH DAKOTA
Pipeline Company Sues against the Protesters
A Houston-based pipeline company, Dakota Access LLC, which is constructing a $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline to bring Bakken Shale oil to Illinois on August 15, 2016 has filed a federal lawsuit against the protesters who have been becoming more and more unruly these days and pose a serious threat to the pipeline's workers near Standing Rock Sioux reservation close to North Dakota-South Dakota borders. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe filed a lawsuit against federal government last month for giving the permit to the Texas company to construct the pipeline that, according to protesters, would crisscross through several sacred Indian sites.
Judge Orders Protesters not to Obstruct
Responding to the petition filed a day earlier by Dakota Access LLC, the U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on August 16, 2016 ordered the protesters near Standing Rock Sioux reservation not to interfere with the construction work.
Pipeline Firm to Suspend Work
In a change of heart, partly forced by the delicate situation at the construction site in southern North Dakota and national outcry in favor of Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Dakota Access LLC, owner of the proposed $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline that would bring the Bakken Shale oil from North Dakota to Illinois through South Dakota and Iowa, on August 18, 2016 decided to temporarily stop the construction work near Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The environmental group earthjustice filed a lawsuit against the federal government last month after the Army Corps of Engineers gave green light to Dakota Access LLC to go forward with its construction work.
Surprise Feds Move Halts Pipeline Construction
Hours after dealt with setback by the ruling of the U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in favor of Dakota Access LLC, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its backers received a reprieve on September 9, 2016 as the Interior Department, Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Justice ordered all construction work on the federal land suspended and asked the owner of the pipeline, the Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, to voluntarily suspend work on the adjoining private land.
Appeals Court Lifts Temporary Injunction on Pipeline Construction
The U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia on October 9, 2016 lifted a temporary injunction on the construction of the $3.8 billion, 1172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline within 20 miles of Lake Oahe. Responding to the court's verdict, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault II issued a statement, reiterating that the struggle would continue.
Veterans to Join Dakota Access Pipeline Protest
As many as 2,000 veterans will join the months-old Oceti Sakowin protest camp, set up 40 miles south of Bismarck in the coming days in lieu of North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple's November 28, 2016, order to evacuate the camp on the grounds of harsh winter.
Feds Denies Permit to Construct Pipeline
In the waning days of Obama administration, federal government on December 4, 2016 denied permit to build pipeline underneath parts of Missouri River, sending a wave of joy and a taste of victory to thousands of protesters who had stayed put for weeks amid a harsh winter to protest against what they saw sacrilege of sacred Indian sites and potential pitfall of environmental harm. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault II lauded the Obama administration decision to deny permit, saying that it was a great day.
OHIO
No Indictment in Tamir Rice Shooting Death Case
In another flashpoint of race relations surrounding the death of a Black at the hand of a White police officer, a grand jury on December 28, 2015 decided to not indict a Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann in November 2014 shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice at a Cleveland park. On that tragic November 2014 day, someone called 911 to report that a "juvenile" Black was wielding, most likely, a pellet gun, and within minutes two police officers--Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback-- arrived at the scene in a cruiser. What the widely circulated surveillance video shows is that after their arrival Loehmann has opened fire. Many activists accused the Cuyahoga County prosecutor, Timothy McGinty, of failing to pursue this case seriously and present the case in a pressing manner to the grand jury. Addressing a press conference at Cleveland on December 28, 2015, Mr. McGinty made public the grand jury's decision not to charge either Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. Earlier, Timothy McGinty called Rice's mother Samaria Rice and informed the jury's decision, according to Rice family attormey Subodh Chandra.
Peaceful Protest Held
A day after a grand jury decision not to indict Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback in the November 2014 Tamir Rice shooting death case, a crowd of 50 protesters on December 29, 2015 assembled outside the Cuyahoga County courthouse decrying the grand jury's verdict.
Appeals Court Tosses out Voter Registration Law
A panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on September 23, 2016 that the voter registration purge law that Ohio had proposed would drop many genuine voters who had not cast their votes in recent polls and sent the measure back to a lower court to work on appropriate criteria. The ACLU of Ohio and another activist group sued the state's Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted in April 2016 for violating voting rights.
Supreme Court Upholds Ohio Voter Roll Cleaning
Dealing a severe setback to voting rights and minority rights groups, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 11, 2018 ruled in favor of Ohio's decision to purge the electoral list of any voter who had failed to vote in successive polls as well as respond to a mailed notice. The ruling in Larry Harmon vs. Ohio case was 5-4, with the court's conservative majority holding the sway. Failure to vote is not an auto-trigger to purge the voter roll. Instead states have mail a notice to check whether the voters have moved out of their respective counties. So, in a way, that Harmon, who skipped voting in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and also failed to respond to a mailed notice, which he had denied that he had ever received, had been purged out of the voter roll did by itself not constitute any violation to voter rights. But the larger context here is not amiss: Republicans want any tool--legal or unconstitutional--to suppress, according to voter rights groups, voter turnout. In the dissenting opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer cited statistics that in 2012, Ohio had sent out notices to the state's 20 percent registered voters, but only 4 percent had moved outside their county.
A Saturday Night's Vibrancy Shattered to Bloody Pieces by Gunman
A gunman with mask and body armor opened fire from his AR-15-style rifle at a teeming Oregon District, a busy nightlife at Dayton's core, in the late hours of August 3, 2019 or early hours of August 4, 2019 and killed at least nine people and injured more than 30. 24-year-old Connor Betts killed his own sister, Megan, 22. However, it's not clear whether he knew that one the victims of his mayhem is his own sister. The killings--Dayton and El Paso--made August 3, 2019 one of the bloodiest gun violence days in nation's recent memory. Connor Betts was later killed in police shootout.
50th Anniversary of the War Protest Shooting Will be a Subdued Affair
Despite a months-long elaborate planning, organizers have settled down on a slimmer and digital version of the 50th anniversary of shooting deaths of four students on the Kent State Campus fifty years ago on May 4, 1970 as the novel coronavirus pandemic has forced normal lives in Ohio and beyond to be tethered at home. The Associated Press reported fifty years ago that Ohio National Guards opened the fire after report circulated that there might be a sniper in the campus that was disputed by Ohio Highway Patrol later. The incident stirred Americans' conscience and paved the way for subsequent strengthening of national anti-war sentiment. Four student martyrs of the Kent State who fell to the bullets of Ohio National Guards Corp were Allison Krause, 19, Pittsburgh; Sandy Lee Scheur, 20, Youngstown; Jeffrey G. Miller, 20, Plainview, NY; and William K Schroeder, 19, Lorain, Ohio.
OKLAHOMA
Obama Becomes the First Sitting President to Visit a Federal Penitentiary
Days after commuting the sentences of 46 prisoners, a record number of pardons by a president on a single day, and calling out the Congress to pass meaningful legislation by the year's end aimed at reforming the country's criminal justice system, President Barack Obama on July 16, 2015 became the first sitting president to visit a federal penitentiary as he arrived at the sprawling complex of El Reno Federal Correctional Institution and visited some select jail cells. After years of so-called failed policy of tough-on-crime, Congressional lawmakers, especially the Republicans, are coming to the grips that it's better and cost-effective to restitute and restore tens of thousands of non-violent criminals into society than throwing them behind the bar for years.
Abortion Measure Aims to Punish Doctors
In one of the most expansionist legislative overreach, Oklahoma Senate on May 19, 2016 followed up a bill passed by the state House and voted 33-12 to pass an anti-abortion bill that would make any abortion carried out by doctors as felony. The bill, sponsored by the state Senator Nathan Dahm, now goes to the desk of Governor Mary Fallin.
Governor Vetoes the Abortion Bill
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin on May 20, 2016 vetoed one of a unique abortion bill passed by the state senate a day earlier. The bill was aimed at curbing abortion rights by allowing felony charges to be filed against doctors.
White Police Officer Charged in Murder of a Black Motorist
Six days after Terrence Crutcher was shot to death, the policewoman who opened the fire was charged on first-degree manslaughter on September 22, 2016. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said that Betty Shelby had "reacted unreasonably" in September 16, 2016, encounter with Mr. Crutcher.
Oklahoma White Police Officer Acquitted
Underscoring the immense difficulty in winning conviction of police personnel charged in shooting, an Oklahoma jury on May 17, 2017 acquitted the police officer Betty Jo Shelby, a 43-year-old White police officer, in the shooting death of a Black motorist, Terence Crutcher, in a fateful encounter on September 16, 2016 in the midst of a rash of tragic shooting deaths of scores of Blacks at the hand of police officers, many of them were Whites.
Oklahoma Lands in Historic Settlement with OxyContin Maker
Oklahoma notched a historic win on March 26, 2019 by forcing an out-of-court settlement with OxyContin maker, Purdue Pharma, resulting in $270 million in disbursement to the state to fight against the alarming opioid crisis. The Oklahoma Attorney-General Mike Hunter filed suits against three opioid makers in June 2017. The other two are Johnson and Johnson and Teva Pharmaceutical. Under the $270 million settlement, Purdue will immediately give $102.5 million to establish a foundation at the Oklahoma State University for addiction treatment and research. Sackler family, owner of the company, but not defendant in this case, will provide too $75 million over five years. However, separate lawsuits, numbering about 1,600, filed by the states, municipalities and individuals are still pending against the Purdue Pharma.
Teva Reaches Settlement with Oklahoma
Days before trial begins related to unethical marketing of painkillers by some of the well-known drug manufacturers, including Johnson and Johnson, and almost two months after extracting a similar, but larger, deal from OxyContin maker, Purdue Pharma, Oklahoma Attorney-General Mike Hunter on May 26, 2019 secured another high-profile settlement, this time with Teva Pharmaceuticals, maker of many of the generics. The price tag of the Teva deal is $85 million.
Judge Lowers the Fine by $107 million
U.S. District Thad Balkman on November 15, 2019 reduced his original August 26, 2019, verdict slapping Johnson and Johnson with $572 million fine by $107 million as he acknowledged that he might have done miscalculation. Now, the price tag stands at $355 million.
Oklahoma Sues Three Largest Drug Distributors on Opioid Sales
Oklahoma Attorney-General Mike Hunter filed a lawsuit in the Cleveland County on January 13, 2020 against three largest drug distributors--McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corporation--for rampant and irresponsible opioid sales that had led to wide-spread addiction in Oklahoma.
OREGON
Governor to Resign over Bending Rules to Help Fiancee
Oregon's four-term Governor John Kitzhaber, who won re-election for another four-year term in November 2014, will quit ignominiously on February 18, 2015 over a brewing scandal related to helping the business interest of his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. The call for the Democratic governor grew louder in recent days from fellow Democrats. Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown will be nation's first bi-sexual governor, a remarkable feat to LGBT movement.
Oregon to Become the First State to Have Automatic Poll Registration
Seventeen years after Oregon took a leap in participative democracy by making all elections with mail-in-ballots, the state on March 16, 2015 became the first state that would shift the onus of registration from voters to the state. Under a precedent-setting bill signed by Governor Kate Brown on March 16, 2015, the state will mail a ballot to every Oregonian who has interacted with the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division since 2013.
Mass Shooting at a Rural Community College Kills 9
A rural community college in Oregon was the latest place to bear the brunt of senseless mass shooting. A gunman opened fire on students of Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon on October 1, 2015, killing 9 people. An emotional President Obama issued a passionate plea for the nation to do something instead of just mourning and sympathizing. The gunman, 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer, armed with six guns and enough ammunition, later turned the gun on himself, taking his own life.
Siege of a Refuge Complex Precipitates Rural Oregon Ranching Town into Crisis
A state of confusion and chaos prevailed at the ranching town of Burns in southeast of Oregon on January 2, 2016 as a peaceful protest organized to show support for two local ranchers--Dwight Hammond, 73, and Steven Hammond, 46--descended into a state of wild west as an armed group led by Nevada rancher Ammon Bundy broke off the broader demonstration and, instead of returning home, laid a siege on the headquarters of nearby Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Hammonds were accused of setting fire on federal property in 2001 and 2006 to prevent invasive plants from growing and spreading into their property. Both Hammonds were convicted three years ago, and Hammond senior had served three months while the son had served one year. However, a judge late last year ruled that their sentences were inadequate, and ordered each of them to serve four years each. Hammonds were leery about Bundy and his group, and local residents didn't approve the siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. The main demonstration on January 2, 2016 was held at the Burns' courthouse, and Dwight Hammond and his wife, Susan, greeted the marchers. Ammon Bundy and his father, Cliven Bundy, led armed men in early 2014 in a standoff with the federal government as federal officials were seeking to confiscate Bundy family's cattle grazing on federal lands in Nevada.
Locals Decry the Motive of Siege
The sheriff of the local county where the siege of a wildlife refuge headquarters was playing out in rural southeastern Oregon asked on January 3, 2016 to fold their demonstration and go back. The Harney County Sheriff, David Ward, issued a statement a day after Ammon Bundy led a group of armed men to lay siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, saying that these "men came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to overthrow the county and federal government in hope to spark a movement across the United States."
Oregon Ranchers Turn in to Authorities
Oregon Ranchers Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven Hammond, whose case struck a chord with the rightwing fringe movement, on January 4, 2016 turned themselves in to a jail in California as a judge had ordered them. Meanwhile, federal government took a wait-and-see approach as the armed group, called the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, which laid a siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters demanded that local and state officials meet with them on their demands, including that federal government "give up its unconstitutional presence in this county."
Siege Leader Demands Return of Land to Locales
The leader of a fringe group that had laid a siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since January 2, 2016 said that the armed protesters would return home once a plan was in place to return the local land from federal control to local that of local residents. However, locals were not al all thrilled to see their county, Harney County, on the national spotlight on daily basis and want Ammon Bundy and some twenty others to pack up and leave.
Governor Calls the Siege Illegal; Siege Leader Meets with Local Sherriff
Oregon Governor Kate Brown on January 7, 2016 called the siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since January 2, 2016 illegal, and said that it had to end. Meanwhile, the siege leader Ammon Bundy met with Harney County Sherriff David Ward on January 7, 2016, and the Sherriff Ward told Bundy to go back as that was the desire of majority of his constituents.
High Drama Unfolds as a New Mexico Rancher Destroys His Federal Grazing Contract
At an attention-grabbing event organized by Ammon Bundy and his team of occupiers of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a New Mexico rancher, Adrian Sewell of Grant County, NM, on January 23, 2016 destroyed his federal grazing contract in a sideshow of defiance of federal authorities.
One Killed as Rancher Resists Arrest
One of the activists at the heart of 24-day siege of Malheur Wildlife Refuge in the high desert of Oregon was killed on January 26, 2016 by FBI and Oregon state troopers at a traffic stop. The siege leader Ammon Bundy and other activists were headed to a town hall meeting at John Day, a Grant County town, 70 miles north of Burns. The Oregonian newspaper reported that few hundreds people were waiting at the John Day Senior Center where Bundy and other protesters were scheduled to talk. FBI and state troopers stopped the entourage middle of their journey, and arrested five of the six people, including the leader Ammon Bundy. The sixth, LaVoy Finicum, was fatally shot as he had resisted arrest, leading to a short chase and eventual shooting as he had tried to grab something, later identified as a gun, from his jacket's inside pocket. Three other people were later arrested during the day from Oregon and Arizona.
Arrestees Remanded in Custody; Federal Refuge Sealed
Seven of the eight arrested people, including the siege leader Ammon Bundy, were produced before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman on January 27, 2016, and they had been ordered to be remanded in custody. They had been sent to Multnomah County Jail. On another front, federal agents sealed off the Malheur National Refuge on January 27, 2016, cutting off the support to four remaining militants who were inside the refuge.
Four Holdouts Remain at the Wildlife Refuge, Post Videos
After the arrest of the siege leader Ammon Bundy and seven others on January 26, 2016, the same day another belligerent rancher, LaVoy Finicum, was shot to death in a high desert chase with state and federal agents, most of the ranchers who had laid siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge had left heeding to the appeal by Bundy with the exception of four, who had demanded authorities give them immunity from prosecution.
16, Including Four Holdouts, Indicted
Sixteen people were indicted on charges of felony conspiracy, including intimidation to prevent federal officials from carrying out their duty at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The indictment, unsealed on February 4, 2016, targeted siege leader Ammon Bundy and 15 others, including four remaining holdouts.
Last Four in Standoff Surrender; Bundy Patriarch Arrested
A 41-day siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended peacefully on February 11, 2016 as the last four holdouts surrendered with the help of a often rogue-acting Nevada lawmaker. The lawmaker, Michele Fiore, is known for her stand and posture such as carrying pistol and strong anti-federal government rhetoric that had made her darling to the extreme right-wing and symbol of strong anti-Washington sentiment. Fiore though also supports legalization of marijuana and gay marriage.
Meanwhile, Cliven Bundy, who was embroiled in a grazing fee dispute with the Bureau of Land Management in early 2014 and led a mini revolt in Nevada, was arrested upon his arrival at the Portland, Oregon airport on February 10, 2016 evening. Cliven Bundy's son Ammon led the siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Hours before his arrest, Cliven Bundy made a plea through a Facebook posting to all "patriots" and "militia" to "wake up" and head to Burns, the tiny town near the refuge.
Cliven Bundy Charged in Six Counts
Cliven Bundy will face a federal judge in Oregon on February 16, 2016, but not related to the 41-day siege of Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Cliven Bundy was taken to custody after his arrival at the Portland, Oregon airport on February 10, 2016. Cliven Bundy was charged on six counts--conspiracy, assault on a federal officer, obstruction, weapon use and possession, extortion to interfere with commerce, and aiding and abetting--related to an early 2014 standoff in Nevada with the Bureau of Land Management. U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Daniel Bogden, is not saying why it has taken so long to bring charges against Cliven Bundy.
Elder Bundy Must Stay Behind Bars
A U.S. federal magistrate judge, Janice Stewart, on February 16, 2016 ruled that Cliven Bundy must stay behind the bars as his case went forward through the judicial system.
Bundy, 18 Others Indicted in 2-year-old Siege
Prosecutors on March 3, 2016 indicted 19 people on charges, including conspiracy, assault and threats, in a 2014 standoff in a Nevada ranch that had drawn national spotlight. Seven of the defendants were already in custody, and authorities fanned out in five states--Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Oklahoma and New Hampshire--to detain remaining 12 defendants. Among those indicted were Cliven Bundy and his two sons.
FBI under Investigation in Oregon Fatal Shooting
The narrative given by FBI that it was the Oregon State Police which fired three rounds that had killed LaVoy Finnicum at a traffic stop on January 26, 2016 in a remote rural area in Oregon came under doubt on March 8, 2016 as federal authorities opened an investigation into whether FBI had lied on the day's events and claim that it didn't fire any round on that day.
Bundy Brothers Acquitted in 41-day Siege
A federal grand jury on October 27, 2016 acquitted Ryan Bundy, Amon Bundy and five others on charges brought by federal authority for their 41-day (January 2-February 11, 2016) siege at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in the Oregon highland. The Portland jury found that the government evidence was not sufficient enough to prove that the defendants had put life-threatening obstacles to the discharge of duties by federal authorities at the wildlife refuge. However, U.S. District Judge Anna Brown did not immediately approve the release of the ranchers.
PENNSYLVANIA
A.G. Indicted on Leaking Grand Jury Information
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was indicted on August 6, 2015 in a case that involved leaking grand jury information to strike back against her critics. Kane, a 49-year-old Democrat and the state's first female A.G., was indicted on counts that included perjury, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and other charges. Kane vehemently denied the accusation, and refused to resign amid rising calls to quit.
A.G. Arraigned, Doesn't Plan Quitting
Disgraced Attorney General Kathleen Kane of Pennsylvania on August 8, 2015 was arraigned at the courthouse of Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelley Rebar, who had scheduled a preliminary hearing for August 24, 2015 and set bond at $10,000. Kane remained defiant, and refused to resign.
Embattled A.G. Will not Seek Re-election
Just hours before the deadline for submitting the signatures for Primary, Pennsylvania's embattled Attorney-General Kathleen Kane announced on February 16, 2016 at Scranton, her hometown, not to seek another term in office.
A.G. Convicted on All Charges
Pennsylvania Attorney-General Kathleen Kane on August 15, 2016 was convicted on all nine charges by a jury.
A.G. Steps Down
Bringing a collective sigh of relief to state officials, Pennsylvania Attorney-General Kathleen Kane stepped down on August 16, 2016, a day after a jury had convicted Kane on all nine charges. Her resignation will be effective by the end of August 17, 2016 when the First Deputy Attorney General Bruce Castor will fill in her shoes, a job he has been already doing over the past several months as Kane has been hobbled with the legal wrangling. Responding to Kane's decision to step down, state Governor Tom Wolf said that it was a correct decision that would help the "people of Pennsylvania to finally move on from this situation".
State Supreme Court Tosses out GOP Electoral Map
In a setback to the chances for GOP to hold U.S. House majority, Pennsylvania Supreme Court on January 22, 2018 rejected a Congressional map crafted by the state House GOP majority, calling the map as extreme gerrymandering. gave state's GOP to come up an alternative Congressional map by February 9, 2018 and Governor Tom Wolf to submit it to the court by February 15, 2018.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Unveils New Congressional Map
As Pennsylvania's legislature was unable to furnish a new Congressional map in collaboration with Governor Tom Wolf before the deadline set by the state's supreme court, the apex court on February 19, 2018 issued its own remap for the state's 18 Congressional districts. The new map issued by Pennsylvania Supreme Court cheered Democrats, but Republicans were bracing for a legal fight ahead of important May 15, 2018, primary election.
U.S. Supreme Court Allows State Supreme Court's Election Map to Go Forward
U.S. Supreme Court on March 19, 2018 refused to take up a case for the second time filed by Pennsylvania Republican leaders challenging the Congressional map redrawn by the state supreme court, dealing a significant setback to GOP in its effort to hold on to House of Representatives in 2018 midterm election.
Searing Report Blasts Decades of Cover-ups in Pennsylvania Catholic Church System
A report of an 18-month investigation into decades of child abuses by more than 300 Catholic priests was made public on August 14, 2018 by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The grand jury report blasted the church's "systematic" coverup effort of abuses dating back to 1947 against more than 1,000 children. Releasing the report, Pennsylvania Attorney-General Josh Shapiro said that the most troublesome part was the "systematic coverup by senior church officials in Pennsylvania and at the Vatican". The grand jury report, covering six of the state's eight dioceses--Harrisburg, Pittsburg, Allentown, Scranton, Eerie and Greensburg--and detailing with searing critique of the church leadership, said in an unflattering way that despite "some institutional reform, individual leaders of the church have largely escaped public accountability", with priests "were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all. For decades". The nearly 1,400-page report shone a light of Catholic Church's complicity in systemic abuses that had been going on for decades in every diocese other than two that had been already studied--Philadelphia and Altoona-Johnstown. The explosive report came weeks after former Archbishop Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C. had resigned from the church's official responsibility over allegation of sexual assault on minors and adults. Also came a harsh spotlight on the present archbishop of Washington D.C. diocese, Donald Wuerl, who had spent 18 years as cardinal of Pittsburgh diocese and under whose watch many of the abuses had happened.
Horror Arrives at Pittsburgh Synagogue
It was a Saturday morning, and the house of worship was full of faithful. Then sudden bursts of fire and anti-Semitic screams filled the air and turned the Tree of Life Congregation into a bloody field of carnage. A suspect, Robert Bowers, armed with an AR-15-style assault weapon and at least three handguns wreaked havoc in the leafy Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018, and by the end of his mayhem, 11 congregants lay dead. The 46-year-old suspect from Baldwin, Pennsylvania was wounded in gunshot and remained hospitalized in stable condition at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center. Hours after the reprehensible attack, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Scott Brady, and FBI special agent in charge of Pittsburgh office, Robert Jones, unveiled 29-count of charges against Bowers. However, there was a silver-lining in the October 27, 2018, tragedy as one of the ceremonies being performed at the synagogue was a bris, a ceremony marking a child's birth, children were spared from the death toll. As the day wore on, more information about the suspect, Robert Bowers, poured on, especially his strident views against Jews expressed on the social media site Gab, a platform popular with White Nationalists for its lack of adequate monitoring and screening. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said at a news conference that "we simply cannot accept this violence as a normal part of American life". Israeli premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed his grief on behalf of "the entire people of Israel".
Vigil Held to Vow that "Hatred will Never Win"
Vigils and memorials were held in Pittsburgh and other cities on October 28, 2018 to commemorate the killing of 11 congregants a day earlier by a White supremacist at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Many of the vigils held multi-faith prayer services and the common theme was to reiterate the pledge of not letting hatred win over love.
Trump to Visit Pittsburgh, Suspect Appears at the Court
The suspected gunman in Tree of Life Synagogue shooting on October 29, 2018 appeared at a downtown courthouse in Pittsburgh to face charges, involving the ones with death penalty. Robert Bowers, nonchalant look on his face, was pushed on a wheelchair into the courtroom. Meanwhile, White House's announcement that President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump would visit the Pittsburgh synagogue on October 30, 2018 had engendered division within the city's Jewish community. About 26,000 signatures were collected by October 29, 2018 morning favoring a petition by the Pittsburgh chapter of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, a progressive Jewish group headed by Alexander Soros, son of George Soros, to oppose the presidential visit to Pittsburgh. However, Tree of Life Synagogue's Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said that president would be welcome at the house of worship. Also, the Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto requested Trump not to take this visit to the city at this time.
Trump Makes the Controversial Visit amid Funeral and Protests
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on October 30, 2018 made the controversial visit to Tree of Life Synagogue and laid white flowers at a memorial at the synagogue. President Trump consoled Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. However, no Congressional leaders and local leaders accompanied Trump, providing a unique rebuke to president's divisive rhetoric. As individual funerals were being held, Trump's visit exposed a rift in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and about 2,000 protesters turned out against presidential visit during the day at a gathering not far from October 27, 2018, shooting that had killed 11.
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico Teeters Near Bankruptcy
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico on June 29, 2015 received a gloomy report from an international panel of economists that was appointed by Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. The panel headed by the former World Bank Chief Economist Anne Krueger submitted its findings to the Padilla's administration. Later in the day, Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla asked the U.S. Congress to allow it to seek bankruptcy protection and announced that he would appoint a financial team to discuss with the territory's lender to re-service its crushing $72 billion in public debt.
Puerto Rico's New Governor Presses for Full Statehood
Ricardo Rossello, 37, was sworn in as Puerto Rico's governor on January 2, 2017, and addressing his people, Rossello proposed a soon-to-be held referendum to decide whether Puerto Ricans preferred statehood. Making a case for statehood, Rossello said that Washington could not claim that it was a model for democracy while depriving the full democratic rights to 3.5 million of its citizens.
Puerto Rico Referendum Favors Statehood
In a referendum held June 11, 2017 that attracted only 23 percent of the electorate, overwhelming number of voters cast ballots in favor of statehood while the remainder was split into favoring independence and status quo. Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rossello later announced victory for statehood and vowed to push ahead to make his island the 51st state of the union. However, the final say lies in the hands of the U.S. Congress, a very likely outcome expected out of Washington in a year of gridlock.
******************************** Hurricane Maria *********************************
Hurricane Maria Lashes Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017 made a landfall in southeastern part of the island and began ravaging the island by tossing out cars, blowing away roofs, triggering flash floods, uprooting trees and cutting off powers to millions of residents.
Puerto Rico Reeling under Severe Crisis
As tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans were left displaced and in dire need of relief, the authorities were barely managing the crisis. On September 22, 2017, the Guajataca Dam in northwest Puerto Rico was on the verge of giving in after 15 inches of rains fell in the 48 hours since Hurricane Maria had made landfall, making about 70,000 people in the downstream of the dam vulnerable. Many places were cut off, and telecommunication remained severed for most of the residents. To add to the growing woes, gas shortage was making the life of residents miserable.
San Juan Mayor Slams Trump Administration's Handling amid self-Patting by President
Talking to reporters at his Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey, President Donald Trump on September 29, 2017 lauded the "incredible" work his administration had done in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. However, most of the island's residents were at a sharp contrast with what president thought about Washington's response to the hurricane. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz vented out her frustration, "begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying". Cruz criticized the statement of acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke that the federal effort was "satisfactory". At least 16 people had died in Puerto Rico.
President Trump Visits the Island amid Controversy
After back-and-forth between San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and President Trump over federal relief effort, President Donald Trump visited Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017, and was warmly greeted at San Juan by the mayor, island's governor, Ricardo Rossello, and other officials. After a small slice of the island, Trump again lauded the federal government's relief and aid effort amid the rise of estimate of death toll from 16 to 34.
Aide Package Approved by House as Trump Blasts Puerto Rico in a Tweet
House of Representatives on October 12, 2017 approved a $36.5 billion aide package for hurricane-impacted states, including Puerto Rico, by a margin of 353-69 votes. Speaker Paul Ryan said that the package would help the island "stand on its own two feet". However, the overall mood was soured by an untimely tweet by President Donald Trump blasting the island and warning that FEMA could not continue to help out the "P.R. forever".
Puerto Rico Death Toll May be as High as 8,000
A joint study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and other institutions has put the death toll linked to Hurricane Maria in the range of 800 to 8,000, much higher than the official number of few dozens. The average of the estimates has been pegged at roughly 4,600. The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 29, 2018. The study points to a big hole in how the government has come up with the estimate in the first place, stoking further doubt in the credibility of the regional government. The government estimate was about 64.
Puerto Rican Government Acknowledges more than 1,400 Deaths
The New York Times reported on August 9, 2018 that Puerto Rican government quietly acknowledged much higher death toll than publicly stated. The acknowledgement came as part of a draft that had been submitted to Congress, asking for $139 billion in recovery funds and stating that there were 1,427 more deaths registered in the last four months of 2017 than the same period in the preceding year.
Revision of Death Toll
Puerto Rican government on August 28, 2018 silently revised the Hurricane Maria-related death toll to 2,975, hours after an assessment of the hurricane-related casualties was made public by the Milken Institute of Public Health of the George Washington University.
******************************** Hurricane Maria *********************************
Violence Greets May Day Protest in Puerto Rico
Thousands of Puerto Ricans rallied, as part of a general strike, at San Juan on May 1, 2018, protesting against, among others, school closings, pension cuts and university fees increase. The rally at San Juan was mostly peaceful until near the fag end when a splinter group of militants attacked and vandalized downtown area. Police had to resort to tear gas to disperse the unruly crowd. Governor Ricardo Rossello decried the violence by a handful of protesters.
Protest Turns Violent as Insulting Chats Publicly Released
Days after 889 pages of group chat became known and published, involving Governor Ricardo Rossello and his top aides exchanging insulting texts with each other mocking Hurricane Maria victims and survivors in very unflattering terms and almost a week after six former government officials had been charged in the federal court on corruption charges, tens of thousands of protesters on July 17, 2019 participated in a rally at San Juan, demanding that Rossello resign immediately. San Juan looked like a battle-torn city late July 17, 2019 as a section of protesters turned violent, leading to security forces lobbing tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.
Rossello Rules out Resignation
On July 21, 2019, Puerto Rico's governor, Ricardo Rossello, said in a FB video that he would not run for re-election, but also would not resign, setting off days of anarchy and political turmoil ahead as Puerto Ricans were hell-bent in ousting the governor.
Largest Protest to Date Held to Demand Governor's Resignation
10 days after the July 12, 2019, release of 889-page text conversation between Governor Ricardo Rossello and his top aides that included insulting comments against Hurricane Maria victims and others, the largest demonstration was held on July 22, 2019 to demand governor's resignation. Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans took to streets in the capital, San Juan, amid the island's largest-circulation daily, El Nuevo Dia, publishing during the day a front-page headliner: "Governor, it's time to listen to people: You have to resign". Puerto Rico is struggling with a $70 billion bailout package to overcome a 13-year recession, requiring it to carry out several austerity measures, including school closings, and an additional $100 billion in losses from Hurricane Maria.
Under Pressure, Rossello Says that He Will Resign
Better sense prevails, Puerto Rico is spared from another bout of political uncertainty as, under pressure, Governor Ricardo Rossello said on July 24, 2019 that he will resign on August 2, 2019.
Puerto Rico's Political Uncertainty Gets Twist with Legal Woes
Puerto Rico's Supreme Court inserted itself in the middle of political uncertainty on August 5, 2019 as it accepted a petition filed by the Puerto Rican Senate challenging the bona fide of a veteran politician, Pedro Pierluisi, and asking the court to issue an injunction barring Pieluisi from carrying out work as the governor of the island and rule a 2005 Constitutional amendment invalid. The 2005 amendment in question allows a Secretary of State to be confirmed by only one house of legislature. Pedro Pierluisi was named as the Secretary of State last week and confirmed by Puerto Rico's House of Representatives, but not Senate. Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as island's governor on August 2, 2019. A related, but separate, lawsuit was filed on August 5, 2019 by San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz challenging the swearing-in of Pedro Pierluisi as Puerto Rico's governor. If Pedro Pierluisi is disqualified, Justice Secretary Wanda Vasquez is the next in the line to assume governorship.
Puerto Rico to Hold a Statehood Referendum
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vasquez announced on May 16, 2020 that the U.S. island territory would hold a referendum in the November general election on statehood. However, this time, the referendum is significantly different and simplified compared to previous five ones as the November 3, 2020, referendum will ask only one question whether Puerto Ricans want their island to be converted into a full statehood. In earlier referendums, the questions also included secession, or full independence. In 2017 referendum, the voter participation was very low (23%), with half a million people preferred full statehood, about 7,800 preferred independence, and 6,800 for status quo.
Puerto Rican Governor Loses in Party Primary
After the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Puerto Rico to hold primaries after the island's bungled effort to hold elections on August 9, 2020, Puerto Rican authorities on August 16, 2020 held elections in various precincts. In a major setback, Puerto Rico's governor, Wanda Vasquez, lost the primary to Pedro Pierluisi.
*************************** WALTER SCOTT SHOOTING DEATH ******************
Another Police Shooting Death of Unarmed Black Roils South Carolina City
A North Charleston white police officer, Michael Slager, 33, on April 7, 2015 was charged in the murder of an unarmed black man, Walter Scott, 50, who was pulled over on April 4, 2015 for a broken taillight in his car. An amateur video shot by a passer-by, Feidin Santana, shows Slager firing eight times at a fleeing Scott. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey epitomized the mood of a besieged city: "when you're wrong, you are wrong".
Police Officer Involved in Unarmed Black Man's Death Fired
The North Charleston Police Department on April 8, 2015 fired the white police officer Michael Slager, who was seen in a video of shooting a fleeing black unarmed man, after it became clear that he had lied about the episode that had led to the shooting death of Walter Scott.
Charged Police Officer Let Go on House Arrest
Judge Clifton Newman on January 4, 2016 allowed Michael Slager, 33--charged in the murder of an unarmed black man, Walter Scott, 50, who was pulled over on April 4, 2015 for a broken taillight in his car-- the White police officer of the North Charleston, to post bail and go for house arrest. Slager had been in jail since April 7, 2015.
Police Officer Indicted by Fed
More than four months after being charged by the state, police officer Michael Slager on May 11, 2016 was indicted on federal charges of obstruction of justice and unlawful use of weapons. The Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant agreed to let Slager remain free on the bond that he had already put in the state court. The family and the lawyer of Walter Scott, who was shot to death by the then-North Charleston police officer Michael Slager in an ill-fated traffic stop on April 4, 2015 over a broken taillight in Scott's car, lauded the federal charges unsealed on May 11, 2016.
Mistrial Declared in Walter Scott Trial
Adding to the frustration over a justice system that is often viewed as discriminatory to the community of color, Judge Clifton Newman on December 5, 2016 declared mistrial after three-day jury deliberation.
White Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation Charges
The White police officer at the storm of April 4, 2015, shooting death of a black motorist, Walter Scott, in North Charleston on May 2, 2017 pleaded guilty to the federal civil rights violation of Scott. The plea deal by Michael Slager came almost five months after his state trial had been declared to have ended in mistrial.
*************************** WALTER SCOTT SHOOTING DEATH ******************
White Supremacist Take Lives of Eight Parishioners at a Historic Black Church
A White man in his early 20s sat with the congregants at a bible study in Charleston's historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the evening of June 17, 2015, and after an hour, opened fire, killing nine Parishioners, including the pastor and state Senator Clementa Pinckney. The suspect, Dylann Storm Roof, was taken into custody the following day (June 18, 2015) without any resistance from Shelby, North Carolina, about 250 miles north. Law enforcement agencies now believe, based on Roof's recent conversations with his friends and acquaintances, that the suspect has harbored deep-rooted hatred against black people. The killing within the place of worship stirred the nation's conscience and reminded the ugly, old era when black churches were targeted with impunity. The Emmanuel AME Church carries enriched civil rights and emancipation history, dating back to early 19th century. The church was born out of a slave rebellion led by Denmark Vesey in 1822. Vesey was captured and executed, and the church was burned down. Every time church was targeted, it got emboldened and resurrected. Quite a few times, the church survived operating underground to evade attack from White supremacists. The church was even once destroyed by earthquake, only to be rebuilt in 1891. The church became a hallowed ground of American Civil Rights movement back in 1950s and 1960s.
The nine Black Parishioners killed are Rev. Clementa Pinckney; Cynthia Hurd, 54; Tywanza Sanders, 26; Sharonda Singleton, 45; Myra Thomson, 59; Ethel Lance, 70; Susie Jackson, 87; Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74; and DePayne Doctor, 49.
"All He Did Was to Unite Us", says Charleston Mayor
As a city was gradually coming to the grips of reconciliation and healing, there was outpouring of empathy and compassion. Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., a fellow White Democrat, who had been working tirelessly over the past several years to bridge the racial chasms, summed it all on June 19, 2015, two days after gruesome slayings of nine Black parishioners took place in Charleston's historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church at the hands of a mad-boy, evil-hearted young man, Dylann Roof: "A hateful person came to this community with some crazy idea he'd be able to divide, but all he did was unite us and make us love each other even more".
South Carolina Governor Asks Confederate Flag to be Removed from Statehouse Perch
Standing beside the state's two U.S. Senators, Lindsey Graham, Republican, and Tim Scott, an African-American Republican, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on June 22, 2015 called for removal of confederate flag from the front of the statehouse. The ferocity of the wind of change in the debate of publicly displaying the confederate flag that has generated since the killing of nine Black parishioners during a bible study in Charleston's historic Emmanuel AME Church has crossed the state line and is now taking down political resistance in the name of "southern heritage" by its root from Mississippi to Alabama, an unthinkable event even few months ago. What's created the outcry was a video uploaded on the YouTube that showed the perpetrator of the June 17, 2015, massacre, Dylan Roof, with the confederate flag and burning the US flag. The video got viral, and there was a concerted effort to banish the divisive flag from the public view. The confederate flag was hoisted on the South Carolina statehouse in 1961 as a symbol of defiance to the civil rights movement. After NAACP called for "economic boycott" of the state in 1999, the flag was moved from the statehouse to a flagpole on a perch in front of the statehouse 15 years ago. If South Carolina Senate and Assembly heed the governor's call to remove the confederate flag from the front perch of the statehouse, they have to vote for the measure by a two-third majority in each chamber, a requirement as part of the deal 15 years ago that had helped the flag to be moved from the statehouse itself to the front perch. Some lawmakers already proposed to move the flag to the state-run Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.
Confederate Flag Faces Popular Ire from State to State
* Many, including President Barack Obama, re-twitted June 22, 2015 former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's blunt twit demanding that the divisive flag had to come down.
* Walmart on June 22, 2015 announced that it would stop selling confederate relics.
* Mississippi House Speaker Phillip Gunn on June 22, 2015 called for the change in the state flag that had a confederate emblem on the upper left corner.
President Obama weighed in the debate and said in an interview for Marc Maron's "WTF" podcast released on June 22, 2015 that the legacy of slavery still "casts a long shadow" on American life.
South Carolina Lawmakers Heed Governor's Call; Vote to Begin Debate
Heeding the call by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley a day before to remove the Confederate flag from the front perch of the statehouse, state's House on June 23, 2015 voted 103-10 to begin debate on removing the battle flag. The wind of change on the confederate flag debate began to blow so swift after the June 17, 2015, murder of nine African American parishioners, including Senator Clementa Pinckney, a state Senator since 1997 and pastor of the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, that removal of the divisive flag that was unthinkable even weeks ago now appeared likely in a matter of few days. Also retailer after retailer have announced plan to discontinue selling any confederate-themed relics. The retailers include household names such as Walmart, Target, Sears, eBay and Amazon.
Slain Pastor Honored at South Carolina Statehouse, Political Support Growing for Confederate Flag to Go
As Pastor Clementa Pinckney's body was brought to South Carolina Rotunda on June 24, 2015, a host state officials, including Governor Nikki Haley, and his colleagues from the legislature which he had served for nearly 20 years paid rich homage to a preacher turned politician who was known for composure and compassion. Meanwhile, political support began to swell in favor of taking down the Confederate battle flag and other symbols from the South after a historic call made by Gov. Haley on June 22, 2015 to remove the divisive flag from the perch of statehouse.
* In Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley, a conservative Republican, issued an executive order on June 24, 2015, immediately removing four secessionist flags. Governor Bentley called displaying the Confederate Battle flag akin to displaying Nazi symbols. What's made Bentley's executive order all the more significant was that the Confederacy was formed 154 years ago in Montgomery and Jefferson Davis was elected President.
* Two US Senators and a US House Representative from Mississippi called for removal of confederate symbol emblazoned in the upper left corner of the state flag, following the appeal of Attorney General Jim Hood, only Democrat in the statewide office, who said: "You've got to ask yourself the question: What would Jesus do in this circumstance?"
* Pressure is mounting to remove a bust of Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest from the Tennessee Senate
President Gives Eulogy in Slain Senator's Funeral
President Barack Obama gave eulogy on June 26, 2015 in Rev. Clementa Pinckney's funeral at the Emmanuel AME Church, and sang "Amazing Grace". President Obama spoke on gun control, slavery, Confederate flag and race relations.
South Carolina Senate Votes for Confederate Flag Removal
South Carolina's upper chamber on July 6, 2015 voted to remove the confederate battle flag from the front perch of the state Capitol. The vote was a lopsided one 37-3. The Senate needs to vote on the measure one more time, and it's expected to take place on July 7, 2015.
South Carolina Senate Upholds the Removal Vote
Repeating the lopsided nature of the vote registered a day earlier, South Carolina Senate on July 7, 2015 voted 36-3 to remove the confederate battle flag from the front perch of the state Capitol. The measure now goes to 124-member lower chamber, House of Representatives, that includes 46 Democratic Party lawmakers.
Attacker Indicted
Dylan Roof, who had carried out the dastardly racial attack by opening fire at the Emmanuel AME Church during an evening bible study, was on July 7, 2015 indicted on nine degrees of murder, three degrees of attempted murder and weapons charges. Roof faces 33 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death.
South Carolina House Votes to Remove Confederate Battle Flag
Following the lead of state Senate, South Carolina's House of Representatives on July 8, 2015 voted overwhelmingly (93-27 votes) to remove the Confederate battle flag from the front perch of the state Capitol at Columbia. The measure now goes to Governor Nikki Haley's desk for her signature. This marks a remarkable and historic turnaround for a state that seceded first from the Union in 1860 and again flew the Confederate Battle Flag over the statehouse in 1961 in defiance of civil rights movement and to mark the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.
South Carolina Governor Makes History, Signs Legislation to Remove Confederate Flag
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on July 9, 2015 signed a historic legislation that would remove the Confederate Battle Flag from the front perch of the statehouse. Signing the legislation, Governor Haley said that "we will bring it down with dignity and we will make sure it is stored in its rightful place".
Confederate Battle Flag and Flagpole Removed from State Capitol Ground
Witnessed and cheered by thousands of people, the Confederate battle flag that was flying on the front perch of the statehouse was lowered in a ceremony on July 10, 2015, ending an era of painful reminder of nation's segregationist past. Afterward, the flagpole that had adorned the divisive flag since 2000 was also yanked.
NAACP Lifts South Carolina Boycott
In its national convention at Philadelphia, NAACP on July 11, 2015 approved a resolution to lift the economic boycott of the state that was imposed in 2000 after the Confederate battle flag, instead of being removed altogether, was moved to the front perch from the top of the statehouse.
***************************** ABORTION LAW **********************************
South Carolina Moves to Ban Abortion after 19 Weeks
South Carolina legislature on May 17, 2016 passed a bill to ban abortion after 19 weeks, becoming the 17th state in the nation that had enacted such restrictive law. The bill now goes to Governor Nikki Haley's desk, and all indications are that she will sign it. At present, 12 states have such laws in effect, legal challenges are being waged in three other states while a similar South Dakota law signed in March 2016 will go into effect this summer.
Governor Signs Restrictive Abortion Law
Governor Nikki Haley on May 25, 2016 signed the bill into law that would make the procedure all but illegal after 19 weeks of pregnancy. The few exemptions include when mother's life or fetal wellbeing is at stake.
***************************** ABORTION LAW **********************************
Justice Department Seeks Death Penalty for Roof
Attorney General Loretta Lynch on May 24, 2016 said that her department would seek death penalty against Dylann Roof, accused of opening fire on parishioners at Charleston's Emmanuel AME Church during an evening bible study on June 17, 2016 that had killed nine people. Beside federal indictment, Lynch had been indicted last July on state charges that included nine degrees of murder, three degrees of attempted murder and weapons charges.
Church Attacker Convicted
Dylan Roof was convicted by a Charleston jury on December 15, 2016 in all 33 counts of charges in the June 17, 2015, murder of nine Parishioners of Emmanuel AME Church.
Roof Receives Death Penalty
Dylan Roof was sentenced to death on January 10, 2017.
Pine Ridge Uprising: 50th Anniversary of Native Indian Uprising Remembered
*********************************** DALLAS **********************************
Texas' 2012-2013 Budget Cycle
Gov. Rick Perry on June 17, 2011 signed a two-year, $172.3 billion spending plan approved by the special session of the Texas legislature. The plan falls about $20 billion short of what many experts believe the amount needed to maintain current services. The budget strips about $4 billion from the public education, provides financial aid to 43,000 fewer college applicants, including 29,000 fewer students applying for Texas Grants, and cuts payments to medicaid providers by $800 million in state fund. The 2012-13 budget plan also includes an accounting trick that would delay the last month's public school spending by few days to push it forward to the 2014-15 fiscal cycle. The legislature also baked in a $4.8 billion Medicaid IOU to the 2013 session. The Center for Public Policy Priorities, a left-leaning group, has estimated that it takes about $206 billion to provide current level of services to a growing population. The spending plan, after taking into account of the school deferral and Medicaid IOU, will spend $186 billion. As a result of axing necessary spending, 5700 jobs will be eliminated from the state agencies and the universities, approximately 30,000 jobs will be phased out from the public education over the next two years, and Medicaid will suffer a deep funding cut in the second year of the fiscal 2012-13 cycle ($6 billion in the second year from $10.2 billion in the first year).
Based on July1, 2011 The Dallas Morning News Report
The TX biennial budget (2012-13) includes $21.8 billion for higher education spending, a decrease of nearly $1 billion than the current biennial budget (Sep 1, 2009 to Aug 31, 2011). The items falling in the chopping block:
* State's 35 universities will take significant hit.
* Texas Grants will be allocated $560 million, a 10% decrease from $622 million.This also implies that there will be money for only 30% new, eligible students (whose family incomes don't exceed $45,000 per year). However, the state's higher education commissioner is urging to allocate less money--$5,000 instead of $7,100--per student to reach the target rate of 50%.
Texas' 2014-2015 Budget Cycle
The revenue estimate released last week (January 6-12, 2013) by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has brought cheers and competing priorities to public space as the economic picture is slowly, but surely, improving. The estimate for the next biennium (September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015) has been broken down as follows:
* Available Revenue
$101.4 billion: General-purpose state taxes, fees and investment income
* Initial Spending Projections
** $5.2 billion: Estimated cost of a "supplemental bill" for the current budget period (September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2013) to pay for Medicaid, prisoner health care and wildfires.
** $1.75 billion: Cost of another bill to undo the accounting gimmick done in the last budget cycle so that state's schools get the required funding prior to their fall opening in August 2013.
** Just under $89 billion: Estimated cost of Senate's initial two-year budget for 2014-2015 (September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015)
** Just over $89 billion: Estimated cost of House's initial two-year budget for 2014-2015 (September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015)
** Remainder: $5 billion to $5.5 billion
On January 14, 2013, both the House and Senate submitted their initial two-year budget. Senate's initial budget will spend about $186.8 billion, including federal funds, while the House's initial estimate for 2014-2015 budget is $187.7 billion. Both the House and Senate measures call for spending about $89 billion of state funds, with the House planning to spend $175 billion more than Senate.
After 139 days of legislative maneuvering, Texas lawmakers raced to finish the budget work at the nick of the moment, and sent a $197 billion biennial budget plan to Rick Perry on May 26, 2013. The 2014-15 budget was approved by the Texas Senate on May 25 by 27-4 votes. The House passed the measure on May 26 by 118-29 votes.
The 2014-15 budget aims to restore part of $5.3 billion axed from public school funding during last budget cycle by
* Undoing $3.2 billion of the $4 billion cut from basic state aid last session;
* Putting back less than $100 million--of $1.3 billion whacked off the grant programs--for full-day pre-kindergarten, remedial instructions and dropout prevention.
The 2014-15 budget doesn't include another $2.7 billion that may be spent over the next two years. It was put in a separate measure, and $2 billion out of $2.7 billion will come from rainy day fund. This allocation will only be spent if voters approve in a fall referendum the constitutional amendment that is required to form a Water Infrastructure Bank. The measure was passed by the both chambers on May 26.
Many conservatives denounced the budget as it would take almost $3.9 billion of the state's $11.8 billion rainy day fund by 2015 to pay for a water infrastructure bank, address wildfire damage, pitch money toward relief for West Fertilizer Plant explosion and undo a delay of contribution to permanent school fund due to an accounting gimmick in the last session.
The budget also plans to phase out System Benefit Fund, intended for electricity bill rebates for poor, by stopping collection of the fee effective September 1, 2013. The current amount in the fund, to the tune of $837 million, will be disbursed among the poor through 82 percent discount in September 2013 and May-August 2014. After September 2014, the discount will fall to 15 percent, and close the fund in 2016.
The budget also provides $1.3 billion tax relief for small businesses as opposed to what Gov. Rick Perry wanted: $1.8 billion.
The spending plan will replenish the TEXAS Grants, the fund for higher education program, to serve 84 percent of low- and moderate-income students, compared to current two-thirds who have been receiving this grant.
Gov. Rick Perry's two signature pro-entrepreneurship funds--Emerging Technology Fund and Texas Enterprise Fund--will receive in $50 million in new money and be allowed to use $120 million of unspent money, respectively. State's controversy-plagued Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) is to get $600 million in bond money.
After the 140-day session was over on May 27, 2013, Gov. Rick Perry called the legislators back for a 30-day special session immediately.
TEXAS PRIMARIES 2014
The Texas primaries held on March 4, 2014 threw some of the old equations astray in Republican Primaries as Tea-Party backed candidates posed stiff fights in some of the state wide races, including:
* Dan Patrick will now face off David Dewhurst in May 27 runoff for Lt. Governor
* Dan Branch will now face off Ken Paxton for AG
However, Sen. John Cornyn sailed smoothly as did Greg Abbott on the Republican side, and Wendy Davis on the Democratic side.
************************************ Rick Perry Indictment Story ****************
Perry Indicted over His Veto
Texas Governor Rick Perry on August 15, 2014 was indicted on two felony counts--abuse of official capacity and coercion of public servant--over his veto in the last legislative session of $7.5 million in funding of the Travis County's Public Integrity Unit (PIU) unless Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, resigned. Perry's rationale for veto was that Lehmberg, who was arrested on DWI charges, had lost his confidence and she needed to resign, which Lehmberg refused to do. At that time, Lehmberg was investigating the grants awarded by state cancer research agency, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Instead, Lehmberg appeared in court, served her time and continued to work as DA. If Lehmberg resigned as per Perry's demand, Perry would have opportunity to appoint a Republican as DA of democratically leaning Travis County. Meanwhile, defying the governor's veto, Travis County officials apportioned and adjusted the funding for the PIU that oversees the workings and corruption trial of government agencies. Fourteen months ago, the director of a consumer watchdog, Texans for Public Justice, Craig McDonald, filed a lawsuit against Perry over his funding veto. A Republican judge in Bexar County appointed Michael McCrum, a San Antonio attorney, as a special prosecutor for this case. McCrum denied that there was any political consideration behind the indictment.
Perry is the first Texas Governor in more than a century to have been indicted. The last governor indicted was James E "Pa" Ferguson on charges of embezzlement and eight other charges. A Travis County grand jury indicted Ferguson in 1917 over a case in which the governor had vetoed an entire appropriation bill to fund University of Texas as his call for some professor firings went unheeded by the school. The state house impeached him and the senate convicted him, but he had resigned a day before the judgment was announced.
Perry Judge Rejects Tossing out the Charges
In a 44-page ruling, District Judge Bert Richardson on January 27, 2015 rejected the pleas of Perry defense attorneys that the charges be dropped, and instead called for the trial to proceed. The decision issued by Judge Richardson, a Republican, poses serious logistical and fund-raising threat to a potential Perry presidential run.
Prosecutor Details Case against Perry
Prosecutor Michael McCrum on February 13, 2015 filed new details against former Texas Governor Rick Perry, saying that governor's action was aimed at forcing out Travis County District Attorney and curtailing the public integrity unit she led. Perry faces two counts of indictments
* Abuse of official capacity
* Coercion of public servant
State Appeals Court Drops One Count against Perry
A Texas state appeals court on July 24, 2015 tossed out the coercion count charge against Rick Perry. The court decided to okay the trial to go forward on the other charge.
Texas' Highest Appeals Court Clears Perry
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on February 24, 2016 dropped the remaining count, abuse of official capacity, of charges against former Governor Rick Perry in defunding Travis County's Public Integrity Unit. While former governor didn't waste anytime to declare that he was vindicated by the appeals court's 6-2 ruling, one of the two prosecutors, Michael McCrum of San Antonio, said that he would review the decision and consider of resurrecting the charges if necessary. Another special prosecutor in the case, David Gonzalez, concurred.
************************************ Rick Perry Indictment Story ****************
******************************* TEXAS SCHOOL FUNDING ***********************
As 2011-12 school year is progressing with less state funding, the victims are becoming more and more transparent. According to a November 25, 2011, report in The Dallas Morning News, more schools in Texas have sought waiver from 22-cap classroom for the first through fourth grade. The News culled the data from Texas Education Agency. In the School Year 2011-12, 257 school districts have asked for the waiver from TEA compared to 168 during the school year of 2010-11. This year 1,360 campuses and 6,988 classrooms have asked for the waiver compared to 625 campuses and 2,238 classrooms in 2010-11 School Year. The waiver from the law, enacted in 1984, has become necessary for many school districts because of $2 billion a year school funding cuts over the next two years (2011-12 and 2012-13). An additional $1.4 billion in state grants were also eliminated from the state budget. Also, this school year (2011-12) marked the first time that school districts have sought the waiver based on "financial hardship" instead of normally applied reasons of lack of classroom space, inability to hire enough qualified teachers or unanticipated growth in enrollment. A report from the state Comptroller Susan Combs estimated that the state could save $558 million a year by switching to an "average" class size of 22 pupils instead of having a cap of 22 pupils. School districts have seen an average of 3.3 percent cuts in school funding this year (2011-12), while many North Texas school districts will face a larger cut (8.6 percent)in school funding next school year (2012-13).
TEXAS STILL FEELING THE POLITICAL AND POSITIVE EFFECT OF A THREE DECADE OLD LAW
Texas schools are experiencing significant impact of a three decade old law that had revolutionized the public school education system in the state, put the state in the map of school reform movement and, eventually, become a lighting rod for politicians of all stripes. In 1984, Dallas billionaire Ross Perot teamed up with the then-Gov. Mark White and Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, both Democrat, to craft a measure that would be passed by the legislature and signed by the governor on July 13, 1984. The bill, also known as House Bill 72, would call for:
(a) No pass, no play rule for school athletes
(b) 22-pupil cap size for elementary school class from Kindergarten through fourth grade
(c) Mandatory half-day Pre-K class
(d) Mandatory Full-day Kindergarten class (initially planned to be half-day, but a drafting error made its place for good and changed the program from half-day to a full-day one)
(e) Introduction of High School Completion tests
TEXAS SCHOOL FUNDING AND THE RESULTING LAWSUIT
As part of the 2006 public school education funding reform, the local property tax rate has been cut by a third accompanied by the anticipated boost in revenue from the higher business and cigarette taxes. Generally the urban and sub-urban school districts have benefited from the "target revenue" adjustment from the 2006 reform. However, inequitable funding remains a hurdle for many poor and rural school district. One example of inequitable funding is the comparison between the Rockwall and Mesquite school districts for 2011-12 school year. Although both the districts have school property tax rate of $1.04 per $100 of property valuation, no including the additional levy in each to pay off construction bonds, the average dollars allocated for these school districts are $6,374 per student for Rockwall and $5,335 per student for Mesquite, respectively for 2011-12 school year. The state average is $5,709 per student. One study by the Equity Center, a group that represents lower rung school districts, estimates that the bottom half of the school districts--512 districts--are slated to receive average funding of $5,196 per student in 2011-12 as opposed to $7,155 per student for the top 15%, or 154, school districts.
Source: The Dallas Morning News October 2, 2011
On October 11, 2011, an Equity Center-organized lawsuit was filed in a Travis county state court, demanding equitable school funding. The plaintiffs included seven school districts--Hillsboro ISD, Hutto ISD, Nacogdoches ISD, Pflugerville ISD, San Antonio ISD, Taylor ISD and Van ISD--two taxpayers, one parent, a property owner in Kaufman ISD and the newly formed Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition. The suit, one of the three expected in the coming weeks, named Education Commissioner Robert Scott, Comptroller Susan Combs and the State Board of Education as defendants. Wayne Pierce, a former Kaufman ISD superintendent and Executive Director of the Equity Center, said that more than 150 school districts are part of Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition, and another 150 school districts are expected to join the coalition by the time the suit will go to trial in a year. As of last year, more than 200 schhol districts are tapped out with maximum rate of property tax, i.e., $1.17 per $100 of property valuation. Currently districts cann't raise property tax rate over $1.04 per $100 valuation without voter approval.
In order to formulate ideas of more equitable school funding, on February 29, 2012, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Strauss appointed 11 Senators and 11 House members respectively to a panel that would provide recommendation in the run-up to 2013 session. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, and Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, will lead the Joint Interim Committee to Study the Public School Finance System.
State Judge John Deitz on February 4, 2013 ruled the state of Texas' school funding system unconstitutional, thus setting the ball rolling on major revamp of school funding formula second time in a decade. Specially he took issues with three areas--Adequacy, Efficiency and State Property Tax--of funding:
* (Adequacy) Total school funding: Judge Deitz ruled that the constitution's requirement for adequacy of funding was violated in part because the state was demanding more without a boost in fund.
* (Efficiency) Distribution formula among school districts: The inequities violate the state constitutional requirement that the system be efficient as Judge Deitz opined: "The Texas Constitution states a shared truth that education of all is necessary to preserve our rights and liberties."
* State Property Tax: State mandate of $1.17 cap per $100 of property valuation, thus indirectly dictating a state tax which is illegal.
On February 22, 2013, National Education Association has released a study related to school spending distribution across states. The NEA study shows that Texas has ranked 49th among all 50 states and District of Columbia in terms of per pupil spending in 2012-13. Texas is spending $8,400 for each student during 2012-13 compared to national average $11,455. The spending per pupil has dropped significantly compared to 2010-11 school year's spending ($9,446) per pupil. The figures have been collected for elementary and secondary schools. The only two states which are trailing Texas are Nevada ($8,340) and Arizona ($7,021). The NEA has been issuing the annual report on nation's public schools, called the Rankings and Estimates, since early 1960s. The report adds political complexity and color to Texas' ongoing legal battle with hundreds of school districts over school funding.
Many of school districts who are part of the litigant group are looking forward to their day in court and the state of Texas is looking forward to mitigate any fallout from this lawsuit as the outgoing legislature (2013) has put back $3.4 billion in the Texas schools after siphoning off $5.4 billion in 2011 legislative session. However, many medium- and low-wealth school districts don't see the latest funding increase as a deal-maker as it puts back only $2 for each $3 taken out of school funding in 2011.
The parties returned to the court of state Judge John Deitz on January 21, 2014 that many had come to believe would be resolved by the state supreme court. On one hand, state of Texas contended that many of the points raised by the litigants had become moot after the state legislature last year had put back $3.4 billion in the state coffer for education funding and reduced the high-stake end-of-course tests from 15 (Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology, English I Reading, English I Writing, English II Reading, English II Writing, English III Reading, English III Writing, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, U.S. History and World History) to 5 (English I, English II, Algebra, Biology and US History). However, attorneys for more than 600 school districts argued that the state legislature had put back $3.4 billion in 2013 after chopping off the education funding in 2011 by $5.4 billion.
Texas Improves Ranking in Per-Pupil Spending
A report issued by the National Education Agency (NEA) ranked Texas 46th for the current school year (2013-14), up by three notches from the last year's ranking of 49th among 50 states and District of Columbia, with average spending per student at $8,998 compared to national average of $11,674 per student. According to the report issued on March 25, 2014, Texas tops Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah in per-pupil spending. Texas legislature in the last session (2013) put back $3.4 billion in additional funding after chopping off $5.4 billion in 2011. However, the current level of average spending per student is still lower than the average spending per student in 2010-11 school year ($9,462 per student). The NEA report also showed improvement in teachers' salary ranking for 2013-14 school year (35th) compared to last year's ranking of 38th. However, the average annual salary of $49,270 (2013-14) is up by $450 from a year ago, but less than this year's national average of $56,689. Three years ago (2010-11), Texas ranked 30th in the average annual salary of teachers.
Judge Tosses Out Texas' School Funding System
Nearly 18 months after his first and preliminary ruling, state Judge John Deitz on August 28, 2014 rejected the state's school funding system even after boost in funding by the legislature last year. Judge Deitz sided with a coalition of 600 school district in ruling that state funding system at its current form was unfair and inadequate.
Texas Fares Relatively Better This Year in Per Pupil Spending
According to a report issued on March 18, 2015 by the National Education Association, Texas is spending on average $9,559 per student this school year (2014-15), 38th in rank among 50 states and the District of Columbia. That compares to this year's national average of $12,040 per pupil and last year's (2013-14) state's own rank of 46. In the year (2010-11) before the massive school funding cuts took place, Texas spent an average of $9,462 per student, placing it at 40th among the states. Other key findings in the report are:
* The average teacher salary for the current school year (2014-15) is $50,576 (ranked 29) compared to $48,638 in 2010-11 (ranked 30)
Texas Supreme Court Hears School Funding Case
On September 1, 2015, school districts' lawyers faced off state's lawyers in the state supreme court over the school funding model. The arguments followed in the predictable ways: school districts claimed that there was not enough fund to provide quality education to 5.3 million school students while the state mentioned the infusion of $3.4 billion in additional fund during the latest legislative session.
Texas Supreme Court Upholds State's Education Funding System
Rejecting the arguments of litigants representing the interest of hundreds of school districts, tens of thousands of students and their guardians, Texas Supreme Court on May 13, 2016 upheld the Texas' school funding system, giving the state a significant victory in almost three decades. The decision was unanimous, and writing for the rest of judges, Justice Don Willett rejected most of the arguments used by the state Judge John Dietz when he had ruled in 2013 that the state school funding was unconstitutional.
Texas Speaker to Call It Quits
After a bitter legislative battle with his fellow conservative party members, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Governor Gregg Abbott, Texas House Speaker Joe Strauss on October 25, 2017 announced that he would leave by the end of current legislative session, leaving a hole in the state politics with one significant voice of political moderation and bipartisanship.
************** TEXAS VOTER LIST FRACAS AND POLITICAL CHEAPSHOT *********
58,000 Unauthorized Might Have Voted, Texas Secretary of State Says
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's Office on January 25, 2019 said that about 95,000 legal residents of Texas had obtained driver's licenses and then registered to vote, based on the preliminary data obtained from the [Texas] Department of Public Safety. Out of that, approximately 58,000 had voted in a 22-year cycle (1996-2018). State's top officials, beginning Attorney-General Ken Paxton and Governor Gregg Abbott immediately jumped on the issue of illegals voting in the election, a red meat issue for the GOP base. However, Whitley's office failed to verify how many of the 58,000 who had cast votes subsequently gained citizenship through naturalization.
Texas Secretary of State's Office Acknowledges Flaws in the Voter Scrutiny List
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's Office sent a directive to County election officials on January 29, 2019 to dispatch anything yet to scrutinize citizenship of any of the names shared with them four days earlier as that list might not have been updated and might be flawed. The January 29, 2019, guidance came amid mounting criticism by the voting rights groups, minority groups and Democrats accusing the Secretary of State's Office of trying voter suppression.
New Voter Guidance Sent to Counties
As the original list sent a week earlier had unraveled, posing legal liability for the counties, Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's Office sent a second guidance in three days, prodding the individual counties to tread carefully and treat the original list as a starting point. The purpose of the February 1, 2019, directive was to "provide additional guidance to Texas counties in conducting their list maintenance activities".
Whitley Grilled in Senate Hearing
Texas' acting Secretary of State David Whitley, named by Governor Gregg Abbott in December 2018 to replace Rolando Pablos after Pablos had resigned, was grilled on February 7, 2019 by Texas' Senators on his recent directive about voter roll maintenance. Whitley may not receive a confirmation vote by the state Senate.
Whitley Acknowledges Errors in the Voter List Advisory
Acting Texas Secretary of State David Whitley on February 14, 2019 acknowledged errors in handling the advisory that his office had sent to county election officials with a list 96,000 residents, with potentially 58,000 might have voted in at least one election cycle since 1996. That list included several naturalized citizens, raising the doubt about motive behind the advisory.
Pressure Mounts for Whitley to Withdraw His Bid
Texas Acting Secretary of State David Whitley is coming increasing pressure from civil rights groups and other Democrats to withdraw his bid to become the permanent state secretary of state. He doesn't have any support from Democratic Senators to win confirmation vote in Texas Senate. Senate Democratic Caucus leader Sen. Jose Rodriguez of El Paso on February 21, 2019 has issued a statement, saying that "damage has already been done" for David Whitley.
DPS Chief Seems to be Made Scapegoat in the Voter Data Faux Pas
What seemed to be a well-choreographed political stage-crafting, Texas' highly respectable DPS chief, Steven McCraw, is being made a political scapegoat for Texas' acting secretary of state's mishandling, if not outright abuse, over identifying the non-citizens in the Texas voter list. In a March 12, 2019, testimony before the state Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Steve McCraw took full responsibility for the voter roll mess-up that had landed the Acting Secretary of State David Whitley in a soup. McCraw acknowledged that it [flagging non-citizens in the voter list] was a brand new project and "we should have taken affirmative action on the front end to ensure that we" had a senior-level person heading the project.
Voter Purge Project Dropped
After receiving black eye and unwanted attention from around the nation, state of Texas dropped the much condemned voter rolls purge endeavor that the acting Secretary of State David Whitley had launched in January 2019, according a settlement between the state and voter rights groups made public on April 26, 2019. Under the settlement terms, state didn't admit any wrongdoing or criminal culpability. Three lawsuits followed after the advisory was sent to local election administrators in January 2019 to identify potential voter fraud and purge the voter rolls.
Whitley Fails to Win Confirmation Vote, Resigns as Election Chief
After Democratic Senators stood rock solid against confirming David Whitley as the permanent Secretary of State, former Abbott aide had no choice, but to resign on the last day of the legislative session, May 27, 2019.
************** TEXAS VOTER LIST FRACAS AND POLITICAL CHEAPSHOT *********
************************** ASTROWORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL DISASTER **************
UTAH
Utah to Allow Firing Squad
In a step backward, Utah on March 23, 2015 became the first state to enact a cruel law that would permit, if needed, death punishment by firing squad. Governor Gary Herbert signed the bill on March 23, 2015.
First Gay Mayor of Salt Lake City
Former Utah lawmaker Jackie Biskupski on November 17, 2015 became the first openly gay mayor of the Salt Lake City, marking another feather in the cap for the LGBT movement. Two-term incumbent Mayor Ralph Becker showed no emotion, and later congratulated Biskupski and pledged for a smooth transition.
VIRGINIA
In a disgraceful fall by a rising Republican star who was once mentioned as possible running mate of 2012 GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell was on January 21, 2014 indicted on 14 counts of bribery and fraud charges related to returning favor to one of his political patrons, Jonnie Williams Sr., to promote his dietary supplement business, Star Scientific, in lieu of $140,000 in loans and gifts. McDonnell's wife, Maureen, was charged too.
Ex-Virginia Governor, Wife Found Guilty
A federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia on September 4, 2014 issued guilty verdict against the former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, after a circus-like trial. Former governor was found guilty in 11 of the 13 counts, while his wife was found guilty in 9 of 13 counts.
Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights for More than 200,000 Convicted Felons
In an expansive move to promote voting rights that immediately drew Republican criticism as foul play, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe on April 22, 2016 signed an executive order overturning a Civil War-era law and restoring the voting privilege for more than 200,000 convicted felons. Many of the new would-be voters are African American, a constituency that strongly votes for Democrats.
************************* CHARLOTTESVILLE VIOLENCE ************************
Charlottesville Turns into a War Zone over a White Supremacist Rally
The weekend of August 11-13, 2017 was never like the one before from the perspective of ideals of America's virtue as those qualities were put to test during the weekend in the college town of Charlottesville over the city council's decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Unprecedented Violence in Charlottesville; Three Die
The neo-Nazi rally at Charlottesville on August 12, 2017 turned violent, with rally-goers fighting pitched battles against counter-demonstrators and security forces. A participant of the so-called "Take America Back" rally organized by the so-called White nationalist groups mowed a protester, Heather Heyer, 32, by his car. A short while later, a police helicopter monitoring the rally, crashed, killing the pilot, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, 48; and a police officer, Berke M.M. Bates. In the evening, responding to the day-long violence, Viginia Governor Terry McAuliffe imposed a state of emergency and asked the White Supremacists to "go home". Responding to the day's events in Charlottesville, President Donald Trump said at his Bedminster Golf Club that "many sides" were to blame for the violence. His comments immediately drew fire from Democrats and many Republicans.
Trump Returns to His Original Line of Defense
Without script, President Donald Trump proved himself an unpredictable as evidenced on August 15, 2017 as he told reporters at his New York's Trump Tower lobby that there were bad people on the "both sides" during a violent "Unite the Right" rally at Charlottesville on August 12, 2017 in which three people--two law enforcement personnel and a counterprotester, Heather Heyer--were killed. Trump specifically targeted the "Alt-Left" for stoking hatred too, and equated them with Nazis, a comparison later in day praised by Ku Klux Klan and other White Nationalist leaders.
"You Maginified Her", Victim's Mother Says at the Memorial Service
A solemn, but uplifting, memorial service was held on August 16, 2017 at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville to honor the life of Heather Heyer, 32, killed by a White Supremacist, James Alex Field, Jr., 20, who had mowed down counterprotesters on August 12, 2017 by ramming his car into them, killing Heyer and injuring 19 others. Her mother, Susan Bro, called for justice and urged the participants to channel their energy to protest injustice through non-violent means. Scores of attendees wore pink, Heather's favorite color. Also in the evening, an impromptu candle-light vigil, attended by hundreds, was held at the University of Virginia, venue of Nazi- and KKK-organized march with torch-bearing White Supremacists on August 11, 2017 evening.
Bushes Decry White Supremacy, Trump Stance
A joint statement by the last two Republican presidents, 41st President George H.W. Bush and the 43rd President George W. Bush, issued at Kennebunkport, Maine on August 16, 2017 reflected their firm value to ensure that "America must always reject racial bigotry, anti-semitism, and hatred in all forms". Their statement was an indirect jibe at the President Donald Trump's vacillating stance on racial bigotry.
Trump Disbands Business Advisory Council
Faced with desertion of a number of high-ranking business executives and stinging criticisms by others over the president's lack of unequivocal stand against White supremacy, President Donald Trump on August 16, 2017 shut down two business advisory councils. First, on August 14, 2017, Merck's CEO Kenneth Frazier, an African-American, stepped down from the president's manufacturing council, beginning an exodus of executives such as Under Armour's Kevin Plank, Intel's Brian Krazanich and the head of Alliance for American Manufacturing. On August 15, 2017, AFL-CIO leader Richard Trumka stepped down from the manufacturing council too, issuing a statement that "we cannot sit on a council for a president who tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism".
Former U.S. Attorney to Inquire into Violence
Charlottesville City on August 25, 2017 announced that former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Tim Murphey was to lead an investigation into the August 12, 2017, violence and city's handling of it during the "Unite the Right" rally. Murphey will also look into another KKK rally held in the city in July 2017.
Trump Urges Peace on the Eve of First Anniversary of Charlottesville Demonstration
As White nationalists shifted their venue of their protest to Washington D.C., a day before the first anniversary of Charlottesville violence counter-protesters on August 11, 2018 flocked to the college town and their target this year was strong showing of police throughout the city. Many young demonstrators were irked by so many police personnel manning the city's streets. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on August 11, 2018 appealed for peace in a twitter post.
White Nationalists' D.C. Rally Fizzles out
On the first anniversary of the Charlottesville violence, White nationalists led by Jason Kessler organized a rally outside the White House on August 12, 2018 under a cloudy sky. The rally was protected by police personnel as counter-demonstrators were far more in numbers, and before and after the rally, the protesters had to be given security protection. But Kessler-organized rally was anything but impressive, and called into question of actual public enthusiasm for such a divisive cause.
************************* CHARLOTTESVILLE VIOLENCE ************************
Democrats Sweep Up-and-Down Ballot Races
Democrats made an almost sweep in November 7, 2017, off-year election and buoyed the hope for the national party in the run-up to 2018 midterm polls. Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam handily defeated Republican Ed Gillespie to become the Governor-elect.
ERA Chances Brighten with Virginia about to Ratify
The Associated Press on January 4, 2020 reported that Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, would very soon be approved by both chambers of Virginia legislature after Democrats made large gains in November 2019 election, becoming the 38th state to ratify it and increasing its prospect to become the nation's 28th amendment of constitution. Congress passed the ERA in 1972, with a 1977 ratification deadline. However, the deadline was later extended to 1982. Because of the deadline that has expired so long ago, it's not sure that ERA will become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution.
Virginia Ratifies ERA
Virginia became the 38th state on January 15, 2020 to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, pushing the measure to close to finish line as it would have an opportunity to become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution. The House passed by 59-41 and the Senate approved the measure by 28-12. However, the measure has a long way to go to become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution as the Department of Justice last week issued a memo that it was about 38 years after the deadline for the amendment to be ratified by all 38 states. However, there is a final step for the House and Senate of the General Assembly to ratify each other's bills.
Virginia Legislature Takes the Final Step on Passing the ERA Bill
Virginia legislature's House and Senate on January 27, 2020 passed each other's measures to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, becoming the 38th state to do so.
****************************** BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA **********************
Rosenberg Papers Declassified
The U.S. government on July 15, 2015 made public the 46-page transcripts containing the statements and other testimonial details of David Greenglass, whose testimony in 1951 would pave the way for execution of his sister Ethel Rosenberg and her husband, Julius, on charges of treachery for passing the atomic secrets to the Soviet Union. Many historians believe that overzealous prosecutors have framed Ethel, who may have played only peripheral roles, part of a conspiracy theory that has lingered for years and fascinated millions of people. A federal judge ruled in favor of de-classifying the documents related to Greenglass, who had passed away last year at the age of 92. The transcript, according to experts and historians, failed to reveal any solid connection between Ethel Rosenberg and alleged spying of her husband, reinforcing the conspiracy theory.
***************** HOUSE SPEKAER BOEHNER'S RESIGNATION *******************
Boehner's Sudden Announcement Throws GOP into Scramble
It came out of nowhere. No inkling, no rumor, no immediate threat. More than ever, House Speaker John Boehner had all the reasons to feel accomplished and happy, as just a day ago, he had achieved his life-long dream of hosting the Pope at a joint session of Congress. However, as the murmur of dissension and discord had mounted over the past several months by Tea Party-backed lawmakers, Boehner chose his timing and place on September 25, 2015 to decide that it was time to quit. Boehner will step down as the Speaker and member of the House at the end of October. Boehner's decision triggers a new balance of power struggle in the House Caucus. Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy of California is sure to throw his fate in the race for speakership.
Utah Republican to Challenge McCarthy; McCarthy Draws Flak on Benghazi Comments
The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, is reported to have decided to run against McCarthy in speakership race to be held on October 8, 2015. Chaffetz is going to announce it on October 4, 2015 at an appearance with the Fox News Sunday. Meanwhile, the heavily favored Kevin McCarthy is facing heavy criticism for his recent gleeful comments that the panel investigating into the 2012 Benghazi attack that had killed the then-Ambassador Christopher Stevens was responsible for the drop in Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton's drop in approval rating.
McCarthy's Decision to Quit the Speaker's Race Pushes House to the Brink
Surprising all, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy shocked the Capitol on October 8, 2015, saying that he was quitting the race to succeed outgoing Speaker John Boehner. During a press conference before the House Republicans were almost set to elect him as their new leader, McCarthy said that there might be others in the party who could unite the fractious House Republicans. Many political analysts think that McCarthy's recent comments suggesting the recent drop of Hillary Clinton's approval as an outcome of House's Benghazi panel's ongoing inquiry has created dismay in the party. As soon as McCarthy announced his unwillingness to run for speakership, all eyes were set on Paul Ryan, R-WIS, Vice Presidential candidate in 2012 elections.
Ryan Becomes New Speaker
On October 29, 2015, Paul Ryan assumed the mantle of House speakership from John Boehner.
***************** HOUSE SPEKAER BOEHNER'S RESIGNATION *******************
Episcopal Church Makes History by Installing a Black Preacher to Lead the Church
Michael Curry chosen early in the year to lead the Episcopal Church was installed as its new Presiding Bishop at a joyous ceremony on November 1, 2015 at the cavernous Washington National Cathedral. Curry, the first African American bishop in the church's history, delivered an upbeat and optimistic sermon to the audience. Curry took over from Katharine Jefferts Schori, who as the first woman bishop of the church, ended a nine-year term.
************* SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT CONTROVERSY ***************
Texas Governor Doesn't Want to Participate in Syrian Refugee Re-settlement Program
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on November 16, 2015 wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, expressing his strong reservations for re-settling any Syrian refugee in Texas without strengthening the vetting process. Governor Abbott joins two dozens other governors to oppose Obama administration's current policy of re-settling 10,000 Syrian refugees in the USA. Abbott's letter, coming on the heels of November 13, 2015, Paris attacks in which one of the perpetrators was a Syrian passport holder, though, may not have much executive, or legal, binding as the refugee re-settlement program falls exclusively under the federal authorities, and once resettled, refugees can move about anywhere in the country.
President Obama Defends His Syria Policy, Refugee Re-settlement Plan
In the aftermath of November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris, U.S. President Barack Obama and his administration was at the receiving end of Republicans and those opposed to his Syria policy. However, President Obama, on the sidelines of G-20 summit at Antalya, Turkey, on November 16, 2015 defended both his administration's current Syria policy and Syrian refugee re-settlement plan spiritedly. He rejected call for further military escalation Syria, dismissing his critics for trying to profit politically. Obama also said that his administration would go forward to re-settle approximately 10,000 Syrian refugees despite objection from about two dozens governors, almost all of them are Republicans.
GOP Seeks to Block Entry of Syrian Refugees into the USA
In the aftermath of November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks on Paris, the public mood on administration's plan to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees definitely turned sour. Cashing in on it, GOP presidential candidates and politicians made a concerted effort to prevent any future Syrian refugees from entering the country. House Speaker Paul Ryan on November 17, 2015 called for a "pause" on Syrian refugee re-settlement program. The Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell echoed the similar sentiment, calling for a temporary stay on the refugee plan. U.S. President Barack Obama, now in Philippines, chimed in on November 18, 2015 (Filipino time), saying that the comments were offensive and needed to stop.
House Passes Measure to Tighten Requirements for Syrian and Iraqi Refugees
Acting on the hysteria and hyperbole stemming from the November 13, 2015, terrorist attacks in Paris, the U.S. House of Representatives on November 19, 2015 overwhelmingly approved a measure that would impose stricter requirements on any Syrian or Iraqi refugee to be accepted by the USA. The measure passed by a margin of 289-137, a veto-proof majority, was backed by 47 Democratic lawmakers. The current vetting process that already takes 18 to 24 months before anyone is accepted is not enough to flag anyone with terrorist ties, according to Conservatives and many Democratic lawmakers which the White House strongly disputes. Under the House-passed measure,
* There will be a host of screening, including overseas interviews, fingerprinting and biometric investigations
* Approval certifications are to be issued by Secretary of Homeland Security, FBI Director and Director of National Intelligence, an onerous burden. At present, DHS has final say although many of the other agencies are involved.
The House law approved November 19, 2015 will make it harder for Obama administration to re-settle 10,000 Syrian refugees as timely manner as it has done so for 2,500 other Syrian refugees since 2011.
**** TEXAS' LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT
Texas Sues Fed, Agency to Stop Refugee Re-settlement
The state of Texas under Attorney General Ken Paxton on December 2, 2015 took a very unusual and rare, but controversial, step to go to a federal court to block any future re-settlement of Syrian refugees in Texas. The case was filed in the federal court in Dallas against the Obama administration and International Rescue Committee, a New York-based refugee re-settlement agency that worked closely with federal and state governments to help new migrants and asylum seekers to settle down.
Texas' Legal Challenge Fizzles
Two days after suing the federal government and International Rescue Committee to prevent Syrian refugee from coming in Texas, state made an about face on December 4, 2015 and withdrew a request for temporary injunction on refugee re-settlement plan. The case is pending in the court of the U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas.
Texas Files a Second Motion for Temporary Injunction
Texas AG Ken Paxton on December 9, 2015 submitted a second motion to the court of the U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas, requesting a temporary injunction. However, Judge Godbey denied the request on the same day.
Texas Loses its Case to Block Syrian Refugees
The U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas on February 8, 2016 rejected the Texas Health and Human Services' motion filed in December 2015 to request the federal court to issue a temporary injunction against the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state as the case went through the legal system. Judge Godby ruled that there might be some risks arising out of the refugees being settled in Texas, but the responsibility for mitigating the risks lied with federal executive authorities, not with the court or state authorities.
Texas Exits the Refugee Re-settlement Program
Pandering to the right, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott announced on September 30, 2016 that his state would immediately exit the Syrian refugee re-settlement program. Texas leads the nation in re-settling Syrian refugees, by far hosting more than 7,000 of them. On ground, Abbott's move will trigger not so significant change as the federal government has to work with non-profit relief agencies to take on the onus from the state. In Fiscal 2017, according to a September 2016 announcement by the Obama administration, USA will take in about 110,000 Syrian refugees for re-settlement. In response to Texas' move, the U.S. Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement said that it was working to name a replacement agency for the state to co-ordinate future re-settlement in Texas.
**** TEXAS' LEGAL CHALLENGE TO SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT
House Takes Aim at Visa-Free Travel
House of Representatives has overwhelmingly voted on December 8, 2015 to tighten control on visa-free travel for citizens from 38 nations who don't require any visa to travel to and stay in the for 90 days and less. As per the measure, passed by 407-19 votes, anyone who has visited Iraq or Syria in the past five years, will now require to have visa to travel to the USA.
This measure was later passed by the Senate, and signed by President Barack Obama as part of the omnibus spending bill ten days later.
Obama Administration to Reach the Refugee Quota
The U.S. ambassador to Jordan, Alice Wells, said on August 28, 2016 that U.S. would reach the Obama administration's target of accepting and settling 10,000 Syrian refugees this week. Alice Wells reiterated the thoroughness and comprehensiveness of the vetting process to ensure homeland security. The news from Amman about fulfilling the quota of settling Syrian refugees brought rare cheers to refugee support groups.
************* SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT CONTROVERSY ***************
President Tries to Assure a Nervous Nation with a Oval Office Address
In the wake of December 2, 2015, San Bernardino shooting by a radicalized husband-wife team, President Barack Obama delivered a rare--only the third in his presidency--address from the West Wing of the Oval Office on December 6, 2015 to assuage a nervous populace. President has assured that the nation will eventually overcome the new phase of threat that seeks to "poison the minds" of people. However, he didn't indicate any shift in the current strategy to take on ISIL that had already drawn widespread criticism. He called for Congress to give his administration new authorization force to carry out fight against ISIL and other extremist groups in Syria and Iraq. He also urged Congress to ban selling guns to people who were on the government's no-fly list. His most specific policy prescription came during his speech for State Department to conduct a comprehensive review of the fiancée visa system, one with apparent loophole that was exploited by one of the shooters, Tashfeen Malik, in San Bernardino shooting to get into the USA. However, Obama's address failed to sway any Republican and have any significant positive impact on how Americans viewed the administration's counterterrorism policy. House Speaker Paul Ryan dismissed President Obama's address as an effort to defend and distract from failed policy in Syria and Iraq. Obama's Oval Office address on December 6, 2015 was only his third such address. First two were delivered in 2010, one in the aftermath of Gulf of Mexico BP oil rig disaster that had killed 11 people and the second to mark the military mission in Iraq.
Trump Panned for Anti-Muslim Comments
Politicians, presidential candidates and lawmakers of all stripes blasted immediately after Republican Presidential candidate Donald Trump made an outlandish demand on one of his campaign stops on December 7, 2015 that US immediately impose a blanket ban on Muslims entering the U.S. pending figuring out a way on how to deal with blocking potential terrorists from coming to the USA. Jeb Bush called Donald Trump totally "unhinged", Marco Rubio called it "outlandish and offensive", and Hillary Clinton called it "reprehensible, prejudiced and divisive".
President Obama's Last State of the Union Address Calls for Nation to Believe in Change
President Barack Obama, with the Vice President Joe Biden and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan behind him, delivered his last state of the union address from the cavernous House of Representative on January 12, 2016, and harped on the theme he had espoused all along: optimism, hope and belief in change. He repudiated the calls, especially from some GOP presidential contenders, which were divisive and mocked the strength of ISIL as nothing more than what's posed by a bunch of armed youths on the back of pick-ups. President Obama held it firm when he criticized the angry rhetoric that had been daily staple in presidential circuit, a theme later echoed by Nikki Haley, South Carolina's Governor in the GOP's response to the State of the Union. Governor Haley said that during "anxious times, it can be tempting to follow the siren call of the angriest voices" and "we must resist that temptation".
***************************** NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT *********************
Leaders Claim to Have Made Progress in the Latest Nuclear Security Summit
The U.S. President Barack Obama hosted fourth nuclear security summit at Washington D.C., where leaders of some 50 nations assembled for two days (March 31-April 1, 2016), and on April 1, 2016 told the reporters that the summit had made some progress on agreeing a general outline to secure world's nuclear stockpiles. The nuclear security summit this year assumed all the more importance as it was hosted in the aftermath of Brussels Bombings and subsequent revelation that some of the attackers had scouted out the possibility for efforts to acquire fissile materials. World's counterterrorism officials believe that radical groups are in the hunt for materials to manufacture some sort of "dirty bombs" that may wreak havoc on population centers such as New York City. That's why it's all the more important for the Obama administration to push a 2005 deal that calls for enhanced safeguards for tracking nuclear material. The 2005 deal sat dormant, and the March 31-April 1, 2016, summit gave a much needed push for its implementation. The recently declassified documents showed that the USA had reduced its stockpile of highly enriched uranium from 741 metric tons some two decades ago to 586 metric tons in 2013. During the summit, USA and Japan announced that hundreds of kilograms of weapons-grade material were secured from one Japanese reactor and would do so soon for a second reactor. Meanwhile, North Korea played the Russian Roulette game with the international community one more time with the test-fire of a short-range missile hours after the summit was wrapped up and jamming radio signal of one of South Korea's ships. President Barack Obama initiated the nuclear security summit to pursue a key security strategy of searching, securing and storing fissile material across the world to prevent them to fall in the hands of terrorist groups, and this year's was the fourth summit. As Obama administration's tenure is coming to an end in months, the onus will be shifted to U.N. going forward, according to The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Nuclear Ban Talks to be Boycotted by U.S., Russia, Britain
A historic negotiation to curtail and eventually ban nuclear weapons was launched in October 2016 under the auspices of Austria, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa and Sweden. At least 120 nations supported the talks so far. But, Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., said on March 27, 2017 alongside the Britain's U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft that U.S. would boycott the talks, thus joining the ranks of a dozen or so nations including U.K. and Russia.
***************************** NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT *********************
Freedom of Information Act Improvement Signed
President Barack Obama on June 30, 2016 signed a bipartisan law co-sponsored by Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy that would update and upgrade the 50-year-old Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under the FOIA Improvement Act of 2015, inquiring public don't need to go to individual agencies to get access to information. Instead, they should be able to submit request and receive the information from a portal to be created by the Office of Personnel and Management. The measure also aims to lift the veil of secrecy after 25 years until covered by the attorney-client privilege.
RACE RELATIONS: Nation not even Close to Where it Should be, President Says about Race Relations
A day after attending and addressing the funeral of five fallen Dallas officers, President Barack Obama on July 13, 2016 held a trust building event between community activists and law enforcement agencies at the White House, an event attended, among others, by Terry Cunningham, the head of International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Brittany Packnett of President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing beside the president himself. The atmosphere was candid and frank, and the participants talked about the challenges and opportunities faced by the law enforcement agencies and the communities they policed. President Barack Obama acknowledged that the nation was not close to where it should be in terms of race relations and related problems.
************************************ 9/11 LEGISLATION **************************
Congress Passes Law Allowing 9/11 Victims to Sue Saudi Arabia
Four months after the U.S. Senate voted to pass a landmark legislation, over the objection of Obama administration and Saudi Arabia, allowing 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi Arabia officials, the U.S. House of Representatives on September 9, 2016 voted overwhelmingly for the measure on the eve of the 15th anniversary of worst terrorist attack on the USA.
President Vetoes the 9/11 Bill
President Barack Obama on September 23, 2016 vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, on the ground that the measure would pave the way for foreign governments to prosecute Americans too.
JASTA Goes into Effect without Presidential Signature
In the first veto override of his presidency, Congress on September 28, 2016 overwhelmingly voted to make president's veto null and void, leading the JASTA--under which the victims of 9/11 attacks can sue the Saudi officials in the U.S. courts--to become the law of land without Barack Obama's signature. The House vote was 348-77 and the Senate vote was 97-1 despite strong warnings from the White House, Defense officials and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry. Texas Senator John Cornyn, who co-sponsored the bill with Senator Chuck Schumer, a fellow Democrat, stressed that JASTA was nothing but an extension of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1978 and Antiterrorism Act, a point disputed by many legal scholars.
************************************ 9/11 LEGISLATION **************************
****************************** 21st CENTURY CURES ACT ***********************
President Obama Signs a Key Health Bill
President Barack Obama on December 13, 2016 signed a strong bipartisan bill that had brought a diverse teams of players and politicians on board. The law, 21st Century Cures Act, calls for:
* Creating a new position at the assistant secretary level in the Health and Human Services department to oversee mental health and addiction problem
* A 5-year, $1.8 billion in aid to Vice President Joe Biden's "moonshot" initiative to find a cure to cancer
* $1 billion to the states, and half as much to the federal government to fight the opioid crisis
* Lifting restrictions on federal funds for judges, doctors, jailers and teachers to create funds for local treatment program for mental health
****************************** 21st CENTURY CURES ACT ***********************
Intel Agencies: Russians Helped Trump
A declassified version of USA's intel agencies' report shed a light on how with Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct encouragement, Moscow had not only interfered in the U.S. elections, but tried to tilt its outcome in favor of Donald Trump. The intel agencies shared the report with President-elect Donald Trump on January 6, 2017, and major newspapers carried the report in the following day's editions.
Chelsea Manning, Puerto Rican Nationalist among Hundreds Commuted by Obama
In a sweeping step to cement his legacy as the forerunner of the criminal justice reform, President Barack Obama on January 17, 2017 commuted sentences of Chelsea Manning, Puerto Rican nationalist leader Oscar Lopez-Rivera and 207 others. President Obama also pardoned 64 others, including retired Gen. James Cartwright, who had given false statement during an investigation into leakage of classified information. The latest clemency of 273 people--including 209 commutations and 64 pardons--marked another giant step in President Obama's action to definitively impact and influence the Criminal Justice reforms. Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning, was convicted in a military court in 2013 for leaking more than 70,000 classified documents to WikiLeaks. Under the commutation order that does not erase the conviction from the records, Manning will be freed from prison in May 2017. Puerto Rican nationalist leader Oscar Lopez-Rivera had led Armed Forces of National Liberation, which was responsible for more than 100 bombings in the U.S. in 1970s and 1980s, and had been sentenced to 55 years in prison. Many Puerto Ricans in recent years though demanded that the government release him. Now, Oscar Lopez-Rivera is all set to be freed in May 2017.
Key Difference between Commutation and Pardon
* Commutation reduces sentences, but does not erase the conviction
* Pardon not only helps the defendant in jail term reduction, but also erasing the conviction from background records
***************************** TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION EO ***********************
Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Seven Muslim Nations
Barely a week in the White House. President Donald Trump already made splash, nay waves, in the nation's political circle by signing some of the Executive Orders ranging from border walls, deregulation, withdrawing from TPP and others. On the first full working day in office, January 23, 2017, President Trump signed one of his earliest EO withdrawing from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). However, none of them came closer to his January 27, 2017, late afternoon signing the EO restricting travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Libya. Under the EO, taking everyone by surprise, steps included:
* A moratorium on all incoming refugees for 120 days
* An indefinite suspension for Syrian refugees
* A 90-day travel ban on citizens from these seven nations
The EO created so much chaos and confusion that immigration officials and airport security had to scramble to comply with the eddict in a haphazard manner, leading to hundreds, if not thousands, of travelers getting stuck at various U.S. airports for hours. News began to emerge from nation's gateway airports of mothers and grandmothers in detention with toddlers, creating a backlash and strong condemnation. Protesters flocked to the nation's airports to show support for the refugess and condemn President Trump's discriminatory executive action. Scores of immigration lawyers worked pro bono for travelers, including dozens of Green Card holders, students, academics and doctors, stranded at the nation's airports.
Brooklyn Judge Puts Trump's EO on Hold; Outcries Get Louder
More than 24 hours after President Trump signed an executive order restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, leading to a chaotic and confusing promulgation of the eddict at the nation's gateway airports and hours-long detention of many hundreds travelers, a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly of Brooklyn, on January 28, 2017 ordered a temporary hold on the president's executive order, bringing relief to detained travelers and cheers to thousands of protesters who had shown up at the nation's airports to show support for refugees and condemn president's EO. Meanwhile, protests at nation's gateway airports during the day just got bigger and louder, and foreign leaders, U.S. corporate executives and academia joined a growing chorus of condemnation against the president's order. Among the corporate titans, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sundar Pichai of Google, took a more direct and vocal stands against Trump's order while the French and German foreign ministers--Jean-Marc Ayrault and Sigmar Gabriel--at a Paris press conference during the day called Trump's executive order as against the values of "welcoming refugees who flee war and oppression".
Trump Fires Acting Attorney-General
Escalating a crisis stemming from the January 27, 2017, hashazard stroke of his executive pen, President Donald Trump on January 30, 2017 doubled down on the crisis, chaos and confusion by firing the acting A.G. Sally Yates hours after she refused to enforce president's EO targeting travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations. Later the administration appointed Dana Boente, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, as the acting AG. The defiance and the following firing of the acting AG was an unprecendented political earthquake for a nascent administration and an unparallel display of insubordination since the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre" in 1973, when President Richard Nixon had fired his Attorney-General and Deputy Attorney-General for disobeying his order to dismiss the then-Watergate Crisis special prosecutor Archibald Cox. Cox was later fired by the then-Solicitor-General Robert Bork.
A Seattle Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump's Travel Ban
In a scathing repudiation, U.S. District Judge James Robart of the Western District of Washington on February 3, 2017 temporarily blocked Trump's January 27, 2017, executive order enacting a sweeping travel ban on travelers from Muslim-majority nations. Robart, a Bush-era appointee, made his ruling applicable nationwide, implying that the governments and airlines would be forced to allow stranded passengers to go about with their scheduled travel plan. Hours before, another federal judge, Nathaniel Gorton in Boston, sided with the administration, refusing to block the travel ban in his jurisdiction.
Trump Administration Appeals, Upper Court Keeps the Trump Ban Suspended
After a nationwide suspension of President Trump's executive order restricting travel from seven mostly Muslim-majority nations, administration appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, on February 5, 2017, the appeals court has left the suspension of the executive order in place at least until February 6, 2017 when the court is scheduled to hear the case.
Appeals Court Quizzes Administration, Plaintiff Lawyers
The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on February 7, 2017 grilled both the DOJ lawyer August Flentje and Solicitor-General Noah Purcell of the state of Washington.
Trump Signs Revised Executive Order on Travel
After getting egged by judicial branch over his January 2017 executive order restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, President Donald Trump on March 6, 2017 signed a revised version of his EO, but left his objectives and goals intact. Under Trump's revised EO:
* Iraq was dropped from the list of nations to be affected by travel restrictions
* New visa ban was imposed for six other nations for 90 days
* Refugee program was suspended for 120 days
In the earlier EO, the refugee re-settlement program from Syria had been suspended indefinitely and 120 days from other nations. The revised EO signed on March 6, 2017 also removed language that favored Christian refugees over Muslims. Also, in another welcoming change, people with an existing visa to travel to the US are exempt from the revised EO.
California Joins Other States against Trump's New EO
Three days prior to President Donald Trump's March 6, 2017, executive order scheduled to take effect, California on March 13, 2017 joined five other Democratic-ruled states--Washington, Oregon, New York, Minnesota and Massachusetts-- in a case filed at a Seattle federal court against the order. California Attorney-General Xavier Becerra's decision to jump into the fray added additional fuel to the fire of resistance against Trump's travel ban order, and plaintiffs' main points of argument focused on the comments themselves made by Trump surrogates. Presidential aide Stephen Miller said on February 21, 2017 that the new EO would be more or less same, barring "mostly minor technical differences". Presidential spokesman Sean Spicer was on record of saying on February 27, 2017 that the new order would attempt "to address the courts' concerns" without diluting the goals of the first travel ban order.
Hawaii Judge Blocks President's New Travel Ban
A federal judge in Hawaii on March 15, 2017 temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's March 6, 2017, revised travel ban that had targeted travelers from mostly Muslim nations. Ruling on a petition filed by Hawaii's Attorney-General Douglas Chin, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson put a temporary hold on the Executive Order. Reacting to Judge Watson's verdict, President Trump accused the judge at a Nashville rally of endangering the security of the nation.
Administration Lawyers Appeal, Judge Rejects
Two days after U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson blocked President Donald Trump's new travel ban, DOJ lawyers on late March 17, 2017 filed a petition to the judge to limit the scope of his ruling. However, Judge Watson on March 19, 2017 was unsparing and unmoved, ruling that there was no ambiguity in the scope of his order.
Virginia Judge Refuses to Block Trump's Revised Executive Order
Going against the torrent of recent court ruling, a Virginia federal judge ruled on March 24, 2017, affirming Trump's authority in pursuing an aggressive travel protocol. The judge, U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga, dismissed a lawsuit brought by Council of American Islamic Relations against the president's travel ban.
Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court's Permission to Re-instate Travel Ban
Days after the Richmond-based federal appeals court ruled 10-3 votes that Trump's executive order on travel ban from mostly six Muslim nations did not pass the muster, administration on May 31, 2017 appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, all eyes are focused on what the nation's highest court has to opine on this sensitive issue.
A Second Appeals Court Rules against Trump's Revised Executive Order
After a 10-3 ruling on May 25, 2017 by the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturning President Donald Trump's revised executive order banning people from mostly six Muslim majority nations, another appeals court chimed in on June 12, 2017. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on June 12, 2017 that the president had exceeded his authority. On May 31, 2017, Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court against the May 25, 2017, ruling by the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Supreme Court Partially Upholds Trump's Immigration EO
In a partial setback to human rights, refugee and civil rights groups, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2017 upheld portions of Trump's travel ban, ruling that there must be a clear "familial" or "bona fide" reason for the travelers to enter the U.S. Those reasons include:
* Close family ties such as mother-in-law or spouse
* A student admitted to an American university
* A worker who has accepted offer from a U.S.-based company
* A lecturer invited to speak at an American institution
The ruling will apply as the court hears the case in the fall and make a final verdict. The court's June 26, 2017, temporary ruling did not satisfy either party totally as the 120-day travel ban on refugees and 90-day travel ban on visitors from six Muslim nations--Syria, Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen--would remain in place only for those who could not establish a "bona fide relationship" with a "person or entity" in the USA, giving much less of a victory the administration which had sought a sort of a blanket ban.
Trump's New Rule to Restrict Travel from Eight Nations
As the existing travel ban was set to expire for nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, who lacked "a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States", President Donald Trump issued new travel ban on September 24, 2017 that would go into effect on October 18, 2017. The new rule drops Sudan from the list, and adds North Korea, Venezuela and Chad to this list to make a nine-nation--Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen--prohibitive list although as far as Venezuela is concerned the rule is going to affect the pro-government officials.
Federal Appeals Court Partially Upholds Trump's Third Travel Ban
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on November 13, 2017 tossed out a lower court's whole-sale rejection of President Donald Trump's third travel ban issued on September 24, 2017 that targeted the nationals from nine nations--Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen--with ban on pro-government Venezuelan officials. The judges ruled that the government could implement the ban except foreign national with bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States".
Trump Administration's Third-Try on Travel Ban Takes Full Effect
The U.S. Supreme Court on December 4, 2017 tossed out a challenge against Trump administration's September 24, 2017, third-try on travel ban that targeted the nationals from nine nations--Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen--with ban on pro-government Venezuelan officials. The apex court's action paves the way for the latest travel ban to take effect immediately.
Appeals Court Affirms the Lower Court's Ruling Tossing out the Travel Ban
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on December 23, 2017 upheld a Hawaii court's October 17, 2017, ruling that Trump administration's third travel ban order was unlawful on statutory ground. The U.S. Supreme Court on December 4, 2017 allowed to continue with Trump administration's third round of travel ban that was formulated and made public on September 24, 2017. and asked the appeals courts to wrap up the case as soon as possible.
A Second Appeals Court Toss out Trump Travel Ban
After the December 23, 2017, ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a second appeals court, Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, on February 15, 2018 upheld a Maryland lower court ruling that rejected many parts of Trump administration's September 24, 2017, third-version of travel ban that targeted six mostly Muslim nations--Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen--in addition to North Korea and select officials from Venezuela. In a majority decision, 9-4, Chief Justice Roger Gregory of Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals criticized Trump's executive order for second-guessing "our nation's dedication to religious freedom and tolerance". Writing the dissent, Judge Paul Niemeyer faulted the majority for "second-guessing the U.S. foreign policy'.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Travel Ban
U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2018 in a 5-4 ruling upheld Trump administration's September 24, 2017, Executive Order, its third try to implement travel ban on people from majority Muslim nations. The September 24, 2017, EO targeted nations that included Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. Later, Chad was removed from the list. North Korea and Venezuela were not part of the legal challenge. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts opined that the president had the necessary authority and privilege to order such a ban. Court's four liberal justices dissented, but Sonia Sotomayor wrote a scathing opinion while Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan wrote a less critical dissenting opinion. Justice Sotomayor compared the June 26, 2018, U.S. Supreme Court ruling to another disgraceful ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court 74 years ago in 1944 in the case of Korematsu vs. United States. The U.S. Supreme Court in that historic Korematsu vs. United States case ruled in favor of detaining Japanese-American citizens, a decision later judged a grave historical mistake. Justice Sotomayor's bringing the case of Korematsu vs. United States led Chief Justice to dispute forcefully the logic of linking the two circumstances, but nonetheless gave the opportunity to officially impugn that flawed decision. Justice Roberts wrote: "Korematsu was gravely wrong the day it was decided, has been overruled in the court of history, and--to be clear--has no place in law under the Constitution".
***************************** TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION EO ***********************
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
Trump's "America First" Message Resonates among Supporters, Sounds Jingoistic to Opponents
Addressing an inauguration crowd much smaller than what Obama had drawn eight years ago, 45th President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017 struck to his campaign themes with more or less the same divisive tone that had pleased his followers and alienated a vast majority of people. Trump called for putting "America First" policy that would help "Make America Great Again".
Meanwhile, protests had been held nationwide to decry the polemic and policies of Trump. At least 200 protesters had been arrested in Washington D.C. alone.
Women March All over the World
From New York to Los Angeles, from Dallas to Denver, from Minneapolis to Chicago, it was a day of Women's March on January 21, 2017 on a plethora and varying nature of issues, but a common binding theme: President Donald Trump, who had assumed presidency just a day earlier. However, the epicenter of the protests was in Washington D.C., with its streets flooded with sea of women and men alike to attend the March on Washington. It was the defiance, resistance and spirit of political activism that resonated with tens of millions of people who had participated in more than 670 rallies across the USA and additional 70 or more in cities like Barcelona, Mexico City and Tel Aviv. The initial idea of women's march was floated by a Hawaiian grandmother, Teresa Shook, who had refused to go to bed on the election night without taking a stand and do something about it. After the idea was floated by Shook, veteran organizers and activist groups picked up the thread and delivered on January 21, 2017 what would go down in the history as one of the largest people's protest rallies.
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
****************** RUSSIAN CONNECTION TO TRUMP CAMPAIGN ****************
Flynn Resigns over Hiding His Phone Call to Russian Ambassador
Only weeks into his job, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on February 13, 2017 resigned as he had lost president's trust over a phone call he had made to Russian Ambassador to the U.S. , Sergey Kislyak, in late December 2016 and hiding about the content of discussion from Vice President Mike Pence. This was a rapid-speed fall for a former general who had boarded the Trump bandwagon early in the trail, played the role of a trusted cheerleader in the campaign trail and hitherto exerted undue influence on national security issues.
Flynn Fired for not Informing Sanctions-related Discussion with Russian Envoy
The New York Times reported on February 14, 2017 that the intelligence sweep that had recorded the conversation between Michael Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in late December 2016 uncovered that the topic of economic sanctions in fact came up during the discussion contrary to what Flynn had informed the then-VP-elect, Mike Pence, that it was a general discussion and the topic of sanctions did not come up. U.S. intelligence agencies are within their right to intercept communications with foreign diplomats.
Flynn's Replacement Named
President Donald Trump on February 20, 2017 named an Army strategist and turnaround leader of the Iraq War, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, his National Security Adviser, days after he had fired Michael Flynn. Trump's announcement at his Mar-a-Lago resort came after a hectic weekend when he interviewed candidates for this strategic job at the heart of fighting terrorism abroad.
Sessions to Recuse from Probe on Russia Link to Election Interference
As three federal inquiries--Senate and House Intelligence Committees as well as FBI--were being conducted into Russian meddling in the U.S. election, Attorney-General Jeff Sessions announced on March 2, 2017 that he would recuse from any potential DOJ investigation into Russian meddling after The Washington Post had reported Sessions' hitherto undisclosed two meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign. During his confirmation hearings, Sessions failed to disclose his meetings with Kislyak.
******* TRUMP'S WIRETAP ALLEGATION
Trump's Twitter Allegation against Obama
President Donald Trump on March 4, 2017 tweeted that Trump Tower had been wiretapped at the order of President Barack Obama. Trump didn't provide evidence.
FBI Head to DOJ: Reject Trump's Wiretap Claim
A day after President Trump alleged that his predecessor Barack Obama had ordered his phone tapped, FBI Director James Comey publicly refuted Trump's allegation and asked DOJ to disown the president's wiretap allegation. The March 5, 2017, Comey's prodding to the DOJ constituted an extraordinary rebuke to a president.
Trump Feels "Somewhat Vindicated" after a Key Republican Backs Wiretapping Allegation
After weeks of rebuttal by his own party members, President Donald Trump on March 22, 2017 received a significant boost from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes as the California Republican said that he now believed that some of the Trump aides might have been caught in surveillance by U.S. spy agencies. President Trump didn't waste any time to say that he felt "somehow vindicated" by Rep. Nunes.
White House Officials May be the Source of Nunes' Incidental Wiretapping Comments
According to March 30, 2017, reports carried by The Washington Post and The New York Times, the information based on which Devin Nunes told reporters on March 22, 2017 that Trump associates might have been incidentally caught up with surveillance apparently came from two White House officials a day earlier. Nunes were reported to have met with Ezra Cohen-Watnick, senior director of intelligence at the National Security Council, and Michael Ellis, a former lawyer with Nunes' office and current lawyer engaged with White House legal matters, in the White House ground on March 21, 2017, and they had given Nunes the classified information. Instead of briefing his own committee, Devin Nunes preferred to disclose his conclusion to reporters the following day. Addressing reporters, panel's ranking Democrat Adam Schiff said that he would see whether White House officials' intention was to communicate with the President in circuitous way through Nunes.
White House Repeats the Wiretapping Allegation against Obama
In a never-ending streak of allegations, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on March 31, 2017 reiterated the old charges--refuted time and again by Republicans as well as Democrats--of Obama administration spying on Trump associates.
DOJ says no Proof of Trump Tower Wiretapping
The Department of Justice on September 2, 2017 made it official that President Trump's tweet that his predecessor had wiretapped Trump Tower had no evidence.
******* TRUMP'S WIRETAP ALLEGATION
Comey Acknowledges ongoing Inquiry into Russia Connection
In an unusual departure from the norm, FBI Director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee on March 20, 2017 that FBI was conducting an investigation into alleged connection between Trump aides and Russian meddling in the U.S. politics. Comey's acknowledgement came two months after U.S. intelligence agencies' January 2017 conclusion that Russia had in fact meddled in 2016 elections to help Donald Trump. After March 20, 2017, Comey testimony in which he had spilled the beans on ongoing inquiry into Trump-Russia connection, White House played down the significance, and instead focused on who had been leaking the confidential information to media.
Democrats Cry Foul over Intel Compromise by GOP Panel Chair
The ranking Democrat in the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff of California, on March 27, 2017 cast doubt on the ability of the panel's Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., to lead the investigation into connection between Russia and Trump campaign after reports emerged that Nunes had met a source on the White House grounds who had shown him a classified U.S. intelligence report and on the very next day, March 22, 2017, Nunes publicly said that additional names might have been improperly "unmasked".
Senate Panel Likely to Question Kushner
The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee is likely to quiz President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, according to a March 27, 2017, report carried by The New York Times, for an undisclosed meeting with the head of a Russian bank, Vnesheconombank, that was blacklisted by Washington for Russia's action in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. During the time of transition, Kushner first met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December 2016, and then Kislyak arranged a meeting between Kushner and Sergey Gorkov, chief of Vnesheconombank.
Trump Alleges Obama Adviser of Committing Crime
President Donald Trump alleged on April 5, 2017 that Obama administration's National Security Adviser Susan Rice had committed crime by trying to know the identity of Trump associates swept into surveillance dragnet in connection with Russia probe. As usual, the president did not furnish any proof.
Conway to Head House Intel Panel's Russia Probe
As House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-California, had been forced from leading the panel's inquiry into Trump campaign's connection with Russia, a Texan lawmaker stepped in to take the mantle of the inquiry. Mike Conway, R-Lubbock, was named on April 6, 2017 to lead the inquiry.
House Ethics Committee Opens Inquiry into Nunes' Russia Inquiry Handling
U.S. House of Representatives' Ethics Committee announced on April 6, 2017 that it had opened an investigation into alleged mishandling by the House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes related to the inquiry tied to Russian meddling in the U.S. election as well as the connection to Trump campaign.
FBI Obtained Secret Warrant to Spy on a Trump Aide
The trouble for President Donald Trump deepened as The Washington Post published a report on April 11, 2017 that FBI and the U.S. DOJ last summer had approached to and received from a FISA court a secret warrant to monitor Trump campaign adviser Carter Page on suspicion that Trump Campaign's key adviser might be involved in communication with Russia.
Comey Fired
In a political lightning bolt, President Donald Trump on May 9, 2017 fired FBI chief James Comey. Comey was addressing the FBI personnel at Los Angeles when he was surprised by the news flash appearing on the big screens that he had been just relieved of his duty by the president. President Trump ordered the dismissal in a letter to Comey based on the reported recommendation, the veracity of which had been immediately disputed, of the Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein over Comey's mishandling of Hillary Clinton's e-mail server probe. President Trump's May 9, 2017, rash decision traced back to the Nixon-era Watergate Scandal and the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre" when the then-President Richard Nixon had fired the Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, ultimately leading to his impeachment.
Comey Reported to Have Asked More Resources to Ramp up Russia Probe
Days before May 9, 2017, his firing, FBI Director James Comey asked Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein for more prosecutors and other personnel to increase the speed of probe into Russian connection with Trump campaign. The New York Times reported it on May 10, 2017.
Trump Meets with Russian Officials, Allows Russian, but not the U.S., Reporters
In a bizarre precedent and press protocol, President Donald Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the USA, Sergey Kislyak, at the Oval Office on May 10, 2017. Although Russian reporters were present there, Trump administration barred the U.S. press corps from the meeting, setting his administration further in collision course with the country's media and undermining transparency.
Senate Intel Panel Issues Subpoenas to Flynn
The Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee Richard Burr, R-N.C., and the panel's ranking Democrat, Senator Mark Warner, shot off a subpoena on May 10, 2017, ordering Trump's former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who had been fired only days into the job, to turn over all relevant documents related to Russian meddling in the U.S. election to the senate committee.
FBI Refutes White House Claims
Appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe said on May 11, 2017 that his agency would resist any effort to hobble, or obstruct, ongoing Russia investigation that had remained "highly significant". McCabe also disputed the White House version on two counts: first, fired FBI chief James Comey, contrary to what White House said, remained respected among rank-and-file FBI employees, and the second, the importance of investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections.
Trump Divulges Intel to Russians
The Washington Post reported on May 15, 2017 that President Donald Trump had divulged key sensitive information over laptop ban in certain flights to visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, during their May 10, 2017, White House meeting. Trump's disclosures of such a sensitive information may compromise the security of key personnel on ground as well as alliance with a strong geo-political partner, most likely Israel.
Comey Memo Suggestive of Trump's Interference in Russia Probe Appears
A week after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, the existence of a potentially damaging memo written by Comey had been reported on May 16, 2017 by nation's major media outlets including The Dallas Morning News. The memo was reported to have included incident of a meeting between Trump and Comey at the White House days after the then-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had been fired. During that meeting, President Trump was reported to have requested Comey to shut down the federal probe related to Michael Flynn. Trump was quoted as saying: "I hope you can let this go".
Trump Reported to Have Shared Intel Obtained from Israel
Nation's major media outlets reported on May 16, 2017 that Trump might have shared highly classified information obtained from Israel during White House meeting on May 10, 2017 with Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador.
Former FBI Director Chosen as a Special Counsel in Russia Probe
Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein on May 17, 2017 chose former FBI Director Robert Mueller as the special counsel in the ongoing Russia probe that had been penetrating into Trump campaign's inner circle by the day. With Mueller's appointment, probe into potential collusion between Trump campaign and Russia received a fresh push with an investigation that would have very limited oversight and broad leeway.
Trump Reported to Have Justified Firing Comey to Russian Officials
More beans are spilling out of the May 10, 2017, meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian officials--Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the USA, Sergey Kislyak--as The New York Times reported on May 19, 2017 that President Trump had justified the dismissal of former FBI chief James Comey to visiting Russians and said that Comey had been a "crazy, a real nut job" and a great pressure had been relieved.
Trump Reported to have Nudged Two Intel Officials for FBI Pushback
The Washington Post reported on May 22, 2017 that President Donald Trump asked Director of National Security Agency Adm. Michael Rogers and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats separately to publicly refute that there were any existence of evidence of collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. However, both Coats and Rogers refused to oblige the president, who had made the highly unusual request after the then-FBI Director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee on March 20, 2017 that the agency was looking into any link between individuals of Trump's campaign and Russia and whether there was any coordination.
Former CIA Director Testifies before House Panel; Describes Few Nerve-wracking Months
Former CIA Director John Brennan on May 23, 2017 appeared before the House Intelligence Committee and disclosed that he was so worried about the Russian meddling in the U.S. election system and suspicion over some of the Trump campaign aides were helping Russia in that endeavor that he had warned Alexander V. Bortnikov, the head of Russian Security Services, or FSB, on August 4, 2016 not to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. Brenan's testimony came a day after The Washington Post published a report of President Trump asking the Director of National Security Agency Adm. Michael Rogers and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats separately to publicly refute that there were any existence of evidence of collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign after a March 20, 2017, House panel testimony by the then-FBI Director James Comey, saying that the agency was looking into links between Trump campaign and Russia.
Flynn Is in Soup
In a potentially devastating consequence, a grand jury in the Northern Virginia has issued subpoenas for former NSA Director Michael Flynn's business and lobbying documents. The grand jury was related to the ongoing investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In addition, Senate Intelligence Committee issued subpoenas for documents pertaining to Flynn's two business arms--Flynn Intel LLC. and Flynn Intel Inc. Issuance of subpoenas by both Senate panel and grand jury was reported by The New York Times on May 23, 2017.
Subpoenas Issued by House Panel
Eight days after Senate Intelligence Committee was reported to have issued subpoenas asking for documents from Donald Trump's first National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, House Intelligence Committee on May 31, 2017 issued similar subpoenas for Flynn Intel Group, Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, and his law firm, Michael D. Cohen and Associates.
Special Prosecutor Adds Manafort Ties
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on June 2, 2017 added Paul Manafort's past business dealings with Russia as part of expanding the scope of his investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections. Manafort stepped down from his role as Donald Trump's campaign chairman in August 2016.
Sessions Testifies Before Senate Panel, Defends Himself Vigorously
Appearing before his former Senate colleagues of the Senate Intelligence Panel on June 13, 2017, nation's top law enforcement officer called any suggestion of his collusion with Russia to tilt the elections in favor of Donald Trump an "appalling and detestable lie". A.G. Jeff Sessions also defended his role for advising Trump in firing of James Comey as FBI Director.
Congress Imposes Sanctions on Russia
Senate Votes to Slap Sanctions on Russian Targets
Sending a clear message that Senate would not tolerate any meddling by Russia in the U.S. election process, the upper chamber on June 14, 2017 passed a measure by an overwhelming margin of 97-2, approving a package of sanctions that had targeted Russian individuals and companies responsible for cyberattack.
House Slaps Sanctions on Russian Targets
About a month-and-half after Senate slapped sanctions on Russia, House of Representatives on July 25, 2017 overwhelmingly voted (419-3) for a package of sanctions against Russian targets closely linked to Kremlin. The package includes sanctions against Iran and North Korea too.
Senate Takes House Bill; Passes by Large Margin
U.S. Senate on July 27, 2017 passed the 184-page Russia sanctions bill, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, passed by the House two days ago by a lopsided margin of 98-2.
Russia Hits Back with Its Own Punitive Measure
Calling the U.S. sanctions as another "extreme aggressiveness", Russian Foreign Ministry on July 28, 2017 responded with its own harsh diplomatic measures, ordering the U.S. diplomatic and technical staff to be reduced to 455 by September 1, 2017. Also, beginning August 1, 2017, access to a warehouse in Moscow as well as a bucolic site on the Moscow River used by U.S. diplomatic corps will be barred.
Putin Orders American Staff Cut by 755
Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 30, 2017 ordered the staff of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Russia by 755 personnel. The staff reduction, in response to the recently approved U.S. Congressional sanctions, was ordered to be completed by September 1, 2017.
Trump Signs Russia Sanction, but with a Swipe at Congress
The veto-proof measure that punishes Russia for meddling in the last year's elections in the U.S. was signed by President Donald Trump on August 2, 2017, but a not-so-happy president let it know that Congress had incorporated many "unconstitutional provisions" in the measure.
Tit-for-Tat Measure by U.S. to Respond Moscow's Order to Reduce U.S. Diplomatic Mission
In response to Kremlin order to cut the U.S. diplomatic mission by more than 700 personnel, U.S. on August 31, 2017 ordered Russian consular office in San Francisco shuttered. Also included in the closure list were Russian offices in Washington and New York. U.S. gave Russia 48 hours to comply with the August 31, 2017, order. The time could not be any worse for Russia's new ambassador to the U.S. as Anatoly Antonov had arrived just few hours after the U.S. announcement.
U.S. Seizes Control of Russian Posts
U.S. on September 2, 2017 took possession of Russian consulate office in San Francisco as well as offices in Washington and New York.
U.S. Sanctions Russian Tycoons
Targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner-circle, the U.S. Treasury Department on April 6, 2018 slapped sanctions on dozens of Russian oligarchs and entities, including aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, known for his close ties with Putin. Instead of naming any specific reason such as election meddling or striking double-agent on a foreign soil, the U.S. Treasury Department's April 6, 2018, sanctions were more tailored to punish Kremlin for its "ongoing and increasingly brazen pattern" of bad behavior. In addition to Derispaska, six other Russian tycoons and dozens of entities were also targeted.
U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions on 17 Russians, Lifts Sanctions on Russian Aluminum Company
U.S. Treasury Department on December 19, 2018 imposed economic sanctions on 17 Russians, including nine Russian intelligence officials indicted on charges of stealing e-mails from DNC and Hillary Clinton Campaign in 2016. In the same announcement on December 19, 2018, U.S. Treasury said that it was lifting sanctions on Russian aluminum giant Rusal after a blacklisted Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, severed ties to the company.
Congress Imposes Sanctions on Russia
Trump Acknowledges being Under Probe, Blasts Top Official Overseeing Russia Probe
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on June 16, 2017 that he was under Justice Department's independent counselor's probe for firing the ex-FBI director, James Comey, and blamed the probe on Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein, overseer of the probe looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections. White House continued claiming that Trump had fired Comey based on a memo written by Rosenstein.
Trump says that He Has No Tape of Conversation with Comey
Calling out of his own bluff, President Donald Trump on June 22, 2017 walked back on what he had stated on May 12, 2017 about the existence of a tape that contained his conversation with James Comey, threatening to make public of that tape. Trump tweeted on June 22, 2017 that he had no such tapes.
Trump Reported to have Quizzed Putin at G-20 on Meddling in U.S. Polls
On the sidelines of G-20 summit at Hamburg, Germany, U.S. President Donald Trump on July 7, 2017 pressed Vladimir Putin on meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections. Putin denied any Russian meddling. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the Putin-Trump session as good and the outcome as expected from the "positive chemistry" between the leaders.
Trump Confidantes Met with Russian Lawyer
The New York Times reported on July 8, 2017 that two weeks after Donald Trump had won the Republican Party nomination, his son, Donald Trump Jr., his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met with a Russian lawyer connected to Kremlin's power players. The June 9, 2016, meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer, at the Trump Tower occurred under the guise of a conversation over adoption issue that had cast a long shadow on the bilateral relationship as Russia hit back with suspending the adoption program for American parents in response to a 2012 U.S. law, known as the Magnitsky Act that blacklisted Russians accused of human rights abuses, that had enraged Vladimir Putin. The law was named after Sergei Magnitsky, known to have exposed one of the most serious corruption scandals under Putin regime, who died in 2009 under a mysterious situation.
Trump Son Promised Damaging Clinton Information
The New York Times continued reporting for the second day on July 9, 2017 with more bombshell related to June 9, 2016, meeting between Trump campaign--including Donald Trump Jr., his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his son-in-law Jared Kushner--and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at the Trump Tower in New York. Before the meeting, the organizer of the meeting, British tabloid journalist Rob Goldstone, also the president of Oui 2 Entertainment, a company that organizes the Miss Universe pageantry, promised that Veselnitskaya would share some damaging information with Trump campaign team.
Trump Jr. Salivates over Document Implicating Hillary
The Washington Post joined the fray on July 11, 2017 in depicting an emerging link that had been brewing in the early summer of 2016 election year. Donald Trump's business partner and tabloid journalist Rob Goldstone on June 3, 2016 wrote an e-mail to Donald Trump Jr., saying that a Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, connected to Kremlin power structure had damaging information about Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, and offered to arrange a meeting. Trump Jr. responded by agreeing to have a meeting, and six days later, Natalia Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr., his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his son-in-law Jared Kushner at the 25th floor of Trump Tower.
President Defends His Son
Defending his son's innocence and integrity, President Donald Trump on July 12, 2017 fired off a tweet, calling the media coverage of his son Donald Trump Jr.'s June 9, 2016, meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, who had been reported to have some damaging information about Hillary Clinton, as "witch hunt".
President Takes Issue with His Attorney-General
President Donald Trump on July 25, 2017 added more fuel to speculation over the fate of his Attorney-General. Trump never hid his displeasure over Jeff Sessions' recusal from the Russian investigation. On July 25, 2017, addressing reporters at the Rose Garden with Lebanese Prime minister, he told: "I am very disappointed with the Attorney-General".
Mueller Amps up Russia Investigation
Increasing the level of political pressure from a criminal investigation led by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, the collusion between Trump campaign and Russia in the last year's election got muddier on August 3, 2017 with The Washington Post report that a second grand jury seated in the Washington D.C. was being used for weeks by Mueller team in addition to an existing grand jury in Alexandria of the Eastern District of Virginia.
FBI Searched Manafort Home
The Washington Post reported on August 9, 2017 that FBI agents had carried out extensive search at Paul Manafort's Alexandria, Virginia home on July 26, 2017. The raid at Manafort mansion is an indication that it is a matter of when, not if, an indictment is in the offing in the Russia-Trump campaign collusion probe.
Clinton Camp, DNC Paid for Infamous Trump Dossier
The Washington Post reported on October 24, 2017 that Clinton campaign paid Marc Elias and his law firm, Perkins Coie, $5.6 million in legal fees between June 2015 and December 2016, and Perkins Coie retained Fusion GPS, a Washington firm, to conduct research into Trump's connection with Russia. Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS in April 2016 on behalf of Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee to do the research. Earlier in the Republican primary, the same firm, Fusion GPS, was hired by Trump's GOP rivals for the same purpose. The dossier, authored by the former British intelligence official Christopher Steele, was published by Buzzfeed News in January 2017. DNC paid Perkins Coie about $3.6 million since October 2015.
Trump Assails Russia Inquiry; Blasts Uranium One Deal
As the news of a possible indictment was swirling around, President Donald Trump on October 29, 2017 assailed Russia probe led by Robert Mueller and questioned why his defeated 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, was not under investigation. Trump's tweet came five days after The Washington Post had reported that the so-called Trump Dossier, a 35-page collection of 17 memos connecting Trump's interests with Moscow's and authored by Christopher Steele, a former British intel official between June 20 and December 13, 2016 on behalf of a Washington D.C.-based firm, Fusion GPS, was financed by Hillary Clinton Campaign and DNC.
URANIUM ONE DEAL: CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
Trump also tweeted on October 29, 2017, linking Clinton to nepotism over 2010 Uranium One deal in which Rosatom, the Russian nuclear agency, acquired a controlling stake in Uranium One, the Canadian mining company that had licenses over mining 20 percent of Uranium in the U.S. The deal was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, a government panel headed by the Treasury department and includes, among others, the State Department. The Uranium One deal was also okayed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A Canadian financier, Frank Giustra, sold his company, UrAsia, to Uranium One in 2007. In 2010 Uranium One and Rosatom deal, Hillary Clinton was not reported to have participated at the CFIUS review as that would pose a major conflict of interest as Giustra and other Uranium One officials gave donations--totaling $145 million--to the Clinton Foundation.
Manafort, Two Others Indicted in Russian Investigation
In the much anticipated, but disturbing for Trump administration, turn of events, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on October 30, 2017 unveiled first of charges against three former Trump campaign aides, including the former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Manafort during the day surrendered to FBI and pleaded not guilty to charges that included laundering money overseas to buy luxurious items. Beside Manafort, Rick Gates, a longtime Manafort aide and former campaign adviser, and a former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, were charged. While Gates pleaded not guilty, Papadoupoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to FBI and is now cooperating with the investigators. The indictment dated to weeks ago, and on October 5, 2017, George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to charges that he had lied to FBI about his Russian contacts at a January 27, 2017, interrogation session. On the same day, President Trump was reported to have invited the then-FBI Director James Comey for dinner to seek a pledge of loyalty.
Paul Manafort and Rick Gates
The indictment against Manafort and Gates involved a complicated web of money trails and a powerful Washington lobbying group, Podesta Group. Manafort and Rick Gates in 2012 referred an European client, the European Center for a Modern Ukraine, to Podesta Group and another lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs. Both Podesta Group and Mercury Public Affairs were named in Mueller indictment, but no criminal indictment was issued against them or any of their officials. Both these Washington firms continued work for European Center for a Modern Ukraine until 2014.
Manafort and Gates used the European Center for a Modern Ukraine to lobby U.S. administration for their longtime client Viktor Yanukovich, a former Ukrainian president and a Moscow loyalist, and his political party, the indictment alleged. Paul Manafort and Rick Gates flouted the foreign lobbying rules and laundered millions of dollars--an estimated $18 million--to shell companies in Cyprus, Grenada and elsewhere to feed their extravagant lifestyle. Manafort's lawyer, Kevin Downing, reacted to Mueller's charges with contempt, calling them "ridiculous". Meanwhile, Tony Podesta, the founding member of Podesta Group and brother of Hillary Clinton Campaign chief John Podesta, decided to step down from his namesake lobbying firm during the day.
Rick Gates
Rick Gates on December 17, 2019 was sentenced to 45 days in prison. In addition, Rick Gates will have to pay a $20,000 fine and serve in 300 hours of community work. Although the crime for which Rick Gates had been sentenced usually involved years of sentences, prosecutors cited an extraordinary level of cooperation by Rick Gates in their argument for a lesser sentence to Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
George Papadopoulos
Trump campaign hired Papadopoulos in March 2016 as a foreign policy adviser although the Chicago native did not have much foreign policy background. After being named to Trump's campaign, Papadopoulos was suddenly befriended by many pro-Russia interest groups, according to the prosecution charges. According to The Washington Post, George Papadopoulos had met with a college professor from London while traveling in Italy on March 14, 2016. The professor, Joseph Mifsud, the Director of London Academy of Diplomacy, is a Maltese citizen. However, Mifsud denied any links to Russia other than academia, which is pretty hard to believe as he has met again with George Papadopoulos in London ten days later.
White House Reaction
White House reacted in panicked mode to the October 30, 2017, unveiling of felony charges to two of the former aides and the news that Trump campaign's former foreign policy adviser was a co-operating witness to the Mueller Probe. President Donald Trump wrote two tweets. In the first tweet, he made light of the charges against Manafort, saying that "this is years ago" and asking why the probe's focus was not on "Crooked Hillary". In his second tweet, Trump appeared to act as a judge and jury himself, proclaiming that "there is NO COLLUSION!". White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders forcefully refuted that "today's announcement has" anything "to do with the president".
Summary of Charges against Manafort and Gates
* 1 count of conspiracy to defraud USA
* 1 count of conspiracy to launder money to the tune of $18 million between 2006 and 2016
* (Manafort) 4 counts of failure to report foreign banks and accounts as required in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Paul Manafort had several accounts and partnership in the U.S. and abroad.
*(Gates) 3 counts of failure to file reports of foreign banks and accounts in 2011, 2012 and 2013
* 1 count of failure to register as an agent of foreign state between 2008 and 2014
* 2 counts of making falsifying statements in relation to lobbying for Ukrainian interests. Each of the two charges was related to the statements made on November 26, 2016 and February 10, 2017.
********** George Papadopoulos ************
Trump Calls Papadopoulos a "Liar"
Making light of the co-operating witness in Russia probe, President Donald Trump tweeted on October 31, 2017 that his campaign's former foreign adviser George Papadopoulos was a "liar".
Papadopoulos Sentenced to Two-week Term
In September 2018, George Papadopoulos was sentenced to two weeks of jail term, a year of supervised release, 200 hours of community services and $9,500 in fine.
Papadopoulos Seeks Immunity
The Associated Press reported on October 26, 2018 that George Papadopoulos was seeking immunity in exchange for testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
********** George Papadopoulos ************
***************** Michael Flynn
Flynn Attorneys Cut Ties with Trump's Lawyers
The New York Times reported November 23, 2017 that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's lawyers had severed ties with those of Trump team, implying a plea might be offing soon.
Flynn Pleads Guilty
In an almost earth-shattering twist in Russia-Trump campaign link probe, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on December 1, 2017 pleaded guilty to lying to FBI, giving Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team a very valuable witness. Legal experts think that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller may be looking at whether anyone in the Trump campaign has violated more than 200-year-old Logan Act that prohibits any American from working with foreign interest against the American government. Michael Flynn might have discussed with Trump transition officials about his December 22, 2016, meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak over a U.N. resolution critical of Israel that Obama administration did not intend to oppose. Trump transition team at that time was led by Mike Pence, and included Jared Kushner among others.
Mueller Team Seeks no Prison Time for Flynn
In a court filing, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's lawyers on December 4, 2018 asked a judge to spare Michael Flynn any prison time for providing valuable information to the investigators.
Prosecutors Reject Flynn Attorneys' Suggestion that He had been Tricked
Lawyers from special prosecutor's office on December 14, 2018 rejected, in a court filing, the recent bits and news being issued by Michael Flynn's lawyers that former national security adviser had been tricked by the FBI investigators as he had never been told that lying to FBI had been illegal. "A sitting national security adviser, former head of intelligence agency, retired lieutenant general and 33-year veteran of armed forces" should know that "he should not lie to federal agents". Meanwhile, the presiding judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan, asked for documents related to Flynn's January 24, 2017, interview with FBI investigators.
Judge Rebukes Flynn
At a sentencing hearing of Michael Flynn, former National Security Adviser, a federal judge in Washington on December 18, 2018 scolded four-star general for undermining the integrity of the oath of the office by being "an unregistered agent" all along of a "foreign country while serving as the national security adviser". U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan of Washington, D.C. then added that Flynn's action "undermines everything that this flag over here stands for" and reprimanded for selling "your country out". However, the judge postponed Flynn's sentencing. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller asked for no prison time for Flynn for his extensive co-operation with the federal investigators.
Barr Opens Review of Flynn Prosecution
The day U.S. DOJ decided not to bring charges against Andrew McCabe, Attorney-General William Barr on February 14, 2020 announced that the department would review how prosecutors had handled the Michael Flynn case. Outside prosecutors will be reviewing the case.
Flynn Case Dropped
In an unprecedented move, Justice Department on May 7, 2020 dropped all pending charges against Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, undermining one of the legacies of the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller. President Donald Trump, who along claimed that Flynn had been targeted for political reason, lauded the U.S. DOJ decision. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrats and many legal scholars questioned Attorney-General William Barr's impartiality and motive as Flynn's attorneys had mounted an aggressive challenge against FBI's tactic to ensnare their client. An outside prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen, appointed by Barr to re-open and review the Flynn case submitted his recommendation to Barr last week and implored that there was no basis to interrogate Flynn at the first place.
FBI Launches Internal Inquiry
FBI, under pressure from Trump backers and conservative activists, on May 22, 2020 announced that its Inspection Division would begin investigating into any misdeed related to Michael Flynn's guilty plea and whether any current employee had been involved in any wrongdoing.
Special Overseer Blasts Justice's Recommendation of Dropping Charges
The presiding judge in the Michael Flynn case appointed a former federal judge, Judge John Gleeson, in New York who had taken down John Gotti of the notorious Gambino Family as a prosecutor before becoming a federal judge and who had been in the private practice since 2016 to oversee the Justice Department's May 7, 2020, recommendation to drop charges against the former four-star genera in a special role. On June 10, 2020, John Gleeson in a filing to the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, blasted the DOJ move and called its action as "riddled" with legal errors.
Judge Must Drop Flynn Case, Appeals Court Rules
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled 2-1 on June 24, 2020 that the presiding judge in the case of Michael Flynn must drop the charges as the lower court judge had no authority to investigate further into U.S. DOJ decision to drop the case against Flynn.
Full Appeals Court Dismisses the Argument of Outright Dropping of Charges
A full appeals court on August 31, 2020 ruled that the presiding judge in the Michael Flynn case could go through the hearing on the merit of DOJ's move to drop charges against the former national security adviser. This is a setback to both DOJ and Flynn defense team as they have wanted the charges to be dropped after a special overseer appointed by the Attorney-General William Barr has recommended dropping the charges altogether. However, the presiding judge instead of dropping the charges altogether appointed a former judge to assess the DOJ recommendation and press his case in front of his court.
The U.S. President Barack Obama hosted fourth nuclear security summit at Washington D.C., where leaders of some 50 nations assembled for two days (March 31-April 1, 2016), and on April 1, 2016 told the reporters that the summit had made some progress on agreeing a general outline to secure world's nuclear stockpiles. The nuclear security summit this year assumed all the more importance as it was hosted in the aftermath of Brussels Bombings and subsequent revelation that some of the attackers had scouted out the possibility for efforts to acquire fissile materials. World's counterterrorism officials believe that radical groups are in the hunt for materials to manufacture some sort of "dirty bombs" that may wreak havoc on population centers such as New York City. That's why it's all the more important for the Obama administration to push a 2005 deal that calls for enhanced safeguards for tracking nuclear material. The 2005 deal sat dormant, and the March 31-April 1, 2016, summit gave a much needed push for its implementation. The recently declassified documents showed that the USA had reduced its stockpile of highly enriched uranium from 741 metric tons some two decades ago to 586 metric tons in 2013. During the summit, USA and Japan announced that hundreds of kilograms of weapons-grade material were secured from one Japanese reactor and would do so soon for a second reactor. Meanwhile, North Korea played the Russian Roulette game with the international community one more time with the test-fire of a short-range missile hours after the summit was wrapped up and jamming radio signal of one of South Korea's ships. President Barack Obama initiated the nuclear security summit to pursue a key security strategy of searching, securing and storing fissile material across the world to prevent them to fall in the hands of terrorist groups, and this year's was the fourth summit. As Obama administration's tenure is coming to an end in months, the onus will be shifted to U.N. going forward, according to The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
Nuclear Ban Talks to be Boycotted by U.S., Russia, Britain
A historic negotiation to curtail and eventually ban nuclear weapons was launched in October 2016 under the auspices of Austria, Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa and Sweden. At least 120 nations supported the talks so far. But, Nikki Haley, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., said on March 27, 2017 alongside the Britain's U.N. Ambassador Matthew Rycroft that U.S. would boycott the talks, thus joining the ranks of a dozen or so nations including U.K. and Russia.
***************************** NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT *********************
Freedom of Information Act Improvement Signed
President Barack Obama on June 30, 2016 signed a bipartisan law co-sponsored by Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn and Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy that would update and upgrade the 50-year-old Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Under the FOIA Improvement Act of 2015, inquiring public don't need to go to individual agencies to get access to information. Instead, they should be able to submit request and receive the information from a portal to be created by the Office of Personnel and Management. The measure also aims to lift the veil of secrecy after 25 years until covered by the attorney-client privilege.
RACE RELATIONS: Nation not even Close to Where it Should be, President Says about Race Relations
A day after attending and addressing the funeral of five fallen Dallas officers, President Barack Obama on July 13, 2016 held a trust building event between community activists and law enforcement agencies at the White House, an event attended, among others, by Terry Cunningham, the head of International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Brittany Packnett of President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing beside the president himself. The atmosphere was candid and frank, and the participants talked about the challenges and opportunities faced by the law enforcement agencies and the communities they policed. President Barack Obama acknowledged that the nation was not close to where it should be in terms of race relations and related problems.
************************************ 9/11 LEGISLATION **************************
Congress Passes Law Allowing 9/11 Victims to Sue Saudi Arabia
Four months after the U.S. Senate voted to pass a landmark legislation, over the objection of Obama administration and Saudi Arabia, allowing 9/11 victims to sue the Saudi Arabia officials, the U.S. House of Representatives on September 9, 2016 voted overwhelmingly for the measure on the eve of the 15th anniversary of worst terrorist attack on the USA.
President Vetoes the 9/11 Bill
President Barack Obama on September 23, 2016 vetoed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, or JASTA, on the ground that the measure would pave the way for foreign governments to prosecute Americans too.
JASTA Goes into Effect without Presidential Signature
In the first veto override of his presidency, Congress on September 28, 2016 overwhelmingly voted to make president's veto null and void, leading the JASTA--under which the victims of 9/11 attacks can sue the Saudi officials in the U.S. courts--to become the law of land without Barack Obama's signature. The House vote was 348-77 and the Senate vote was 97-1 despite strong warnings from the White House, Defense officials and House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mac Thornberry. Texas Senator John Cornyn, who co-sponsored the bill with Senator Chuck Schumer, a fellow Democrat, stressed that JASTA was nothing but an extension of the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1978 and Antiterrorism Act, a point disputed by many legal scholars.
************************************ 9/11 LEGISLATION **************************
****************************** 21st CENTURY CURES ACT ***********************
President Obama Signs a Key Health Bill
President Barack Obama on December 13, 2016 signed a strong bipartisan bill that had brought a diverse teams of players and politicians on board. The law, 21st Century Cures Act, calls for:
* Creating a new position at the assistant secretary level in the Health and Human Services department to oversee mental health and addiction problem
* A 5-year, $1.8 billion in aid to Vice President Joe Biden's "moonshot" initiative to find a cure to cancer
* $1 billion to the states, and half as much to the federal government to fight the opioid crisis
* Lifting restrictions on federal funds for judges, doctors, jailers and teachers to create funds for local treatment program for mental health
****************************** 21st CENTURY CURES ACT ***********************
Intel Agencies: Russians Helped Trump
A declassified version of USA's intel agencies' report shed a light on how with Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct encouragement, Moscow had not only interfered in the U.S. elections, but tried to tilt its outcome in favor of Donald Trump. The intel agencies shared the report with President-elect Donald Trump on January 6, 2017, and major newspapers carried the report in the following day's editions.
Chelsea Manning, Puerto Rican Nationalist among Hundreds Commuted by Obama
In a sweeping step to cement his legacy as the forerunner of the criminal justice reform, President Barack Obama on January 17, 2017 commuted sentences of Chelsea Manning, Puerto Rican nationalist leader Oscar Lopez-Rivera and 207 others. President Obama also pardoned 64 others, including retired Gen. James Cartwright, who had given false statement during an investigation into leakage of classified information. The latest clemency of 273 people--including 209 commutations and 64 pardons--marked another giant step in President Obama's action to definitively impact and influence the Criminal Justice reforms. Chelsea Manning, formerly known as Bradley Manning, was convicted in a military court in 2013 for leaking more than 70,000 classified documents to WikiLeaks. Under the commutation order that does not erase the conviction from the records, Manning will be freed from prison in May 2017. Puerto Rican nationalist leader Oscar Lopez-Rivera had led Armed Forces of National Liberation, which was responsible for more than 100 bombings in the U.S. in 1970s and 1980s, and had been sentenced to 55 years in prison. Many Puerto Ricans in recent years though demanded that the government release him. Now, Oscar Lopez-Rivera is all set to be freed in May 2017.
Key Difference between Commutation and Pardon
* Commutation reduces sentences, but does not erase the conviction
* Pardon not only helps the defendant in jail term reduction, but also erasing the conviction from background records
***************************** TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION EO ***********************
Trump Signs Executive Order Targeting Seven Muslim Nations
Barely a week in the White House. President Donald Trump already made splash, nay waves, in the nation's political circle by signing some of the Executive Orders ranging from border walls, deregulation, withdrawing from TPP and others. On the first full working day in office, January 23, 2017, President Trump signed one of his earliest EO withdrawing from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). However, none of them came closer to his January 27, 2017, late afternoon signing the EO restricting travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries: Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia and Libya. Under the EO, taking everyone by surprise, steps included:
* A moratorium on all incoming refugees for 120 days
* An indefinite suspension for Syrian refugees
* A 90-day travel ban on citizens from these seven nations
The EO created so much chaos and confusion that immigration officials and airport security had to scramble to comply with the eddict in a haphazard manner, leading to hundreds, if not thousands, of travelers getting stuck at various U.S. airports for hours. News began to emerge from nation's gateway airports of mothers and grandmothers in detention with toddlers, creating a backlash and strong condemnation. Protesters flocked to the nation's airports to show support for the refugess and condemn President Trump's discriminatory executive action. Scores of immigration lawyers worked pro bono for travelers, including dozens of Green Card holders, students, academics and doctors, stranded at the nation's airports.
Brooklyn Judge Puts Trump's EO on Hold; Outcries Get Louder
More than 24 hours after President Trump signed an executive order restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, leading to a chaotic and confusing promulgation of the eddict at the nation's gateway airports and hours-long detention of many hundreds travelers, a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Ann Donnelly of Brooklyn, on January 28, 2017 ordered a temporary hold on the president's executive order, bringing relief to detained travelers and cheers to thousands of protesters who had shown up at the nation's airports to show support for refugees and condemn president's EO. Meanwhile, protests at nation's gateway airports during the day just got bigger and louder, and foreign leaders, U.S. corporate executives and academia joined a growing chorus of condemnation against the president's order. Among the corporate titans, Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook and Sundar Pichai of Google, took a more direct and vocal stands against Trump's order while the French and German foreign ministers--Jean-Marc Ayrault and Sigmar Gabriel--at a Paris press conference during the day called Trump's executive order as against the values of "welcoming refugees who flee war and oppression".
Trump Fires Acting Attorney-General
Escalating a crisis stemming from the January 27, 2017, hashazard stroke of his executive pen, President Donald Trump on January 30, 2017 doubled down on the crisis, chaos and confusion by firing the acting A.G. Sally Yates hours after she refused to enforce president's EO targeting travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations. Later the administration appointed Dana Boente, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, as the acting AG. The defiance and the following firing of the acting AG was an unprecendented political earthquake for a nascent administration and an unparallel display of insubordination since the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre" in 1973, when President Richard Nixon had fired his Attorney-General and Deputy Attorney-General for disobeying his order to dismiss the then-Watergate Crisis special prosecutor Archibald Cox. Cox was later fired by the then-Solicitor-General Robert Bork.
A Seattle Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump's Travel Ban
In a scathing repudiation, U.S. District Judge James Robart of the Western District of Washington on February 3, 2017 temporarily blocked Trump's January 27, 2017, executive order enacting a sweeping travel ban on travelers from Muslim-majority nations. Robart, a Bush-era appointee, made his ruling applicable nationwide, implying that the governments and airlines would be forced to allow stranded passengers to go about with their scheduled travel plan. Hours before, another federal judge, Nathaniel Gorton in Boston, sided with the administration, refusing to block the travel ban in his jurisdiction.
Trump Administration Appeals, Upper Court Keeps the Trump Ban Suspended
After a nationwide suspension of President Trump's executive order restricting travel from seven mostly Muslim-majority nations, administration appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. However, on February 5, 2017, the appeals court has left the suspension of the executive order in place at least until February 6, 2017 when the court is scheduled to hear the case.
Appeals Court Quizzes Administration, Plaintiff Lawyers
The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on February 7, 2017 grilled both the DOJ lawyer August Flentje and Solicitor-General Noah Purcell of the state of Washington.
Trump Signs Revised Executive Order on Travel
After getting egged by judicial branch over his January 2017 executive order restricting travel from seven Muslim-majority nations, President Donald Trump on March 6, 2017 signed a revised version of his EO, but left his objectives and goals intact. Under Trump's revised EO:
* Iraq was dropped from the list of nations to be affected by travel restrictions
* New visa ban was imposed for six other nations for 90 days
* Refugee program was suspended for 120 days
In the earlier EO, the refugee re-settlement program from Syria had been suspended indefinitely and 120 days from other nations. The revised EO signed on March 6, 2017 also removed language that favored Christian refugees over Muslims. Also, in another welcoming change, people with an existing visa to travel to the US are exempt from the revised EO.
California Joins Other States against Trump's New EO
Three days prior to President Donald Trump's March 6, 2017, executive order scheduled to take effect, California on March 13, 2017 joined five other Democratic-ruled states--Washington, Oregon, New York, Minnesota and Massachusetts-- in a case filed at a Seattle federal court against the order. California Attorney-General Xavier Becerra's decision to jump into the fray added additional fuel to the fire of resistance against Trump's travel ban order, and plaintiffs' main points of argument focused on the comments themselves made by Trump surrogates. Presidential aide Stephen Miller said on February 21, 2017 that the new EO would be more or less same, barring "mostly minor technical differences". Presidential spokesman Sean Spicer was on record of saying on February 27, 2017 that the new order would attempt "to address the courts' concerns" without diluting the goals of the first travel ban order.
Hawaii Judge Blocks President's New Travel Ban
A federal judge in Hawaii on March 15, 2017 temporarily blocked President Donald Trump's March 6, 2017, revised travel ban that had targeted travelers from mostly Muslim nations. Ruling on a petition filed by Hawaii's Attorney-General Douglas Chin, U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson put a temporary hold on the Executive Order. Reacting to Judge Watson's verdict, President Trump accused the judge at a Nashville rally of endangering the security of the nation.
Administration Lawyers Appeal, Judge Rejects
Two days after U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson blocked President Donald Trump's new travel ban, DOJ lawyers on late March 17, 2017 filed a petition to the judge to limit the scope of his ruling. However, Judge Watson on March 19, 2017 was unsparing and unmoved, ruling that there was no ambiguity in the scope of his order.
Virginia Judge Refuses to Block Trump's Revised Executive Order
Going against the torrent of recent court ruling, a Virginia federal judge ruled on March 24, 2017, affirming Trump's authority in pursuing an aggressive travel protocol. The judge, U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga, dismissed a lawsuit brought by Council of American Islamic Relations against the president's travel ban.
Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court's Permission to Re-instate Travel Ban
Days after the Richmond-based federal appeals court ruled 10-3 votes that Trump's executive order on travel ban from mostly six Muslim nations did not pass the muster, administration on May 31, 2017 appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Now, all eyes are focused on what the nation's highest court has to opine on this sensitive issue.
A Second Appeals Court Rules against Trump's Revised Executive Order
After a 10-3 ruling on May 25, 2017 by the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturning President Donald Trump's revised executive order banning people from mostly six Muslim majority nations, another appeals court chimed in on June 12, 2017. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said on June 12, 2017 that the president had exceeded his authority. On May 31, 2017, Trump administration appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court against the May 25, 2017, ruling by the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Supreme Court Partially Upholds Trump's Immigration EO
In a partial setback to human rights, refugee and civil rights groups, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2017 upheld portions of Trump's travel ban, ruling that there must be a clear "familial" or "bona fide" reason for the travelers to enter the U.S. Those reasons include:
* Close family ties such as mother-in-law or spouse
* A student admitted to an American university
* A worker who has accepted offer from a U.S.-based company
* A lecturer invited to speak at an American institution
The ruling will apply as the court hears the case in the fall and make a final verdict. The court's June 26, 2017, temporary ruling did not satisfy either party totally as the 120-day travel ban on refugees and 90-day travel ban on visitors from six Muslim nations--Syria, Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen--would remain in place only for those who could not establish a "bona fide relationship" with a "person or entity" in the USA, giving much less of a victory the administration which had sought a sort of a blanket ban.
Trump's New Rule to Restrict Travel from Eight Nations
As the existing travel ban was set to expire for nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, who lacked "a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States", President Donald Trump issued new travel ban on September 24, 2017 that would go into effect on October 18, 2017. The new rule drops Sudan from the list, and adds North Korea, Venezuela and Chad to this list to make a nine-nation--Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen--prohibitive list although as far as Venezuela is concerned the rule is going to affect the pro-government officials.
Federal Appeals Court Partially Upholds Trump's Third Travel Ban
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on November 13, 2017 tossed out a lower court's whole-sale rejection of President Donald Trump's third travel ban issued on September 24, 2017 that targeted the nationals from nine nations--Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen--with ban on pro-government Venezuelan officials. The judges ruled that the government could implement the ban except foreign national with bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States".
Trump Administration's Third-Try on Travel Ban Takes Full Effect
The U.S. Supreme Court on December 4, 2017 tossed out a challenge against Trump administration's September 24, 2017, third-try on travel ban that targeted the nationals from nine nations--Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen--with ban on pro-government Venezuelan officials. The apex court's action paves the way for the latest travel ban to take effect immediately.
Appeals Court Affirms the Lower Court's Ruling Tossing out the Travel Ban
A three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on December 23, 2017 upheld a Hawaii court's October 17, 2017, ruling that Trump administration's third travel ban order was unlawful on statutory ground. The U.S. Supreme Court on December 4, 2017 allowed to continue with Trump administration's third round of travel ban that was formulated and made public on September 24, 2017. and asked the appeals courts to wrap up the case as soon as possible.
A Second Appeals Court Toss out Trump Travel Ban
After the December 23, 2017, ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, a second appeals court, Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, on February 15, 2018 upheld a Maryland lower court ruling that rejected many parts of Trump administration's September 24, 2017, third-version of travel ban that targeted six mostly Muslim nations--Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen--in addition to North Korea and select officials from Venezuela. In a majority decision, 9-4, Chief Justice Roger Gregory of Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals criticized Trump's executive order for second-guessing "our nation's dedication to religious freedom and tolerance". Writing the dissent, Judge Paul Niemeyer faulted the majority for "second-guessing the U.S. foreign policy'.
U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Trump's Travel Ban
U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2018 in a 5-4 ruling upheld Trump administration's September 24, 2017, Executive Order, its third try to implement travel ban on people from majority Muslim nations. The September 24, 2017, EO targeted nations that included Syria, Libya, Iran, Yemen, Chad, Somalia, North Korea and Venezuela. Later, Chad was removed from the list. North Korea and Venezuela were not part of the legal challenge. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts opined that the president had the necessary authority and privilege to order such a ban. Court's four liberal justices dissented, but Sonia Sotomayor wrote a scathing opinion while Justices Stephen Breyer and Elena Kagan wrote a less critical dissenting opinion. Justice Sotomayor compared the June 26, 2018, U.S. Supreme Court ruling to another disgraceful ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court 74 years ago in 1944 in the case of Korematsu vs. United States. The U.S. Supreme Court in that historic Korematsu vs. United States case ruled in favor of detaining Japanese-American citizens, a decision later judged a grave historical mistake. Justice Sotomayor's bringing the case of Korematsu vs. United States led Chief Justice to dispute forcefully the logic of linking the two circumstances, but nonetheless gave the opportunity to officially impugn that flawed decision. Justice Roberts wrote: "Korematsu was gravely wrong the day it was decided, has been overruled in the court of history, and--to be clear--has no place in law under the Constitution".
***************************** TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION EO ***********************
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
Trump's "America First" Message Resonates among Supporters, Sounds Jingoistic to Opponents
Addressing an inauguration crowd much smaller than what Obama had drawn eight years ago, 45th President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017 struck to his campaign themes with more or less the same divisive tone that had pleased his followers and alienated a vast majority of people. Trump called for putting "America First" policy that would help "Make America Great Again".
Meanwhile, protests had been held nationwide to decry the polemic and policies of Trump. At least 200 protesters had been arrested in Washington D.C. alone.
Women March All over the World
From New York to Los Angeles, from Dallas to Denver, from Minneapolis to Chicago, it was a day of Women's March on January 21, 2017 on a plethora and varying nature of issues, but a common binding theme: President Donald Trump, who had assumed presidency just a day earlier. However, the epicenter of the protests was in Washington D.C., with its streets flooded with sea of women and men alike to attend the March on Washington. It was the defiance, resistance and spirit of political activism that resonated with tens of millions of people who had participated in more than 670 rallies across the USA and additional 70 or more in cities like Barcelona, Mexico City and Tel Aviv. The initial idea of women's march was floated by a Hawaiian grandmother, Teresa Shook, who had refused to go to bed on the election night without taking a stand and do something about it. After the idea was floated by Shook, veteran organizers and activist groups picked up the thread and delivered on January 21, 2017 what would go down in the history as one of the largest people's protest rallies.
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
****************** RUSSIAN CONNECTION TO TRUMP CAMPAIGN ****************
Flynn Resigns over Hiding His Phone Call to Russian Ambassador
Only weeks into his job, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on February 13, 2017 resigned as he had lost president's trust over a phone call he had made to Russian Ambassador to the U.S. , Sergey Kislyak, in late December 2016 and hiding about the content of discussion from Vice President Mike Pence. This was a rapid-speed fall for a former general who had boarded the Trump bandwagon early in the trail, played the role of a trusted cheerleader in the campaign trail and hitherto exerted undue influence on national security issues.
Flynn Fired for not Informing Sanctions-related Discussion with Russian Envoy
The New York Times reported on February 14, 2017 that the intelligence sweep that had recorded the conversation between Michael Flynn and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in late December 2016 uncovered that the topic of economic sanctions in fact came up during the discussion contrary to what Flynn had informed the then-VP-elect, Mike Pence, that it was a general discussion and the topic of sanctions did not come up. U.S. intelligence agencies are within their right to intercept communications with foreign diplomats.
Flynn's Replacement Named
President Donald Trump on February 20, 2017 named an Army strategist and turnaround leader of the Iraq War, Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, his National Security Adviser, days after he had fired Michael Flynn. Trump's announcement at his Mar-a-Lago resort came after a hectic weekend when he interviewed candidates for this strategic job at the heart of fighting terrorism abroad.
Sessions to Recuse from Probe on Russia Link to Election Interference
As three federal inquiries--Senate and House Intelligence Committees as well as FBI--were being conducted into Russian meddling in the U.S. election, Attorney-General Jeff Sessions announced on March 2, 2017 that he would recuse from any potential DOJ investigation into Russian meddling after The Washington Post had reported Sessions' hitherto undisclosed two meetings with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the campaign. During his confirmation hearings, Sessions failed to disclose his meetings with Kislyak.
******* TRUMP'S WIRETAP ALLEGATION
Trump's Twitter Allegation against Obama
President Donald Trump on March 4, 2017 tweeted that Trump Tower had been wiretapped at the order of President Barack Obama. Trump didn't provide evidence.
FBI Head to DOJ: Reject Trump's Wiretap Claim
A day after President Trump alleged that his predecessor Barack Obama had ordered his phone tapped, FBI Director James Comey publicly refuted Trump's allegation and asked DOJ to disown the president's wiretap allegation. The March 5, 2017, Comey's prodding to the DOJ constituted an extraordinary rebuke to a president.
Trump Feels "Somewhat Vindicated" after a Key Republican Backs Wiretapping Allegation
After weeks of rebuttal by his own party members, President Donald Trump on March 22, 2017 received a significant boost from House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes as the California Republican said that he now believed that some of the Trump aides might have been caught in surveillance by U.S. spy agencies. President Trump didn't waste any time to say that he felt "somehow vindicated" by Rep. Nunes.
White House Officials May be the Source of Nunes' Incidental Wiretapping Comments
According to March 30, 2017, reports carried by The Washington Post and The New York Times, the information based on which Devin Nunes told reporters on March 22, 2017 that Trump associates might have been incidentally caught up with surveillance apparently came from two White House officials a day earlier. Nunes were reported to have met with Ezra Cohen-Watnick, senior director of intelligence at the National Security Council, and Michael Ellis, a former lawyer with Nunes' office and current lawyer engaged with White House legal matters, in the White House ground on March 21, 2017, and they had given Nunes the classified information. Instead of briefing his own committee, Devin Nunes preferred to disclose his conclusion to reporters the following day. Addressing reporters, panel's ranking Democrat Adam Schiff said that he would see whether White House officials' intention was to communicate with the President in circuitous way through Nunes.
White House Repeats the Wiretapping Allegation against Obama
In a never-ending streak of allegations, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on March 31, 2017 reiterated the old charges--refuted time and again by Republicans as well as Democrats--of Obama administration spying on Trump associates.
DOJ says no Proof of Trump Tower Wiretapping
The Department of Justice on September 2, 2017 made it official that President Trump's tweet that his predecessor had wiretapped Trump Tower had no evidence.
******* TRUMP'S WIRETAP ALLEGATION
Comey Acknowledges ongoing Inquiry into Russia Connection
In an unusual departure from the norm, FBI Director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee on March 20, 2017 that FBI was conducting an investigation into alleged connection between Trump aides and Russian meddling in the U.S. politics. Comey's acknowledgement came two months after U.S. intelligence agencies' January 2017 conclusion that Russia had in fact meddled in 2016 elections to help Donald Trump. After March 20, 2017, Comey testimony in which he had spilled the beans on ongoing inquiry into Trump-Russia connection, White House played down the significance, and instead focused on who had been leaking the confidential information to media.
Democrats Cry Foul over Intel Compromise by GOP Panel Chair
The ranking Democrat in the House Intelligence Committee, Adam Schiff of California, on March 27, 2017 cast doubt on the ability of the panel's Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., to lead the investigation into connection between Russia and Trump campaign after reports emerged that Nunes had met a source on the White House grounds who had shown him a classified U.S. intelligence report and on the very next day, March 22, 2017, Nunes publicly said that additional names might have been improperly "unmasked".
Senate Panel Likely to Question Kushner
The U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee is likely to quiz President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner, according to a March 27, 2017, report carried by The New York Times, for an undisclosed meeting with the head of a Russian bank, Vnesheconombank, that was blacklisted by Washington for Russia's action in Crimea and Eastern Ukraine. During the time of transition, Kushner first met with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak in December 2016, and then Kislyak arranged a meeting between Kushner and Sergey Gorkov, chief of Vnesheconombank.
Trump Alleges Obama Adviser of Committing Crime
President Donald Trump alleged on April 5, 2017 that Obama administration's National Security Adviser Susan Rice had committed crime by trying to know the identity of Trump associates swept into surveillance dragnet in connection with Russia probe. As usual, the president did not furnish any proof.
Conway to Head House Intel Panel's Russia Probe
As House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-California, had been forced from leading the panel's inquiry into Trump campaign's connection with Russia, a Texan lawmaker stepped in to take the mantle of the inquiry. Mike Conway, R-Lubbock, was named on April 6, 2017 to lead the inquiry.
House Ethics Committee Opens Inquiry into Nunes' Russia Inquiry Handling
U.S. House of Representatives' Ethics Committee announced on April 6, 2017 that it had opened an investigation into alleged mishandling by the House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes related to the inquiry tied to Russian meddling in the U.S. election as well as the connection to Trump campaign.
FBI Obtained Secret Warrant to Spy on a Trump Aide
The trouble for President Donald Trump deepened as The Washington Post published a report on April 11, 2017 that FBI and the U.S. DOJ last summer had approached to and received from a FISA court a secret warrant to monitor Trump campaign adviser Carter Page on suspicion that Trump Campaign's key adviser might be involved in communication with Russia.
Comey Fired
In a political lightning bolt, President Donald Trump on May 9, 2017 fired FBI chief James Comey. Comey was addressing the FBI personnel at Los Angeles when he was surprised by the news flash appearing on the big screens that he had been just relieved of his duty by the president. President Trump ordered the dismissal in a letter to Comey based on the reported recommendation, the veracity of which had been immediately disputed, of the Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein over Comey's mishandling of Hillary Clinton's e-mail server probe. President Trump's May 9, 2017, rash decision traced back to the Nixon-era Watergate Scandal and the so-called "Saturday Night Massacre" when the then-President Richard Nixon had fired the Special Prosecutor Archibald Cox, ultimately leading to his impeachment.
Comey Reported to Have Asked More Resources to Ramp up Russia Probe
Days before May 9, 2017, his firing, FBI Director James Comey asked Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein for more prosecutors and other personnel to increase the speed of probe into Russian connection with Trump campaign. The New York Times reported it on May 10, 2017.
Trump Meets with Russian Officials, Allows Russian, but not the U.S., Reporters
In a bizarre precedent and press protocol, President Donald Trump met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the USA, Sergey Kislyak, at the Oval Office on May 10, 2017. Although Russian reporters were present there, Trump administration barred the U.S. press corps from the meeting, setting his administration further in collision course with the country's media and undermining transparency.
Senate Intel Panel Issues Subpoenas to Flynn
The Chairman of Senate Intelligence Committee Richard Burr, R-N.C., and the panel's ranking Democrat, Senator Mark Warner, shot off a subpoena on May 10, 2017, ordering Trump's former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, who had been fired only days into the job, to turn over all relevant documents related to Russian meddling in the U.S. election to the senate committee.
FBI Refutes White House Claims
Appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee, acting FBI Director Andrew McCabe said on May 11, 2017 that his agency would resist any effort to hobble, or obstruct, ongoing Russia investigation that had remained "highly significant". McCabe also disputed the White House version on two counts: first, fired FBI chief James Comey, contrary to what White House said, remained respected among rank-and-file FBI employees, and the second, the importance of investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections.
Trump Divulges Intel to Russians
The Washington Post reported on May 15, 2017 that President Donald Trump had divulged key sensitive information over laptop ban in certain flights to visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the U.S., Sergey Kislyak, during their May 10, 2017, White House meeting. Trump's disclosures of such a sensitive information may compromise the security of key personnel on ground as well as alliance with a strong geo-political partner, most likely Israel.
Comey Memo Suggestive of Trump's Interference in Russia Probe Appears
A week after President Donald Trump fired FBI Director James Comey, the existence of a potentially damaging memo written by Comey had been reported on May 16, 2017 by nation's major media outlets including The Dallas Morning News. The memo was reported to have included incident of a meeting between Trump and Comey at the White House days after the then-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn had been fired. During that meeting, President Trump was reported to have requested Comey to shut down the federal probe related to Michael Flynn. Trump was quoted as saying: "I hope you can let this go".
Trump Reported to Have Shared Intel Obtained from Israel
Nation's major media outlets reported on May 16, 2017 that Trump might have shared highly classified information obtained from Israel during White House meeting on May 10, 2017 with Russian Foreign Minister and Ambassador.
Former FBI Director Chosen as a Special Counsel in Russia Probe
Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein on May 17, 2017 chose former FBI Director Robert Mueller as the special counsel in the ongoing Russia probe that had been penetrating into Trump campaign's inner circle by the day. With Mueller's appointment, probe into potential collusion between Trump campaign and Russia received a fresh push with an investigation that would have very limited oversight and broad leeway.
Trump Reported to Have Justified Firing Comey to Russian Officials
More beans are spilling out of the May 10, 2017, meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian officials--Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Russia's ambassador to the USA, Sergey Kislyak--as The New York Times reported on May 19, 2017 that President Trump had justified the dismissal of former FBI chief James Comey to visiting Russians and said that Comey had been a "crazy, a real nut job" and a great pressure had been relieved.
Trump Reported to have Nudged Two Intel Officials for FBI Pushback
The Washington Post reported on May 22, 2017 that President Donald Trump asked Director of National Security Agency Adm. Michael Rogers and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats separately to publicly refute that there were any existence of evidence of collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. However, both Coats and Rogers refused to oblige the president, who had made the highly unusual request after the then-FBI Director James Comey told the House Intelligence Committee on March 20, 2017 that the agency was looking into any link between individuals of Trump's campaign and Russia and whether there was any coordination.
Former CIA Director Testifies before House Panel; Describes Few Nerve-wracking Months
Former CIA Director John Brennan on May 23, 2017 appeared before the House Intelligence Committee and disclosed that he was so worried about the Russian meddling in the U.S. election system and suspicion over some of the Trump campaign aides were helping Russia in that endeavor that he had warned Alexander V. Bortnikov, the head of Russian Security Services, or FSB, on August 4, 2016 not to meddle in the U.S. presidential election. Brenan's testimony came a day after The Washington Post published a report of President Trump asking the Director of National Security Agency Adm. Michael Rogers and Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats separately to publicly refute that there were any existence of evidence of collusion between Russia and Trump's 2016 presidential campaign after a March 20, 2017, House panel testimony by the then-FBI Director James Comey, saying that the agency was looking into links between Trump campaign and Russia.
Flynn Is in Soup
In a potentially devastating consequence, a grand jury in the Northern Virginia has issued subpoenas for former NSA Director Michael Flynn's business and lobbying documents. The grand jury was related to the ongoing investigation of Special Counsel Robert Mueller. In addition, Senate Intelligence Committee issued subpoenas for documents pertaining to Flynn's two business arms--Flynn Intel LLC. and Flynn Intel Inc. Issuance of subpoenas by both Senate panel and grand jury was reported by The New York Times on May 23, 2017.
Subpoenas Issued by House Panel
Eight days after Senate Intelligence Committee was reported to have issued subpoenas asking for documents from Donald Trump's first National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, House Intelligence Committee on May 31, 2017 issued similar subpoenas for Flynn Intel Group, Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, and his law firm, Michael D. Cohen and Associates.
Special Prosecutor Adds Manafort Ties
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on June 2, 2017 added Paul Manafort's past business dealings with Russia as part of expanding the scope of his investigation into Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. Presidential elections. Manafort stepped down from his role as Donald Trump's campaign chairman in August 2016.
Sessions Testifies Before Senate Panel, Defends Himself Vigorously
Appearing before his former Senate colleagues of the Senate Intelligence Panel on June 13, 2017, nation's top law enforcement officer called any suggestion of his collusion with Russia to tilt the elections in favor of Donald Trump an "appalling and detestable lie". A.G. Jeff Sessions also defended his role for advising Trump in firing of James Comey as FBI Director.
Congress Imposes Sanctions on Russia
Senate Votes to Slap Sanctions on Russian Targets
Sending a clear message that Senate would not tolerate any meddling by Russia in the U.S. election process, the upper chamber on June 14, 2017 passed a measure by an overwhelming margin of 97-2, approving a package of sanctions that had targeted Russian individuals and companies responsible for cyberattack.
House Slaps Sanctions on Russian Targets
About a month-and-half after Senate slapped sanctions on Russia, House of Representatives on July 25, 2017 overwhelmingly voted (419-3) for a package of sanctions against Russian targets closely linked to Kremlin. The package includes sanctions against Iran and North Korea too.
Senate Takes House Bill; Passes by Large Margin
U.S. Senate on July 27, 2017 passed the 184-page Russia sanctions bill, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, passed by the House two days ago by a lopsided margin of 98-2.
Russia Hits Back with Its Own Punitive Measure
Calling the U.S. sanctions as another "extreme aggressiveness", Russian Foreign Ministry on July 28, 2017 responded with its own harsh diplomatic measures, ordering the U.S. diplomatic and technical staff to be reduced to 455 by September 1, 2017. Also, beginning August 1, 2017, access to a warehouse in Moscow as well as a bucolic site on the Moscow River used by U.S. diplomatic corps will be barred.
Putin Orders American Staff Cut by 755
Russian President Vladimir Putin on July 30, 2017 ordered the staff of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Russia by 755 personnel. The staff reduction, in response to the recently approved U.S. Congressional sanctions, was ordered to be completed by September 1, 2017.
Trump Signs Russia Sanction, but with a Swipe at Congress
The veto-proof measure that punishes Russia for meddling in the last year's elections in the U.S. was signed by President Donald Trump on August 2, 2017, but a not-so-happy president let it know that Congress had incorporated many "unconstitutional provisions" in the measure.
Tit-for-Tat Measure by U.S. to Respond Moscow's Order to Reduce U.S. Diplomatic Mission
In response to Kremlin order to cut the U.S. diplomatic mission by more than 700 personnel, U.S. on August 31, 2017 ordered Russian consular office in San Francisco shuttered. Also included in the closure list were Russian offices in Washington and New York. U.S. gave Russia 48 hours to comply with the August 31, 2017, order. The time could not be any worse for Russia's new ambassador to the U.S. as Anatoly Antonov had arrived just few hours after the U.S. announcement.
U.S. Seizes Control of Russian Posts
U.S. on September 2, 2017 took possession of Russian consulate office in San Francisco as well as offices in Washington and New York.
U.S. Sanctions Russian Tycoons
Targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner-circle, the U.S. Treasury Department on April 6, 2018 slapped sanctions on dozens of Russian oligarchs and entities, including aluminum magnate Oleg Deripaska, known for his close ties with Putin. Instead of naming any specific reason such as election meddling or striking double-agent on a foreign soil, the U.S. Treasury Department's April 6, 2018, sanctions were more tailored to punish Kremlin for its "ongoing and increasingly brazen pattern" of bad behavior. In addition to Derispaska, six other Russian tycoons and dozens of entities were also targeted.
U.S. Treasury Imposes Sanctions on 17 Russians, Lifts Sanctions on Russian Aluminum Company
U.S. Treasury Department on December 19, 2018 imposed economic sanctions on 17 Russians, including nine Russian intelligence officials indicted on charges of stealing e-mails from DNC and Hillary Clinton Campaign in 2016. In the same announcement on December 19, 2018, U.S. Treasury said that it was lifting sanctions on Russian aluminum giant Rusal after a blacklisted Russian oligarch, Oleg Deripaska, severed ties to the company.
Congress Imposes Sanctions on Russia
Trump Acknowledges being Under Probe, Blasts Top Official Overseeing Russia Probe
President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter on June 16, 2017 that he was under Justice Department's independent counselor's probe for firing the ex-FBI director, James Comey, and blamed the probe on Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein, overseer of the probe looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections. White House continued claiming that Trump had fired Comey based on a memo written by Rosenstein.
Trump says that He Has No Tape of Conversation with Comey
Calling out of his own bluff, President Donald Trump on June 22, 2017 walked back on what he had stated on May 12, 2017 about the existence of a tape that contained his conversation with James Comey, threatening to make public of that tape. Trump tweeted on June 22, 2017 that he had no such tapes.
Trump Reported to have Quizzed Putin at G-20 on Meddling in U.S. Polls
On the sidelines of G-20 summit at Hamburg, Germany, U.S. President Donald Trump on July 7, 2017 pressed Vladimir Putin on meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections. Putin denied any Russian meddling. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the Putin-Trump session as good and the outcome as expected from the "positive chemistry" between the leaders.
Trump Confidantes Met with Russian Lawyer
The New York Times reported on July 8, 2017 that two weeks after Donald Trump had won the Republican Party nomination, his son, Donald Trump Jr., his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his son-in-law Jared Kushner met with a Russian lawyer connected to Kremlin's power players. The June 9, 2016, meeting with Natalia Veselnitskaya, the lawyer, at the Trump Tower occurred under the guise of a conversation over adoption issue that had cast a long shadow on the bilateral relationship as Russia hit back with suspending the adoption program for American parents in response to a 2012 U.S. law, known as the Magnitsky Act that blacklisted Russians accused of human rights abuses, that had enraged Vladimir Putin. The law was named after Sergei Magnitsky, known to have exposed one of the most serious corruption scandals under Putin regime, who died in 2009 under a mysterious situation.
Trump Son Promised Damaging Clinton Information
The New York Times continued reporting for the second day on July 9, 2017 with more bombshell related to June 9, 2016, meeting between Trump campaign--including Donald Trump Jr., his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his son-in-law Jared Kushner--and Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya at the Trump Tower in New York. Before the meeting, the organizer of the meeting, British tabloid journalist Rob Goldstone, also the president of Oui 2 Entertainment, a company that organizes the Miss Universe pageantry, promised that Veselnitskaya would share some damaging information with Trump campaign team.
Trump Jr. Salivates over Document Implicating Hillary
The Washington Post joined the fray on July 11, 2017 in depicting an emerging link that had been brewing in the early summer of 2016 election year. Donald Trump's business partner and tabloid journalist Rob Goldstone on June 3, 2016 wrote an e-mail to Donald Trump Jr., saying that a Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, connected to Kremlin power structure had damaging information about Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, and offered to arrange a meeting. Trump Jr. responded by agreeing to have a meeting, and six days later, Natalia Veselnitskaya met with Donald Trump Jr., his campaign chairman Paul Manafort and his son-in-law Jared Kushner at the 25th floor of Trump Tower.
President Defends His Son
Defending his son's innocence and integrity, President Donald Trump on July 12, 2017 fired off a tweet, calling the media coverage of his son Donald Trump Jr.'s June 9, 2016, meeting with a Russian lawyer, Natalia Veselnitskaya, who had been reported to have some damaging information about Hillary Clinton, as "witch hunt".
President Takes Issue with His Attorney-General
President Donald Trump on July 25, 2017 added more fuel to speculation over the fate of his Attorney-General. Trump never hid his displeasure over Jeff Sessions' recusal from the Russian investigation. On July 25, 2017, addressing reporters at the Rose Garden with Lebanese Prime minister, he told: "I am very disappointed with the Attorney-General".
Mueller Amps up Russia Investigation
Increasing the level of political pressure from a criminal investigation led by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, the collusion between Trump campaign and Russia in the last year's election got muddier on August 3, 2017 with The Washington Post report that a second grand jury seated in the Washington D.C. was being used for weeks by Mueller team in addition to an existing grand jury in Alexandria of the Eastern District of Virginia.
FBI Searched Manafort Home
The Washington Post reported on August 9, 2017 that FBI agents had carried out extensive search at Paul Manafort's Alexandria, Virginia home on July 26, 2017. The raid at Manafort mansion is an indication that it is a matter of when, not if, an indictment is in the offing in the Russia-Trump campaign collusion probe.
Clinton Camp, DNC Paid for Infamous Trump Dossier
The Washington Post reported on October 24, 2017 that Clinton campaign paid Marc Elias and his law firm, Perkins Coie, $5.6 million in legal fees between June 2015 and December 2016, and Perkins Coie retained Fusion GPS, a Washington firm, to conduct research into Trump's connection with Russia. Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS in April 2016 on behalf of Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee to do the research. Earlier in the Republican primary, the same firm, Fusion GPS, was hired by Trump's GOP rivals for the same purpose. The dossier, authored by the former British intelligence official Christopher Steele, was published by Buzzfeed News in January 2017. DNC paid Perkins Coie about $3.6 million since October 2015.
Trump Assails Russia Inquiry; Blasts Uranium One Deal
As the news of a possible indictment was swirling around, President Donald Trump on October 29, 2017 assailed Russia probe led by Robert Mueller and questioned why his defeated 2016 opponent, Hillary Clinton, was not under investigation. Trump's tweet came five days after The Washington Post had reported that the so-called Trump Dossier, a 35-page collection of 17 memos connecting Trump's interests with Moscow's and authored by Christopher Steele, a former British intel official between June 20 and December 13, 2016 on behalf of a Washington D.C.-based firm, Fusion GPS, was financed by Hillary Clinton Campaign and DNC.
URANIUM ONE DEAL: CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND
Trump also tweeted on October 29, 2017, linking Clinton to nepotism over 2010 Uranium One deal in which Rosatom, the Russian nuclear agency, acquired a controlling stake in Uranium One, the Canadian mining company that had licenses over mining 20 percent of Uranium in the U.S. The deal was approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, a government panel headed by the Treasury department and includes, among others, the State Department. The Uranium One deal was also okayed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. A Canadian financier, Frank Giustra, sold his company, UrAsia, to Uranium One in 2007. In 2010 Uranium One and Rosatom deal, Hillary Clinton was not reported to have participated at the CFIUS review as that would pose a major conflict of interest as Giustra and other Uranium One officials gave donations--totaling $145 million--to the Clinton Foundation.
Manafort, Two Others Indicted in Russian Investigation
In the much anticipated, but disturbing for Trump administration, turn of events, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on October 30, 2017 unveiled first of charges against three former Trump campaign aides, including the former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Manafort during the day surrendered to FBI and pleaded not guilty to charges that included laundering money overseas to buy luxurious items. Beside Manafort, Rick Gates, a longtime Manafort aide and former campaign adviser, and a former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser, George Papadopoulos, were charged. While Gates pleaded not guilty, Papadoupoulos has pleaded guilty to lying to FBI and is now cooperating with the investigators. The indictment dated to weeks ago, and on October 5, 2017, George Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to charges that he had lied to FBI about his Russian contacts at a January 27, 2017, interrogation session. On the same day, President Trump was reported to have invited the then-FBI Director James Comey for dinner to seek a pledge of loyalty.
Paul Manafort and Rick Gates
The indictment against Manafort and Gates involved a complicated web of money trails and a powerful Washington lobbying group, Podesta Group. Manafort and Rick Gates in 2012 referred an European client, the European Center for a Modern Ukraine, to Podesta Group and another lobbying firm, Mercury Public Affairs. Both Podesta Group and Mercury Public Affairs were named in Mueller indictment, but no criminal indictment was issued against them or any of their officials. Both these Washington firms continued work for European Center for a Modern Ukraine until 2014.
Manafort and Gates used the European Center for a Modern Ukraine to lobby U.S. administration for their longtime client Viktor Yanukovich, a former Ukrainian president and a Moscow loyalist, and his political party, the indictment alleged. Paul Manafort and Rick Gates flouted the foreign lobbying rules and laundered millions of dollars--an estimated $18 million--to shell companies in Cyprus, Grenada and elsewhere to feed their extravagant lifestyle. Manafort's lawyer, Kevin Downing, reacted to Mueller's charges with contempt, calling them "ridiculous". Meanwhile, Tony Podesta, the founding member of Podesta Group and brother of Hillary Clinton Campaign chief John Podesta, decided to step down from his namesake lobbying firm during the day.
Rick Gates
Rick Gates on December 17, 2019 was sentenced to 45 days in prison. In addition, Rick Gates will have to pay a $20,000 fine and serve in 300 hours of community work. Although the crime for which Rick Gates had been sentenced usually involved years of sentences, prosecutors cited an extraordinary level of cooperation by Rick Gates in their argument for a lesser sentence to Judge Amy Berman Jackson.
George Papadopoulos
Trump campaign hired Papadopoulos in March 2016 as a foreign policy adviser although the Chicago native did not have much foreign policy background. After being named to Trump's campaign, Papadopoulos was suddenly befriended by many pro-Russia interest groups, according to the prosecution charges. According to The Washington Post, George Papadopoulos had met with a college professor from London while traveling in Italy on March 14, 2016. The professor, Joseph Mifsud, the Director of London Academy of Diplomacy, is a Maltese citizen. However, Mifsud denied any links to Russia other than academia, which is pretty hard to believe as he has met again with George Papadopoulos in London ten days later.
White House Reaction
White House reacted in panicked mode to the October 30, 2017, unveiling of felony charges to two of the former aides and the news that Trump campaign's former foreign policy adviser was a co-operating witness to the Mueller Probe. President Donald Trump wrote two tweets. In the first tweet, he made light of the charges against Manafort, saying that "this is years ago" and asking why the probe's focus was not on "Crooked Hillary". In his second tweet, Trump appeared to act as a judge and jury himself, proclaiming that "there is NO COLLUSION!". White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders forcefully refuted that "today's announcement has" anything "to do with the president".
Summary of Charges against Manafort and Gates
* 1 count of conspiracy to defraud USA
* 1 count of conspiracy to launder money to the tune of $18 million between 2006 and 2016
* (Manafort) 4 counts of failure to report foreign banks and accounts as required in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Paul Manafort had several accounts and partnership in the U.S. and abroad.
*(Gates) 3 counts of failure to file reports of foreign banks and accounts in 2011, 2012 and 2013
* 1 count of failure to register as an agent of foreign state between 2008 and 2014
* 2 counts of making falsifying statements in relation to lobbying for Ukrainian interests. Each of the two charges was related to the statements made on November 26, 2016 and February 10, 2017.
********** George Papadopoulos ************
Trump Calls Papadopoulos a "Liar"
Making light of the co-operating witness in Russia probe, President Donald Trump tweeted on October 31, 2017 that his campaign's former foreign adviser George Papadopoulos was a "liar".
Papadopoulos Sentenced to Two-week Term
In September 2018, George Papadopoulos was sentenced to two weeks of jail term, a year of supervised release, 200 hours of community services and $9,500 in fine.
Papadopoulos Seeks Immunity
The Associated Press reported on October 26, 2018 that George Papadopoulos was seeking immunity in exchange for testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
********** George Papadopoulos ************
***************** Michael Flynn
Flynn Attorneys Cut Ties with Trump's Lawyers
The New York Times reported November 23, 2017 that former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's lawyers had severed ties with those of Trump team, implying a plea might be offing soon.
Flynn Pleads Guilty
In an almost earth-shattering twist in Russia-Trump campaign link probe, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn on December 1, 2017 pleaded guilty to lying to FBI, giving Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and his team a very valuable witness. Legal experts think that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller may be looking at whether anyone in the Trump campaign has violated more than 200-year-old Logan Act that prohibits any American from working with foreign interest against the American government. Michael Flynn might have discussed with Trump transition officials about his December 22, 2016, meeting with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak over a U.N. resolution critical of Israel that Obama administration did not intend to oppose. Trump transition team at that time was led by Mike Pence, and included Jared Kushner among others.
Mueller Team Seeks no Prison Time for Flynn
In a court filing, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's lawyers on December 4, 2018 asked a judge to spare Michael Flynn any prison time for providing valuable information to the investigators.
Prosecutors Reject Flynn Attorneys' Suggestion that He had been Tricked
Lawyers from special prosecutor's office on December 14, 2018 rejected, in a court filing, the recent bits and news being issued by Michael Flynn's lawyers that former national security adviser had been tricked by the FBI investigators as he had never been told that lying to FBI had been illegal. "A sitting national security adviser, former head of intelligence agency, retired lieutenant general and 33-year veteran of armed forces" should know that "he should not lie to federal agents". Meanwhile, the presiding judge in the case, U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan, asked for documents related to Flynn's January 24, 2017, interview with FBI investigators.
Judge Rebukes Flynn
At a sentencing hearing of Michael Flynn, former National Security Adviser, a federal judge in Washington on December 18, 2018 scolded four-star general for undermining the integrity of the oath of the office by being "an unregistered agent" all along of a "foreign country while serving as the national security adviser". U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan of Washington, D.C. then added that Flynn's action "undermines everything that this flag over here stands for" and reprimanded for selling "your country out". However, the judge postponed Flynn's sentencing. Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller asked for no prison time for Flynn for his extensive co-operation with the federal investigators.
Barr Opens Review of Flynn Prosecution
The day U.S. DOJ decided not to bring charges against Andrew McCabe, Attorney-General William Barr on February 14, 2020 announced that the department would review how prosecutors had handled the Michael Flynn case. Outside prosecutors will be reviewing the case.
Flynn Case Dropped
In an unprecedented move, Justice Department on May 7, 2020 dropped all pending charges against Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, undermining one of the legacies of the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller. President Donald Trump, who along claimed that Flynn had been targeted for political reason, lauded the U.S. DOJ decision. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democrats and many legal scholars questioned Attorney-General William Barr's impartiality and motive as Flynn's attorneys had mounted an aggressive challenge against FBI's tactic to ensnare their client. An outside prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Jeff Jensen, appointed by Barr to re-open and review the Flynn case submitted his recommendation to Barr last week and implored that there was no basis to interrogate Flynn at the first place.
FBI Launches Internal Inquiry
FBI, under pressure from Trump backers and conservative activists, on May 22, 2020 announced that its Inspection Division would begin investigating into any misdeed related to Michael Flynn's guilty plea and whether any current employee had been involved in any wrongdoing.
Special Overseer Blasts Justice's Recommendation of Dropping Charges
The presiding judge in the Michael Flynn case appointed a former federal judge, Judge John Gleeson, in New York who had taken down John Gotti of the notorious Gambino Family as a prosecutor before becoming a federal judge and who had been in the private practice since 2016 to oversee the Justice Department's May 7, 2020, recommendation to drop charges against the former four-star genera in a special role. On June 10, 2020, John Gleeson in a filing to the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan, blasted the DOJ move and called its action as "riddled" with legal errors.
Judge Must Drop Flynn Case, Appeals Court Rules
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled 2-1 on June 24, 2020 that the presiding judge in the case of Michael Flynn must drop the charges as the lower court judge had no authority to investigate further into U.S. DOJ decision to drop the case against Flynn.
Full Appeals Court Dismisses the Argument of Outright Dropping of Charges
A full appeals court on August 31, 2020 ruled that the presiding judge in the Michael Flynn case could go through the hearing on the merit of DOJ's move to drop charges against the former national security adviser. This is a setback to both DOJ and Flynn defense team as they have wanted the charges to be dropped after a special overseer appointed by the Attorney-General William Barr has recommended dropping the charges altogether. However, the presiding judge instead of dropping the charges altogether appointed a former judge to assess the DOJ recommendation and press his case in front of his court.
Flynn
Given a Full Presidential Pardon
Rewarding
one of his staunchest loyalists from the early days of 2016 Presidential
Campaign, President Donald Trump on November 25, 2020 issued a full
pardon to his first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, a
three-star general, who didn’t last even a month in Trump cabinet. He had been
indicted by Former Special Counsel Robert Mueller in the Russia probe
and, Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI.
Judge
Tosses out Flynn Case
A
federal judge, U.S. District Judge Emmett Sullivan, who had refused to
drop charges against Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn as
per U.S. DOJ’s recommendation, on December 8, 2020 decided to end the
case as Flynn, who had pleaded guilty for lying to FBI as part of Robert
Mueller’s probe into Trump campaign’s connection to Russia, was granted a
full pardon by the president.
***************** Michael Flynn
Trump Lashes out against FBI
Two days after his one-time National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI, giving a legal arsenal to Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, President Donald Trump launched full-scale attack on FBI in a series of early morning tweets on December 3, 2017, calling the country's premier investigative agency as "in tatters".
Manafort Sues Mueller
In the most direct challenge to the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and his investigation into connection between Russia and Trump campaign, Trump campaign's former chief Paul Manafort on January 3, 2018 sued Mueller in a Washington D.C. federal court, accusing the special prosecutor of exceeding his authority for bringing charges for work prior to his involvement toTrump campaign and not directly related to any Russian ties to the campaign itself.
Ranking Senate Democrat Makes Hearing Public
Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein, a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on January 9, 2018 released the transcript of a 10-hour August 2017 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Fusion GPS founder, Glenn Simpson. At the hearing, Simpson, who favored all along for release of the transcript, testified that someone in the Donald Trump's campaign also had provided the FBI with information of Russian connection.
Senate Democrats Release Report on Russian Interference; Trump Blasts Feinstein
A day after Senator Diane Feinstein released a transcript of testimony by the founder of Fusion GPS, sponsor of the so-called "Trump Dossier", Senate Democrats on January 10, 2018 released their own report on Russian intervention in the 2016 U.S. election. The Democratic report detailed a disturbing two-decade pattern of meddling in other countries' affairs by Moscow and charged the Trump administration for hindering the U.S. response to Russia's brazen meddling. The report, commissioned by the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, highlighted more than 30 recommendations, including advising the administration to:
* Work closely with U.S. allies, especially in Europe, to establish standards to address such attacks
* Slap sanctions on states responsible for launching cyberattacks
* Convene an international conference to address such threats
* Coordinate a collective response to such threats
* Require social media companies to disclose the source of money to fund political ads
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on January 10, 2018 blasted Senator Feinstein during the day for releasing the transcript of testimony by Glenn Simpson, founder of Fusion GPS, calling her action "underhanded", "possibly illegal" and a "disgrace".
***************** Michael Flynn
Trump Lashes out against FBI
Two days after his one-time National Security Adviser Michael Flynn pleaded guilty to lying to FBI, giving a legal arsenal to Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, President Donald Trump launched full-scale attack on FBI in a series of early morning tweets on December 3, 2017, calling the country's premier investigative agency as "in tatters".
Manafort Sues Mueller
In the most direct challenge to the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller and his investigation into connection between Russia and Trump campaign, Trump campaign's former chief Paul Manafort on January 3, 2018 sued Mueller in a Washington D.C. federal court, accusing the special prosecutor of exceeding his authority for bringing charges for work prior to his involvement toTrump campaign and not directly related to any Russian ties to the campaign itself.
Ranking Senate Democrat Makes Hearing Public
Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein, a ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, on January 9, 2018 released the transcript of a 10-hour August 2017 testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee by Fusion GPS founder, Glenn Simpson. At the hearing, Simpson, who favored all along for release of the transcript, testified that someone in the Donald Trump's campaign also had provided the FBI with information of Russian connection.
Senate Democrats Release Report on Russian Interference; Trump Blasts Feinstein
A day after Senator Diane Feinstein released a transcript of testimony by the founder of Fusion GPS, sponsor of the so-called "Trump Dossier", Senate Democrats on January 10, 2018 released their own report on Russian intervention in the 2016 U.S. election. The Democratic report detailed a disturbing two-decade pattern of meddling in other countries' affairs by Moscow and charged the Trump administration for hindering the U.S. response to Russia's brazen meddling. The report, commissioned by the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, highlighted more than 30 recommendations, including advising the administration to:
* Work closely with U.S. allies, especially in Europe, to establish standards to address such attacks
* Slap sanctions on states responsible for launching cyberattacks
* Convene an international conference to address such threats
* Coordinate a collective response to such threats
* Require social media companies to disclose the source of money to fund political ads
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on January 10, 2018 blasted Senator Feinstein during the day for releasing the transcript of testimony by Glenn Simpson, founder of Fusion GPS, calling her action "underhanded", "possibly illegal" and a "disgrace".
Bannon Subpoenaed by Mueller
The New York Times reported on January 16, 2018 that Steve Bannon had been subpoenaed by the Special Prosecutor Robert Muller's office last week to testify before a grand jury.
DOJ Turns over Text messages of FBI Agent to Congress
The Associated Press on January 21, 2018 reported that Department of Justice had handed over additional text messages between a former member of Robert Mueller's team and a lawyer to lawmakers. The text messages, critical of Donald Trump, once came to be known forced Peter Strozk, a respectable counterterrorism agent who was also involved in Clinton's e-mail server inquiry, to resign from the Mueller team in the summer of 2017. Even before the presence of text messages came to fore, the lawyer, Lisa Page, whom Peter Strozk exchanged Trump-bashing messages with, resigned from the Mueller team.
Sessions, Comey Interrogated
The Washington Post and The New York Times reported on January 23, 2018 that Attorney-General Jeff Session and former FBI Director James Comey had been interviewed by the office of special prosecutor Robert Mueller. While Session was questioned for several hours last week, Comey was interviewed last year, according to the reports.
Trump Mulled Firing Mueller
The New York Times reported on January 25, 2018 based on four people familiar with the Russia investigation that President Donald Trump at least gave consideration to possibility of firing Robert Mueller in June 2017. However, White House counsel Donald McGahn refused to oblige Trump and ask the DOJ to consider firing Mueller. McGahn even threatened to submit his resignation if Trump insisted further.
******** House Intel Panel's Memo War *******
Republicans in Intel Panel Push for Memo's Release
The House Intelligence Committee on January 29, 2018 in a party-line vote approved the release of a three-and-half-page memo that included how Justice had misled a FISA court while seeking a warrant in October 2016 to spy on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page. The vote came amid DOJ's warning that the House intel panel's Republicans would be committing "extraordinarily reckless" job if they went ahead to publicly release the memo. The same panel during the day voted along party line against release of a competing Democratic memo. However, what Republican memo, led by intel panel head Devin Nunes, fails to address is that Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein has extended the surveillance of Page even after Trump's becoming the president. On January 29, 2018, FBI Director Christopher Wray and Deputy AG Rod Rosenstein, who is in charge of Russia investigation, have tried the last ditch effort by making an emergency trip to White House in order to persuade the West Wing aides to reach out to Devin Nunes, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, in order to delay the panel's planned released of the classified memo. The 3-and-half-page memo alleges that DOJ and FBI had misled the FISA court judge, while seeking the surveillance warrant in October 2016 against the former Trump campaign aide Carter Page, by failing to inform the judge that Democrats had financed the research--conducted by former British intelligence officer Christopher Steele--that had led to agencies' application to FISA court. The memo's one of the key targets was former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who had stepped down on January 29, 2018. DOJ, even under Jeff Sessions' and Rod Rosenstein's watch, rejects any notion that it has done anything inappropriate while filing application to FISA court to seek warrant in October 2016 against Carter Page. After the House Intelligence Committee in a party-line vote has sent the memo led by Devin Nunes on January 29, 2018 to President Donald Trump, the president now has five days to decide whether to release it.
FBI Expresses "Grave Concerns" over GOP Memo
In a remarkably public critique to handling of a three-and-half-page memo that Devin Nunes and his Republican colleagues in House Intelligence Committee had sent to President Trump on January 29, 2018, FBI issued a terse, but a strong, statement on January 31, 2018 to condemn the potential release of the memo. The statement expressed an explicit disapproval by voicing its "grave concerns" over the sensitive and inaccurate content in the memo. This marked the most significant, but powerful, rejection of Trump's handling of a sensitive memo by Christopher Wray, his hand-picked FBI chief.
Republican Memo Released
After getting green signal from President Donald Trump, a House GOP memo strongly backed by House Intelligence Committee chair Devin Nunes was released on February 2, 2018. The memo accused Justice Department and FBI officials of misleading a FISA court judge, a charge that was disputed by Democrats, Justice and FBI officials, while applying for surveillance warrant against former Trump campaign staff Carter Page. The three-and-half-page-memo took shot at Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein, former FBI Director James Comey, his deputy Andrew McCabe, and then-Deputy A.G. Sally Yates for signing off application to seek surveillance against Page. The memo accused FBI and DOJ of diluting the fact that the warrant had been sought based on report submitted by former British counter-terrorism official Christopher Steele. Steele's investigation was funded by Democratic National Committee and people linked to Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. While applying to FISA court for warrant, FBI and Justice Department officials didn't mention the funding source of the information based on which they were acting upon although Democrat and intelligence officials were forthcoming all along that the inquiry that had led FBI and Justice officials to apply to FISA court for warrant against Carter Page had been funded by Trump campaign's opponents. The Republican memo, also known as Nunes Memo, pointed out that FBI had cut off all links to Steele after the Briton had violated the "cardinal rule of source handling" by contacting media in the fall of 2016 about the so-called dossier he had helped prepare. Reacting to the release of Republican memo, former FBI Director James Comey tweeted: "Dishonest and misleading memo wrecked the House Intel Committee".
Democrats Press for Release of Their Rebuttal Memo
A day after Donald Trump proclaimed that Nunes Memo totally vindicated him, Democrats on February 4, 2018 pressed for their memo to be released. The memo rebuts the Republican memo, released on February 2, 2018, that alleged FBI and DOJ's misleading actions to the FISA court while seeking in October 2016 to surveil on former Trump campaign aide Carter Page. House Intelligence Committee voted to release the 3-and-1/2-page Nunes Memo on January 29, 2018 while voting against the release of Democratic memo.
House Intel Committee Sends Democratic Memo to President
House Intelligence Committee on February 5, 2018 voted unanimously to make public a 10-page Democratic memorandum that was, in turn, a response to a 3-and-1/2-page Republican memo--also known as Nunes Memo after the House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes--that alleged FBI and DOJ of misleading a FISA court to obtain a surveillance warrant in October 2016 against the then-Trump campaign aide Carter Page. As part of the process to make the Democratic Memo public, the panel sent the memo, whose public release was being demanded by the ranking Democrat in the House Intel panel, Adam Schiff of California, to President Donald Trump. President Trump has now five days to make a call whether to release the Democratic rebuttal memo. Trump declassified the Republican memo, also known as Nunes Memo, on February 2, 2018 over the objection Democrats and his own FBI, which had publicly released a statement saying that it had "grave concerns" that called into question of Nunes Memo's accuracy. The Democratic memo will be less flattering to Trump, and surely point out some of the contextual ommission in the Nunes Memo.
Trump Refuses to Declassify the Democratic Memo in Its Present Form
President Donald Trump on February 9, 2018 refused to make the 10-page Democratic rebuttal memo led by Rep. Adam Schiff , ranking member of House Intelligence Committee, of California public. White House counsel Don McGahn sent a letter to House Intelligence Committee, stressing the need for additional review with DOJ officials as the Democratic memo in its current form included many sensitive and appropriately classified information while emphasizing that Trump was still intent on okaying the memo to be made public for the sake of transparency and democracy.
******** House Intel Panel's Memo War *******
Bannon Interrogated by Special Counsel's Prosecutors
The Associated Press reported on February 15, 2018 that former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon had been queried this week for a cumulative 20 hours by the prosecutors from the Special Counsel Robert Mueller's office.
13 Russians, Three Companies Indicted in Election Meddling
The Department of Justice on February 16, 2018 issued a 37-page indictment, accusing 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies of meddling in the 2016 presidential polls. Unveiling the indictment, Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein, who has appointed Robert Mueller as a special counsel, has alleged the Russians for promoting discord. The indictment implicated the Russians for beginning this covert meddling operation in 2014, long before Donald Trump had announced that he would run for presidential election, under the auspices of Internet Research Agency that had reached millions of Americans with its propaganda. Internet Research Agency has spent $100,000 on Facebook, buying political ad, and is now target of a Federal Election Commission probe. In addition to Internet Research Agency, Concord Management and Consulting and Concord Catering were charged too.
Trump's National Security Adviser Slams Moscow on Election Meddling
A day after U.S. Justice Department indicted 13 Russian nationals and three Russian companies for 2016 election meddling, U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster chimed in on February 17, 2018 at a security conference in Munich, saying that there was no doubt that Russia had meddled in the U.S. election and U.S. would continue to expose Moscow's campaign of "disinformation, subversion and espionage".
************** RUSSIAN OLIGARCH'S SON-IN-LAW
Manafort-Tied Lawyer Pleads Guilty
A Dutch lawyer, son-in-law of a Russian oligarch, German Khan, who had been recently placed under U.S. Treasury Department blacklist, on February 20, 2018 pleaded guilty to the office of Robert Mueller for willful official erasure of human rights abuses committed by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych at the urging of former Trump administration campaign aide Paul Manafort. Alex van der Zwan, who pleaded guilty at a U.S. District Court in D.C., worked for a renowned New York law firm, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, out of London office, and wrote a draft report on Yanukovych whitewashing his human rights abuses. The law firm is under Ukrainian investigation that had asked the U.S. Justice Department for permission to interview the New York firm's eight lawyers, including Alex van der Zwan.
Oligarch's Son-in-law Gets 30 Days
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on April 3, 2018 handed out a 30-day sentence to Alex van der Zwan, son-in-law of a Russian oligarch, German Khan. Besides he was fined approximately $20,000.
************** RUSSIAN OLIGARCH'S SON-IN-LAW
Oligarch's Son-in-law Gets 30 Days
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on April 3, 2018 handed out a 30-day sentence to Alex van der Zwan, son-in-law of a Russian oligarch, German Khan. Besides he was fined approximately $20,000.
************** RUSSIAN OLIGARCH'S SON-IN-LAW
Mueller Doubles Down on Manafort, Indicts on Additional Counts
Special Counsel Robert Mueller on February 22, 2018 filed additional 32 counts against Paul Manafort, implicating the former Trump campaign manager to falsifying information on his mortgage application.
Rick Gates Flipped
A day after hit by additional charges by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, Rick Gates on February 23, 2018 gave in and pleaded guilty, setting the stage that Paul Manafort's until-now confidante and his once business partner would testify against him.
Rick Gates Flipped
A day after hit by additional charges by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, Rick Gates on February 23, 2018 gave in and pleaded guilty, setting the stage that Paul Manafort's until-now confidante and his once business partner would testify against him.
Trump Belittles Sessions
This has become lately as a new pastime for President Donald Trump. In a tweet on February 28, 2018, Trump lashed out against his attorney-general, Jeff Sessions, calling him "DISGRACEFUL" and berating him for saying that department's Inspector-General, instead of internal prosecutors, would look into potential Obama-era abuse of surveillance laws. Instead of customary ignoring of presidential tweets, this time Sessions stood up for himself and department, issuing a statement to drive home the point that "we have initiated the appropriate process that will ensure" justice to all parties concerned.
Manafort's Trial Will Begin at D.C. and Virginia
Former Trump campaign official Paul Manafort will face trials in two courts. Most of the charges filed by the special prosecutor Robert Mueller will be handled by a court in D.C. that would begin in September 2018. The charges related to bank fraud and cheating IRS will be tried at a Virginia court. U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of Virginia on March 8, 2018 scheduled the beginning of the trial for July 10, 2018.
No Collusion Found by Conway's Investigation
The investigation by the GOP members of the House Intelligence Committee led by Texas Rep. Mike Conway on March 12, 2018 said that they had found no collusion between Russia and Trump's campaign. However, the 150-page report corroborated the nation's intel agencies' findings that Moscow had meddled in 2016 presidential election.
Trump Organization Slapped with Special Counsel Subpoena
Special Counsel Robert Mueller on March 15, 2018 issued subpoena to Trump Organization to turn over company documents, representing the closest ever the special counsel probe could reach the Trump's world.
Russia Hit with U.S. Sanctions
U.S. Treasury Department on March 15, 2018 imposed economic sanctions on 13 Russian individuals and three entities, already under an indictment issued on February 16, 2018 by Russia investigation's special counsel, plus six other individuals and two entities.
*************************** ANDREW MCCABE *****************
McCabe Fired
Two days prior to his retirement, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe was fired on March 16, 2018 by Attorney-General Jeff Sessions for misleading department's internal investigators. By firing McCabe, Sessions heeded the recommendation of Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility, department's internal professional misconduct investigative arm . In a late night tweet, President Donald Trump called the McCabe firing as a "great day" for America. Andrew McCabe fired back, calling his dismissal a part of larger effort to taint FBI. Republicans often raised issues with the running of McCabe's wife in a state legislative election and her accepting approximately $700,000 from a PAC tied to former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe.
McCabe Blasted in IG's Report
A US DOJ Inspector General's report on April 13, 2018 blasted fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe for violating bureau's media policy and misleading investigators about contacts with journalists. The report looked at an alleged contact by pair of McCabe aides in October 2016 with a Wall Street Journal reporter, Devlin Barrett, apparently to clear any misgiving that McCabe had been blocking any investigation into Clinton Foundation by DOJ officials as differences had been surfacing then between FBI and DOJ officials. Andrew McCabe told the investigators that he did not know who had passed the information to the reporters. But investigators later found that it was he who had authorized the aides' contact with Barrett. Responding to IG's report on April 13, 2018, McCabe said that it was ruse to undermine the Mueller investigation and discredit him as a witness.
McCabe May be Prosecuted
The Inspector-General of the Justice Department sent a criminal referral to U.S. attorney's office in Washington D.C. that might lead to criminal charges against fired former FBI Deputy-Director Andrew McCabe, according to The Associated Press report on April 19, 2018, over the former official's alleged misleading testimony under oath to investigators related to an October 2016 story in the Wall Street Journal about a continuing inquiry into Clinton Foundation. McCabe's attorney, Michael Bromwich, said that the bar for IG's criminal referral was low and, thus, McCabe might avoid criminal prosecution.
Rosenstein's Suggestions of Taping Trump, Removal from Office Reported
The New York Times on September 21, 2018 reported based on notes taken by Andrew McCabe during a May 16, 2017, conversation with Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein that the number two official at the DOJ suggested that McCabe should tape any conversation with President Donald Trump. The September 21, 2018, report by the newspaper also cited another portion of McCabe's authentically taken notes that there might be room even to remove President Trump on the ground of "incompetence" as dictated by the Amendment 25. Rosenstein denied The New York Times' report.
McCabe Will not be Charged
U.S. Justice Department said on February 14, 2020 that it won't charge Andrew McCabe, a decision that the department had taken after a lengthy inquiry into whether McCabe had violated any law.
*************************** ANDREW MCCABE *****************
McCabe Reported to have Handed over Memo to Special Counsel
The Associated Press reported on March 17, 2018 that Andrew McCabe had turned over memo from his conversation with President Donald Trump to the investigators of Special Counsel Robert Mueller.McCabe Blasted in IG's Report
A US DOJ Inspector General's report on April 13, 2018 blasted fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe for violating bureau's media policy and misleading investigators about contacts with journalists. The report looked at an alleged contact by pair of McCabe aides in October 2016 with a Wall Street Journal reporter, Devlin Barrett, apparently to clear any misgiving that McCabe had been blocking any investigation into Clinton Foundation by DOJ officials as differences had been surfacing then between FBI and DOJ officials. Andrew McCabe told the investigators that he did not know who had passed the information to the reporters. But investigators later found that it was he who had authorized the aides' contact with Barrett. Responding to IG's report on April 13, 2018, McCabe said that it was ruse to undermine the Mueller investigation and discredit him as a witness.
McCabe May be Prosecuted
The Inspector-General of the Justice Department sent a criminal referral to U.S. attorney's office in Washington D.C. that might lead to criminal charges against fired former FBI Deputy-Director Andrew McCabe, according to The Associated Press report on April 19, 2018, over the former official's alleged misleading testimony under oath to investigators related to an October 2016 story in the Wall Street Journal about a continuing inquiry into Clinton Foundation. McCabe's attorney, Michael Bromwich, said that the bar for IG's criminal referral was low and, thus, McCabe might avoid criminal prosecution.
Rosenstein's Suggestions of Taping Trump, Removal from Office Reported
The New York Times on September 21, 2018 reported based on notes taken by Andrew McCabe during a May 16, 2017, conversation with Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein that the number two official at the DOJ suggested that McCabe should tape any conversation with President Donald Trump. The September 21, 2018, report by the newspaper also cited another portion of McCabe's authentically taken notes that there might be room even to remove President Trump on the ground of "incompetence" as dictated by the Amendment 25. Rosenstein denied The New York Times' report.
McCabe Will not be Charged
U.S. Justice Department said on February 14, 2020 that it won't charge Andrew McCabe, a decision that the department had taken after a lengthy inquiry into whether McCabe had violated any law.
*************************** ANDREW MCCABE *****************
******** CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA'S UNETHICAL DATA MINING
Facebook, Data Analytics Firm on Hot Bowl
The New York Times on March 17, 2018 reported that Cambridge Analytica, the firm that Trump campaign had hired as a consultant, had collected 50 million Facebook user records for unethical data harvesting. The traditional analytics firms use voting records and consumer purchase histories to predict voting behavior. But those kinds of records are useless for figuring out whether a particular voter is a neurotic introvert, a religious extrovert, a fair-minded liberal or a fan of the occult. Those are the psychological traits that any analytics firm want to have to create a targeted message to influence voting pattern. Cambridge Analytica's Data Scientist Christopher Wylie found Cambridge University's Psychometrics Center as a potential partner to garner information on those psychometric traits. Cambridge University's Psychometric Center's researchers developed a technique to map Facebook users' personality traits based on what they liked. Researchers paid Facebook users a token amount of money to take a personality trait quiz and used the information from the quiz to develop personality traits of the users and their friends. But when Cambridge University's Psychometrics Center declined to share the data with Christopher Wylie, the latter found a Russian-American academic Aleksandr Kogan, who was a psychology professor at Cambridge willing to work with the analytics firm. Kogan built his own app and in June 2014 began harvesting data for Cambridge Analytica. The business paid him about $800,000.
2.7 million EU Users Affected by Cambridge's Business Practices
The EU reported on April 6, 2018 that Facebook had informed the 28-nation block that up to 2.7 million users who happened to be EU residents were compromised by Cambridge Analytica's unethical practices.
Data Breach Number Hits 87 million
Initially estimated number of Facebook accounts compromised by illicit data mining by Cambridge Analytica reached to 87 million, including 70 million U.S. account holders, according to reports published on April 8, 2018.
Cambridge Analytica Files Bankruptcy
In May 2018, Cambridge Analytica filed bankruptcy and ceased all operations. However, British parliamentary inquiry into Cambridge Analytica's highly compromising practices to tinker with Facebook customer data privacy will continue.
Facebook, FTC Settles for $5 billion
The Washington Post reported on July 12, 2019 that Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to settle with Facebook for a price tag of $5 billion, largest fine ever imposed by FTC. The vote was along party line, with Republican commissioners voting in favor and Democrats opposing what critics called a "sweetheart deal". The settlement, to be approved by the DOJ, stemmed from an investigation begun in March 2018 over Cambridge Analytica's inappropriate use of 87 million Facebook users' data in the 2016 presidential election, but later expanded to the broader privacy issues.
2.7 million EU Users Affected by Cambridge's Business Practices
The EU reported on April 6, 2018 that Facebook had informed the 28-nation block that up to 2.7 million users who happened to be EU residents were compromised by Cambridge Analytica's unethical practices.
Data Breach Number Hits 87 million
Initially estimated number of Facebook accounts compromised by illicit data mining by Cambridge Analytica reached to 87 million, including 70 million U.S. account holders, according to reports published on April 8, 2018.
Cambridge Analytica Files Bankruptcy
In May 2018, Cambridge Analytica filed bankruptcy and ceased all operations. However, British parliamentary inquiry into Cambridge Analytica's highly compromising practices to tinker with Facebook customer data privacy will continue.
Facebook, FTC Settles for $5 billion
The Washington Post reported on July 12, 2019 that Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 to settle with Facebook for a price tag of $5 billion, largest fine ever imposed by FTC. The vote was along party line, with Republican commissioners voting in favor and Democrats opposing what critics called a "sweetheart deal". The settlement, to be approved by the DOJ, stemmed from an investigation begun in March 2018 over Cambridge Analytica's inappropriate use of 87 million Facebook users' data in the 2016 presidential election, but later expanded to the broader privacy issues.
******** CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA'S UNETHICAL DATA MINING
Trump Launches Broadside against Mueller
In the direct attack taking the name of special counsel for the first time, President Donald Trump on March 18, 2018 criticized Robert Mueller in a tweet filled with venting against "13 hardened Democrats, some big crooked Hillary supporters, and Zero Republicans" in the investigation team, and pronounced again that there was "NO COLLUSION".
Dowd to Leave
President Donald Trump's lead lawyer in special prosecution case, John Dowd, announced on March 22, 2018 his resignation.
Manafort Seeks Dismissal of Charges
Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's lawyers on March 27, 2018 filed a suit in Virginia asking the judge to throw out the charges by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, mirroring a similar action his lawyers had taken in Washington D.C. and filing a lawsuit against the special prosecutor himself in January 2018. Manafort claimed that the charges filed against him related to his business dealings that predated before his involvement in Trump campaign.
***************** MICHAEL COHEN'S LEGAL TROUBLE
FBI Raids the Offices of Trump's Personal Lawyer
FBI investigators on April 9, 2018 carried out searches and seized documents at the hotel and office of longtime Trump's personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who had been accused of funneling $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniel, or Stephanie Clifford, in 2016 to buy her silence about a reported sex tryst with Trump in 2004. Apparently the April 9, 2018, raid was carried out after the special counsel Robert Mueller sent a probe referral to the U.S. Southern District of New York's Attorney's office.
Judge Puts a Hold on Reviewing Cohen Document
As Trump's and Chen's lawyers rushed to court to protect some of the seized documents arguing that they were covered by the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, the judge was more cautious on hurrying to a judgment as the U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood of the U.S. District Court on April 16, 2018 ruled that neither party--DOJ lawyers and Trump-Cohen attorneys--were privy for now to review the documents seized during a sweeping raid a week ago at the office and hotel rooms of Trump's longtime attorney Michael Cohen. The judge dropped hint that she was seriously considering of appointing a special master for the purpose of reviewing the documents.
Hannity Revealed as Client
Fox News host Sean Hannity on April 16, 2018 unmasked himself as a client of Michael Cohen too.
Giuliani: Trump Repaid Cohen
Adding more uncertainty to the Stormy Daniel controversy, President Donald Trump's newly hired personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani on May 2, 2018 said on the Fox News channel's Hannity show that the president had repaid $130,000 to Michael Cohen for the so-called "hush money" Cohen had paid in 2016 to Daniel to buy her silence for a years-ago sex tryst.
Trump Disputes Giuliani's Comment
After remaining silent for 48 hours, a long time for Trump, President stepped into the controversy of "hush money" on May 4, 2018, saying that it would be better if Rudy got his information right. However, on May 3, 2018, Trump in a tweet said that the payment that Giuliani had referred a day earlier was a monthly retainer that had not come from the campaign fund.
Telecom Giant's Link with Cohen Revealed
Telecom giant At-and-T hired Michael Cohen in January 2017 to get a first-hand insight into the working of the President Donald Trump's administration and paid a monthly retainer through January 2018, according to a May 8, 2018, report published by The New York Times. The newspaper published the report based on revelations made by porn star Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti. The transactions, totaling about $1 million, went through the same shell company, Essential Consultants L.L.C., that was used by Trump's personal lawyer and fixer to pay adult star Stormy Daniel, or Stephanie Clifford, to buy silence about a sex tryst years ago with Trump.
Cohen Paid a Monthly Retainer by Telecom Giant
More information on payment of Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen emerged on May 9, 2018 as Dallas-based At-and-T was reported to have retained Trump's fixer on a monthly fee of $50,000 from January 2017 through January 2018, totaling $600,000 in payment. In addition, Dallas-based telecom company paid four instalments totaling $200,000 from October to January 2018, when the contract with Cohen had ended.
AT-and-T Questioned by Special Prosecutor
Additional information on relationship between telecom giant At-and-T and Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen is emerging by the hour, and the latest on May 9, 2018 is that the telecom company was questioned by the special prosecutor Robert Mueller's team.
Cohen Revealed to have Met with Sanctioned Russian
In another twist to the ever-emerging story of Michael Cohen's legal saga, The Washington Post reported on May 25, 2018 that the long-time fixer of Trump had met with Russian energy tycoon Viktor Vekselberg in New York on January 9, 2017, three days after the U.S. intelligence community had issued a public report (on January 6, 2018) that concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to tilt the outcome in favor of Donald Trump. The January 9, 2017, Vekselberg-Cohen meeting was arranged impromptu by energy tycoon's cousin and New York investment banker Andrew Intrater, who was also present in the New York session. A week later the trio again met in Washington for dinner to celebrate Trump's inauguration. Intrater contributed $250,000 to Trump's inauguration events fund. Earlier this year, the U.S put Viktor Vekselberg on the sanctioned Russians list.
Cohen's Tape Holding Trump Conversation Now under FBI Custody
The Washington Post reported on July 20, 2018 that FBI seized, among other documents, tapes of conversation between Donald Trump and his fixer, Michael Cohen, that might contain implicating evidence such as paying the hush money to a former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, who had sold her story to National Enquirer for $150,000 during the final months of the 2016 presidential campaign. McDougal claimed that she had begun to have affairs with Trump in 2006 after the First Lady Melania Trump had given birth to their son, Barron. Michael Cohen taped the conversation in September 2016, a month after the parent company of National Enquirer, AMI, had bought the right of the model's story from Karen McDougal for $150,000 and then shelved it.
Trump Rails against Cohen for Taping Conversation
President Donald Trump took to twitter on July 21, 2018 to blast his one-time fixer Michael Cohen for taping their conversation regarding silencing a former playboy model, saying that it might be illegal although, under the New York law, it's not. However, Trump then cleared himself, saying that "the good news is that your favorite President did nothing wrong".
Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty
Former fixer of President Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, on August 21, 2018 pleaded guilty to eight counts of charges related to banking, tax and campaign finance laws before the U.S. District Judge William Pauley of New York, raising significant political and legal risks for Trump and president's inner circle. Cohen faces 46 to 63 months behind prison, and he will be formally sentenced on December 12, 2018. The charges Cohen pleaded guilty to included failure to report $4 million in income from 2012 to 2016, concealing $100,000 income from a property sales in Ocala, Florida in 2014, as well as $200,000 in consulting fees he had made from an assisted-living company. However, Cohen's most sensational counts were violation of campaign finance laws, involving a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence over alleged sex affair with Trump and another complex payment arrangement of $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal, both in the run-up to 2016 presidential election.
Feds Give Long-time Trump Bookkeeper Immunity
Federal investigators might have given longtime Trump Organization accountant, Allen Weisselberg, the immunity in exchange for his co-operation, according to an August 24, 2018, The Associated Press report. The news of possible Weisselberg's immunity deal came a day after reports that Donald Trump's longtime friend David Pecker, the CEO of American Media Inc., parent company of National Enquirer, was also given immunity in Michael Cohen probe.
Cohen Pleads Guilty to Lying to Congress
Donald Trump's former personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen in a surprising court appearance in New York on November 29, 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress on when Trump associates had stopped talking to Russian officials about a potential Trump Tower in Moscow. The issue harkened back to a nine-page court affidavit that special counsel prosecutors filed about the August 2017 testimony of Michael Cohen before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees where he, as EVP of the Trump Organization, said under oath that he had pulled the plug on a proposed Trump Tower plan in Moscow in January 2016 before the first Primary. However, Michael Cohen on November 29, 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress on this account, admitting that he had pursued the deal with Felix Sater, a Russian business associate of Trump, through June 2016 when Trump had almost secured the Republican Party nomination. In May 2016, in response to Sater's e-mail, Cohen said that Trump might visit Moscow "once he becomes the nominee". Prosecutors might have found the e-mail trails and other incriminating proofs after they had seized Michael Cohen's computers and devices in the April 9, 2018, raid. In the court filing on November 29, 2018, Michael Cohen concluded with a statement: "I made these misstatements to be consistent with Individual 1's political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual 1". The November 29, 2018, guilty plea poses a two-edged sword dangling at the president. First, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty on August 21, 2018 to a host of charges, including campaign finance laws over the hush money paid to two women who had alleged affairs with Trump, brought by the U.S. Southern District of New York's Attorney's office. Now, a little after three months later, Cohen on November 29, 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress as part of the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation. According to the court filing, Cohen sat with the special investigation prosecutors seven times since August 7, 2018, implying a very close cooperation in Mueller investigation that's all but assure more investigation into Trump's business deals.
Cohen Met with Russian Officials, Justice Officials Say
In court filings on December 7, 2018 at Washington, prosecutors from New York and Special Counsel's Office said that Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former "fixer" had met with a Russian official as far back as in 2015 and the Russian official had proposed a meeting between then-candidate Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore "political synergy". The filings were related to ongoing cases in both Paul Manafort and Cohen trials.
Cohen Receives 3 Years
President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen on December 12, 2018 was handed down a three-year sentence by the U.S. District Judge William Pauley III of New York. Before his sentencing, Cohen told the judge that "my weakness can be characterized as a blind loyalty to Donald Trump". In addition to reporting to Otisville Correctional Institute, a federal prison in upstate New York, on March 6, 2019, Cohen was ordered to pay $500,000 in forfeiture, $1.9 million in back taxes and $100,000 in fines. Cohen admitted to have paid $280,000 in hush money to two women with whom Trump had sex years ago to buy their silence. Cohen paid $150,000 to American Media Inc., or AMI, parent company of National Enquirer, to buy the publishing right of what could have been a salacious story of Playboy model Karen McDougal's years-ago affair with Trump. Cohen himself paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, $130,000 in hush money to buy silence. The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, which is handling the Cohen investigation, said that it had evidence that president himself had directed the hush money payment. Judge Pauley also handed out a three-month concurrent term to Cohen for lying to Congress about his Russia contact.
Publisher Admits Hush Money Payment
On the same day President Donald Trump's former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Robert Khuzami said that American Media Inc., or AMI, parent company of National Enquirer, had admitted that "it made the $150,000 payment in concert with a candidate's presidential campaign" to buy silence from Playboy playmate Karen McDougal. AMI's December 12, 2018, non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan was another blow to Trump's legal standing.
Cohen Begins his 3-year Sentence
Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen on May 6, 2019 began his three-year imprisonment at the Otisville Federal Prison.
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Comey: Trump "Unfit" to be President
Launching a broadside against a president who had fired him and with whom personal relationship had hit a record nadir, former FBI Director James Comey said on 20/20 during an interview as part of his media tour to promote his tell-all memoir A Higher Loyalty with ABC's George Stephanopoulos on April 15, 2018 that Donald Trump was "unfit" to be this great nation's president and likened Trump to a mafia boss. Hours ago, Trump took his own low road to castigate Comey, tweeting that Comey was the worst FBI director in the U.S. history.
DNC Files Lawsuit alleging Trump Campaign-Russia Collusion
In an unprecedented and one of a unique action, Democratic National Committee on April 20, 2018 filed a lawsuit in a New York district court, alleging collusion between Trump campaign and Russia in 2016 presidential election. This may be more of a publicity stunt and training people's attention in the run-up to the crucial midterm election on the growing cloud of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that has been hovering over the White House.
House Intel Panel GOP Report Clears Trump on Collusion with Russia
GOP members of the U.S. House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee on April 27, 2018 issued its report, clearing Trump campaign from collusion with Russia. The investigation, led by Mike Conaway after the panel head Devin Nunes had stepped aside last year, was plagued with controversy from the beginning, and its end was no different, with Democrats in the committee led by Rep. Adam Schiff of California issuing a 98-page of rebuttal. President Donald Trump did not waste any time to slap on his back, declaring that the most comprehensive inquiry had failed to find any collusion.
Russian Lawyer who Has Met Trump's Son Acknowledges Connection to Russian Government
Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, who had met with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr. and Paul Manafort in the Trump Tower in 2016 promising to provide dirt about Hillary Clinton, acknowledged in an interview aired on April 27, 2018 by the NBC News that she was an informant to Russia's chief prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, a statement that would put her at the crosshairs with Congressional investigators as she submitted a written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee in November 2017, proclaiming that "I work independently of any government bodies".
Trump Blasts His Own Justice Department
In a no-holds-barred tweet, President Donald trump on May 2, 2018 railed his own Department of Justice and Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein for what he called a "rigged" investigation.
Trump Calls for Investigation of FBI Itself
President Donald Trump, alleging that FBI had infiltrated into his 2016 presidential campaign, demanded on May 20, 2018 in a tweet that DOJ launch an investigation to look into whether DOJ/FBI had planted any mole in his campaign.
FBI, DOJ Officials Meet with Trump
A day after President Donald Trump alleged Obama administration of planting an FBI informant in his 2016 presidential campaign, senior DOJ and FBI officials--including Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray--met with President Trump on May 21, 2018 in the White House where president demanded a probe into it. Meanwhile, in an unusual action, Congressional Republican leaders asked DOJ officials to share classified information on what led to the Mueller probe in the first place. Many Trump backers suspect that the FBI source is the one that has helped launched the special prosecutor investigation into collusion between Trump campaign and Russia. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly will set up a session among FBI, DOJ, DNI [Directorate of National Intelligence] and Congressional leaders, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The FBI source in question was named on May 21, 2018 after The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Axios and The Washington Post identified him as Stefan Halper, a former Reagan, Nixon and Ford administration official and a professor emeritus of the Cambridge University.
********************* PAUL MANAFORT
Special Prosecutors Files Charges of Witness Tampering
What could be a possible legal disaster for the former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, prosecutor from Robert Mueller's office on June 4, 2018 filed charges, accusing him of trying to influence two witnesses. If proven of witness tampering, Manafort will be sent to behind the bar for violating bail conditions.
Manafort Charges Unsealed
The indictment brought against Paul Manafort by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's Office on charges of witness tampering was unsealed on June 8, 2018. The charges are filed against Manafort and Konstantin Kiliminik for obstruction of justice because they had tried to contact two witnesses early this year. Now, it's up to Judge Amy Berman if she revokes the bail. Judge Berman allowed Manafort to stay free on bail even after prosecutors had alleged former Trump campaign official of ghost-writing an article in Ukraine, a clear violation of bail conditions.
Manafort Sent to Jail
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of D.C. on June 15, 2018 revoked the bail of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for effort to try witness tampering. Manafort was under house arrest on a $10 million bond and was awaiting September 2018 trial. Manafort faces two trials: one in Northern Virginia next month and another one in District of Columbia.
Paul Manafort's Tax Evasion and Fraud Trial Begins
Paul Manafort's tax evasion and fraud trial began in the court of U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of Alexandria, Virginia on July 30, 2018. Although this case does not pertain to Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump campaign, it will be observed closely by all parties concerned as a test of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigative strategy's viability.
Jury Begins to Hear Testimony from Prosecution Witness
Paul Manafort's former accountant, Cindy Laporta, took witness stand on August 3, 2018 and detailed how a broad scheme had been hatched to hide Manafort's foreign incomes as loans to shield from the federal income taxes.
Dubious Loan of $16 million Reportedly Given to Manafort
A New York bank executive, Dennis Raico, spilled the bean at the witness stand on August 10, 2018 as he said, under an immunity deal, that Paul Manafort had received special favor in getting $16 million in loan from Federal Saving Bank as the bank's chairman, Stephen Calk, was rumored to have been a potential candidate in Trump cabinet in case the New York real estate mogul won the 2016 presidential election.
Manafort Guilty on Eight Counts
At the end, day of reckoning had come, and it was not pretty for Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, nor for his former boss as a jury on August 21, 2018 convicted him on eight of 18 counts. The eight counts of charges Manafort was declared guilty included:
* Five counts of false tax returns, one for each year between 2010 and 2014
* One count of falsifying tax return for 2012
* One count of bank fraud related to a $3.4 million loan from Citizens Bank
* One count of bank fraud related to a $1 million loan from Banc of California
On the remaining 10 counts, the jury could not reach any verdict. President Donald Trump campaigning in West Virginia said that "Paul Manafort is a good man". Manafort's lead attorney Kevin Downing said that his client was disappointed and they were weighing options.
President Calls Manafort a "Brave Man", Slams Cohen
A day after twin bombshells were dropped--Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight of 18 counts of charges and president's former fixer Michael Cohen had pleaded guilty to two counts of campaign finance crimes and six other counts--and much of the nation was still grappling on what that meant, President Donald Trump did not stop painting his touch of fixation on who was guilty and who was not in his eyes. He called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt" and called Manafort a "brave man" in a series of tweets on August 22, 2018. Trump on the same breath called Cohen a bad lawyer.
Paul Manafort Pleads Guilty
Paul Manafort on September 14, 2018 pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, admitting to years of financial crimes related to his undisclosed lobbying work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine and its former leader, Viktor Yanukovych.
President Cool to Manafort's Guilty Plea
Days after Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts of being an unregistered agent for Ukraine and money-laundering millions of dollars through offshore accounts in the second trial, President Donald Trump on September 19, 2018 stayed calm and only said that "I don't want to talk about it now".
Manafort Breached Agreement, Mueller Says
In a court filing on November 26, 2018, lawyers from the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's Office sought to void the September 14, 2018, plea deal that Paul Manafort had reached with the special prosecutor's office. Special Prosecutor's lawyers opined that Manafort had breached the agreement, but under the agreement, former chairman of the Trump campaign couldn't withdraw the guilty plea. On September 14, 2018, Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to conspiracy counts in his upcoming Washington D.C. trial and agreed to an open-ended cooperation with special counsel's office to answer "truthfully, completely and forthrightly". Although Manafort, now in a solitary confinement at Alexandria, Virginia, legal team has rejected prosecution argument that their client had breached the agreement, the case is now stuck in the court of the U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia.
Manafort Lawyer Reported to have Briefed Trump Team
The Washington Post and The New York Times reported November 27, 2018 that special prosecutor's forceful filing of a legal briefing a day earlier to void the plea deal with the former chairman of Trump campaign was done after a Manafort defense team member had apprised Trump's legal team on the discussions that Paul Manafort had with the investigating lawyers in the aftermath of September 14, 2018, guilty plea.
Manafort Shared the Poll Data with Russian
In a court filing intended to rebut against special prosecutor's allegation that Paul Manafort had violated the September 2018 plea deal, lawyers of the former Trump campaign chairman on January 8, 2019 inadvertently acknowledged that the special prosecutor's investigators had accused their client of sharing the poll data with his one-time business associate Konstantin Kilimnik, who had connection with Russian intel. Manafort's lawyers denied that their client had misled the Special Prosecutor over his interaction with Kilimnik.
Judge Convenes a Closed-door Hearing
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the D.C. on January 25, 2019 ordered a closed-door hearing on February 4, 2019 to decide whether Paul Manafort had violated plea deal as alleged by the special prosecutor's legal team.
Judge: Manafort Violated Plea Deal
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 13, 2019 ruled that former Donald Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, had violated a September 14, 2018, plea deal with the special prosecutor's office by misleading the investigators about his interaction with Russian intelligence-linked Konstantin Kilimnik. Judge's ruling dealt a setback to Manafort's defense.
Manafort Handed 47 Months
The judge in the Virginia trial of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort on March 7, 2019 sentenced him to 47 months in prison. Paul Manafort was convicted on eight of 18 counts of false tax returns and bank fraud on August 21, 2018. Although former Trump campaign chairman faced up to 24 years of prison, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III called that excessive and sentenced him instead to 47 months in prison. Sitting on a wheelchair, Manafort told the judge that he was now "humiliated and ashamed".
A Separate Judge Slaps Three-and-Half More Years; New York Hits State Charges
Six days after a federal judge handed out almost four years to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, a separate federal judge--U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia--on March 13, 2019 sentenced him to an additional three-and-half years of imprisonment. The judge rebuked former Trump confidante, who sat stone-faced on a wheel-chair because of gout, for "the number of lies and the amount of fraud" he had perpetrated. Minutes after the Judge issued the sentencing, New York state prosecutors unveiled 16-count charges against Paul Manafort on the grounds of false information on mortgage loan application among others. The state charges had been designed in ways to avoid so called "double jeopardy" clause of constitution such as a defendant being tried by separate entities for the same crime. Also, Trump can pardon Manafort for federal crime, but not for state charges.
********************* PAUL MANAFORT
Dowd to Leave
President Donald Trump's lead lawyer in special prosecution case, John Dowd, announced on March 22, 2018 his resignation.
Manafort Seeks Dismissal of Charges
Former Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort's lawyers on March 27, 2018 filed a suit in Virginia asking the judge to throw out the charges by special prosecutor Robert Mueller, mirroring a similar action his lawyers had taken in Washington D.C. and filing a lawsuit against the special prosecutor himself in January 2018. Manafort claimed that the charges filed against him related to his business dealings that predated before his involvement in Trump campaign.
***************** MICHAEL COHEN'S LEGAL TROUBLE
FBI Raids the Offices of Trump's Personal Lawyer
FBI investigators on April 9, 2018 carried out searches and seized documents at the hotel and office of longtime Trump's personal lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, who had been accused of funneling $130,000 in hush money to porn star Stormy Daniel, or Stephanie Clifford, in 2016 to buy her silence about a reported sex tryst with Trump in 2004. Apparently the April 9, 2018, raid was carried out after the special counsel Robert Mueller sent a probe referral to the U.S. Southern District of New York's Attorney's office.
Judge Puts a Hold on Reviewing Cohen Document
As Trump's and Chen's lawyers rushed to court to protect some of the seized documents arguing that they were covered by the attorney-client privilege and confidentiality, the judge was more cautious on hurrying to a judgment as the U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood of the U.S. District Court on April 16, 2018 ruled that neither party--DOJ lawyers and Trump-Cohen attorneys--were privy for now to review the documents seized during a sweeping raid a week ago at the office and hotel rooms of Trump's longtime attorney Michael Cohen. The judge dropped hint that she was seriously considering of appointing a special master for the purpose of reviewing the documents.
Hannity Revealed as Client
Fox News host Sean Hannity on April 16, 2018 unmasked himself as a client of Michael Cohen too.
Giuliani: Trump Repaid Cohen
Adding more uncertainty to the Stormy Daniel controversy, President Donald Trump's newly hired personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani on May 2, 2018 said on the Fox News channel's Hannity show that the president had repaid $130,000 to Michael Cohen for the so-called "hush money" Cohen had paid in 2016 to Daniel to buy her silence for a years-ago sex tryst.
Trump Disputes Giuliani's Comment
After remaining silent for 48 hours, a long time for Trump, President stepped into the controversy of "hush money" on May 4, 2018, saying that it would be better if Rudy got his information right. However, on May 3, 2018, Trump in a tweet said that the payment that Giuliani had referred a day earlier was a monthly retainer that had not come from the campaign fund.
Telecom Giant's Link with Cohen Revealed
Telecom giant At-and-T hired Michael Cohen in January 2017 to get a first-hand insight into the working of the President Donald Trump's administration and paid a monthly retainer through January 2018, according to a May 8, 2018, report published by The New York Times. The newspaper published the report based on revelations made by porn star Stormy Daniels' lawyer, Michael Avenatti. The transactions, totaling about $1 million, went through the same shell company, Essential Consultants L.L.C., that was used by Trump's personal lawyer and fixer to pay adult star Stormy Daniel, or Stephanie Clifford, to buy silence about a sex tryst years ago with Trump.
Cohen Paid a Monthly Retainer by Telecom Giant
More information on payment of Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen emerged on May 9, 2018 as Dallas-based At-and-T was reported to have retained Trump's fixer on a monthly fee of $50,000 from January 2017 through January 2018, totaling $600,000 in payment. In addition, Dallas-based telecom company paid four instalments totaling $200,000 from October to January 2018, when the contract with Cohen had ended.
AT-and-T Questioned by Special Prosecutor
Additional information on relationship between telecom giant At-and-T and Donald Trump's personal lawyer Michael Cohen is emerging by the hour, and the latest on May 9, 2018 is that the telecom company was questioned by the special prosecutor Robert Mueller's team.
Cohen Revealed to have Met with Sanctioned Russian
In another twist to the ever-emerging story of Michael Cohen's legal saga, The Washington Post reported on May 25, 2018 that the long-time fixer of Trump had met with Russian energy tycoon Viktor Vekselberg in New York on January 9, 2017, three days after the U.S. intelligence community had issued a public report (on January 6, 2018) that concluded that Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election to tilt the outcome in favor of Donald Trump. The January 9, 2017, Vekselberg-Cohen meeting was arranged impromptu by energy tycoon's cousin and New York investment banker Andrew Intrater, who was also present in the New York session. A week later the trio again met in Washington for dinner to celebrate Trump's inauguration. Intrater contributed $250,000 to Trump's inauguration events fund. Earlier this year, the U.S put Viktor Vekselberg on the sanctioned Russians list.
Cohen's Tape Holding Trump Conversation Now under FBI Custody
The Washington Post reported on July 20, 2018 that FBI seized, among other documents, tapes of conversation between Donald Trump and his fixer, Michael Cohen, that might contain implicating evidence such as paying the hush money to a former Playboy model, Karen McDougal, who had sold her story to National Enquirer for $150,000 during the final months of the 2016 presidential campaign. McDougal claimed that she had begun to have affairs with Trump in 2006 after the First Lady Melania Trump had given birth to their son, Barron. Michael Cohen taped the conversation in September 2016, a month after the parent company of National Enquirer, AMI, had bought the right of the model's story from Karen McDougal for $150,000 and then shelved it.
Trump Rails against Cohen for Taping Conversation
President Donald Trump took to twitter on July 21, 2018 to blast his one-time fixer Michael Cohen for taping their conversation regarding silencing a former playboy model, saying that it might be illegal although, under the New York law, it's not. However, Trump then cleared himself, saying that "the good news is that your favorite President did nothing wrong".
Michael Cohen Pleads Guilty
Former fixer of President Donald Trump, Michael Cohen, on August 21, 2018 pleaded guilty to eight counts of charges related to banking, tax and campaign finance laws before the U.S. District Judge William Pauley of New York, raising significant political and legal risks for Trump and president's inner circle. Cohen faces 46 to 63 months behind prison, and he will be formally sentenced on December 12, 2018. The charges Cohen pleaded guilty to included failure to report $4 million in income from 2012 to 2016, concealing $100,000 income from a property sales in Ocala, Florida in 2014, as well as $200,000 in consulting fees he had made from an assisted-living company. However, Cohen's most sensational counts were violation of campaign finance laws, involving a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence over alleged sex affair with Trump and another complex payment arrangement of $150,000 to Playboy model Karen McDougal, both in the run-up to 2016 presidential election.
President Calls Manafort a "Brave Man", Slams Cohen
A day after twin bombshells were dropped--Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight of 18 counts of charges and president's former fixer Michael Cohen had pleaded guilty to two counts of campaign finance crimes and six other counts--and much of the nation was still grappling on what that meant, President Donald Trump did not stop painting his touch of fixation on who was guilty and who was not in his eyes. He called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt" and called Manafort a "brave man" in a series of tweets on August 22, 2018. Trump on the same breath called Cohen a bad lawyer, tweeting: "If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that don't retain the services of Michael Cohen!"
Feds Give Long-time Trump Bookkeeper Immunity
Federal investigators might have given longtime Trump Organization accountant, Allen Weisselberg, the immunity in exchange for his co-operation, according to an August 24, 2018, The Associated Press report. The news of possible Weisselberg's immunity deal came a day after reports that Donald Trump's longtime friend David Pecker, the CEO of American Media Inc., parent company of National Enquirer, was also given immunity in Michael Cohen probe.
Cohen Pleads Guilty to Lying to Congress
Donald Trump's former personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen in a surprising court appearance in New York on November 29, 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress on when Trump associates had stopped talking to Russian officials about a potential Trump Tower in Moscow. The issue harkened back to a nine-page court affidavit that special counsel prosecutors filed about the August 2017 testimony of Michael Cohen before the House and Senate Intelligence Committees where he, as EVP of the Trump Organization, said under oath that he had pulled the plug on a proposed Trump Tower plan in Moscow in January 2016 before the first Primary. However, Michael Cohen on November 29, 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress on this account, admitting that he had pursued the deal with Felix Sater, a Russian business associate of Trump, through June 2016 when Trump had almost secured the Republican Party nomination. In May 2016, in response to Sater's e-mail, Cohen said that Trump might visit Moscow "once he becomes the nominee". Prosecutors might have found the e-mail trails and other incriminating proofs after they had seized Michael Cohen's computers and devices in the April 9, 2018, raid. In the court filing on November 29, 2018, Michael Cohen concluded with a statement: "I made these misstatements to be consistent with Individual 1's political messaging and out of loyalty to Individual 1". The November 29, 2018, guilty plea poses a two-edged sword dangling at the president. First, Michael Cohen pleaded guilty on August 21, 2018 to a host of charges, including campaign finance laws over the hush money paid to two women who had alleged affairs with Trump, brought by the U.S. Southern District of New York's Attorney's office. Now, a little after three months later, Cohen on November 29, 2018 pleaded guilty to lying to Congress as part of the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation. According to the court filing, Cohen sat with the special investigation prosecutors seven times since August 7, 2018, implying a very close cooperation in Mueller investigation that's all but assure more investigation into Trump's business deals.
Cohen Met with Russian Officials, Justice Officials Say
In court filings on December 7, 2018 at Washington, prosecutors from New York and Special Counsel's Office said that Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump's former "fixer" had met with a Russian official as far back as in 2015 and the Russian official had proposed a meeting between then-candidate Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to explore "political synergy". The filings were related to ongoing cases in both Paul Manafort and Cohen trials.
Cohen Receives 3 Years
President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen on December 12, 2018 was handed down a three-year sentence by the U.S. District Judge William Pauley III of New York. Before his sentencing, Cohen told the judge that "my weakness can be characterized as a blind loyalty to Donald Trump". In addition to reporting to Otisville Correctional Institute, a federal prison in upstate New York, on March 6, 2019, Cohen was ordered to pay $500,000 in forfeiture, $1.9 million in back taxes and $100,000 in fines. Cohen admitted to have paid $280,000 in hush money to two women with whom Trump had sex years ago to buy their silence. Cohen paid $150,000 to American Media Inc., or AMI, parent company of National Enquirer, to buy the publishing right of what could have been a salacious story of Playboy model Karen McDougal's years-ago affair with Trump. Cohen himself paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, $130,000 in hush money to buy silence. The U.S. attorney's office in Manhattan, which is handling the Cohen investigation, said that it had evidence that president himself had directed the hush money payment. Judge Pauley also handed out a three-month concurrent term to Cohen for lying to Congress about his Russia contact.
Publisher Admits Hush Money Payment
On the same day President Donald Trump's former attorney and fixer Michael Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Robert Khuzami said that American Media Inc., or AMI, parent company of National Enquirer, had admitted that "it made the $150,000 payment in concert with a candidate's presidential campaign" to buy silence from Playboy playmate Karen McDougal. AMI's December 12, 2018, non-prosecution agreement with the U.S. Attorney's Office in Manhattan was another blow to Trump's legal standing.
Cohen Begins his 3-year Sentence
Former Trump fixer Michael Cohen on May 6, 2019 began his three-year imprisonment at the Otisville Federal Prison.
***************** MICHAEL COHEN'S LEGAL TROUBLE
Comey: Trump "Unfit" to be President
Launching a broadside against a president who had fired him and with whom personal relationship had hit a record nadir, former FBI Director James Comey said on 20/20 during an interview as part of his media tour to promote his tell-all memoir A Higher Loyalty with ABC's George Stephanopoulos on April 15, 2018 that Donald Trump was "unfit" to be this great nation's president and likened Trump to a mafia boss. Hours ago, Trump took his own low road to castigate Comey, tweeting that Comey was the worst FBI director in the U.S. history.
DNC Files Lawsuit alleging Trump Campaign-Russia Collusion
In an unprecedented and one of a unique action, Democratic National Committee on April 20, 2018 filed a lawsuit in a New York district court, alleging collusion between Trump campaign and Russia in 2016 presidential election. This may be more of a publicity stunt and training people's attention in the run-up to the crucial midterm election on the growing cloud of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that has been hovering over the White House.
House Intel Panel GOP Report Clears Trump on Collusion with Russia
GOP members of the U.S. House of Representatives' Intelligence Committee on April 27, 2018 issued its report, clearing Trump campaign from collusion with Russia. The investigation, led by Mike Conaway after the panel head Devin Nunes had stepped aside last year, was plagued with controversy from the beginning, and its end was no different, with Democrats in the committee led by Rep. Adam Schiff of California issuing a 98-page of rebuttal. President Donald Trump did not waste any time to slap on his back, declaring that the most comprehensive inquiry had failed to find any collusion.
Russian Lawyer who Has Met Trump's Son Acknowledges Connection to Russian Government
Russian lawyer Natalia Veselnitskaya, who had met with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump Jr. and Paul Manafort in the Trump Tower in 2016 promising to provide dirt about Hillary Clinton, acknowledged in an interview aired on April 27, 2018 by the NBC News that she was an informant to Russia's chief prosecutor, Yuri Chaika, a statement that would put her at the crosshairs with Congressional investigators as she submitted a written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee in November 2017, proclaiming that "I work independently of any government bodies".
Trump Blasts His Own Justice Department
In a no-holds-barred tweet, President Donald trump on May 2, 2018 railed his own Department of Justice and Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein for what he called a "rigged" investigation.
Trump Calls for Investigation of FBI Itself
President Donald Trump, alleging that FBI had infiltrated into his 2016 presidential campaign, demanded on May 20, 2018 in a tweet that DOJ launch an investigation to look into whether DOJ/FBI had planted any mole in his campaign.
FBI, DOJ Officials Meet with Trump
A day after President Donald Trump alleged Obama administration of planting an FBI informant in his 2016 presidential campaign, senior DOJ and FBI officials--including Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein and FBI Director Christopher Wray--met with President Trump on May 21, 2018 in the White House where president demanded a probe into it. Meanwhile, in an unusual action, Congressional Republican leaders asked DOJ officials to share classified information on what led to the Mueller probe in the first place. Many Trump backers suspect that the FBI source is the one that has helped launched the special prosecutor investigation into collusion between Trump campaign and Russia. White House Chief of Staff John Kelly will set up a session among FBI, DOJ, DNI [Directorate of National Intelligence] and Congressional leaders, according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The FBI source in question was named on May 21, 2018 after The Wall Street Journal, New York magazine, Axios and The Washington Post identified him as Stefan Halper, a former Reagan, Nixon and Ford administration official and a professor emeritus of the Cambridge University.
********************* PAUL MANAFORT
Special Prosecutors Files Charges of Witness Tampering
What could be a possible legal disaster for the former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, prosecutor from Robert Mueller's office on June 4, 2018 filed charges, accusing him of trying to influence two witnesses. If proven of witness tampering, Manafort will be sent to behind the bar for violating bail conditions.
Manafort Charges Unsealed
The indictment brought against Paul Manafort by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's Office on charges of witness tampering was unsealed on June 8, 2018. The charges are filed against Manafort and Konstantin Kiliminik for obstruction of justice because they had tried to contact two witnesses early this year. Now, it's up to Judge Amy Berman if she revokes the bail. Judge Berman allowed Manafort to stay free on bail even after prosecutors had alleged former Trump campaign official of ghost-writing an article in Ukraine, a clear violation of bail conditions.
Manafort Sent to Jail
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of D.C. on June 15, 2018 revoked the bail of former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort for effort to try witness tampering. Manafort was under house arrest on a $10 million bond and was awaiting September 2018 trial. Manafort faces two trials: one in Northern Virginia next month and another one in District of Columbia.
Paul Manafort's Tax Evasion and Fraud Trial Begins
Paul Manafort's tax evasion and fraud trial began in the court of U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III of Alexandria, Virginia on July 30, 2018. Although this case does not pertain to Russian interference in the 2016 election and possible collusion with Trump campaign, it will be observed closely by all parties concerned as a test of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigative strategy's viability.
Jury Begins to Hear Testimony from Prosecution Witness
Paul Manafort's former accountant, Cindy Laporta, took witness stand on August 3, 2018 and detailed how a broad scheme had been hatched to hide Manafort's foreign incomes as loans to shield from the federal income taxes.
Dubious Loan of $16 million Reportedly Given to Manafort
A New York bank executive, Dennis Raico, spilled the bean at the witness stand on August 10, 2018 as he said, under an immunity deal, that Paul Manafort had received special favor in getting $16 million in loan from Federal Saving Bank as the bank's chairman, Stephen Calk, was rumored to have been a potential candidate in Trump cabinet in case the New York real estate mogul won the 2016 presidential election.
Manafort Guilty on Eight Counts
At the end, day of reckoning had come, and it was not pretty for Paul Manafort, former Trump campaign chairman, nor for his former boss as a jury on August 21, 2018 convicted him on eight of 18 counts. The eight counts of charges Manafort was declared guilty included:
* Five counts of false tax returns, one for each year between 2010 and 2014
* One count of falsifying tax return for 2012
* One count of bank fraud related to a $3.4 million loan from Citizens Bank
* One count of bank fraud related to a $1 million loan from Banc of California
On the remaining 10 counts, the jury could not reach any verdict. President Donald Trump campaigning in West Virginia said that "Paul Manafort is a good man". Manafort's lead attorney Kevin Downing said that his client was disappointed and they were weighing options.
President Calls Manafort a "Brave Man", Slams Cohen
A day after twin bombshells were dropped--Paul Manafort was found guilty on eight of 18 counts of charges and president's former fixer Michael Cohen had pleaded guilty to two counts of campaign finance crimes and six other counts--and much of the nation was still grappling on what that meant, President Donald Trump did not stop painting his touch of fixation on who was guilty and who was not in his eyes. He called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt" and called Manafort a "brave man" in a series of tweets on August 22, 2018. Trump on the same breath called Cohen a bad lawyer.
Paul Manafort Pleads Guilty
Paul Manafort on September 14, 2018 pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud the United States and obstruct justice, admitting to years of financial crimes related to his undisclosed lobbying work for a pro-Russian political party in Ukraine and its former leader, Viktor Yanukovych.
President Cool to Manafort's Guilty Plea
Days after Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to two counts of being an unregistered agent for Ukraine and money-laundering millions of dollars through offshore accounts in the second trial, President Donald Trump on September 19, 2018 stayed calm and only said that "I don't want to talk about it now".
Manafort Breached Agreement, Mueller Says
In a court filing on November 26, 2018, lawyers from the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's Office sought to void the September 14, 2018, plea deal that Paul Manafort had reached with the special prosecutor's office. Special Prosecutor's lawyers opined that Manafort had breached the agreement, but under the agreement, former chairman of the Trump campaign couldn't withdraw the guilty plea. On September 14, 2018, Paul Manafort pleaded guilty to conspiracy counts in his upcoming Washington D.C. trial and agreed to an open-ended cooperation with special counsel's office to answer "truthfully, completely and forthrightly". Although Manafort, now in a solitary confinement at Alexandria, Virginia, legal team has rejected prosecution argument that their client had breached the agreement, the case is now stuck in the court of the U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia.
Manafort Lawyer Reported to have Briefed Trump Team
The Washington Post and The New York Times reported November 27, 2018 that special prosecutor's forceful filing of a legal briefing a day earlier to void the plea deal with the former chairman of Trump campaign was done after a Manafort defense team member had apprised Trump's legal team on the discussions that Paul Manafort had with the investigating lawyers in the aftermath of September 14, 2018, guilty plea.
Manafort Shared the Poll Data with Russian
In a court filing intended to rebut against special prosecutor's allegation that Paul Manafort had violated the September 2018 plea deal, lawyers of the former Trump campaign chairman on January 8, 2019 inadvertently acknowledged that the special prosecutor's investigators had accused their client of sharing the poll data with his one-time business associate Konstantin Kilimnik, who had connection with Russian intel. Manafort's lawyers denied that their client had misled the Special Prosecutor over his interaction with Kilimnik.
Judge Convenes a Closed-door Hearing
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the D.C. on January 25, 2019 ordered a closed-door hearing on February 4, 2019 to decide whether Paul Manafort had violated plea deal as alleged by the special prosecutor's legal team.
Judge: Manafort Violated Plea Deal
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 13, 2019 ruled that former Donald Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, had violated a September 14, 2018, plea deal with the special prosecutor's office by misleading the investigators about his interaction with Russian intelligence-linked Konstantin Kilimnik. Judge's ruling dealt a setback to Manafort's defense.
Manafort Handed 47 Months
The judge in the Virginia trial of former Trump campaign chair Paul Manafort on March 7, 2019 sentenced him to 47 months in prison. Paul Manafort was convicted on eight of 18 counts of false tax returns and bank fraud on August 21, 2018. Although former Trump campaign chairman faced up to 24 years of prison, U.S. District Judge T.S. Ellis III called that excessive and sentenced him instead to 47 months in prison. Sitting on a wheelchair, Manafort told the judge that he was now "humiliated and ashamed".
A Separate Judge Slaps Three-and-Half More Years; New York Hits State Charges
Six days after a federal judge handed out almost four years to former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort, a separate federal judge--U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson of the District of Columbia--on March 13, 2019 sentenced him to an additional three-and-half years of imprisonment. The judge rebuked former Trump confidante, who sat stone-faced on a wheel-chair because of gout, for "the number of lies and the amount of fraud" he had perpetrated. Minutes after the Judge issued the sentencing, New York state prosecutors unveiled 16-count charges against Paul Manafort on the grounds of false information on mortgage loan application among others. The state charges had been designed in ways to avoid so called "double jeopardy" clause of constitution such as a defendant being tried by separate entities for the same crime. Also, Trump can pardon Manafort for federal crime, but not for state charges.
********************* PAUL MANAFORT
Self-pardon is His Right, Trump Tweets
President Donald Trump claimed on June 4, 2018 in a tweet that he had absolute right of "self-pardon".
Russia Still Meddling, Mueller says in Legal Filing
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on June 12, 2018 filed a brief at the court of a federal judge in D.C. against the request of Concord Management and Consulting, one of the three Russian companies and 13 Russian individuals charged in February 2018, to gain access to the special prosecution document, saying that it would be harmful to share any document with the Russian company as Russia continued meddling in the U.S. internal affairs.
DOJ Watchdog Criticizes Comey, Others for Mishandling Clinton Probe, Russia Inquiry
DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz on June 14, 2018 issued a report that questioned how former FBI Director James Comey handled Clinton probe and dug up the controversy anew related to text exchanges between former FBI officials Peter Strzok and Lisa Page. In his report issued during the day, the DOJ watchdog accused Comey of publicly displaying "insubordination" as he had called a press conference in July 2016 to announce that there would not be any charge against Hillary Clinton, a very unusual move as it was the prerogative of DOJ, not the FBI, to make such public announcement. Again, at the fag end of 2016 presidential election campaign, Comey sent letter to Congress, informing that FBI would reopen investigation into Clinton e-mail saga despite advice from DOJ officials against doing so. However, the IG report stated that at no time, the investigation would have reached a different conclusion without those missteps. The IG report also blasted missteps by duo of FBI officials who were involved in both Clinton and Trump investigations, Lisa Page and Peter Strzok. According to the report, they have shown immense bias against Trump as exemplified by one of the text messages by Strzok that had said FBI would "stop" Trump at any cost, and thus had brought upon themselves immense discredit, but at the end, did not influence the direction of investigation or do anything illegal.
Trump Confidante Roger Stone at Cross-hairs with Mueller Prosecution
A long-time friend and confidante of Donald Trump had come under scrutiny by the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigators as a hitherto unknown meeting between Roger Stone and a Russian expatriate magnate, Henry Greenberg, in May 2016 in Florida came to light. According to a June 17, 2018, report carried by The Washington Post, Greenberg offered to share damaging information on Hillary Clinton for $2 million, an ask that Stone rejected immediately with a retort "you don't understand Donald Trump" and "he doesn't pay for anything". Later in the day, Stone received a text from a Trump campaign communication official Michael Caputo, who had arranged the Florida meeting between Greenberg and Stone, asking Stone "how crazy is the Russian?", to which Stone replied a total "waste of time". Two years later the Florida meeting between Roger Stone and Henry Greenberg re-surfaced, but both Michael Caputo and Roger Stone hid this meeting from Congressional investigators.
****************** PETER STRZOK
GOP, FBI Agent Clash Fiercely
At a House hearing that lasted 10 hours, GOP lawmakers on July 12, 2018 launched a full-fledged personal attack on FBI agent Peter Strzok, whose anti-Trump text exchanges with a FBI lawyer, Lisa Page, led his removal from Mueller team, but made no visible effect on the FBI agent as he, instead of being flinched, clashed repeatedly with GOP lawmakers and reiterated that there was no tainting in investigation into Trump campaign's alleged collusion with Russia.
Strzok Fired over anti-Trump Text
FBI's one of the most senior counterintelligence officials, Peter Strzok, was fired on August 13, 2018 for exchanging anti-Trump texts. Strzok's lawyer, Aitan Goelman, denounced his client's firing, calling that it flew in the face of FBI Director Christopher Wray's Congressional testimony that FBI intended to "follow its regular process" in "all personnel matters". Goelman blamed Deputy Director of FBI David Bowdich for overruling the Office of Professional Responsibility and going ahead to fire Strzok.
Strzok Sues DOJ
A year after being fired from FBI, Peter Strzok on August 6, 2019 filed a lawsuit, alleging that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had caved into "unrelenting pressure" from the president when it had fired him and demanding that he be reinstated, compensated with backpay and issued an acknowledgement from the DOJ that his constitutional rights had been violated. The August 6, 2019, lawsuit against the Justice Department ensured that Strzok's firing will be an issue as the presidential campaign gets into higher gear.
****************** PETER STRZOK
12 Russian Officials Indicted in Hacking into Democratic Party Database
Three days before President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin at Helsinki, his own Justice Department indicted on July 13, 2018 dozen Russian intelligence officials in 2016 hacking into Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign databases. The indictment unveiled by Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein came nothing short of a political embarrassment to the president and, for the first time, implicated the Russian government officials. The indictment, obtained by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, stated that these 12 Russian government officials ran their operation from an office 2 miles from Kremlin.
******************** Russian Agent Maria Butina
Russian Agent Arrested
A Russian student, apparently studying higher education in the USA, was on July 15, 2018 arrested for failing to register as an agent for foreign government. Maria Butina was presented at the court on July 18, 2018 and ordered by a judge to be remanded in the custody without any bond. Prosecutors alleged that Butina had allegedly led a covert life, with portraying a life of a charming foreign student and dating a Conservative activist, Paul Erickson, while maintaining a close contact with a former Russian legislator and current official of Russian central bank. Although the filing did not name the Russian official, but it was evident that it pointed to Alexander Torshin, who had become a lifetime NRA member in 2012 and sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department in April 2018.
Butina Reported to have Reached a Deal
The New York Times reported on December 10, 2018 that Russian spy Maria Butina, arrested in July 2018, had reached a deal with the prosecutors. Soon, Butina will appear at a federal court to change her plea.
Butina Pleads Guilty
Maria Butina on December 13, 2018 pleaded guilty to the charges that she was a secret Russian agent.
Butina Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, on April 26, 2019 sentenced Maria Butina to one-and-half years of imprisonment followed by her deportation to Russia for being an unregistered foreign agent.
******************** Russian Agent Maria Butina
Trump Shown the Proof of Russian Meddling before Swearing in
The New York Times on July 18, 2018 reported that before even he was sworn in as president, Obama administration's intel officials showed Donald Trump classified evidence of Russian meddling in the U.S. presidential election and Russian President Vladimir Putin's direct connection to it. Former CIA Chief John Brennan, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and NSA Director Admiral Michael Rogers and the then-FBI chief James Comey held the meeting at Trump Tower in New York City on January 6, 2017 and shared the classified information with Trump, implicating Russia and Putin to election meddling.
Trump Administration Releases Document related to Carter Page's Surveillance
Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), The New York Times and other media organizations on July 21, 2018 were able to access Trump administration's DOJ document related to surveillance of Carter Page. FBI in 2016 reportedly reached out to the FISA court to get a warrant to spy on Rick Gates, implicating him to Russian intelligence officials, or worse, Russian spy himself, an accusation Gates had denied. The FISA application filed by the FBI called out Page for being "the subject of targeted recruitment by the Russian government". Although many of the sentences of the document released to the media were redacted because of being classified in nature, the application clearly accused Russia of trying to "undermine and influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election in violation of U.S. criminal law". This is the first time a FISA application was made public since the law went into effect in 1979. Many Republican lawmakers accused FBI of leveraging the research of a former British intelligence officer, Christopher Steele, who had been bankrolled by Hillary Clinton campaign and Democratic National Committee to investigate into and report on Donald Trump Campaign's collusion with Russia, to prepare its application to submit to the FISA court for spying on Carter Page.
Trump Accuses FBI of Illegal Spying of Page
A day after Trump administration shared with media FBI's application to FISA Court to seek warrant for surveillance of Carter Page in 2016, president on July 22, 2018 tweeted, without evidence, that Obama Justice Department had misled court to spy on his campaign and called it "illegal".
Trump Stirs Conspiracy Pot
President Donald Trump on August 17, 2018 targeted a little-known DOJ official, Bruce Ohr, a career Justice Department employee who had mostly worked in anti-drug and anti-gang areas, for instigating the Russia collusion investigation and threatened to revoke his security clearance days after he had scrapped the access to classified information for former CIA head John Brennan. By training his gun at Ohr, Trump bought into right-wing conspiracy theory that Ohr and his wife, Nellie, a former contractor with the Fusion GPS that had prepared a detailed dossier on Trump, had been behind the launch of collusion investigation.
White House Counsel Reported to have Co-operated with Special Counsel
The New York Times reported on August 18, 2018 that White House counsel Don McGahn had co-operated with special counsel's office numerous times during the past nine months, giving a significant degree of insight to investigators into White House action that might be used to construct obstruction of justice charges. According to the report, McGahn had sat down for a total of at least 30 hours with the investigators.
Trump Sends Written Answers to Mueller
President Donald Trump sent written answers to the questionnaire from the special counsel on November 20, 2018, and his lawyers--Rudy Giuliani and Jay Sekulow--issuing a joint statement that called for bringing the special counsel "inquiry to a conclusion".
At least 14 Russians Reported to Have Interacted with Trump Team
Since the beginning of his unconventional presidential run in 2015, at least 14 Russians interacted with Donald Trump's campaign team in order to influence the future president, according to a December 9, 2018, The Washington Post report.
Research Points Russian Meddling to Help Trump in 2016 Polls
A report prepared for the U.S. Senate and based on the research by Oxford University's Computational Propaganda Project and a network analysis firm, Graphika, portrayed a systemic meddling by Russians tied to Internet Research Agency (IRA) to sow confusion and division in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election in order to tip the election in Donald Trump's favor. The research is being reported by The Washington Post on December 16, 2018.
************ ROGER STONE
Trump's Former Campaign Adviser Roger Stone Indicted on Seven Felony Counts
The Nixon-era rough-edged political operative who helped launch Donald Trump's presidential campaign, Roger Stone, was indicted on seven counts by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller on January 25, 2019. FBI agents in tactical gear stormed Roger Stone's mansion early in the morning, and hauled him into their custody. Later appearing at a Fort Lauderdale courthouse, a defiant Roger Stone vowed to vigorously defend himself and flashed V-signs with two extended hands. At the heart of the charges were Roger Stone's false testimony to the House Intelligence Committee over his communication with WikiLeaks related to the hacking of the DNC e-mails in the run-up to 2016 presidential election. In addition, Roger Stone tried to persuade another person to lie before the House Intelligence Committee.
Stone Pleads not Guilty
Appearing before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson, Roger Stone's lawyer Roger Buschel on January 29, 2019 entered not guilty plea on behalf of his client to charges of obstructing and tampering with a congressional investigation.
Judge Issues Gag Order
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 15, 2019 issued a gag order, targeting Roger Stone and his legal team not to press their case in public.
Judge Tightens Gag Order
Roger Stone faced the full wrath of Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 21, 2019 after he had posted an image of the judge on the social media with a gun sight near her head three days earlier. Subsequently that image posted on February 18, 2019 was taken down, but not before raising the Stone's intimidating tactic in full public view. Judge Jackson warned Stone, who was slapped with seven counts of false testimony to Congress and witness tampering in Russia investigation, that "this is not baseball. There will not be a third chance", referring to her first gag order issued on February 15, 2019.
Stone Convicted on All Seven Counts
A jury of nine women and three men issued a searing verdict on November 15, 2019, convicting former Trump aide Roger Stone guilty on seven counts of witness tampering and lying to Congress. U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson set a February 6, 2020, sentencing date for Roger Stone. A week of hearings, including former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Rick Gates. exposed how Roger Stone used his tormentor image to get information to hurt Hillary Clinton. Roger Stone joined a long list of former Trump campaign officials either convicted or pleaded guilty as part of Mueller Probe.
Democrats' Renewed Push to Ascertain whether Trump Lied to Mueller
Three days after a jury convicted Roger Stone on all seven counts, House investigators are now looking into whether President Donald Trump has lied to Robert Mueller, according to House of Representatives General Counsel Douglas Letter who has made the case on November 18, 2019.
Prosecutors in Stone Case Quit
Four prosecutors who had recommended seven to nine years in imprisonment for Roger Stone, but overturned by the department's leaders--including Attorney-General William Barr--after President Donald Trump's tweet blasting long sentence for his one-time confidante quit from their roles on February 11, 2020. Trump's tweet vilified the DOJ's original sentencing recommendation of seven to nine years as "miscarriage of justice".
Barr under Fire for Reduced Sentencing Recommendation and Quitting of Four Career Prosecutors
Several former prosecutors and Democratic lawmakers on February 12, 2020 assailed Attorney-General William Barr and DOJ top officials after reduced sentencing recommendation for Roger Stone and quitting of four prosecutors from the case.
Barr Skewers Trump in ABC Interview
Attorney-General William Barr on February 13, 2020 criticized President Donald Trump in an interview on the ABC News that president's frequent tweets about the cases pending with the Justice Department were making his job harder. This is one of the rare occasions, if not the only time, that one of Trump's cabinet officials has vented out frustration in public on how president has been intervening in their respective areas of work.
More than 1,100 Former Depart Employees Demand Barr's Resignation
The Washington Post reported on February 16, 2020 that an open letter signed by more than 1,100 former DOJ employees asked Attorney-General William Barr to resign over the botched handling of Roger Stone's sentencing and after four of the career prosecutors had quit from the case after DOJ higher-ranking officials' overturning of their sentencing recommendation. This is the latest incident where department retirees and veterans are getting concerned over, the letter states, "Mr. Barr's actions in doing the President's personal bidding". The letter asks the current department employees to be brave and report any unethical actions or directives to the department's Inspector-General's office.
Stone Sentenced to 40 Months
U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson on February 20, 2020 sentenced former Trump aide Roger Stone to serve 40 months in jail. Judge Jackson had some harsh words to say against Stone, who was not "prosecuted for standing up for president", in the words of Jackson, but "for covering up for the president". Judge Amy Berman Jackson even didn't spare the Attorney-General William Barr, saying that his intervention to reduce the prison term recommendation [for Stone] was "unprecedented".
President
Trump Commutes Stone’s Sentence
On
July 11, 2020, President Donald Trump commuted Roger Stone’s sentences.
************ ROGER STONE
Mueller Probe to Wrap up Soon
The Dallas Morning News reported on February 21, 2019 that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller was about to wrap up his investigation that had shaken Washington establishment since its beginning in the aftermath of James Comey's May 2017 firing and secured criminal charges against 34 people, including six of President Donald Trump's associates and aides.
Mueller Concludes Investigation, Submits His Final Report
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller after almost two years of investigation into whether Trump campaign had colluded with Russia in 2016 presidential election concluded his mission and on March 22, 2019 submitted his report to Attorney-General William Barr. The investigation began in the aftermath of May 2017 firing of the then-FBI Director James Comey and led to indictment against 34 people, including high-ranking Trump aides--including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and Trump confidante Roger Stone--and more than two dozens Russians. However, none of them had been charged in collusion. Now, the nation's attention is riveted on what's in the nearly 400-page report.
No Collusion for Sure, No Obstruction Charges to be Pressed, AG Writes to Congress
Two days after Robert Mueller submitted his nearly 400-page report, A.G. William Barr on March 24, 2019 sent a four-page letter to Congress, summarizing key conclusions of the Mueller report. According to the Barr letter to Congress, there was no evidence that Trump campaign had colluded with Russia in 2016 presidential election. Therefore, on the Russia collusion itself, the answer came in with a definitive NO. On the obstruction of justice question, Special Prosecutor didn't conclude that Trump had committed any crime, but also didn't exonerate him either. Attorney-General William Barr stated in the letter that he had consulted with Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein on the obstruction of justice issue and both of them had decided not to press charges on this issue on the basis of not enough evidence for the Justice to go forward. Immediately, President Donald Trump seized on the Barr letter to declare victory and falsely claim that he had been "totally exonerated" as when the Muller Report didn't exonerate him. Meanwhile Democrats, including all the presidential candidates, demanded that A.G. Barr submit all of the unredacted report, not a four-page summary letter. Meanwhile, GOP is rallying behind Trump after the Mueller Report didn't find any collusion between Trump campaign and Russia. A more comprehensive, though redacted, report will be made public by the DOJ at a latter date.
Redacted Version of Mueller Report to be Released
U.S. Attorney-General William Barr on March 29, 2019 said that the DOJ would release a redacted version of Mueller Report by mid-April. Democrats are demanding an non-redacted version of the full Mueller Report to be submitted to Congress.
House Panel Gives Authority to Seek Full Report
House Judiciary Committee in a party line vote on April 3, 2019 authorized Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., to issue subpoena for the full, un-redacted Mueller Report from Attorney-General William Barr. The House panel also accorded the chairman with the authority to issue subpoena for the appearance by former White House aides before panel members if needed.
Barr Makes Redacted Mueller Report Public
Almost two years after the May 17, 2017, appointment of the special counsel to investigate into Russian meddling, U.S. DOJ on April 18, 2019 released the 448-page, redacted report prepared by Robert Mueller's investigation team that had netted so far 34 indictments, including around dozen against high-ranking Russian operatives and several former Trump administration officials, including former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, former aide Roger Stone and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The day unfurled with a press conference that Attorney-General William Barr had held that resulted in some testy exchanges. Democrats took little time to blame attorney-general for putting his own spin to dilute the unflattering comments written by Mueller team in the 448-page report against Trump and his team. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement, condemning the manner in which William Barr had tried to present "a conclusion that the president did not obstruct justice while Mueller's report appears to undercut that finding".
The redacted, 448-page report was released online, in CDs delivered to lawmakers and binders provided to reporters. Within hours, a riveted press and political junkies were at work perusing and parsing the content of the unflattering report. Mueller quoted several White House aides in the report to chronicle specific incidents, and concluded that aides surrounding Trump thwarted president's efforts to undermine and undercut the special investigator's probe. Mueller report summed up Trump's mood on May 17, 2017, the day of appointment of Robert Mueller as a special counsel, . as frustrated and devastated: "This is the end of my presidency. I'm f--ed". In another incident, on June 17, 2017, Trump instructed the then-White House counsel Don McGahn that he ask the Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein to fire Mueller. McGahn refused to oblige the president, insisting that he would soon retire than carry out the order.
Two days later, on June 19, 2017, Trump then asked his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski at a White House meeting to pass an instruction to then-A.G. Jeff Sessions to publicly chime in in favor of the president with a statement that the investigation was very unfair and limit the Mueller investigation to prevent Russian meddling in the future elections. Lewandowski didn't feel comfortable and tried to seek help from another White House official, Rick Dearborn, who refused to oblige too.
Mueller also said in the report that within five hours of the then-candidate Trump's urging of Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's e-mails, Russian operatives were in action. Mueller also decried Trump's written testimony that littered with the phrase "I don't recall".
A defiant Trump called it a good day and tweeted "Game Over". Trump re-election campaign chairman, Brad Parscale, went a step forward to demand investigation into "liars who instigated this sham investigation". However, Democrats were not pleased. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler panned the White House, saying that the Mueller Report "outlines disturbing evidence that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice and other misconduct". Nadler sent a letter asking for Mueller to testify before his panel by "no later than May 23".
Kremlin Calls Mueller Report "Inconclusive"
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 19, 2019 that Mueller Report didn't bring any conclusive evidence that Russia had meddled in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Although Mueller Report, released to public on April 18, 2019, pointed out clearly the involvement of Internet Research Agency, owned by Putin associate Yevgeniy Prigozhin, to influence American public opinion in the run-up to the election, Peskov refused to "accept" any responsibility.
Barr a No-show at House Hearing
A day after testifying at the Senate Judiciary Committee for five hours, Attorney-General William Barr on May 2, 2019 was a no-show at the House Judiciary Committee hearing, leading to House Democrats fuming and threatening to hold Barr in contempt of House. On May 2, 2019, House Judiciary Committee chair, Jerrold Nadler, was present as well as ranking GOP member, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia and other panel members. The seat for attorney-general remained vacant at the House floor, and GOP members of the committee accused Democrats of dramatizing the event. Barr refused to appear over Democrats' demand that committee staffers interview Barr in private. William Barr vocally opposed to be interviewed by committee staffers. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accused Barr of lying as the attorney-general told Congress on April 9, 2019 that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had no concern over how his report was being handled by the Justice Department. Apparently Robert Mueller sent a private letter on March 27, 2019 to Attorney-General William Barr, expressing his concern how his report was being characterized by the Justice Department. The existence of letter was unknown until recently.
President Obstructs Justice, more than 370 ex-Prosecutors Say
About 375 notable ex-prosecutors signed a statement and released on May 6, 2019 that stated that barring the office of presidency, Donald Trump would have been held for obstruction of justice by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation, adding pressure to Congress to investigate into any probable incidents of "obstruction of justice". Some of the signees are well renowned such as former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, Paul Rosenzweig, a senior counsel to Kenneth Starr and a former Rudy Giuliani aide, Jeffrey Harris.
House Judiciary Committee Votes to Hold Barr in Contempt of Congress
Irked by his no-show during May 2, 2019, testimony at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, the panel Democrats on May 8, 2019 notched up their political battle against Trump administration by voting in favor of a measure to hold Attorney-General William Barr in contempt of Congress. The party-line vote set the stage for a prolonged court battle between Democrats and White House. Given the Democratic Party's majority in the House, the contempt measure is likely to be passed by House. A few hours before the vote, the Justice Department said that President Trump would invoke executive privilege to block the release of the non-redacted parts of the 448-page Mueller Report. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Assistant Attorney-General Stephen Boyd stated that House [panel] had no legitimate role in "simply duplicating a criminal inquiry, which is, of course, a function that the Constitution entrusts exclusively to the executive branch". Boyd also argued that Trump would invoke executive privilege to block handing over the non-redacted report to Congress.
There is no clear legal precedent whether president has a clear authority for executive privilege. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1974 that the then-President Richard Nixon had a "privilege of confidentiality" in his secret White House tapes, but that privilege was outweighed by the demands of criminal investigation into Watergate burglary and its cover-up. That led to President Nixon handing over the secret tapes to prosecutors.
In a timely reminder of a potential deal, Barr Justice Department on the same day that Attorney-General William Barr had been held in contempt of Congress announced a settlement in a 7-year-old case in which the then-House Oversight Committee led by Darrel Issa had held former A.G. Eric Holder in contempt of Congress as President Barack Obama had invoked executive privilege, giving cover to Holder to block handing over document related to Operation Fast and Furious. The May 8, 2019, settlement formally ended court battle related to Obama administration's gun-running operation, dubbed Operation Fast and Furious, that eventually ended up government-owned guns at the hands of criminals and resulted in the death of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency personnel.
********************************* DURHAM PROBE ******************************
Barr Turns the Table, Begins Probe of Start of Russia Investigation
Attorney-General William Barr on May 14, 2019 struck Democrats with his own political grenade by launching what could be the source of years-long, contentious Russia investigation led by the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller. Barr put the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, John Durham, to lead this new probe.
First Charge Filed in Durham Probe
After more than a year of investigation, John Durham on August 14, 2020 filed the first charge in the federal court related to the origin of Russian investigation. Under the charge filed, a former lawyer with the FBI's office of general counsel, Kevin Clinesmith, 38, will plead guilty to a felony count of altering e-mail. The five-page charge didn't say that the FBI investigation itself was tainted. What it said was Clinesmith's altered e-mail was used to seek a special court permission to surveil Carter Page, a former Trump campaign official, who was never charged. Clinesmith's handling of the e-mail was also panned by an Inspector-General report issued in December 2019. DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz's December 9, 2019, report found Kevin Clinesmith's misconduct as part of 17 errors and mistakes made by FBI in conducting investigation into Russian's meddling in 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Former FBI Lawyer Pleads Guilty of Doctoring e-mail
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith on August 19, 2020 pleaded guilty on one count of altering e-mail that had been used by FBI to seek permission to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign official Carter Page. This is the first charge secured by John Durham, special prosecutor appointed by Attorney-General William Barr to investigate into the origin of FBI probe into Russia-Trump campaign connection. Kevin Clinesmith on August 19, 2020 appeared via remote audio-link before the U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.
************ ROGER STONE
Mueller Probe to Wrap up Soon
The Dallas Morning News reported on February 21, 2019 that Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller was about to wrap up his investigation that had shaken Washington establishment since its beginning in the aftermath of James Comey's May 2017 firing and secured criminal charges against 34 people, including six of President Donald Trump's associates and aides.
Mueller Concludes Investigation, Submits His Final Report
Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller after almost two years of investigation into whether Trump campaign had colluded with Russia in 2016 presidential election concluded his mission and on March 22, 2019 submitted his report to Attorney-General William Barr. The investigation began in the aftermath of May 2017 firing of the then-FBI Director James Comey and led to indictment against 34 people, including high-ranking Trump aides--including former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, former Trump campaign chairman, Paul Manafort, and Trump confidante Roger Stone--and more than two dozens Russians. However, none of them had been charged in collusion. Now, the nation's attention is riveted on what's in the nearly 400-page report.
No Collusion for Sure, No Obstruction Charges to be Pressed, AG Writes to Congress
Two days after Robert Mueller submitted his nearly 400-page report, A.G. William Barr on March 24, 2019 sent a four-page letter to Congress, summarizing key conclusions of the Mueller report. According to the Barr letter to Congress, there was no evidence that Trump campaign had colluded with Russia in 2016 presidential election. Therefore, on the Russia collusion itself, the answer came in with a definitive NO. On the obstruction of justice question, Special Prosecutor didn't conclude that Trump had committed any crime, but also didn't exonerate him either. Attorney-General William Barr stated in the letter that he had consulted with Deputy Attorney-General Rod Rosenstein on the obstruction of justice issue and both of them had decided not to press charges on this issue on the basis of not enough evidence for the Justice to go forward. Immediately, President Donald Trump seized on the Barr letter to declare victory and falsely claim that he had been "totally exonerated" as when the Muller Report didn't exonerate him. Meanwhile Democrats, including all the presidential candidates, demanded that A.G. Barr submit all of the unredacted report, not a four-page summary letter. Meanwhile, GOP is rallying behind Trump after the Mueller Report didn't find any collusion between Trump campaign and Russia. A more comprehensive, though redacted, report will be made public by the DOJ at a latter date.
Redacted Version of Mueller Report to be Released
U.S. Attorney-General William Barr on March 29, 2019 said that the DOJ would release a redacted version of Mueller Report by mid-April. Democrats are demanding an non-redacted version of the full Mueller Report to be submitted to Congress.
House Panel Gives Authority to Seek Full Report
House Judiciary Committee in a party line vote on April 3, 2019 authorized Chairman Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., to issue subpoena for the full, un-redacted Mueller Report from Attorney-General William Barr. The House panel also accorded the chairman with the authority to issue subpoena for the appearance by former White House aides before panel members if needed.
Barr Makes Redacted Mueller Report Public
Almost two years after the May 17, 2017, appointment of the special counsel to investigate into Russian meddling, U.S. DOJ on April 18, 2019 released the 448-page, redacted report prepared by Robert Mueller's investigation team that had netted so far 34 indictments, including around dozen against high-ranking Russian operatives and several former Trump administration officials, including former Trump campaign Chairman Paul Manafort, former aide Roger Stone and former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. The day unfurled with a press conference that Attorney-General William Barr had held that resulted in some testy exchanges. Democrats took little time to blame attorney-general for putting his own spin to dilute the unflattering comments written by Mueller team in the 448-page report against Trump and his team. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a joint statement, condemning the manner in which William Barr had tried to present "a conclusion that the president did not obstruct justice while Mueller's report appears to undercut that finding".
The redacted, 448-page report was released online, in CDs delivered to lawmakers and binders provided to reporters. Within hours, a riveted press and political junkies were at work perusing and parsing the content of the unflattering report. Mueller quoted several White House aides in the report to chronicle specific incidents, and concluded that aides surrounding Trump thwarted president's efforts to undermine and undercut the special investigator's probe. Mueller report summed up Trump's mood on May 17, 2017, the day of appointment of Robert Mueller as a special counsel, . as frustrated and devastated: "This is the end of my presidency. I'm f--ed". In another incident, on June 17, 2017, Trump instructed the then-White House counsel Don McGahn that he ask the Deputy A.G. Rod Rosenstein to fire Mueller. McGahn refused to oblige the president, insisting that he would soon retire than carry out the order.
Two days later, on June 19, 2017, Trump then asked his former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski at a White House meeting to pass an instruction to then-A.G. Jeff Sessions to publicly chime in in favor of the president with a statement that the investigation was very unfair and limit the Mueller investigation to prevent Russian meddling in the future elections. Lewandowski didn't feel comfortable and tried to seek help from another White House official, Rick Dearborn, who refused to oblige too.
Mueller also said in the report that within five hours of the then-candidate Trump's urging of Russians to hack Hillary Clinton's e-mails, Russian operatives were in action. Mueller also decried Trump's written testimony that littered with the phrase "I don't recall".
A defiant Trump called it a good day and tweeted "Game Over". Trump re-election campaign chairman, Brad Parscale, went a step forward to demand investigation into "liars who instigated this sham investigation". However, Democrats were not pleased. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler panned the White House, saying that the Mueller Report "outlines disturbing evidence that President Trump engaged in obstruction of justice and other misconduct". Nadler sent a letter asking for Mueller to testify before his panel by "no later than May 23".
Kremlin Calls Mueller Report "Inconclusive"
President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on April 19, 2019 that Mueller Report didn't bring any conclusive evidence that Russia had meddled in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Although Mueller Report, released to public on April 18, 2019, pointed out clearly the involvement of Internet Research Agency, owned by Putin associate Yevgeniy Prigozhin, to influence American public opinion in the run-up to the election, Peskov refused to "accept" any responsibility.
Barr a No-show at House Hearing
A day after testifying at the Senate Judiciary Committee for five hours, Attorney-General William Barr on May 2, 2019 was a no-show at the House Judiciary Committee hearing, leading to House Democrats fuming and threatening to hold Barr in contempt of House. On May 2, 2019, House Judiciary Committee chair, Jerrold Nadler, was present as well as ranking GOP member, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia and other panel members. The seat for attorney-general remained vacant at the House floor, and GOP members of the committee accused Democrats of dramatizing the event. Barr refused to appear over Democrats' demand that committee staffers interview Barr in private. William Barr vocally opposed to be interviewed by committee staffers. Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, accused Barr of lying as the attorney-general told Congress on April 9, 2019 that Special Counsel Robert Mueller had no concern over how his report was being handled by the Justice Department. Apparently Robert Mueller sent a private letter on March 27, 2019 to Attorney-General William Barr, expressing his concern how his report was being characterized by the Justice Department. The existence of letter was unknown until recently.
President Obstructs Justice, more than 370 ex-Prosecutors Say
About 375 notable ex-prosecutors signed a statement and released on May 6, 2019 that stated that barring the office of presidency, Donald Trump would have been held for obstruction of justice by Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller's investigation, adding pressure to Congress to investigate into any probable incidents of "obstruction of justice". Some of the signees are well renowned such as former Massachusetts Governor Bill Weld, Paul Rosenzweig, a senior counsel to Kenneth Starr and a former Rudy Giuliani aide, Jeffrey Harris.
House Judiciary Committee Votes to Hold Barr in Contempt of Congress
Irked by his no-show during May 2, 2019, testimony at the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, the panel Democrats on May 8, 2019 notched up their political battle against Trump administration by voting in favor of a measure to hold Attorney-General William Barr in contempt of Congress. The party-line vote set the stage for a prolonged court battle between Democrats and White House. Given the Democratic Party's majority in the House, the contempt measure is likely to be passed by House. A few hours before the vote, the Justice Department said that President Trump would invoke executive privilege to block the release of the non-redacted parts of the 448-page Mueller Report. In a letter to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler, U.S. Assistant Attorney-General Stephen Boyd stated that House [panel] had no legitimate role in "simply duplicating a criminal inquiry, which is, of course, a function that the Constitution entrusts exclusively to the executive branch". Boyd also argued that Trump would invoke executive privilege to block handing over the non-redacted report to Congress.
There is no clear legal precedent whether president has a clear authority for executive privilege. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1974 that the then-President Richard Nixon had a "privilege of confidentiality" in his secret White House tapes, but that privilege was outweighed by the demands of criminal investigation into Watergate burglary and its cover-up. That led to President Nixon handing over the secret tapes to prosecutors.
In a timely reminder of a potential deal, Barr Justice Department on the same day that Attorney-General William Barr had been held in contempt of Congress announced a settlement in a 7-year-old case in which the then-House Oversight Committee led by Darrel Issa had held former A.G. Eric Holder in contempt of Congress as President Barack Obama had invoked executive privilege, giving cover to Holder to block handing over document related to Operation Fast and Furious. The May 8, 2019, settlement formally ended court battle related to Obama administration's gun-running operation, dubbed Operation Fast and Furious, that eventually ended up government-owned guns at the hands of criminals and resulted in the death of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency personnel.
********************************* DURHAM PROBE ******************************
Barr Turns the Table, Begins Probe of Start of Russia Investigation
Attorney-General William Barr on May 14, 2019 struck Democrats with his own political grenade by launching what could be the source of years-long, contentious Russia investigation led by the Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller. Barr put the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, John Durham, to lead this new probe.
First Charge Filed in Durham Probe
After more than a year of investigation, John Durham on August 14, 2020 filed the first charge in the federal court related to the origin of Russian investigation. Under the charge filed, a former lawyer with the FBI's office of general counsel, Kevin Clinesmith, 38, will plead guilty to a felony count of altering e-mail. The five-page charge didn't say that the FBI investigation itself was tainted. What it said was Clinesmith's altered e-mail was used to seek a special court permission to surveil Carter Page, a former Trump campaign official, who was never charged. Clinesmith's handling of the e-mail was also panned by an Inspector-General report issued in December 2019. DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz's December 9, 2019, report found Kevin Clinesmith's misconduct as part of 17 errors and mistakes made by FBI in conducting investigation into Russian's meddling in 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Former FBI Lawyer Pleads Guilty of Doctoring e-mail
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith on August 19, 2020 pleaded guilty on one count of altering e-mail that had been used by FBI to seek permission to eavesdrop on former Trump campaign official Carter Page. This is the first charge secured by John Durham, special prosecutor appointed by Attorney-General William Barr to investigate into the origin of FBI probe into Russia-Trump campaign connection. Kevin Clinesmith on August 19, 2020 appeared via remote audio-link before the U.S. District Judge James Boasberg.
Barr
Grants Authority for Durham Probe to Continue and Complete in the New
Administration
In
an interview with The Associated Press where Attorney-General William
Barr refuted Trump’s claims that election had been stolen from him, country’s
top law enforcement officer said that he had appointed John Durham last
year under the same set of special counsel rules which were used for appointing
Robert Mueller to probe the Trump-Russia connection, making any
future firing of Durham by the incoming administration all the more difficult. A.G.
Barr’s December 1, 2020, interview with The Associated Press is
another indication that probe of origin of Russia probe is going to continue
for quite some time. FBI first started to investigate into Trump campaign in
July 2016 whether there was any connection between Russia and the campaign itself.
The investigation was then relegated to Special Counsel Robert Mueller who didn’t
eventually find any collusion.
Former FBI Lawyer Sentenced to Probation
Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith who pleaded guilty to one count of doctoring a CIA e-mail was sentenced to probation on January 29, 2021, disappointing Trump associates and supporters who had all along claimed that the Russia inquiry was a hoax and witch-hunt. Kevin Clinesmith showed deep remorse for his action in a virtual sentence hearing held by the U.S. District Judge James Boasberg due to Coronavirus pandemic. In 2017, Kevin Clinesmith received an e-mail from CIA that had corrected an earlier e-mail from the agency that had linked former Trump campaign official Carter Page as a source. The new e-mail received by Clinesmith in 2017 from the CIA clarified that Carter Page was "not a source". Kevin Clinesmith allegedly, either intentionally, according to Trump supporters, or due to misinterpretation of the new CIA e-mail, changed the e-mail to imply that Carter Page might be a sub-source. Kevin Clinsmith called his action as a poor judgment.
************* IGOR DANCHENKO
Steele Dossier Analyst Indicted
Another indictment in the Durham probe came on November 4, 2021 against a Russian analyst specialized in Russian and Eurassian affairs at the Brookings Institution. Igor Danchenko was indicted on five counts for lying to FBI regarding his help to a former British spy, Christopher Steele, who wrote a document for the Democratic Party in the run-up to 2016 Presidential Election probing the connection between Trump campaign and Russia. The document came to be known as Steele Dossier. Igor Danchenko, according to the indictment, lied to the FBI on sources of his information as well as whether he had shared the information with a Democratic Party official.
Danchenko's Trial will begin on October 11, 2022 at the court of U.S. District Judge Anthony Trenga.
Durham Investigation’s Third Defendant Found not Guilty
Writing a death knell to the Special Counsel John Durham’s
investigation into how the FBI had launched investigation into the suspected link
between Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Kremlin, Igor Danchenko, a
think tank analyst who had a role in the now-discredited “Steele Dossier”
was acquitted on October 18, 2022 on all counts.
************* IGOR DANCHENKO
Durham’s Weekend Filing Catches Interest of Trump, Conservative Pundits
That Former President Donald Trump and conservative media circles
are distorting the content of a report filed by John Durham team on February
11, 2022 exemplifies how the most Republicans in general, and Trump in
particular, are in a search for a solution to find a problem. The weekend
report points out a conflict of interest that the law firm representing Michael
Sussmann, one of the three charged so far by the Durham probe, has because
of its involvement in other aspects of Durham investigation. The Durham
investigation so far failed to produce any evidence that Clinton campaign had
infiltrated into and spied on Trump’s 2016 campaign. Michael Sussmann, a
cybersecurity lawyer, was indicted in September 2021 on the charges of
lying to FBI related to a meeting in September 2016 in which he had requested
the FBI to investigate into Trump Campaign’s link to Alfa Bank, a
pro-Kremlin Russian bank. At that time, Sussmann was an official of the Clinton
Campaign although he told FBI that he was bringing the alleged link between
Trump Campaign and the Alfa Bank not on behalf of any campaign. FBI
subsequently investigated into Sussmann allegation, and found it lacking any
evidence. There are charges stemming from the John Durham probe against two
other people: Kevin Clinesmith, who had pleaded guilty, and Igor
Danchenko.
Jury Selection Begins in Sussmann Trial
The jury selection began on May 16, 2022 in a single-count of
false statement-related trial of Michael Sussmann, who in September 2016
had met with then-general counsel of FBI and requested for a probe into Trump-Russia
connection. At that time, Sussmann lied to FBI, saying that he was not representing anyone although he
was a senior aide in the Clinton campaign.
Defense Cites Notes to Disprove Sussmann's Culpability
That the allegation that Michael Sussman had met an FBI official, James Baker, in September 2016 to ask the bureau to investigate into Trump Organization's link to Russia-backed Alfa Bank without mentioning that he was representing Hillary Clinton campaign and a technology company executive who had provided him with the data was not true, according to Sussmann's lawyers who had called former DOJ officials as their witnesses on May 25, 2022 after prosecution team rested their case. The defense witnesses were former DOJ officials Tashina Gauhar and Mary McCord. Both attended an internal FBI meeting on March 6, 2017 to discuss about the allegation over the link between Trump Organization and Alfa Bank. Tashina Gauhar took notes from what had been discussed in that meeting and the note included that the allegation had been brought "on behalf of his client".
Sussmann Acquitted
In a setback to Durham probe, a jury on May 31, 2022 acquitted
cybersecurity lawyer Michael Sussmann after deliberating for hours on May
27, 2022 and the morning of May 31, 2022. Durham charged Sussmann for
lying to FBI when he had met with the bureau’s then-general counsel, James Baker,
in September 2016 and prodded the agency to investigate into the link of Trump
campaign and Kremlin-backed Alfa Bank. The subsequent FBI investigation yielded
no such connection. According to the Durham indictment, Michael Sussmann
told the FBI that he didn’t represent any client when he was, in fact, representing
Hillary Clinton and another tech executive. However, the evidence
furnished by Durham team was too weak to persuade the jury to convict Michael
Sussmann.
Durham’s Report Underwhelming at Best
After being billed as an inquiry to expose the “crimes of the century”
by Former President Donald Trump and his followers, Special
Prosecutor John Durham’s circa 300-page report released on May 15, 2023
was anything but political earthquake, or even in that matter, even a political
shakedown. It’s more like a political ripple that will push further effort to
reform FBI’s functional structure which the agency has already undertaken on
areas such as eavesdropping and intel gathering. The report didn’t seek any
additional prosecution, instead emphasizing on what went wrong as FBI had
rushed into Trump-Russia investigation based on “raw, unanalyzed and
uncorroborated intelligence".
********************************* DURHAM PROBE ******************************
Mueller says that President Has not been Exonerated
In his first post-submission news conference, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller said on May 29, 2019 that had he felt that President Trump didn't commit any crime, he would have explicitly said so, thus refuting Trump on the premise that president was exonerated. However, Mueller also said that indicting Trump was never an option under the Justice Department guidelines that a sitting president can't be indicted. Mueller's May 29, 2019, press conference added speculation and fuel to Democrats' growing call to investigate Trump's any potential culpability in the obstruction of justice.
Barr Reaches Last Minute Agreement as Nixon-era White House Counsel Testifies
Hours before House holds a contempt of Congress vote against Attorney-General William Barr, the besieged top cop of Trump administration has reached an agreement on June 10, 2019 that will put the contempt vote at bay. The June 10, 2019, deal between the Justice Department and the House Judiciary Committee requires attorney-general's office to furnish underlying document, interviews and other relevant information related to Mueller Report to House Judiciary Committee staff. The deal may be viewed positively from the perspective of both sides: it's a victory of the authority of House Judiciary Committee led by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, and at the same time, an action by Trump administration to blunt a growing call from the progressives for impeachment as only an impeachment hearing, according to progressives, will bring the Trump administration to cooperative mode. However, full House is still going to hold a vote on June 11, 2019 on a measure that will give the House Judiciary Committee the authority to take Attorney-General William Barr to the civil court if the supporting documents, as per the June 10, 2019, agreement between House Judiciary Committee and the DOJ, don't add up to required level.
On June 10, 2019, the day Attorney-General William Barr reached an agreement with the House Judiciary Committee on sharing of full slate of underlying documents central to Mueller Report, Richard Nixon's White House Counsel John Dean appeared before the House Judiciary Committee, and told the committee members that it's "quite striking and startling that history is repeating itself and with a vengeance". Last time Dean appeared before the same committee was nearly 45 years ago, July 11, 1974, to testify in Watergate scandal.
House Authorizes Court Action
House of Representatives on June 11, 2019 in a party-line vote authorized the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to take Attorney-General William Barr and former Trump aide Don McGahn to civil court if they would dare to flout subpoena. The vote was 229-191.
Mueller's Highly-watched Testimony at Congress Turns out to be a Big Flop for Democrats
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's July 24, 2019, testimonies at two House committees--U.S. House Intelligence Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee--were anything but inspiring for Democrats to press for impeachment scenario against President Donald Trump. Robert Mueller's often haltingly constructed answers raised uncertainty over any possible go-forward with some of Democrats' plan to press for impeachment hearings against Trump and gave a free-run to Trump and his Congressional allies who didn't waste anytime to accuse the special counsel probe of carrying out a witch-hunt. Mueller's six-hour testimony followed the same script that might have already been detailed in his 448-page report. The morning session at the U.S. House Judiciary session was sub-par at best, and in the afternoon session at the Intel Committee, Mueller was more forceful. Mueller also seemed to agree with Democrats that he would have indicted Trump on obstruction of justice charges if not for a Department of Justice's policy not to charge a sitting president. Mueller was also forceful about Russia's intention to meddle election outcome in the U.S. In the sum, Robert Mueller's testimony didn't help progressives' demand for impeachment proceeding to start at the House floor.
Comey Violated Department Policy
Justice Department's Inspector General issued a report on August 29, 2019, pointing out the clear violation of department rules by the former FBI chief James Comey. Comey had given some of his unclassified notes to a friend so that the friend could share that with reporters. The notes contained James Comey's conversation with President Donald Trump. In another violation, James Comey didn't return many of his memos to the department after he had been fired in May 2017 and those memos were kept in a safe at his home. Last summer, DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz issued a searing report on June 14, 2018 assailing how James Comey had handled Hillary Clinton probe in 2016.
At issue in the August 29, 2019, DOJ IG report was memos that Comey had based on conversation with Trump between January 2017 and May 2017 before he had been fired. After he was fired, Comey shared a memo on the former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn with one of his friends, Dan Richman, also Comey's personal lawyer so that Richman could share that with reporters. Also, the report cited four memos that Comey had taken home were either "confidential" or "classified", but Flynn memo was not classified.
******************** DOJ IG REPORT ON RUSSIA PROBE
Russia Probe not Motivated by Politics, but Lapses Did Happen, IG Report Will Say
The Washington Post reported on November 22, 2019 that the upcoming report by the Justice Department's Inspector-General Michael Horowitz would say that there was no political motivation behind launching an FBI probe into Trump campaign in 2016, which was later taken over by the Special Counsel Robert Mueller, but there were several procedural shortcomings during FBI investigation, including an altered e-mail by an FBI lawyer as part of renewal of FISA warrant. Horowitz in March 2018 began his investigation into whether there was any political motivation in FBI investigation into Trump campaign.
IG Report: FBI Had an "Authorized Purpose" to Launch Russia Investigation
After almost 21 months of investigation, DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz released his report on December 9, 2019. The report repudiated Donald Trump's and his backers' central argument that the Russia investigation had been launched in the first place to conduct a "witch hunt" against the president. The long-awaited report, to the contrary, said that there was strong basis and evidence to launch the investigation, known as the Crossfire Hurricane, in July 2016 into any possible connection between Russia and Trump campaign. To the contrary, the IG report stated, there was an "authorized purpose" to launch the investigation and Steele Dossier played no, or insignificant, role in launching the Russia probe, referring to former British spy Christopher Steele, who had done research into Donald Trump with the intention to help Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC.
However, the report issued on December 9, 2019 also pointed at 17 "significant inaccuracies or omissions" in applications for a warrant and later for the renewal of FISA warrant against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Addressing to the IG report's highlight on "serious performance failures" by the FBI as the investigation had proceeded, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in an interview with The Associated Press that these were the problems which were "unacceptable and unrepresentative of who we are as an institution". Wray added that more than 40 actions were being put forth to prevent such lapses in future. However, Horowitz clearly stated that the launch of the investigation in July 2016 was not biased. The investigation in July 2016 began after a former Trump campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, boasted that Russia had stolen e-mails that could hurt Hillary Clinton before anyone knew that the DNC e-mails had been hacked.
On December 9, 2019, the day of the release of Inspector-General's report, Attorney-General William Barr criticized the report for giving clean chit to the launch of Russia probe. Both Attorney-General William Barr and the special prosecutor he had appointed to investigate the Russia probe itself, John Durham, blasted the IG report and reiterated that there was no strong evidence to begin the probe in July 2016. William Barr's criticism of the department's inspector-general's report is very unusual and unprecedented.
Barr Blasts the IG Report
A day after Justice Department's Inspector-General Michael Horowitz released a report that rejected Trump's complaint that the Russia probe was a "witch hunt", Attorney-General William Barr on December 10, 2019 unloaded his critique on the IG and blasted the report, saying that there was not enough evidence to launch the probe. The criticism is so below the dignity of the attorney-general as he kept parroting Trump's comment and took position against his department's inspector general.
DOJ IG Blasts FBI for Failing Agency's "Standards"
Department of Justice's Inspector-General Michael Horowitz appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 11, 2019 defended his 434-page report made public two days earlier and reiterated that there was no bias behind the decision to launch investigation into Trump campaign in July 2016. However, Horowitz testified serious procedural lapses as the investigation proceeded and FBI agents' work was not up to the "standards of the FBI".
FISA Court Judge Orders FBI to Fix Wiretap Process
After the December 9, 2019, DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz' report egged on the prestige and integrity of the FBI wiretap process, the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, court issued a four-page order on December 17, 2019, directing FBI to fix the flaws pointed out in the I-G's report that had identified 17 significant errors and omissions. Judge Rosemary Collyer ordered the FBI to plug the loopholes and bridge the gap exposed when FBI secured four wiretap warrants against Rick Gates in 2016 and 2017.
******************** DOJ IG REPORT ON RUSSIA PROBE
Don McGahn Must Comply with Subpoena, Federal Judge Rules
Issuing verdict related to a case brought by the House Judiciary Committee for former counsel of President Donald Trump to comply with a House subpoena related to Mueller probe, U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson ruled on November 25, 2019 that there was no constitutional basis for a White House claim that Don McGahn was "absolutely immune from the compelled congressional testimony". In an 118-page ruling, the Washington D.C. federal judge had searing comment about the abuse of so called attorney-client privilege and executive privilege. House Judiciary Committee and its chairman, Jerrold Nadler, wanted McGahn to testify before the panel to learn on whether President Trump had obstructed the Mueller probe. First the panel issued subpoena for Don McGahn to appear before the panel, and after Trump prevented his former counsel from appearing before the panel, House Judiciary Committee filed a lawsuit to this effect in August 2019.
Judge Puts Hold on Her Ruling on McGahn
A day after a federal judge ruled that former White House counsel Don McGahn could not decline Congressional subpoena, U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on November 26, 2019 put a hold on her ruling for seven days in response to a petition filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. A similar appellate filing was submitted by the DOJ at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals during the day, citing that a similar lower court ruling had been blocked in 2008 after the then-counsel of George W. Bush had been ordered to appear before Congress. Later, Harriet Miers, Bush's counsel, settled it with Congress out of court.
House Judiciary Committee led by Rep. Jerrold Nadler went to court in August 2019, demanding that Don McGahn appear before Congress to testify whether the president had obstructed Mueller investigation.
Senate Intel Committee Calls out Trump Campaign's Connection with Russia
A bipartisan report issued by the Senate Intelligence Committee, a nearly 1,000-page and fifth report so far, refuted Trump's repeated description of Russia probe as a "hoax". The report issued on August 18, 2020 implicated Trump campaign's the then-Chairman Paul Manafort's "willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with Russian intelligence services, especially Kilimnik, represented a grave counterintelligence threat", referring to Konstantin Kilimnik, thought to be a Russian intel officer. The August 18, 2020, intel committee report also detailed how Russian intel officials played a role to steal Democratic Party's internal information to help sway the vote outcome in favor of Trump.
Mueller says that President Has not been Exonerated
In his first post-submission news conference, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller said on May 29, 2019 that had he felt that President Trump didn't commit any crime, he would have explicitly said so, thus refuting Trump on the premise that president was exonerated. However, Mueller also said that indicting Trump was never an option under the Justice Department guidelines that a sitting president can't be indicted. Mueller's May 29, 2019, press conference added speculation and fuel to Democrats' growing call to investigate Trump's any potential culpability in the obstruction of justice.
Barr Reaches Last Minute Agreement as Nixon-era White House Counsel Testifies
Hours before House holds a contempt of Congress vote against Attorney-General William Barr, the besieged top cop of Trump administration has reached an agreement on June 10, 2019 that will put the contempt vote at bay. The June 10, 2019, deal between the Justice Department and the House Judiciary Committee requires attorney-general's office to furnish underlying document, interviews and other relevant information related to Mueller Report to House Judiciary Committee staff. The deal may be viewed positively from the perspective of both sides: it's a victory of the authority of House Judiciary Committee led by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, and at the same time, an action by Trump administration to blunt a growing call from the progressives for impeachment as only an impeachment hearing, according to progressives, will bring the Trump administration to cooperative mode. However, full House is still going to hold a vote on June 11, 2019 on a measure that will give the House Judiciary Committee the authority to take Attorney-General William Barr to the civil court if the supporting documents, as per the June 10, 2019, agreement between House Judiciary Committee and the DOJ, don't add up to required level.
On June 10, 2019, the day Attorney-General William Barr reached an agreement with the House Judiciary Committee on sharing of full slate of underlying documents central to Mueller Report, Richard Nixon's White House Counsel John Dean appeared before the House Judiciary Committee, and told the committee members that it's "quite striking and startling that history is repeating itself and with a vengeance". Last time Dean appeared before the same committee was nearly 45 years ago, July 11, 1974, to testify in Watergate scandal.
House Authorizes Court Action
House of Representatives on June 11, 2019 in a party-line vote authorized the U.S. House Judiciary Committee to take Attorney-General William Barr and former Trump aide Don McGahn to civil court if they would dare to flout subpoena. The vote was 229-191.
Mueller's Highly-watched Testimony at Congress Turns out to be a Big Flop for Democrats
Special Counsel Robert Mueller's July 24, 2019, testimonies at two House committees--U.S. House Intelligence Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee--were anything but inspiring for Democrats to press for impeachment scenario against President Donald Trump. Robert Mueller's often haltingly constructed answers raised uncertainty over any possible go-forward with some of Democrats' plan to press for impeachment hearings against Trump and gave a free-run to Trump and his Congressional allies who didn't waste anytime to accuse the special counsel probe of carrying out a witch-hunt. Mueller's six-hour testimony followed the same script that might have already been detailed in his 448-page report. The morning session at the U.S. House Judiciary session was sub-par at best, and in the afternoon session at the Intel Committee, Mueller was more forceful. Mueller also seemed to agree with Democrats that he would have indicted Trump on obstruction of justice charges if not for a Department of Justice's policy not to charge a sitting president. Mueller was also forceful about Russia's intention to meddle election outcome in the U.S. In the sum, Robert Mueller's testimony didn't help progressives' demand for impeachment proceeding to start at the House floor.
Comey Violated Department Policy
Justice Department's Inspector General issued a report on August 29, 2019, pointing out the clear violation of department rules by the former FBI chief James Comey. Comey had given some of his unclassified notes to a friend so that the friend could share that with reporters. The notes contained James Comey's conversation with President Donald Trump. In another violation, James Comey didn't return many of his memos to the department after he had been fired in May 2017 and those memos were kept in a safe at his home. Last summer, DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz issued a searing report on June 14, 2018 assailing how James Comey had handled Hillary Clinton probe in 2016.
At issue in the August 29, 2019, DOJ IG report was memos that Comey had based on conversation with Trump between January 2017 and May 2017 before he had been fired. After he was fired, Comey shared a memo on the former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn with one of his friends, Dan Richman, also Comey's personal lawyer so that Richman could share that with reporters. Also, the report cited four memos that Comey had taken home were either "confidential" or "classified", but Flynn memo was not classified.
******************** DOJ IG REPORT ON RUSSIA PROBE
Russia Probe not Motivated by Politics, but Lapses Did Happen, IG Report Will Say
The Washington Post reported on November 22, 2019 that the upcoming report by the Justice Department's Inspector-General Michael Horowitz would say that there was no political motivation behind launching an FBI probe into Trump campaign in 2016, which was later taken over by the Special Counsel Robert Mueller, but there were several procedural shortcomings during FBI investigation, including an altered e-mail by an FBI lawyer as part of renewal of FISA warrant. Horowitz in March 2018 began his investigation into whether there was any political motivation in FBI investigation into Trump campaign.
IG Report: FBI Had an "Authorized Purpose" to Launch Russia Investigation
After almost 21 months of investigation, DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz released his report on December 9, 2019. The report repudiated Donald Trump's and his backers' central argument that the Russia investigation had been launched in the first place to conduct a "witch hunt" against the president. The long-awaited report, to the contrary, said that there was strong basis and evidence to launch the investigation, known as the Crossfire Hurricane, in July 2016 into any possible connection between Russia and Trump campaign. To the contrary, the IG report stated, there was an "authorized purpose" to launch the investigation and Steele Dossier played no, or insignificant, role in launching the Russia probe, referring to former British spy Christopher Steele, who had done research into Donald Trump with the intention to help Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC.
However, the report issued on December 9, 2019 also pointed at 17 "significant inaccuracies or omissions" in applications for a warrant and later for the renewal of FISA warrant against former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page. Addressing to the IG report's highlight on "serious performance failures" by the FBI as the investigation had proceeded, FBI Director Christopher Wray said in an interview with The Associated Press that these were the problems which were "unacceptable and unrepresentative of who we are as an institution". Wray added that more than 40 actions were being put forth to prevent such lapses in future. However, Horowitz clearly stated that the launch of the investigation in July 2016 was not biased. The investigation in July 2016 began after a former Trump campaign aide, George Papadopoulos, boasted that Russia had stolen e-mails that could hurt Hillary Clinton before anyone knew that the DNC e-mails had been hacked.
On December 9, 2019, the day of the release of Inspector-General's report, Attorney-General William Barr criticized the report for giving clean chit to the launch of Russia probe. Both Attorney-General William Barr and the special prosecutor he had appointed to investigate the Russia probe itself, John Durham, blasted the IG report and reiterated that there was no strong evidence to begin the probe in July 2016. William Barr's criticism of the department's inspector-general's report is very unusual and unprecedented.
Barr Blasts the IG Report
A day after Justice Department's Inspector-General Michael Horowitz released a report that rejected Trump's complaint that the Russia probe was a "witch hunt", Attorney-General William Barr on December 10, 2019 unloaded his critique on the IG and blasted the report, saying that there was not enough evidence to launch the probe. The criticism is so below the dignity of the attorney-general as he kept parroting Trump's comment and took position against his department's inspector general.
DOJ IG Blasts FBI for Failing Agency's "Standards"
Department of Justice's Inspector-General Michael Horowitz appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on December 11, 2019 defended his 434-page report made public two days earlier and reiterated that there was no bias behind the decision to launch investigation into Trump campaign in July 2016. However, Horowitz testified serious procedural lapses as the investigation proceeded and FBI agents' work was not up to the "standards of the FBI".
FISA Court Judge Orders FBI to Fix Wiretap Process
After the December 9, 2019, DOJ Inspector-General Michael Horowitz' report egged on the prestige and integrity of the FBI wiretap process, the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, court issued a four-page order on December 17, 2019, directing FBI to fix the flaws pointed out in the I-G's report that had identified 17 significant errors and omissions. Judge Rosemary Collyer ordered the FBI to plug the loopholes and bridge the gap exposed when FBI secured four wiretap warrants against Rick Gates in 2016 and 2017.
******************** DOJ IG REPORT ON RUSSIA PROBE
Don McGahn Must Comply with Subpoena, Federal Judge Rules
Issuing verdict related to a case brought by the House Judiciary Committee for former counsel of President Donald Trump to comply with a House subpoena related to Mueller probe, U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson ruled on November 25, 2019 that there was no constitutional basis for a White House claim that Don McGahn was "absolutely immune from the compelled congressional testimony". In an 118-page ruling, the Washington D.C. federal judge had searing comment about the abuse of so called attorney-client privilege and executive privilege. House Judiciary Committee and its chairman, Jerrold Nadler, wanted McGahn to testify before the panel to learn on whether President Trump had obstructed the Mueller probe. First the panel issued subpoena for Don McGahn to appear before the panel, and after Trump prevented his former counsel from appearing before the panel, House Judiciary Committee filed a lawsuit to this effect in August 2019.
Judge Puts Hold on Her Ruling on McGahn
A day after a federal judge ruled that former White House counsel Don McGahn could not decline Congressional subpoena, U.S. District Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on November 26, 2019 put a hold on her ruling for seven days in response to a petition filed by the U.S. Department of Justice. A similar appellate filing was submitted by the DOJ at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals during the day, citing that a similar lower court ruling had been blocked in 2008 after the then-counsel of George W. Bush had been ordered to appear before Congress. Later, Harriet Miers, Bush's counsel, settled it with Congress out of court.
House Judiciary Committee led by Rep. Jerrold Nadler went to court in August 2019, demanding that Don McGahn appear before Congress to testify whether the president had obstructed Mueller investigation.
Senate Intel Committee Calls out Trump Campaign's Connection with Russia
A bipartisan report issued by the Senate Intelligence Committee, a nearly 1,000-page and fifth report so far, refuted Trump's repeated description of Russia probe as a "hoax". The report issued on August 18, 2020 implicated Trump campaign's the then-Chairman Paul Manafort's "willingness to share information with individuals closely affiliated with Russian intelligence services, especially Kilimnik, represented a grave counterintelligence threat", referring to Konstantin Kilimnik, thought to be a Russian intel officer. The August 18, 2020, intel committee report also detailed how Russian intel officials played a role to steal Democratic Party's internal information to help sway the vote outcome in favor of Trump.
“Unmasking”
Probe Ends with No Charges
Another
political big deal made by President Trump and his allies came down with more like
a deflated balloon as a five-month inquiry led by a hand-picked U.S. attorney
led to nowhere. On October 14, 2020, The Washington Post reported
that the Former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Texas John Bash
last week had left the department of justice for a private sector job. The DOJ
made public in May 2020 that John Bash had been hired by
Attorney-General William Barr to look into allegation that Obama officials
inappropriately sought to “unmask” Trump campaign officials who had been named
in the intelligence report, but names were redacted. To special interest of
Republicans was Former Vice President Joe Biden’s request to unmask a Trump campaign
official, whose name had been redacted in the intel community report, but later
turned out to be Michael Flynn. President Donald Trump and his allies
believe that former vice president and this year’s Democratic Party candidate
exerted inappropriate pressure to “unmask” the person named in the intel report,
triggering the hiring of John Bash. The Washington Post reported on October
14, 2020 that John Bash—who had investigated into “unmasking”
complaint as well as Obama-era officials had unlawfully leaked any information
to the press—didn’t find any ground to charge any Obama era officials. Lack of
charge from John Bash’s investigation as well as a special prosecutor’s report
(Durham report) not to be made public before the November 3, 2020,
election will surely put a dampener into Trump campaign which is looking for a
big break to narrow down his poll numbers.
*********************** NY AG LETITIA JABES' PROBE AGAINST TRUMP
Trump
Sues NY AG to Stop Civil Probe
An
ensuing civil probe that the New York Attorney-General Letitia James is
pursuing against Former President Donald Trump and his namesake company has now
turned into a major thorn on Trump’s side as former president and his attorneys
have filed a lawsuit against James, accusing her of pursuing “a thinly veiled
effort to publicly malign Trump and his associates”. The federal lawsuit was
filed on December 20, 2021, days after a request had been sent to Trump
to appear for an in-person testimony scheduled for January 7, 2022.
Trump’s lawsuit asks the court to permanently bar Letitia James from
participating or leading any civil inquiry or criminal inquiry, which she is
pursuing in concert with Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr., against Donald Trump
or Trump Organization.
New
York A.G. Acknowledges Subpoenaing Trumps
New
York Attorney-General Letitia James on
January 3, 2022, in a court filing, made it public that her office had sent
subpoenas to Former President Donald Trump and his two grown-up children,
Donald Jr. and Ivanka. James demanded that the former president sit
in in-person before her office’s investigators in the civil probe into Trump
Organization’s maneuvering to inflate the family company’s business
potential to win favorable loan terms from the lending institutions. That New
York Attorney-General Letitia James had sent subpoena to the former
president was an open secret, but on January 3, 2022, James publicly
revealed the existence of subpoena after she went to court to enforce it. Trump
team’s lawyers are fighting back in court, calling the subpoenas as an act of
political witch-hunt and a ploy to use Trump’s testimony in the civil case in a
parallel criminal probe overseen by Manhattan’s district attorney, Alvin
Bragg, who had taken over the probe from his predecessor, Cyrus Vance Jr.
Accounting Firm says Its Financial Work Not Reliable
Mazars USA LLP sent a letter on February 9, 2022 to Trump Organization, asking the former president's family firm to notify any company that had received the document prepared by the accounting firm to secure loan that the document "should no longer be relied upon" to assess the prospect of securing a loan or amount of loan. The February 9, 2022, letter written by Mazars USA LLP to Trump Organization was filed in the court on February 14, 2022. The accounting firm also notified the Trump Organization that it would no longer work with the former president's namesake company.
Mazars USA LLP sent a letter on February 9, 2022 to Trump Organization, asking the former president's family firm to notify any company that had received the document prepared by the accounting firm to secure loan that the document "should no longer be relied upon" to assess the prospect of securing a loan or amount of loan. The February 9, 2022, letter written by Mazars USA LLP to Trump Organization was filed in the court on February 14, 2022. The accounting firm also notified the Trump Organization that it would no longer work with the former president's namesake company.
Judge Rejects Trump’s Filing against Testimony
In the latest setback to his legal defense, Judge
Arthur Engoron on February 17, 2022 issued a verdict, ordering Former
President Donald Trump and his two elderly children—Ivanka and
Donald Jr.—to testify under oath before the prosecutors of New York state
Attorney-General’s Office. New York Attorney-General Letitia James sent
subpoenas to Former President Donald Trump and his two elderly children to
testify in civil cases related to what prosecutors had alleged about Trump
Organization’s misleading or fraudulent financial statement that valued some of
the assets, including golf courses, higher than what they were worth of to get
favorable loans from financial institutions. The federal judge ordered the former
president and his two children to provide testimonies within 21 days.
Judge
Slaps $10K per Day Fine for Failing to Honor Subpoena
A
Manhattan judge on April 25, 2022 imposed a daily $10,000 fine on Trump for
failing to honor the subpoena issued by New York Attorney-General Letitia James
who had asked Judge Arthur Engoron to levy fines after the expiry of March
31, 2022, deadline to comply with the subpoena.
Trump’s
Lawyer Files Appeal against Fine
Donald
Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba,
on April 27, 2022 filed an appeal at an appellate court, contesting Manhattan
Judge Arthur Engoron’s April 25, 2022, ruling that imposed a daily fine of
$10,000 against Donald Trump for not complying with the subpoena issued
by the state Attorney-General Letitia James. There was a separate appeal
that Trump had earlier filed against Judge Engoron’s February 17, 2022,
verdict that had approved a filing by James seeking an in-person testimony from
Trump and his two adult children in the ongoing civil trial over financial fraud.
Trump Loses Testimony Bid at State Appeals Court
Former President Donald Trump on May 26, 2022 was dealt with a severe legal jolt as a four-member appeals panel of the state's trial court said that Trump and his two elderly children--Donald Jr. and Ivanka--had to testify before the prosecutors in New York Attorney-General Letitia James' civil trial against Trump Organization. Trump team appealed against a February 17, 2022, lower court ruling on the ground that their testimonies could be used in a separate criminal case. Issuing the verdict, the appeals panel said that the "existence of a criminal case doesn't preclude civil discovery of related facts".
Trump Invokes Fifth
Former President Donald Trump on August 10, 2022 appeared at the
Manhattan office of the state Attorney-General Letitia James, but
invoked Fifth Amendment to protect himself from self-incrimination as he
testified under oath.
Trump Answers for more than Seven Hours
In a reversal of strategy, Former President Donald Trump on April 13,
2023 answered the questions from the lawyers of New York Attorney
General’s Office for more than 7 hours. Last time, in August 2022,
Trump invoked Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. On April
13, 2023, he arrived in a motorcade from Trump Tower to New York Attorney-General
Letitia James’ Office in the morning, and stayed there for more than seven
hours, explaining his business success story, according to Trump’s lawyer Alina
Habba. This investigation is separate from the probe by Manhattan
District Attorney Alvin Bragg in which Trump had been indicted on 34
counts. New York Attorney General Letitia James had not filed a criminal lawsuit
yet.
Judge Finds Fraud by Trump to Get Favorable Treatment from Banks,
Insurers
Six days prior to a non-jury trial is set to begin in New York City
in a civil case filed by New York Attorney-General Letitia James, Judge
Arthur Engoron on September 26, 2023 ruled in a “summary judgment” that the
former president had manipulated the finances and cooked up company books to
get favorable loans and services on beneficial terms from banks and insurers. Attorney-General
Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages and to bar Trump from
doing business in New York State in another dramatic trial—this time it will be
a non-jury, civil trial—set to begin on October 2, 2023.
Trump’s Civil Trial Begins in Manhattan Courtroom
New York Deputy Attorney-General Kevin Wallace gave the opening
argument on October 2, 2023, retorting that former president liked to artificially
boost his wealth to get favorable ranking from Forbes. Former President Donald
Trump was present on the opening day of the civil trial. Trump attorney Chris
Kise counterargued that the former president had built one of the most
successful business empires in the world.
Cohen Testifies against His Former Boss
This is a testimonial full of plenty of drama as Michael Cohen, a
former Donald Trump right-hand man who once pledged to “take a bullet” for his
boss, aimed his gun during a courtroom testimony on October 24, 2023,
first face-to-face appearance with Trump in more than five years, against his
former boss iin Trump Organization’s asset inflation trial. Cohen
testified as the former president looked on that he and former Trump
Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg would increase Trump’s asset on the book
to “whatever number Trump told us to” to get favorable treatment from financial
institutions.
Trump Organization’s Fraud Trial Testimonials Wrap up
After a 10-week theatric and about 40 witnesses’ testimonies, the
hearings in the fraud and business malfeasance trial against Former
President Donald Trump and his real estate empire wrapped up on December
13, 2023 at a Manhattan courtroom. The closing arguments will be presented
on January 11, 2024. A verdict from Judge Arthur Engoron is
expected later in January 2024.
Judge Orders $364 Million Fine, but no Dissolution for His Eponymous
Firm
Judge Arthur Engoron on February 16, 2024 slapped a high
premium on Former President Donald Trump, his two sons and Former CFO Allen
Weisselberg. In an unprecedented verdict, the judge handed a major victory to New
York Attorney-General Letitia James by fining the former president $355
million, his two sons—Donald Jr. and Eric--$4 million each, and Weisselberg
$1 million. In addition to punitive fines, Former President Donald Trump is
barred from serving at the board of any New York-based firm for three years as
well as from getting a loan from a New York-based bank. Eric and Donald Trumps are
barred from serving at the board of directors of any New York-based firm for
two years. The total fine may rise to as high as $454 million because of the interests that will be accumulated on the fine itself as per the state law.
New York Appeals Court Holds off Collecting Fine for $175 million Bond
Giving a huge reprieve to Former President Donald Trump on March
25, 2024, a New York appeals court ruled that there would be a hold on
collecting a fine that’s as high as $454 million if the former president
posted a bond of $175 million within 10 days.
Trump Posts $175 million Bond to Temporarily Evade Paying $454 million
in Fines
Former President Donald Trump on April 1, 2024 posted $175 in
bond to defer paying $454 million in fines. He posted the bond with an
appeals court in Manhattan.
*********************** NY AG LETITIA JABES' PROBE AGAINST TRUMP
*********************************** TRUMP ORGANIZATION CFO ALLEN WEISSELBERG
Trump Organization, Its CFO Charged
Trump Organization and its longtime Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg were on July 1, 2021 charged on what prosecutors called a "sweeping and audacious" tax fraud scheme that allowed executives and others to collect off-the-book perks and other benefits valued an estimated $1.7 million, covering parking, rent, school tuition and other items. The grand jury indictment was unsealed after two years of investigation into business practices and hush money paid to two women and led by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. and New York State Attorney-General Letitia James.
Trump’s Former CFO Pleads Guilty
Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer and one of the fiercest Trump loyalists,
Allen Weisselberg, on August 18, 2022 pleaded guilty to all 15
counts, including taking perks without reporting to IRS, thus setting him up
for a possible prosecution witness against Trump Organization. Judge
Juan Manuel Merchan agreed to sentence the 75-year-old executive to five
months in the New York’s Rikers Island Jail complex. Last summer Allen
Weisselberg was indicted on 15 counts after the long-term Trump executive
refused to flip on Trump. However, he had preferred the safe route of 100 days
in jail in exchange for testifying for government if called as a witness,
according to his lawyer, Nicholas Gravante Jr. Manhattan District
Attorney Alvin Bragg said in a statement that Allen Weisselberg’s
guilty plea “directly implicates the Trump Organization".
Former Trump Organization CFO Testifies that Trump’s Sons Knew about His
Tax Evasion
Disgraced CFO of Trump Organization, Allen Weisselberg, on November 18,
2022 took stand at the
court and testified that Trump’s sons knew that he was cheating on paying
federal taxes and condoned the action.
Prosecutors’ Eight-day Testimony Involves Two Key Ex-Trump Co. Officials’
Testimonies
Prosecutors rested their case on November 21, 2022 after
eight-day testimonials where most of the testimonies were given by two former Trump
Organization executives: Former CFO Allen Weisselberg and Former Controller
and Senior Vice President Jeffrey McConney. Under a plea deal struck by Weisselberg
in August 2022, the former finance chief of the Trump’s namesake company is
required to testify for the government, but Jeffrey McConney’s plea deal gives
him the immunity from testimony.
On November 21, 2022, defense attorneys asked questioning a
partner, Donald Bender, of Trump Organization’s accounting firm,
Mazars USA LLP.
Trump Organization Convicted on All 17 Counts
After two days of deliberations, a jury on December 6, 2022
convicted Trump Organization on all 17 counts, including tax fraud,
conspiracy and document falsification, dealing a significant setback to Donald
Trump’s third try to win presidency. Prosecutors built a robust case against Trump
Organization based on cooperation from the entity’s Former CFO Allen
Weisselberg, who had pleaded guilty in lieu of a five-month sentence.
However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is not done yet with
Trump as a separate case, involving an alleged maneuver to overestimate the
property values to get favorable loans, in concert with New York
Attorney-General Letitia James is moving on a parallel track.
Trump Organization Slapped with the Maximum Fine in Sentencing Hearing
The Trump Organization on January 13, 2023 was sentenced with the maximum, allowable $1.6 million in fine for what the Manhattan District Attorney's Office said a "pervasive culture of fraud, underreported executive compensation, falsified business records" cultivated by former president's namesake company. Assistant District Attorney Joshua Steinglass argued during the sentencing hearing on January 13, 2023 that the "sheer magnitude of this fraud merits the largest financial sanction authorized by law".
Former Trump Organization CFO Sentenced to Five Months Behind the Bars
Former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, a key figure in
Former President Donald Trump’s business empire, was on April 10, 2024
sentenced to five months in jail for lying under oath in a civil case brought
by New York Attorney-General Letitia James related to tax fraud and corporate
malfeasance counts. After a brief proceeding at the New York Supreme Court,
Weisselberg, 76, was taken into custody. He is going to serve his time at the
city’s Riker Jail near the La Guardia Airport. Allen Weisselberg,
76, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2024.
Separately, Weisselberg was freed from prison in 2023 after spending
three of the five months originally sentenced in the Trump Organization’s
tax fraud case. In that trial, Allen Wesselberg acknowledged his
responsibility, and implicated a second former executive, Jeffrey McConney, in
a 15-year streak of tax fraud, including perks and other incentives without
reporting them to the IRS. However, Allen Weisselberg stayed clear of
implicating Donald Trump to any of those dozens of charges. In that case, Trump
Organization was slapped with a fine of $1.6 million, maximum allowable
under the state law.
*********************************** TRUMP ORGANIZATION CFO ALLEN WEISSELBERG
Withholding of DOJ Memo Not Justified, Appeals Court Says
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals on August 19, 2022 sided with a lower court that Trump administration's attorney general had wrongly withheld a memo prepared by the head of the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel and another senior DOJ official for A.G. William Barr. Although the Department of Justice released other documents to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, or CREW, it withheld the March 24, 2019, memorandum on the ground of "deliberative-process privilege", leading to this lawsuit. A year later, a lower court judge found fault with A.G. William Barr's rationale as a reflection of "lack of candor" and a "spin". The federal appeals court on August 19, 2022 said that the memo did point out that Mueller Report didn't explicitly exonerate Trump on "obstruction of justice", implying that the president might have committed the "obstruction of justice". The appellate panel pointed out that then-Attorney General William Barr didn't link his decision to memorandum's content, thus failing to "justify its reliance on deliberative-process privilege".
New York Attorney-General Sues Trump, His Elderly Children
New York Attorney-General Letitia James on September 21, 2022 filed a lawsuit,
accusing Former President Donald Trump and his business enterprise of
padding values of the assets to get favorable terms for commercial loans from
financial institutions. Announcing the lawsuit at a press conference on September
21, 2022, A.G. Letitia James called Trump’s alleged action as the “art of
the steal”. The suit named Donald Trump, Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr.,
Ivanka Trump, Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney, a Trump
Organization executive, as defendants. The lawsuit is the culmination of a
three-year civil investigation into Trump’s and Trump Organization’s business
practices that have employed sordid mechanism of padding asset valuation to
appear financially more viable than what they actually are. Trump alleged on
his social media platform, Truth Social, that the lawsuit was another
effort of political “Witch Hunt".
********************* MANHATTAN D.A.'S INVESTIGATION INTO TRUMP'S HUSH PAYMENT
Manhattan D.A. Fights back against House GOP Chairs
Triggered by last week’s writing on Truth Social platform by Former
President Donald Trump that he might be indicted and arrested on March
21, 2023, chairmen of three key House committees, including Rep. Jim
Jordan , chair of the Judiciary Committee, on March 20, 2023 wrote a
joint letter to Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg seeking information about the
probe into Trump, requesting testimony, asking for documents and any communications
with the Justice Department. The House GOP chairmen gave a March 23, 2023
deadline for turning over the document. Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
is reported to be investigating whether structuring the hush money payments that
Trump had made in 2016 to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her silence as a
business expense [by the Trump Organization] had violated the New York state law.
The prosecutors are using a secret grand jury to take testimonies and witness
accounts at sessions that don’t require the presence of a judge.
On March 23, 2023, The Associated Press reported that Leslie
Dubeck, the general counsel for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg,
fired back a five-page response, accusing Republican panel chairs of “an
unlawful incursion into New York’s sovereignty".
Trump the First Former President to be Indicted
A New York grand jury on March 30, 2023 indicted Former
President Donald Trump in the hush money case that the former president had
paid to porn star Stormy Daniels to hide his sexual rendezvous as he was
running for president in 2016, thus constituting what amounted to violation of campaign finance law. This is unprecedented in the U.S. history as
Trump is the only former president who is criminally charged. There are days of
anticipation of an indictment to be issued against Trump, and part of it has
been fueled by the former president himself. In addition to the hush money
case, Trump is facing separate probes in 2020 election interference in Georgia
and Washington D.C. as well as January 6th Insurrection and
mishandling of classified documents. Manhattan District-Attorney Alvin Bragg
successfully prosecuted Trump Organization that had led to $1.6 million in
fines against the firm, maximum allowable under the New York law.
Michael Cohen acted as a front and fixer in the Stormy Daniels case to pay
$130,000 in 2016. He pleaded guilty in two federal criminal cases—(1) violation
of campaign finance law in the hush money case and (2) lying to Congress—and served
time in jail. On March 30, 2023, Cohen said that he didn’t take pride in
getting his former boss indicted, but took a great degree of solace, that
nobody was above law. Trump and his Republican backers bashed the investigation,
while Democrats welcome it. Trump called the indictment a “political
persecution".
Trump to be Arraigned as New York Readies
On March 31, 2023, Trump’s lawyers informed the authorities that
former president would fly to New York City on April 3, 2023 night and would
surrender the following day (April 4, 2023). Former President Donald
Trump will appear at the courtroom of New York Supreme Court Chief
Justice Juan Merchan. New York City Police Department is getting prepared
for the event as well as for any potential disturbance that may take place. The
indictment remains sealed although the case pertains to the hush money that
former president has paid before the 2016 presidential poll to buy the silence
of porn star Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford.
Trump Arrested and Arraigned on 34 Felony Counts
Former President Donald Trump on April 4, 2023 appeared at the Manhattan
Criminal Courthouse for an arraignment hearing on 34 felony counts. The
former president was booked and fingerprinted first, and then he, along with
his phalanx of lawyers, appeared before Judge Juan Merchan. The charges
are related to three cases where Trump has used his business empire to pay to
buy silence in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election. The cases
include a former Trump Tower doorman, Dino Sajudin, who has claimed to
have known an out-of-wedlock child of Trump with a former employee. Dino
Sajudin, the former Trump Tower doorman, has been given $30,000 by David
Pecker, a Trump confidante and publisher of National Enquirer, to have
the exclusive right to his story. However, it was later found that the former doorman’s
story was false, and the lady in question told the same to The Associated Press
in 2018. The second case involved a playboy model, Karen McDougal,
who was alleged to have a months-long relationship with Trump in 2000s. She was
paid $150,000 by American Media to have the exclusive right to
McDougal’s story, but never run it. Trump wanted to reimburse using cash, but Michael
Cohen—Trump’s the then-lawyer, turned now the key government witness—suggested to
reimburse using a shell company. The third case relates to the porn star
Stormy Daniel who has been paid $130,000 to remain silent. Michael
Cohen paid $130,000 from his own money, and he got it back from Trump
Organization as a retainer fee. Former President Donald Trump pled not guilty. Judge
Juan Merchan asked Trump to exercise restraint and not to create
provocation although the judge didn’t issue a gag order.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg told reporters on April
4, 2023 that the former president had falsified business records—which is a
felony under the New York state law—to influence a federal election, thus also
violating federal election laws. Also, if Trump were found to have violated the
federal election laws, he might also be found guilty of violating campaign
finance laws as the hush monies exceeded the maximum permissible in each
election cycle. Trump later returned to Mar-a-Lago, and gave a defiant speech
to his backers, calling the charges as “political persecution".
In addition, Trump is facing three other probes in Washington D.C. and Georgia over mishandling of classified documents, January 6th insurrection and effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, respectively.
Manhattan D.A. Sues Jordan for Disrupting “Ongoing State” Investigation
On April 11, 2023, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
filed a lawsuit against House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan,
accusing the panel head of trying to “intimidate and attack” him for pursuing criminal
case against Former President Donald Trump that had recently led to a 34-count
indictment. Rep. Jim Jordan issued a subpoena for Mark Pomerantz,
a former prosecutor at the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, to appear
before the House panel on April 20, 2023. Mark Pomerantz quit the D.A.’s
office after disagreeing with Bragg on the Trump investigation case, especially
its slow speed. The lawsuit was filed in the court of U.S. District Judge
Mary Kay Vyskocil, a Trump appointee, who had scheduled a hearing on April
19, 2023.
Bragg, Jordan Reach a Settlement on Testimony at the House Judiciary
Panel
A lower court on April 19, 2023 ruled that there was no barrier
for the testimony by a former prosecutor at Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg’s
office before the U.S. House Judiciary Committee. Bragg’s office
appealed the ruling to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
On April 20, 2023, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
issued a temporary restraint order (TRO), putting a hold on executing the
subpoena issued by the House Judiciary Committee for Former
prosecutor Mark Pomerantz to testify before the panel. On April 21, 2023,
Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and House Judiciary Committee
led by Rep. Jim Jordan reached an agreement under which Mark Pomerantz
would appear before the House panel to testify, but would be accompanied by a
lawyer from the Manhattan D.A. Office, a very unusual arrangement for
Congressional testimony.
Judge Warns Trump to Clear up Calendar to Stand in Trial
A New York judge, Judge Juan Manual Merchan, instructed Former President Donald Trump in a video hearing on May 23, 2023 that the former president's trial over the cover-up of sex scandals with a porn star would begin on March 25, 2024, at the height of Republican Primary, and warned him to clear up his calendar to avail himself for the trial.
Trump Suffers Dual Legal Setbacks
On July 19, 2023, Former President Donald Trump suffered dual
legal slamming. The first one was related to that a federal judge, U.S.
District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, upholding a $5 million jury award handed
out in May 2023 in a case filed by E. Jean Carroll, an advice columnist,
alleging Trump of raping her at a department store more than two decades ago. The
second one was related to Trump team’s effort to move the hush money case from
the state court to federal court.
Judge Imposes Gag Order on Trump in the Hush Money Case
As the April 15, 2024, trial date approaches, the presiding
judge, Juan M. Merchan, on March 26, 2024 slapped the former
president with the gag order to prevent Donald Trump from making provocative
and intimidating statement against key figures such as Michael Cohen and Stormy
Daniel.
Trump’s Request for a Delay Rejected for the Second Time
This is the second time in as many days that a mid-level state appellate
court has rejected the plea from Former President Donald Trump’s team to
delay the trial so that the full appellate panel can hear the former president’s
challenge to the gag order issued by the presiding judge in the hush money
trial. On April 9, 2024, a mid-level appellate court judge, Justice Cynthia
Kern, rejected the rationale for delay as Trump lawyer Emil Bove
called the gag order as suppressing the former president’s First Amendment
rights.
0-3 for Trump in His Pursuit to Delay the Hush Money Trial
None of the emergency appeals seems to be working for Former
President Donald Trump as his defense team is hellbent on pushing the hush
money trial—scheduled for April 15, 2024—to a latter date. Justice
Ellen Gesmer’s April 10, 2024, rejection of Trump’s emergency appeal is the
third setback for Trump’s team in as many days. Trump’s defense team has tried
their best to persuade a mid-level appeals court to delay the trial in the first
of four criminal cases that the former president is facing across various
courts in the U.S.
First ever Criminal Trial against a President Begins at Manhattan
In an unprecedented split-screen trial of Former President Donald
Trump, jury selection process began on April 15, 2024 in the hush
money case. Former President Trump faces 34 counts in the first
of four criminal indictments. The other three criminal indictments are related
to a Georgia election meddling case, classified document mishandling case and
January 6th insurrection case. The day’s proceeding began with pretrial
hearings, followed by the arduous selection process of 12 jurors and six
alternates from a pool of 96 people. Prior to the beginning of the jury
selection process, Trump’s lawyers unsuccessfully tried to remove Judge Juan
Merchan from the case. Former President Donald Trump faces 34 counts
related to falsifying business records.
Seven Jurors Seated, 11 more to be Selected
After two days of questioning and screening out, seven jurors were seated on April 16, 2024.
Full Panel of Jurors Seated
After days of drama and questioning, a full panel of 12 jurors and 6 alternators have been seated on April 19, 2024 in President Donald Trump's hush money trial.
Trump’s First Criminal Trial Begins with Opening Statements
President Donald Trump’s hush money trial on 34 felony counts of falsifying
business records began on April 22, 2024 with opening arguments
presented to 12 jurors, six alternators and millions of American voters.
Trump's Request to Attend Supreme Court Hearing Denied, Pecker Continues with
Testimony
Former President Donald Trump’s longtime friend David Pecker is
testifying this week at the former president’s hush money trial. On April
25, 2024, Pecker testified that he had spent $180,000 to buy sordid
stories from a New York City doorman as well as former Playboy model Karen
McDougal.
Earlier Former President Donald Trump asked for permission from Judge
Juan Merchan to abstain from the Manhattan courtroom so that he could attend
a U.S. Supreme Court hearing on his “absolute immunity” from prosecution over
the January 6th Insurrection case. However, Judge Merchan denied the
plea.
Pecker’s Testimony Criticized by Defense as Lacking Credibility
Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker was on the witness
stand on April 26, 2024 for the fourth straight day. He came under
grilling and scathing questioning by the Trump team who had spotlighted on the so
called credibility gap and holes in his testimony.
Judge Fines Trump for Violating Gag Order
Judge Juan Merchan on April 30, 2024 rebuked Former President Donald Trump
for willfully violating his gag order and fined $9,000. Trump is allowed
to pay the fine by May 3, 2024. Merchan threatened the former president
of jail time if the violation continued unabated.
Recording between Cohen, Trump Played for Jury
A day after a lively and salacious testimony by Keith Davidson,
who had represented both Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels in talks
with Michael Cohen and National Enquirer in the run-up to the 2020
Presidential Election to squelch the women’s stories related to sexual trysts years
before with then-businessman Donald Trump, prosecutors on May 2, 2024
played recording of a conversation between Michael Cohen and Donald Trump in September
2016 in which both men had talked about buying those stories so that they
didn’t adversely impact Trump’s chance in 2016 presidential election. Michael
Cohen recorded that conversation.
Trump Slapped with 10th Gag Order Violation
After Former White House aide Hope Hicks’ drama-filled May 3, 2024,
testimony, Former Trump Organization Controller Jeffrey McConney took
the witness stand on May 6, 2024 and explained in details how byzantine
hush money payment process had been meticulously carried out to buy silence of
porn star Stormy Daniels. However, at the beginning of the hearing
during the day, Judge Juan Merchan rebuked Former President Donald
Trump for violating his gag order again—this was the tenth such violation—fined
$1,000, with a strong warning that if financial penalty was not working as a “deterrent”,
he would hand the former president jail time.
Stormy Daniels Spars with Trump’s Defense Attorney
This week’s star witness is Stormy Daniel, the porn star with
whom Former President Donald Trump’s sex rendezvous in 2006 has become a
salacious feature of his presidency and butt of late-night comedy schtick. On May
9, 2024, Trump defense attorney Susan Necheles tried to put a dent
into credibility and trust worthiness of Daniel. However, Daniel shot back with
her own assertions and denial of what were uttered by Trump’s lawyer. Former
President Donald Trump intently listened the back-and-forth between Stormy
Daniel and Susan Necheles.
Star Witness Cohen Testifies Hush Money Paid at Trump’s Instruction
Prosecution’s star witness Michael Cohen testified on May 13, 2024
at a pivotal time of the hush money trial. The former fixer-turned-foe said
that Trump had been kept apprised of every single detail, and the former
president instructed nitty-gritty details to buy porn star Stormy Daniels’ silence.
Cohen Cross-examined by Trump Lawyer
On May 14, 2024, prosecution’s star witness Michael Cohen testified
that “I violated my moral compass” as he, as Trump’s main fixer, had continued
to do illicit things, effectuate wrong actions, and buy silence of people who
could be threat to Trump’s political future. Trump defense team attorney Todd
Blanche focused his questioning on whether Cohen was obsessed with his own
fame and was out to exact personal revenge against his former boss. Cohen refuted
Blanche’s characterization with his own lively riposte.
Also, during the day, top Trump surrogates such as Speaker Mike
Johnson and Vivek Ramaswamy had shown up at the Manhattan courtroom
to show solidarity with the presumptive Republican presidential candidate.
Defense Rests Case without Trump’s Testimony
After the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office called 20
witnesses over 15 days, defense team’s witness list was rather bland and
devoid of any big names. Former President Donald Trump didn’t even
testify, saving the courtroom from theatrics. On May 21, 2024, Trump’s
defense attorney Todd Blanche rested their case, thus beginning the next
phase. Judge Juan Merchan sent the jurors home for a week, instructing
them to return on May 28, 2024 after the Memorial Day Weekend.
Closing Arguments Presented, Case Now Rests with Jury
On May 28, 2024, prosecutors and defense got one last chance to
sum up their parts of the story to the jurors. They tried their best to
persuade the impaneled jury on why they should convict, or acquit, the former
president who faced 34 felony counts related to falsifying business
records. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass pressed that this case, at its
core, represented a “conspiracy and a cover-up” by Trump. Defense attorney
Todd Blanche argued that the prosecutor witnesses Stormy Daniels and
Michael Cohen couldn’t be trusted. As the next step, the jury will begin
deliberating and a verdict may arrive as soon as this week.
Trump Guilty on All 34 Counts
On May 30, 2024, history was made when a former U.S. President
was convicted on felony charges. The jury of 12 New Yorkers reached the
verdict after nine hours of deliberation. Former President Donald Trump’s
demeanor changed within seconds of hearing Judge Juan Merchan declaring
around 4:30PM that the jury had arrived at a verdict. Trump puckered his leaps,
crossed his hands, and sat with restlessness and unease showing on his face and
demeanor. The verdict was the reflection of the Republic’s checks and balance
system. Former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34
counts for falsifying business records. The genesis of this case traced
back to 2006 when a rendezvous with porn star Stormy Daniel at a Lake Tahoe
resort was just a regular cadence for then-businessman Donald Trump’s flashy
lifestyle. However, 10 years later, as he was running for the presidency of the
United States, it posed to become a serious political liability. That’s when
his former fixer Michael Cohen paid $130,000 to Stormy Daniels to
buy the porn actor’s silence. Cohen was subsequently reimbursed by Trump
Organization and booked the reimbursement as legal expense, paving the way for
today’s one of the four criminal charges that the former president faced.
Appearing in front of cameras after the verdict was delivered, Trump
called the case a political witch hunt and called himself a political prisoner.
The post-verdict reaction is along the expected lines of partisan fault lines.
Both Biden and Trump campaigns said that the verdict meant little as the real
verdict would await November 5. Manhattan District-Attorney Alvin
Bragg called the verdict as a proof that the American justice system was
working and nobody was above the law.
Sentencing is set for July 11, 2024, four days prior to Republican Convention in Milwauki
Pre-sentencing Virtual Hearing Held
The usual pre-sentencing hearing prior to July 11, 2024,
sentencing session took place on June 10, 2024 with a probation officer
asking standard questions to Former President Donald Trump, who had attended
the session virtually from Mar-a-Lago, as part of preparing a customary
document to be submitted to Judge Juan Merchan.
New York’s Top Court Keeps Trump’s Gag Order in Place
As if there is no end to legal setbacks for Former President Donald
Trump, New York’s top court on June 18, 2024 refused to lift the gag
order that Trump’s hush money judge had put in place on March 26, 2024.
Judge Juan Merchan fined Trump $10,000 for violating the gag order and
threatened him with jail time if he didn’t stop defying the gag order. Trump’s
defense team appealed to Court of Appeals on May 15, 2024, requesting New
York’s top court to lift the gag order on Trump.
Trump’s Gag Order Partially Lifted
Judge Juan Merchan on June 25, 2024 partially lifted gag order on Former
President Donald Trump, restoring his freedom to publicly excoriate the
star witnesses in the hush money trial, including Michael Cohen and porn star
Stormy Daniel. However, the gag order prohibiting Trump from efforts to identify
individual jurors and court employees continue to apply.
Trump’s Lawyers Ask the New York Judge to Set aside Conviction, Delay
Sentencing
In a perfect sequel to what was expected of the July 1, 2024,
Supreme Court verdict that the former presidents did enjoy broad immunity,
Former President Donald Trump’s lawyers on July 1, 2024 wrote a letter to
Judge Juan Merchan hours after the apex court verdict, requesting him to
set aside former president’s conviction and delay the sentencing.
Trump Judge Delays Sentencing to September 18, 2024
Manhattan Judge Juan Merchan on July 2, 2024 positively responded
to Trump attorneys’ letter that asked to set aside the former president’s
conviction and delay sentencing by pushing out the sentencing hearing from July
11, 2024 to September 18, 2024 as he [Judge Merchan] would mull over
the repercussions of the U.S. Supreme Court’s verdict a day earlier favoring
broader immunity for former presidents.
Hush Money Judge Delays the Immunity Hearing by 10 Days
The hearing on [Former President Donald Trump’s] immunity is
being pushed from September 6, 2024 to September 16, 2024, two days
prior to the same judge, Judge Juan Merchan, is to rule on the former
president’s sentencing, according to an August 6, 2024, ruling from the
Manhattan court.
Trump Team’s Effort to Move Conviction Case to State Court Fails
U.S. District Judge Alvin Hellerstein on September 3, 2024 tossed Trump legal
team’s effort to move the hush money case from the state court to the federal
court.
Judge in Hush Money Case Pushes the Sentencing Date to After the
Election
Former President Donald Trump received another legal reprieve on September
6, 2024 as Judge Juan Merchan postponed the sentencing date of September
18, 2024, rescheduling it for November 26, 2024, three weeks after
the November 5, 2024, election. On a separate note, Judge Juan
Merchan set November 12, 2024 for hearing related to Trump team’s filing to
dismiss the hush money case altogether after the recent Supreme Court’s ruling giving
the president almost absolute [presidential] immunity.
The ruling of Judge Juan Merchan came three days after a federal
judge in Manhattan denied Trump team’s appeal to seize the hush money case from
the state court. Trump team appealed the September 3, 2024, verdict of U.S.
District Judge Alvin Hellerstein to an appeals court.
Judge Refuses to Toss Conviction
The Manhattan judge, Judge Juan Merchan, at the center of the hush money case, on December 16, 2024 rejected Trump team's plea to toss conviction against the former president based on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that the presidents enjoyed almost absolute immunity. Although the sentencing is put in abeyance to facilitate Trump's carrying out of presidential responsibility, the judge left the door open for future sentencing after the expiry of Trump's term by not voiding the conviction.
Trump's Hush Money Sentencing Set for January 10, but Promised No Jail Time
In an unprecedented political and legal case that had ricocheted the political establishment, a New York judge, Judge Juan Merchan, on January 3, 2025 set January 10, 2025 as the new date for sentencing of the convict, incoming President Donald Trump, but said that the former president wouldn't be jailed.
Trump Lawyers Files Paperwork to Appellate Court to Delay Sentencing
To run the clock out prior to returning to the White House, President-elect Donald Trump on January 6, 2025 filed paperwork to a New York appeals court to delay the sentencing related to his conviction on 34 counts of the hush money trial. Pending the appellate court's verdict, Trump team wants Judge Juan Merchan to hold off the sentencing session now scheduled for January 10, 2025. However, Judge Juan Merchan on January 6, 2025 rejected a separate effort by Trump team to postpone the sentencing pending the appellate court's ruling.
The reason for the Trump team to run the clock out before his January 20, 2025, inauguration is the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel's opinion that a sitting president enjoys immunity from prosecution, thus any sentencing date after January 20, 2025 will be automatically null and void.
Trump Loses Appeals
A New York State appeals court on January 7, 2025 rejected Trump legal team's appeal for a delay in sentencing by lower court Judge Juan Merchan. The ruling was delivered on January 7, 2025 by Associate Justice Ellen Gesmer after a brief hearing. Trump was convicted on all 34 counts in the hush money trial. Judge Juan Merchan already stated that he would not send Trump to behind bars because the special circumstances, instead opting for so called "unconditional discharge".
Supreme Court Paves the Way for Merchan to Sentence Trump
A day before New York Judge Juan Merchan is to sentence Former President Donald Trump, a divided U.S. Supreme Court on January 9, 2025 rejected a motion by Trump attorneys to delay the sentencing related to the hush money trial. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Amy Coney Barrett joined three Liberal justices to reject Trump's motion.
Trump Receives No-Penalty Sentence
In an unprecedented balancing act between preserving the sanctity of jury verdict and constitutional precedent of giving free reins to the president, New York Judge Juan Merchan on January 10, 2025 gave the so called and very rare "unconditional discharge", or no-penalty, sentencing to Former President Donald Trump in the hush money case. However, President Donald Trump will enter the White House as the first felon to be nation's chief executive.
********************* MANHATTAN D.A.'S INVESTIGATION INTO TRUMP'S HUSH PAYMENT
****************** RUSSIAN CONNECTION TO TRUMP CAMPAIGN ****************
*************************** OBAMACARE REPEAL EFFORT ***********************
House Republicans Unveil ACA Repeal Plan
House Republicans on March 6, 2017 unveiled a plan that would repeal and replace Affordable Care Act. This marked an arduous, if not a stumbled, beginning of a long-drawn process that would fulfill a long-nurtured Republican promise to repeal and replace ACA. The highlight of the Republican plan, American Health Care Act, unveiled on March 6, 2017 includes:
* Replacing federal insurance subsidies by tax credits to individuals purchasing their own health insurance
* Expanding contributions to health savings accounts
* Repealing tax penalties on uninsured people
* Scrapping income-based tax credits
* Maintaining the requirement for coverage of pre-existing conditions
* Preserving the provision for children to stay on parent's insurance until age 26
* Retaining ACA's higher federal financing to expanded Medicaid program until the end of 2019
* Repealing taxes on high income earners, health insurance plans and medical device manufacturers
GOP Plan Attracts Conservative Wrath
A day after unveiling a replacement plan for ACA, conservatives in the House on March 7, 2017 rebelled against the plan, formally known as American Health Care Act, ridiculing it in derogatory terms such as Obamacare 2.0, Obamacare Lite, etc.
GOP Plan Gives Big Tax Benefit to Wealthy
The GOP plan unveiled March 6, 2017 aims to cut the taxes on wealthy and give them a tax relief of about $157 billion over the next decade. The two provisions slammed as part of ACA included a
* Tax on capital gains and other investment-related incomes
* Surcharge on Medicare tax
CBO Predicts Spike in Uninsured Ranks
Venerable Congressional Budget Office on March 13, 2017 struck a significant blow to the Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. According to the CBO estimate, the ranks of uninsured will swell by an additional 24 million by 2026 to 52 million (under Obamacare, the figure was slated to rise to 28 million by 2026) while the savings will be as significant too: $337 billion over the time. The CBO estimate dealt a blow to President Donald Trump's campaign promise that repeal of Obamacare would be beautifully done with premium to fall and no one to lose insurance coverage. Next year (2018), the ranks of uninsured will increase by 14 million, mostly due to dropping of insurance coverage by healthy young adults now being penalized for not carrying insurance. But, later in the decade, another 10 million people will lose the coverage because many states will end the expansion of Medicaid. Under the American Health Care Act, people who will discontinue their health plan in the middle of the year will have to pay a 30 percent surcharge to renew their insurance for that year. Under the American Health Care Act,
* Federal Medicaid spending will be 25 percent lower by 2026
* Older people will fare worse as the tax credit for older population will be lower by 2026 compared to Obamacare
-- Under the current law, a single 21-year-old who earns $26,500 with an insurance plan that costs $5,100 will receive a tax credit of $3,400 and will have to pay $1,700 out of pocket. Under the Republican plan, the out-of-pocket premium will reduce to $1,450.
-- A 64-year-old adult will fare much worse under the House bill as a $13,600 tax credit for an annual premium of $15,300 health plan will leave the consumer on hook for $1,700 under the Obamacare while under American Health Care Act, the consumer will be responsible for $14,600 toward an annual premium of $19,500 with a tax credit of only $4,900.
Ryan Offers Something to Moderates, Conservatives in His Own Ranks to Win Support
As Speaker Paul Ryan's effort to repeal and replace Obamacare looked more uncertain by the day, hectic political maneuvering was underway to win support from critical Freedom Caucus while retaining support among moderates. It was a fine balancing act on behalf of Speaker Paul Ryan. On March 21, 2017, Ryan offered conservatives an olive branch by giving states the freedom to impose work requirement for Medicaid eligibility except for single mothers with kids below 6 or with disabilities. Also, to soothe the frayed temper of the Freedom Caucus members, the amendment included the provision of Medicaid block grant to the states. The new amendments of Medicaid's work requirements were blasted by seven female Democratic House members and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, as anti-family because new mothers might end up getting denied of Medicaid coverage if they failed to find a job within 60 days of child's birth. The statement was signed by seven female Democratic House members, beside Rep. Jerrold Nadler--Reps. Katherine Clark, Conn; Diana DeGette, Colorado; Jan Schakowsky, Illinois; Barbara Lee, TX; Judy Chu, California; Suzan DelBene, Washington; and Louise Slaughter, NY. On the other hand, to assuage the moderate Republicans, Ryan offered assistance for older Americans who were shortchanged under the original bill. Also, people will be allowed to deduct their taxes on any medical expenses over 5.8 percent of their income instead of 10 percent under the current threshold. This may end up costing $85 billion in lost revenue.
CBO Issues Revised Report on Healthcare Overhaul Legislation
Days after Paul Ryan and Republican leadership had modified parts of the American Health Care Act, Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a revised assessment on March 23, 2017 that lowered the projected benefit of the law from $337 billion over a decade to $150 billion, without making a significant dent in the ranks of uninsured.
Republicans Pull the Obamacare Repeal Measure
Sensing a near-certain defeat and facing an open rebellion from the Freedom Caucus led by GOP conservative Mark Meadow, R-N.C., Speaker Paul Ryan and his leadership team on March 24, 2017 withdrew the American Health Care Act. It was a stinging defeat for President Trump's agenda and a humiliating retreat for House Republican leadership.
Obamacare Replacement Act Passes House
Paul Ryan's second try to pass a health care legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare came to fruition on May 4, 2017 as House passed American Health Care Act (AHCA) by a narrow 217-213 votes. An ecstatic Donald Trump responded, surrounded by House leaders, that it was a "great plan". Under the AHCA:
* Medicaid will be slashed by $880 billion over the next decade
* Insurers will be allowed to charge older Americans more, leading advocacy groups such as AARP dubbing the provision as so-called "age tax"
* There will not be any individual mandate
* A high-risk pool will be set up to treat people with pre-existing conditions. The $23 billion set aside for this fund is estimated to cover only 110,000 patients, or roughly 5 percent of 2.2 million Americans who fall under this category
CBO Report Raises Uninsured Ranks under the Approved House Bill
The Congressional Budget Office, the legislative ombudsman of financial impact of Congressional legislations, on May 24, 2017 issued an ominous report on the latest GOP Obamacare repeal bill, American Health Care Act (AHCA), that had sailed through the House on May 4, 2017 by a meager 217-213 margin. According to the CBO report:
* Ranks of uninsured (in millions)
Under Obamacare: 26 (2017); 26 (2018); 27 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023); 28 (2024, 2025 and 2026)
Under House Bill: 28 (2017); 41 (2018); 43 (2019); 46 (2020); 48 (2021); 48 (2022); 49 (2023); 50 (2024); 50 (2025); and 51 (2026)
* Federal Budget Deficit will reduce by $119 billion over the next decade under the House bill passed on May 4, 2017 compared to if Obamacare would have stayed in place. The budget deficit savings were projected $150 billion on an earlier version of the House bill that had failed in late March 2017. How CBO arrived at $119 billion in savings (in $ billion):
1. Medicaid caps, matching funds (-834)
2. Reduced subsidies for non-group insurance (-276)
3. Patient/State grants to reduce premiums (117)
4. Reduced collection of penalties (210)
5. Repeal/Delay of other taxes (664)
Total Impact on Deficit: (-$119 billion)
Senate Republican Leaders Unveils Their Version of Obamacare Repeal Plan
After working behind the closed doors for months and excluding not only their Democratic colleagues, but also the chamber's rank-and-file Republican Senators, top Senate Republicans led by the Majority Leader Mitch McConnel on June 22, 2017 unveiled their first shot at repealing the Obamacare. The measure, Better Care Reconciliation Act, is sure to face fierce opposition from Democrats and few Republican Senators. Here are key areas of changes proposed by the Republican measure compared to Obamacare:
* Medicaid Expansion
Obamacare: Expanded the benefit of Medicaid to people up to 138 percent of the poverty level. The federal government picks up 90 percent of the tab for new enrollees.
BCRA: Allows 31 states that have expanded Medicaid to continue receiving the benefit through 2023, although the flow from the federal government will reduce substantially from 2021. In 2024, Medicaid expansion will end altogether. Separately, the measure will cap the federal contribution to the benefit and, some states, may receive block-grants if they switch over to that option. The CBO estimated that the cut for a similar House-passed measure would be around $800 billion over a decade.
* Repeals Taxes
Obamacare: Imposed new taxes on investment incomes, wages over $200,000, medical devices, prescription drugs and indoor tanning.
BCRA: Eliminates most of the taxes, but a tax on the Cadillac healthcare plans proposed under the Obamacare, but yet to take hold, will be effective beginning in 2026.
* Repeals Subsidies
Obamacare: Provides subsidies to low-income consumers to cover their out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copayments.
BCRA: The subsidies will continue until 2019, then they will be eliminated, leading to increased out-of-pocket payments, co-payments and premiums.
* Repeals the Individual Mandate
* Repeals Employer Mandate
* Changes Tax Credits for Premiums
Obamacare: Gives tax credits to middle-income and low-income consumers to help buy insurance premiums from the exchanges.
BCRA: Whittles down the benefit to consumers with incomes of up to 350 percent of poverty level, or $42,000 for a single person. The bill also expands the benefit to people below the poverty level, a segment that currently does not receive the tax credit.
* Health Savings Accounts
Obamacare: Allowed in 2017 for an individual to put $3,400 and a family to put $6,750 in an HSA
BCRA: Will allow consumers to put more money in HSA, including up to 100 percent of the deductibles.
* Older Customers vs. Younger Customers
Obamacare: Caps the amount that can be charged as premiums for older customers at the maximum of three times of what can be charged for the younger customers
BCRA: Changes the cap to as high as 5-to-1 ratio
* Coverage of Children until 26
BCRA retains this valuable Obamacare benefit.
GOP Senate Bill Teeters on the Brink of Failure after CBO Figures Released
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on June 26, 2017 might have dealt a fatal blow to any prospect for the Senate to pass the Better Care Reconciliation Act unveiled four days ago. The CBO study of the bill released during the day revealed a grim picture that included:
* Additional 22 million people in the ranks of uninsured compared to that of Obamacare by 2026
* 15 million people would be without insurance next year alone
* Out-of-pocket expenses and premiums to soar
However, the federal deficit will decrease by $321 billion over the decade.
GOP Shelves the Repeal Bill
Sensing a sure defeat on the Senate floor and exposure of a fatal political rift within the ranks, GOP leaders on June 27, 2017 postponed vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act.
Senate Unveils Its Own Version of Obamacare Repeal Bill
U.S. Senate GOP leaders on July 13, 2017 unveiled Senate version of Obamacare repeal bill, almost two-and-a-half months after House had passed its repeal bill on May 4, 2017 by a wafer-thin 217 by 213 votes. The bill, much of its has been discussed and formulated behind closed doors without input from Democrats, faces significant hurdle. The bill retains two Obamacare taxes:
(1) a 3.8 percent tax on investment income
(2) a 0.9 percent payroll tax on incomes of at least $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for families
Senate's previous version aimed to eliminate those two taxes, thus reducing the flow of revenue by $231 billion over a decade, according to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. CBO is yet to evaluate the new version of the bill. The previous version of Senate bill will results in 22 million more Americans without health insurance by 2026, according to the CBO analysis. Congressional Budget Office and Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation are the two nonpartisan panels that usually evaluate and submit recommendation to Congress on bills for overall guidance. The bill unveiled on July 13, 2017 envisions some forms of tax breaks for wealthy Americans while making the insurance premium cheaper for barebones plans. The bill will expand the so-called Health Savings Account (HSA) from the current benefit of paying deductibles and copayment to pay even the insurance premiums. Any HSA contribution will be tax deductible. In addition, under the Senate version of the bill unveiled July 13, 2017, the subsidies will be provided to household incomes of up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $71,000 for a family of three.
McCain Returns to Senate after Brain Surgery, Appeals for Bipartisanship
As uncertainty grows over the fate of Senate measure to repeal Obamacare, Republican Senator John McCain returned to Senate floor to a hero's welcome on July 25, 2017 to give an impassioned speech, harping on the value of bipartisanship. Senate GOP won a key procedural vote to push the measure across a critical hurdle to debate by collecting 50 votes behind the move. Two GOP senators--Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine voted against bringing the bill to floor debate on July 25, 2017. Now, Senators can add dozens of amendments to the measure, and will vote on them individually.
Senate Votes down the "Only Repeal" Measure; Cruz's Skimpy Coverage Amendment
An "only repeal" measure, with a replacement to wait for two years, as proposed by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul was defeated on July 26, 2017 by 55 to 45 votes. Seven Republicans--Susan Collins of Maine, John McCain of Arizona, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Dean Heller of Nevada, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee--joined all Democrats to defeat the "only repeal" piece of amendment. Another amendment offered by Texas Senator Ted Cruz was defeated by 43-57 votes, with nine Republican defections. Cruz's Consumer Freedom amendment aims at waiving insurers from the minimum coverage compliance of the ACA. Under Cruz's amendment, insurers can offer just barebones coverage to consumers.
*************** Graham-Cassidy Bill to Repeal Obamacare
GOP Withdraws Graham-Cassidy Bill
After it was clear that the Maine Sen. Susan Collins would not vote for a measure that would take away insurance coverage from millions of Americans, Senate GOP leaders had no choice, but to withdraw the healthcare overhaul bill crafted by Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., on September 26, 2017. After the withdrawal of Graham-Cassidy bill, GOP faces increased hurdles of repealing Obamacare as they now need a filibuster-proof measure with the legislative provision that can skirt the filibuster is ending on September 30, 2017.
*************** Graham-Cassidy Bill to Repeal Obamacare
Trump to End Cost-Sharing Subsidies
After failing to repeal and replace Obamacare, Trump administration on October 12, 2017 chose an alternative--according to consumer rights groups, a harmful--route to nix the marketplace for the landmark healthcare law. White House said that it would scrap the so-called cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies typically used to help low-income consumers pay their insurance premiums.
Another Shot to Partially Roll back Obamacare
What it couldn't accomplish by legislation, White House is trying to do it through judiciary by undermining the Affordable Care Act on piecemeal basis. First as part of the December 2017 tax cuts package, the administration eliminated the penalty for not carrying the health insurance. That set the stage for Texas and 19 other states to file a lawsuit in February 2018 in the U.S. District Court of Fort Worth asking the judge to rule the individual mandate invalid, and with it, the entire law. Trump administration on June 8, 2018 filed a brief supporting the states' move, but didn't go as far as scrapping the entire law. Instead, it asked to strike down the individual mandate provision and pre-existing condition [coverage] provision, while preserving the extension of Medicaid. The move is another indirect cheap shot by administration to undermine Obama's public health legacy.
*********************** Bare Bone Association Health Plan Trump Administration Issues Rules to Undermine Obamacare
In another shot to undermine the ACA marketplaces, Trump administration on June 19, 2018 issued new rules, allowing the so-called Association Health Plans to enter in the insurance marketplace. These plans are controversial as they are bare-bone plans that may refuse to cover many maternity treatments and discriminate based on age and health conditions. This is another indirect effort to assault on the Affordable Care Act after failing to repeal the act through Congressional act.
Judge Blocks Bare bone Health Plan
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge John Bates, on March 29, 2019 blocked President Donald Trump's June 19, 2018, rules to create bare-bone Association Health Plan for small businesses on the ground that administration's effort was tantamount to "an end-run" around consumer protections embedded in the Affordable Care Act.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Barebones Health Plans
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in a 2-1 ruling upheld Trump administration's authority to extend a barebones run-around of Affordable Care Act that offered no such protections such as pre-existing conditions from three months to one-year with an option to extend up to 3 years. The July 17, 2020, ruling by a three-judge panel of the second-highest court of the nation provided Trump to go for another run to undermine Obamacare through an indirect assault with offering much cheaper plans and virtually no meaningful coverage.
*********************** Bare Bone Association Health Plan
Trump Tries to Undermine Obamacare one More Time
What has become almost a monthly ritual for Trump administration to find ways to undermine and undercut, in whatever ways, small and large, the Obamacare has been displayed one more time on July 7, 2018 as the administration has announced scrapping billions of dollars in payment to insurers to stabilize the exchange marketplace. Without the so-called "risk adjustment" payments, the premiums are sure to go high in the upcoming enrollment season for most of the exchanges.
Texas Sues Feds to Overturn Obamacare
Texas' Attorney-General Ken Paxton on behalf of 20 states filed a lawsuit on September 5, 2018 in an effort to quash the Affordable Care Act. The lawsuit against the Trump administration justified the rationale behind the action by stating that once "individual mandate" had been scrapped by Congress, all of the law had become invalid. However, officials from the Trump administration's Justice Department feared that scrapping of the law would lead to chaos. The lawsuit was filed at the U.S. District Court of Judge Reed O' Connor of Fort Worth.
Texas Judge Rules Obamacare Unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Reed O' Connor on December 14, 2018 issued a sweeping verdict, opining the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional on the ground that December 2017 tax overhaul law eliminated a key, but unpopular, provision of Obamacare requiring individual mandate for health insurance coverage, thus making the entire healthcare law unconstitutional. However, the judge didn't order immediate implementation of his ruling, thus allowing the ongoing enrollment process for the 2019 coverage renewal. About 17 million people will lose the coverage if Judge O' Connor's ruling is implemented.
Democratic State Officials File Legal Challenge
A group of 16 state AGs and that of District of Columbia, led by the California AG Xavier Becerra, on January 3, 2019 filed an appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, against a federal judge's ruling that the entire Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional, calling the rationale for December 14, 2018, ruling by the U.S. District Judge Reed O' Connor "reckless", "ludicrous" and "flimsy". U.S. District Judge Reed O' Connor last week allowed the law to continue as the legal process continued through the nation's court system.
Trump Justice Department now for Obamacare Repeal
Trump administration's Department of Justice on March 26, 2019 filed a friendly brief in support of Republican states who won a significant victory from the U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor on December 14, 2018. The U.S. DOJ filing on March 26, 2019 to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came as a surprise to many because, although opposed to Obamacare from the very outset, the administration stayed away so far from pushing the healthcare marketplace to disarray without a viable replacement of the Affordable Care Act.
Short-term Health Plan Expansion Challenge Rejected
In a setback to Obamacare, a federal judge on July 19, 2019 rejected a petition challenging Trump Administration's another end-run to undermine Obamacare. Under Affordable Care Act, short-term insurance plans can be marketed that would be limited to three months and these plans--offered by Health Insurance Innovations Inc. and eHealth Inc. among others--are often aimed at healthy young consumers. Trump administration last year expanded the short-term insurance plans to last as long as 364 days and renewable every three years, thus raising the fear that there would be an exodus of healthy consumers from ACA-compliant plans to these short-term insurance plans and raising premiums of the remaining consumers in the ACA-compliant plans. The rule went into effect in October 2018. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled on July 19, 2019 that plaintiffs failed to prove any "potential negative impact" from the Trump administration's rule.
Adverse Ruling Puts an Additional Nail to Obamacare
As the Texas case against Obamacare is winding through the federal court system, it has suffered another setback on December 18, 2019 as a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional after Congress has passed the 2018 tax overhaul, abolishing the penalty for not carrying individual health care coverage. However, unlike the lower court, the appeals court refrained from deciding on the unconstitutionality of the remainder of the Obamacare.
*************************** OBAMACARE REPEAL EFFORT ***********************
House Republicans Unveil ACA Repeal Plan
House Republicans on March 6, 2017 unveiled a plan that would repeal and replace Affordable Care Act. This marked an arduous, if not a stumbled, beginning of a long-drawn process that would fulfill a long-nurtured Republican promise to repeal and replace ACA. The highlight of the Republican plan, American Health Care Act, unveiled on March 6, 2017 includes:
* Replacing federal insurance subsidies by tax credits to individuals purchasing their own health insurance
* Expanding contributions to health savings accounts
* Repealing tax penalties on uninsured people
* Scrapping income-based tax credits
* Maintaining the requirement for coverage of pre-existing conditions
* Preserving the provision for children to stay on parent's insurance until age 26
* Retaining ACA's higher federal financing to expanded Medicaid program until the end of 2019
* Repealing taxes on high income earners, health insurance plans and medical device manufacturers
GOP Plan Attracts Conservative Wrath
A day after unveiling a replacement plan for ACA, conservatives in the House on March 7, 2017 rebelled against the plan, formally known as American Health Care Act, ridiculing it in derogatory terms such as Obamacare 2.0, Obamacare Lite, etc.
GOP Plan Gives Big Tax Benefit to Wealthy
The GOP plan unveiled March 6, 2017 aims to cut the taxes on wealthy and give them a tax relief of about $157 billion over the next decade. The two provisions slammed as part of ACA included a
* Tax on capital gains and other investment-related incomes
* Surcharge on Medicare tax
CBO Predicts Spike in Uninsured Ranks
Venerable Congressional Budget Office on March 13, 2017 struck a significant blow to the Republican effort to repeal and replace Obamacare. According to the CBO estimate, the ranks of uninsured will swell by an additional 24 million by 2026 to 52 million (under Obamacare, the figure was slated to rise to 28 million by 2026) while the savings will be as significant too: $337 billion over the time. The CBO estimate dealt a blow to President Donald Trump's campaign promise that repeal of Obamacare would be beautifully done with premium to fall and no one to lose insurance coverage. Next year (2018), the ranks of uninsured will increase by 14 million, mostly due to dropping of insurance coverage by healthy young adults now being penalized for not carrying insurance. But, later in the decade, another 10 million people will lose the coverage because many states will end the expansion of Medicaid. Under the American Health Care Act, people who will discontinue their health plan in the middle of the year will have to pay a 30 percent surcharge to renew their insurance for that year. Under the American Health Care Act,
* Federal Medicaid spending will be 25 percent lower by 2026
* Older people will fare worse as the tax credit for older population will be lower by 2026 compared to Obamacare
-- Under the current law, a single 21-year-old who earns $26,500 with an insurance plan that costs $5,100 will receive a tax credit of $3,400 and will have to pay $1,700 out of pocket. Under the Republican plan, the out-of-pocket premium will reduce to $1,450.
-- A 64-year-old adult will fare much worse under the House bill as a $13,600 tax credit for an annual premium of $15,300 health plan will leave the consumer on hook for $1,700 under the Obamacare while under American Health Care Act, the consumer will be responsible for $14,600 toward an annual premium of $19,500 with a tax credit of only $4,900.
Ryan Offers Something to Moderates, Conservatives in His Own Ranks to Win Support
As Speaker Paul Ryan's effort to repeal and replace Obamacare looked more uncertain by the day, hectic political maneuvering was underway to win support from critical Freedom Caucus while retaining support among moderates. It was a fine balancing act on behalf of Speaker Paul Ryan. On March 21, 2017, Ryan offered conservatives an olive branch by giving states the freedom to impose work requirement for Medicaid eligibility except for single mothers with kids below 6 or with disabilities. Also, to soothe the frayed temper of the Freedom Caucus members, the amendment included the provision of Medicaid block grant to the states. The new amendments of Medicaid's work requirements were blasted by seven female Democratic House members and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, as anti-family because new mothers might end up getting denied of Medicaid coverage if they failed to find a job within 60 days of child's birth. The statement was signed by seven female Democratic House members, beside Rep. Jerrold Nadler--Reps. Katherine Clark, Conn; Diana DeGette, Colorado; Jan Schakowsky, Illinois; Barbara Lee, TX; Judy Chu, California; Suzan DelBene, Washington; and Louise Slaughter, NY. On the other hand, to assuage the moderate Republicans, Ryan offered assistance for older Americans who were shortchanged under the original bill. Also, people will be allowed to deduct their taxes on any medical expenses over 5.8 percent of their income instead of 10 percent under the current threshold. This may end up costing $85 billion in lost revenue.
CBO Issues Revised Report on Healthcare Overhaul Legislation
Days after Paul Ryan and Republican leadership had modified parts of the American Health Care Act, Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued a revised assessment on March 23, 2017 that lowered the projected benefit of the law from $337 billion over a decade to $150 billion, without making a significant dent in the ranks of uninsured.
Republicans Pull the Obamacare Repeal Measure
Sensing a near-certain defeat and facing an open rebellion from the Freedom Caucus led by GOP conservative Mark Meadow, R-N.C., Speaker Paul Ryan and his leadership team on March 24, 2017 withdrew the American Health Care Act. It was a stinging defeat for President Trump's agenda and a humiliating retreat for House Republican leadership.
Obamacare Replacement Act Passes House
Paul Ryan's second try to pass a health care legislation to repeal and replace Obamacare came to fruition on May 4, 2017 as House passed American Health Care Act (AHCA) by a narrow 217-213 votes. An ecstatic Donald Trump responded, surrounded by House leaders, that it was a "great plan". Under the AHCA:
* Medicaid will be slashed by $880 billion over the next decade
* Insurers will be allowed to charge older Americans more, leading advocacy groups such as AARP dubbing the provision as so-called "age tax"
* There will not be any individual mandate
* A high-risk pool will be set up to treat people with pre-existing conditions. The $23 billion set aside for this fund is estimated to cover only 110,000 patients, or roughly 5 percent of 2.2 million Americans who fall under this category
CBO Report Raises Uninsured Ranks under the Approved House Bill
The Congressional Budget Office, the legislative ombudsman of financial impact of Congressional legislations, on May 24, 2017 issued an ominous report on the latest GOP Obamacare repeal bill, American Health Care Act (AHCA), that had sailed through the House on May 4, 2017 by a meager 217-213 margin. According to the CBO report:
* Ranks of uninsured (in millions)
Under Obamacare: 26 (2017); 26 (2018); 27 (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023); 28 (2024, 2025 and 2026)
Under House Bill: 28 (2017); 41 (2018); 43 (2019); 46 (2020); 48 (2021); 48 (2022); 49 (2023); 50 (2024); 50 (2025); and 51 (2026)
* Federal Budget Deficit will reduce by $119 billion over the next decade under the House bill passed on May 4, 2017 compared to if Obamacare would have stayed in place. The budget deficit savings were projected $150 billion on an earlier version of the House bill that had failed in late March 2017. How CBO arrived at $119 billion in savings (in $ billion):
1. Medicaid caps, matching funds (-834)
2. Reduced subsidies for non-group insurance (-276)
3. Patient/State grants to reduce premiums (117)
4. Reduced collection of penalties (210)
5. Repeal/Delay of other taxes (664)
Total Impact on Deficit: (-$119 billion)
Senate Republican Leaders Unveils Their Version of Obamacare Repeal Plan
After working behind the closed doors for months and excluding not only their Democratic colleagues, but also the chamber's rank-and-file Republican Senators, top Senate Republicans led by the Majority Leader Mitch McConnel on June 22, 2017 unveiled their first shot at repealing the Obamacare. The measure, Better Care Reconciliation Act, is sure to face fierce opposition from Democrats and few Republican Senators. Here are key areas of changes proposed by the Republican measure compared to Obamacare:
* Medicaid Expansion
Obamacare: Expanded the benefit of Medicaid to people up to 138 percent of the poverty level. The federal government picks up 90 percent of the tab for new enrollees.
BCRA: Allows 31 states that have expanded Medicaid to continue receiving the benefit through 2023, although the flow from the federal government will reduce substantially from 2021. In 2024, Medicaid expansion will end altogether. Separately, the measure will cap the federal contribution to the benefit and, some states, may receive block-grants if they switch over to that option. The CBO estimated that the cut for a similar House-passed measure would be around $800 billion over a decade.
* Repeals Taxes
Obamacare: Imposed new taxes on investment incomes, wages over $200,000, medical devices, prescription drugs and indoor tanning.
BCRA: Eliminates most of the taxes, but a tax on the Cadillac healthcare plans proposed under the Obamacare, but yet to take hold, will be effective beginning in 2026.
* Repeals Subsidies
Obamacare: Provides subsidies to low-income consumers to cover their out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and copayments.
BCRA: The subsidies will continue until 2019, then they will be eliminated, leading to increased out-of-pocket payments, co-payments and premiums.
* Repeals the Individual Mandate
* Repeals Employer Mandate
* Changes Tax Credits for Premiums
Obamacare: Gives tax credits to middle-income and low-income consumers to help buy insurance premiums from the exchanges.
BCRA: Whittles down the benefit to consumers with incomes of up to 350 percent of poverty level, or $42,000 for a single person. The bill also expands the benefit to people below the poverty level, a segment that currently does not receive the tax credit.
* Health Savings Accounts
Obamacare: Allowed in 2017 for an individual to put $3,400 and a family to put $6,750 in an HSA
BCRA: Will allow consumers to put more money in HSA, including up to 100 percent of the deductibles.
* Older Customers vs. Younger Customers
Obamacare: Caps the amount that can be charged as premiums for older customers at the maximum of three times of what can be charged for the younger customers
BCRA: Changes the cap to as high as 5-to-1 ratio
* Coverage of Children until 26
BCRA retains this valuable Obamacare benefit.
GOP Senate Bill Teeters on the Brink of Failure after CBO Figures Released
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office on June 26, 2017 might have dealt a fatal blow to any prospect for the Senate to pass the Better Care Reconciliation Act unveiled four days ago. The CBO study of the bill released during the day revealed a grim picture that included:
* Additional 22 million people in the ranks of uninsured compared to that of Obamacare by 2026
* 15 million people would be without insurance next year alone
* Out-of-pocket expenses and premiums to soar
However, the federal deficit will decrease by $321 billion over the decade.
GOP Shelves the Repeal Bill
Sensing a sure defeat on the Senate floor and exposure of a fatal political rift within the ranks, GOP leaders on June 27, 2017 postponed vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act.
Senate Unveils Its Own Version of Obamacare Repeal Bill
U.S. Senate GOP leaders on July 13, 2017 unveiled Senate version of Obamacare repeal bill, almost two-and-a-half months after House had passed its repeal bill on May 4, 2017 by a wafer-thin 217 by 213 votes. The bill, much of its has been discussed and formulated behind closed doors without input from Democrats, faces significant hurdle. The bill retains two Obamacare taxes:
(1) a 3.8 percent tax on investment income
(2) a 0.9 percent payroll tax on incomes of at least $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for families
Senate's previous version aimed to eliminate those two taxes, thus reducing the flow of revenue by $231 billion over a decade, according to the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. CBO is yet to evaluate the new version of the bill. The previous version of Senate bill will results in 22 million more Americans without health insurance by 2026, according to the CBO analysis. Congressional Budget Office and Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation are the two nonpartisan panels that usually evaluate and submit recommendation to Congress on bills for overall guidance. The bill unveiled on July 13, 2017 envisions some forms of tax breaks for wealthy Americans while making the insurance premium cheaper for barebones plans. The bill will expand the so-called Health Savings Account (HSA) from the current benefit of paying deductibles and copayment to pay even the insurance premiums. Any HSA contribution will be tax deductible. In addition, under the Senate version of the bill unveiled July 13, 2017, the subsidies will be provided to household incomes of up to 350 percent of the federal poverty level, or $71,000 for a family of three.
McCain Returns to Senate after Brain Surgery, Appeals for Bipartisanship
As uncertainty grows over the fate of Senate measure to repeal Obamacare, Republican Senator John McCain returned to Senate floor to a hero's welcome on July 25, 2017 to give an impassioned speech, harping on the value of bipartisanship. Senate GOP won a key procedural vote to push the measure across a critical hurdle to debate by collecting 50 votes behind the move. Two GOP senators--Lisa Murkowski, Alaska, and Susan Collins of Maine voted against bringing the bill to floor debate on July 25, 2017. Now, Senators can add dozens of amendments to the measure, and will vote on them individually.
Senate Votes down the "Only Repeal" Measure; Cruz's Skimpy Coverage Amendment
An "only repeal" measure, with a replacement to wait for two years, as proposed by Kentucky Republican Rand Paul was defeated on July 26, 2017 by 55 to 45 votes. Seven Republicans--Susan Collins of Maine, John McCain of Arizona, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia, Dean Heller of Nevada, Rob Portman of Ohio, and Lamar Alexander of Tennessee--joined all Democrats to defeat the "only repeal" piece of amendment. Another amendment offered by Texas Senator Ted Cruz was defeated by 43-57 votes, with nine Republican defections. Cruz's Consumer Freedom amendment aims at waiving insurers from the minimum coverage compliance of the ACA. Under Cruz's amendment, insurers can offer just barebones coverage to consumers.
*************** Graham-Cassidy Bill to Repeal Obamacare
GOP Withdraws Graham-Cassidy Bill
After it was clear that the Maine Sen. Susan Collins would not vote for a measure that would take away insurance coverage from millions of Americans, Senate GOP leaders had no choice, but to withdraw the healthcare overhaul bill crafted by Lindsay Graham, R-S.C., and Bill Cassidy, R-La., on September 26, 2017. After the withdrawal of Graham-Cassidy bill, GOP faces increased hurdles of repealing Obamacare as they now need a filibuster-proof measure with the legislative provision that can skirt the filibuster is ending on September 30, 2017.
*************** Graham-Cassidy Bill to Repeal Obamacare
Trump to End Cost-Sharing Subsidies
After failing to repeal and replace Obamacare, Trump administration on October 12, 2017 chose an alternative--according to consumer rights groups, a harmful--route to nix the marketplace for the landmark healthcare law. White House said that it would scrap the so-called cost-sharing reduction (CSR) subsidies typically used to help low-income consumers pay their insurance premiums.
Another Shot to Partially Roll back Obamacare
What it couldn't accomplish by legislation, White House is trying to do it through judiciary by undermining the Affordable Care Act on piecemeal basis. First as part of the December 2017 tax cuts package, the administration eliminated the penalty for not carrying the health insurance. That set the stage for Texas and 19 other states to file a lawsuit in February 2018 in the U.S. District Court of Fort Worth asking the judge to rule the individual mandate invalid, and with it, the entire law. Trump administration on June 8, 2018 filed a brief supporting the states' move, but didn't go as far as scrapping the entire law. Instead, it asked to strike down the individual mandate provision and pre-existing condition [coverage] provision, while preserving the extension of Medicaid. The move is another indirect cheap shot by administration to undermine Obama's public health legacy.
*********************** Bare Bone Association Health Plan Trump Administration Issues Rules to Undermine Obamacare
In another shot to undermine the ACA marketplaces, Trump administration on June 19, 2018 issued new rules, allowing the so-called Association Health Plans to enter in the insurance marketplace. These plans are controversial as they are bare-bone plans that may refuse to cover many maternity treatments and discriminate based on age and health conditions. This is another indirect effort to assault on the Affordable Care Act after failing to repeal the act through Congressional act.
Judge Blocks Bare bone Health Plan
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge John Bates, on March 29, 2019 blocked President Donald Trump's June 19, 2018, rules to create bare-bone Association Health Plan for small businesses on the ground that administration's effort was tantamount to "an end-run" around consumer protections embedded in the Affordable Care Act.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Barebones Health Plans
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia in a 2-1 ruling upheld Trump administration's authority to extend a barebones run-around of Affordable Care Act that offered no such protections such as pre-existing conditions from three months to one-year with an option to extend up to 3 years. The July 17, 2020, ruling by a three-judge panel of the second-highest court of the nation provided Trump to go for another run to undermine Obamacare through an indirect assault with offering much cheaper plans and virtually no meaningful coverage.
*********************** Bare Bone Association Health Plan
Trump Tries to Undermine Obamacare one More Time
What has become almost a monthly ritual for Trump administration to find ways to undermine and undercut, in whatever ways, small and large, the Obamacare has been displayed one more time on July 7, 2018 as the administration has announced scrapping billions of dollars in payment to insurers to stabilize the exchange marketplace. Without the so-called "risk adjustment" payments, the premiums are sure to go high in the upcoming enrollment season for most of the exchanges.
Texas Sues Feds to Overturn Obamacare
Texas' Attorney-General Ken Paxton on behalf of 20 states filed a lawsuit on September 5, 2018 in an effort to quash the Affordable Care Act. The lawsuit against the Trump administration justified the rationale behind the action by stating that once "individual mandate" had been scrapped by Congress, all of the law had become invalid. However, officials from the Trump administration's Justice Department feared that scrapping of the law would lead to chaos. The lawsuit was filed at the U.S. District Court of Judge Reed O' Connor of Fort Worth.
Texas Judge Rules Obamacare Unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Reed O' Connor on December 14, 2018 issued a sweeping verdict, opining the entire Affordable Care Act unconstitutional on the ground that December 2017 tax overhaul law eliminated a key, but unpopular, provision of Obamacare requiring individual mandate for health insurance coverage, thus making the entire healthcare law unconstitutional. However, the judge didn't order immediate implementation of his ruling, thus allowing the ongoing enrollment process for the 2019 coverage renewal. About 17 million people will lose the coverage if Judge O' Connor's ruling is implemented.
Democratic State Officials File Legal Challenge
A group of 16 state AGs and that of District of Columbia, led by the California AG Xavier Becerra, on January 3, 2019 filed an appeal to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, against a federal judge's ruling that the entire Affordable Care Act was unconstitutional, calling the rationale for December 14, 2018, ruling by the U.S. District Judge Reed O' Connor "reckless", "ludicrous" and "flimsy". U.S. District Judge Reed O' Connor last week allowed the law to continue as the legal process continued through the nation's court system.
Trump Justice Department now for Obamacare Repeal
Trump administration's Department of Justice on March 26, 2019 filed a friendly brief in support of Republican states who won a significant victory from the U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor on December 14, 2018. The U.S. DOJ filing on March 26, 2019 to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals came as a surprise to many because, although opposed to Obamacare from the very outset, the administration stayed away so far from pushing the healthcare marketplace to disarray without a viable replacement of the Affordable Care Act.
Short-term Health Plan Expansion Challenge Rejected
In a setback to Obamacare, a federal judge on July 19, 2019 rejected a petition challenging Trump Administration's another end-run to undermine Obamacare. Under Affordable Care Act, short-term insurance plans can be marketed that would be limited to three months and these plans--offered by Health Insurance Innovations Inc. and eHealth Inc. among others--are often aimed at healthy young consumers. Trump administration last year expanded the short-term insurance plans to last as long as 364 days and renewable every three years, thus raising the fear that there would be an exodus of healthy consumers from ACA-compliant plans to these short-term insurance plans and raising premiums of the remaining consumers in the ACA-compliant plans. The rule went into effect in October 2018. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled on July 19, 2019 that plaintiffs failed to prove any "potential negative impact" from the Trump administration's rule.
Adverse Ruling Puts an Additional Nail to Obamacare
As the Texas case against Obamacare is winding through the federal court system, it has suffered another setback on December 18, 2019 as a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the individual mandate is unconstitutional after Congress has passed the 2018 tax overhaul, abolishing the penalty for not carrying individual health care coverage. However, unlike the lower court, the appeals court refrained from deciding on the unconstitutionality of the remainder of the Obamacare.
Supreme
Court Rescues ACA One More Time
U.S.
Supreme Court on June 17, 2021 by 7-2 votes upheld the Affordable Care Act in its
entirety, with the majority dismissing Texas, 17 other states and two
individuals on the ground that they didn’t have legal standing to bring the
lawsuit to begin with. Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton brought the
lawsuit after Congress in 2017 reduced the penalty of not carrying the
insurance coverage as part of the individual mandate to zero. Conservatives
bank on the fact that not requiring the individual mandate means the entire law
is unconstitutional. Country’s apex court’s seven justices surely didn’t read
the law that way as, they believed, the individual mandate continued to be
requirement, only the related penalty had been zeroed out. Justice Neil
Gorsuch and Justice Samuel Alito dissented. Compared to earlier two Supreme
Court verdicts over the Affordable Care Act in 2012 and 2015, this time
the verdict was lopsided.
************************** OBAMACARE REPEAL EFFORT ***********************
************************** OBAMACARE REPEAL EFFORT ***********************
******** White Nationalist Leader Steve Bannon
Bannon Ousted from His Position in NSC
Bannon Ousted from His Position in NSC
Alt-right hero and former executive of White Nationalist newspaper Breitbart Steven Bannon was stripped of his seat in the National Security Council on April 5, 2017. The move was reported to have been orchestrated by the National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, who felt uncomfortable with a highly political and divisive figure sitting and participating in sessions related to national security at the Situation Room.
Bannon out, Begins at Breitbart
There is no end to continuous churn of White House personnel as the latest one to go is Trump administration's chief strategist Steve Bannon. Bannon's last day was on August 18, 2017, and he would take, according to sources, his old job at the helms of affairs of Breitbart News.
Bannon out, Begins at Breitbart
There is no end to continuous churn of White House personnel as the latest one to go is Trump administration's chief strategist Steve Bannon. Bannon's last day was on August 18, 2017, and he would take, according to sources, his old job at the helms of affairs of Breitbart News.
Beef with Bannon: Trump Blasts Bannon over "Treasonous" Comments
President Donald Trump on January 3, 2018 blasted his former strategic adviser Steve Bannon as someone who had "lost his mind" for saying, as written by Michael Wolff in his soon-to-be-released book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, that meeting Russians by Donald Trump Jr. along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort in the summer of 2016 to seek adversarial information about then-Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton constituted "treasonous act".
Bannon Subpoenaed by Mueller
The New York Times reported on January 16, 2018 that Steve Bannon had been subpoenaed by the Special Prosecutor Robert Muller's office last week to testify before a grand jury.
******** White Nationalist Leader Steve Bannon
Attack Leaves Third-Highest GOP Leader Critically Wounded, Washington Shaken
A gunman opened volleys of fire on a House Republican baseball practice game in Alexandria, Virginia on June 14, 2017 critically injuring House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and wounding four others. In a shootout with Capitol police and local law enforcement personnel, the shooter was shot dead. The gunman was later identified as James Hodgkinson of Bellville, Illinois. He was reported to have volunteered for Bernie Sanders in 2016 primary, and he owned a home inspection business before shutting it down. Hodgkinson left a trail of angry notes on social media bashing Trump.
Game is on, Lawmakers Unite
A day after a former home inspection business owner opened fire, seriously wounding House's third-highest ranking Republican, Steve Scalise, Congress' baseball game between Republicans and Democrats was on June 15, 2017, and for one day at least, lawmakers closed their ranks to show unity for their colleagues.
********************************* DACA PROGRAM ******************************
Talks on Expanding DACA Coverage to Include More Immigrants
Obama administration is currently mulling over the extension of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, that has given temporary right to stay and work for undocumented immigrants who have been brought into US as children to include more immigrants and decrease the number of deportations. Before the 2012 Presidential Elections, about 500,000 immigrants filed for DACA. Under active consideration by the administration is whether DACA may be extended to include parents or legal guardians of U.S.-born children (around 3.8 million people as of 2009, according to Pew Research's Hispanic Trend Project) and parents or legal guardians of DACA recipients (perhaps 500,000 to 1 million people)
Obama Issues Executive Orders to Put Deportation Hold on Millions
Energizing the immigration rights activists and infuriating the conservatives, President Barack Obama on November 20, 2014 issued an executive order that would allow about 5 million illegal immigrants to stay in the USA and seek work permit. More than 4 million people, who are the parents of American citizens or legal permanent residents, will be covered by the EO that offers three-year deportation deferral and work permit only to those without serious criminal records. The President also expanded the coverage of existing DACA to include those who had arrived before 2010 (current cutoff is 2007) and applicants irrespective of age (current cutoff is 31 years of age). The Citizenship and Immigration Services will seek applications from the parents starting from mid-May 2015 and for the youth program beginning February 2015. The part of the measure that will cover the parents of American citizens and legal permanent residents is called the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Permanent Residents, also known as DAPA.
President Visits the Same Las Vegas High School to Drum up Support for His Executive Order
President Barack Obama used his bully pulpit on November 21, 2014, a day after issuing an expansive and far-reaching Executive Order giving reprieve to 5 million illegal immigrants, by visiting Del Sol High School at Las Vegas, the same venue where the President had last visited after his re-election to urge for immigration overhaul, and giving a rallying cry to put pressure on Congress to act on immigration overhaul. However, Congressional Republicans described president's action as unilateral that was sure to "poison the well".
Abbott Sues Obama Administration over President's Executive Order on Immigration
Texas Governor-elect Gregg Abbott on December 3, 2014 filed his 31st lawsuit against the Obama administration, this time over the presidential executive issued on November 20, 2014 giving reprieve to about 5 million undocumented immigrants. Sixteen other states joined Texas in the lawsuit.
Federal Judge at Brownsville Temporarily Blocks President's Executive Order on Immigration
About 5 million undocumented immigrants were left in limbo by a federal judge's ruling just days before the government was to start accepting applications for temporary reprieve from deportation and work permit. The U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen of Brownsville issued his verdict on late February 16, 2015, putting a temporary hold on Obama's executive order issued on November 20, 2014. Responding to the lawsuit co-signed by 26 states, Judge Hanen invalidated Obama's executive order on the grounds that it had violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which calls for the White House to give more time prior to taking action, and had potential to hurt the states. The judge also said that the president had overstepped his authority when he issued the executive order. Obama administration vowed to push hard and fast to appeal Judge Hanen's ruling.
Appeals Court Rejects Obama Administration's Immigration Action
As Obama administration's appeal to overturn February 16, 2015, verdict by the U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Brownsville waded through the legal process in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, activists, pundits and politicians on both sides of the immigration debate were glued to what the New Orleans-based appeals court had to say. On November 9, 2015, the three-judge panel ruled that Obama administration had in fact exceeded its authority when it had issued executive order on November 20, 2014 giving immunity from deportation to a larger group of people, including undocumented immigrants with the U.S. permanent resident or citizen children. The next step of the legal process is sure to land this case either to the full bench of the appeals court, or straight to the Supreme Court.
Administration Asks Apex Court to Uphold Obama's Executive Order on Immigration
Obama administration on November 20, 2015, a year to date of President Barack Obama's sweeping executive order of giving immunity of 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court against the April 9, 2015, verdict of a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had tossed out Obama's immigration edict.
Supreme Court Agrees to Consider the Case
Infusing a new lease of life for the presidential decree to shield millions from deportation, the U.S. Supreme Court on January 19, 2016 agreed to take up the appeal filed by the Obama administration.
Body Blow by the Apex Court to Obama's Immigration EO
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 23, 2016 was deadlocked 4-4 on the Obama administration's appeal to lower court order that had put the president's November 20, 2014, executive order on hold. The tie dealt a temporary blow to President's executive order (EO) that would have shielded millions of undocumented children and parents of American citizens and legal residents from deportation as the lower court would hear the legal merit of the EO. The reaction was along the familiar lines and swift, with Republicans and Texas officials lauding the ruling as "affirmation of rule of law" while the President and his Democratic allies bemoaning the ruling. As the case goes back to Andrew Hanen's Brownsville federal court, the programs that would be
* UNAFFECTED: The current DACA program that covers 1.2 million undocumented immigrants who have entered the USA before their 16th birthday, stepped into their 31st birthday on, or after, June 15, 2012, and lived continuously in the USA since June 15, 2007.
* AFFECTED: (1) The DACA+ program that covers those who have lived in the USA continuously since January 1, 2010 and have been over 30 years old by June 15, 2012; and (2) DAPA program that covers undocumented immigrants who have lived in the USA since January 1, 2010 and have a child, who, as of November 20, 2014, is a legal permanent resident, or the citizen, of the USA.
Texas, Nine Other States Threaten Trump Administration over DACA
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton led a 10-state coalition to threaten the Trump administration on June 29, 2017 that they would file a lawsuit if DACA was not rescinded by September 2017. Other states included Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Trump Winds down DACA Program
Under legal threat from Texas and other Republican threat, President Donald Trump on September 5, 2017 scrapped the DACA program, and gave Congress six months to pass a measure to protect the "dreamers". Now, it's the turn of Congress, which has been in derelict for years, to take action on the fate of more than 800,000 undocumented immigrants.
Hundreds Storm Capitol
Frustrated over Congress' dilly-dallying tactics over the DACA program legislation, young "Dreamers", activists, students and youths took a day off on November 9, 2017 and poured in on the Capitol Hill to demand that Congress act now to protect the status of so-called "Dreamers", or DACA recipients, in the run-up of the beginning of the expiry of the DACA permits for an approximately 800,000 beneficiaries come March 2018.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's DACA Order
A federal judge in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge William Alsup, ruled late January 9, 2018 to put a hold on implementation of president's September 5, 2017, order to wind down the DACA program as the case proceeded through judicial system.
U.S. Resumes DACA Renewal Applications
After a January 9, 2018, legal jolt by the U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco to President Donald Trump's September 5, 2017, order to wind down the DACA program, Citizenship and Immigration Services resumed accepting renewal applications, USCIS said on January 13, 2018.
Supreme Court Keeps DACA Program in Place for Now
The U.S. Supreme on February 26, 2018 rejected Trump administration's petition for a hearing on DACA program as it was being contested in the lower courts. As it stands now, 800,000 DACA beneficiaries are safe for the time being as a March 6, 2018, deadline to wind down the program fast approaches.
Federal Judge Calls Trump's DACA Rescission Plan "Unlawful"
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, on April 24, 2018 was unsparing to Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security to come up with better explanation within 90 days on the "arbitrary and capricious" order to wind down DACA program barring which DHS had to begin accepting new as well as renewal DACA applications.
Judge Bates' order is more consequential than the other two anti-administration rulings issued in January 2018 (by the U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco) and by a New York federal judge in February 2018 as the April 24, 2018, ruling not only restores the DACA renewal process just like the other two rulings, but also requires the government to begin accepting the new DACA application. The only setback that the Dreamers had received in court as of now came from a Maryland federal judge who had upheld Trump administration's right to wind down DACA.
************ TX Files Suit to End DACA
Texas and Six Other States Sue Fed over DACA
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton on May 1, 2018 led his counterparts from six others states--Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia--to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on May 1, 2018. Although the lawsuit was filed against the Trump administration, the target of the suit was the bona fide of the executive order by the Obama administration that had created the program at the first place.
Judge Rejects Petition to Toss out DACA Immediately
A Houston federal judge, Judge Andrew Hanen of the Southern District of Texas in Houston, on August 31, 2018 rejected Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton's lawsuit that asked the court to scrap DACA with immediate effect, but kept open the possibility of throwing away the Obama-era program eventually on the grounds of Administrative Procedure Act. The Houston judge's ruling, though gave temporary reprieve to DACA recipients, kept the future of the program in limbo. Both sides claimed their victory in the judge's verdict as Paxton believed that the court would at the end terminate the program while the civil rights groups, including Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, or MALDEF, saw the temporary relief as a positive outcome too.
************ TX Files Suit to End DACA
Game is on, Lawmakers Unite
A day after a former home inspection business owner opened fire, seriously wounding House's third-highest ranking Republican, Steve Scalise, Congress' baseball game between Republicans and Democrats was on June 15, 2017, and for one day at least, lawmakers closed their ranks to show unity for their colleagues.
********************************* DACA PROGRAM ******************************
Talks on Expanding DACA Coverage to Include More Immigrants
Obama administration is currently mulling over the extension of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, that has given temporary right to stay and work for undocumented immigrants who have been brought into US as children to include more immigrants and decrease the number of deportations. Before the 2012 Presidential Elections, about 500,000 immigrants filed for DACA. Under active consideration by the administration is whether DACA may be extended to include parents or legal guardians of U.S.-born children (around 3.8 million people as of 2009, according to Pew Research's Hispanic Trend Project) and parents or legal guardians of DACA recipients (perhaps 500,000 to 1 million people)
Obama Issues Executive Orders to Put Deportation Hold on Millions
Energizing the immigration rights activists and infuriating the conservatives, President Barack Obama on November 20, 2014 issued an executive order that would allow about 5 million illegal immigrants to stay in the USA and seek work permit. More than 4 million people, who are the parents of American citizens or legal permanent residents, will be covered by the EO that offers three-year deportation deferral and work permit only to those without serious criminal records. The President also expanded the coverage of existing DACA to include those who had arrived before 2010 (current cutoff is 2007) and applicants irrespective of age (current cutoff is 31 years of age). The Citizenship and Immigration Services will seek applications from the parents starting from mid-May 2015 and for the youth program beginning February 2015. The part of the measure that will cover the parents of American citizens and legal permanent residents is called the Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Permanent Residents, also known as DAPA.
President Visits the Same Las Vegas High School to Drum up Support for His Executive Order
President Barack Obama used his bully pulpit on November 21, 2014, a day after issuing an expansive and far-reaching Executive Order giving reprieve to 5 million illegal immigrants, by visiting Del Sol High School at Las Vegas, the same venue where the President had last visited after his re-election to urge for immigration overhaul, and giving a rallying cry to put pressure on Congress to act on immigration overhaul. However, Congressional Republicans described president's action as unilateral that was sure to "poison the well".
Abbott Sues Obama Administration over President's Executive Order on Immigration
Texas Governor-elect Gregg Abbott on December 3, 2014 filed his 31st lawsuit against the Obama administration, this time over the presidential executive issued on November 20, 2014 giving reprieve to about 5 million undocumented immigrants. Sixteen other states joined Texas in the lawsuit.
Federal Judge at Brownsville Temporarily Blocks President's Executive Order on Immigration
About 5 million undocumented immigrants were left in limbo by a federal judge's ruling just days before the government was to start accepting applications for temporary reprieve from deportation and work permit. The U.S. District Court Judge Andrew Hanen of Brownsville issued his verdict on late February 16, 2015, putting a temporary hold on Obama's executive order issued on November 20, 2014. Responding to the lawsuit co-signed by 26 states, Judge Hanen invalidated Obama's executive order on the grounds that it had violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which calls for the White House to give more time prior to taking action, and had potential to hurt the states. The judge also said that the president had overstepped his authority when he issued the executive order. Obama administration vowed to push hard and fast to appeal Judge Hanen's ruling.
Appeals Court Rejects Obama Administration's Immigration Action
As Obama administration's appeal to overturn February 16, 2015, verdict by the U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen of Brownsville waded through the legal process in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, activists, pundits and politicians on both sides of the immigration debate were glued to what the New Orleans-based appeals court had to say. On November 9, 2015, the three-judge panel ruled that Obama administration had in fact exceeded its authority when it had issued executive order on November 20, 2014 giving immunity from deportation to a larger group of people, including undocumented immigrants with the U.S. permanent resident or citizen children. The next step of the legal process is sure to land this case either to the full bench of the appeals court, or straight to the Supreme Court.
Administration Asks Apex Court to Uphold Obama's Executive Order on Immigration
Obama administration on November 20, 2015, a year to date of President Barack Obama's sweeping executive order of giving immunity of 5 million undocumented immigrants from deportation, appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court against the April 9, 2015, verdict of a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had tossed out Obama's immigration edict.
Supreme Court Agrees to Consider the Case
Infusing a new lease of life for the presidential decree to shield millions from deportation, the U.S. Supreme Court on January 19, 2016 agreed to take up the appeal filed by the Obama administration.
Body Blow by the Apex Court to Obama's Immigration EO
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 23, 2016 was deadlocked 4-4 on the Obama administration's appeal to lower court order that had put the president's November 20, 2014, executive order on hold. The tie dealt a temporary blow to President's executive order (EO) that would have shielded millions of undocumented children and parents of American citizens and legal residents from deportation as the lower court would hear the legal merit of the EO. The reaction was along the familiar lines and swift, with Republicans and Texas officials lauding the ruling as "affirmation of rule of law" while the President and his Democratic allies bemoaning the ruling. As the case goes back to Andrew Hanen's Brownsville federal court, the programs that would be
* UNAFFECTED: The current DACA program that covers 1.2 million undocumented immigrants who have entered the USA before their 16th birthday, stepped into their 31st birthday on, or after, June 15, 2012, and lived continuously in the USA since June 15, 2007.
* AFFECTED: (1) The DACA+ program that covers those who have lived in the USA continuously since January 1, 2010 and have been over 30 years old by June 15, 2012; and (2) DAPA program that covers undocumented immigrants who have lived in the USA since January 1, 2010 and have a child, who, as of November 20, 2014, is a legal permanent resident, or the citizen, of the USA.
Texas, Nine Other States Threaten Trump Administration over DACA
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton led a 10-state coalition to threaten the Trump administration on June 29, 2017 that they would file a lawsuit if DACA was not rescinded by September 2017. Other states included Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Trump Winds down DACA Program
Under legal threat from Texas and other Republican threat, President Donald Trump on September 5, 2017 scrapped the DACA program, and gave Congress six months to pass a measure to protect the "dreamers". Now, it's the turn of Congress, which has been in derelict for years, to take action on the fate of more than 800,000 undocumented immigrants.
Hundreds Storm Capitol
Frustrated over Congress' dilly-dallying tactics over the DACA program legislation, young "Dreamers", activists, students and youths took a day off on November 9, 2017 and poured in on the Capitol Hill to demand that Congress act now to protect the status of so-called "Dreamers", or DACA recipients, in the run-up of the beginning of the expiry of the DACA permits for an approximately 800,000 beneficiaries come March 2018.
Federal Judge Blocks Trump's DACA Order
A federal judge in San Francisco, U.S. District Judge William Alsup, ruled late January 9, 2018 to put a hold on implementation of president's September 5, 2017, order to wind down the DACA program as the case proceeded through judicial system.
U.S. Resumes DACA Renewal Applications
After a January 9, 2018, legal jolt by the U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco to President Donald Trump's September 5, 2017, order to wind down the DACA program, Citizenship and Immigration Services resumed accepting renewal applications, USCIS said on January 13, 2018.
Supreme Court Keeps DACA Program in Place for Now
The U.S. Supreme on February 26, 2018 rejected Trump administration's petition for a hearing on DACA program as it was being contested in the lower courts. As it stands now, 800,000 DACA beneficiaries are safe for the time being as a March 6, 2018, deadline to wind down the program fast approaches.
Federal Judge Calls Trump's DACA Rescission Plan "Unlawful"
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates, on April 24, 2018 was unsparing to Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security to come up with better explanation within 90 days on the "arbitrary and capricious" order to wind down DACA program barring which DHS had to begin accepting new as well as renewal DACA applications.
Judge Bates' order is more consequential than the other two anti-administration rulings issued in January 2018 (by the U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco) and by a New York federal judge in February 2018 as the April 24, 2018, ruling not only restores the DACA renewal process just like the other two rulings, but also requires the government to begin accepting the new DACA application. The only setback that the Dreamers had received in court as of now came from a Maryland federal judge who had upheld Trump administration's right to wind down DACA.
************ TX Files Suit to End DACA
Texas and Six Other States Sue Fed over DACA
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton on May 1, 2018 led his counterparts from six others states--Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia--to file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas on May 1, 2018. Although the lawsuit was filed against the Trump administration, the target of the suit was the bona fide of the executive order by the Obama administration that had created the program at the first place.
Judge Rejects Petition to Toss out DACA Immediately
A Houston federal judge, Judge Andrew Hanen of the Southern District of Texas in Houston, on August 31, 2018 rejected Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton's lawsuit that asked the court to scrap DACA with immediate effect, but kept open the possibility of throwing away the Obama-era program eventually on the grounds of Administrative Procedure Act. The Houston judge's ruling, though gave temporary reprieve to DACA recipients, kept the future of the program in limbo. Both sides claimed their victory in the judge's verdict as Paxton believed that the court would at the end terminate the program while the civil rights groups, including Mexican American Legal Defense Fund, or MALDEF, saw the temporary relief as a positive outcome too.
************ TX Files Suit to End DACA
Appeals Court Upholds Lower Court Ruling against Trump's DACA Drawdown Order
The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling on November 8, 2018 upholding a January 9, 2018, ruling by the U.S. District Judge William Alsup of San Francisco that had put a hold on President Donald Trump's September 2017 order to draw down DACA.
U.S. Supreme Court Gives a Temporary Lifeline to Dreamers
In a historic ruling on June 18, 2020, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the four liberal justices--Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and Justice Elena Kagan--to uphold the Obama-era Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The majority called the way that Trump administration tried to end the program "arbitrary and capricious". The ruling was not an affirmative verdict on merits of DACA, instead it's a repudiation of how the rule had been formulated by Trump administration in 2017, violating the Administrative Procedure Act.
********************************* DACA PROGRAM ******************************
Infighting in the White House Takes Reality Show Form
Infighting in the West Wing escalated to a new level since the departure of Sean Spicer as communications director. Spicer's replacement Anthony Scaramucci foul-mouthed against White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus in an interview on July 27, 2017 with The New Yorker.
Trump Dumps Priebus
Donald Trump on July 28, 2017 dropped his Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and hired Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, a four-star general, to run day-to-day operation.
Trump Fires Scaramucci; Brings Kelly as Chief of Staff
The foul-mouthed Anthony Scaramucci did not survive in his Communications Director's role very long as he was shown the door by President Donald Trump on August 31, 2017. Trump appointed Homeland Security Secretary Gen. John Kelly as his Chief of Staff.
Trump Announces that Kelley Leaving the White House
President Donald Trump on December 8, 2018 announced that White House Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly, a steady hand in otherwise turbulent White House, was leaving by the yearend.
Trump Names Mulvaney as Chief of Staff
President Donald Trump on December 14, 2018 named Mick Malvaney as his new Chief of Staff.
***************** REPUBLICAN TAX OVERHAUL PROPOSAL **********************
GOP, President Unveils Tax Overhaul
Plan
Republicans in Congress and President
Donald Trump on September 27, 2017 unveiled a radical tax overhaul proposal
that would overhaul the country's byzantine tax codes for the first time in
more than four decades. The salient features of the proposed measure,
which is still evolving, include:
* Reducing the income tax
brackets from the current seven (low 10% to high 39.6%) to three (12%, 25%
and 35%)
Income Taxed (> $418,400) Current Rates (39.6%) Proposed Rates (35%)
Income Taxed ( $416,700-$418,400) Current Rates (35%) Proposed Rates (35%)
Income Taxed ( $191,650-$416,700) Current Rates (33%) Proposed Rates (35%)
Income Taxed ( $91,900-$191,650) Current Rates (28%) Proposed Rates (25%)
Income Taxed ( $37,950-$91,900) Current Rates (25%) Proposed Rates (25%)
Income Taxed ( $9,325-$37,950) Current Rates (15%) Proposed Rates (12%)
Income Taxed ( $0-$9,325) Current Rates (10%) Proposed Rates (12%)
Income Taxed (> $418,400) Current Rates (39.6%) Proposed Rates (35%)
Income Taxed ( $416,700-$418,400) Current Rates (35%) Proposed Rates (35%)
Income Taxed ( $191,650-$416,700) Current Rates (33%) Proposed Rates (35%)
Income Taxed ( $91,900-$191,650) Current Rates (28%) Proposed Rates (25%)
Income Taxed ( $37,950-$91,900) Current Rates (25%) Proposed Rates (25%)
Income Taxed ( $9,325-$37,950) Current Rates (15%) Proposed Rates (12%)
Income Taxed ( $0-$9,325) Current Rates (10%) Proposed Rates (12%)
* Eliminating the Alternative Minimum
Tax (AMT) that limits tax benefits to high-income earners
* Eliminating Estate Tax
that's currently assessed on estates valued more than $5.5 million
* Reducing
top Corporate Tax rate from the current level of 39% to
1. 20% for corporations
1. 20% for corporations
2. 25% for small
businesses (pass-through businesses) that pass profits to owners
* Eliminating various deductions and loopholes other than
mortgage interest deductions and charitable giving
A centerpiece of the GOP proposal is the almost doubling of standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married households. But, doubling of standard deduction comes at the cost of doing away with the personal exemption that's now pegged at $4,050 an individual. So, under the current tax code, a family of four will have a deduction of 4*$4,050 + $12,700 (Standard Deduction) = $28,900 from the annual income. Under the proposed code, that will be $24,000, a net increase of taxable income of $4,900.
House GOP Unveils Tax Overhaul Plan
House Republicans on November 2, 2017 unveiled Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a 429-page, $1.5-trillion package of tax cuts proposal, that would slash corporate tax rate, lowers personal income tax for millions of Americans and eliminates Estate Tax. The House version unveiled on November 2, 2017 includes:
* Reducing the tax brackets from the current 7 to 4 (Projected Change in Revenue: -$961.2 billion)
I. (NOW) 39.6% (>$480,050) to 39.6% (Proposed)
II. (NOW) 35% ($424,950-$480,050) to 35% (Proposed)
(NOW) 33% ($237,950-$424,950) to 35% (Proposed)
III. (NOW) 28% ($156,150-$237,950) to 25% (Proposed)
(NOW) 25% ($77,400-$156,150) to 25% (Proposed)
IV. (NOW) 15% ($19,050-$77,400) to 12% (Proposed)
(NOW) 10% ($0-$19,050) to 12% (Proposed)
* Corporate Tax Rate: Top rate 20% from the current 35% and 25% for pass-through businesses (-$1,461.5 billion)
*Standard Deduction: Increase to $12,000 from $6,350 for individuals and $24,000 from $12,700 for families (-$921.4 billion)
* Alternative Minimum Tax: Eliminated (Individuals: -$695.5 billion; Corporations: -$40.3 billion)
* Estate Tax: Increases exemption to $11 million from the current level of $5.5 million and, for passing the estate to surviving spouse, increases the exemption to $22 million from $11 million. Eliminates the Estate Tax altogether after six years. (-$172.2 billion)
* State and Local Taxes (SALT) and Property Income Tax Deductions and Other Deductions: Currently allows deductions to be taken from the federal tax amount. Proposed is the elimination of deductions for SALT while capping the deductions for property income tax to $10,000. For other deductions such as medical expenses, tax preparations, personal casualty losses are to be repealed while the deductions for charitable giving are to be limited (+$1,261.3 billion)
* Personal Exemption: Currently allows $4,050 for taxpayer, spouse and each child. Proposed bill will eliminate this. (+$1,562.1 billion)
* Child Tax Credit: Raised from $1,000 to $1,600 and extended to families earning up to $230,000
House Approves Tax Cut Plan
House of Representatives on November 16, 2017 approved the $1.5-trillion massive tax cut package, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, by 227-205 vote.
Senate Approves Its Own Version of Tax Overhaul
U.S. Senate on December 2, 2017 passed the tax overhaul by 51-49 vote, with every Republican other than Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker voting in favor of the bill. Now, both the House and Senate bills need to be reconciled. There are quite a few areas that both bills are significantly different:
* Under the Senate bill, tax cuts expire after 2025 and the individual mandate of the Obamacare is to be repealed
* House bill lowers the tax for pass-through companies to 25 percent while the Senate bill lowers it to 23 percent
* House bill aims at eliminating individual and corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and eventually rescinds the estate tax. Senate bill will retain the corporate AMT, and trim, but not eliminate, individual AMT and estate tax
House Approves the Reconciled Bill along Party Line
House on December 19, 2017 passed the $1.5 trillion tax cut package by a straight party-line vote: 227-203.
Trump Signs the Largest Tax Overhaul in a Generation
Donald Trump on December 22, 2017 signed the $1.5 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) after House and Senate passed the reconciled bill earlier in the week, delivering on his campaign promise. Key features of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017 are as follows:
A centerpiece of the GOP proposal is the almost doubling of standard deduction to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for married households. But, doubling of standard deduction comes at the cost of doing away with the personal exemption that's now pegged at $4,050 an individual. So, under the current tax code, a family of four will have a deduction of 4*$4,050 + $12,700 (Standard Deduction) = $28,900 from the annual income. Under the proposed code, that will be $24,000, a net increase of taxable income of $4,900.
House GOP Unveils Tax Overhaul Plan
House Republicans on November 2, 2017 unveiled Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a 429-page, $1.5-trillion package of tax cuts proposal, that would slash corporate tax rate, lowers personal income tax for millions of Americans and eliminates Estate Tax. The House version unveiled on November 2, 2017 includes:
* Reducing the tax brackets from the current 7 to 4 (Projected Change in Revenue: -$961.2 billion)
I. (NOW) 39.6% (>$480,050) to 39.6% (Proposed)
II. (NOW) 35% ($424,950-$480,050) to 35% (Proposed)
(NOW) 33% ($237,950-$424,950) to 35% (Proposed)
III. (NOW) 28% ($156,150-$237,950) to 25% (Proposed)
(NOW) 25% ($77,400-$156,150) to 25% (Proposed)
IV. (NOW) 15% ($19,050-$77,400) to 12% (Proposed)
(NOW) 10% ($0-$19,050) to 12% (Proposed)
* Corporate Tax Rate: Top rate 20% from the current 35% and 25% for pass-through businesses (-$1,461.5 billion)
*Standard Deduction: Increase to $12,000 from $6,350 for individuals and $24,000 from $12,700 for families (-$921.4 billion)
* Alternative Minimum Tax: Eliminated (Individuals: -$695.5 billion; Corporations: -$40.3 billion)
* Estate Tax: Increases exemption to $11 million from the current level of $5.5 million and, for passing the estate to surviving spouse, increases the exemption to $22 million from $11 million. Eliminates the Estate Tax altogether after six years. (-$172.2 billion)
* State and Local Taxes (SALT) and Property Income Tax Deductions and Other Deductions: Currently allows deductions to be taken from the federal tax amount. Proposed is the elimination of deductions for SALT while capping the deductions for property income tax to $10,000. For other deductions such as medical expenses, tax preparations, personal casualty losses are to be repealed while the deductions for charitable giving are to be limited (+$1,261.3 billion)
* Personal Exemption: Currently allows $4,050 for taxpayer, spouse and each child. Proposed bill will eliminate this. (+$1,562.1 billion)
* Child Tax Credit: Raised from $1,000 to $1,600 and extended to families earning up to $230,000
House Approves Tax Cut Plan
House of Representatives on November 16, 2017 approved the $1.5-trillion massive tax cut package, Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, by 227-205 vote.
Senate Approves Its Own Version of Tax Overhaul
U.S. Senate on December 2, 2017 passed the tax overhaul by 51-49 vote, with every Republican other than Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker voting in favor of the bill. Now, both the House and Senate bills need to be reconciled. There are quite a few areas that both bills are significantly different:
* Under the Senate bill, tax cuts expire after 2025 and the individual mandate of the Obamacare is to be repealed
* House bill lowers the tax for pass-through companies to 25 percent while the Senate bill lowers it to 23 percent
* House bill aims at eliminating individual and corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) and eventually rescinds the estate tax. Senate bill will retain the corporate AMT, and trim, but not eliminate, individual AMT and estate tax
House Approves the Reconciled Bill along Party Line
House on December 19, 2017 passed the $1.5 trillion tax cut package by a straight party-line vote: 227-203.
Trump Signs the Largest Tax Overhaul in a Generation
Donald Trump on December 22, 2017 signed the $1.5 trillion Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) after House and Senate passed the reconciled bill earlier in the week, delivering on his campaign promise. Key features of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017 are as follows:
* New Tax Brackets for Families (Expires in 2025)
1. (Current) Not over $18,650 (10%, or $1,865)
(TCJA) Not over $19,050 (10%, or $1,905)
2. (Current) Over $18,650 but not over $75,900 ($1,865 plus 15% of the excess over $18,650)
(TCJA) Over $19,050 but not over $77,400 ($1,905 plus 12% of the excess over $19,050)
3. (Current) Over $75,900 but not over $153,100 ($10,452.50 plus 25% of the excess over $75,900)
(TCJA) Over $77,4000 but not over $165,000 ($8,907 plus 22% of the excess over $77,400)
4. (Current) Over $153,100 but not over $233,350 ($29,752.50 plus 28% of the excess over $153,100)
(TCJA) Over $165,000 but not over $315,000 ($28,179 plus 24% of the excess over $165,000)
5. (Current) Over $233,350 but not over $416,700 ($52,222.50 plus 33% of the excess over $233,350)
(TCJA) Over $315,000 but not over $400,000 ($64,179 plus 32% of the excess over $315,000)
6. (Current) Over $416,700 but not over $470,700 ($112,728 plus 35% of the excess over $416,700)
(TCJA) Over $400,000 but not over $600,000 ($91,379 plus 35% of the excess over $400,000)
7. (Current) Over $470,700 ($131,628 plus 39.6% of the excess over $470,700)
(TCJA) Over $600,000 ($161,379 plus 37% of the excess over $600,000)
* Corporate Tax Rate: Top rate 21% from the current 35% (-$1,349 billion)
* Pass-Through: 20% deduction on income (-$415 billion)
* Pass-Through: 20% deduction on income (-$415 billion)
*Standard Deduction: Increase to $12,000 from $6,350 for individuals and $24,000 from $12,700 for families (-$720 billion)
* Alternative Minimum Tax: Raise the threshold from $55,400 to $70,300 for individuals and from $86,200 to $109,400 for families and the bump in rate from 28% to 35% for thresholds to be raised from $123,100 to $500,000 for individuals and from $164,100 to $1,000,000 for married couples (-$637 billion)
* Estate Tax: Increases exemption to $11 million from the current level of $5.5 million and, for passing the estate to surviving spouse, increases the exemption to $22 million from $11 million. Eliminates the Estate Tax altogether after six years. (-$172.2 billion)
* State and Local Taxes (SALT) and Property Income Tax Deductions: Combined SALT and property income tax to $10,000.
* Personal Exemption: Currently allows $4,050 for taxpayer, spouse and each child. Proposed bill will eliminate this. (+$1,562.1 billion)
* Child Tax Credit: Raised from $1,000 to $2,000 and extended to families of married couple earning up to $400,000 ($200,000 for individuals) from $110,000 ($75,000 for individuals) (-$573 billion)
Glitch in the Tax Overhaul Bill Costly for Franchises
An overlooked provision is costing several entrepreneurs millions of dollars in lost tax benefits, especially the ones with retail franchises. Under the previous tax code, a business owner could file for tax deduction related to a property renovation and take write-offs over 15 years, recuperating $84 in NPV for every $100 in investment. Under the 2017, $1.5 trillion tax overhaul, the original intent was to take the full write-off at the front end. However, a critical phrase, "any qualified improvement property", failed to get a place in the final version that had been signed by President Donald Trump. As a result of that omission, the write-offs are now spread over 39 years, leading to the benefit of only $42 in NPV for every $100 in investment. There is now pressure on Congress to fix this glitch to the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul act that, by all means, provided a huge corporate largesse to employers by reducing the corporate tax from 35 percent to 21 percent.
Glitch in the Tax Overhaul Bill Costly for Franchises
An overlooked provision is costing several entrepreneurs millions of dollars in lost tax benefits, especially the ones with retail franchises. Under the previous tax code, a business owner could file for tax deduction related to a property renovation and take write-offs over 15 years, recuperating $84 in NPV for every $100 in investment. Under the 2017, $1.5 trillion tax overhaul, the original intent was to take the full write-off at the front end. However, a critical phrase, "any qualified improvement property", failed to get a place in the final version that had been signed by President Donald Trump. As a result of that omission, the write-offs are now spread over 39 years, leading to the benefit of only $42 in NPV for every $100 in investment. There is now pressure on Congress to fix this glitch to the $1.5 trillion tax overhaul act that, by all means, provided a huge corporate largesse to employers by reducing the corporate tax from 35 percent to 21 percent.
Beef with Bannon: Trump Blasts Bannon over "Treasonous" Comments
President Donald Trump on January 3, 2018 blasted his former strategic adviser Steve Bannon as someone who had "lost his mind" for saying, as written by Michael Wolff in his soon-to-be-released book Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House, that meeting Russians by Donald Trump Jr. along with Jared Kushner and Paul Manafort in the summer of 2016 to seek adversarial information about then-Democratic Party presidential nominee Hillary Clinton constituted "treasonous act".
Trump Disbands Probe Panel for Poll Irregularities
President Donald Trump on January 3, 2018 disbanded the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity led by Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a long-time proponent for tightening voting requirements on the ground of unfounded allegation that illegal voting was rampant, after raising eyebrows among Democrat-ruled states and few Republican-ruled states for the panel's demand for states to provide voter information such as full names, date of birth, political party affiliation and the last four digit of Social Security Numbers. Voting rights groups welcomed the dissolution of the panel.
*********************** Trump's Infrastructure Revamp Proposal ********************
Trump Unveils Infrastructure Overhaul Plan
Delivering on one of his campaign promises, President Donald Trump on February 12, 2018 unveiled his 53-page, $1.5-trillion infrastructure overhaul proposal to address country's crumbling infrastructures and create millions of good-paying construction jobs, an undertaking that could only be compared with similar grand-scale project undertaken by Eisenhower's Interstate Highway System project in 1950s. The caveat of the Trump Plan is the scarcity of funding information as the federal government will bear only $200 billion of the tab while the remaining $1.3 trillion is left for states and private sector to foot in. The breakdown of federal government's $200 billion allocation is as follows:
* $100 billion in Infrastructure Incentives Program that would provide grants to state and local projects and can't exceed 20 percent of new revenue of the project
* $40 billion in Rural Infrastructure Program to be disbursed to state governors
* $10 billion in Rural Infrastructure Program to be disbursed as block grants to states
* $20 billion in Transformative Projects Program to be administered by the Department of Commerce on futuristic, innovative projects
* $20 billion in Infrastructure Financing Program to expand on existing federal credit programs to pay for investments and broaden the use of private activity bonds
* $10 billion in Federal Infrastructure Projects to fund purchases of properties and buildings to avoid paying money for leases
*********************** Trump's Infrastructure Revamp Proposal ********************
McMaster Leaving, Bolton to Become New National Security Adviser
In continuous upheaval in the White House, the latest official to leave was National Security Adviser Gen. H.R. McMaster as President Donald Trump said on March 22, 2018 that he was bringing the foreign policy hawk John Bolton as his administration's third National Security Adviser. Gen. McMaster earned president's wrath after he spoke in unwavering terms at an international security conference in Munich on February 17, 2018 against Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. His sharp tone and serous rebuke in an international forum put Russia on a spotlight for meddling in other nations' affairs, especially the electoral ones. Bolton will begin his job on April 9, 2018.
On the same day, President's personal lawyer John Dowd also announced to resign, throwing additional uncertainty over legal dilemma hanging over the White House.
******************************** TEACHER REBELLION **************************
West Virginia Acts as "Educators Spring", Sends Message of Resistance across Red States
It was always an invisible undercurrent, never erupted in any forms of waves. That did not mean or imply that everything was fine. Even in a state as red as West Virginia, compulsion of economy forced the teachers, hitherto unknown for militant display of political power, out of class rooms. West Virginia teachers began their strike on February 23, 2018 to demand for more school funding, pay raise and other benefits. Their sustained movement sent a message of inspiration throughout the nation. What's more important is that parents and school boards by and large stood beside the teachers, and helped put pressure on a stubborn legislature that eventually acquiesced and voted to raise teachers pay by 5 percent. The teachers strike ended on March 8, 2018, and the two-week strike marked a successful chapter of a labor movement that was able to garner support from a broad swath of the society and stayed unified all along.
Oklahoma, Kentucky Teachers Begin Walkouts
The fire of teachers unrest that had erupted in the coal country of West Virginia did spread quickly to other deep Red States with the potential of having perilous effect of bringing the profoundly conservative state governments to their knees. Oklahoma and Kentucky teachers walked out of the classes on April 2, 2018. Last week, Oklahoma legislature approved a bill, giving the state's teachers an average 16 percent, or $6,000, raise, and Governor Mary Fallin signed the measure. However, a successful teachers strike in West Virginia gave teachers in other GOP-dominant states to become bold and empowered, demanding not only their own raises, but additional school funding for the students, underlying the growing breadth and depth of the movement's demand. As a result, Oklahoma teachers were not yet content with state's pay raise mandate that was aimed to be funded by the first new revenue generation--under the plan, Oklahoma would impose production tax on oil and gas and increase the taxes on tobacco products--in almost 28 years.
Massive Teacher Demonstration at Oklahoma Capitol
Thousands of teachers showed up on April 5, 2018 at Oklahoma state Capitol on the fourth day of the state teachers' strike to press for additional funding for education, pay raises for educators and other benefits. Oklahoma Senate and House leaders announced during the day that they would take up measures to address the school funding issue on April 6, 2018, with Senate Floor Leader Greg Treat pronouncing that "Friday [April 6] will be an important day". Now, it's to be seen whether Senator Treat's comment is substantive or just to soothe the tension that has erupted over the state teachers' strike.
Oklahoma Legislature Okays Additional School Funding, Teachers Rebuff the Measure
Oklahoma Senate on April 6, 2018 voted to approve two bills that would infuse an additional $40 million in public education, but, Alicia Priest, the head of state's largest teachers union, Oklahoma Education Association, called it insufficient and not enough to end the teachers strike. Meanwhile, the striking teachers continued to demonstrate at the state Capitol for the fifth-straight day. The twin measures--one to expand tribal gambling and another to tax certain internet sales--now go to Governor Mary Fallin.
Oklahoma Increases Tax for the First Time in Years to End Teachers' Strike
After getting raises and increased school funding, Oklahoma teachers on April 12, 2018 returned to class rooms, bringing to an end to an almost two-week teachers strike.
Kentucky Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto to Increase School Spending
Kentucky House and Senate members on April 13, 2018 joined forces to pass a spending bill that had been vetoed by Governor Matt Bevin, but this time with veto-proof margin. State's public school spending in the two-year budget cycle will infuse more school funding by generating additional revenue of $480 million by raising the cigarette tax by another 50 cents and imposing a 6 percent sales tax on some items such as home and auto repair.
Teacher Protest Hits Colorado
Hundreds of Colorado teachers on April 16, 2018 descended on the state Capitol as lawmakers began debating on measures on raising teachers' pay and pension reform and amid a large school district close to Denver, Englewood Schools District, having remained closed due to most of its educators' participation in demonstration in the Capitol. Colorado ranked 40th in per pupil funding in recent ranking published by the National Center for Education Statistics.
***************** ARIZONA
Arizona Teachers to Observe Strike
Teacher rebellion that began in West Virginia now had spread to Arizona, with stops at all the so-called Red states such as Oklahoma and Kentucky. On April 20, 2018, Arizona teachers voted to walk out of classrooms on April 26, 2018, demanding better pay, restoration of school funding to the pre-2008 level and pause to any tax cut until the per-pupil spending reached national level. The walkout being organized under the auspices of Arizona Educators United is also in protest against Governor Doug Ducey's recent offer to state's teachers for a paltry raise of 20 percent by 2020.
Arizona Teachers Walk out
On April 26, 2018 tens of thousands of teachers participated in a spirited rally in downtown Phoenix, and walked from the Chase Field to the Capitol ground, carrying colorful placards, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Red for Ed", the name which the teachers' movement in the state came to be known with, demanding pay raise, higher school funding and stopping further tax cuts until the per-pupil funding levels were restored to the pre-recession level. Most of the Arizona schools remained closed during the day.
Arizona Teachers End Six-day Walkout with a Major Victory
After an all-night session, Arizona legislature passed a measure and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on May 3, 2018 signed it into law that would gradually raise average salary of state's teachers by 20 percent --the hike would be 9 percent in the Fall followed by 5 percent each in the following two years on the top of 1 percent approved last year--in addition to increased state funding of the public education.
***************** ARIZONA
Colorado Teachers Walk out
Colorado teachers on April 26, 2018 walked out of the class in support of their demand.
North Carolina Teachers Rally at the Capitol
An approximate 19,000-strong crowd of educators on May 16, 2018 flooded the streets of Raleigh to demand better pay, more school funding and resources. This year's wave of teacher unrest that had erupted in West Virginia had touched North Carolina this week as teachers during the day's demonstration wore red shirts and chanted "We care! We vote!', and many of them entered the Legislative Building to pressure the lawmakers to support Democratic Governor Roy Cooper's move to raise teachers pay by putting a pause to tax cuts on corporations and high-income earners. During the day, anticipating the absence of large number of teachers, three-dozen school districts that educate two-third of approximately 1.5 million North Carolinian students closed schools. State's main teachers union, North Carolina Association of Educators, is demanding
* Per-pupil investment to be raised to national level in four years
* Increased investment in school construction
* Multi-year raises of pay for teachers and school support staff
Indiana Teachers Flood Capitol
Thousands of Indiana teachers participated a spirited rally at the Capitol lawn on November 19, 2019 to demand "fund our schools" and "put kids first". About 300 school districts gave the day off. Indianan State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill demanded at the rally that the Indiana legislature infuse additional money from the state's $2 billion in cash reserve. It's not clear how Governor Eric Holcomb and state's GOP-led Legislature will respond, but the rising political activity by teachers unions may turn the table against Republicans in the next year's election as experienced by the defeat of Governor Matt Bevin in solidly red Kentucky.
******************************** TEACHER REBELLION **************************
******************************** TEACHER REBELLION **************************
West Virginia Acts as "Educators Spring", Sends Message of Resistance across Red States
It was always an invisible undercurrent, never erupted in any forms of waves. That did not mean or imply that everything was fine. Even in a state as red as West Virginia, compulsion of economy forced the teachers, hitherto unknown for militant display of political power, out of class rooms. West Virginia teachers began their strike on February 23, 2018 to demand for more school funding, pay raise and other benefits. Their sustained movement sent a message of inspiration throughout the nation. What's more important is that parents and school boards by and large stood beside the teachers, and helped put pressure on a stubborn legislature that eventually acquiesced and voted to raise teachers pay by 5 percent. The teachers strike ended on March 8, 2018, and the two-week strike marked a successful chapter of a labor movement that was able to garner support from a broad swath of the society and stayed unified all along.
Oklahoma, Kentucky Teachers Begin Walkouts
The fire of teachers unrest that had erupted in the coal country of West Virginia did spread quickly to other deep Red States with the potential of having perilous effect of bringing the profoundly conservative state governments to their knees. Oklahoma and Kentucky teachers walked out of the classes on April 2, 2018. Last week, Oklahoma legislature approved a bill, giving the state's teachers an average 16 percent, or $6,000, raise, and Governor Mary Fallin signed the measure. However, a successful teachers strike in West Virginia gave teachers in other GOP-dominant states to become bold and empowered, demanding not only their own raises, but additional school funding for the students, underlying the growing breadth and depth of the movement's demand. As a result, Oklahoma teachers were not yet content with state's pay raise mandate that was aimed to be funded by the first new revenue generation--under the plan, Oklahoma would impose production tax on oil and gas and increase the taxes on tobacco products--in almost 28 years.
Massive Teacher Demonstration at Oklahoma Capitol
Thousands of teachers showed up on April 5, 2018 at Oklahoma state Capitol on the fourth day of the state teachers' strike to press for additional funding for education, pay raises for educators and other benefits. Oklahoma Senate and House leaders announced during the day that they would take up measures to address the school funding issue on April 6, 2018, with Senate Floor Leader Greg Treat pronouncing that "Friday [April 6] will be an important day". Now, it's to be seen whether Senator Treat's comment is substantive or just to soothe the tension that has erupted over the state teachers' strike.
Oklahoma Legislature Okays Additional School Funding, Teachers Rebuff the Measure
Oklahoma Senate on April 6, 2018 voted to approve two bills that would infuse an additional $40 million in public education, but, Alicia Priest, the head of state's largest teachers union, Oklahoma Education Association, called it insufficient and not enough to end the teachers strike. Meanwhile, the striking teachers continued to demonstrate at the state Capitol for the fifth-straight day. The twin measures--one to expand tribal gambling and another to tax certain internet sales--now go to Governor Mary Fallin.
Oklahoma Increases Tax for the First Time in Years to End Teachers' Strike
After getting raises and increased school funding, Oklahoma teachers on April 12, 2018 returned to class rooms, bringing to an end to an almost two-week teachers strike.
Kentucky Lawmakers Override Governor's Veto to Increase School Spending
Kentucky House and Senate members on April 13, 2018 joined forces to pass a spending bill that had been vetoed by Governor Matt Bevin, but this time with veto-proof margin. State's public school spending in the two-year budget cycle will infuse more school funding by generating additional revenue of $480 million by raising the cigarette tax by another 50 cents and imposing a 6 percent sales tax on some items such as home and auto repair.
Teacher Protest Hits Colorado
Hundreds of Colorado teachers on April 16, 2018 descended on the state Capitol as lawmakers began debating on measures on raising teachers' pay and pension reform and amid a large school district close to Denver, Englewood Schools District, having remained closed due to most of its educators' participation in demonstration in the Capitol. Colorado ranked 40th in per pupil funding in recent ranking published by the National Center for Education Statistics.
***************** ARIZONA
Arizona Teachers to Observe Strike
Teacher rebellion that began in West Virginia now had spread to Arizona, with stops at all the so-called Red states such as Oklahoma and Kentucky. On April 20, 2018, Arizona teachers voted to walk out of classrooms on April 26, 2018, demanding better pay, restoration of school funding to the pre-2008 level and pause to any tax cut until the per-pupil spending reached national level. The walkout being organized under the auspices of Arizona Educators United is also in protest against Governor Doug Ducey's recent offer to state's teachers for a paltry raise of 20 percent by 2020.
Arizona Teachers Walk out
On April 26, 2018 tens of thousands of teachers participated in a spirited rally in downtown Phoenix, and walked from the Chase Field to the Capitol ground, carrying colorful placards, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Red for Ed", the name which the teachers' movement in the state came to be known with, demanding pay raise, higher school funding and stopping further tax cuts until the per-pupil funding levels were restored to the pre-recession level. Most of the Arizona schools remained closed during the day.
Arizona Teachers End Six-day Walkout with a Major Victory
After an all-night session, Arizona legislature passed a measure and Arizona Governor Doug Ducey on May 3, 2018 signed it into law that would gradually raise average salary of state's teachers by 20 percent --the hike would be 9 percent in the Fall followed by 5 percent each in the following two years on the top of 1 percent approved last year--in addition to increased state funding of the public education.
***************** ARIZONA
Colorado Teachers Walk out
Colorado teachers on April 26, 2018 walked out of the class in support of their demand.
North Carolina Teachers Rally at the Capitol
An approximate 19,000-strong crowd of educators on May 16, 2018 flooded the streets of Raleigh to demand better pay, more school funding and resources. This year's wave of teacher unrest that had erupted in West Virginia had touched North Carolina this week as teachers during the day's demonstration wore red shirts and chanted "We care! We vote!', and many of them entered the Legislative Building to pressure the lawmakers to support Democratic Governor Roy Cooper's move to raise teachers pay by putting a pause to tax cuts on corporations and high-income earners. During the day, anticipating the absence of large number of teachers, three-dozen school districts that educate two-third of approximately 1.5 million North Carolinian students closed schools. State's main teachers union, North Carolina Association of Educators, is demanding
* Per-pupil investment to be raised to national level in four years
* Increased investment in school construction
* Multi-year raises of pay for teachers and school support staff
Indiana Teachers Flood Capitol
Thousands of Indiana teachers participated a spirited rally at the Capitol lawn on November 19, 2019 to demand "fund our schools" and "put kids first". About 300 school districts gave the day off. Indianan State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill demanded at the rally that the Indiana legislature infuse additional money from the state's $2 billion in cash reserve. It's not clear how Governor Eric Holcomb and state's GOP-led Legislature will respond, but the rising political activity by teachers unions may turn the table against Republicans in the next year's election as experienced by the defeat of Governor Matt Bevin in solidly red Kentucky.
******************************** TEACHER REBELLION **************************
In an obvious act of political revenge, President Donald Trump on August 15, 2018 revoked the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan, who was unsparing in his criticism of president, especially after president had sided--over his own intel agencies--with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the news conference in the aftermath of Helsinki Summit, and threatened to take similar action against other former security officials. In a press statement, President Trump justified his action, citing Brennan's "erratic conduct and behavior". The president's statement was dated in late July, but the announcement was made August 15, 2018. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said during the day that Trump was also considering to revoke the security clearances of other former intelligence officials such as former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former National Security Adviser Michael Hayden, former Deputy Attorney-General Sally Yates, former National Security Adviser Susan Rice, DOJ official Bruce Ohr, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former FBI Agent Peter Strzok and former FBI attorney Lisa Page.
Former Security Experts Blast Trump for Revoking Brennan's Security Clearance
12 former senior intelligence leaders from both Republican and Democratic administrations on August 16, 2018 issued a joint letter, blasting president's decision a day earlier to revoke former CIA chief John Brennan's security clearance as criticism began to flow in against president's action from former officials as well as politicians and lawmakers from both political parties. The letter called Trump's act "an attempt to stifle free speech". Meanwhile, Brennan himself, in an Op-Ed in The New York Times on August 16, 2018, asserted that denying him the access to classified information was part of president's desperate effort to shut down the Mueller investigation. Meanwhile, an iconic figure of the U.S. intelligence community, Admiral William McRaven, chief architect of the Operation Neptune that had taken out Osama bin Laden in 2011, assailed Trump's action on August 16, 2018 in an article in The Washington Post. McRaven described Brennan "a man of unparalleled integrity" and condemned Trump's "McCarthy-era tactics" to "suppress the voice of criticism".
***********************
ANONYMOUS WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL BLASTS TRUMP *******************
Anonymous White House Insider Denounces Trump in an Op-Ed
In an earth-shattering and unprecedented action, a White House anonymous insider penned on September 5, 2018 in an opinion piece of The New York Times that there was implicit resistance within the White House to fight against the agenda of the president to protect and uphold the constitution. Reacting to the op-ed piece, President Donald Trump tweeted that the act of "GUTLESS" individual was tantamount to "TREASON".
In an earth-shattering and unprecedented action, a White House anonymous insider penned on September 5, 2018 in an opinion piece of The New York Times that there was implicit resistance within the White House to fight against the agenda of the president to protect and uphold the constitution. Reacting to the op-ed piece, President Donald Trump tweeted that the act of "GUTLESS" individual was tantamount to "TREASON".
Former
DHS Official Acknowledges Himself as the “Anonymous”
One
and half years after he penned an Op-Ed in The New York Times, writing
that “Many Trump appointees have vowed to do what we can to preserve our
democratic institutions while thwarting Mr. Trump’s more misguided impulses
until he is out of office”, Former DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielson’s
chief of staff, Miles Taylor, on October 28, 2020 revealed
himself as the “anonymous” administration official. Miles Taylor later doubled
down on President Trump’s volatile and incompetent behaviors, and in November
2019, published anonymously a book, A Warning. Miles Taylor left
the Trump administration in June 2020 and joined CNN as a special
contributor. Miles Taylor also endorsed Former Vice President Joe
Biden for president. White House didn’t take the revelation kindly. White
House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnnany called Taylor as a “low-level,
disgruntled former staffer”. White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows
called him a total “embarrassment".
*********************** ANONYMOUS WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL BLASTS TRUMP *******************
Haley to Step Down
In another White House turnover, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley announced on October 9, 2018 at the White House in presence of President Donald Trump that she would step down at the end of year. Trump praised Haley lavishly, and Haley complemented Trump and told the correspondents that she would not run in 2020.
****************************** MIGRANT CARAVAN ******************************
Migrant Caravan Launches from North Honduras
A caravan of 2,000 migrants began its northward trek on October 12, 2018 from the northern Honduran hamlet of San Pedro Sula. The caravan crossed Guatemala's southern border on October 15, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump on October 15, 2018 tweeted, issuing threat to Honduras and Guatemala to stop the caravan. Else, he would withhold funds for two Central American nations.
Migrant Caravan Reported to be Thinning
Almost two weeks after beginning its journey from northern Honduran town of San Pedro Sula, it increased in size to almost 7,000-strong as it meandered its way through Guatemala and crossed the Suchiate River into Mexico. Despite blockade put by Mexican security forces on the bridge over the Suchiate River, thousands of migrants waded through shallow waters of the rivers and some took to boats to enter Mexico. Mexican authorities did not block the migrants who bypassed the bridge and crossed the river by foot or by boat. The caravan then re-assembled and made its northward trek. When the caravan crossed into Mexican border, it was about 7,000-strong crowd. In the days since, the caravan was reported October 25, 2018 to have reached the southern city of Mapastepec, 90 miles north of the border, and the crowd in the caravan dwindled by two-third to 3,000 as many in the caravan had decided that it's not worth the journey and hassle to go further north as President Donald Trump announced sending an additional 800 troops to the border and Mexico had also offered asylum.
Trump Mulling to Close the Border, Sends 800 Troops
Trump administration on October 25, 2018 announced plan to send 800 troops to augment southern border defense in the wake of an approaching Central American caravan, which was still 900 miles away. The troop deployment is in addition to 2,000 troops or National Guards personnel deployed in the southern border in April 2018. During the day, The Washington Post reported that Trump was also mulling the same Immigration and Nationality Act rule--Section 212(f)--used to order travel ban mostly from Muslim nations to close the southern border on the grounds of "national interest of the United States".
Mexico Blocks a Bridge to the Town of Arriaga, but Later Relents
Mexico's federal police on October 27, 2018 briefly blocked a bridge that's an entryway to the town of Arriaga. About 4,000 people are now part of the caravan, and they have been stuck just outside the town for hours. After the intervention of Mexico's National Human Rights Commission, who told the federal police that the situation would deteriorate in absence of access to drinking water and toilets in the place where they were stuck, the blockade was lifted and caravan was allowed to proceed. There were few takers in the caravan to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's "You are home" program that would provide people shelters either in Oaxaca or Chiapas state.
Trump's Mulling of Executive Order to Deny Birthright Citizenship Draws Rebuke, Derision
As the migrant caravan continued its northward journey in Mexico, reports emerged of several possible actions that President Trump was considering, including issuing an Executive Order to deny automatic birthright citizenship. This immediately drew rebuke from constitutional scholars, legal minds and politicians, including many Republicans. To them, to orchestrate any change to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, Congressional action or a constitutional amendment is needed.
A Little History of U.S. Constitution and Following Amendments
* Since the U.S. Constitution had been ratified in 1788, phrase from Preamble has defined the goals of each amendment, beginning with the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) ratified in 1791 that guarantees basic rights such as freedom of speech, assembly and religion.
* Next came the 13th Amendment that had abolished slavery, and it was ratified on December 6, 1865, seven months after the last battle of Civil War and eight months after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
* 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9, 1868 to accord citizenship to sons and daughters of slaves and emigres to the U.S. in line of Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Speech celebrating the "new birth of freedom". Intended to prohibit the creation of a permanent class of resident aliens with no devotion to the U.S. or rights of citizenship, the amendment reads: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside".
So, instead of seeing those who seek to join the new nation as invaders, the 45th U.S. President is best advised to remember what the First U.S. President George Washington wrote in 1783: "The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and the persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment".
******* Asylum Restrictions
Trump Issues Proclamation Restricting Asylum; Part of the Caravan Arrives at the Mexico City
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on November 9, 2018 barring asylum to anyone who would cross southern borders without a designated port of entry. By issuing the proclamation, Trump used the same rule of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(f), that had been used to impose "travel ban" from mostly Muslim majority nations in the early month of his administration. The proclamation is sure to attract lawsuits in the coming days amid thousands at the front end of the migrant caravan having arrived at a soccer stadium in Mexico City. The migrants began to pour in the stadium earlier this week, and Mexico City authority provided hot meals, medical services and blankets to the migrants. Also, during the day, many of the migrants began their journey to Tijuana.
Rights Groups File Lawsuit within Hours of Trump's Asylum Proclamation
Hours after President Donald Trump issued an expansive proclamation banning asylum for the migrants who would not cross through official ports of entry, American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center and other immigrant advocacy groups on November 9, 2018 filed a lawsuit, accusing Trump administration of violating Immigration and Nationality Act and Administrative Procedure Act. ACLU Attorney Lee Gelernt justified the lawsuit on the ground that the asylum ban was "patently unlawful".
Judge Puts a Hold on Trump's Asylum Restriction Order
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge John Tigar of Los Angeles, on November 19, 2018 blocked a November 9, 2018, presidential proclamation that had limited the asylum seekers to making their cases only at the official ports of entry, not for the ones who crossed the borders illegally. The judge was very candid as he ruled that "whatever the scope of the president's authority, he may not rewrite the immigration laws to impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden". Judge Tigar's ruling dealt a setback, though a temporary one, to Trump administration's effort to block a caravan of Central Americans to cross the southern borders and apply for asylum. Within days of November 9, 2018, presidential proclamation, Trump administration had published rules in the federal registrar and immediately began to implement the rules without customary waiting period.
Roberts-Trump Sparring
Chief Justice Slams Trump
After a federal judge's November 19, 2018, ruling against Trump administration's asylum restriction proclamation, President Donald Trump erupted in twitter on November 20, 2018, calling the U.S. District Judge John Tigar "an Obama judge" and adding that "everybody that wants to sue the United States" filed their cases in the "9th Circuit".
In a rare rebuke, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts disputed President Trump on November 21, 2018, saying that "we do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges". His statement continued: "What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them". Later in the day, Trump responded to the statement issued by Roberts with his own tweet: "Sorry Chief Justice John Roberts, but you do indeed have 'Obama judges'".
Supreme Court Denies Request to Immediately Implement Asylum Restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court on December 21, 2018 rejected a plea by Trump administration to immediately begin implementing November 9, 2018, presidential proclamation to deny asylum process to anyone who would not cross the borders at designated places, thus putting in place an order by a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that earlier in the month upheld a lower court order. Four justices who had sided with the government are Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
******* Asylum Restrictions
Migrant Caravan's Front End Reaches Tijuana
After making stop at a Mexico City's stadium for days, where local authorities had provided medical check-up, hot meals, blankets and toiletries, part of the caravan headed towards northwest to Tijuana. The first two weeks of November 2018, thousands of migrants made stops at Mexico City. One group, although much less in numbers, headed towards the Texas borders along a treacherous route, which is short, but full of perils such as marauding gangs and drug traffickers. The majority of people were headed to Tijuana, across San Diego. Many of the people in buses began arriving at Tijuana in the week of November 12, 2018.
Tension Rises in Tijuana; DHS Secretary Visits San Diego
As the migrant caravan has begun to bring more and more people to Tijuana and Mexicali along the California border, Tijuana residents are having a second thought about thousands of newly arrived migrants in their midst. Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum expressed his displeasure on November 20, 2018, saying that he didn't feel comfortable with thousands of Central Americans in his city and contrasted them with about 3,000 Haitians who had tried unsuccessfully to seek asylum in the USA last year, but settled down and had been working in the city since then. Referring to the Haitian migrants who arrived at Tijuana last year, said on the city's Facebook page that they had come "with a clear vision" and with their papers" and they didn't ask for any handout. On November 20, 2018, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen visited the sea beach at San Diego just across the barbed site on the Tijuana side where thousands of Central American migrants had been staying in tents since arriving at the city in recent days. As Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was visiting the coastal beach, migrants were seen on the other side of barbed fence of snapping pictures of Nielson. Nielson said on November 20, 2018 that at least 6,200 migrants were camped in Tijuana and 3,000 in Mexicali.
U.S. Border Patrol Agents Fight against Migrants, Lob Tear Gas into Mexico
As hundreds of migrants on November 25, 2018 tried to forcefully enter the U.S., Border Patrol forces repelled them by lobbing tear gas shells and closed the busy border crossing of San Ysidro, a crossing used by 100,000 people everyday. Video footage showed women and children running in a chaotic condition. The day's high-drama act began as migrants got frustrated after days of slow processing of asylum claims by U.S. authorities that many blamed as a slowing tactic. As Border Patrol agents fired tear gas into Mexico, migrants on the Mexican side were shoved by Mexican riot police from getting past the El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana. The November 25, 2018, chaos in the San Ysidro-El Chaparral border corridor underlined the unmanageable conditions stemming from about 7,400 migrants in the caravan that had arrived in recent weeks at Mexicali and Tijuana.
Unsanitary Conditions Persist in Tijuana Sports Complex
Aide workers and local officials on November 29, 2018 expressed deep concerns over health, sanitary and environmental conditions at a sports complex in Tijuana where an approximately 6,200 migrants had been staying since the first batch of migrants had arrived at this city on November 12, 2018. The sports complex can only accommodate only half of the people. Rain has made the life of migrants already miserable, with muds and foul smell all over the place.
Tijuana Shuts down Migrant Shelter at Sports Complex due to "Unsanitary Conditions"
City officials on December 1, 2018 shut down a sports complex that had hosted about 6,200 Central American migrants after its sanitary conditions had deteriorated significantly in recent days. The migrants are being taken into a bigger, former concert venue further interior in the city away from the border.
Trump Administration's New Asylum Rules: Stay in Mexico
Trump administration on December 20, 2018 announced a seismic rule changes to how asylum seekers were to be treated. Under the new rule, asylum seekers, after filing for asylum, will have to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed. The rule change came a day after Trump administration announced a $10.6 billion aid package for Central American countries and southern Mexico so that people didn't move northward to seek asylum. Mexican administration under the new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador agreed to allow the migrants--most of them from Central American nations of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador--to stay temporarily in Mexico and receive temporary work authorization. Migrant rights advocates worry, though, that asylum seekers, forced to stay in Mexico as their cases are being processed by the U.S. authorities, will be at harm's way as part of the northern Mexico is littered with unprecedented violence and drug killings.
A Second Child Dies under CBP Custody
A second Guatemalan child, 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo, detained by Customs and Border Patrol, died early December 25, 2018. The Guatemalan boy was first taken to a hospital in Alamogordo on December 24, 2018 after the Guatemalan boy and his father had been detained in El Paso, but because of paucity in holding cells taken to Alamogordo. The boy was later released by the hospital, but began vomiting and had to be re-admitted to hospital where he was pronounced dead early Christmas Day. Felipe's death came 17 days after 7-year-old Guatemalan girl Jakelin Caal, who along with her father had been detained by the CBP in New Mexico, had died of dehydration and shock on December 8, 2018.
Military Deployment to Southern Borders Extended
Pentagon on January 14, 2019 extended the mission to assist the DHS in the country's southern borders until the end of this fiscal year (September 30, 2019). President Donald Trump days before November 2018 midterm election announced what his critics at that time said as a pandering to his base deployment of active duty forces to the southern borders. The deployment began on October 30, 2018, with the initial mission through December 15, 2018. However, the mission was subsequently extended to January 31, 2019 before a DHS letter was sent to Pentagon seeking additional extension. The January 14, 2019, Pentagon directive was meant to respond the DHS letter. At present, there are about 2,300 active-duty troops in the southern borders, down from 5,900.
Pentagon Pegs Price Tag for Troops Deployment
Pentagon on January 29, 2019 pegged price tag at $132 million for active-duty troops and $100 million for National Guards personnel deployment.
Pentagon to Send 3,750 More Troops to Southern Border
Pentagon on February 3, 2019 said that it would send an additional 3,750 active-duty troops to southern borders to help with erecting concertina wire. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's February 3, 2019, declaration extends the troops deployment to southern borders through the end of this fiscal year.
***************************** MIGRANT CARAVAN ******************************
*********************** PIPE BOMBS TARGETING DEMOCRATS *******************
Pipe bombs Sent in Mail to Obama, Clinton, Other Democrats
At least seven pipe bombs were mailed to various Democrats, including President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, between October 22, 2018 and October 24, 2018 that had created a mix of fear, finger-pointing and frustration in the run-up to a very competitive November 6, 2018, midterm election. First, a package carrying a pipe bomb arrived at the New York home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros on October 22, 2018. Then six more pipe bombs were intercepted on October 24, 2018. One each was destined to Obama and Clinton, while two were intercepted before they reached the California address of Rep. Maxine Waters. A misaddressed package meant for Eric Holder was intercepted as it was being returned to Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Also on October 24, 2018, a package addressed to the former CIA Director John Brennan led to a massive evacuation of Time Warner headquarters in Manhattan. Brennan contributes as a CNN special guest on security matters. Reacting to a series of pipe bombs sent to Democratic leaders, President Donald Trump said on October 24, 2018 that "acts or threats of political violence have no place in the United States", a statement immediately repudiated by Democrats as the president's comments now rang "hollow" as he was the one who had been making provoking and hate-filled comments for the better parts of his presidency and even before that. FBI is investigating into the pipe bombs threat amidst a sense of scare in the run-up to the polls.
Attention Turns to Florida
On October 25, 2018, three more pipe bombs were found, two addressed to the former Vice President Joe Biden's Delaware home and one to actor Robert de Niro's Lower Manhattan address. One common thread that might be useful to FBI was that all ten packages sent to George Soros, Obamas, Clintons, Eric Holders, Maxine Waters, John Brennan, Joe Biden and Robert de Niro between October 22 and October 25, 2018 bore the same return address of Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schulz. As a result, the investigators' attention is now turned on Florida.
Pipe Bomb Suspect Caught
A 56-year-old man from Aventura, Florida was caught on October 26, 2018 after a break emerged in the case where DNA sample from the package sent to Obama and fingerprints from one of the two packages sent to Rep. Maxine Waters were matched that of a Floridian, Cesar Sayoc, a hardcore Trump supporter. Sayoc converted his car, where he had lived out of, into a bomb-making mini-factory.
Suspect Maintains a List of 100 Targets
The New York Times reported on October 29, 2018 that Cesar Sayoc maintained a list of about 100 Donald Trump critics, including one editor of The New York Times. Sayoc appeared at a Miami court on October 29, 2018 amid reports that another package had been sent to CNN headquarters in Atlanta. CNN President Jeff Zucker said that no one was harmed as the package had been intercepted in the post office. Cesar Sayoc will be extradited and tried in New York.
Sayoc Pleads Guilty
Cesar Sayoc on March 21, 2019 pleaded guilty to the charges slapped against him related to the pipe bombs sent to CNN and other Democratic Party leaders before 2018 midterm election. He will be sentenced by September 12, 2019.
Sayoc given 20 Years
U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff on August 5, 2019 handed down 20-year imprisonment to Cesar Sayoc. Prosecutors asked for life behind the bar.
*********************** PIPE BOMBS TARGETING DEMOCRATS *******************
CNN Chief White House Correspondent's Credential Revoked
In an unprecedented move that would make people shake their heads in shame, White House on November 7, 2018 suspended the credential of CNN reporter Jim Acosta after verbal duel with President Donald Trump over president's likening of Central American caravan to an "invasion" and demonizing of migrants.
White House Stands by Its Doctored Video
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on November 8, 2018 stood by White House version of what had happened during President Donald Trump's press conference that led to indefinite suspension of CNN reporter Jim Acosta's White House credentials. A night before, White House issued a statement, stressing that it would "never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern". However, most of the correspondents present during the press conference said that when a young White House intern tried to snatch Acosta's microphone, the CNN reporter just resisted. Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason contradicted White House version in a tweet.
Whistleblower Lashes out Security Clearances
A White House whistleblower, Tricia Newbold, an 18-year veteran, told the House Oversight and Reform Committee staff that she and many of her colleagues had denied dozens of security clearances to many Trump administration officials. However, their denials had been subsequently overturned and the Trump aides were accorded clearances. Tricia Newbold, appearing before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on March 23, 2019 told the staff that now the number of such clearances topped 25, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump aide Rob Porter. Newbold took her concerns to supervisor and many of the civilian officials at the supervisory roles such as Director of Personnel Security Carl Kline, Chief Operations Officer Samuel Price and Chief Security Officer Crede Bailey, but to no avail. The committee chairman Elijah Cummings on April 1, 2019 made public a memo chronicling Tricia Newbold's complaints over the process of security clearances at the White House.
President Sues His Own Accounting Firm to Block Release His Financial Dealings
President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on April 22, 2019 against Mazars USA, Trump's own accounting firm, and the chairman of House Oversight Committee, Elijah Cummings, in a D.C. federal court to block release of his past financial deals and papers.
OSC Asks Trump to Fire Conway
Office of Special Counsel led by Henry Kerner on June 13, 2019 issued a searing, 17-page report against Kellyanne Conway, asking President Donald Trump to fire her for allegedly breaking the so called Hatch Act by using her government-held position to launch repeated attacks against 2020 Democratic candidates. Hatch Act prohibits using government position to do political work. Conway appeared several times to talk to reporters in her official capacity, but continued her criticism against leading Democratic candidates, a clear violation of Hatch Act. It's highly unlikely that Trump will oblige OSC.
Trump's Quarrel with "Squad"
The four Liberal Democratic freshman representatives are collectively called as "Squad". Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts are vocal members championing the Liberal causes, rankling Conservatives and sometimes making House Speaker Nancy Pelosi grumbling. Now, President Donald Trump jumped into the fray on July 14, 2019 with his insulting tweet. He wrote in a tweet message on July 14, 2019 that these four freshman lawmakers should go back to their original countries and try to improve the conditions there before lecturing the Americans. The racist tweet was full of misinformation as other than Omar, all three had been born in the USA and Omar had left her native Somalia as a child and lived at a refugee camp in Kenya before migrating to the USA and becoming the citizen of the US. President Trump's July 14, 2019, "go back" to their countries tweet drew immediate condemnation from Democrats and few Republicans. On July 16, 2019, House of Representatives passed a resolution by 240-187 vote to condemn President Donald Trump's attack on the four lawmakers.
Trump Fires Mulvaney, Brings in Meadow as His Fourth Chief of Staff
President Donald Trump on March 5, 2020 sent Mick Mulvaney packing as he named him the special envoy for North Ireland. Trump named Mark Meadow as the new Chief of Staff.
Haley to Step Down
In another White House turnover, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley announced on October 9, 2018 at the White House in presence of President Donald Trump that she would step down at the end of year. Trump praised Haley lavishly, and Haley complemented Trump and told the correspondents that she would not run in 2020.
****************************** MIGRANT CARAVAN ******************************
Migrant Caravan Launches from North Honduras
A caravan of 2,000 migrants began its northward trek on October 12, 2018 from the northern Honduran hamlet of San Pedro Sula. The caravan crossed Guatemala's southern border on October 15, 2018. U.S. President Donald Trump on October 15, 2018 tweeted, issuing threat to Honduras and Guatemala to stop the caravan. Else, he would withhold funds for two Central American nations.
Migrant Caravan Reported to be Thinning
Almost two weeks after beginning its journey from northern Honduran town of San Pedro Sula, it increased in size to almost 7,000-strong as it meandered its way through Guatemala and crossed the Suchiate River into Mexico. Despite blockade put by Mexican security forces on the bridge over the Suchiate River, thousands of migrants waded through shallow waters of the rivers and some took to boats to enter Mexico. Mexican authorities did not block the migrants who bypassed the bridge and crossed the river by foot or by boat. The caravan then re-assembled and made its northward trek. When the caravan crossed into Mexican border, it was about 7,000-strong crowd. In the days since, the caravan was reported October 25, 2018 to have reached the southern city of Mapastepec, 90 miles north of the border, and the crowd in the caravan dwindled by two-third to 3,000 as many in the caravan had decided that it's not worth the journey and hassle to go further north as President Donald Trump announced sending an additional 800 troops to the border and Mexico had also offered asylum.
Trump Mulling to Close the Border, Sends 800 Troops
Trump administration on October 25, 2018 announced plan to send 800 troops to augment southern border defense in the wake of an approaching Central American caravan, which was still 900 miles away. The troop deployment is in addition to 2,000 troops or National Guards personnel deployed in the southern border in April 2018. During the day, The Washington Post reported that Trump was also mulling the same Immigration and Nationality Act rule--Section 212(f)--used to order travel ban mostly from Muslim nations to close the southern border on the grounds of "national interest of the United States".
Mexico Blocks a Bridge to the Town of Arriaga, but Later Relents
Mexico's federal police on October 27, 2018 briefly blocked a bridge that's an entryway to the town of Arriaga. About 4,000 people are now part of the caravan, and they have been stuck just outside the town for hours. After the intervention of Mexico's National Human Rights Commission, who told the federal police that the situation would deteriorate in absence of access to drinking water and toilets in the place where they were stuck, the blockade was lifted and caravan was allowed to proceed. There were few takers in the caravan to Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto's "You are home" program that would provide people shelters either in Oaxaca or Chiapas state.
Trump's Mulling of Executive Order to Deny Birthright Citizenship Draws Rebuke, Derision
As the migrant caravan continued its northward journey in Mexico, reports emerged of several possible actions that President Trump was considering, including issuing an Executive Order to deny automatic birthright citizenship. This immediately drew rebuke from constitutional scholars, legal minds and politicians, including many Republicans. To them, to orchestrate any change to the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, Congressional action or a constitutional amendment is needed.
A Little History of U.S. Constitution and Following Amendments
* Since the U.S. Constitution had been ratified in 1788, phrase from Preamble has defined the goals of each amendment, beginning with the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) ratified in 1791 that guarantees basic rights such as freedom of speech, assembly and religion.
* Next came the 13th Amendment that had abolished slavery, and it was ratified on December 6, 1865, seven months after the last battle of Civil War and eight months after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
* 14th Amendment was adopted on July 9, 1868 to accord citizenship to sons and daughters of slaves and emigres to the U.S. in line of Lincoln's famous Gettysburg Speech celebrating the "new birth of freedom". Intended to prohibit the creation of a permanent class of resident aliens with no devotion to the U.S. or rights of citizenship, the amendment reads: "All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside".
So, instead of seeing those who seek to join the new nation as invaders, the 45th U.S. President is best advised to remember what the First U.S. President George Washington wrote in 1783: "The bosom of America is open to receive not only the Opulent and respectable Stranger, but the oppressed and the persecuted of all Nations And Religions; whom we shall welcome to a participation of all our rights and privileges, if by decency and propriety of conduct they appear to merit the enjoyment".
******* Asylum Restrictions
Trump Issues Proclamation Restricting Asylum; Part of the Caravan Arrives at the Mexico City
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a proclamation on November 9, 2018 barring asylum to anyone who would cross southern borders without a designated port of entry. By issuing the proclamation, Trump used the same rule of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(f), that had been used to impose "travel ban" from mostly Muslim majority nations in the early month of his administration. The proclamation is sure to attract lawsuits in the coming days amid thousands at the front end of the migrant caravan having arrived at a soccer stadium in Mexico City. The migrants began to pour in the stadium earlier this week, and Mexico City authority provided hot meals, medical services and blankets to the migrants. Also, during the day, many of the migrants began their journey to Tijuana.
Rights Groups File Lawsuit within Hours of Trump's Asylum Proclamation
Hours after President Donald Trump issued an expansive proclamation banning asylum for the migrants who would not cross through official ports of entry, American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center and other immigrant advocacy groups on November 9, 2018 filed a lawsuit, accusing Trump administration of violating Immigration and Nationality Act and Administrative Procedure Act. ACLU Attorney Lee Gelernt justified the lawsuit on the ground that the asylum ban was "patently unlawful".
Judge Puts a Hold on Trump's Asylum Restriction Order
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge John Tigar of Los Angeles, on November 19, 2018 blocked a November 9, 2018, presidential proclamation that had limited the asylum seekers to making their cases only at the official ports of entry, not for the ones who crossed the borders illegally. The judge was very candid as he ruled that "whatever the scope of the president's authority, he may not rewrite the immigration laws to impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden". Judge Tigar's ruling dealt a setback, though a temporary one, to Trump administration's effort to block a caravan of Central Americans to cross the southern borders and apply for asylum. Within days of November 9, 2018, presidential proclamation, Trump administration had published rules in the federal registrar and immediately began to implement the rules without customary waiting period.
Roberts-Trump Sparring
Chief Justice Slams Trump
After a federal judge's November 19, 2018, ruling against Trump administration's asylum restriction proclamation, President Donald Trump erupted in twitter on November 20, 2018, calling the U.S. District Judge John Tigar "an Obama judge" and adding that "everybody that wants to sue the United States" filed their cases in the "9th Circuit".
In a rare rebuke, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts disputed President Trump on November 21, 2018, saying that "we do not have Obama judges or Trump judges, Bush judges or Clinton judges". His statement continued: "What we have is an extraordinary group of dedicated judges doing their level best to do equal right to those appearing before them". Later in the day, Trump responded to the statement issued by Roberts with his own tweet: "Sorry Chief Justice John Roberts, but you do indeed have 'Obama judges'".
Supreme Court Denies Request to Immediately Implement Asylum Restrictions
The U.S. Supreme Court on December 21, 2018 rejected a plea by Trump administration to immediately begin implementing November 9, 2018, presidential proclamation to deny asylum process to anyone who would not cross the borders at designated places, thus putting in place an order by a three-judge panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that earlier in the month upheld a lower court order. Four justices who had sided with the government are Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
******* Asylum Restrictions
Migrant Caravan's Front End Reaches Tijuana
After making stop at a Mexico City's stadium for days, where local authorities had provided medical check-up, hot meals, blankets and toiletries, part of the caravan headed towards northwest to Tijuana. The first two weeks of November 2018, thousands of migrants made stops at Mexico City. One group, although much less in numbers, headed towards the Texas borders along a treacherous route, which is short, but full of perils such as marauding gangs and drug traffickers. The majority of people were headed to Tijuana, across San Diego. Many of the people in buses began arriving at Tijuana in the week of November 12, 2018.
Tension Rises in Tijuana; DHS Secretary Visits San Diego
As the migrant caravan has begun to bring more and more people to Tijuana and Mexicali along the California border, Tijuana residents are having a second thought about thousands of newly arrived migrants in their midst. Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum expressed his displeasure on November 20, 2018, saying that he didn't feel comfortable with thousands of Central Americans in his city and contrasted them with about 3,000 Haitians who had tried unsuccessfully to seek asylum in the USA last year, but settled down and had been working in the city since then. Referring to the Haitian migrants who arrived at Tijuana last year, said on the city's Facebook page that they had come "with a clear vision" and with their papers" and they didn't ask for any handout. On November 20, 2018, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen visited the sea beach at San Diego just across the barbed site on the Tijuana side where thousands of Central American migrants had been staying in tents since arriving at the city in recent days. As Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was visiting the coastal beach, migrants were seen on the other side of barbed fence of snapping pictures of Nielson. Nielson said on November 20, 2018 that at least 6,200 migrants were camped in Tijuana and 3,000 in Mexicali.
U.S. Border Patrol Agents Fight against Migrants, Lob Tear Gas into Mexico
As hundreds of migrants on November 25, 2018 tried to forcefully enter the U.S., Border Patrol forces repelled them by lobbing tear gas shells and closed the busy border crossing of San Ysidro, a crossing used by 100,000 people everyday. Video footage showed women and children running in a chaotic condition. The day's high-drama act began as migrants got frustrated after days of slow processing of asylum claims by U.S. authorities that many blamed as a slowing tactic. As Border Patrol agents fired tear gas into Mexico, migrants on the Mexican side were shoved by Mexican riot police from getting past the El Chaparral border crossing in Tijuana. The November 25, 2018, chaos in the San Ysidro-El Chaparral border corridor underlined the unmanageable conditions stemming from about 7,400 migrants in the caravan that had arrived in recent weeks at Mexicali and Tijuana.
Unsanitary Conditions Persist in Tijuana Sports Complex
Aide workers and local officials on November 29, 2018 expressed deep concerns over health, sanitary and environmental conditions at a sports complex in Tijuana where an approximately 6,200 migrants had been staying since the first batch of migrants had arrived at this city on November 12, 2018. The sports complex can only accommodate only half of the people. Rain has made the life of migrants already miserable, with muds and foul smell all over the place.
Tijuana Shuts down Migrant Shelter at Sports Complex due to "Unsanitary Conditions"
City officials on December 1, 2018 shut down a sports complex that had hosted about 6,200 Central American migrants after its sanitary conditions had deteriorated significantly in recent days. The migrants are being taken into a bigger, former concert venue further interior in the city away from the border.
Trump Administration's New Asylum Rules: Stay in Mexico
Trump administration on December 20, 2018 announced a seismic rule changes to how asylum seekers were to be treated. Under the new rule, asylum seekers, after filing for asylum, will have to stay in Mexico while their cases are processed. The rule change came a day after Trump administration announced a $10.6 billion aid package for Central American countries and southern Mexico so that people didn't move northward to seek asylum. Mexican administration under the new President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador agreed to allow the migrants--most of them from Central American nations of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador--to stay temporarily in Mexico and receive temporary work authorization. Migrant rights advocates worry, though, that asylum seekers, forced to stay in Mexico as their cases are being processed by the U.S. authorities, will be at harm's way as part of the northern Mexico is littered with unprecedented violence and drug killings.
A Second Child Dies under CBP Custody
A second Guatemalan child, 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo, detained by Customs and Border Patrol, died early December 25, 2018. The Guatemalan boy was first taken to a hospital in Alamogordo on December 24, 2018 after the Guatemalan boy and his father had been detained in El Paso, but because of paucity in holding cells taken to Alamogordo. The boy was later released by the hospital, but began vomiting and had to be re-admitted to hospital where he was pronounced dead early Christmas Day. Felipe's death came 17 days after 7-year-old Guatemalan girl Jakelin Caal, who along with her father had been detained by the CBP in New Mexico, had died of dehydration and shock on December 8, 2018.
Military Deployment to Southern Borders Extended
Pentagon on January 14, 2019 extended the mission to assist the DHS in the country's southern borders until the end of this fiscal year (September 30, 2019). President Donald Trump days before November 2018 midterm election announced what his critics at that time said as a pandering to his base deployment of active duty forces to the southern borders. The deployment began on October 30, 2018, with the initial mission through December 15, 2018. However, the mission was subsequently extended to January 31, 2019 before a DHS letter was sent to Pentagon seeking additional extension. The January 14, 2019, Pentagon directive was meant to respond the DHS letter. At present, there are about 2,300 active-duty troops in the southern borders, down from 5,900.
Pentagon Pegs Price Tag for Troops Deployment
Pentagon on January 29, 2019 pegged price tag at $132 million for active-duty troops and $100 million for National Guards personnel deployment.
Pentagon to Send 3,750 More Troops to Southern Border
Pentagon on February 3, 2019 said that it would send an additional 3,750 active-duty troops to southern borders to help with erecting concertina wire. Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's February 3, 2019, declaration extends the troops deployment to southern borders through the end of this fiscal year.
***************************** MIGRANT CARAVAN ******************************
*********************** PIPE BOMBS TARGETING DEMOCRATS *******************
Pipe bombs Sent in Mail to Obama, Clinton, Other Democrats
At least seven pipe bombs were mailed to various Democrats, including President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, between October 22, 2018 and October 24, 2018 that had created a mix of fear, finger-pointing and frustration in the run-up to a very competitive November 6, 2018, midterm election. First, a package carrying a pipe bomb arrived at the New York home of billionaire philanthropist George Soros on October 22, 2018. Then six more pipe bombs were intercepted on October 24, 2018. One each was destined to Obama and Clinton, while two were intercepted before they reached the California address of Rep. Maxine Waters. A misaddressed package meant for Eric Holder was intercepted as it was being returned to Florida Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Also on October 24, 2018, a package addressed to the former CIA Director John Brennan led to a massive evacuation of Time Warner headquarters in Manhattan. Brennan contributes as a CNN special guest on security matters. Reacting to a series of pipe bombs sent to Democratic leaders, President Donald Trump said on October 24, 2018 that "acts or threats of political violence have no place in the United States", a statement immediately repudiated by Democrats as the president's comments now rang "hollow" as he was the one who had been making provoking and hate-filled comments for the better parts of his presidency and even before that. FBI is investigating into the pipe bombs threat amidst a sense of scare in the run-up to the polls.
Attention Turns to Florida
On October 25, 2018, three more pipe bombs were found, two addressed to the former Vice President Joe Biden's Delaware home and one to actor Robert de Niro's Lower Manhattan address. One common thread that might be useful to FBI was that all ten packages sent to George Soros, Obamas, Clintons, Eric Holders, Maxine Waters, John Brennan, Joe Biden and Robert de Niro between October 22 and October 25, 2018 bore the same return address of Florida Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schulz. As a result, the investigators' attention is now turned on Florida.
Pipe Bomb Suspect Caught
A 56-year-old man from Aventura, Florida was caught on October 26, 2018 after a break emerged in the case where DNA sample from the package sent to Obama and fingerprints from one of the two packages sent to Rep. Maxine Waters were matched that of a Floridian, Cesar Sayoc, a hardcore Trump supporter. Sayoc converted his car, where he had lived out of, into a bomb-making mini-factory.
Suspect Maintains a List of 100 Targets
The New York Times reported on October 29, 2018 that Cesar Sayoc maintained a list of about 100 Donald Trump critics, including one editor of The New York Times. Sayoc appeared at a Miami court on October 29, 2018 amid reports that another package had been sent to CNN headquarters in Atlanta. CNN President Jeff Zucker said that no one was harmed as the package had been intercepted in the post office. Cesar Sayoc will be extradited and tried in New York.
Sayoc Pleads Guilty
Cesar Sayoc on March 21, 2019 pleaded guilty to the charges slapped against him related to the pipe bombs sent to CNN and other Democratic Party leaders before 2018 midterm election. He will be sentenced by September 12, 2019.
Sayoc given 20 Years
U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff on August 5, 2019 handed down 20-year imprisonment to Cesar Sayoc. Prosecutors asked for life behind the bar.
*********************** PIPE BOMBS TARGETING DEMOCRATS *******************
CNN Chief White House Correspondent's Credential Revoked
In an unprecedented move that would make people shake their heads in shame, White House on November 7, 2018 suspended the credential of CNN reporter Jim Acosta after verbal duel with President Donald Trump over president's likening of Central American caravan to an "invasion" and demonizing of migrants.
White House Stands by Its Doctored Video
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on November 8, 2018 stood by White House version of what had happened during President Donald Trump's press conference that led to indefinite suspension of CNN reporter Jim Acosta's White House credentials. A night before, White House issued a statement, stressing that it would "never tolerate a reporter placing his hands on a young woman just trying to do her job as a White House intern". However, most of the correspondents present during the press conference said that when a young White House intern tried to snatch Acosta's microphone, the CNN reporter just resisted. Reuters correspondent Jeff Mason contradicted White House version in a tweet.
Whistleblower Lashes out Security Clearances
A White House whistleblower, Tricia Newbold, an 18-year veteran, told the House Oversight and Reform Committee staff that she and many of her colleagues had denied dozens of security clearances to many Trump administration officials. However, their denials had been subsequently overturned and the Trump aides were accorded clearances. Tricia Newbold, appearing before the House Oversight and Reform Committee on March 23, 2019 told the staff that now the number of such clearances topped 25, including Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and former Trump aide Rob Porter. Newbold took her concerns to supervisor and many of the civilian officials at the supervisory roles such as Director of Personnel Security Carl Kline, Chief Operations Officer Samuel Price and Chief Security Officer Crede Bailey, but to no avail. The committee chairman Elijah Cummings on April 1, 2019 made public a memo chronicling Tricia Newbold's complaints over the process of security clearances at the White House.
President Sues His Own Accounting Firm to Block Release His Financial Dealings
President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit on April 22, 2019 against Mazars USA, Trump's own accounting firm, and the chairman of House Oversight Committee, Elijah Cummings, in a D.C. federal court to block release of his past financial deals and papers.
OSC Asks Trump to Fire Conway
Office of Special Counsel led by Henry Kerner on June 13, 2019 issued a searing, 17-page report against Kellyanne Conway, asking President Donald Trump to fire her for allegedly breaking the so called Hatch Act by using her government-held position to launch repeated attacks against 2020 Democratic candidates. Hatch Act prohibits using government position to do political work. Conway appeared several times to talk to reporters in her official capacity, but continued her criticism against leading Democratic candidates, a clear violation of Hatch Act. It's highly unlikely that Trump will oblige OSC.
Trump's Quarrel with "Squad"
The four Liberal Democratic freshman representatives are collectively called as "Squad". Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan and Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts are vocal members championing the Liberal causes, rankling Conservatives and sometimes making House Speaker Nancy Pelosi grumbling. Now, President Donald Trump jumped into the fray on July 14, 2019 with his insulting tweet. He wrote in a tweet message on July 14, 2019 that these four freshman lawmakers should go back to their original countries and try to improve the conditions there before lecturing the Americans. The racist tweet was full of misinformation as other than Omar, all three had been born in the USA and Omar had left her native Somalia as a child and lived at a refugee camp in Kenya before migrating to the USA and becoming the citizen of the US. President Trump's July 14, 2019, "go back" to their countries tweet drew immediate condemnation from Democrats and few Republicans. On July 16, 2019, House of Representatives passed a resolution by 240-187 vote to condemn President Donald Trump's attack on the four lawmakers.
Trump Fires Mulvaney, Brings in Meadow as His Fourth Chief of Staff
President Donald Trump on March 5, 2020 sent Mick Mulvaney packing as he named him the special envoy for North Ireland. Trump named Mark Meadow as the new Chief of Staff.
****************** DATA THEFT, HACKING AND CYBERSECURITY **************
Scale of Data Breach Revealed
On July 9, 2015, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) revealed a massive data breach of the government computer system, hitherto unknown, due to hacking, most likely from overseas. The data breach affected nearly 21.5 million people, including 19.7 million people who had applied to get their background checked and 1.8 million others such as spouses and friends related to applicants. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) conducts the background checks for federal government. This data breach came to light by happenstance as OPM informed the Department of Homeland Security in April 2015 that there was an intrusion of its computer system compromising the private records of 4.2 million current and former employees. OPM then went ahead to work with FBI, and only then the massive data breach of 21.5 million people were detected. The massive data breach was revealed in a conference call by OPM Director Katherine Archuleta, who was adamant that she won't resign.
Personnel Management Chief Quits
As the scale of data breach and its impact began to sink in among the lawmakers and administration officials, the Director of Office of Personnel Management Katherine Archuleta couldn't put up any more defiant attitude in the face of rising demand for her to go, and announced her resignation on July 10, 2015.
OPM Admits Hack of More People's Fingerprints
Office of Personnel Management on September 23, 2015 said that fingerprints of at least 5.6 million people were stolen, almost five times the previous estimate of 1.1 million people.
China Acknowledges Country's Hackers Responsible for Data Breach
An article carried by the state-run Xinhua on December 2, 2015 acknowledged that the data breach, revealed in April 2015, at the White House's Office of Personnel Management that had compromised the personal information of about 21.5 million was carried out by people from China, but denied that it was state-sponsored as accused by some in the U.S. government.
****************** DATA THEFT, HACKING AND CYBERSECURITY **************
9/11 Marked Solemnly Amid the Heat of an Election Year
This year's (2016) September 11 fell on a Sunday, just two months shy of a presidential election that had descended to a new low of personal insult, vile and vilification. On this solemn day, political animosity took a backstage, and people and politicians across the nation observed poignantly the victims of the worst terrorist attacks a decade-and-half ago. Near Ground Zero, the names of 2,977 victims were read in the backdrop of a poignant, but still painful, silence of thousands who had attended the event. The names included the victims of 2001 attacks and six more who had been killed in 1993 WTC bomb attack. At a separate ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, a throng of crowd prayed for and remembered the 40 passengers and crew of the UA Flight 93.
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
Trump's "America First" Message Resonates among Supporters, Sounds Jingoistic to Opponents
Addressing an inauguration crowd much smaller than what Obama had drawn eight years ago, 45th President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017 struck to his campaign themes with more or less the same divisive tone that had pleased his followers and alienated a vast majority of people. Trump called for putting "America First" policy that would help "Make America Great Again".
Meanwhile, protests had been held nationwide to decry the polemic and policies of Trump. At least 200 protesters had been arrested in Washington D.C. alone.
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
Trump's "America First" Message Resonates among Supporters, Sounds Jingoistic to Opponents
Addressing an inauguration crowd much smaller than what Obama had drawn eight years ago, 45th President Donald Trump on January 20, 2017 struck to his campaign themes with more or less the same divisive tone that had pleased his followers and alienated a vast majority of people. Trump called for putting "America First" policy that would help "Make America Great Again".
Meanwhile, protests had been held nationwide to decry the polemic and policies of Trump. At least 200 protesters had been arrested in Washington D.C. alone.
************************* INAUGURATION OF 45TH PRESIDENT ******************
***************************
FIRST SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY **********************
Biden
Deplores Backsliding of Democracy in the First ever Democracy Summit
President
Joe Biden on December 9, 2021
launched a first ever democracy summit. The virtual Summit for Democracy
is being held December 9, 2021 and December 10, 2021. More than 100
nations are participating in the first ever virtual summit. Biden warned the
world the consequence of abdicating democracy, jabbing China and Russia indirectly,
and cautioned against the recent backslide in democracy throughout the world.
Biden administration also committed $424 million to invest in
strengthening the independent media and democratic framework. The ambassadors
to the U.S. from uninvited China and Russia accused, in a joint essay,
Washington of pursuing a “Cold War mentality".
***************************
FIRST SUMMIT FOR DEMOCRACY **********************
************************** FBI SEARCH OF MAR-A-LAGO ESTATE **************************
FBI Searches Mar-a-Lago Estate
Federal Bureau of Investigation, in a very rare and unusual move, carried out
searches of Former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida
on August 8, 2022. Although FBI didn’t comment on it, former president,
who was in New York City during raid, complained on his social media platform
that FBI had carried out a “raid” of his home. Trump also called the “raid” as not
“necessary or appropriate”. To carry out such a comprehensive unannounced
search, FBI needs permission for a search warrant from a federal judge and blessing
from the top echelon of the Justice Department.
Partisan Accusations Mount amid Evidence of Classified Files Removed from White House
A day after FBI carried out searches in the Mar-a-Lago estate and, apparently, seized several classified items which should not have been removed from the White House to begin with, several media sources reported on August 9, 2022 that the FBI sought and obtained a search warrant for Former President Donald Trump's Florida estate. Meanwhile, conservative media, GOP politicians and right-wing commentators are raising the boogie of conspiracy and prosecutorial misconduct against FBI.
Mar-a-Lago Documents related to Nukes
The Dallas Morning News in the front-page news in the August 12,
2022, edition reported that the FBI’s search of Mar-a-Lago four days
earlier had centered around classified nuclear document that should not have
been brought to the former president’s private residence in Florida. Appearing
at a news conference, a confident-looking Merrick Garland told that he
personally had approved the search and his department had also requested a Florida
magistrate judge to unseal the search warrant, although he was mum what FBI had
looked for at Trump residence in Florida.
Judge Releases the List of Items Seized, Search Warrant Text
A Florida federal judge who approved the DOJ search warrant of Former
President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate released August 12, 2022 the
list of items seized by the FBI along with the text of search warrant. U.S.
Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart granted the request of Attorney-General
Merrick Garland to make the text of the search warrant public along with
the items seized during August 8, 2022, FBI search operation of Trump’s
Florida estate. According to the list of released by U.S. Magistrate Judge
Bruce Reinhart, a total of 11 boxes were taken from Mar-a-Lago,
including one box containing “various classified/TS/SCI documents”, referring
to Top Secret (TS) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI). Other boxes were
labeled “Miscellaneous Secret Documents”, “Miscellaneous Top Secret Documents”
and “Miscellaneous Confidential Documents”. According to the search warrant,
the potential crimes are related to the Espionage Act. On August 12,
2022, Former President Donald Trump alleged in a message posted on
the Truth Social platform that any nuclear document that had been found
had been planted by FBI.
NARA Cites Voluminous Classified Records taken to Mar-a-Lago
A related, but separate from the August 8, 2022 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago
estate, mishandling of classified documents was reported by The Dallas
Morning News on August 24, 2022. According to a second-page article
published by The News, the acting chief of National Archives and
Records Administration, Debra Steidel Wall, wrote a letter to Trump
attorney Ed Corcoran on May 10, 2022 that Biden administration would not
honor Trump team’s request for additional time to sift through the documents
recovered from Trump’s Florida estate to assess which documents contained content
covered by the attorney-client privilege. Days earlier, Corcoran wrote a letter
to NARA, seeking extra time for sifting through the mound of documents
recovered from Mar-a-Lago before the archivist handed them over to FBI. In the May
10, 2022, letter, NARA acting head Debra Steidel Wall cited that,
among the documents recovered early this year, there were about 100 classified
documents, totaling more than 700 pages and obtained from 15 boxes taken from
the estate.
Magistrate Judge Orders DOJ to Make a Redacted Version of Affidavit Public
U.S. Magistrate Judge Bruce Reinhart on August 25, 2022 ordered the Justice Department to publicly release the affidavit, with necessary redactions, that was used to seek a warrant for FBI's August 8, 2022, search operation at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate. The judge gave until noon August 26, 2022 for the DOJ to release the redacted version of the affidavit.
Heavily Redacted Affidavit for Search Warrant Released
The U.S. Department of Justice on August 26, 2022 released the affidavit used to seek the search warrant from a federal Magistrate for the August 8, 2022, search of Mar-a-Lago estate. The released affidavit has been heavily redacted, and it has made a strong argument for conducting a search of Former President Donald Trump's Florida estate as the DOJ believed that "there is also probable cause to believe that evidence of obstruction will be found" in addition to additional classified document. The affidavit provides a roadmap for the rationale of the DOJ for August 8, 2022, Mar-a-Lago search. National Archives and Records Administration in January 2022 retrieved 15 boxes from Mar-a-Lago. According to the FBI's heavily redacted affidavit, there are "184 unique documents bearing classification markings, including 67 documents marked as CONFIDENTIAL, 92 documents marked as SECRET, and 25 documents marked as TOP SECRET". According to the affidavit, NARA wrote to the FBI that the classified documents were mixed with magazines, papers and other casual items.
DOJ Accuses Trump of Obstruction of Investigation
In response to Trump team’s request made to the U.S. District Judge
Aileen Cannon to appoint a special master to sift through the items taken
by the FBI on August 8, 2022 from Mar-a-Lago estate, the U.S.
Department of Justice on August 30, 2022 said, in the court filing, that the
FBI had found evidence of obstruction of investigation in Trump’s
Florida estate. In June 2022, Trump’s attorneys informed the DOJ
officials that the classified items brought from the White House to Mar-a-Lago
were stored only in a storage room, but FBI officials found them on August
8, 2022 both in the storage room as well as in other places.
Trump’s Case Gets Murkier, DOJ Court Filing Shows
A DOJ filing on late August 30, 2022 to the U.S. District
Judge Aileen Cannon in response to Trump attorneys’ request for special
masters shows considerable risks for Trump’s two key attorneys—Christina Bobb
and Evan Corcoran—as well as Trump himself on obstruction of investigation counts.
According to The Dallas Morning News’ September 1, 2022, edition,
the DOJ filing came shortly after Chris Kise joined Trump’s defense
team. Chris Kise was part of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ transition
team.
Mar-a-Lago Search Yields Nuclear Documents
The Dallas Morning News reported on September 8, 2022 that the August 8, 2022, court-approved search of Mar-a-Lago turned out some confidential nuclear documents related to a foreign nation. According to The Dallas Morning News, FBI has recovered more than 300 classified documents, including 184 classified documents in 15 boxes that have been sent to the National Archives and Records Administration in January 2022. Trump's lawyers have handed over an additional 38 classified documents in June 2022. FBI recovered at least 100 additional classified documents from Mar-a-Lago during the August 8, 2022, court-approved sweep. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence is now conducting risk assessment on those classified documents staying outside government purview for so long time. According to The Dallas Morning News, a grand jury subpoena was issued on May 11, 2022, demanding "all documents or writings in the custody or control of Donald J. Trump and/or the Office of Donald J. Trump bearing classification markings" should be returned immediately.
Empty Classified Folders Found in Mar-a-Lago
The Dallas Morning News reported on September 3, 2022 that among
more than 10,000 documents removed from Mar-a-Lago included 48
empty folders with classified banner. The seven-page DOJ inventory report from
the August 8, 2022, search of Mar-a-Lago lists 43 empty classified
folders found in the office and five empty classified-marked folders in the
storage room of Mar-a-Lago.
Judge Okays Appointment of Special Master
After days of hearings that had begun on September 1, 2022, U.S.
District Judge Aileen Cannon on September 5, 2022 handed Trump team
a partial victory when the Trump-appointed federal judge agreed to appoint a special
master to sift through a trove of documents to separate classified documents
from the documents protected by attorney-client privilege. During August 8,
2022, search of Mar-a-Lago, investigators took nearly 13,000 documents.
The judge in this case has ruled that DOJ's own investigation has to pause before the special master completes the review. However, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon wrote in her verdict
that the Office of the Director of National Intelligence could continue
to carry out on their assessment and analysis on whether those documents should stay out of direct government control as they were stored in Mar-a-Lago in this case.
Judge Names a Retired New York Judge as the Special Master
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon late September 15, 2022 named a former
federal judge in New York, Judge Raymond Dearie, as the special
master who would sift through more than 11,000 documents that FBI had taken
from Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Dearie was one of the four candidates for the
special masters that Trump’s team and DOJ had submitted to Judge Cannon.
Although former Judge Raymond Dearie, a Ronald Reagan appointee, was
named by Trump’s team, DOJ lawyers told the court that they would not have any
objection if the ex-judge was picked as a special master. U.S. District
Judge Aileen Cannon instructed that the special master first should go through
the 100 or so documents with classified markings before examining more than
11,000 non-classified documents taken by the FBI from the Mar-a-Lago estate.
DOJ Asks Appeals Court to Shut down the Special Master’s Review of Docs
In September 2022, the U.S. DOJ won a reprieve from the 11th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as it cleared the way for the Justice Department
to resume investigation into Trump’s mishandling of sensitive documents and
related violations. Under U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon’s order, the
DOJ probe will have to slow down significantly while the special master’s
sifting of about 13,000 records, including 100 with classified markings,
takes precedence. Trump appealed the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals’ verdict to the U.S. Supreme Court. On October 13, 2022,
the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear the case, dealing a setback to
Trump. On October 14, 2022, U.S. DOJ submitted a filing to the 11th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, asking the court to shut down the “special-master
review process” altogether as it “is unwarranted".
***************** SPECIAL COUNSEL
Garland Names Special Counsel to Investigate Trump
Three days after Former President Donald Trump announced his bid
to reclaim his old office, Attorney-General Merrick Garland on November 18,
2022 named a special counsel to oversee the twin probes of classified
document mishandling at Mar-a-Lago and January 6th
insurrection on the Capitol as part of a bid to deny Joe Biden the
presidency. At a press conference at the DOJ, Attorney-General Merrick
Garland said that “as a special prosecutor”, Jack Smith “will
exercise independent prosecutorial judgment to decide” whether charges should
be brought against Trump and his associates. Trump team, as usual, called the
decision as reflection of “weaponized Biden Department of Justice”. Jack Smith had worked at the Public
Integrity Section of the Department of Justice.
Special Counsel Subpoenas State Officials for Docs
Special Counsel Jack Smith issued subpoenas to election officials in Wisconsin’s
Milwaukee and Dane Counties, Michigan’s Wayne County, Arizona’s Maricopa
County, and Pennsylvania’s Allegheny County for documents related to communication
with Former President Donald Trump, aides with the Trump 2020 campaign
and other Trump advisers, according to a front-page December 7, 2022,
report by The Dallas Morning News.
Trump Lawyer Appears before Grand Jury Investigating Classified Doc
Former President Donald Trump’s lawyer, Evan Corcoran, who acted as a key legal
point-person for the former president while collaborating and communicating
with the Department of Justice related to a subpoena issued in May 2022 to
retrieve the classified documents from Mar-a-Lago estate, strode into the
federal courthouse at the D.C. on March 24, 2023 morning to appear
before a grand jury on mishandling of the classified documents by Trump after
he had left office. Federal authorities estimated that circa 300 classified
documents had been taken to Mar-a-Lago. After DOJ issued a subpoena in May
2022, Trump’s office returned about 40 classified documents. In August
2022, FBI found and took possession of an additional 103 documents during the
search at Mar-a-Lago. The appearance of Corcoran before the grand jury
as Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors have gotten an opportunity
to question the key Trump lawyer underlines a ramp-up of investigation into
Trump’s potential mishandling of classified documents. Trump’s legal team tried
to avoid appearing before the grand jury, but U.S. District Judge Beryl
Howell ruled last week that the so-called attorney-client privilege didn’t
immunize Evan Corcoran from being questioned by the prosecutors at a
grand jury session, dealing a major legal setback to Trump.
Prosecutors May Have Found Obstruction of justice Evidence
The Washington Post reported on April 2, 2023 that the Special Counsel’s investigators
and FBI officials had found actions by Former President Donald Trump and
his aides to have constituted to obstruction of justice. Justice Department
issued a subpoena to the former president in May 2022, instructing all documents
with classified markings should be returned. Based on the interviews with
former and current Trump staff personnel, according to The Washington Post,
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors found that the former president
himself and his aides had shifted classified documents within sprawling complex
of Mar-a-Lago. In early June 2022, Former President Donald Trump’s
advisers met with government agents and prosecutors, and handed over 38
classified documents, including 17 marked top secret. Prosecutors were not
convinced that all the classified documents had been handed over. In August
2022, FBI carried out a search at Mar-a-Lago, retrieving 103 classified
documents, including 18 that had top secret marking. Prosecutors
found two people’s interviews very credible evidence that the former president
might have committed the obstruction of justice. One interviewee is
valet Walt Nauta, who has told investigators that he has moved boxes at
Mar-a-Lago at the instruction of Trump after the May 2022 Justice subpoena. The
second Trump aide is Molly Michael, whose e-mails and texts have
implicated the former president to obstruction of justice, who has left Trump’s
team in 2022.
Former President Donald Trump is facing four separate probes, including
the one led by Manhattan District-Attorney Alvin Bragg that had led to the
March 30, 2023, indictment of Trump. The grand jury in that case was
seated in January 2023 to investigate whether any campaign finance law had been
violated by Trump’s $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to buy her
silence in the run-up to 2016 election.
Pence to Testify before Grand Jury
U.S. District Judge James Boasberg on April 5, 2023 rejected an appeals
from Trump’s lawyers who objected Former Vice President Mike Pence
testifying about former president’s effort to obstruct a smooth transfer of
powers to Joe Biden. Several of Trump’s former aides have given testimonies,
but Pence’s appearance will be the presence in the grand jury room of the highest-profile
figure in the Trump administration. Former Vice President Mike Pence’s
testimony will give Special Counsel Jack Smith plethora of insight into
what has been going on in Trump’s mind in the days after Joe Biden has been
declared winner of the 2020 presidential election. On April 5, 2023, The
Associated Press reported, based on what one of the spokespersons of Pence
had said, that Pence team would not appeal the judge’s ruling although Trump
lawyers could. However, Judge Boasberg gave Pence team a victory by giving
cover to the former vice president from questions over the incidents on January
6, 2021 on the ground of what Pence team had argued as constitution’s “speech
or debate” clause. The clause extends the immunity to lawmakers for their
legislative duties.
Trump Lawyers Meet Justice Officials to Press for Not Charging Trump
On June 5, 2023, three of Trump’s attorneys—Lindsey Halligan,
John Rowley and James Trusty—went to the U.S. Department of Justice to meet
with the department officials, including Special Counsel Jack Smith, and
pressed their case that their client, Former President Donald Trump,
should not be charged. In late May 2023, Rowley and Trusty wrote a
letter to Attorney-General Merrick Garland, complaining about unfair
treatment meted out to Trump by the special counsel. In late April 2023, Lindsey
Halligan, John Rowley and James Trusty as well as a fourth Trump attorney, Timothy
Parlatore, who had since left the Trump defense team, wrote a more detailed
letter to Congress, rationalizing that the investigation should be an
administrative investigation, not a criminal investigation.
Trump Acknowledges being Indicted over the “Boxes Hoax”
Former President Donald Trump on June 8, 2023 lambasted the “corrupt
Biden Administration” for indicting him over the “Boxes Hoax”, referring to
classified document probe. Trump complained on his social media platform, Truth
Social, that his attorneys had been informed of the charges, and he would
appear at the federal court in Miami on June 13, 2023. Special
Counsel Jack Smith has been probing into Trump’s handling of classified
documents after he had left the White House and Trump’s role in the obstruction
of the smooth transfer of power and January 6th insurrection. The
federal grand jury of 23 jurors that’s investigating Trump’s handling of
classified materials is seated in Miami, while a second panel of jurors
probing into Trump’s role in the January 6th insurrection is seated
in Washington, D.C.
Special Counsel Unseals Trump Charges
U.S. Department of Justice on June 9, 2023 unsealed a 49-page, 37-count indictment against
Former President Donald Trump on charges, mostly violating the Espionage Act
as well as conspiracy to obstruct justice, withholding a document or record,
corruptly concealing a document or record, concealing a document in an
investigation, scheming to conceal and false statements. Walt Nauta, a
Trump aide who had moved boxes at Trump’s instructions, was also charged in
conspiracy and other crimes. Special Counsel Jack Smith added that “we
have one set of laws in this country and they apply to everyone".
The case has been assigned to the court of U.S. District Judge Aileen
Cannon, who has earned notoriety by appointing a special master to sort out
the documents seized by the FBI during search at Mar-a-Lago in August 2022.
Trump Charged for not what He Had Taken, but What He Had Retained
The Dallas Morning News on June 12, 2023 has run a front-page
article that contrasts Trump’s case from Hillary Clinton’s, or Joe Biden’s, or
Mike Pence’s cases related to classified materials. Out of 37 counts
slapped against Former President Donald Trump and his trusted aide Walt
Nauta, 31 pertain to the Espionage Act for willful retention
of highly sensitive documents. According to the indictment, 21 of those
charges are tied to each of 21 highly classified documents, including
nuclear secrets, that have been obtained as part of August 2022 FBI seizure of a
trove of 102 classified documents from Mar-a-Lago. The 10 remaining
counts related to the Espionage Act stem from 38 classified
documents handed over to the FBI in June 2022 in response to a grand
jury subpoena.
Notably absent from the indictment is any of the 197 classified
documents from 15 boxes that Trump has handed over to the National
Archives and Records Administration in January 2022, implying that
prosecutors are focused on what have been willfully retained instead of what
have been taken after leaving office.
Trump Pleads not Guilty in Arraignment
Former President Donald Trump on June 13, 2023 pleaded not guilty to 37
counts of indictment. This marks the lowest point of the U.S. presidency as
Trump is the first American president charged with federal crimes. President
Trump appeared with co-defendant, Walt Nauta, at the Miami courthouse
where a circus-like gathering awaited his entourage. His earlier defense team
resigned on June 9, 2023 after Special Counsel Jack Smith unsealed
the indictment that charged Trump on 37 counts—including 31 counts related
to Espionage Act—and Walt Nauta on 6 counts. Todd Blanche, a
new Trump defense attorney, told the U.S. Magistrate Judge Jonathan Goodman
that “we certainly enter a plea of not guilty”. The case has been assigned to U.S.
District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee. The judge asked Trump not
to talk about the case with witnesses or co-defendant, but otherwise set him
free on his own recognizance and gave him freedom to travel without
surrendering passport.
Trump later visited an iconic Cuban spot, Versailles, at Miami’s
Little Havana neighborhood where supporters thronged the former president,
who would turn 77 on June 14, 2023, and serenaded with “Happy Birthday”.
Later in the day, Trump flew to his private golf club in Bedminster, New
Jersey, and addressing a gathering of donors, railed against Special Counsel
Jack Smith, calling him a “thug".
Trump Can Run from Behind the Bars, Historical Precedent Says
That Former President Donald Trump can run for president if he is
sentenced to jail before the 2024 election has a clear answer based on
historical precedent. The answer is YES. In 1920, the then-Socialist
candidate Eugene V. Debs, who was serving a 10-year sentence for inciting
Americans to resist against the World War I, ran his fifth presidential run
from the jail cell.
Federal Judge Shares Trial Schedule with the Public
A federal judge appointed by Former President Donald Trump on June
20, 2023 set the trial of Trump as early as August 14, 2023. U.S.
District Judge Aileen Cannon also scheduled July 24, 2023 as the
filing date for pre-trial motion.
Trump’s Valet Arraigned
President Donald Trump’s valet and personal aide Walt Nauta was arraigned on
July 6, 2023 after two unsuccessful tries. On earlier two occasions, Walt
Nauta didn’t have an attorney with local credentials. The first time was on
June 13, 2023 when his boss appeared for arraignment. He missed a second
hearing last week because of flight cancellation due to inclement weather plus
having no local attorney. On July 6, 2023, Walt Nauta had a Fort Pierce
attorney and a former state public defender, Sasha Dadan, to represent
him while his Washington-based attorney Stanley Woodward entered a not
guilty plea to a charge of conspiracy with Former President Donald Trump at the
courtroom of Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres of Miami.
Meanwhile, the former president’s trial scheduled for August 2023 is
expected to pushed to December 2023 or even next year.
Trump Gets Trial Date in Classified Doc Case
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, on July 21,
2023 set a May 2024 date (May 20, 2024) for the former president’s trial.
Prosecutors Add Additional Counts of Indictment in Classified Doc Case
Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutors on July 27, 2023 added two additional counts of obstruction--deleting/altering video footage and inducing another person to do so--and a separate count of possessing a
classified documentation—that was the basis of a memoire written by Trump’s
former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows—that involved talks about attacking Iran.
The meeting between Trump and Meadows did happen in July 2021 at his Bedminster
Golf Club. The document, though, was returned to the federal government January
17, 2022. The obstruction count is related to Trump’s instruction to a
staffer to delete video footage. An additional aide--Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira--was also added to the
indictment on July 27, 2023.
Trump’s Property Manager Appears at Court, Can’t Enter a Plea
Former President Donald Trump’s property manager—and now indicted—Carlos
De Oliveira on July 31, 2023 appeared at a court in Miami, but couldn’t
enter a plea because his lawyer, John Irving, hailed from the D.C. He
needs a Florida-based lawyer for his arraignment on August 10, 2023 at a
federal courthouse in Fort Pierce.
*************Special Counsel's Probe on Biden's Election Victory Overturning Effort by Trump
Trump Acknowledges that He is the Target of Investigation
Former President Donald Trump on July 18, 2023 acknowledged in his
social media posting that he had been notified by the Justice Department two
days ago (July 16, 2023) that he was now the target of Special Counsel Jack
Smith’s inquiry over the effort to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in 2020
presidential election, presaging an indictment and additional legal woes in the
coming days.
With three New York City cases haunting him, Trump is facing
unenviable legal woes which are becoming more daunting every passing day. The
former president is facing civil inquiry by New York Attorney-General
Letitia James related to his business fraud, a separate indictment related
to case being handled by Manhattan D.A. Alvin Bragg over payment to a
porn star, Stormy Daniel, and a defamation lawsuit filed by an advice
columnist, E. Jean Carroll. Trump was recently indicted in the classified
file mishandling case being investigated by Special Counsel Jack Smith.
Now, a separate set of indictments is looming over Mr. Trump related to his
effort to overturn the 2020 Presidential Election result in the run-up
to January 6th Insurrection. A sixth case is winding through a
Fulton County court where prosecutors are investigating whether political
pressure has been applied by Trump, or his consiglieres, to change the 2020
Presidential Election outcome in Georgia.
Trump Indicted on Election Felony Charges
Special Prosecutor Jack Smith on August 1, 2023 charged Former
President Donald Trump on four felony counts related to obstructing
the smooth transfer of power—including collecting, counting and certifying
electoral votes—to Joe Biden. Accusing the former president of
conspiring to assault the “bedrock function” of the government, Special
Prosecutor Jack Smith said that the January 6th insurrection “was
an unprecedented assault on the seat of American democracy”. Smith added that “it
was fueled by lies, lies by the defendant targeted at the bedrock function of
the United States federal government: the nation's process of collecting, counting, and certifying the results of the presidential election". The four felony counts are:
(1) Obstruction of, or attempting to obstruct, an official proceeding
(2) Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding
(3) Conspiracy to defraud
the United States
(4) Conspiracy against rights
The indictment made reference to six conspirators without naming
them. They have not been indicted. From the filings and dossiers, five of the
six conspirators have been identified by the media. They are: (1) Rudy Giuliani,
(2) Sydney Powell, (3) John Eastman, (4) Kenneth Chesebro, and (5) Jeffrey
Clark, respectively.
Trump will be arraigned on August 3, 2023 at a D.C. federal court.
Trump Pleads not Guilty
On August 3, 2023, Former President Donald Trump appeared before
federal Magistrate Judge Moxila Upadhayaya at the E. Barrett Prettyman U.S. Courthouse
in Washington, about a quarter mile from where the January 6th
Insurrection took place: U.S. Capitol. Former President Donald Trump was
flanked by his two lawyers: Todd Blanche and John Lauro. Trump pleaded not guilty
to all four felony counts. The August 3, 2023, hearing was an arraignment hearing. The next hearing in this case will be held on August 28, 2023 in
the courthouse of U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who was assigned to
this case.
Judge Issues a Narrow Gag Order
The judge at the heart of election conspiracy case, Judge Tanya
Chutkan, on October 16, 2023 issued a narrow gag order against Former
President Donald Trump from launching smearing campaign against court personnel
and prosecutors.
Supreme Court to Hear Special Counsel’s Fast-track Request
The U.S. Supreme Court on December 11, 2023 responded positively to
a filing by Special Counsel Jack Smith submitted hours before during the
day that requested the justices to hold hearings on whether Former President
Donald Trump enjoyed immunity from prosecution in the January 6th
insurrection case. The Supreme Court gave Trump team to reply by December 20,
2023. The aggressive timeline by the U.S. Supreme Court signifies that the
nation’s top court will hear Trump’s immunity argument as soon as possible.
Trump’s lawyers initially asked the lower court judge, U.S. District Judge Tanya
Chutkan, to dismiss the case on the ground of Trump’s presidential immunity,
which the judge refused to do. As Trump’s attorneys are planning appeal Judge
Chutkan’s verdict to the appellate court, U.S. DOJ took the concrete step to
prevent Trump from slow-walking.
Supreme Court Denies Special Counsel’s Request to Rule on Trump’s
Immunity
The U.S. Supreme Court on December 22, 2023 refused to take a
special plea from Special Counselor Jack Smith to hear on an accelerated
schedule whether Former President Donald Trump had enjoyed immunity from
prosecution. Trump’s lawyers want the case to be tried after the 2024 Presidential
Election while the DOJ prosecutors want the case to be resolved in the next few
months. The lower court judge, U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, had
paused the case though she rejected Trump team’s core argument that a president
enjoyed immunity from prosecution for official duties. The Supreme Court’s one-sentence
denial pushes the case to the U.S. Court of Appeals where the case is now
pending.
Trump Receives Setback from Appeals Court
Former President Donald Trump doesn’t enjoy immunity from prosecution for the
crimes committed for inciting January 6th Insurrection as he
is now “citizen Trump”. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals on
February 6, 2024 unanimously ruled that Trump also had violated the separation
among three branches of government—executive, legislative and judicial—by inserting
himself in the process of counting and certifying the presidential vote, thus
preventing Congress from carrying out a sacred duty of the legislative branch. The
appeals court judges also dismissed Trump team’s “double jeopardy” defense,
saying the January 2021 impeachment by Congress over Trump’s role in the January
6th Insurrection was not the same as a criminal prosecution and thus,
didn’t hold water that he was being punished twice for the same crime. The
verdict is on hold until February 12, 2024 to allow Trump’s defense
attorneys to file an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court or appealing to the full
bench of the U.S. Court of Appeals for an “en banc” review.
Trump Appeals to Supreme Court for Trial Delay
Six days after the U.S. Court of Appeals refused to entertain Former
President Donald Trump’s “immunity claim”, Trump’s lawyers filed an appeal to
the U.S. Supreme Court on February 12, 2024.
Supreme Court Justices Skeptical to Absolute Immunity Argument
The appeal against the U.S. Court of Appeal’s verdict against Former
President Donald Trump’s “absolute immunity” from prosecution was taken up by
the U.S. Supreme Court and the hearing was held on April 25, 2024. Trump
attorney D. John Sauer argued that if the President of the United States
didn’t enjoy “absolute immunity”, that would have a chilling effect on the
future president. Michael Dreeben, an attorney for Special Prosecutor
John “Jack” Smith, argued that nobody should be above the law. Justices seemed
skeptical of the so called “absolute immunity” argument. The Supreme
Court is expected to rule in June 2024.
Former Presidents Enjoy Broad Immunity, Conservative Majority Opines
In a setback to hold Former President Donald Trump accountable
for, what Democrats had alleged, his “treasonous” action to overturn President
Joe Biden’s victory in 2020 presidential election, the U.S. Supreme Court’s
conservative majority on July 1, 2024 ruled by 6-3 margin that former
presidents did enjoy broad immunity for their action in office. Writing for the
majority, Chief Justice John Roberts said that presidents did have “conclusive
and preclusive constitutional authority” to discharge their official duties,
but lack immunity for unofficial actions and deeds, befuddling the legal
experts as there would be a very thin, if any, line of separation between the
two. Opining in a fiery dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor has lambasted
the majority for giving cover to the notion that refutes the very precept of
the democracy that nobody is above the law. The verdict is going to delay the
trial of former president.
Special Counsel Submits a Revised Filing
After the July 1, 2024, controversial decision by the U.S.
Supreme Court handing out broad immunity to former presidents, it is imperative
that the DOJ files an amended filing if it wants to see the daylight ever in the
criminal proceeding on the obstruction of peaceful transition in the post-2020
presidential election case. On August 27, 2024, Special Counsel Jack Smith
filed the amended indictment that retained the same charges, but dropped the
reference that Trump had used the Department of Justice to obstruct the smooth
transfer of power. That’s the reference that the conservative majority of the
U.S. Supreme Court has especially alluded while ruling almost absolute immunity
for the presidents. Smith filed the amended indictment to a Washington D.C.
jury.
Special Counsel unsealed the case on October 2, 2024.
*************Special Counsel's Probe on Biden's Election Victory Overturning Effort by Trump
Classified Doc Case: Judge Rejects Dismissal Plea from Trump Team
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on March 14, 2024 rejected Trump’s
petition to dismiss the case, opining in a two-page verdict that the dismissal
would be contrary to adhering the letter and spirit of the Espionage Act.
The judge, appointed by President Trump to the federal bench,
also expressed her skepticism to a separate defense effort to scuttle the prosecution’s
argument of pursuing the case against Trump. Trump’s attorneys contended that
Trump had legal immunity to retain the White House document under the Presidential
Records Act of 1978.
Florida Federal Judge Throws out Trump’s Classified Doc Case
A federal judge in Florida, U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon,
on July 15, 2024 tossed out the case filed by the Special Counsel
Jack Smith. In a 93-page ruling, the Trump appointee agreed with the
Defense that the appointment of Special Counsel had violated the Constitution’s
“Appointments Clause” as well as “Appropriation” mechanism as Attorney-General
Merrick Garland had appointed Smith without approval from the U.S. Congress
and the funding of Smith’s office had not been approved by the Congress either.
Prosecution argued that there were several instances in the past, including the
appointment of Robert Mueller, that didn’t go through the Congressional
approval process. However, Judge Cannon remained unmoved and “after careful
study of this seminal issue”, she tossed out the case. What’s interesting is
that Judge Aileen Cannon has referred to the recent U.S. Supreme Court
ruling in general that the presidents enjoy broad immunity and a separate
concurrent opinion in particular that Justice Clarence Thomas has
written, opining that the establishment of the Special Prosecutor’s office is
unconstitutional. The July 15, 2024, verdict is a significant victory to
Former President Trump.
Trump Submits Notice to Sue DOJ for $115 million
Former President Donald Trump’s attorneys filed a notice at a Florida federal court
that did set up a timeline of 180 days for the DOJ and the former president to
strike a deal. Else, Trump team will file a lawsuit that claiming a damage of $115
million—$15 million to recover the costs of defending the former
president in the legal case and $100 million for punitive damage. The
Dallas Morning News reported on August 13, 2024 that Trump’s
attorney Daniel Epstein said that the former president was defending not
only himself, but also American people against government overreach and for
upholding the “rule of law”. The notice targets Attorney-General Merrick
Garland and FBI Director Christopher Wray for foregoing standard and
lawful procedures, and instead, carrying out politically vindictive and personally
invasive search at Mar-a-Lago on August 22, 2022. U.S. District Judge
Aileen Cannon dismissed Special Counsel Jack Smith’s classified
document case on July 15, 2024.
Special Prosecutor Drops Charges against Trump
U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan on November 25, 2024 has agreed to dismiss the 2020 Election intervention case without prejudice, implying that the case can be revived after Trump leaves his office after the second term. Earlier, Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a motion to dismiss the election interference case, citing the longstanding Justice Department policy of not prosecuting a sitting president. Separately, the special prosecutor filed a motion on November 25, 2024 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit Court to drop Trump as a codefendant from the appeal process related to the classified document mishandling case. Special Prosecutor Jack Smith has filed an appeal against U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon's July 15, 2024, verdict to dismiss the classified document mishandling case based on the U.S. Supreme Court's sweeping ruling giving almost absolute immunity to the president.
Special Counsel Report on Trump Okayed to be Released
Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned from the Justice Department on January 10, 2025. Hours ago on January 9, 2025 evening, the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower federal court order to block the release of the Special Prosecutor's report on Trump investigation. The appeals court, overturning the injunction by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, gave a 72-hour relief period before releasing the report.
Federal Judge Okays Release of Special Counsel Report
After a federal appeals court overturned her earlier ruling, U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on January 13, 2025 consented to the U.S. Department of Justice to make the Volume I of the Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigative report public. The Volume I deals with Former President Donald Trump's effort to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 election victory. Special Counsel Jack Smith resigned on January 10, 2025, and before quitting, he transmitted the report to Attorney-General Merrick Garland. There is a 72-hour timeline that will expire on January 14, 2025 after which the U.S. DOJ may make the Volume I report public.
As far as the Volume II report (on mishandling of classified documentation) is concerned, Biden administration will not publicly release the report to evade compromising the cases that the DOJ was pursuing against two co-defendants--Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliviera, instead releasing the document to select Congressional members. On the Volume II report, Judge Cannon scheduled a hearing for January 17, 2025.
Special Counsel Defends Charging Trump
The Volume I of the Special Counsel report is out on January 14, 2025. In the report, Special Counsel Jack Smith, who resigned from the Justice Department on January 10, 2025, defended bringing charges against Former President Donald Trump for his effort to undermine democracy and overturn the election mandate. Jack Smith called out Trump for repeatedly undermining the authority of the office of special counsel and labeled the former president's charges as "laughable".
Federal Judge Defers Ruling on Volume II Report
U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon on January 17, 2025 held a hearing on Department of Justice's request for Former President Donald Trump's classified document mishandling case-related report prepared by Special Counsel Jack Smith to be handed over to Congressional leaders, but deferred her verdict, thus sealing the fate of the report to be banished to obscurity at least for the next four years as Trump would take the oath of office on January 20, 2025.
***************** SPECIAL COUNSEL
Appeals Court Seems Skeptical about Trump Team’s Effort to Question
Mar-a-Lago Search
During a hearing on November 22, 2022, a three-judge panel of
the 11th U.S. Circuit of Court of Appeals seemed to be doubtful
of Trump attorneys’ arguments that Mar-a-Lago search conducted by the FBI in
August 2022 constituted violation to Donald Trump’s rights. Justice
Department attorney Sopan Joshi, who is with the Solicitor-General’s
office, has argued that the appointment of special master is slowing
down the DOJ investigation and intrudes into the authority of the executive
branch. Chief Judge William H. Pryor Jr. asked Trump’s attorneys that if
it’s not illegal to search the Mar-a-Lago, then “what we are doing here?” Pryor
was the former attorney general of Alabama and appointed by President George W.
Bush. The other two judges—Judge Andrew Brasher and Judge Britt Grant—are
Trump appointees.
Federal Appeals Court Hands Out Major Victory to DOJ, Halts Special
Master Review
A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court
of Appeals on December 1, 2022 issued a ruling, halting the review
of seized documents from Mar-a-Lago estate by a special master.
The verdict by the appeals court panel is a significant victory for the Justice
Department as it complains that the appointment of a special master is slowing
down its investigation of Trump.
************************** FBI SEARCH OF MAR-A-LAGO ESTATE **************************
******************** BIDEN'S STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS PLAN *****************
President Biden Announces Partial Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
Providing a major relief to hundreds of thousands of federal student loan recipients, President Joe Biden on August 24, 2022 announced federal loan forgiveness of up to $10,000 for individuals earning up to $125,000 per year or with family income up to $250,000 per year. For Pell Grant recipients, an additional $10,000 will be waived as per Biden's plan. Biden's plan will also lower the monthly installment payment on the outstanding student loans by capping it at 5% of borrower's discretionary income compared to the current level of 10%, waiving the outstanding balance after 10 years instead of current standard of 20 years, and raising the floor of eligibility of monthly repayment to 225% of federal poverty level. The price tag of Biden's student loan forgiveness is about $300 billion.
Biden’s Debt Relief will Cost $400 billion
Congressional Budget Office on September 26, 2022 released its
estimate of what it would cost to fund Biden administration’s student loan
forgiveness plan as well as the existing pause on loan payment. The forgiveness
plan that waives up to $20,000 in loan will cost taxpayers $400 billion over the next three decades and the
existing pause will cost an additional $20 billion.
Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Blocked by Appeals Court
Several lawsuits have been filed by Conservative groups and Republican
states against Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. One such case that has
been proceeding faster and attracted attention of political observers is the
one filed by six Red States—Missouri, Nebraska, Arkansas, Kansas, South
Carolina, and Iowa—at the federal court of U.S. District Judge Henry
Autrey in St. Louis. During a hearing session on October 12, 2022, James
Campbell, an attorney in the Office of Attorney-General of Nebraska, told Judge
Autrey that Biden’s executive order fell outside the authority and would
cost the states millions of dollars. The plaintiffs have argued that state investment
entities and state loan companies which own debt from the now-defunct Federal
Family Educational Loan program are poised to be harmed by Biden’s loan
forgiveness program.
On October 20, 2022, U.S. District Judge Henry Autrey
ruled against the six states, saying that the states had failed to establish a
legal standing. Six states immediately appealed Judge Autrey’s ruling to the St.
Louis-based U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court on October
21, 2022 issued an administrative stay on Biden’s loan forgiveness plan. President
Joe Biden on October 21, 2022 told an audience of historically Black-majority
Delaware State University that 22 million of about 40 million people
eligible for some relief had already applied days after the administration
unveiled the relief application forms online.
Biden Admin Relaxes Separate Student Loan Forgiveness Rules
On October 31, 2022, Biden administration targeted loans incurred by duped students by for-profit institutions, and relaxed those rules that would facilitate loan forgiveness. In addition, Biden administration relaxed rules for students with public service careers longer than a decade. These rules are separate from the executive action that President Joe Biden has taken on August 24, 2022 to forgive up to $20,000 in federal student debt. One of the rules that Biden administration has relaxed on October 31, 2022 is the so called "group discharge" provision under which student debt for an entire group of students can be forgiven if a student is proven to be hurt by the for-profit institution's policy. Also, the cost of loan forgiveness will be recuperated from the institutions rather than borne by the tax payers.
Biden’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Put on Hold
U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman of Fort Worth on November 10, 2022 put an injunction on
President Joe Biden’s executive order to grant up to $20,000 in federal
student loan forgiveness. The Trump-appointed federal judge wrote that “in this
country, we are not ruled by an all-powerful executive with a pen and phone”
and the executive order usurped Congress’ authority. There is a separate temporary
stay by the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals since October 21, 2022.
Federal Appeals Court Extends Student Loan Forgiveness Moratorium
Extending the moratorium issued on October 21, 2022 by the
three-judge panel of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals,
the St. Louise-based federal appeals court issued a ruling on November 14,
2022, continuing the suspension of the loan forgiveness plan. The case in
the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from Nebraska, Iowa,
South Carolina, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas partly centers on the
financial harm that will be inflicted on the Missouri Higher Education Loan
Authority. The circuit court ruling stated that the “unanticipated financial
downturn will prevent or delay Missouri from funding higher education at its public
colleges and universities”. The Department of Education has modeled the
loan forgiveness plan around a federal law, Higher Education Relief
Opportunities for Students Act of 2003, commonly known as the HEROS Act,
that allows student loan forgiveness in the event of a national emergency or a war.
The post-9/11 act was leveraged by Biden administration to provide relief of up
to $20,000 to millions of students as once-in-a-century pandemic had strained
American families.
Biden Extends Student Loan Moratorium
In the face of legal setbacks, President Joe Biden on November 22,
2022 extended the moratorium, set to expire January 1, 2023, on
student loan payment to 60 days out beyond the earlier of legal resolution date
or June 30, 2023.
Supreme Court to Hear the Student Debt Cancellation Case
U.S. Supreme Court on December 1, 2022 agreed to take up the student loan forgiveness
case for hearing in the coming months so that there would be a definitive
outcome prior to the moratorium expiry date of June 30, 2023. 26 million
people applied for the waiver and 16 million were already granted, but the
program was on hold amidst a federal judge in Texas tossed out the program. A
separate case filed by six states ended up at a federal appeals court and the
court put a blockade on the program. That case has reached at the U.S. Supreme
Court and the justices will hear the case in February or March, but the program
is still under pause although Biden admin wants the Supreme Court to resume the
program as the case is being heard.
Biden Administration Publishes Lower Payment Rules for Student Loans
Announced at the same time as the student loan forgiveness plan which is now under the judicial scrutiny of the Supreme Court with hearing slated for February 28, 2023, a more consequential package that will lower the federal student loan payment amount drastically has been officially set in motion on January 10, 2023. There are three key provisions in the lower repayment package:
(1) Raising the loan repayment eligibility from the current income threshold of $20,400 per year to $30,000 per year, implying only those who earn more than $30,000 in annual income are required to make loan payment
(2) Capping the monthly loan payment at 5% of the disposable income compared to 10% under the existing rule
(3) Waiving the outstanding debt after 10 years for up to a loan of $12,000, with a year added for every $1,000 additional loans compared to 20 years or 25 years of payment under the current debt plan
Department of Education published the new rules on the Federal Registrar on January 10, 2023.
Justices Seem Skeptical to Government Argument for Student Loan
Forgiveness
On February 28, 2023, conservative justices of the U.S. Supreme
Court asked several skeptical questions on the merits and legality of the
President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness executive order that would
benefit about 43 million borrowers. Out of 26 million applicants, 16 million
have already been approved, but the program is now on hold.
Supreme Court Rules against Student Loan Forgiveness Plan
In a significant setback to one of the President Joe Biden’s election
pledges, U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority ruled on June 30, 2023
that President Biden had exceeded his authority when he decreed the student
loan forgiveness plan in August 2022. Biden administration used the Higher
Education Relief Opportunities for Students, or HEROS, Act of 2003
that empowered the education secretary to “waive or modify” loan provisions in
response to a national emergency such as 9/11 Attack or COVID-19 pandemic. In
the majority opinion for the six conservative justices, Justice John Roberts
said that Biden administration misapplied the so called “waive or modify”
provision of HEROS Act of 2003, and instead created a program from the
scratch that would eliminate student loans for 20 million people.
There are two cases filed against the loan forgiveness plan. One was led
by Missouri and other Republican-led states. The second suit was filed by two
individuals from Texas. The second suit was dismissed as the plaintiffs didn’t
have grounds to file the suit to start with as they were not impacted by the Department
of Education rules.
However, President Joe Biden, who recently announced his reelection bid,
remained firm to provide relief to one of his core constituencies through one
avenue or the other. Appearing with his Education Secretary Miguel Cardona,
President Joe Biden hours later unveiled a new federal loan forgiveness
plan under a different law, 1965 Higher Education Act.
Last three years, Trump and Biden administrations had imposed moratorium
on federal student loan repayment because of COVID-19 pandemic. The moratorium
is scheduled to end at the end of September 2023.
Biden Admin Cuts $39 billion in Student Loans
As part of the fixes to the federal student loan system’s income-driven
payment plan, President Joe Biden on July 14, 2023 announced $39 billion
automatic cancellation of federal student loans, impacting 804,000
borrowers. Roughly 43 million people of the U.S. have circa $1.6 trillion
federal student loan debt. As of now, Biden administration forgave:
* $45 billion in federal student debt for more than 650,000 public servants under Public
Service Loan Forgiveness program
* $5 billion for some 500,000 people with permanent and total disability
* $22 billion for 1.3 million borrowers who have been defrauded by their schools, or impacted
by school shuttering, or adversely hit by court settlements
Judge Tosses out Lawsuit filed to Block Biden Student Loan Forgiveness
Plan
A federal judge in Michigan on August 14, 2023 dismissed a
lawsuit brought by two Conservative groups—Cato Institute and Mackinac Center
for Public Policy—earlier this month challenging the Biden
administration’s rule to cancel $39 billion in student loan debt for 804,000
borrowers who had been in a repayment plan for more than 20 years. Conservative
groups have argued that the Biden plan unveiled on July 14, 2023 for the
income-based federal student loan waiver program should go through the traditional
rule-making process where public may offer their comments. U.S. District
Judge Thomas Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan, issuing an
18-page verdict, said the plaintiffs lacked legal standing to bring the
certiorari. The ruling came on the same day as Biden administration started
providing relief as part of the $39 billion federal student loan forgiveness
program for 804,000 borrowers who had been in the repayment plan for
20 years or more. The federal loan forgiveness program unveiled on
July 14, 2023 streamlines the repayment plan schedule by counting the
20-year threshold from the very first installment irrespective of whether the borrowers
have enrolled in the income-based plan. This will help 804,000 borrowers who
have been in the repayment plan for 20 years or more, but not necessarily
enrolled in income-based plan by backdating the auto-enrollment process.
Biden Delivers An Additional $9 billion in Student Loan Forgiveness
President Joe Biden on October 4, 2023 announced the waiver of an additional $9
billion in federal student loans under three existing programs. After the
president’s more sweeping loan forgiveness plan to help millions of borrowers getting
relief of up to $20,000 in federal student loans is stuck in the judicial
process after being rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court, Biden administration is
exploring various avenues to “help ease the burden of student debt” as much as
possible.
Over the past
two years, Biden administration carried out policy changes that led to
forgiveness of about $127 billion in federal student loans:
·
$42
billion in loan cancellation for 855,000 borrowers who have been paying student
loan payments over more than two decades under a fix to the counts needed to
qualify for the relief as part of the income-based repayment plan
·
$11.7
billion in loan cancellation for 513,000 borrowers whose records were matched
with the Social Security Administration database match under disability qualifier
program
·
$51
billion in loan forgiveness benefiting about 715,000 public servants under
Public Service Loan Forgiveness program
· $22 billion in loan
forgiven for 1.3 million borrowers defrauded by for-profit schools, or impacted
by adverse court rulings, or affected by school shuttering
************* BIDEN'S NEWLY CRAFTED, NARROWLY TAILORED STUDENT DEBT RELIEF PLAN
Biden Admin Narrows Down the Scope of Student Debt Relief Plan
After getting rejected by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2023, Biden
administration on October 30, 2023 unveiled a draft plan to provide student
debt relief to more targeted groups instead of an expansive plan originally
proposed. The targeted groups are: (1) borrowers whose balances exceed what
they have owed originally; (2) loans with repayments that have entered 25 years
or even before that; (3) loans used to fund “career-training programs” that
have led to high debt ratio or insufficient earnings; (4) those who are
qualified for other loan forgiveness program, but have not applied yet; and (5)
those who are “experiencing financial hardship” that the current student loan
doesn’t adequately address. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona issued a
statement, vowing to fight for students to ensure that the student debt didn’t
come in the way of opportunities. Most of the details are to be worked out in
the coming months.
Biden Unveils Student Debt Relief Plan in Madison
Selecting the battleground state of Wisconsin as a bully pulpit, President
Joe Biden on April 8, 2024 unveiled his administration’s newly crafted,
narrowly tailored student debt relief plan after the U.S. Supreme Court
had rejected his administration’s original—a more expansive—version of the
plan. This new plan will target five categories of borrowers under the Higher
Education Act and has better legal standing to withstand the judicial
scrutiny. The final rules are yet to be finalized.
Biden administration so far provided $144 billion in student debt
relief under piecemeal of various narrowly drawn programs, helping 4 million
borrowers.
Ed Department Files Paperwork for New Regulation for Four Targeted Debt
Relief
The Biden administration’s education department on April 16, 2024
filed paperwork for a new regulation for a narrowly crafted student debt relief
plan that President Joe Biden had unveiled last week at a campaign-style event
in Madison, Wisconsin. The paperwork is related to four of five categories.
The paperwork related to the fifth category—targeting those “experiencing
financial hardship”—will be filed later. The regulation will still go through a
30-day public comment period. The new plan is narrowly tailored and meant to
help more than 25 million borrowers.
************* BIDEN'S NEWLY CRAFTED, NARROWLY TAILORED STUDENT DEBT RELIEF PLAN
Biden to Wipe out $1.2 billion in Student Debt
President Joe Biden on February 21, 2024 announced that
students who were enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE,
program would have their outstanding debt wiped out if they had taken original
student loans $12,000 or less and were in the repayment plan for the past 10
years or more. President Joe Biden is going to send e-mails to about 153,000
SAVE beneficiaries beginning February 21, 2024. With the latest move to
provide relief to student borrowers, Biden administration has administered $138
billion in student debt relief/forgiveness plan to help about 3.9 million
borrowers.
Biden Cancels $7.4 billion in Student Loans
Four days after unveiling his newly tailored broader student debt relief
plan in Madison, Wisconsin to replace an original, more expansive plan that was
struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court, President Joe Biden on April 12, 2024
announced a $7.4 billion tranche in relief designed to help out 277,000
people. With the April 12, 2024, relief plan, President Joe Biden
so far provided $153 billion in student debt relief in several tranches,
benefiting circa 4.3 million people.
Out of 277,000 beneficiaries, about 206,800 are enrolled in Biden’s
Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan and have borrowed less
than $12,000. The outstanding debt will be forgiven after 10 years of payments
instead of normal 20 to 25 years of payment.
An additional 65,700 borrowers, who have been continuing to repay
their loans for the past 20 or 25 years based on Income-Driven Repayment, or
IDR, plan, are the potential beneficiaries too because of the IDR
adjustment made because of the inconsistencies in how repayment amount have
been calculated by loan servicers. Their outstanding debt will be obliterated.
A third group of 4,600 borrowers will have their outstanding debt
cancelled under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness plan.
Forbearance on Loan Payment for 3 million SAVE Beneficiaries
After a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Daniel D. Crabtree,
blocked the final component of the SAVE [Saving on A Valuable Education]
plan earlier in the week, Biden administration on June 28, 2024
announced forbearance on payment of student loans for 3 million
beneficiaries. More than 8 million people signed up for the SAVE plan.
Circa 4.5 million people are already reaping the benefit from the plan as they
earn too little, and now, they owe $0. For 3 million additional participants,
the June 28, 2024, announcement from the Department of Education came as
a relief. However, it’s not sure for how long the pause on principal and
interest payment will remain in place.
Appeals Revives Biden’s Reduced Payment Benefits for SAVE Beneficiaries
The Dallas Morning News reported on July 2, 2024 that a
three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
on June 30, 2024 decided to issue a stay order on the injunction imposed
by U.S. District Judge Daniel Crabtree. About 3 million beneficiaries
will see their payment reduced from 10% to 5% of the income above 225% of the
federal poverty level. Days after the lower court judge’s ruling, the federal
government announced payment forbearance for 3 million SAVE beneficiaries by
pausing their repayment. Now, their repayment will resume in August 2024 under
the reduced payment structure.
Appeals Court Imposes Administrative Stay on All of the SAVE Plan
18 days after the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued
verdict clearing the way for the SAVE beneficiaries to receive the lower
repayment on their student loan, a different appeals court—8th
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals—on July 18, 2024 blocked all of the SAVE plan
unveiled by Biden administration.
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Biden Admin Effort to Revive SAVE Program
On August 28, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court in an unsigned
order rejected to take up Biden administration’s appeal against the verdict of
the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that had set abeyance the
administration’s SAVE plan, saying that the lower appeals court had to
do the “appropriate dispatch".
Trump Admin's Ed Department Instructs Stop-Work Order to All Student Loan Servicers on IDR Loans
Trump administration's Education Department sent a memo on February 26, 2025 to student loan servicers, who held an approximate portfolio of $1.6 trillion in student loans, to stop processing work related to all IDR [Income-Driven Repayment] loans for at least for 90 days, according to The Washington Post. That leaves only one, costlier option left for student borrowers, which is 10-year standard, graduated and extended repayment option.
The Biden administration's student loan repayment-related legal woes began right from the beginning after the rules were crafted for Saving on A Valuable Education, or SAVE, program in 2023. Missouri Attorney-General Andrew Bailey and six other attorney generals filed a lawsuit in April 2024, accusing the Biden administration of overstepping the authorities and contravening the key precept of a 1993 statute (Student Loan Reform Act of 1993) that Biden administration had based to create the SAVE program. The SAVE program, a bellwether of Income-Driven Repayment, or IDR, model, was designed to provide relief to student borrowers by placing them onto a lower payment plan and an optimal/faster track for loan cancellation. After the SAVE program was rolled out, there were 8 million enrollees and 414,000 borrowers with less than $12,000 loans had already cleared out their loans.
The lawsuit filed by Missouri Attorney-General Andrew Bailey and his six Republican cohorts argued that the 1993 statute (Student Loan Reform Act of 1993) had never meant for loan forgiveness. Instead, the lawsuit argued, the statute gave authority to Education Secretary to work on a favorable repayment option and put the payment option at the maximum of 25 years. After the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out the SAVE plan, it was a matter of time that the stop-work edict would be issued by the Trump administration after Donald Trump had won the November 2024 election.
The U.S. Congress, while passing the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993, instructed the Education Department to add, refine, improve and modify the details as and when needed, resulting in different variants of student debt repayment plans, including (1) Income-Contingent Repayment, or ICR, plan of 1994, (2) Pay as You Earn, or PAYE, program in 2012, (3) Revised Pay as You Earn, or REPAYE, in 2015, and (4) Saving on a Valuable Education, or SAVE, plan in 2023, respectively. All the four variants offer some sort of loan forgiveness, with each successor more generous than the preceding one. Last month, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reiterated the invalidation of SAVE plan and added its predecessor, REPAYEE plan of 2015, too.
However, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that the plans which were exempt from its rulings are (1) Income-based Repayment, or IBR, plan that was effective since July 2009 and (2) Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF, plan, both the plans having been created by leveraging the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007.
******************** BIDEN'S STUDENT DEBT FORGIVENESS PLAN *****************
Trump Deposed Quietly in a Pair of Old Cases
The Bloomberg News reported on October 20, 2022 that
lawyers for a group of soured investors had deposed Former President Donald
Trump this week for allegedly duping them years ago to invest in a clunky
videophone business and become independent sellers of ACN Opportunity LLC.
The phone, later forced out by iPhone’s popularity, was promoted heavily by
Trump on his Celebrity Apprenticeship program as the next big deal. This
case may become a class-action lawsuit.
In a separate case, Trump was deposed by lawyers of New York author
E. Jean Carroll on October 19, 2022. The author alleged that she had been raped
by Trump two decades ago in a retail dressing room and later Trump had defamed
her when she made the allegation publicly.
Biden Inaugurates the White House Tribal Nations Summit
President Joe Biden spoke passionately on the opening day of the two-day
(November 30, 2022—December 1, 2022) White House Tribal Nations Summit
being held in person after a gap of six years. Leaders from various Indian
tribes and Alaskan Native tribes have joined the summit that has opened in the National
Native American Heritage Month (November). Biden administration wants to
achieve from the summit a broad-level agreement on host of topics such as a
10-year plan to bolster Native languages, building a robust mechanism to take
feedback from indigent communities as part of policy formulation, driving environmental
equity in the tribal communities and emboldening the rules for the rights of indigent
communities.
*******************
TRUMP VS. E. JEAN CARROLL ************
Civil Trial against Trump Goes Underway, Victim’s Friend Testifies about Rape
Civil Trial against Trump Goes Underway, Victim’s Friend Testifies about Rape
As if there is no respite from the legal challenges, Former President
Donald Trump is facing another lawsuit from columnist E. Jean Carroll,
who in a 2019 memoire has accused the former president of raping her at
a New York City department store in 1996. Trump, as usual, denied the
episode altogether. After three days of testimony by Carroll, her writer friend
Lisa Birnbach on May 2, 2023 testified that the rape and assault by
Trump did happen in 1996 and her friend had called her to say what had happened
in the Bergdorf Goodman store.
Trump Found Liable for Sexual Assault
A federal jury on May 9, 2023 convicted Former President
Donald Trump on sexual assault of advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, 79,
in 1996, and awarded $5 million to her. However, on the more serious
count of rape, the jury acquitted Trump. After the verdict in the federal civil
trial was read, Former President Donald Trump lashed out in the social
medial, calling it another “witch hunt”. Defendant’s attorney, Joe Tacopina,
is clearly happy that the jury has not determined Trump a “rapist”, but he is “perplexed”
by the verdict. Plaintiff’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, said that no one,
not even the president, was above the law.
Trump Suffers Dual Legal Setbacks
On July 19, 2023, Former President Donald Trump suffered dual
legal slamming. The first one was related to that a federal judge, U.S.
District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan, upholding a $5 million jury award handed
out in May 2023 in a case filed by E. Jean Carroll, an advice columnist,
alleging Trump of raping her at a department store more than two decades ago. The
second one was related to Trump team’s effort to move the hush money case from
the state court to federal court.
Trump Dramatizes during Jury Selection in Second Rape Trial of Advice
Columnist
After a big Iowa victory, Former President Donald Trump took a
detour to stop by a Manhattan courtroom on January 16, 2024 for a jury
selection and a session for spelling out the ground rules. Judge Lewis A.
Kaplan told the prospective jurors that an earlier jury had already
convicted the former president of raping advice columnist E. Jean Carroll
years ago at an upscale department store and already handed $5 million in
fines against Trump to be awarded to Carroll. This jury, according to Judge
Lewis A. Kaplan, should only determine if Trump owed any additional money
for his damaging comment during his presidency in 2019. When the judge asked the
courtroom whether anyone thought that there was any unfairness against anyone, former
president slyly raised his hand. The advice columnist, E. Jean Carroll, is
complaining that she has received death threats from Trump’s consiglieres and
apparatchiks, who are also trying to ennoble the insurrectionists as patriots. Nine
jurors will hear the case beginning this week.
E. Jean Carroll: Jury Returns a Second Fine against Trump
In the second civil trial in nine months against Former President
Donald Trump in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll, a
jury on January 26, 2024 awarded $83.5 million to the former
advice columnist who had accused the former president of sexually assaulting
her in a 1996 encounter at the Bergdorf Goodman store in the Fifth
Avenue. A separate jury in May 2023 awarded an additional $5 million to Carroll,
but cleared the former president of rape charge. The presumptive Republican
frontrunner was in the New York City court for couple of hours, but left before
the verdict was delivered. Later in a statement, he accused “our legal system” of
being “out of control” and slammed the $83.5 million fine “absolutely
ridiculous".
Trump, Advice Columnist Seat 15 feet from Each Other at Courtroom
Former President Donald Trump’s lawyer D. John Sauer on September 6,
2024 argued at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the
May 9, 2023, $5 million verdict against the former president was riddled with “implausible
allegations being propped up by highly inflammatory, inadmissible” evidence by
advice columnist E. Jean Carroll’s legal team.
E. Jean Carroll’s attorney Roberta Kaplan countered Trump team’s
argument, adding that her client had brought the case because the defendant “had
sexually assaulted her in 1996, in a dressing room at Bergdorf Goodman, and
then defamed her in 2022 by claiming” that she was crazy, and had made this whole
thing up. Former President Donald Trump was present at the courtroom and seated
about 15 feet from where his accuser was seated.
******************* TRUMP VS. E. JEAN CARROLL ************
******************* TRUMP VS. E. JEAN CARROLL ************
********************************** HUNTER BIDEN *********************************
Hunter Biden to Plead Guilty on Tax Evasion Charges, Acknowledges Gun-related
Mistakes
Paperwork was filed on June 20, 2023 at the federal court in
Wilmington, Delaware that said that Hunter Biden, son of President Joe Biden,
had reached an agreement with prosecutors under which the younger Biden would
plead guilty to two minor tax related counts and enter a “Pretrial Diversion
Agreement” on gun-related crime. A Pretrial Diversion Agreement is
not necessarily a plea deal. A federal judge is to approve the deal before it’s
effective.
The federal government launched an investigation into Hunter Biden’s
finances and business dealings in 2018. The investigation zeroed in on the
younger Biden’s tax evasion of 2017 and 2018 incomes although Hunter Biden eventually
paid the overdue taxes. The gun-related crime was later added to the
investigation cadence. Hunter Biden was not entitled to buy a gun in late 2018
when he was a drug user. Biden lied in the necessary background check about his
drug use. Delaware U.S. Attorney David Weiss, a Trump-era holdover, has been
investigating Hunter Biden.
Garland Pushes back on IRS Whistleblower’s Charges of Interference over
Hunter Biden
A day after the House Ways and Means Committee released a transcript
in which an IRS whistleblower, Gary Shapley, alleged that Attorney-General
Merrick Garland had denied a request by the U.S. Attorney David Weiss of
Delaware to be appointed a special counsel, A.G. Garland on June 23,
2023 refuted that a request was even made by Weiss. Garland has said that
Weiss, a Trump-era holdout and who is overseeing the Hunter Biden case, has the
authority and leeway to charge anyone he deems fit. Garland also stated that the
U.S. DOJ would not stand in the way of Mr. David Weiss testifying before the Congress.
A Pair of IRS Whistleblowers Testify at House Committee
In what could be best described as a smoke-and-mirror evidence of
culpability, House Republicans tried to portray it as solid evidence of
corruption committed by Biden family during a July 19, 2023, testimony
at the House Oversight and Accountability Committee by two IRS
whistleblowers—Greg Shapley and Joe Ziegler—who alleged that the government
had taken “slow-walking investigative steps”. Shapley alleged that U.S.
Attorney for Delaware David Weiss tried to get a special counsel status and
move the case out of Delaware, only to be rebuffed by the DOJ, an allegation
sharply refuted by the DOJ and Weiss himself. Joe Ziegler accused the Justice
Department, including Trump DOJ, of slow-walking on Hunter Biden, who had pleaded
guilty to a minor tax-related count.
Hunter Biden Plea Deal Crumbles
A federal judge on July 26, 2023 rejected the plea deal that Hunter
Biden had reached with the DOJ on June 20, 2023. The plea deal is a complex
bifurcated agreement that consists of a tax evasion-related guilty plea provision
and a “diversion agreement” component. The “diversion agreement”
pertains to Hunter Biden acknowledging wrongdoing in a gun case, leading to
agreeing not to buy firearms and use drugs for the next two years. U.S.
District Judge Maryellen Noreika cast doubt on the deal based on the
constitutionality of how the agreement had been structured, and urged both
sides to redo the agreement. The agreement is a complex deal, especially the “diversion”
component and how the government, if the deal eventually collapses, can pursue Hunter
Biden’s tax evasion or other potential crimes under the “diversion” provision
only.
Special Prosecutor Named in Hunter Biden Case
Elevating the Hunter Biden case to a level of special counsel after
a deal that required the president’s son to plead guilty to two counts of tax evasion
and acknowledge wrongdoing in a gun purchase count had crumbled, Attorney-General
Merrick Garland announced on August 11, 2023 that he was appointing a
special counsel to continue the probe into Hunter Biden. U.S.
Attorney for Delaware David Weiss will work as the special counsel in
addition to discharging his responsibilities as the U.S. attorney. David
Weiss on August 8, 2023 suggested that his investigation had reached a
stage where thereafter he “should continue as a special counsel”. Merrick
Garland, acknowledging the “extraordinary circumstances” of the case, concluded
that “it is in the public interest” to appoint a special counsel in the Hunter
Biden investigation.
Hunter Biden’s Attorney Seeks Permission to Step down
Hunter Biden’s attorney Christopher Clark asked on August 15, 2023 in a filing to
withdraw from the case as he could be called as a witness to testify for
participating in the discussion that had led to the now-crumbled deal. Clark is
being replaced by another Hunter Biden attorney, Abbey Lowell. The deal that
had been crafted, only to fall apart subsequently, included two components:
(1) a guilty plea for failing to pay taxes on incomes more than $1.5 million for
the tax years 2017 and 2018 and serve a probation instead of jail time on
misdemeanor counts; (2) no jail time on felony crime related to gun possession
while taking illicit drug in 2018 if he can stay clean for two years.
Hunter Biden Indicted on Three Counts
President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, was indicted on September 14,
2023. According to the special counsel, U.S. Attorney for Delaware David Weiss,
Hunter Biden was charged on three-count indictment. They are: (1) falsifying a
form for background check while he was buying a gun in 2018 during the same
time as he was struggling with drug addiction, (2) turning over the falsified
paper to a store for federal submission, (3) possessing a 0.38 Colt Cobra
Special for about 11 days while aware that he was a drug addict.
Hunter Biden Sues Giuliani, Costello
Hunter Biden on September 26, 2023 sued former New York City Mayor Rudy
Giuliani
and his former attorney, Robert Costello, for “hacking into, tampering with,
manipulating, copying, disseminating, and generally obsessing over” the data that
was “stolen” from Hunter Biden’s devices, thus violating the digital privacy of
president’s son.
Hunter Biden Indicted on Nine Counts related to Tax Evasion
President Joe Biden’s son Hunter Biden received bad news on December
7, 2023 as prosecutors charged the younger Biden in California on nine
counts of alleged tax evasion. Among the nine counts, three are felony counts
and six are misdemeanor.
Hunter Biden Pleads not Guilty
President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, on January 11, 2024
pleaded not guilty at a federal courthouse in Los Angeles. Hunter Biden faces nine
felony and misdemeanor tax evasion charges. U.S. District Judge Mark
Scarsi set a trial date of June 20, 2024.
Separately, Hunter Biden
faces charges in Delaware for lying in October 2018 on a federal form for
firearm purchase.
DOJ Pushes back against Hunter Biden
DOJ prosecutors on January 16, 2024 have submitted a 52-page filing
to a Delaware court, where Hunter Biden is facing a three-count indictment
related to lying on a federal form in 2018 while buying a firearm, pushing back
on the president’s son’s argument that he is being prosecuted for “vindictive
and selective prosecution” reasons tied completely to political reasons. On the
federal form, Hunter Biden in 2018 lied that he didn’t take drugs in the
past year while he was actually a cocaine addict, which president’s son
acknowledged in his 2021 memoire, a document the DOJ prosecutors cited in
defense of their case.
Hunter Biden Case Weakened by FBI Informant’s Indictment
The recent indictment of a former FBI informant weakened the House
Republicans’ case against Hunter Biden. Alexander Smirnov’s allegation
that Burisma officials had paid $5 million each to Joe Biden and Hunter Biden
around 2015 had formed the basis for the House GOP leaders to launch an
impeachment investigation into President Biden and open an inquiry against
Hunter Biden. On February 26, 2024, U.S. District Judge Ottis Wright
II ordered Smirnov jailed while waiting for trial. Smirnov was alleged to
have lied to FBI regarding bribery to Bidens.
Jury Seated in Hunter Biden Case
On June 3, 2024, a jury of 16—six men, six women and four women
as alternators—was seated to hear the case related to Hunter Biden’s lying to a
federal application form before he had purchased a gun in 2018. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, a Donald Trump appointee, is overseeing the
case in Delaware. Separately, Hunter Biden is facing a second trial scheduled
September 2024 in California on counts related to failing to pay $1.4 million
in taxes.
Hearings on Hunter Biden’s Trial Zeroes in on Deeply Personal Travails
With First Lady Jill Biden seated on the front row and wife Melissa
Cohen Biden in the courtroom, the first day of testimony on June 4, 2024
in the Hunter Biden trial at a Delaware courtroom took more like a drama-like
atmosphere. Prosecutors argued that Hunter knew what he was doing when he lied that
he had not been a drug user while filling out a federal application form to buy
a firearm in 2018. Hunter kept the Colt for 11 days before his ex-lover
and Beau Biden’s widow, Halie, disposed of the gun in trash at a nearby
market. Prosecutor Derek Hines said that “no one is allowed to lie on a
federal form”. Renowned Defense Attorney Abbey Lowell focused on the
fact that Hunter had never loaded the weapon.
First Week of Testimony Wraps up with Hunter Biden’s Daughter’s
Testimony
The first week of Hunter Biden trial was full of riveting
personal details, struggle of a man to remain sober, a relationship with his
brother’s widow colored with plenty of personal details and an ever-inquisitive
corps of journalists trying to extract every single detail of a troubled man’s
life. On June 7, 2024, Naomi Biden, daughter of Hunter, took the
stand on behalf of defense witness. Defense Attorney Abbe Lowell asked
questions to Naomi, who was cross-examined by prosecutor Leo Wise. Naomi
Biden, who had met with his dad while he was at California rehab center, told
the jurors that the weeks prior to purchasing a gun in October 2018, her dad seemed
to be doing well.
Hunter Biden Jury Begins Deliberation
On June 10, 2024, both the prosecutors and defense made the
closing arguments. Prosecutor Leo Wise urged the jurors not to look at who
were in the hearing room—First Lady Jill Biden and other Biden family members
were a regular fixture during the entire hearing process—and instead deciding the
case based on the evidence. Defense Attorney Abbey Lowell tried to put a
hole in the prosecutors’ argument. The jury has begun deliberating later in the
day, and will resume on June 11, 2024 to decide on whether to convict
Hunter Biden who is facing three felony counts—falsifying during filling
out a background check form, submitting a falsified form for federal submission
and possessing a gun as an addict.
Hunter Biden Convicted on All Three Felony Counts
A saga that had begun with answering a standard background question—Hunter
had checked No to “Are you an unlawful user of, addicted to,
marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled
substance?”—at a Delaware gun store on October 12, 2018 wound up into a major national political drama with testimonies tinged with salacious and
deeply personal details of a troubled man, his romance life and his stubborn
addiction. During a weeklong trial, the jury and the nation heard some of the riveting
storylines related to President Joe Biden’s son from, among others: (1) his
ex-wife Kathlene Buhle, who had found a crack pipe at home in 2015 and would
search her then-husband’s car for drug paraphernalia, (2) Hunter’s brother
Beau Biden’s widow Hallie Biden—who had been dating Hunter at that time and
disposed the gun that Hunter had bought on October 12, 2018 in a
supermarket trash bin 11 days later on October 23, 2018 after
discovering the Colt Cobra revolver and being panicked, only to return later
to the superstore to retrieve the gun after being instructed by Hunter, but
couldn’t find it and eventually reporting it to police—(3) Zoe Kestan, a
former girlfriend whom Hunter had met at a New York strip club, starting a
bicoastal romantic relationship.
After nearly three hours of deliberation, the jury on June 11, 2024
found Hunter Biden guilty on all three felony counts: (1) falsifying a form for
background check while he was buying a gun in 2018 during the same time as he
was struggling with drug addiction, (2) turning over the falsified paper to a
store for federal submission, (3) possessing a 0.38 Colt Cobra Special for
about 11 days while aware that he was a drug addict.
Hunter Biden Pleads Guilty to All Counts in Tax Evasion Case
Surprising the prosecutors, Hunter Biden on September 5, 2024
pleaded guilty on all nine counts—three felony counts and six misdemeanor
counts—in tax evasion case. Special Counsel David Weiss charged Hunter Biden on
nine counts of tax evasion in Los Angeles and three felony counts related to unlawful
gun possession in Delaware. In the second case in Delaware, President Joe Biden’s
son was found guilty on all three counts in June 2024. He will be sentenced in
November 2024.
On September 5, 2024, a surprised prosecution team made it a
point that they wouldn’t accept an Alford Plea, a type of plea allowing
the defendant to maintain their innocence while agreeing to a plea because of
the prosecution evidence most likely to help deliver a guilty verdict.
President Biden Pardons Son Hunter
In a sweeping reversal of his previous statement, President Joe Biden on December 1, 2024 issued presidential pardon to his son, Hunter Biden. President Joe Biden issued sweeping pardon for any crime that Hunter Biden might have committed against the federal government between January 1, 2014 and December 1, 2024.
********************************** HUNTER BIDEN *********************************
Decade of BLM Speaks of Tortuous Path, Future Challenges
A decade of Black activism marks a 10-year journey—often controversial,
but conscious-awakening; often violence-filled, but a pointer to generational
frustration; often without endgame, but guided with moral compass—on July
13, 2023 as Black Lives Matter movement has completed a full circle.
Now, it’s more important to drive home the value of reinvestment in Black
Communities especially after the recent Supreme Court’s verdict to end the
affirmative action. BLM needs to recalibrate its strategy, according to many
political analysts, to veer off the goal of Defund Police Departments
towards reforming the police departments. The July 13, 2013, verdict of
a Florida jury to acquit George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon
Martin worked as a trigger and turning point for launching of one of the
most historic civil rights movements in the U.S.
University of Pennsylvania, Harvard Presidents Resign
A Congressional hearing in early December 2023 didn’t turn out to
be a good one for the presidents of Harvard, University of Pennsylvania,
and Massachusetts Institute of Technology as their responses to the questions
surrounding freedom of expression on the college campuses and calls for
genocide of Jews were more legalistic and lacked clear condemnation of antisemitism,
according to the critics and conservative politicians. In the days aftermath of
their appearance before the House panel, chorus of calls for their resignation
increased. Donor pressure, external political groups’ clamor to purge campuses
of liberal influence and demand from a bipartisan group of lawmakers were too
much to resist for the University authorities to shield the presidents of
University of Pennsylvania and Harvard. On December 9, 2023, University of
Pennsylvania Liz Magill resigned as key donors had threatened to hold on pledges
and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro called for Magill’s resignation.
Claudine Gay, in addition to the apparent antisemitism allegations, faced plagiarism
complaints too. In October 2023, New York Post first published Gay’s
scholastic plagiarism. A panel of outside experts investigated and asked Dr.
Claudine Gay to correct handful of citations. There was no research
misconduct. However, after December 2023 testimony, calls began to pour in for
Gay’s resignation. On January 2, 2024, Claudine Gay resigned as
President of Harvard. However, MIT President Sally Kornbluth said that she had
no plan to resign anytime soon.
Six-state, 690-mile U.S. Route 127 Longest Stretch of Yard Sales
The jamboree that happens every year in the first weekend of August is
billed as the largest concurrent yard sales spanning half a dozen states and
690 miles. The iconic U.S. Route 127 originates northern part of Alabama
and ends in the southern part of Michigan, connecting in the middle
four other states—Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. This
year is the 37th year of the U.S. Route 127 Yard Sale,
according to the September 3, 2024, edition of The Dallas Morning
News.
********************************* PORT WORKERS' STRIKE ********************************
Port Workers Walk out of Job Weeks before Election
Port workers affiliated with International Longshoremen’s Association
walked the picket line right after 12:01 AM ET on October 1, 2024 at 36
ports from Maine to Texas over better pay and automation. The strike may cause
supply chain disruptions across the nation in the aftermath of devastation from
Hurricane Helene and become a hot campaign issue in the run-up to a very
close presidential election. At midnight on September 30, 2024, the
current six-year contract expired for the nation’s 45,000 port
workers. The U.S. Maritime Alliance, the coalition representing the
port authorities, offers 50% raises over the next six years. The ILA demands
77% raise plus ban on automation. The rank-and-file union members are livid
that they have not gotten fair share of the bulging profit that shipping firms
have made during the time of pandemic. In 2023, West Coast port workers, who
are under a different union, have struck and ratified their separate deal.
Biden Faces Dual Pressure on Port Strike
As tens of thousands of East Coast and Gulf port workers are striking at
terminals from Maine to Texas over demand for better wages and less automation,
thus stranding the loading and unloading of containers, Biden administration is
facing a political dilemma. Publicly they are reluctant to invoke the Section
206 of the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, better known as Taft-Hartley
Act, that empowers a president to seek a court order for a 80-day
cooling-off period to facilitate the resolution to union-corporate differences,
as Vice President Kamala Harris is actively seeking the support of unions in
the November 5, 2024, presidential poll and invoking the strike-busting measure
will be ruinous. On the other hand,
letting the strike linger on for weeks will be damaging to the country’s supply
chain ecosystem, hurting American consumers.
Port Strike Suspended as Tentative Deal Reached
Consumers may now heave a sigh of relief that the stranded merchandises,
produces and medications will now begin flowing to store shelves. The three-day
port strike called by the International Longshoremen’s Association raised
fear that there would be shortages in the store shelves, reversing a slowdown
of the inflation. However, on October 3, 2024, U.S. Maritime Alliance,
representing the shipping lines and other authorities, and ILA reached a
tentative agreement that would raise the worker wage 62% over the length
of the new six-year contract from $39 per hour to $63 per hour.
There are other outstanding issues, including the most vexing issue of
port automation, that will be discussed in the coming weeks. To ensure a smooth,
but hard, bargain, the tentative deal calls for extending the current master
contract, which has expired on September 30, 2024, through January
15, 2025. President Joe Biden extolled both sides, saying the collective
bargaining is the critical element to building a “middle out and bottom up”
economy.
********************************* PORT WORKERS' STRIKE ********************************
Woodward’s Latest Book Tells Trump Talking to Putin Several Times Since
Leaving Office
The renowned Watergate reporter Bob Woodward’s new book, War,
due to be published next week, contains several interesting stories about Trump
and Biden, according to an October 8, 2024, report published by The
Associated Press which had procured a copy of the book early. Former
President Donald Trump sent COVID-19 test machines to Russian President
Vladimir Putin as the Coronavirus was rapidly spreading throughout the world in
2020, according to the book. Since leaving office, Trump spoke with Putin as
many as seven times, according to the book. The book also says that President
Biden has been livid at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over
handling of the war with Hamas. Biden is also reported to have told an
associate that he wouldn’t have chosen Merrick Garland as attorney general.
Biden was frustrated that Garland decided to upgrade Hunter Biden’s
investigation into one to be conducted by a special prosecutor.
Largest Number of single-day Clemencies in Presidential History
Every president does it on their way out. However, the breadth of clemencies, including pardons and commutations, that President Joe Biden issued on December 12, 2024 was breathtaking. During the day, he has issued presidential pardons to 39 people (their convictions will be erased) and commutations to nearly 1,500 people (sentencing will be eliminated, but not the convictions), marking the largest number of single-day clemencies in the presidential history.
Biden Commutes 37 of 40 Death Row Inmates
President Joe Biden, days before he steps down, has commuted 37 of 40 federal death row inmates on December 23, 2024 to life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Three high-profile inmates didn't receive the presidential commutation. They are: (1) Dylann Roof, who has been convicted in 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of the Mother Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; (2) Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, convicted in 2013 Boston Marathon bombing; and (3) Robert Bowers, convicted in killing of 11 people at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018.
Biden Commutes Nearly 2,500 Non-violent Drug Convicts
President Joe Biden during his last days is issuing a flurry of clemencies, including the January 17, 2025, commutation of nearly 2,500 non-violent drug users. President Joe Biden justified his action on the ground of what could have been sentenced under today's laws, protocols and regulations and bringing parity on crimes committed for using crack cocaine and powder cocaine. Last month Jasmine Crockett, the Dallas Democrat, and other Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to President Biden to bring equity between the crack cocaine and powder cocaine sentencings.
************************ PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE ************************
Chinese Architect Wins the Pritzker Architecture Prize for 2024
The Associated Press reported on March 5, 2025 that this year's annual Pritzker Architecture Prize had been awarded on March 4, 2025 to Chinese architect Liu Jiakun of Chengdu in Southwestern Chinese province of Sichuan. Lauding Liu, the award statement said that he "upholds the transcendent power of the built environment through harmonizing of cultural, historical, emotional and social dimensions". Out of 30, or so, projects, Liu's 2015 West Village Project in Chengdu stands out for allowing the public to get connected with the surrounding nature and "built environment".
Liu Jiakun is the 54th winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize since late entrepreneur Jay Pritzker and his wife, Cindy, established the prize in 1979.
************************ PRITZKER ARCHITECTURE PRIZE ************************
STATES AND US TERRITORIES
ALABAMA
********************************** HISTORIC SELMA MARCH ******************
Obama, Bush Join Thousands to Mark the 50th Anniversary of Historic Selma March
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush led a march on March 7, 2015 on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to observe the Bloody Sunday, the Sunday March 7, 1965, when Alabama state troopers clubbed the demonstrators who were en route to the capital Montgomery to demand for voting rights for the black people. The beating and the bloody scenes transformed the conscience of a nation, eventually helping the then-President Lyndon B. Johnson to push Congress to pass Voting Rights Act later that year. Among the demonstrators beaten mercilessly by the state troopers were John Lewis, youngest leader of the movement, who subsequently became a lawmaker from Georgia and is still serving the House of Representatives. On that fateful Sunday (March 7, 1965), Martin Luther King II was not at Selma as he preached at his church on that Sunday.
Outraged by barbaric oppression by the state troopers on the Edmund Pettus Bridge, Martin Luther King II urged volunteers and ministers to join for a second march from Selma to Montgomery. However, a federal judge, Frank Johnson, put a hold on any march pending his ruling to provide protection to demonstrators from the police interference. King obliged with Judge Johnson's ruling, and instead of crossing the bridge, he had led a prayer before the demonstrators had dispersed two days later on Tuesday March 9, 1965.
Eventually, demonstrators succeeded in completing the 50-mile journey from Selma to Montgomery on their third try on March 21, 1965 after Judge Frank Johnson ordered federal protection for the marchers.
In a fitting tribute to the participants of three Selma-to-Montgomery marches, Congress on March 6, 2015 bestowed upon them with the Congressional Gold Medal, and President Barack Obama signed it on the 50th anniversary on March 7, 2015.
One Last Time, John Lewis Crosses the "Bloody Sunday" Fame Bridge
45 years after March 7, 1965, John Lewis was badly beaten by Alabama State troopers and his skull was fractured on the Edmund Pettus Bridge on the Alabama River, scores of Alabama State troopers stood in stoic silence and paid respect to the last of "Big Six" in the Civil Rights Movement as the body of John Lewis, who had breathed his last on July 17, 2020 after a long bout with Pancreatic Cancer, as his body was being drawn on a horse carriage over the bridge on July 26, 2020. Many from the crowd screamed "good trouble", often used by Lewis, who had represented an Atlanta House of Representative seat since 1987, to reflect his fighting against the White authorities.
********************************** HISTORIC SELMA MARCH ******************
Alabama Governor Issues Executive Order to Remove to Confederate Flags
In response to brutal killing of nine African American parishioners during a bible study in the historic Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston by a White gunman, Dylan Roof, who had embraced confederate flag and harbored deep loathe against Black people, Alabama Governor Robert Bentley, a conservative Republican, issued an executive order on June 24, 2015, immediately removing four secessionist flags. Governor Bentley called displaying the Confederate Battle flag akin to displaying Nazi symbols. What's made Bentley's executive order all the more significant was that the Confederacy was formed 154 years ago in Montgomery and Jefferson Davis was elected President.
Alabama Speaker Guilty of Corruption
An Alabama jury on June 10, 2016 ruled guilty verdict to one of the state's most prominent politician and rising star, Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard, on 12 counts of corruption that would not only deprive him from the position of speaker and cost him his seat in legislature, but also might land him in jail for up to 20 years.
Alabama Chief Justice Removed for the Second Time
Alabama's controversial chief justice Roy Moore, who had already been suspended by the state's Judicial Inquiry Commission since May 2016 on the grounds of judicial impropriety for refusing to carry out the U.S. Supreme Court's Obergefell vs. Hodges June 2015 ruling, was on September 30, 2016 ordered removed from the bench by the nine-member Alabama Court of the Judiciary for the rest of his terms. Roy Moore was chastised by the court of judiciary for the extra-judicial overreach by issuing a January 6, 2016, letter to Alabama's county clerks, ordering them to refuse giving same-sex marriage license. Roy Moore was not new to the controversy on the social issues. In 2003, he was ousted from the state supreme court for disobeying the order to remove a 2-and-half-ton 10 Commandments plaque from the court building. However, Moore was re-elected to the court subsequently and he had resumed pursuing his extreme right-wing agenda in the courthouse. This time will be different as his existing term will end in 2019. By that time, he will be 72, more than 70-year-upper limit, and prohibited from running for one more term.
Governor on a Hot Couch, Impeachment to Begin
As a fallout of a recording that had surfaced in 2016 exposing a scandalous and suggestive relationship with a female aide, leading to the divorce of first couple of Alabama after half-a-century of marriage, Alabama Supreme Court on April 8, 2017 quashed a lower court ruling issued a day earlier and paved the way for the Alabama House Judiciary Committee to hold an impeachment hearing against Governor Robert Bentley. A day earlier on April 7, 2017, a judge blocked the impeachment proceeding, handing a short-lived victory to Governor Bentley, 74, a dermatologist and a former Baptist Deacon. Within hours of state Supreme Court ruling, Alabama House Judiciary Committee announced plans to begin impeachment hearings on April 10, 2017.
Justice Demanded at EJ's Funeral
The Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2018) shooting death of a Black man at the Riverchase Galleria Mall triggered outrage in the community and led to week-long protest. The Hoover Police Department responded to gunshots that day at the mall in which two people were wounded by an unknown gunman. Initially police said that a Hoover police officer shot the gunman, identified as 21-year-old Emantic "EJ" Fitzgerald Bradford, but later retracted. The near daily demonstrations demanded the release of video cam of the incident. Hoover Police had turned in the video to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, but didn't release publicly. On December 1, 2018, a funeral service was held for "EJ" under a cloudy sky at Boutwell Auditorium in Birmingham and attended by a 1,000-strong crowd. Civil Rights leader Jesse Jackson Jr. electrified the crowd, demanding justice for "EJ".
Alabama's Restrictive Abortion Law Rejected by Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on June 28, 2019 rejected to take up the state of Alabama's appeal to lower court's ruling that had tossed out a controversial 2016 law that would all but ban the second-trimester abortions.
************************* BIRMINGHAM CHURCH BOMBING BY KKK
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson Calls for Knowing “Whole Truth About Our
Past”
Marking the 60th anniversary of the bombing of the 16th
Street Baptist Church in Birmingham on September 15, 1963 that had
killed four girls and severely injured a fifth girl in the midst of the intensified
Civil Rights Movement and days after Martin Luther King’s poignant “I have a
Dream” speech, the first Black woman justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on September
15, 2023 urged the attendees—Black, Whites and others—to strive for knowing
the truth, the “whole truth about our past”. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s
presence on the pulpit itself signifies the achievement that our nation has
accomplished on the blood, toil and sacrifices made by the participants of the
Civil Rights Movement that has received further moral boost and inspiration
from the deaths of Denise McNair, 11; Cynthia Wesley, 14; Carole Robertson,
14; and Addie Mae Collins, 14, on that fateful day from the dynamite
bombing carried out by the Ku Klux Klan. A fifth girl, Sarah Collins Rudolph,
was severely injured, but survived.
************************* BIRMINGHAM CHURCH BOMBING BY KKK
ALASKA
Alaska to Become Third State to Allow Marijuana Smoking
As a result of voter approval in the referendum held in November 2014, Alaska will allow its people to grow and possess marijuana effective February 24, 2015, thus ending a 40-year streak of confusion that had begun in 1975 when the state Supreme Court okayed use of marijuana inside one's home. Now, with this referendum passed with 52-48 percent votes in November 2014, Alaskan adults will be able to use the pot at private places, and the state on February 24, 2015 becomes only the third in the nation after Oregon and Colorado to allow pot. A second phase that goes into effect in 2016 at the earliest will create a regulated and taxable marketplace for pot.
Mount McKinley's Name Changed Amid Political Controversy
Obama administration on August 30, 2015 changed the name of North America's tallest mountain from Mount McKinley to Mount Denali. At 20,320 feet, Mount Denali is growing at a rate of one millimeter per year, according to the National Park Service. Alaska's Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski lauded the name change announced by the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. The name change has instantly become an object of political bickering, with Ohio politicians, especially the state's Republicans, are vocal against the name change as the nation's 25th President William McKinley has hailed from Ohio. However, Alaskans have appreciated the name change to Denali that means in Athabascan "the high one".
President Obama's Three-Day Alaska Visit Highlights Stakes on Global Warming
President Barack Obama's August 31-September 2, 2015 Alaska visit will take him to Arctic north, becoming the first sitting president to visit Arctic. President Obama will speak at a State Department-sponsored conference in the state as well as visit a sub-arctic area where he will make a case and focus nation's attention on rapid climate change.
President Obama Draws Attention to Melting Glacier
President Barack Obama on September 1, 2015 visited Kenai Fjords National Park as part of his plan to promote awareness about global warming, and drew attention of the present state of Exit Glacier that had retreated 800 feet since 2008, according to satellite tracking.
ALASKA
Alaska to Become Third State to Allow Marijuana Smoking
As a result of voter approval in the referendum held in November 2014, Alaska will allow its people to grow and possess marijuana effective February 24, 2015, thus ending a 40-year streak of confusion that had begun in 1975 when the state Supreme Court okayed use of marijuana inside one's home. Now, with this referendum passed with 52-48 percent votes in November 2014, Alaskan adults will be able to use the pot at private places, and the state on February 24, 2015 becomes only the third in the nation after Oregon and Colorado to allow pot. A second phase that goes into effect in 2016 at the earliest will create a regulated and taxable marketplace for pot.
Mount McKinley's Name Changed Amid Political Controversy
Obama administration on August 30, 2015 changed the name of North America's tallest mountain from Mount McKinley to Mount Denali. At 20,320 feet, Mount Denali is growing at a rate of one millimeter per year, according to the National Park Service. Alaska's Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski lauded the name change announced by the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell. The name change has instantly become an object of political bickering, with Ohio politicians, especially the state's Republicans, are vocal against the name change as the nation's 25th President William McKinley has hailed from Ohio. However, Alaskans have appreciated the name change to Denali that means in Athabascan "the high one".
President Obama's Three-Day Alaska Visit Highlights Stakes on Global Warming
President Barack Obama's August 31-September 2, 2015 Alaska visit will take him to Arctic north, becoming the first sitting president to visit Arctic. President Obama will speak at a State Department-sponsored conference in the state as well as visit a sub-arctic area where he will make a case and focus nation's attention on rapid climate change.
President Obama Draws Attention to Melting Glacier
President Barack Obama on September 1, 2015 visited Kenai Fjords National Park as part of his plan to promote awareness about global warming, and drew attention of the present state of Exit Glacier that had retreated 800 feet since 2008, according to satellite tracking.
Alaskan Air Crash Kills 11 on Board
The third air accident in eight days happened in a remote area in Alaska as a Bering Air Caravan turboprop disappeared at 3:18PM on February 6, 2025 en route from Unalakleet to Nom in western Alaska. All 10 people on board--9 adult passengers and the pilot--are thought to be dead. On February 7, 2025, the U.S. Coast Guard searchers located the plane in the sea ice. Bering Air Caravan is an Alaska-based commuter airline serving 32 villages from the hub towns of Nom, Unalakleet and Kotzebue, a trio of Gold Rush localities on the Iditarod Trail made famous for the sled dog race.
Remains of All 10 Recovered on February 8, 2025.
ARKANSAS
Controversial Religious Freedom Bill Goes to Governor's Desk
Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon on March 31, 2015 asked Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto a religious freedom bill passed by the state lawmakers days after a similar bill in Indiana had stirred protest all across the nation. The Arkansas bill reached at governor's desk on March 31.
Arkansas Religious Freedom Bill Tweaked, Governor Signs
After relentless pressure from the businesses and political establishment alike, Arkansas legislators on April 2, 2015 made necessary changes to the bill. Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed it.
Arkansas Voter ID Law Signed
In another stab in the back of voting rights, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchison on March 24, 2017 signed a voter ID law that was as restrictive as the one passed by the state legislature in 2013, but blocked by the state Supreme Court a year later.
CALIFORNIA
********************************* WATER RESTRICTION *************************
California Governor Declares Nation's First State-wide Water Restriction
Standing at the Echo Summit on Sierra Nevada, Governor Jerry Brown on April 1, 2015 painted a bleak picture of water shortages for the state and said that he had signed an executive order asking the California Water Resources Control Board to cut water usage by 25% from 2013 usage level. The drastic action for the state, in its fourth year under a severe drought, was needed as this year witnessed a record low snowpack that usually supplies one-third of water supply. Governor's move marked the first time that any state had taken action to restrict water usage.
California Lifts Statewide Water Restriction
After more than a year of statewide strict water conservation that had reduced water consumption almost by 20 percent, California Water Resources Control Board in a meeting on May 18, 2016 lifted the statewide restrictions. Under the May 18, 2016, directive, state's more than 400 local water districts will have broad leeway on whether, or how, to implement water conservation.
Governor Lifts Drought Emergency
California Governor Jerry Brown on April 8, 2017 declared an end to statewide drought emergency.
********************************* WATER RESTRICTION *************************
California Governor Signs Strict School Vaccination Measure
Haunted by a recent spurt of measles outbreak that traced to Disneyland and spread to scores of other states, California lawmakers pushed for a stricter requirement for vaccination of students, drawing applause from public health advocates and scorn from religious conservatives. Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure, only one of its kind in the nation beside West Virginia and Mississippi that strikes at the so-called "personal belief exemption", on June 30, 2015.
California's Governor Signs End-of-Life Bill
Inspired by the story of Brittany Maynard, a brain cancer patient who had to move to Oregon to seek end of life option, and spurred by the push of her family and friends, California legislature approved an end-of-life bill for terminally ill patients. Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure on October 5, 2015, making the state only fifth in the nation after Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana to allow medical suicide.
********************************* SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTING ******************
Mass Shooting at a Holiday Party Kills 14
A mass shooting at a holiday luncheon at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California on December 2, 2015 killed 14 people and wounded at least 17 people. As the news of the workplace shooting spread, the nation had to brace for another tragedy that had become all too regular, all too common, all too frequent without any definitive answer on how to address, much less to solve, such incidents. As hours passed by, information trickled in at a steady stream that began to portray a different picture altogether. It appeared that one of the gunmen, Syed Farook, 28, worked in the county office that provides social services to people with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Farook was in the holiday luncheon early, but left the office, but returned with his wife, 29-year-old Tashfeen Malik--both of them masked and armed to the teeth--and carried out an absolute carnage and mayhem. They had also left a pipe bomb-like device at the county building that turned out to be not an explosive device, according to the San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan. As the day wore, it seemed more than just workplace violence. Syed Farook was in the holiday luncheon at the Inland Regional Center that provides services to people with disabilities, but walked out after an argument with his colleagues. After some time, Syed Farook, along with another gunman, suspected to be his wife Tashfeen Malik, armed with tactical gear and guns, stormed into the luncheon room and opened fire. The county office was put under lockdown after the massacre, worst since December 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and survivors were evacuated out of the building hours later. Meanwhile, San Bernardino police zeroed in on the suspects at the couple's townhouse in the neighboring city of Redlands, leading to an ensuing car chase and exchange of fire. After exchange of several rounds of gunfire between the suspects and police, the black SUV were left pockmarked with bullets and both suspects were killed. President Barack Obama, being regularly apprised of the San Bernardino massacre, called the latest mass shooting as part of "a pattern" that "has no parallel anywhere else in the world". In another twist of the events unfolding during the day, Syed Farook's brother-in-law Farhan Khan struggled to explain the events at a news conference held by Council on Islamic Relations in Anaheim.
FBI Treating the San Bernardino Massacre a Possible Terrorist Act
A day after December 2, 2015, mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino by 28-year-old Syed Farook and his 29-year-old wife, Tashfeen Malik, that had killed 14 people and wounded 21, an evolving picture of the private life of the suspects began to come into light. Meanwhile, authorities swept into the couple's townhouse at Redlands, and discovered more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition for the assault rifles, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition for the pistols, several hundreds for a 0.22-caliber rifle and 12 pipe bombs. The discovery puzzled the seasoned investigators, and the Assistant FBI Director of the Los Angeles office, David Bowdich, said on December 3, 2015 that he couldn't "rule anything out", although at this point, "we don't yet know the motive". The authorities said that Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik fired nearly 150 rounds in the San Bernardino county health center during the rampage at a holiday luncheon. Authorities also said that, at the time of high-chase shootout in a rented Ford Expedition with Utah plates, the suspects had 1,400 rounds for rifles and 200 rounds for handguns.
Wife Declares Allegiance to Islamic State
As the massacre began to unfold on December 2, 2015 in San Bernardino, one of the suspects Tashfeen Malik declared her allegiance to ISIL and its leader on Facebook, according to the information disclosed by authorities on December 4, 2015. Malik's Facebook posting was disclosed as authorities still struggled to find a motive behind the massacre that had killed 14 and wounded 21. FBI Director James Comey, addressing a news conference at Washington, said during the day that the husband-wife suspects were radicalized and influenced by outside terrorist groups, but there was no indication that they were part of a broader plan to inflict terror.
ISIL Claims Responsibility for San Bernardino Shooting
Three days after Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik were suspected to have carried out the worst terrorist attack in the USA since September 11, 2001, ISIL issued a statement on December 5, 2015, claiming the responsibility of the San Bernardino massacre in which 14 people were killed and 21 injured.
Focus on Farook's Friend who Has Bought Guns for Would-be Killer
One of the San Bernardino killers, Syed Farook, was reported to have asked his friend Enrique Marquez to buy guns for him around 2011 or 2012, fearing that he wouldn't pass the background check.
Friend Charged with Terrorism
A friend of Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the two San Bernardino shooters, was charged on December 17, 2015 on charges of conspiring with Farook to commit never-carried-out terrorist acts in 2011 or 2012 and illegally purchasing two assault rifles used by Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, in December 2, 2015, massacre in which 14 people were killed and 21 were injured. FBI arrested Enrique Marquez, and brought him to the U.S. District Court in Riverside, California for arraignment. Although the U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker unveiled the charges against Marquez, she made it clear that prosecutors didn't have any evidence that he had any hand or prior knowledge of December 2, 2015, San Bernardino shooting that had killed 14 people were killed and 21 were injured.
Charges Taken to Grand Jury
13 days after pressing for charges on criminal complaints against Enrique Marquez before bringing them to grand jury, the friend of Syed Rizwan Farook was indicted by a grand jury on December 30, 2015 on five counts, including conspiring with Farook to plan for never carried-out attacks on two previous occasions and making false statements during purchase of guns used in December 2, 2015, San Bernardino massacre in which 14 people were killed and 21 were injured.
Marquez Pleads Not Guilty
Enrique Marquez on January 6, 2016 pleaded not guilty. A jury trial is scheduled for February 23, 2016.
************* APPLE VS. FBI *********
Apple Ordered to Help FBI in Unlocking Shooter's iPhone
A week after FBI Director James Comey told Congress that bureau was not able to unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, Syed Rizwan Farook, a Los Angeles magistrate judge on February 16, 2016 signed off an order, asking Apple to write a software for FBI to unlock Farook's cell phone. The iPhone was issued by Farook's employer, San Bernardino County. The cell phone is password-protected, and after 10 failed tries, all data, including all the contact numbers and information stored in the phone, will be wiped out. First FBI asked Apple to disable the 10-tries-and-wipe feature. Apple responded that it couldn't disable feature 10-tries-and-wipe feature without changing its setting, which only its user could do. The only alternative option for Apple is to write a software that can bypass this 10-tries-and-wipe feature. However, this will create a backdoor and a master key that will make all iPhones vulnerable to unauthorized access. That's the reason that has prompted Apple not to oblige the court order and brace for legal fight. The order of the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym was primarily based on a 227-year-old law, All Writs Act, that allowed court to order third parties to take action to resolve matters under their jurisdictions as long as other laws were not violated.
Fed Wants to Let Apple Possess the Software
In a filing before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym, the U.S. DOJ asked on February 19, 2016 for Apple to keep possession of the cell phone unlocking software, and once the FBI was able get access to the cell phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, the technology company could destroy the software. Meanwhile, this controversy added another layer of political fodder in the campaign trail as GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, campaigning in South Carolina a day before crucial primary, called for people to boycott Apple.
Apple Calls Congress to Address Privacy vs. Security Issues
In the backdrop of the February 16, 2016, ruling by the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Apple on February 22, 2016 called for Congress to form a commission, or panel, of experts on intelligence, technology and civil liberties to discuss and devise a strategy on a fine balance of consumer privacy and security.
Apple Asks the Judge to Reverse Order
Apple Inc. on February 25, 2016 filed a brief asking the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to reverse her February 16, 2016, order that the iconic company make a software for FBI to crack into the mobile phone of one of the San Bernardino shooters.
FBI to Drop the Apple Lawsuit after Cracking the Shooter's Phone
FBI on March 28, 2016 said that it would withdraw the case against Apple after it was able, taking outside help, to crack open the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, Syed Rizwan Farook. However,, this is not the end of overall fight between tech companies and the government, and is sure to play out in future over privacy and national security. That an outside help aided FBI to break into a locked iPhone has exposed further vulnerability to Apple's security protocol.
************* APPLE VS. FBI *********
A Year Later, Wound Remains agape for Many
To the exact time a year ago when the San Bernardino shootings by a radicalized couple erupted, people observed December 2, 2016 a moment of silence to remember the victims at the Inland Regional Center. A church bell rang 14 times to honor the 14 people killed in the rampage that had wounded 22 others. Earlier, cyclists traversed 14 miles, each mile to honor for a fallen victim. The building where the mayhem occurred is still closed, and will reopen in 2017 as a memorial to the victims.
********************************* SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTING ******************
California Enacts $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage Law
California Governor Jerry Brown, surrounded by union members and lawmakers, signed a historic bill on April 4, 2016 to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also signed a bill during the day to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour.
California Imposes Additional Gun Restrictions
California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown on July 1, 2016 signed six gun control measures into law while vetoing five others. Among the measures he signed into law included turning in high-capacity magazines and background checks for purchase of ammunition.
A Landmark Anti-Pollution Law Extended
Continuing a series of progressive measures, California Governor Jerry Brown on September 8, 2016 added an additional feather of environmental success to his collection. During the day, he chose a Los Angeles park to sign a legislation that would extend a 2006 climate change law by another decade. The original law has called for reducing the statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, targets Californians are likely to accomplish sooner. However, instead of displaying a sense of self-congratulations, self-patting and, more important, complacency, Californian lawmakers pushed hard over the opposition of oil and gas industry in addition to a section of Republican Party to extend the landmark 2006 law that would aim at reducing the greenhouse emissions to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2030, a remarkable, trend-setting and lofty goal.
California Hikes Gas Tax
In a bold political move, persuasion and prodding, California Governor Jerry Brown pulled one of the most significant legislative victories in recent memories as the state legislature on April 6, 2017 passed a package of gas tax hike and increase in vehicle registration fee that would fetch an additional $5 billion a year to state exchequer.
California, 17 Other States, D.C. Sue EPA over Auto Emission Rollback
California, 17 other states and District of Columbia on May 1, 2018 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, challenging the recent steps by Scott Pruitt-led EPA to roll back the Obama-era auto emissions standards. Announcing the decision to file the lawsuit, California Governor Jerry Brown said that "states representing 140 million Americans" were banding together to take the fight to the "Outlaw Pruitt". California also threatened to file a separate lawsuit against the EPA if Pruitt tried to dismantle a 1970s era exemption that California had sought and achieved to set its own auto emissions standards. In 2012, as the Obama administration was taking steps to increase the fuel efficiency standards for the auto industry, California decided to harmonize its own rules to align with the federal standards. California stated that if the federal standard was repealed, that would still retain California's right to set its own auto emissions standard.
Former Housing Project Dweller becomes Mayor of San Francisco
A former housing project dweller, who defied all odds to rise through the ranks to become the president of 11-member Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, a city of 870,000 people of which only 6 percent are black, was declared on June 14, 2018 as the winner of last week's eight-way mayoral election. The primary challenge the first elected African-American female will be to bridge the yawning gap between city's rich and poor in a class-divided, but liberal, city where median prices of home stands at a staggering $1.3 million. London Breed grew up at the city's Fillmore neighborhoods, and now lives in a rent-controlled apartment in the city's dilapidated Lower Height neighborhood.
First Black Woman Sworn as San Francisco's Mayor
San Francisco saw history made on its own backyard on July 11, 2018 as the city's first African-American mayor was sworn in with a vow to change "the politics of 'no' to the politics of 'yes'". In a video message, city's first female mayor, Sen. Diane Feinstein, welcomed London Breed, the second female mayor of San Francisco.
Pacific Gas and Electric Files Bankruptcy Protection
California's one of the largest utilities, Pacific Gas and Elctric, on January 29, 2019 filed Chapter 11 Protection to avoid tens of billions of dollars liabilities arising from hundreds of lawsuits filed against the utility's gross negligence in 2017 and 2018 wildfires. The complaints include the utility's lack of maintenance of powerlines, pruning tree limbs and following safety protocols.
New Governor Suspends all Death Penalties
California Governor Gavin Newsom on March 13, 2019 put a hold on all executions in the state, giving a reprieve to about 737 inmates.
Shooting at Synagogue Kills One
Another shooting at the place of worship. Another manifestation of hatred. The procession of dastardly attacks on the places of worship march on, reflecting on the evil of what some of our hearts are filled in. This time it's at the Chabad of the Poway in the suburban San Diego. A 19-year-old White man, Josh Earnest, opened fire on the congregants on April 27, 2019, killing one person. Hours later Earnest was taken into custody. Like other mass killers, Josh Earnest left an online manifesto that contained hate-filled comments and he drew inspiration from the October 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting as well as mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand in March 2018. Josh Earnest is a student of California State University at San Marcos.
ARKANSAS
Controversial Religious Freedom Bill Goes to Governor's Desk
Wal-Mart CEO Doug McMillon on March 31, 2015 asked Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson to veto a religious freedom bill passed by the state lawmakers days after a similar bill in Indiana had stirred protest all across the nation. The Arkansas bill reached at governor's desk on March 31.
Arkansas Religious Freedom Bill Tweaked, Governor Signs
After relentless pressure from the businesses and political establishment alike, Arkansas legislators on April 2, 2015 made necessary changes to the bill. Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed it.
Arkansas Voter ID Law Signed
In another stab in the back of voting rights, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchison on March 24, 2017 signed a voter ID law that was as restrictive as the one passed by the state legislature in 2013, but blocked by the state Supreme Court a year later.
CALIFORNIA
********************************* WATER RESTRICTION *************************
California Governor Declares Nation's First State-wide Water Restriction
Standing at the Echo Summit on Sierra Nevada, Governor Jerry Brown on April 1, 2015 painted a bleak picture of water shortages for the state and said that he had signed an executive order asking the California Water Resources Control Board to cut water usage by 25% from 2013 usage level. The drastic action for the state, in its fourth year under a severe drought, was needed as this year witnessed a record low snowpack that usually supplies one-third of water supply. Governor's move marked the first time that any state had taken action to restrict water usage.
California Lifts Statewide Water Restriction
After more than a year of statewide strict water conservation that had reduced water consumption almost by 20 percent, California Water Resources Control Board in a meeting on May 18, 2016 lifted the statewide restrictions. Under the May 18, 2016, directive, state's more than 400 local water districts will have broad leeway on whether, or how, to implement water conservation.
Governor Lifts Drought Emergency
California Governor Jerry Brown on April 8, 2017 declared an end to statewide drought emergency.
********************************* WATER RESTRICTION *************************
California Governor Signs Strict School Vaccination Measure
Haunted by a recent spurt of measles outbreak that traced to Disneyland and spread to scores of other states, California lawmakers pushed for a stricter requirement for vaccination of students, drawing applause from public health advocates and scorn from religious conservatives. Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure, only one of its kind in the nation beside West Virginia and Mississippi that strikes at the so-called "personal belief exemption", on June 30, 2015.
California's Governor Signs End-of-Life Bill
Inspired by the story of Brittany Maynard, a brain cancer patient who had to move to Oregon to seek end of life option, and spurred by the push of her family and friends, California legislature approved an end-of-life bill for terminally ill patients. Governor Jerry Brown signed the measure on October 5, 2015, making the state only fifth in the nation after Oregon, Washington, Vermont and Montana to allow medical suicide.
********************************* SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTING ******************
Mass Shooting at a Holiday Party Kills 14
A mass shooting at a holiday luncheon at Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California on December 2, 2015 killed 14 people and wounded at least 17 people. As the news of the workplace shooting spread, the nation had to brace for another tragedy that had become all too regular, all too common, all too frequent without any definitive answer on how to address, much less to solve, such incidents. As hours passed by, information trickled in at a steady stream that began to portray a different picture altogether. It appeared that one of the gunmen, Syed Farook, 28, worked in the county office that provides social services to people with disabilities such as autism, cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Farook was in the holiday luncheon early, but left the office, but returned with his wife, 29-year-old Tashfeen Malik--both of them masked and armed to the teeth--and carried out an absolute carnage and mayhem. They had also left a pipe bomb-like device at the county building that turned out to be not an explosive device, according to the San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan. As the day wore, it seemed more than just workplace violence. Syed Farook was in the holiday luncheon at the Inland Regional Center that provides services to people with disabilities, but walked out after an argument with his colleagues. After some time, Syed Farook, along with another gunman, suspected to be his wife Tashfeen Malik, armed with tactical gear and guns, stormed into the luncheon room and opened fire. The county office was put under lockdown after the massacre, worst since December 2012 mass shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, and survivors were evacuated out of the building hours later. Meanwhile, San Bernardino police zeroed in on the suspects at the couple's townhouse in the neighboring city of Redlands, leading to an ensuing car chase and exchange of fire. After exchange of several rounds of gunfire between the suspects and police, the black SUV were left pockmarked with bullets and both suspects were killed. President Barack Obama, being regularly apprised of the San Bernardino massacre, called the latest mass shooting as part of "a pattern" that "has no parallel anywhere else in the world". In another twist of the events unfolding during the day, Syed Farook's brother-in-law Farhan Khan struggled to explain the events at a news conference held by Council on Islamic Relations in Anaheim.
FBI Treating the San Bernardino Massacre a Possible Terrorist Act
A day after December 2, 2015, mass shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino by 28-year-old Syed Farook and his 29-year-old wife, Tashfeen Malik, that had killed 14 people and wounded 21, an evolving picture of the private life of the suspects began to come into light. Meanwhile, authorities swept into the couple's townhouse at Redlands, and discovered more than 2,500 rounds of ammunition for the assault rifles, more than 2,000 rounds of ammunition for the pistols, several hundreds for a 0.22-caliber rifle and 12 pipe bombs. The discovery puzzled the seasoned investigators, and the Assistant FBI Director of the Los Angeles office, David Bowdich, said on December 3, 2015 that he couldn't "rule anything out", although at this point, "we don't yet know the motive". The authorities said that Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik fired nearly 150 rounds in the San Bernardino county health center during the rampage at a holiday luncheon. Authorities also said that, at the time of high-chase shootout in a rented Ford Expedition with Utah plates, the suspects had 1,400 rounds for rifles and 200 rounds for handguns.
Wife Declares Allegiance to Islamic State
As the massacre began to unfold on December 2, 2015 in San Bernardino, one of the suspects Tashfeen Malik declared her allegiance to ISIL and its leader on Facebook, according to the information disclosed by authorities on December 4, 2015. Malik's Facebook posting was disclosed as authorities still struggled to find a motive behind the massacre that had killed 14 and wounded 21. FBI Director James Comey, addressing a news conference at Washington, said during the day that the husband-wife suspects were radicalized and influenced by outside terrorist groups, but there was no indication that they were part of a broader plan to inflict terror.
ISIL Claims Responsibility for San Bernardino Shooting
Three days after Syed Farook and Tashfeen Malik were suspected to have carried out the worst terrorist attack in the USA since September 11, 2001, ISIL issued a statement on December 5, 2015, claiming the responsibility of the San Bernardino massacre in which 14 people were killed and 21 injured.
Focus on Farook's Friend who Has Bought Guns for Would-be Killer
One of the San Bernardino killers, Syed Farook, was reported to have asked his friend Enrique Marquez to buy guns for him around 2011 or 2012, fearing that he wouldn't pass the background check.
Friend Charged with Terrorism
A friend of Syed Rizwan Farook, one of the two San Bernardino shooters, was charged on December 17, 2015 on charges of conspiring with Farook to commit never-carried-out terrorist acts in 2011 or 2012 and illegally purchasing two assault rifles used by Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik, in December 2, 2015, massacre in which 14 people were killed and 21 were injured. FBI arrested Enrique Marquez, and brought him to the U.S. District Court in Riverside, California for arraignment. Although the U.S. Attorney Eileen Decker unveiled the charges against Marquez, she made it clear that prosecutors didn't have any evidence that he had any hand or prior knowledge of December 2, 2015, San Bernardino shooting that had killed 14 people were killed and 21 were injured.
Charges Taken to Grand Jury
13 days after pressing for charges on criminal complaints against Enrique Marquez before bringing them to grand jury, the friend of Syed Rizwan Farook was indicted by a grand jury on December 30, 2015 on five counts, including conspiring with Farook to plan for never carried-out attacks on two previous occasions and making false statements during purchase of guns used in December 2, 2015, San Bernardino massacre in which 14 people were killed and 21 were injured.
Marquez Pleads Not Guilty
Enrique Marquez on January 6, 2016 pleaded not guilty. A jury trial is scheduled for February 23, 2016.
************* APPLE VS. FBI *********
Apple Ordered to Help FBI in Unlocking Shooter's iPhone
A week after FBI Director James Comey told Congress that bureau was not able to unlock the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, Syed Rizwan Farook, a Los Angeles magistrate judge on February 16, 2016 signed off an order, asking Apple to write a software for FBI to unlock Farook's cell phone. The iPhone was issued by Farook's employer, San Bernardino County. The cell phone is password-protected, and after 10 failed tries, all data, including all the contact numbers and information stored in the phone, will be wiped out. First FBI asked Apple to disable the 10-tries-and-wipe feature. Apple responded that it couldn't disable feature 10-tries-and-wipe feature without changing its setting, which only its user could do. The only alternative option for Apple is to write a software that can bypass this 10-tries-and-wipe feature. However, this will create a backdoor and a master key that will make all iPhones vulnerable to unauthorized access. That's the reason that has prompted Apple not to oblige the court order and brace for legal fight. The order of the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym was primarily based on a 227-year-old law, All Writs Act, that allowed court to order third parties to take action to resolve matters under their jurisdictions as long as other laws were not violated.
Fed Wants to Let Apple Possess the Software
In a filing before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym, the U.S. DOJ asked on February 19, 2016 for Apple to keep possession of the cell phone unlocking software, and once the FBI was able get access to the cell phone of Syed Rizwan Farook, the technology company could destroy the software. Meanwhile, this controversy added another layer of political fodder in the campaign trail as GOP frontrunner Donald Trump, campaigning in South Carolina a day before crucial primary, called for people to boycott Apple.
Apple Calls Congress to Address Privacy vs. Security Issues
In the backdrop of the February 16, 2016, ruling by the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, Apple on February 22, 2016 called for Congress to form a commission, or panel, of experts on intelligence, technology and civil liberties to discuss and devise a strategy on a fine balance of consumer privacy and security.
Apple Asks the Judge to Reverse Order
Apple Inc. on February 25, 2016 filed a brief asking the U.S. Magistrate Judge Sheri Pym of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to reverse her February 16, 2016, order that the iconic company make a software for FBI to crack into the mobile phone of one of the San Bernardino shooters.
FBI to Drop the Apple Lawsuit after Cracking the Shooter's Phone
FBI on March 28, 2016 said that it would withdraw the case against Apple after it was able, taking outside help, to crack open the iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, Syed Rizwan Farook. However,, this is not the end of overall fight between tech companies and the government, and is sure to play out in future over privacy and national security. That an outside help aided FBI to break into a locked iPhone has exposed further vulnerability to Apple's security protocol.
************* APPLE VS. FBI *********
A Year Later, Wound Remains agape for Many
To the exact time a year ago when the San Bernardino shootings by a radicalized couple erupted, people observed December 2, 2016 a moment of silence to remember the victims at the Inland Regional Center. A church bell rang 14 times to honor the 14 people killed in the rampage that had wounded 22 others. Earlier, cyclists traversed 14 miles, each mile to honor for a fallen victim. The building where the mayhem occurred is still closed, and will reopen in 2017 as a memorial to the victims.
********************************* SAN BERNARDINO SHOOTING ******************
California Enacts $15 Per Hour Minimum Wage Law
California Governor Jerry Brown, surrounded by union members and lawmakers, signed a historic bill on April 4, 2016 to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2022. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo also signed a bill during the day to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour.
California Imposes Additional Gun Restrictions
California's Democratic Governor Jerry Brown on July 1, 2016 signed six gun control measures into law while vetoing five others. Among the measures he signed into law included turning in high-capacity magazines and background checks for purchase of ammunition.
A Landmark Anti-Pollution Law Extended
Continuing a series of progressive measures, California Governor Jerry Brown on September 8, 2016 added an additional feather of environmental success to his collection. During the day, he chose a Los Angeles park to sign a legislation that would extend a 2006 climate change law by another decade. The original law has called for reducing the statewide greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, targets Californians are likely to accomplish sooner. However, instead of displaying a sense of self-congratulations, self-patting and, more important, complacency, Californian lawmakers pushed hard over the opposition of oil and gas industry in addition to a section of Republican Party to extend the landmark 2006 law that would aim at reducing the greenhouse emissions to 40 percent of 1990 levels by 2030, a remarkable, trend-setting and lofty goal.
California Hikes Gas Tax
In a bold political move, persuasion and prodding, California Governor Jerry Brown pulled one of the most significant legislative victories in recent memories as the state legislature on April 6, 2017 passed a package of gas tax hike and increase in vehicle registration fee that would fetch an additional $5 billion a year to state exchequer.
California, 17 Other States, D.C. Sue EPA over Auto Emission Rollback
California, 17 other states and District of Columbia on May 1, 2018 filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, challenging the recent steps by Scott Pruitt-led EPA to roll back the Obama-era auto emissions standards. Announcing the decision to file the lawsuit, California Governor Jerry Brown said that "states representing 140 million Americans" were banding together to take the fight to the "Outlaw Pruitt". California also threatened to file a separate lawsuit against the EPA if Pruitt tried to dismantle a 1970s era exemption that California had sought and achieved to set its own auto emissions standards. In 2012, as the Obama administration was taking steps to increase the fuel efficiency standards for the auto industry, California decided to harmonize its own rules to align with the federal standards. California stated that if the federal standard was repealed, that would still retain California's right to set its own auto emissions standard.
Former Housing Project Dweller becomes Mayor of San Francisco
A former housing project dweller, who defied all odds to rise through the ranks to become the president of 11-member Board of Supervisors of San Francisco, a city of 870,000 people of which only 6 percent are black, was declared on June 14, 2018 as the winner of last week's eight-way mayoral election. The primary challenge the first elected African-American female will be to bridge the yawning gap between city's rich and poor in a class-divided, but liberal, city where median prices of home stands at a staggering $1.3 million. London Breed grew up at the city's Fillmore neighborhoods, and now lives in a rent-controlled apartment in the city's dilapidated Lower Height neighborhood.
First Black Woman Sworn as San Francisco's Mayor
San Francisco saw history made on its own backyard on July 11, 2018 as the city's first African-American mayor was sworn in with a vow to change "the politics of 'no' to the politics of 'yes'". In a video message, city's first female mayor, Sen. Diane Feinstein, welcomed London Breed, the second female mayor of San Francisco.
Pacific Gas and Electric Files Bankruptcy Protection
California's one of the largest utilities, Pacific Gas and Elctric, on January 29, 2019 filed Chapter 11 Protection to avoid tens of billions of dollars liabilities arising from hundreds of lawsuits filed against the utility's gross negligence in 2017 and 2018 wildfires. The complaints include the utility's lack of maintenance of powerlines, pruning tree limbs and following safety protocols.
New Governor Suspends all Death Penalties
California Governor Gavin Newsom on March 13, 2019 put a hold on all executions in the state, giving a reprieve to about 737 inmates.
Shooting at Synagogue Kills One
Another shooting at the place of worship. Another manifestation of hatred. The procession of dastardly attacks on the places of worship march on, reflecting on the evil of what some of our hearts are filled in. This time it's at the Chabad of the Poway in the suburban San Diego. A 19-year-old White man, Josh Earnest, opened fire on the congregants on April 27, 2019, killing one person. Hours later Earnest was taken into custody. Like other mass killers, Josh Earnest left an online manifesto that contained hate-filled comments and he drew inspiration from the October 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting as well as mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand in March 2018. Josh Earnest is a student of California State University at San Marcos.
Enough Signatures Collected and Verified for Recall Election
Office of California Secretary of State on April 26, 2021 verified that organizers had collected more than 1.6 million valid signatures to force a recall vote for Governor Gavin Newsom. The recall vote in Fall will ask two questions: (1) Should governor be recalled? and (2) Who are you going to vote to replace the governor? Quite a few Republicans have jumped into fray to vie for the votes related to the second question.
************************** SLAVERY REPARATION TASK FORCE ********************
California Slavery Reparation Task Force Approves Recommendation
A nine-member panel first convened nearly two years ago to study the devastating
effect of slavery and recommend appropriate reparation met at Mills College of
Northeastern University in Oakland, California on May 6, 2023 and approved a
set of proposals and recommendations that had emerged out of the process of
intense debate, discussion and deliberations. Among the proposals, the focus is
given on areas such as enhanced and deserving services in education, housing, access
to voting, healthcare, environment and food security for African-American
community; calling for a censure of the first elected California Governor
Peter Hardeman Burnett, a White Supremacist, who had encouraged laws to
exclude Black people from California; “cash or its equivalent” option as part
of reparation in addition to added services to descendants of slaves; and creation
of a new state agency to provide services to the affected beneficiaries.
California Slavery Reparation Task Force Submits Report
A landmark panel, one of a kind in the nation’s history, on June 29,
2023 submitted a circa 1,100-page report to the state lawmakers, detailing
how slavery, over-incarceration, health inequity and housing discrimination had
devastated the Black communities in California. For the first time in the
nation, the panel quantified the reparation for the descendants of former
slaves. Initially the panel has recommended $800 billion in reparation, which is
more than 2.5 times the state GDP, but subsequently reduced reparation amount to
$500 billion.
The panel approved a calculation methodology for economic redress and
prioritized it for the elderly people. For example, a 71-year-old Black person who
has lived all their life in California is expected to receive $13,600 per
year for healthcare discrimination, totaling nearly $1 million in
reparation over their lifespan. Black people who had lived in midst of “war on
drugs” between 1971 and 2020 are calculated to receive $2,300 per year
for the harm stemming from over-policing and over-incarceration. However, the
panel limited the reparations to those who could prove their family lineage to
slavery in California. The panel issued more than 100 recommendations.
************************** SLAVERY REPARATION TASK FORCE ********************
LA City Workers Strike for 24 hours
LA City Workers Strike for 24 hours
Although not on par with turbulent days of labor movement in 70s and
80s, the labor unrest and job actions are picking up steam in recent years. During
COVID-19 pandemic, many of the Blue-Collar workers sacrificed their own health
and income to ensure that the vital economic services remained intact. However,
their sacrifices were not rewarded, in many cases, by the employers, including city
governments, leading to the summer of discontent and unrest, including
Hollywood strikes by writers and actors. On August 8, 2023, circa 11,000
workers of Los Angeles observed a 24-hour strike, accusing the city
government of not negotiating in good faith. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said
that the city was available for 24/7 opportunity to resume negotiation with the
union in good faith.
COLORADO
Black Friday Shooting at an Abortion Clinic Kills 3
A gunman entered into a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood center on November 27, 2015, and opened fire, leading to an hours-long standoff that ended with the surrender of gunman, later identified as Robert Lewis Dear, 57, and three deaths, including a University of Colorado police officer, 44-year-old Garrett Swasy. Swassy was a pastor at Hope Chapel church. Beside three killed, nine people were also injured.
Suspect Screams "No More Baby Parts"
A day after another a suspected gunman, Robert Lewis Dear, 57, opened fire inside a Planned Parenthood abortion center at Colorado Springs, more information was known about the gunman. As he was taken into police custody, Dear was heard saying, "no more baby parts", a phrase that went viral after an anti-abortion group, Center for Medical Progress, secretly recorded conversation this summer with Planned Parenthood officials in which pro-abortion group's officials talked about donating baby parts for research in exchange for money. Planned Parenthood panned the video, calling the video a sham and repeating that it didn't profit from donating body parts of fetuses. Planned Parenthood concurred that it took money only to cover administrative expenses related to donating. President Barack Obama on November 28, 2015 angrily responded that the pattern and frequency of gun violence in the country was "not normal", and "enough is enough" with no control over gun purchases.
Victims of Abortion Clinic Identified
Authorities on November 29, 2015 officially identified three victims of an abortion clinic shooting that had occurred two days ago. Although Garrett Swasy was identified as one the victims hours after shooting, the identities of the other two victims were made official on November 29, 2015. They were Ke'Arre Stewart, a former Army specialist who grew up in Waco, and Jennifer Markovsky, 36, who was originally from Hawaii.
COLORADO
Black Friday Shooting at an Abortion Clinic Kills 3
A gunman entered into a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood center on November 27, 2015, and opened fire, leading to an hours-long standoff that ended with the surrender of gunman, later identified as Robert Lewis Dear, 57, and three deaths, including a University of Colorado police officer, 44-year-old Garrett Swasy. Swassy was a pastor at Hope Chapel church. Beside three killed, nine people were also injured.
Suspect Screams "No More Baby Parts"
A day after another a suspected gunman, Robert Lewis Dear, 57, opened fire inside a Planned Parenthood abortion center at Colorado Springs, more information was known about the gunman. As he was taken into police custody, Dear was heard saying, "no more baby parts", a phrase that went viral after an anti-abortion group, Center for Medical Progress, secretly recorded conversation this summer with Planned Parenthood officials in which pro-abortion group's officials talked about donating baby parts for research in exchange for money. Planned Parenthood panned the video, calling the video a sham and repeating that it didn't profit from donating body parts of fetuses. Planned Parenthood concurred that it took money only to cover administrative expenses related to donating. President Barack Obama on November 28, 2015 angrily responded that the pattern and frequency of gun violence in the country was "not normal", and "enough is enough" with no control over gun purchases.
Victims of Abortion Clinic Identified
Authorities on November 29, 2015 officially identified three victims of an abortion clinic shooting that had occurred two days ago. Although Garrett Swasy was identified as one the victims hours after shooting, the identities of the other two victims were made official on November 29, 2015. They were Ke'Arre Stewart, a former Army specialist who grew up in Waco, and Jennifer Markovsky, 36, who was originally from Hawaii.
Colorado Baker's Case: Supreme Court Issues a Narrow Ruling
In a setback to LGBTQ rights, U.S. Supreme Court on June 4, 2018 left the businesses' right to deny the services for same-sex wedding unresolved as the majority, 7-2, issued a narrow ruling rejecting the Colorado Civil Rights Commission's "hostile" stand against the First Amendment rights of baker Jack Philips of Masterpiece Cakeshop of Lakewood, Colorado after a gay couple--Charlie Craig and David Mullins--took the case to the state's civil rights panel after being refused the service in 2012 for preparing their wedding cake. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy opined that Colorado Civil Rights Commission had displayed a "clear and impermissible hostility" to the baker and an appeals court erred favoring the state civil rights panel. Kennedy especially cited the ruling of one commissioner, who wrote: freedom of religion and religion has been used to justify all kinds of discrimination throughout history, whether it be slavery, whether it be Holocaust", and said that "this sentiment is inappropriate". Two dissenters, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sonia Sotomayor, of the Supreme Court took a symmetrically opposite stand, with Ginsburg penning a scathing critique of majority verdict, pointing out majority opinion's lack of clarity where prejudice had "infected the determinations of adjudicators in the case before and after the commission". However, Kennedy cautioned that the verdict was related only to this case, and not any broader set of ruling.
Gunman Kills 10 in Supermarket Rampage
A gunman on March 22, 2021 carried out heinous attack at a Boulder supermarket, King Soopers store, killing 10 people, including a police officer, Eric Talley, who had arrived at the scene responding to an ongoing crisis. A shirtless man with handcuff with his right leg profusely bleeding was seen being escorted out of the store by police. Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold struggled during a press conference to hold her composure and emotion.
Gunman Bought the Ruger gun Six Days before Shooting as Makeshift Memorial Attracts Hundreds
A community is in mourning. 10 Lives have been lost just because they have been at the wrong place at the wrong time. Motive of the gunman is unknown. Debate over gun control flares up. But, the outcome may remain the same as old. That's the narrative in succinct of March 22, 2021, mass shooting at a Boulder King Soopers store. The gunman, Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, 21, has been born in Syria in 1999 and emigrated to the U.S. as a toddler, according to a March 24, 2021, report carried by The Associated Press. Meanwhile, on March 24, 2021, a makeshift memorial in the parking lot of the grocery store was overflowing with wreaths, placards, candles and flowers. Vigils were being held in different places in Colorado. The gunman had allegedly purchased the weapon that he used in the supermarket six days before the heinous attack.
Gunman Appears in the Court in Wheel Chair
Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa on March 25, 2021 appeared at a Boulder courthouse for the first time. He was brought in a wheel chair. The public defender, Kathryn Herold, appointed to represent the defendant has asked for mental evaluation of her client, and to honor her request, the next hearing of Alissa will not be held until about two months or more.
*************************** COLORADO RIVER ************************************
That a deadline came and went away without any concrete action reflected
the strong will of the seven states—Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, New
Mexico, Arizona, and California—to dig in their heels against any meaningful
reduction in water usage. The deadline was August 16, 2022 for the
states to recommend a range of water usage cuts between 15% and 30%. Upper
Basin states such as Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and New Mexico do
believe that they should not be making sacrifices as they are not using as much
water as promised at the beginning. According to the Upper Basin states,
it is the Lower Basin trio of states—Nevada, California, and Arizona—using
the maximum water and should sacrifice more. Lake Mead and Lake
Powell, two crucial lakes, have water levels fallen significantly this
year, leading to calls for deeper cuts to water usage from the Colorado River
that quenches the thirst of 40 million people and supports a $15
billion agricultural economy. The water of Colorado River is used by Mexico
too. As the deadline for the deeper usage cuts to the range of 15% to 20% has
passed without any action from the states, the ball is now in the court of federal
Bureau of Reclamation. Visiting California the next day, Bureau of
Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton avoided questions on what would be
the federal response in the face of inaction by the states. Although the Inflation
Reduction Act of 2022 allocates $4 billion to help sustain a healthy
Colorado River, it's too early to stipulate a specific set of planning on how
to use that money to support the individual states’ water usages.
States to Cut Colorado River Water Usage
Los Angeles Times reported on May 22, 2023 that seven states had reached an agreement to cut down water usage from the Colorado River, main source of water for farmers, agricultural communities and ranchers in the west, for the next three years. Because of more than anticipated snowfall this year, states--California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and New Mexico--could settle for less cut in water usage. Touting the deal as an "important step forward", Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner M. Camille Calimlim Touton said that it would promote "our shared goal of forging a sustainable path for the basin that millions of people call home". Combined California, Arizona and Nevada will cut usage 3 million acre-feet over the next three years. One acre-foot serves three families each year.
CONNECTICUT
Governor Issues Executive Order to Ban Gun Sales to People on No-Fly List
Four days after President Barack Obama called on Congress during a rare Oval Office address to the nation to ban gun sales to people on federal government's no-fly list, Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy on December 10, 2015 issued an Executive Order to ban gun sales to people on the federal government's no-fly list. In addition to the new gun sales, the Executive Order has called for revoking the permits for those on the no-fly list who already own guns. If implemented, Connecticut's gun restriction will be one of the most expansive restrictions in the nation proposed so far.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Senate Blocks DC’s Overhaul of Criminal Code
The revamp of District of Columbia’s criminal code in December
2022 set off a political battle that had embroiled the Congress as a 1970s era
law, Home Rules Act, empowered the federal legislature to override many
of the local government rules in the nation’s capital. Under the December
2022 overhaul of the capital’s criminal code, first written in 1901 and
stayed at its original form with respect to many provisions since then, many of
the crimes would be redefined in terms of handing down punishment, severity and
mandatory sentences amidst a surge in crimes in the District of Columbia and other
big cities across the U.S. President Joe Biden and Democrats are defensive in
the face of Republican allegation that Democrats are soft on crime. That the D.C.
criminal code revamp went too far even for the Liberals was demonstrated by the
capital city’s mayor herself as Mayor Muriel Bowser vetoed the revamp in
January 2023, saying that she had “very significant concerns” about some of the
bill’s provisions. However, D.C. governing council voted to override the mayor’s
veto. On March 8, 2023, U.S. Senate voted 81-14 to block the revamp
of the capital city’s criminal code. President Joe Biden said that he would not
veto the bill that had sailed through House last month and was passed by the
Senate on March 8, 2023 by 81-14 margin. The criminal code overhaul, if
not blocked by the Congress, would have been effective in October 2025.
FLORIDA
************************* ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING *********************
Worst Terrorist Attack since 9/11 Kills 49
It was a night of joy, and partying on June 11, 2016. Youths were dancing to the tune of lively music, filling up the air of Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, with pomp and joy. It was a warm Saturday night full of energy and enthusiasm, with patrons mingling around amongst themselves. Then the saga of indescribable tragedy and scene of horrors began to play out for the next few hours that would end in the wee hours of June 12, 2016, but only after 49 people were dead and 53 injured in the worst terrorist attack since 9/11. Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old former security guard, turned the night club, locally known as "Orlando's night hotspot" into a butcher field. He opened fire from his assault-style weapon, killing person after person in cold blood. Around the time of killing, Mateen, who was born in New York, pledged his loyalty to the Islamic State in a 911 call. Orlando Police showed extreme caution and restraint, and eventually brought the standoff to an end around 5 AM local time, according to Orlando Police Chief John Mina. At least 30 people inside were rescued, and Mateen was killed in the shootout with the police. Responding to the worst terrorist attack since 9/11, President Barack Obama addressed the nation from the White House on June 12, 2016, resolved to "stand united as Americans to protect our people and defend our nation, and to take action against those who threaten us".
Omar Mateen, the son of Afghan immigrants, was born in New York. He graduated with an associate degree in criminal justice technology in 2006, and a year later, was hired by the country's one of the premier security companies, G4S. In 2009, he got married with a Uzbek immigrant, Sitora Yusufiy, and bought home. However, his marriage didn't last long, and Yusufiy divorced him in 2011. Omar first came under the radar of FBI in 2013 when his co-workers complained over his claim to have links to terrorist organizations. FBI interviewed him, put him under surveillance and closed the case when nothing had turned up suspicious. FBI again put a dragnet around him two months later in July 2014 after Mateen's tie with the first American suicide bomber in Syria was known. Both Omar Mateen and Moner Mohammad Abusalha, who had joined Nusra Front and blew up a truck bomb in Syria, grew up in the neighboring Vero Beach, Florida and occasionally went to the same mosque.
Meanwhile, there is no dearth of political opportunism even in the wake of such horrific attack. Both Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz criticized President Obama for not using the word radical Islam, which the president had consistently refused to use in his effort not to give credibility to the terrorists. However, taking a leap, by several laps, over all Obama critics, Texas Lieutenant General Dan Patrick took to Twitter world on June 12, 2016 morning to express his anti-gay venom: "A man reaps what he sows", only to take it down later.
No Evidence of Direct Terrorist Support in Orlando Shooting, President Says
President Barack Obama said on June 13, 2016 at a Oval Office press conference that there was no evidence of direct link of Orlando shooter Omar Mateen , who was put under the FBI's terror watch list twice, with any outside terrorist groups, although he might have been inspired by them.
President Rips Trump over His Comments
President Barack Obama said at the treasury department on June 14, 2016 that Republican Party's presumptive nominee Donald Trump had displayed "dangerous" mindset through the "language that singles out immigrants" and "entire religious communities". Obama blasted Trump for the real estate mogul's provocative and hateful comments against Muslims in the aftermath of Orlando shooting that had killed 49 people and wounded 53.
Killer's Wife under Investigation
Orlando shooter Omar Mateen's wife Noor Zahi Salman is now under scrutiny for her role to drive her to the Pulse night club before shooting as well as her presence with him during purchase of ammunition, according to a report published by The New York Times on June 14, 2016.
President Visits Orlando, Comforts Families
As has become almost a ritual to play the role of comforter-in-chief, President Barack Obama visited Orlando on June 16, 2016, and met with the families of victims, an emotional task he had become too used to in the aftermath of mass shootings during his seven years presidency. Accompanied by Vice President Joe Biden, Obama visited the makeshift memorial and laid two white roses there to pay respect to the victims.
FBI Arrests Wife of Orlando Night Club Attacker
FBI on January 16, 2017 took Noor Zahi Salman, wife of Pulse Night Club attacker Omar Mateen, into custody.
One-Year Anniversary Marked with "We Are One Pulse" Spirit
The names of 49 people, many of them from Orlando's LGBTQ community, were read exactly at 2:02AM on June 12, 2017 as an observance to the first anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks since 9/11. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer mentioned the "strength" of the community to go about the normal life for the past year.
Shooter's Widow Stands in Trial
Orlando Pulse night club shooter Omar Mateen's widow Noor Salman's trial on the charges that she had helped her husband in the Pulse Night Club shooting began on March 1, 2018 in the U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron's federal court in Orlando.
Shooter's Dad was FBI Informant
As the trial of the widow of the Pulse Night Club shooter entered the third week, Noor Salman's lawyers on March 26, 2018 dropped an explosive statement about the shooter's father, Seddique Mateen. He was an informant for FBI for eight years prior to the shooting. The defense lawyers also said that prosecution told them in a March 24, 2018, e-mail that they had found elder Mateen raising money on the day of shooting to send them to Afghanistan and Turkey as well as record of funding anti-government activities in Pakistan.
Shooter's Widow Acquitted
The Pulse Night Club shooter Omar Mateen's widow, Noor Salman, was acquitted of all charges on March 30, 2018, handing a stinging defeat to the U.S. government.
City Buys Orlando Night Club Property
At last, Orlando did have a closure to the one of the worst mass
shootings in recent years that had left 49 people dead and 53 injured at
a gay nightclub, Pulse nightclub, after a gunman owing allegiance to
Islamic State had opened fire on June 12, 2016. The city of Orlando
closed the $2 million deal with the nightclub owner on October 27, 2023
to reset the momentum to transform a site of tragedy to something meaningful
and teachable by building a memorial and a museum to honor the victims.
************************* ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING *********************
Shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport Kills 5
An active shooting scenario unraveled at Fort Lauderdale International Airport's baggage claims area on January 6, 2017 as a former National Guardsman opened fire and killed five people and wounded eight. What triggered Esteban Santiago--who had been deployed to Iraq, but later demoted and dismissed from the Guard--to open fire was unknown. His brother told reporters that Santiago had been suffering with psychological disorder.
Hurricane Irma Slams Florida
Hurricane Irma made a landfall at the state on September 9, 2017, and battered the state for several hours. At least 36 people were killed.
************************* ORLANDO NIGHTCLUB SHOOTING *********************
Shooting at Fort Lauderdale Airport Kills 5
An active shooting scenario unraveled at Fort Lauderdale International Airport's baggage claims area on January 6, 2017 as a former National Guardsman opened fire and killed five people and wounded eight. What triggered Esteban Santiago--who had been deployed to Iraq, but later demoted and dismissed from the Guard--to open fire was unknown. His brother told reporters that Santiago had been suffering with psychological disorder.
Hurricane Irma Slams Florida
Hurricane Irma made a landfall at the state on September 9, 2017, and battered the state for several hours. At least 36 people were killed.
Three Killed in Navy Base Shooting
A Saudi Air Force personnel going through training at U.S. Naval Station Pensacola opened fire at a classroom in the base December 6, 2019, killing three people before a sheriff's deputy killed the assailant. The shooter, a Saudi military member undergoing aviation training program at the base, was later identified as Ahmed Mohammad al-Shamrani. After the shooting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has visited the U.S. Naval Station Pensacola and called for an immediate end to the international training program that trains nearly 5,000 foreign military service members from 153 nations, including about 850 Saudis. After the shooting, the attention is now trained on the vetting process of the training program.
December 6, 2019 marked the second shooting at a U.S. military base within a week. On December 4, 2019, a U.S. Navy sailor opened fire at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam near Honolulu, killing two civilian defense department employees and wounding another before taking his own life.
Authorities Reveal Anti-American Twitter Rant by Gunman; Victims Identified
The Associated Press on December 8, 2019 reported that authorities had discovered the writing of the gunman, 2nd Lt. Ahmed Mohammad al-Shamrani, shortly before his shooting spree that blasted U.S. policies against Muslims and bias to favor Israel.
Families identified the three victims: Joshua Kaleb Watson, a 23-year-old graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy; Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, of St. Petersburg; and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, of Richland Hill of Georgia.
Training Program to be Reviewed; Training for Saudis Halted
In direct consequence of the December 6, 2019, shooting by a Saudi military member at the U.S. Naval Station Pensacola that had killed three people, Pentagon on December 10, 2019 decided to review the foreign military personnel training program threadbare and suspend the training for Saudi military members.
21 Saudi Military Trainees Sent Home
U.S. on January 13, 2020 announced that it was expelling 21 Saudi military personnel undergoing military training here for their Jihadist, or anti-American sentiment and contact with pornography.
A Saudi Air Force personnel going through training at U.S. Naval Station Pensacola opened fire at a classroom in the base December 6, 2019, killing three people before a sheriff's deputy killed the assailant. The shooter, a Saudi military member undergoing aviation training program at the base, was later identified as Ahmed Mohammad al-Shamrani. After the shooting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has visited the U.S. Naval Station Pensacola and called for an immediate end to the international training program that trains nearly 5,000 foreign military service members from 153 nations, including about 850 Saudis. After the shooting, the attention is now trained on the vetting process of the training program.
December 6, 2019 marked the second shooting at a U.S. military base within a week. On December 4, 2019, a U.S. Navy sailor opened fire at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam near Honolulu, killing two civilian defense department employees and wounding another before taking his own life.
Authorities Reveal Anti-American Twitter Rant by Gunman; Victims Identified
The Associated Press on December 8, 2019 reported that authorities had discovered the writing of the gunman, 2nd Lt. Ahmed Mohammad al-Shamrani, shortly before his shooting spree that blasted U.S. policies against Muslims and bias to favor Israel.
Families identified the three victims: Joshua Kaleb Watson, a 23-year-old graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy; Airman Mohammed Sameh Haitham, 19, of St. Petersburg; and Airman Apprentice Cameron Scott Walters, 21, of Richland Hill of Georgia.
Training Program to be Reviewed; Training for Saudis Halted
In direct consequence of the December 6, 2019, shooting by a Saudi military member at the U.S. Naval Station Pensacola that had killed three people, Pentagon on December 10, 2019 decided to review the foreign military personnel training program threadbare and suspend the training for Saudi military members.
21 Saudi Military Trainees Sent Home
U.S. on January 13, 2020 announced that it was expelling 21 Saudi military personnel undergoing military training here for their Jihadist, or anti-American sentiment and contact with pornography.
************************* FLORIDA CONDO TOWER COLLAPSE ********************
“Major
Structural Damage” Pointed out in Structural Engineer’s Report
In one of the grimmest building accidents in North America, a condo tower at the Florida coastal city of Surfside collapsed in the early hours of June 24, 2021. The collapse of 12-storey Champlain Towers South created an unprecedented human disaster with the fear of dozens, if not hundreds, of deaths lurking. With the daybreak, rescuers began the arduous and gruesome task of searching for survivors as hundreds were feared trapped deep inside tons of rubble. Late June 25, 2021, the city of Surfside released a structural survey report written by an engineer in October 2018 ahead of a mandatory 40-year recertification of the structure. The recertification is due this year (2021) as Champlain Towers South has been constructed in 1981. In the structural survey report, the engineer, Frank Morabito, detailed “major structural damage” to a concrete slab below the pool deck of the tower. Morabito pointed out the water damage, stressing the need to “replace the waterproofing in the near future”, failing which it “will cause the extent of concrete deterioration to expand exponentially”. Morabito also found fault in the survey report that the waterproofing had been laid on a flat slab instead of a slope surface to allow the water to run off. As of June 26, 2021, five people were reported dead and 156 still unaccounted for. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the new death and missing toll during a press conference. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett also warned about structural security of two accompanying sister towers Champlain Towers North and Champlain Towers East.
In one of the grimmest building accidents in North America, a condo tower at the Florida coastal city of Surfside collapsed in the early hours of June 24, 2021. The collapse of 12-storey Champlain Towers South created an unprecedented human disaster with the fear of dozens, if not hundreds, of deaths lurking. With the daybreak, rescuers began the arduous and gruesome task of searching for survivors as hundreds were feared trapped deep inside tons of rubble. Late June 25, 2021, the city of Surfside released a structural survey report written by an engineer in October 2018 ahead of a mandatory 40-year recertification of the structure. The recertification is due this year (2021) as Champlain Towers South has been constructed in 1981. In the structural survey report, the engineer, Frank Morabito, detailed “major structural damage” to a concrete slab below the pool deck of the tower. Morabito pointed out the water damage, stressing the need to “replace the waterproofing in the near future”, failing which it “will cause the extent of concrete deterioration to expand exponentially”. Morabito also found fault in the survey report that the waterproofing had been laid on a flat slab instead of a slope surface to allow the water to run off. As of June 26, 2021, five people were reported dead and 156 still unaccounted for. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the new death and missing toll during a press conference. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett also warned about structural security of two accompanying sister towers Champlain Towers North and Champlain Towers East.
Two More Bodies Retrieved from the Rubble
Non-stop, 24/7 search-and-rescue effort continued for the fifth straight day on June 28, 2021 in Surfside, Florida, with emergency personnel deploying bucket brigade and heavy machinery and carefully rummaging slab by slab to find anyone live or dead. Rescuers on June 28, 2021 pulled two bodies, raising the death toll to 11, while about 150 remains unaccounted for. Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava stressed that search-and-rescue would continue to "exhaust every possible option". Florida Governor Ron DeSantis pleaded for patience as efforts were underway to find answers to the pancake-like collapse of Champlain Towers South. Meanwhile, Biden administration offered to help in search and investigation.
Months before Collapse, Hefty Price Tag for Repairs Mentioned in a Letter
Media reports on June 29, 2021 brought to public's attention the existence of a letter written on April 9, 2021 by the Champlain Towers South board president addressed to condo owners that the repair costs to the damages reported by a 2018 consultant report had climbed significantly and would now cost more than $15.5 million. Jean Wodnicki, the condo board president, also hinted that it would cost significantly more if repairs to damages pointed out by Morabito Consultant was delayed. Meanwhile, as of June 29, 2021, the death toll rose to 12, with 149 people still unaccounted for.
Six
Bodies Recovered from Condo Rubble
In
the largest number of recovery of bodies yet, rescuers on June 30, 2021
pulled six bodies from the rubble as the non-stop search-and-rescue operation
continued for the seventh consecutive day. With discovery of six bodies, the
death toll rose to 18, with 145 residents unaccounted for. Miami-Dade
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava shared the news of finding of half a dozen of
bodies at an evening news conference. Meanwhile, emergency crew built a
makeshift limestone ramp that would allow the rescuers to use crane and other
heavy equipment in clearing and removal endeavor.
President, First Lady Visits Surfside
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on July 1, 2021 visited Surfside, but eschewed going to the wreckage as search-and-rescue operation had been stopped for 15 hours during the day because of concern over the remaining parts of the tower's stability before resuming in the evening. Bidens met with about 30 rescuers, local and state officials. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis praised Biden administration for lending all help.
Another Condo Evacuated; Number Missing Sharply Drops
On July 2, 2021, a 156-unit condo tower was ordered to be evacuated as an audit report triggered by Champlain Towers South's collapse found that Crestview Towers in North Miami Beach, five miles from the Surfside condo tower that had collapsed, might be structurally and electrically deficient. The deficiency report was written in January 2021, but it was not clear why it was sitting and accumulating dirt until an audit was ordered after the collapse of the Surfside condo tower. Meanwhile, Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said on July 2, 2021 that the total number of missing people now stood at 128, 17 fewer than the estimate of people unaccounted for barely 24 hours ago. Mayor Levine Cava also told reporters that she had signed an emergency order to demolish the remaining structures of the Champlain Towers South.
Remaining Structure of Ill-fated Condo Tower Demolished
Demolition crew on July 4, 2021 brought down the remaining, fragile structure of the standing Champlain Towers South as Tropical Storm Elsa headed to Florida coast. The standing structure was posing a risk to the rescue team. The demolition company has used a method called the "energetic felling", which uses small detonation devices and relies on gravity to bring down the structure, to pull down the structure onto a limited space down.
Mission Shifts to Recovery from Rescue Operation
As days passed by and hope faded for rescuing anyone alive two weeks after the collapse of Champlain Towers South, the search mission on July 7, 2021 midnight had shifted from search-and-rescue to search-and-recovery mission.
Death Toll Rises to 79, 61 Still Missing
As of July 9, 2021, the number of dead bodies recovered from the mound of debris in the collapsed Chamberlain Towers South rose to 79. 61 people remained missing as the emergency crew were toiling day and night in what the Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava called a "staggering and heart-breaking" operation.
Search Mission Concluded at Collapsed Tower Site
After a month-long risky, arduous, boulder-to-boulder search through the mounds of 14,000 ton debris, authorities on July 23, 2021 drew the final curtain to their brave and valorous operation. So far, 97 people were reported killed and one person was yet to be identified as the search process came to an end on July 23, 2021.
Final Victim Identified
98th dead person has been identified as Estelle Hedaya, a 54-year-old fun-loving woman. With her July 26, 2021, identification, the final death toll from the June 24, 2021, collapse of Champlain Towers South now stands at 98. The tower site is now swept away, and most of the rubbles and slabs have been put in a Miami warehouse.
Preliminary Approval for More than $1 billion Settlement Okayed
A Miami-Dade County Circuit Court judge, Judge Michael Hanzman,
on May 28, 2022 put an initial stamp of approval on a more than $1
billion settlement in the case of collapsed Champlain Tower South
condominium in Surfside, Florida. The tragedy left 98 people dead, whose family
would get about $1.02 billion in compensation. Others such as who have
lost properties, under the preliminary settlement reached on May 28, 2022,
will receive $96 million. Individuals may opt out of the settlement by June
16, 2022.
************************* FLORIDA CONDO TOWER COLLAPSE ********************
Disney’s Private Government Privilege to be Revoked
Disney’s Private Government Privilege to be Revoked
Florida
State House passed a bill on April 21, 2022 that would eliminate the Reedy
Creek Improvement District, a 55-year private government entity that Disney
had come to represent and leverage to win significant financial concessions, as
the Florida GOP was hell-bent to punish the entertainment giant for its
committed stand against a recently passed bill, known by its moniker “Don’t Say
Gay”, designed to ban any discussion on gender orientation in elementary
classes. The private government privilege for Disney will be suspended at the
end of 2023. The state Senate has passed the bill earlier, and now it is
headed to the desk of Governor Ron DeSantis, who is salivating to sign the bill
to burnish his conservative credentials.
GEORGIA
Georgia Okays Medical Pot
Georgia is all set to become the 36th state in addition to Washington D.C. to allow medical marijuana with April 16, 2015, signing of a landmark legislation by Governor Nathan Deal. Under the legislation, Georgians may have up to 20 ounces of fluid cannabis oil that contains no more than 5 percent tetra hydro cannabinoil, or THC, a psychotic agent to treat eight serious medical conditions:
1. Epilepsy and other seizure disorder
2. Lou Gehrig's disease
3. Cancer
4. Multiple Sclerosis
5. Crohn's disease
6. Mitochondrial disease
7. Parkinson's
8. Sickle Cell Anemia
Georgia Governor Vetoes a So-called "Religious Right" Bill
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, who is term-limited, on March 28, 2016 has rankled his conservative party men by vetoing a "religious rights" bill that will allow wedding planners and wedding service providers to deny services to gay couples on religious ground.
Georgia Governor Vetoes Campus Carry Bill
The term-limited governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal, on May 3, 2016 vetoed a campus carry bill, becoming an exception among Republican governors in a range of issues from religious rights to campus carry.
GEORGIA
Georgia Okays Medical Pot
Georgia is all set to become the 36th state in addition to Washington D.C. to allow medical marijuana with April 16, 2015, signing of a landmark legislation by Governor Nathan Deal. Under the legislation, Georgians may have up to 20 ounces of fluid cannabis oil that contains no more than 5 percent tetra hydro cannabinoil, or THC, a psychotic agent to treat eight serious medical conditions:
1. Epilepsy and other seizure disorder
2. Lou Gehrig's disease
3. Cancer
4. Multiple Sclerosis
5. Crohn's disease
6. Mitochondrial disease
7. Parkinson's
8. Sickle Cell Anemia
Georgia Governor Vetoes a So-called "Religious Right" Bill
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, who is term-limited, on March 28, 2016 has rankled his conservative party men by vetoing a "religious rights" bill that will allow wedding planners and wedding service providers to deny services to gay couples on religious ground.
Georgia Governor Vetoes Campus Carry Bill
The term-limited governor of Georgia, Nathan Deal, on May 3, 2016 vetoed a campus carry bill, becoming an exception among Republican governors in a range of issues from religious rights to campus carry.
African-American Shot Dead again by Police, This Time in Atlanta
As if the nationwide moral anger stemming from 8 minutes and 46 seconds of brutal slow motion death of a Black male under the oppressive knee of a White Minneapolis police officer was not enough, there was another killing of African American man at the hands of a White police officer that had added fuel to this razing fire. On June 12, 2020, Rayshard Brooks failed the field sobriety test at an Atlanta Wendy's parking lot, leading to jostling between a police officer and Brooks who had snatched the Taser from the officer, but was trying to flee the scene. At that point, the White police officer, , opened the fire, leading to Brooks' death. Hours after June 12, 2020, night death of Rayshard Brooks, about 150 people demonstrated on June 13, 2020 at the Wendy's. At a news conference on June 13, 2020, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms demanded that the officer, who had opened fire on Brooks, resign or be terminated immediately. There were two officers who had attended a call that alleged that a man had fallen asleep in his car, blocking a drive-in lane of the Wendy's. On June 13, 2020, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned over the shooting as Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation into killing death of Rayshard Brooks. About 150 demonstrators gathered at the Wendy's parking lot at Atlanta, decrying the shooting death of Brooks. It was clear that although Brooks might have grabbed the Taser from one of the two officers, he started to run away from scene and there was no justification to open fire on him.
Officer Fired; Video of Shooting Released
On June 14, 2020, video footage from two officers' body-cam and police vehicles' dash-cam had been released. The video shows a regular sobriety test on June 12, 2020 going awry as officers tried to handcuff Rayshard Brooks. Brooks snatched Taser from Officer Devin Brosnan and was seen on the video running away. However, none of the two body-cam and two dash-cam cameras captured the shooting. It was captured by Wendy's security camera that showed Officer Garrett Rolfe firing three shots, mortally wounding Rayshard Brooks, 27. The killing of Rayshard Brooks triggered a fiery protest, resulting in gutting down the Wendy's on June 13, 2020 night. Authorities offered $10,000 reward for capturing the culprits behind burning down the Wendy's.
Officer Garrett Rolfe, working since October 2013, was fired from the Atlanta police department while the second police officer, Devin Brosnan, working for Atlanta Police Department since September 2018, was placed on administrative role, according to reports on June 14, 2020.
Officer Faces Murder Charge
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard on June 17, 2020 charged a White police officer, Garrett Rolfe, who had opened fire on and killed a fleeing Black person, Rayshard Brooks, 27, at a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta on felony murder and aggravated assault, saying that the outcome could have been totally avoidable. Brooks was fired on the back. According to DA Howard's charges on June 17, 2020, both Officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan didn't seek immediate medical care for Rayshard Brooks. Instead, Officer Garrett Rolfe, who had been fired from the Atlanta Police Department within 24 hours of the shooting, kicked the motionless body of Brooks while Brosnan stood on the shoulder of Brooks. Officer Devin Brosnan became a witness in the inquiry, and he had been charged with lesser aggravated assault count.
As if the nationwide moral anger stemming from 8 minutes and 46 seconds of brutal slow motion death of a Black male under the oppressive knee of a White Minneapolis police officer was not enough, there was another killing of African American man at the hands of a White police officer that had added fuel to this razing fire. On June 12, 2020, Rayshard Brooks failed the field sobriety test at an Atlanta Wendy's parking lot, leading to jostling between a police officer and Brooks who had snatched the Taser from the officer, but was trying to flee the scene. At that point, the White police officer, , opened the fire, leading to Brooks' death. Hours after June 12, 2020, night death of Rayshard Brooks, about 150 people demonstrated on June 13, 2020 at the Wendy's. At a news conference on June 13, 2020, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms demanded that the officer, who had opened fire on Brooks, resign or be terminated immediately. There were two officers who had attended a call that alleged that a man had fallen asleep in his car, blocking a drive-in lane of the Wendy's. On June 13, 2020, Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields resigned over the shooting as Georgia Bureau of Investigation took over the investigation into killing death of Rayshard Brooks. About 150 demonstrators gathered at the Wendy's parking lot at Atlanta, decrying the shooting death of Brooks. It was clear that although Brooks might have grabbed the Taser from one of the two officers, he started to run away from scene and there was no justification to open fire on him.
Officer Fired; Video of Shooting Released
On June 14, 2020, video footage from two officers' body-cam and police vehicles' dash-cam had been released. The video shows a regular sobriety test on June 12, 2020 going awry as officers tried to handcuff Rayshard Brooks. Brooks snatched Taser from Officer Devin Brosnan and was seen on the video running away. However, none of the two body-cam and two dash-cam cameras captured the shooting. It was captured by Wendy's security camera that showed Officer Garrett Rolfe firing three shots, mortally wounding Rayshard Brooks, 27. The killing of Rayshard Brooks triggered a fiery protest, resulting in gutting down the Wendy's on June 13, 2020 night. Authorities offered $10,000 reward for capturing the culprits behind burning down the Wendy's.
Officer Garrett Rolfe, working since October 2013, was fired from the Atlanta police department while the second police officer, Devin Brosnan, working for Atlanta Police Department since September 2018, was placed on administrative role, according to reports on June 14, 2020.
Officer Faces Murder Charge
Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard on June 17, 2020 charged a White police officer, Garrett Rolfe, who had opened fire on and killed a fleeing Black person, Rayshard Brooks, 27, at a Wendy's parking lot in Atlanta on felony murder and aggravated assault, saying that the outcome could have been totally avoidable. Brooks was fired on the back. According to DA Howard's charges on June 17, 2020, both Officers Garrett Rolfe and Devin Brosnan didn't seek immediate medical care for Rayshard Brooks. Instead, Officer Garrett Rolfe, who had been fired from the Atlanta Police Department within 24 hours of the shooting, kicked the motionless body of Brooks while Brosnan stood on the shoulder of Brooks. Officer Devin Brosnan became a witness in the inquiry, and he had been charged with lesser aggravated assault count.
Georgia Congresswoman Stripped of Her Committee Assignment
In repudiation to her past comments and association with QAnon movement, House Democrats on February 4, 2021 in a florr vote stripped Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from committee assignment. The vote was 230-199, with 11 Republican lawmakers joining all Democrats. Democrats decried Greene's past comments that included denial of 9/11, conspiracy theories about school shootings and reference of Washington bureaucracy as a cabal of satan-worshipping pedophiles. Rep. Greene took her own defense on the house floor, and said that her past comments were not based on truth, but stopped short of apologizing. Republicans blamed the Democratic majority for punishing a member for past comments, not for comments while in office. Democrats said that there was no remorse on Taylor Greene's part, and thus, the stripping was justified.
Eight People, including Six from Asian Descent, Killed in a Rampage against Massage Parlors
In a rampage targeting Asians, a gunman went from one massage parlor to another in Atlanta area on March 16, 2021 and, when the rampage against three parlors was over, eight people--including seven women and six of Asian descent--were dead. The 21-year-old gunman, Robert Aaron Long, was later arrested in Cherokee County. He blamed "sex addiction" for carrying out the mass murder. This is the latest incident of numerous attacks--and, by far, the bloodiest attack--against Asian Americans that had intensified during Coronavirus pandemic.
Georgia’s
Voting Law a Major Concern for Minorities
After
Donald Trump’s defeat in 2020 election, Republicans in several states have taken
some of the harshest and shameful measures to restrict access to voting.
Georgia has become the epicenter of the fight against indirect voter
suppression. In response to Governor Brian Kemp’s signing of Georgia’s
Election Integrity Act, NAACP and other organizations have filed a lawsuit
on March 28, 2021 against Georgia
Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger and other members of the State
Election Board on the ground that the law violates the U.S. Constitution
and Voting Rights Act. Georgia’s Election Integrity Act requires a photo ID
when voting absentee by mail, cuts down the time to seek mail in ballots, drop
box location and access restrictions and other measures.
Atlanta City Council Approves so called “Cop City”
Defying a stubborn protest that has elicited tremendous amount of
support from all over the world, Atlanta City Council has voted 11-4
just after 5AM on June 6, 2023 for a budget proposal that includes $90
million for a new center-of-the-art police and training institute at a predominantly
Black forested area in DeKalb County, handing a great political victory
to Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens. The training center was approved in September
2021, but needed additional City Council approval as the budget for
construction had snowballed in recent months. Environmental activists and civil
rights activists decried the so called “Cop City” plan, saying that it’s
a reflection of environmental racism and militarization of policing. Hundreds
of protesters and activists jammed the city hall to speak against the “Cop
City” plan, and the session stretched overnight to the decisive vote around
5:30AM.
The movement, dubbed as the “Stop Cop City”, has earned
international renown and recognition after the January 2023 death of
26-year-old environmental activist Manuel Paez Teran in fatal police
firing. Teran, also known as “Tortuguita”, had been camping in the wooded
site designated for the training center. His death became a rallying cry to
unite environmental activists and civil right activists to galvanize the “Stop
Cop City” protest movement.
HAWAII
************************************** PEARL HARBOR ************************
Japan to Observe Pearl Harbor Attack in a Low-Key Fashion
The December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor that killed 2,403 Americans and drew the U.S. into the Second World War is observed in a subdued and somber, but low-key, manner year after year. Most of the Japanese ignore the event as the primary memorial and remembrance takes place at Pearl Harbor's sister city, Nagaoka. Japan's past still haunts its present leadership, especially over their visit to a war memorial, Yasukuni Shrine, that also memorializes 14 war criminals, including Gen. Hideki Tojo, who as a Prime Minister ordered the Pearl Harbor attack and later hanged to death.
75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack Observed
It was a moment of poignancy and pause, a moment of introspection and insight, and most important, it was a moment of reminding ourselves both the dark and daring sides of the war. At 7:55AM on December 7, 2016, a handful of survivors, relatives, dignitaries and public officials at Pearl Harbor commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack that had killed more than 2,300 people and thrust America to the World War II.
Abe, the First Japanese Premier, Visits Pearl Harbor
In a show of reciprocal gesture for President Barack Obama's visit to Hiroshima earlier in the year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on December 27, 2016 accompanied President Obama to make a historic visit, first for a Japanese leader since the end of World War II, to Pearl Harbor and offer his "sincere and everlasting condolences to souls of those who lost their lives here". Although Abe did not apologize for Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he made an impassioned plea for the world to avoid similar catastrophic situations in future.
78th Anniversary Marked
At 7:55AM on December 7, 2019, a crowd of 2,000, including about 30 World War II veterans, observed a history-making event that had plunged the U.S. into the Second World War after Japanese warplanes had struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On that fateful day, December 7, 1941, 2,300 U.S. troops had been killed, and 1,177 were the Marines and sailors of the USS Arizona that had sunk within nine minutes of being struck. The USS Arizona still rests in the harbor as sunk graveyard of at least 900 of our service personnel. On December 7, 2019, the keynote speakers were retired Navy Adm. Harry Harris, now the ambassador to South Korea, and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
HAWAII
************************************** PEARL HARBOR ************************
Japan to Observe Pearl Harbor Attack in a Low-Key Fashion
The December 7, 1941, Japanese attack on the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor that killed 2,403 Americans and drew the U.S. into the Second World War is observed in a subdued and somber, but low-key, manner year after year. Most of the Japanese ignore the event as the primary memorial and remembrance takes place at Pearl Harbor's sister city, Nagaoka. Japan's past still haunts its present leadership, especially over their visit to a war memorial, Yasukuni Shrine, that also memorializes 14 war criminals, including Gen. Hideki Tojo, who as a Prime Minister ordered the Pearl Harbor attack and later hanged to death.
75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack Observed
It was a moment of poignancy and pause, a moment of introspection and insight, and most important, it was a moment of reminding ourselves both the dark and daring sides of the war. At 7:55AM on December 7, 2016, a handful of survivors, relatives, dignitaries and public officials at Pearl Harbor commemorated the 75th anniversary of the attack that had killed more than 2,300 people and thrust America to the World War II.
Abe, the First Japanese Premier, Visits Pearl Harbor
In a show of reciprocal gesture for President Barack Obama's visit to Hiroshima earlier in the year, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on December 27, 2016 accompanied President Obama to make a historic visit, first for a Japanese leader since the end of World War II, to Pearl Harbor and offer his "sincere and everlasting condolences to souls of those who lost their lives here". Although Abe did not apologize for Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, he made an impassioned plea for the world to avoid similar catastrophic situations in future.
78th Anniversary Marked
At 7:55AM on December 7, 2019, a crowd of 2,000, including about 30 World War II veterans, observed a history-making event that had plunged the U.S. into the Second World War after Japanese warplanes had struck Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On that fateful day, December 7, 1941, 2,300 U.S. troops had been killed, and 1,177 were the Marines and sailors of the USS Arizona that had sunk within nine minutes of being struck. The USS Arizona still rests in the harbor as sunk graveyard of at least 900 of our service personnel. On December 7, 2019, the keynote speakers were retired Navy Adm. Harry Harris, now the ambassador to South Korea, and Interior Secretary David Bernhardt.
80th
Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Attack Marked
About
30 survivors and 100 other veterans were at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 2021
to bestow rich tributes to the enormous sacrifices that more than 2,300 U.S.
troops had made after Japanese attack 80 years ago to date, propelling the U.S.
into World War II. USS Chung-Hoon, a guided missile destroyer,
passed in front of the pier where the veterans and survivors were seated. The
sailors of the USS Chung-Hoon were “manning the rails”, or lining along
the edge, to show profound respect to the veterans on the pier. David
Russell, a 101-year-old survivor who had been in the USS Oklahoma on the
December 7, 1941, stood to salute the passing destroyer on behalf of the
fragile veterans and survivors. It was another year of annual ritual as every
year there had been an ever-shrinking number of survivors and World War II
veterans to show up at Pearl Harbor as the nation was veering away further from
the memories of World War II and a generation was disappearing almost daily
basis under the natural rule of life-and-death.
************************************** PEARL HARBOR ************************
ILLINOIS
A Chicago White Police Officer Charged in the Murder of a Black Teen
A grainy video showed a White police officer firing multiple shots at a Black teenager, who appeared to be running and walking away, instead of lunging toward, the police. The video ordered released last week by a judge was a grim reminder of what had become an all-too-common episodes of tension over race, community policing and hopelessness in America's inner cities. Hours before the video was released on November 24, 2015, Cook County state's attorney, Anita Alvarez, charged the White police officer involved in the October 2014 shooting, Jason Van Dyke, in the first degree murder of Laquan McDonald, 17. Standing with the community before releasing the video, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and Police Superintendent Gary McCarthy said that they expected protests to erupt, but pleaded with the protesters to maintain peace. City tried hard to keep the video not released, citing ongoing investigation. The White police officer, Jason Van Dyke, 37, has been with the police department for the past 14 years. The NAACP said in a twitter message that it was deplorable that it took more than a year to release the video. As night fell on Chicago, protesters filled the streets, and decried the violence by police against the minorities.
Protest Peaceful in Chicago
Protests erupted hours after a video of gunning down of a Black teenager, Laquan McDonald, was released a day earlier continued peacefully on November 25, 2015. Meanwhile, community activists as well as Urban League during the day asked for federal investigation into McDonald's killing.
Police Chief Fired
As protest against shooting death of Laquan McDonald continued on December 1, 2015, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on December 1, 2015 ousted the city's police superintendent, Gary McCarthy. McCarthy was hired by Emmanuel in 2011 by Emmanuel to tackle a stubbornly high crime rate.
U.S. DOJ to Launch Investigation into Chicago Police Department
On December 7, 2015, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a Ferguson-styled investigation into patterns and practices of the Chicago police department. The demand for such investigation started to build up from the community in the aftermath of first degree murder charge slapped on November 24, 2015 against Jason Van Dyke for shooting a 19-year-old black teen, Laquan McDonald, to death in October 2014.
Police Officer Will Face No Charge in Another Shooting Death of a Black Man
A separate shooting death around the same time when Laquan McDonald was shot dead by a White Chicago police officer, Jason Van Dyke, came to national spotlight on December 7, 2015 as a prosecutor said that there was not enough evidence to press charges against a Chicago police officer who had opened fire on Ronald Johnson on October 12, 2014 on the Southside of Chicago.
Mayor Apologizes for Policing Failure
Facing an antagonistic mood from Chicago's Black politicians and people, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel on December 9, 2015 delivered an unusually emotional address to the City Council, at times choking and fighting back tears, calling for sweeping changes to policing, especially when applying force, fair treatment of city's Black residents and discipline of abusive police personnel. Mayor Emmanuel apologized for failures in meting out desired standard of policing to serve the community.
Defense Attorney of the White Cop Wants Trial to Moved out of Chicago
The defense attorney for White Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged on six counts of first-degree murder and one on official misconduct, said on December 18, 2015 that he would seek the change of venue as Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's recent comments made it impossible for his client to receive an unbiased and fair trial. Formal arraignment was set for December 29, 2015.
Police Shooting Kills Two Blacks in Chicago
Amid heightened tension between Chicago police department and the Black community stemming from the October 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald by a White police officer, Jason Van Dyke, another shooting on December 26, 2015 riled the city and its nervous citizenry. A police officer, responding to a domestic disturbance in the early morning of December 26, 2015, opened fire in the city's West Side, killing a 19-year-old college student, Quintonio Legrier, and a 55-year-old mother of five, Bettie Jones. Although both of the victims were Black, the identity of the police officer was not yet revealed. Chicago Police referred all the question to the department's independent oversight body, Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA).
Police Explains Twin Shooting Deaths in Chicago
Chicago Police Department on December 26, 2015 issued a statement explaining the situation surrounding early morning shooting deaths of Quintonio Legrier, 19, and a 55-year-old mother of five, Bettie Jones in the west side of Chicago. The statement said that the police had responded to a domestic disturbance call, and upon reaching at the house, was met by a hostile person, an apparent reference to Legrier, resulting in the shooting. The statement also expressed remorse over Jones' death, who had lived in the downstairs of the same house and was killed accidentally.
White Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty
Appearing before Judge Vincent Gaughan at the Cook County Criminal Court in Chicago on December 29, 2015, Jason Van Dyke pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke's lawyer Dan Herbert said that his client was looking forward to hang in there and telling his side of his story. Fury emerged after dash-cam video was made public in which Van Dyke was seen shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times. The dash-cam video showed the teenager, armed with knife at that time, veering off the police. Jason Van Dyke faces six counts on the first-degree murder and one count on official misconduct in the death of Laquan McDonald. Judge Vincent Gaughan set next hearing for January 29, 2016.
Chicago: Mayor Chooses Interim Police Chief
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel on March 27, 2016 picked a 27-year department veteran, Eddie Johnson, as the city's interim police chief, a necessary path to become head of the Chicago police department on permanent basis.
Former Speaker Hastert Sentenced
In a disgraceful end to a decorated public service, including an eight-year stint as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert on April 27, 2016 was sentenced to a 15-month imprisonment for trying to arrange hush money to keep his former athletic students shut on the sexual allegations perpetrated years ago by Hastert as a high school wrestling coach. The U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin said that "if Denny Hastert could do it, anyone could do it". Former speaker was present at the court in a wheel chair to hear the verdict. The case was related to an alleged effort to make arrangement for hush money, not the sexual assaults against the former athletes as the statute of limitation was already over for those charges to be brought in.
Fed Berates Chicago Police
Just few days before leaving office, Obama administration on January 13, 2017 issued a scathing report on Chicago police department's enforcement tactics, policies and procedures. The investigation was launched in December 2015 in response to a volatile law and order situation exacerbated by a raging gang violence and an apparent indiscriminate show of force by the Chicago police that had run the risk of alienating the very community it was trying to serve and seek out for support. The head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, Vanita Gupta, accused Chicago Police of using taser for simply not obeying the orders and shooting people without facing any imminent danger. The report, though, lauded the effort begun by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel to reform the police department. The report was released by A.G. Loretta Lynch accompanied by Mayor Emmanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
Three Police Officers Charged in Cover-up in the Laquan McDonald Murder
Three Chicago police officers were indicted on June 27, 2017 on charges of misconduct and obstruction of justice related to investigation into the 2014 shooting death of a black teenager, Laquan McDonald by a White CPD officer Jason Van Dyke, who had been charged with murder. The charges made public by the Special Prosecutor Patricia Brown-Holmes were brought against detective David March, with more than 30 years of experience; Joseph Walsh, about 20 years of experience; and Thomas Gaffney, more than two decades of experience.
Three Police Officers Acquitted in McDonald Murder
In a shocking verdict, Associate Judge Domenica Stephenson on January 17, 2019 acquitted three police officers--Joseph Walsh, David March and Thomas Gaffney--in the October 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald on the Pulaski Street by Jason Van Dyke. Judge Stephenson blasted the prosecution for bringing [cover-up] charges that didn't stick. McDonald's great uncle, Rev. Martin Hunter, condemned the verdict, saying the system had been biased.
McDonald Sentenced to less than 7 Years
A day after three police officers were acquitted on cover-up charges, a different judge, Judge Vincent Gaughan, on January 18, 2019 sentenced Jason Van Dyke to six years and nine months in prison. Prosecutors were asking for more than 17 years in prison, but the verdict left Chicago's Black community shell-shocked. Van Dyke was convicted in September 2018 on second-degree murder and 16 counts of battery.
INDIANA
Indiana's New Religious Law Evokes Strong Reaction
Hundreds of protesters descended on the lawn of Indiana Statehouse on March 28, 2015 to show their dismay and disapproval for the newly enacted religious freedom restoration measure. Critics called the measure signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence on March 26, 2015 as a license to discriminate against LGBT community. There is a federal statute called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that was signed by the then-President Bill Clinton in 1993 to protect an individual's right of religious freedom. Later 20 states, including Texas, passed such laws along the line of the federal law without much fuss and follies. However, in recent years, under the pressure exerted by the conservatives, RFRA proponents expanded the scope of the law to include businesses, such as the one in Arizona that drew sharp condemnation from businesses, leading to former Republican Governor Jan Brewer to veto the measure. Indiana measure called for prohibiting state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her religious belief. The Indiana law defines a person more broadly that also includes institutions, businesses and associations, creating a recipe for disaster and paving the way for discrimination at large such as a florist refusing to sell flowers to a gay wedding. The protest grew beyond the Indiana borders with a speed of whirlwind since Gov. Pence signed the law on March 26, 2015. A hashtag, #boycottindiana, began circulating in the social network. NCAA, whose headquarters were located in Indianapolis, expressed deep concern over the law and said that it might move the future event to other cities. Even the Republican mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard, expressed his opposition to the law.
Indiana Governor Defends the Religious Freedom Law
Unmoved by waves of protests across the nation against the recently enacted Indiana's religious freedom and restoration law, Indiana Governor Mike Pence on March 29, 2015 defended the law during his appearance at ABC's This Week.
Indiana Lawmakers to Amend the Religious Freedom Law
Under pressure and negative attention, Indiana's GOP establishment on March 30, 2015 conceded ground, and said that they would work this week (week of March 30) to amend the law. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, a stalwart in state GOP, said that the change would ensure that there was no room for discrimination against anyone. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican by himself, came out openly against the state's RFRA, saying that it could scuttle the economic prosperity of the city. The change of mind of the state's Republican establishment came after a wave of criticism poured in after the law was signed on March 26, 2015. Since then,
* Apple CEO Tim Cook condemned the law in an op-ed in The Washington Post
* NCAA hinted that it might shift major athletic events to somewhere else
* Rock band Wilco canceled a May 7, 2015, event in Indianapolis
Lawmakers Make Changes to Religious Freedom Bill, Governor Signs
Indiana lawmakers on April 2, 2015 made necessary changes to the bill, and Gov. Mike Pence signed it into law.
White Police Officer Charged in Black Motorist's Death
As if the deaths of Blacks involving White police officers across the nation over the past year were not enough in counts and creating the degree of distrust between minority communities and police departments, the July 19, 2015, killing of Samuel Debose over a minor traffic violation by a White University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, added fuel to the fire of an already deteriorating race relations. The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Deters on July 29, 2015 indicted the police officer, Ray Tensing, on a murder charge based on the video recorded by the officer's body camera. Deters called the killing of Debose as "a senseless, asinine shooting" as he pressed for the nation's first ever murder charge against a police officer.
IOWA
Iowa Governor Signs One of the Most Stringent Anti-Abortion Legislation
Surrounded by supporters and children inside her office and greeted by vehement protest by thousands of opponents outside, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on May 4, 2018 signed the so-called "heartbeat" bill that would practically ban almost all of the abortions in the state. Heartbeat is heard at the end of sixth week of pregnancy. The legislation made some exemption to incest, rape and threat of life to mothers.
KANSAS
Kansas Governor Signs Strict Abortion Measure
Kansas' avowed anti-abortion Governor Sam Brownback on April 7, 2015 signed nation's one of the strictest anti-abortion measures that would ban common dilation and evacuation procedure during the second trimester of a woman's pregnancy. The measure will go in effect on July 1, 2015.
Kansas Voter Registration Law Challenged
American Civil Liberties Union on February 18, 2016 filed a lawsuit challenging a 3-year-old Kansas law that required proof of citizenship for voting registration. According to ACLU, the law deprives voting rights of tens of thousands of genuine voters, most of them are poor, minority and elderly. Only three other states beside Kansas require the citizenship proof for registration: Georgia, Alabama and Arizona.
Kansas Supreme Court Tosses out 2015 Anti-Abortion Law
In a setback to anti-abortion supporters, Kansas' Supreme Court on April 26, 2019 blocked a 2015 anti-abortion law signed by then-Governor Sam Brownback that banned a common second-trimester procedure, dilation and evacuation, ruling that state constitution protected abortion rights. The state now has a Democratic governor, Gov. Laura Kelly, an abortion rights supporter, who has lauded the state supreme court's verdict.
************************************** PEARL HARBOR ************************
ILLINOIS
A Chicago White Police Officer Charged in the Murder of a Black Teen
A grainy video showed a White police officer firing multiple shots at a Black teenager, who appeared to be running and walking away, instead of lunging toward, the police. The video ordered released last week by a judge was a grim reminder of what had become an all-too-common episodes of tension over race, community policing and hopelessness in America's inner cities. Hours before the video was released on November 24, 2015, Cook County state's attorney, Anita Alvarez, charged the White police officer involved in the October 2014 shooting, Jason Van Dyke, in the first degree murder of Laquan McDonald, 17. Standing with the community before releasing the video, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and Police Superintendent Gary McCarthy said that they expected protests to erupt, but pleaded with the protesters to maintain peace. City tried hard to keep the video not released, citing ongoing investigation. The White police officer, Jason Van Dyke, 37, has been with the police department for the past 14 years. The NAACP said in a twitter message that it was deplorable that it took more than a year to release the video. As night fell on Chicago, protesters filled the streets, and decried the violence by police against the minorities.
Protest Peaceful in Chicago
Protests erupted hours after a video of gunning down of a Black teenager, Laquan McDonald, was released a day earlier continued peacefully on November 25, 2015. Meanwhile, community activists as well as Urban League during the day asked for federal investigation into McDonald's killing.
Police Chief Fired
As protest against shooting death of Laquan McDonald continued on December 1, 2015, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel on December 1, 2015 ousted the city's police superintendent, Gary McCarthy. McCarthy was hired by Emmanuel in 2011 by Emmanuel to tackle a stubbornly high crime rate.
U.S. DOJ to Launch Investigation into Chicago Police Department
On December 7, 2015, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced a Ferguson-styled investigation into patterns and practices of the Chicago police department. The demand for such investigation started to build up from the community in the aftermath of first degree murder charge slapped on November 24, 2015 against Jason Van Dyke for shooting a 19-year-old black teen, Laquan McDonald, to death in October 2014.
Police Officer Will Face No Charge in Another Shooting Death of a Black Man
A separate shooting death around the same time when Laquan McDonald was shot dead by a White Chicago police officer, Jason Van Dyke, came to national spotlight on December 7, 2015 as a prosecutor said that there was not enough evidence to press charges against a Chicago police officer who had opened fire on Ronald Johnson on October 12, 2014 on the Southside of Chicago.
Mayor Apologizes for Policing Failure
Facing an antagonistic mood from Chicago's Black politicians and people, Mayor Rahm Emmanuel on December 9, 2015 delivered an unusually emotional address to the City Council, at times choking and fighting back tears, calling for sweeping changes to policing, especially when applying force, fair treatment of city's Black residents and discipline of abusive police personnel. Mayor Emmanuel apologized for failures in meting out desired standard of policing to serve the community.
Defense Attorney of the White Cop Wants Trial to Moved out of Chicago
The defense attorney for White Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke, who was charged on six counts of first-degree murder and one on official misconduct, said on December 18, 2015 that he would seek the change of venue as Mayor Rahm Emmanuel's recent comments made it impossible for his client to receive an unbiased and fair trial. Formal arraignment was set for December 29, 2015.
Police Shooting Kills Two Blacks in Chicago
Amid heightened tension between Chicago police department and the Black community stemming from the October 2014 shooting death of Laquan McDonald by a White police officer, Jason Van Dyke, another shooting on December 26, 2015 riled the city and its nervous citizenry. A police officer, responding to a domestic disturbance in the early morning of December 26, 2015, opened fire in the city's West Side, killing a 19-year-old college student, Quintonio Legrier, and a 55-year-old mother of five, Bettie Jones. Although both of the victims were Black, the identity of the police officer was not yet revealed. Chicago Police referred all the question to the department's independent oversight body, Independent Police Review Authority (IPRA).
Police Explains Twin Shooting Deaths in Chicago
Chicago Police Department on December 26, 2015 issued a statement explaining the situation surrounding early morning shooting deaths of Quintonio Legrier, 19, and a 55-year-old mother of five, Bettie Jones in the west side of Chicago. The statement said that the police had responded to a domestic disturbance call, and upon reaching at the house, was met by a hostile person, an apparent reference to Legrier, resulting in the shooting. The statement also expressed remorse over Jones' death, who had lived in the downstairs of the same house and was killed accidentally.
White Police Officer Pleads Not Guilty
Appearing before Judge Vincent Gaughan at the Cook County Criminal Court in Chicago on December 29, 2015, Jason Van Dyke pleaded not guilty in the shooting death of Laquan McDonald. Van Dyke's lawyer Dan Herbert said that his client was looking forward to hang in there and telling his side of his story. Fury emerged after dash-cam video was made public in which Van Dyke was seen shooting Laquan McDonald 16 times. The dash-cam video showed the teenager, armed with knife at that time, veering off the police. Jason Van Dyke faces six counts on the first-degree murder and one count on official misconduct in the death of Laquan McDonald. Judge Vincent Gaughan set next hearing for January 29, 2016.
Chicago: Mayor Chooses Interim Police Chief
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel on March 27, 2016 picked a 27-year department veteran, Eddie Johnson, as the city's interim police chief, a necessary path to become head of the Chicago police department on permanent basis.
Former Speaker Hastert Sentenced
In a disgraceful end to a decorated public service, including an eight-year stint as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dennis Hastert on April 27, 2016 was sentenced to a 15-month imprisonment for trying to arrange hush money to keep his former athletic students shut on the sexual allegations perpetrated years ago by Hastert as a high school wrestling coach. The U.S. District Judge Thomas Durkin said that "if Denny Hastert could do it, anyone could do it". Former speaker was present at the court in a wheel chair to hear the verdict. The case was related to an alleged effort to make arrangement for hush money, not the sexual assaults against the former athletes as the statute of limitation was already over for those charges to be brought in.
Fed Berates Chicago Police
Just few days before leaving office, Obama administration on January 13, 2017 issued a scathing report on Chicago police department's enforcement tactics, policies and procedures. The investigation was launched in December 2015 in response to a volatile law and order situation exacerbated by a raging gang violence and an apparent indiscriminate show of force by the Chicago police that had run the risk of alienating the very community it was trying to serve and seek out for support. The head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, Vanita Gupta, accused Chicago Police of using taser for simply not obeying the orders and shooting people without facing any imminent danger. The report, though, lauded the effort begun by Mayor Rahm Emmanuel to reform the police department. The report was released by A.G. Loretta Lynch accompanied by Mayor Emmanuel and Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson.
Three Police Officers Charged in Cover-up in the Laquan McDonald Murder
Three Chicago police officers were indicted on June 27, 2017 on charges of misconduct and obstruction of justice related to investigation into the 2014 shooting death of a black teenager, Laquan McDonald by a White CPD officer Jason Van Dyke, who had been charged with murder. The charges made public by the Special Prosecutor Patricia Brown-Holmes were brought against detective David March, with more than 30 years of experience; Joseph Walsh, about 20 years of experience; and Thomas Gaffney, more than two decades of experience.
Three Police Officers Acquitted in McDonald Murder
In a shocking verdict, Associate Judge Domenica Stephenson on January 17, 2019 acquitted three police officers--Joseph Walsh, David March and Thomas Gaffney--in the October 2014 killing of Laquan McDonald on the Pulaski Street by Jason Van Dyke. Judge Stephenson blasted the prosecution for bringing [cover-up] charges that didn't stick. McDonald's great uncle, Rev. Martin Hunter, condemned the verdict, saying the system had been biased.
McDonald Sentenced to less than 7 Years
A day after three police officers were acquitted on cover-up charges, a different judge, Judge Vincent Gaughan, on January 18, 2019 sentenced Jason Van Dyke to six years and nine months in prison. Prosecutors were asking for more than 17 years in prison, but the verdict left Chicago's Black community shell-shocked. Van Dyke was convicted in September 2018 on second-degree murder and 16 counts of battery.
INDIANA
Indiana's New Religious Law Evokes Strong Reaction
Hundreds of protesters descended on the lawn of Indiana Statehouse on March 28, 2015 to show their dismay and disapproval for the newly enacted religious freedom restoration measure. Critics called the measure signed by Indiana Governor Mike Pence on March 26, 2015 as a license to discriminate against LGBT community. There is a federal statute called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that was signed by the then-President Bill Clinton in 1993 to protect an individual's right of religious freedom. Later 20 states, including Texas, passed such laws along the line of the federal law without much fuss and follies. However, in recent years, under the pressure exerted by the conservatives, RFRA proponents expanded the scope of the law to include businesses, such as the one in Arizona that drew sharp condemnation from businesses, leading to former Republican Governor Jan Brewer to veto the measure. Indiana measure called for prohibiting state laws that "substantially burden" a person's ability to follow his or her religious belief. The Indiana law defines a person more broadly that also includes institutions, businesses and associations, creating a recipe for disaster and paving the way for discrimination at large such as a florist refusing to sell flowers to a gay wedding. The protest grew beyond the Indiana borders with a speed of whirlwind since Gov. Pence signed the law on March 26, 2015. A hashtag, #boycottindiana, began circulating in the social network. NCAA, whose headquarters were located in Indianapolis, expressed deep concern over the law and said that it might move the future event to other cities. Even the Republican mayor of Indianapolis, Greg Ballard, expressed his opposition to the law.
Indiana Governor Defends the Religious Freedom Law
Unmoved by waves of protests across the nation against the recently enacted Indiana's religious freedom and restoration law, Indiana Governor Mike Pence on March 29, 2015 defended the law during his appearance at ABC's This Week.
Indiana Lawmakers to Amend the Religious Freedom Law
Under pressure and negative attention, Indiana's GOP establishment on March 30, 2015 conceded ground, and said that they would work this week (week of March 30) to amend the law. Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma, a stalwart in state GOP, said that the change would ensure that there was no room for discrimination against anyone. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Republican by himself, came out openly against the state's RFRA, saying that it could scuttle the economic prosperity of the city. The change of mind of the state's Republican establishment came after a wave of criticism poured in after the law was signed on March 26, 2015. Since then,
* Apple CEO Tim Cook condemned the law in an op-ed in The Washington Post
* NCAA hinted that it might shift major athletic events to somewhere else
* Rock band Wilco canceled a May 7, 2015, event in Indianapolis
Lawmakers Make Changes to Religious Freedom Bill, Governor Signs
Indiana lawmakers on April 2, 2015 made necessary changes to the bill, and Gov. Mike Pence signed it into law.
White Police Officer Charged in Black Motorist's Death
As if the deaths of Blacks involving White police officers across the nation over the past year were not enough in counts and creating the degree of distrust between minority communities and police departments, the July 19, 2015, killing of Samuel Debose over a minor traffic violation by a White University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, added fuel to the fire of an already deteriorating race relations. The Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph Deters on July 29, 2015 indicted the police officer, Ray Tensing, on a murder charge based on the video recorded by the officer's body camera. Deters called the killing of Debose as "a senseless, asinine shooting" as he pressed for the nation's first ever murder charge against a police officer.
IOWA
Iowa Governor Signs One of the Most Stringent Anti-Abortion Legislation
Surrounded by supporters and children inside her office and greeted by vehement protest by thousands of opponents outside, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds on May 4, 2018 signed the so-called "heartbeat" bill that would practically ban almost all of the abortions in the state. Heartbeat is heard at the end of sixth week of pregnancy. The legislation made some exemption to incest, rape and threat of life to mothers.
KANSAS
Kansas Governor Signs Strict Abortion Measure
Kansas' avowed anti-abortion Governor Sam Brownback on April 7, 2015 signed nation's one of the strictest anti-abortion measures that would ban common dilation and evacuation procedure during the second trimester of a woman's pregnancy. The measure will go in effect on July 1, 2015.
Kansas Voter Registration Law Challenged
American Civil Liberties Union on February 18, 2016 filed a lawsuit challenging a 3-year-old Kansas law that required proof of citizenship for voting registration. According to ACLU, the law deprives voting rights of tens of thousands of genuine voters, most of them are poor, minority and elderly. Only three other states beside Kansas require the citizenship proof for registration: Georgia, Alabama and Arizona.
Kansas Supreme Court Tosses out 2015 Anti-Abortion Law
In a setback to anti-abortion supporters, Kansas' Supreme Court on April 26, 2019 blocked a 2015 anti-abortion law signed by then-Governor Sam Brownback that banned a common second-trimester procedure, dilation and evacuation, ruling that state constitution protected abortion rights. The state now has a Democratic governor, Gov. Laura Kelly, an abortion rights supporter, who has lauded the state supreme court's verdict.
A Smalltown Newspaper Raid Raises Political Hailstorm in Kansas
That a smalltown newspaper’s office raid and its editor’s house raid by
the local police will raise so much of hue and cry throughout the U.S. press
circle and draw attention globally is a somewhat an aberration and a surprise
too, but eventually this is one of the few good outcomes of a vigilant social
media. On August 11, 2023, local police officers raided the office of Marion
County Record as well as the home of chief editor of the smalltown
newspaper. The Associated Press reported on August 20, 2023 that
the documents filed in court by the local authorities accused Phyllis Zorn,
a reporter with the Marion County Record, of lying to access a drunken
driving record of a local restaurateur, Kari Newell. Marion County
Record Editor and Publisher Eric Meyer dismissed the local
authorities’ version.
Fallout from the Small-Town Newspaper Raid Forces Police Chief to Quit
As the pressure mounted on Marion Mayor David Mayfield to take
action against the police chief whom he had hired months ago, Mayfield
suspended Chief Gideon Cody last week. On October 2, 2023 (Monday), Mayfield
told the Marion City Council that Cody had submitted his resignation.
KENTUCKY
County Clerk's Defiance Catapults Her into National Political Debate
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis refused to issue marriage license to gay couples after the U.S. Supreme Court made gay marriage legal nationwide in a historic ruling in June 2015. Davis subsequently stopped issuing all marriage licenses. Davis cited her religious belief as the reason for not issuing marriage license to gay couples. As a result lawsuit was filed against Davis, and the U.S. District Judge David Bunning set a hearing on September 3, 2015.
County Clerk Chooses Jail over Issuing Gay Marriage License
As a taciturn county clerk refused to comply with the law, the U.S. District Judge David Bunning on September 3, 2015 had no other options, but to send her to jail. U.S. Marshals hauled Kim Davis to jail. However, five of Davis' deputies will issue marriage licenses to all couples beginning September 4, 2015, thus ending the latest, and most likely the last, stand-off over gay marriage. A sixth deputy, Davis' son Nathan, refused to oblige the judge's order. However, he will be spared from punishment as other deputy clerks of Rowan County will carry out the judge's order. Especially happy were April Miller and Karen Roberts, who were together for 11 years and refused the marriage license four times after June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality. Miller and Roberts have brought the lawsuit against Davis that is being played out in Judge Bunning's court.
Marriage Licenses Issued in Rowan County
As Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis spent her first full day in jail on September 4, 2015, her deputies issued eight marriage licenses during the day, including the ones for six gay couples. The lawyers of the jailed clerk who had dubbed her the "prisoner of conscience" said that the marriage licenses issued during the day had no legal standing and "were not worth the paper they are written on".
County Clerk Freed from Jail
The Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who was sent to jail for refusing to give marriage license to gay couples, was freed on September 8, 2015 after giving assurance that she won't create any hindrance to the issuance of marriage license that five of her deputies had begun on September 4, 2015. For the time being, the saga of a recalcitrant and rebellious county clerk refusing to comply with the law on ground of her religious conviction seems to be over.
Kentucky Elects Only Second Republican in the Last 44 Years as State's Governor
Tea Party-backed Republican Matt Bevin was elected Kentucky's Governor on November 3, 2015, only the second Republican in more than four decades, defeating the Democratic candidate and Attorney General Jack Conway.
KENTUCKY
County Clerk's Defiance Catapults Her into National Political Debate
Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis refused to issue marriage license to gay couples after the U.S. Supreme Court made gay marriage legal nationwide in a historic ruling in June 2015. Davis subsequently stopped issuing all marriage licenses. Davis cited her religious belief as the reason for not issuing marriage license to gay couples. As a result lawsuit was filed against Davis, and the U.S. District Judge David Bunning set a hearing on September 3, 2015.
County Clerk Chooses Jail over Issuing Gay Marriage License
As a taciturn county clerk refused to comply with the law, the U.S. District Judge David Bunning on September 3, 2015 had no other options, but to send her to jail. U.S. Marshals hauled Kim Davis to jail. However, five of Davis' deputies will issue marriage licenses to all couples beginning September 4, 2015, thus ending the latest, and most likely the last, stand-off over gay marriage. A sixth deputy, Davis' son Nathan, refused to oblige the judge's order. However, he will be spared from punishment as other deputy clerks of Rowan County will carry out the judge's order. Especially happy were April Miller and Karen Roberts, who were together for 11 years and refused the marriage license four times after June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality. Miller and Roberts have brought the lawsuit against Davis that is being played out in Judge Bunning's court.
Marriage Licenses Issued in Rowan County
As Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis spent her first full day in jail on September 4, 2015, her deputies issued eight marriage licenses during the day, including the ones for six gay couples. The lawyers of the jailed clerk who had dubbed her the "prisoner of conscience" said that the marriage licenses issued during the day had no legal standing and "were not worth the paper they are written on".
County Clerk Freed from Jail
The Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis, who was sent to jail for refusing to give marriage license to gay couples, was freed on September 8, 2015 after giving assurance that she won't create any hindrance to the issuance of marriage license that five of her deputies had begun on September 4, 2015. For the time being, the saga of a recalcitrant and rebellious county clerk refusing to comply with the law on ground of her religious conviction seems to be over.
Kentucky Elects Only Second Republican in the Last 44 Years as State's Governor
Tea Party-backed Republican Matt Bevin was elected Kentucky's Governor on November 3, 2015, only the second Republican in more than four decades, defeating the Democratic candidate and Attorney General Jack Conway.
No
Police Officers Charged in Breonna Taylor’s Murder
A Grand Jury on September 23, 2020 returned a no-charge decision in the March 13, 2020, shooting death of Breonna Taylor. The only police officer charged in the events surrounding the March 13, 2020, death of Ms. Taylor is Brett Hankison, who has been indicted on three charges of “wanton endangerment”. On March 13, 2020, just after midnight, three Louisville, Kentucky narcotics detectives executed a no-knock search warrant at Ms. Taylor’s apartment where they had met with Ms. Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenny Walker, who had fired at one officer, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, who had just entered the apartment. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly returned the fire as well as other two officers—Brett Hankison and Detective Myles Cosgrove—who had been just outside the door and opened several rounds of fire, killing Taylor. Brett Hankison shot several rounds into neighboring apartments, falling into the area of wanton endangerment. After almost six-month investigation, Kentucky Attorney-General Daniel Cameron submitted the investigation report to a Louisville grand jury on September 21, 2020. In an emotional press conference at the state capital, Frankfort, Kentucky’s first Black attorney-general made public the grand jury’s decision and, in a choked voice, acknowledged that, though painful to see this tragedy, the police officers were justified in in their action. The family’s lawyer Ben Crump expressed frustration over the grand jury’s decision not to charge any police officer directly tied to Breonna Taylor’s death. The so called “wanton endangerment” is related to Brett Hankinson’s random firing into neighbor’s apartment, not directly related to Breonna Taylor’s death. Within hours, protests, led by Black Lives Matter, erupted throughout major cities in the U.S., including Louisville, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas. In Louisville, a night curfew has been imposed to deter violence, and two police officers have been shot. National Guard troops have been deployed to maintain law and order. Brett Hankison was fired from the job in June 2020.
A Grand Jury on September 23, 2020 returned a no-charge decision in the March 13, 2020, shooting death of Breonna Taylor. The only police officer charged in the events surrounding the March 13, 2020, death of Ms. Taylor is Brett Hankison, who has been indicted on three charges of “wanton endangerment”. On March 13, 2020, just after midnight, three Louisville, Kentucky narcotics detectives executed a no-knock search warrant at Ms. Taylor’s apartment where they had met with Ms. Breonna Taylor and her boyfriend, Kenny Walker, who had fired at one officer, Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, who had just entered the apartment. Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly returned the fire as well as other two officers—Brett Hankison and Detective Myles Cosgrove—who had been just outside the door and opened several rounds of fire, killing Taylor. Brett Hankison shot several rounds into neighboring apartments, falling into the area of wanton endangerment. After almost six-month investigation, Kentucky Attorney-General Daniel Cameron submitted the investigation report to a Louisville grand jury on September 21, 2020. In an emotional press conference at the state capital, Frankfort, Kentucky’s first Black attorney-general made public the grand jury’s decision and, in a choked voice, acknowledged that, though painful to see this tragedy, the police officers were justified in in their action. The family’s lawyer Ben Crump expressed frustration over the grand jury’s decision not to charge any police officer directly tied to Breonna Taylor’s death. The so called “wanton endangerment” is related to Brett Hankinson’s random firing into neighbor’s apartment, not directly related to Breonna Taylor’s death. Within hours, protests, led by Black Lives Matter, erupted throughout major cities in the U.S., including Louisville, Chicago, New York City, Los Angeles and Dallas. In Louisville, a night curfew has been imposed to deter violence, and two police officers have been shot. National Guard troops have been deployed to maintain law and order. Brett Hankison was fired from the job in June 2020.
Last
of U.S. VX Nerve Agent Destroyed
The
U.S. on April 20, 2022 achieved a milestone by completing the process of
destroying all of its VX nerve agent stockpiles. The last M55 rocket
containing the VX nerve agent was destroyed on April 20, 2022 at
Kentucky’s Blue Grass Chemical Agent plant. At one point, about 18,000
of such rockets had contained the perilous VX nerve agent
manufactured by the U.S. back in 60s. In July 2021, the destruction
process had begun, and it ended on April 20, 2022. Still, the Blue Grass
Chemical Agent plant will continue to store 277 tons of other chemical
agents after beginning to destroy 520 tons of VX, GB and mustard agents.
The Kentucky plant run by the U.S. Army began to destroy the stockpiles of mustard
agent in 2019.
LOUISIANA
Shooting at a Movie Theater Kills 2
A gunman opened fire on July 23, 2015 at a movie theater in Lafayette during the screening of Trainwreck, killing two innocent women, Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson, who just happened to be in the theater. The gunman, John Russel Houser, 59, later turned the gun on himself.
Democrat Elected as Governor
Democratic state lawmaker John Bel Edwards defeated heavy-hitter GOP candidate and U.S. Senator David Vitter, once heavy favorite in the gubernatorial race, in November 21, 2015, runoff. Edwards, who is the first Democrat to win a statewide race since 2008, will take over from the outgoing Governor Bobby Jindal in January 2016.
Only Democrat Sworn in as Governor in Deep South
Campaigning on the promise to increase minimum wage, push for equal pay, make college education more affordable and expand Medicaid to ensure access of healthcare to more people under Obamacare, John Bel Edwards made a history of sort by defeating Republican Senator David Vitter in November 21, 2015, runoff. Governor-elect Edwards was sworn in on January 11, 2016.
Baton Rouge Black Man's Shooting Death Begins an Unprecedented Week of Violence and Killings
The shooting death of an African-American man, Alton Sterling, 37, who was selling CDs outside a convenience store, Triple S Food Mart, at Baton Rouge, by the police on July 5, 2016 marked what was one of the worst police-community of colors week in the American history, including the most fatal attack on law enforcement since 9/11. Although the exact events that had led to Baton Rouge police to open fire were not known, they were sure enough fuel to fire an already tense relations between nation's police forces and communities of color. Baton Rouge Police Department said that there were reports of someone threatening outside the convenience store, and they had found a gun in Sterling's pocket.
Speakers Call for Correcting the Wrongs at Sterling's Funeral
Alton Sterling's funeral was held on July 15, 2016 at the historically black Southern University, with families, friends and activists calling for reform, justice and correcting the "wrongs". Among the speakers was Civil Rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson.
U.S. DOJ Will not File Charges
After a review, the U.S. Department of Justice on May 2, 2017 decided to forego filing any charge in the July 5, 2016, death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge. Two White police officers, Blane Salamoni and Howi Lake, appeared on July 5, 2016 upon a call that somebody resembling Sterling was wielding a gun.
Three Baton Rouge Officers Assassinated
In another fatal attack on law enforcement officers in a month that saw incidents across the nation exposing the overt racial hatred in record numbers, three police officers were shot to death on July 17, 2016 in Louisiana. The alleged gunman, later identified as Gavin Long, a former Marine from Kansas City, Missouri, who had been deployed to Iraq for six months, was reported to have begun the rampage on the Airline Highway around 8:40AM near a beauty store. His target were police officers. He shot a total of six officers, including the three killed, and around eight minutes after he started his shooting spree, Gavin Long was shot dead by the law enforcement officers. Among the six people shot, three were killed, including Montrell Jackson, 32, a fellow Black police officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department and his colleague Matthew Gerald, 41, in addition to Brad Garafola, 45, with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office. Among the three injured, one remained in critical condition, while the remaining two were in stable condition. Speaking at a news conference Governor John Bel Edwards described the shooting an "absolutely unspeakable, heinous attack" and reiterated that the "violence, the hatred just has to stop". President Barack Obama said at the White House during the day in the afternoon that the attack was perpetrated on "all of us".
State Attorney-General not to Press Charges against Police Officers on Sterling Murder
More than 10 months after the U.S. DOJ decided not to file charges against two White police officers, Blane Salamoni and Howi Lake, in July 5, 2016 murder of Alston Sterling, Louisiana Attorney-General Jeff Landry on March 27, 2018 announced not to proceed with filing charges either. Before his announcement, Landry privately met with Alston Sterling's family to brief them about the decision. Family members were outraged, but not totally surprised, by the decision. Earlier in the day, the toxicology report made public showed that Alston Sterling had cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl in his body.
Police Officer in Sterling's Death Fired
The White police officer who had opened fire on Alton Sterling on July 5, 2016 was fired on March 30, 2018. Announcing the decision to fire Blane Salamoni, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul also announced suspension of Howi Lake II, who had pinned Sterling to the ground during physical jostling, for three days.
History Made in New Orleans
A cursing spell of 300 years was broken on May 7, 2018 as LaToya Cantrell was sworn in as the first female mayor of New Orleans. Underscoring the significance of the event, Cantrell, who was sworn in by her father-in-law, Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell, in the ornate Mahalia Jackson Theater, told a jubilant audience "After 300 years, don't you think it's about time a woman was in charge?'
LOUISIANA
Shooting at a Movie Theater Kills 2
A gunman opened fire on July 23, 2015 at a movie theater in Lafayette during the screening of Trainwreck, killing two innocent women, Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson, who just happened to be in the theater. The gunman, John Russel Houser, 59, later turned the gun on himself.
Democrat Elected as Governor
Democratic state lawmaker John Bel Edwards defeated heavy-hitter GOP candidate and U.S. Senator David Vitter, once heavy favorite in the gubernatorial race, in November 21, 2015, runoff. Edwards, who is the first Democrat to win a statewide race since 2008, will take over from the outgoing Governor Bobby Jindal in January 2016.
Only Democrat Sworn in as Governor in Deep South
Campaigning on the promise to increase minimum wage, push for equal pay, make college education more affordable and expand Medicaid to ensure access of healthcare to more people under Obamacare, John Bel Edwards made a history of sort by defeating Republican Senator David Vitter in November 21, 2015, runoff. Governor-elect Edwards was sworn in on January 11, 2016.
Baton Rouge Black Man's Shooting Death Begins an Unprecedented Week of Violence and Killings
The shooting death of an African-American man, Alton Sterling, 37, who was selling CDs outside a convenience store, Triple S Food Mart, at Baton Rouge, by the police on July 5, 2016 marked what was one of the worst police-community of colors week in the American history, including the most fatal attack on law enforcement since 9/11. Although the exact events that had led to Baton Rouge police to open fire were not known, they were sure enough fuel to fire an already tense relations between nation's police forces and communities of color. Baton Rouge Police Department said that there were reports of someone threatening outside the convenience store, and they had found a gun in Sterling's pocket.
Speakers Call for Correcting the Wrongs at Sterling's Funeral
Alton Sterling's funeral was held on July 15, 2016 at the historically black Southern University, with families, friends and activists calling for reform, justice and correcting the "wrongs". Among the speakers was Civil Rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson.
U.S. DOJ Will not File Charges
After a review, the U.S. Department of Justice on May 2, 2017 decided to forego filing any charge in the July 5, 2016, death of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge. Two White police officers, Blane Salamoni and Howi Lake, appeared on July 5, 2016 upon a call that somebody resembling Sterling was wielding a gun.
Three Baton Rouge Officers Assassinated
In another fatal attack on law enforcement officers in a month that saw incidents across the nation exposing the overt racial hatred in record numbers, three police officers were shot to death on July 17, 2016 in Louisiana. The alleged gunman, later identified as Gavin Long, a former Marine from Kansas City, Missouri, who had been deployed to Iraq for six months, was reported to have begun the rampage on the Airline Highway around 8:40AM near a beauty store. His target were police officers. He shot a total of six officers, including the three killed, and around eight minutes after he started his shooting spree, Gavin Long was shot dead by the law enforcement officers. Among the six people shot, three were killed, including Montrell Jackson, 32, a fellow Black police officer with the Baton Rouge Police Department and his colleague Matthew Gerald, 41, in addition to Brad Garafola, 45, with the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office. Among the three injured, one remained in critical condition, while the remaining two were in stable condition. Speaking at a news conference Governor John Bel Edwards described the shooting an "absolutely unspeakable, heinous attack" and reiterated that the "violence, the hatred just has to stop". President Barack Obama said at the White House during the day in the afternoon that the attack was perpetrated on "all of us".
State Attorney-General not to Press Charges against Police Officers on Sterling Murder
More than 10 months after the U.S. DOJ decided not to file charges against two White police officers, Blane Salamoni and Howi Lake, in July 5, 2016 murder of Alston Sterling, Louisiana Attorney-General Jeff Landry on March 27, 2018 announced not to proceed with filing charges either. Before his announcement, Landry privately met with Alston Sterling's family to brief them about the decision. Family members were outraged, but not totally surprised, by the decision. Earlier in the day, the toxicology report made public showed that Alston Sterling had cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl in his body.
Police Officer in Sterling's Death Fired
The White police officer who had opened fire on Alton Sterling on July 5, 2016 was fired on March 30, 2018. Announcing the decision to fire Blane Salamoni, Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul also announced suspension of Howi Lake II, who had pinned Sterling to the ground during physical jostling, for three days.
History Made in New Orleans
A cursing spell of 300 years was broken on May 7, 2018 as LaToya Cantrell was sworn in as the first female mayor of New Orleans. Underscoring the significance of the event, Cantrell, who was sworn in by her father-in-law, Magistrate Judge Harry Cantrell, in the ornate Mahalia Jackson Theater, told a jubilant audience "After 300 years, don't you think it's about time a woman was in charge?'
Governor Pardons Homer Plessy
Almost 130 years after he had challenged the White-only provision in a rail
car by boarding on it as part of a brewing Civil Rights Movement that
had led to his arrest, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards on January 5,
2022 posthumously pardoned Homer Plessy. Plessy’s arrest in 1892
and subsequent legal challenge, instead of overturning one of the darkest
discriminatory systems, led the U.S. Supreme Court to rule in 1896 for a
“separate but equal” system into the U.S law, codifying segregation in
the American society for the next several decades. The 1896 Plessy vs.
Ferguson solidified the White-only space in every facet of the U.S. life
until the 1954 Brown vs. the Board of Education ruling that had
eventually led to the desegregation of the U.S. public school system and the beginning
of end of Jim Crow Era. Speaking at the pardon ceremony, Governor
John Bel Edwards said that the pardon was the right thing to do as it
restored the “legacy of rightness” of Homer Plessy’s cause which
remained “undefiled by the wrongness of his conviction”. Homer Plessy’s one of
the descendants, Keith Plessy, attended the event and said that it was a
“blessed day for our ancestors".
Louisiana Governor Accused of Undermining a Critical Coastal Agency
A key coastal agency—Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority—which
had rebuilt/revamped 300 miles of levees and restored dozens of miles of
barrier islands since twin hurricanes had struck the state in 2005 was at Louisiana
Governor Jeff Landry’s crosshairs since his inauguration as the state’s one
of the most conservative governors. Landry had removed six board members of the
CPRA. Landry had also proposed the vital agency should be subsumed to
another government department. Last week around 200 environmentalists and other
activists and officials wrote a letter to Governor Jeff Landry, pleading him
not to undermine the coastal agency, according to June 2, 2024, edition
of The Dallas Morning News.
Louisiana Governor Signs Measure Requiring Ten Commandments in Public Schools
Setting a precedent and becoming the first state in the U.S. to require Ten Commandments inside classrooms, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on June 19, 2024 signed a bill that would require showing Ten Commandments in every K-12 class as well as in classes of the state universities and colleges.
Lawsuits Expected to be Filed against the Ten Commandments Law
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Freedom From Religion Foundation
(FFRF) and Americans United for the Separation of Church and State (AUSCS)
lawyers are promising a robust legal fight against a bill that Governor Jeff
Landry had signed on June 19, 2024 that would make Louisiana the
first state in the republic to require each classroom of the state-funded
schools—including K-12 public schools and public colleges—to display the Ten
Commandments. The law signed by Governor Landry is the most expansive since
a more moderate U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a similar Kentucky statute
in 1980. The U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 ruled a similar Kentucky law
unconstitutional on the ground that it had violated the Establishment Clause
of the First Amendment, a provision aimed at prohibiting any religion to be
promoted publicly.
The Louisiana law will be a test case for the U.S. Supreme Court as the
apex court has to deal with whether the law will be a too far to bridge even
for the most Conservative apex court. The doors have been opened for this sort
of laws to be pushed by religious conservatives after a 2022 Supreme Court
verdict siding with a Washington state high school Football coach who had been
dismissed for holding after-game prayers at the 50-yard line. However, that case
is different from the Louisiana law that will likely go into effect on January
1, 2025. In the Kennedy vs. Bremerton case, the majority opinion
emphasized that the coach’s prayer was not public or addressed to a “captive”
audience, which is not the intent of the Louisiana law that requires “a poster
or framed document that is at least 11 inches by 14 inches” in every classroom.
Lawsuit against Ten Commandments Law Filed
Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on June 24, 2024.
Federal Judge Orders Temp Injunction against Louisiana's Ten Commandants Law
U.S. District Judge John deGravelles on November 12, 2024 issued a temporary restrained order, or TRO, against the H.B. 71, or the Decadent Law, that had been signed by Governor Jeff Landry in the summer of 2024. According to the law that is scheduled to go into effect January 1, 2025, every public classroom is required to display the Ten Commandments.
*********************** NEW ORLEANS TERRORIST ATTACK ***********************
Vehicular Attack Kills 15 in New Orleans
Pure evil shows up in the early morning of the New Year as the New Orlean's French Quarter is teeming with revelers. A man slammed his truck into revelers at around 3AM local time on January 1, 2025 at the intersection of Canal Street and Bourbon Street, the heart of the famous and fabled French Quarter. The man, later identified by the FBI as 42-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar from Houston, Texas. New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick called the attack a pure "evil". According to the Louisiana State Police Intelligence bulletin, obtained by The Associated Press, security officers found pipe bombs in Jabbar's truck. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is treating the attack as an act of terrorism. Investigators found Islamic State flag in the vehicle. After ramming the vehicle in the crowd, Jabbar engaged with police personnel in a shootout that had killed him.
As of late January 1, 2025, at least 15 people were reported killed and more than 35 people were injured. New Orleans Coroner Dr. Dwight McKenna said that the name of the deceased would be made public after autopsies were completed and next of the kin were notified. Authorities postponed the January 1, 2025, Sugar Bowl Playoff Quarterfinal between University of Georgia and University of Notre Dame by a day. The game will now be played at the 70,000-seat Super Dome on January 2, 2025. Assuaging the visitors, Governor Jeff Landry said that he would be present at the game. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley, sitting alongside Governor Landry and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, said that the decision to delay Georgia-Notre Dame playoff was done with abundance of caution.
Picture of a Distraught Person Emerges
On January 2, 2025, the authorities revised the death toll at the French Quarter to 14, one less than originally reported. Meanwhile, additional information was shed on the alleged New Orleans attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who had been divorced, had been struggling with his finances and had failed in real estate venture.
President Biden to Travel to New Orleans
The White House announced on January 3, 2025 that President Joe Biden, who had acted up as the healer-in-chief on several previous occasions, would play the role, hopefully, one more time before leaving the White House. President Joe Biden is scheduled to travel to New Orleans on January 6, 2025 as people are paying homage and leaving flowers and other offers at a growing memorial on the Bourbon Street. A day earlier, President Joe Biden said that in the videos posted hours before the attack in the French Quarter, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens of others, the attacker acknowledged that he had been influenced by ISIS.
New Orleans Victims Identified
The Dallas Morning News in its January 5, 2025, edition published the names of all but one who had been killed in the January 1, 2025, truck attack and gunfire in New Orleans. They were from Great Britain, Mississippi, Alabama, New Jersey and Louisiana. They included: (1) Edward Pettifer of the U.K., (2) Brandon Taylor of Louisiana, (3) Elliot Wilkinson of Louisiana, (4) Terrence Kennedy of Louisiana, (5) William Billy DiMaio of New Jersey, (6) Hubert Gauthreaux of Louisiana, (7) Kareem Badawi, a fellow student at the University of Alabama, of Louisiana, (8) Andrew "Drew" Dauphin of Alabama, (9) Matthew Tenedorio of Mississippi, (10) Nikyra Dedeaux of Mississippi, (11) Reggie Hunter of Louisiana, (12) Martin "Tiger" Bech of Louisiana, a former Football player at Princeton University, (13) Nicole Perez of Louisiana, respectively.
At least 30 people were wounded in the attack, including 16 who had remained hospitalized, with half of them in the intensive care. On January 4, 2025, Governor Jeff Landry said that beginning January 6, 2025, there would be several days of mourning, every day marking the life of each victim.
Biden Visits New Orleans
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited New Orleans on January 6, 2025 to pay homage to the victims of New Year's attack at the intersection of Bourbon Street and Canal Street. The president and the first lady first stopped by an improvised memorial at the Bourbon Street where Jill Biden placed a white flower. Later Bidens went to a nearby church to talk in private with the relatives of victims.
*********************** NEW ORLEANS TERRORIST ATTACK ***********************
MAINE
Governor Rules out Stepping down
Maine Governor Paul LePage whipped up political dust by his irresponsible actions and comments. His relationship with the legislature is anything but normal. However, his recent tirade against the Blacks for drug problems in the state was shamefully low even in his standard. However, he crossed all limits of political decency on August 25, 2016 as he had left a message for the state Rep. Drew Gattine, saying that "I am after you" and followed up with his equally bizarre comments to the reporters that he wished to have challenged Gattine and put a bullet between his eyes. The incident created a national firestorm and drew widespread condemnation. Governor Paul LePage seemed to have backtracked after days of condemnation from across the political spectrum and apologized to Gattine. The speculation that LePage was toying with the idea of stepping down was nipped in the bud by the governor himself as he told reporters on August 30, 2016 that it was not happening.
MARYLAND
Black Person's Death in Police Custody Triggers Protest in Baltimore
The April 19, 2015, death of Freddie Gray, a black man, triggered massive outrage in Baltimore as more information was made public about the mysterious circumstances surrounding Gray's death. Gray was arrested a week ago on April 12, 2015, shackled and put inside a prison van without being strapped. His spine was reported to have been badly damaged, and he was transferred to a hospital on the same day (April 12). After fighting for his life, he succumbed week later on April 19, 2015.
Mourners File Past Gray's Casket at Funeral
A night after violence had let loose in Baltimore, thousands of people on April 26, 2015 paid their last respect to Freddie Gray at the Vaughn Green East funeral home. Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake held a news conference during the day and called the protesters to maintain peace. About 34 people were arrested as part of crackdown after April 25, 2015, night violence.
Riot mars Protest in Baltimore
Protest against police brutality turned violent on April 27, 2015 after the funeral of Freddie Gray. The northwest Baltimore neighborhood of Mondawmin saw the most of scourge, with protesters throwing bottles, setting cars ablaze, torching a CVS pharmacy storefront and adopting widespread looting. By the end of the day, the situation deteriorated so much that Maryland Governor Larry Hogan activated National Guard and declared a state of emergency. Maryland State Police, which took over the law and order responsibility for Baltimore, called for an additional 5,000 in reinforcement from Mid-Atlantic region. At the City Hall, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced a nighttime curfew from 10 PM to 5 AM for a week. Baltimore Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, who is black, struggled to assert his authority as the situation turned volatile and precarious. In Washington, the new Attorney General Loretta Lynch, who took the oath of office from the Vice President Joe Biden just hours ago, spent much of her first day deliberating on the deteriorating situation in Baltimore and providing President Barack Obama an update on the situation.
Baltimore Remains Tense amid Violence
A day after the worst violence stalked Baltimore, the city remained tense on April 28, 2015, with National Guardsmen deploying throughout the city and a nighttime 10PM to 5AM curfew being enforced. Police used tear gas and pepper balls to disperse a crowd of 200 protesters who had flouted the curfew that was clamped after the worst riot since 1968. All public schools were closed on April 28, 2015, and Baltimore Orioles canceled the night's game at Camden Yards and announced that April 29, 2015, night's game would be closed to public.
Police Submits Internal Investigation to Prosecutor
Baltimore Police Department on April 30, 2015 submitted its own internal investigation into the death of Freddie Gray to city's new, untested state's attorney, Marilyn Mosby. Now, all eyes are set on Mosby.
Swift Action by Prosecutor Assuages a Restive Baltimore
Baltimore's state's attorney Marilyn Mosby on May 1, 2015 became an instant celebrity among civil rights activists and object of scorn to a section of so-called tough-on-crime supporters as she announced varying degree of charges against the six police officers in the death of Freddie Gray. All six have been booked during the day. At a press conference during the day, Mosby said that the April 12, 2015, arrest of Freddie Gray was illegal and unjustified, and his neck was broken because of gross police negligence. Gray was stopped by police at Sandtown, a poor neighborhood, and he fled after locking eyes with a police officer. He was arrested couple of blocks away, shackled and hand-cuffed, and put into a prison van without being strapped, leading to his spinal injury.
Baltimore Mayor Fires City Police Chief
Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on July 8, 2015, frustrated over escalating crimes and not-so-good community relationship drive, fired the Police Commissioner Anthony Batts, a fellow African-American. In the interim, Deputy Police Commissioner Kevin Davis, who has joined the city police department only in January 2015, will work as acting city police chief.
Judge Refuses to Drop Charges against Police Officers
A Baltimore judge, Circuit Judge Barry Williams, on September 2, 2015 rejected an appeal by one of the six defendant police officers in Freddy Gray death episode to drop charges on the ground that the state's attorney Marilyn Mosby had resorted legal irregularities by making "reckless and unprofessional" public comments. All six police personnel, three of them Black and three White, were asked to appear in court on September 10, 2015 for a separate hearing on change of venue. The six are Officers Caesar Goodson, Edward Nero, Garrett Miller and William Porter as well as Lt. Brian Rice and Sgt. Alicia White.
Family Reaches at a $6.4 Million Settlement
Family of Freddie Gray on September 8, 2015 agreed to a $6.4 million settlement with the city of Baltimore.
Trial to Stay in Baltimore
A Baltimore judge, Circuit Judge Barry Williams, on September 10, 2015 rejected defendants' plea to move the case out of Baltimore because of publicity and direct connection of the city in the Freddie Gray murder case.
Mayor Not to Seek Re-Election
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake on September 11, 2015 announced that she won't seek re-election.
Trial in Gray Murder Begins
Trial in Freddie Gray murder began on December 2, 2015 involving one of the police officers, William Porter.
Mistrial Declared in First of Freddie Gray Trials
The jury for the first police officer on the Freddie Gray murder trial, William Porter, was hung, and a mistrial was declared on December 16, 2015. A racially mixed jury of 7 men and 5 women had reached at a deadlock on December 15, 2015, but the judge, Circuit Judge Barry Williams, pushed them to continue deliberations. Attorney Billy Murphy, who had obtained a $6.4 billion settlement for the family of Freddie Gray called the jury deadlock a "temporary bump on the road to the justice". Reacting to the legal outcome and the possibility of eruption of violence on the streets, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called on the protesters to maintain peace. The judge called both the prosecutors and defense team of William Porter, charged on the counts of manslaughter, assault, misconduct in office and reckless endangerment, on December 17, 2015 to discuss on retrial dates.
Retrial Date Set for the Police Officer
After a hung jury failed to issue a definitive verdict and five days after a mistrial was declared in the case of the Baltimore police officer William Porter, the Circuit Judge Barry Williams on December 21, 2015 set a new date for Porter's retrial. The retrial will begin on June 13, 2016.
Trial of a Second Police Officer Postponed Indefinitely
A Maryland appeals court, Court of Special Appeals, on January 11, 2016 postponed the trial of a second police officer, Caesar Goodson, indefinitely in connection with the death of Freddie Gray.
Appeals Court Rules that Defendant Has to Testify against Fellow Officers
Maryland's Court of Appeals on March 8, 2016 ordered that a police officer, William Porter, who himself was on the trial, had to testify against other defendants in the Freddie Gray murder trial. The appellate court issued two separate rulings:
* Upholding the ruling of a lower court judge, Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, that Porter had to testify against Sgt. Alicia White and Officer Caesar Goodson.
* Overturning Williams' ruling that Porter didn't need to testify against officers Garrett Miller, Edward Nero and Lt. Brian Rice.
A Second Police Officer Acquitted
A second Baltimore police officer, Edward Nero, charged in the death of Freddie Gray was acquitted on May 23, 2016 on all four charges, raising new questions on prosecution's approach and tactic. Nero from the outset had foregone jury trial, and instead, asked the judge, Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, to rule on his case. After days of hearing, the judge's verdict came as a shock to the Baltimore community and a jolt to the prosecution. Some scattered protests, mostly outside the courthouse, erupted after the verdict was delivered.
Third Police Officer Waives Jury Trial
On June 6, 2016, a third Baltimore police officer, Caesar Goodson, facing criminal charges in the death of Freddie Gray decided to forego with jury trial and instead rely on the sole jurisprudence of Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams, a tactic that had worked with a second defendant, Edward Nero, who was acquitted of all charges on May 23, 2016.
Officer Acquitted in Freddie Gray Murder Charge
The sole officer facing murder charge, Caesar Goodson, was cleared on June 23, 2016 by the Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams as the evidence presented by the prosecutors seemed not at all standing on the firm legal grounds.
Freddie Gray Case: Prosecution Egged on the Face
Baltimore Circuit Judge Barry Williams dealt another blow to the prosecution's case on July 18, 2016 as he acquitted the highest-ranking police official indicted in the case, Lt. Brian Rice, on all counts, including manslaughter, reckless endangerment and misconduct in office. After this ruling, prosecution's rationale and rushed manner to bring charges against six officer are likely to attract more condemnation.
Charges Dropped for All Remaining Police Officers
After receiving one legal jolt after another, prosecutors in Freddie Gray case on July 27, 2016 dropped charges against remaining officers. Addressing a press conference during the day, state's attorney Marilyn Mosby said that there was merit behind the charges she and her team had brought against the accused police officers. However, the investigative responsibility lied with the same police department where the accused officers belonged to, and the agency didn't pursue all possible leads. However, many in legal circle warned at the time when the charges had been brought that the prosecutors had not been able to bring forth indisputable circumstantial evidence leave alone any compelling proof against the officers. However, Ms. Mosby remained adamant during the press conference, reiterating that she stood by the "medical examiner's determination that Freddie Gray's death was a homicide". Gray's family settled the case with the city of Baltimore and received $6.4 million.
Justice Department Slams Baltimore Policing Practices
The U.S. DOJ on August 10, 2016 has issued a 163-page report that is data-rich with illustrations of Baltimore Police Department's systemic and shameful bias in how it deals with the Black residents and sheds a bright light on the degree of discriminatory practices applied with respect to African Americans that constitute 63 percent of Baltimore's population. The report was released at a press conference held in Baltimore City Hall that was attended, among others, by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Kevin Davis. The report is an eye-opener to community activists and law enforcement agencies alike for the granular details such as
* 91 percent of those arrested for misdemeanors are Blacks that constitute 63 percent of Baltimore's population
* 82 percent of all traffic stops are Black motorists although Blacks represent 60 percent of city's drivers
* Out of 410 pedestrians stopped by Baltimore police at least 10 times over the past 5-and-1/2 years, a whopping 95 percent people are Black
Shootings at a Newspaper Office Kill Five
Driven by old grudge, a suspected gunman, identified as Jarrod W. Ramos, on June 28, 2018 entered the office of Capital Gazette Communications in Annapolis, and opened fire, killing five people in one of the deadliest attacks on journalists in U.S. history. Four of the people killed were journalists--Rob Hiaasen, brother of Miami Herald's longtime columnists Carl Hiaasen, editorial page editor Gerald Fischman, 61, Wendy Winters, 65, an editor and community reporter, and local reporter John McNamara. Also killed in the rampage of suspected gunman was a sales assistant, Rebecca Smith.
*********** Coast Guard Officer Hasson
Coast Guard Officer Arrested for Planning to Resort to Violence
A Coast Guard lieutenant, Christopher Paul Hasson, was taken to custody on February 15, 2019 from his apartment in Silver Spring, Maryland on charges of weapons and drugs. Hasson had harbored neo-Nazi and White supremacist view and collected an arsenal of guns and ammunition to create havoc. The charges were filed on February 20, 2019.
Hasson Sentenced for 13 Years
U.S. District Judge George Hazel on January 31, 2020 sentenced Coast Guard Lieutenant Christopher Paul Hasson to 13 years of imprisonment. Judge Hazel said that the gravity of charges, including a "mass casualty assault as a way to act out his white nationalist views", merited the harsh sentence
*********** Coast Guard Officer Hasson
Baltimore Mayor Resigns over Scandal
The federal investigation into a scandal involving hundreds of thousands of dollars stemming from unethical sales of children books written by her that had resulted in searches of her homes, city hall office and other locations a week earlier had forced Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh to resign on May 2, 2019, becoming the second mayor to resign halfway in the term in the past decade.
********************* FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE ********************
A Key Baltimore Bridge Brought down like House of Cards by a Container
Ship
Dali, a container ship, lost steering and struck a support column of the 1.6-mile-long
Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River in Baltimore
around 1:30AM on March 26, 2024, leading to the breaking apart of the
entire bridge in a matter of minutes. Six crew members of a construction firm, Brawner
Builders, who were working on the bridge, were reported missing. A massive “search
and rescue” operation was launched, but suspended at the end of the day on March
26, 2024. Most likely, the “search and rescue” operation will shift
into a “search and recover” operation on March 27, 2024. Maryland
Governor Wes Moore said that a “Mayday” signal from the ship crew and
instantaneous follow-up action by the authorities on the ground to prevent
traffic from heading to the bridge—used by 12 million vehicles last year—helped
save several lives.
The work at Port of Baltimore will be disrupted severely over the
next several days, putting strains on the supply chain system in the strategic Eastern
Seaboard. The Port of Baltimore handles a significant volume of auto parts,
especially those of BMG and Mercedes.
Two Bodies Found
On March 27, 2024, divers and rescuers retrieved bodies of two of
six workers, who were plunged into water after a container ship had crashed
into a structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024.
Gigantic Barges with Massive Cranes on their Way to Bridge Collapse Site
The U.S. Coast Guard said late on March 27, 2024 that barges were
on their way to where Francis Scott Key Bridge had crumbled like a house of
cards moments after a container vessel had slammed one of the support pillars
of the bridge over the Patapsco River. Minutes before the accident, there
was a “mayday” message from the crew—two pilots and 19 other crew members—that the
ship had lost power. The crew remained on the ship.
On March 28, 2024, Col. Roland I. Butler Jr., superintendent of Maryland
State Police, said that the six construction crew members, who had plunged
into the river, were nationals of Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.
On March 28, 2024, NTSB investigators boarded the Dali, the vessel that
had slammed the Francis Scott Key Bridge, to collect key evidence.
Massive Clearing Operation Begins at the Site of the Bridge Collapse
A huge flotilla of seven floating cranes, 10 tugboats, nine barges,
eight salvage vessels and five Coast Guard boats are at the site of the bridge
collapse on March 30, 2024, launching a massive cleaning effort. The Port
of Baltimore remained closed for the fifth consecutive day, putting strain
on the region’s supply chain system.
Within hours of crumpling of the Francis Scott Key Bridge into
the Patapsco River in the early hours of March 26, 2024, two people
were rescued. Two bodies were recovered the following day. Two pilots and 19
other crew members of the huge container ship Dali are safe and have remained
on board since the accident. The ship called in a mayday after it lost power
minutes before slamming onto a support structure, bringing down the entire
bridge like a house of cards in a matter of minutes.
Second Alternate Channel Opened
Second Alternate Channel Opened
An alternate channel was opened to facilitate the sailing of the ships stuck
at the Port of Baltimore to the Atlantic Ocean. The first vessel passing
through the alternate channel was a tugboat pushing a fuel barge on late April
1, 2024. A second alternate channel was opened on April 2, 2024.
Biden Visits Bridge Collapse Site, Meets with Families of Victims
President Joe Biden on April 5, 2024 saw the mangled structure of Frances Scott
Key Bridge from the Marine One and later spoke with local
authorities. Biden said that the salvage workers and others were working hard
to restore the unhindered shipping access to the Port of Baltimore by May
31, 2024. The shipping lanes in and out of the key port handle $200
million of cargo daily and are a main conduit for the nation’s automotive
exports and imports. There were eight workers working on the patching of the
road on that fateful night when the Dali, the massive container ship,
lost power and slammed a support structure of the bridge, bringing the entire
span of the bridge down like a house of cards. Two workers were rescued in the aftermath
of the mishap. Two bodies were recovered subsequently. A third body was
retrieved on April 5, 2024 before President Joe Biden’s arrival.
President Joe Biden met families of the victims too.
First Commercial Barge to Pass through Temporarily Opened Shipping Lane
In the first step toward normalcy in shipping operation, the first of
the four vessels stuck at the Port of Baltimore on April 25, 2024
sailed through a 35-foot temporarily opened deep-water shipping channel. The Balsa
94, a Panama-flagged ship, was stranded at the port since the March 26, 2024,
collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge over the Patapsco River.
Its sailing through the temporary channel on April 25, 2024 marked a notable
milestone for the progress in clearing the debris of metals, beams, columns and
other heavy materials from the riverbed and reopening the shipping lane to its
fullest potential.
Maryland Authorities Seek Private Bid to Rebuild a Key Bridge by October
2028
Maryland Transportation Authority on May 31, 2024 released a simple
solicitation offer for the private firms to “design and construct a visually
attractive structure that minimizes the number of piers in the Patapsco River and
serves the gateway to Baltimore City and Port of Baltimore”. They do have a timeline also to complete
rebuilding the bridge and open it to the traffic—October 15, 2028. Maryland
Transportation Authority Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld said that “we do have
eight weeks” to solicit the interests as part of the effort to rebuild the
bridge as “quickly, safely and efficiently” as possible.
The Francis Scott Key bridge was commissioned in 1977, 17
years prior to formulating and implementing the federal guidelines against
vessel strikes in 1994.
Baltimore Shipping Channel Reopens
It was a joyous return to the near-normalcy in one of the busiest U.S. shipping
channels as the Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore District Commander Col.
Estee Pinchasin said in a statement issued at 6:30 PM on June 10, 2024
that “we’ve cleared the Fort McHenry Federal Channel for safe transit”,
implying reopening of the Baltimore shipping channel.
U.S. Files $100 million Lawsuit against Vessel Owner, Manager
The U.S. Justice Department on September 18, 2024 filed an $100
million lawsuit in a Maryland court, accusing Grace Ocean Private
Limited, Dali owner, and manager Synergy Marine Group of cutting
corners as they used an “unseaworthy” ship in a vital American sea channel.
DOJ, Operator and Owner of Dali Reach $103 million Settlement
As the operator and owner of Dali, Synergy Marine Group and Grace Ocean Private Limited, respectively, are facing a $100 million lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice on September 18, 2024, they are taking the route that any going concern with reputation in line will do. On October 24, 2024, duo of defendants reached a $103 million in settlement with the DOJ.
According to the DOJ lawsuit, the 984-foot Singapore-flagged vessel had all the four backstops--Propeller, Rudder, Anchor and Blow Thruster--failing during two blackouts.
Baltimore Bridge Rebuild to Begin in Days
The Dallas Morning News reported in the January 5, 2025, edition that the collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge would start to be rebuilt this month. The total rebuild cost is estimated at $1.7 billion. In a bipartisan political priority, Congress allocated the money in a measure passed in December 2024 and President Joe Biden signed it.
********************* FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE ********************
MICHIGAN
US Supreme Court Upholds Michigan Ban on Considering Race as Factor in College Admission
The US Supreme Court on April 22, 2014 ruled that states were free to prohibit college admission criteria based on race. The 6-2 verdict (Judge Sonia Sotomayor and Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg differed with the majority--Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Judge Anthony Kennedy, Judge Stephen Breyer, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia--while Justice Elena Kagan recused herself from the case) didn't reflect apex court's stance on affirmative action, it merely represented Chief Justice John Roberts court's continuous tilt to the deference of states' right. In 2003, the US Supreme Court ruled that institutions couldn't prefer one racial group over others though they might take "race" as one of their selection criteria. In 2006, Michigan voters passed a referendum by 58 percent vote, prohibiting state institutions from considering "race" as one of the admission criteria. The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Michigan ban on race-based admission.
******************** LAWMAKERS IN THE MIDDLE OF SCANDAL *****************
Michigan Lawmakers Out after Plotting to Cover up Affairs
Two Tea Party-backed lawmakers were shamed by Michigan state House of Representatives, one of them was kicked out and another resigned after they had brought disrepute by seeking to cover up their affair by an outlandish e-mail orchestrated by one them, Rep. Todd Courser, to his followers that called out Courser a "bisexual porn addicted sex deviant". The e-mail was sent in May 2015. Subsequently Courser admitted the plot. At little after 4 AM on September 11, 2015, Rep. Cindy Gamrat was kicked out of the House, becoming the fourth legislator in the state's history to be kicked out. An hour earlier, Courser resigned from the chamber.
Ex-Lawmakers Charged
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on February 26, 2016 indicted former Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat on three and two counts of felony charges, respectively.
******************** LAWMAKERS IN THE MIDDLE OF SCANDAL *****************
***************************** FLINT WATER CRISIS ****************************
National Guards Called in by Governor to Help Flint Residents
A man-made health crisis spawned out of control and made national headlines, reflecting an astounding failure of local, state and federal level. The crisis had its origin in April 2014 when the city of Flint switched from the Detroit water system with Lake Huron as its water source to Flint River as its primary source of water to save money. In the months that followed the switch, there were spike in the number of children with elevated levels of lead in their blood. One theory was that water pipe corrosion led to leaching of lead over months into untreated water from the Flint River. In October 2015, the local officials declared a public health emergency and switched back to the Detroit water system. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 12, 2016 activated the National Guard, and guardsmen deployed throughout Flint the following day, distributing water bottles, filters and other supplies to residents. Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said on January 13, 2016 that there was a significant spike in Legionnaires' disease in the Genesee County over the past two years.
State AG Opens Investigation; Governor Calls for Declaration of Federal Emergency
Ten days after governor's January 5, 2016, declaration of state of emergency at Flint over city's water crisis, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette on January 15, 2016 announced launching an investigation into whether any of the state laws were broken and anyone was responsible. A recent report submitted by a gubernatorial task force criticized the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for failing to enforce necessary requirements such as mixing anti-corrosive chemicals with the water after switching the city's primary water source from Lake Huron to Flint River that might have prevented leaching of lead from decades-old water pipeline and meeting out the complaint about water quality from residents with "aggressive dismissal, belittlement and attempts to discredit these efforts and individuals involved". A separate investigation was also going on under the supervision of the federal Environmental Protection Agency. In another development, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 15, 2016 asked President Barack Obama to declare Flint water crisis as federal emergency.
President Obama Signs Federal Emergency Declaration
Within 24 hours upon receiving a request from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, President Barack Obama on January 16, 2016 signed a federal emergency declaration for Flint, a city of 99,000 residents, mostly poor and Black, that would bring Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Flint for co-ordination and collaboration with local and state authorities in relief distribution. Under the federal emergency declaration, FEMA will direct supplies such as water, filters, cartridges and other items for 90 days. However, President Obama rejected Governor Snyder's request for federal disaster declaration on the ground that Flint water crisis was not the result of any natural disaster.
Governor Vows to Fix Flint Water Crisis
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder spent most of his time during his State of the State address on January 19, 2016 to assure residents of Flint and beyond that he would be not only by their side, but also fix the water crisis that had thrust Flint into national spotlight. During his address, Snyder said that his administration would:
* Disburse $28 million in the short term aid
* Send more National Guard members to Flint
* Make public all his e-mails regarding the crisis
* Appeal for reconsideration of Obama's rejection to declare Flint an area of federal disaster
Governor Releases e-mails; Obama Assures Flint Mayor; State House Okays $28 Million
As promised, Governor Rick Snyder on January 20, 2016 released all his e-mails related to Flint water crisis for public to see. During the day, state House passed a measure that would immediately grant $28 million in aid to Flint. The measure now goes to the state Senate. In the neighboring city of Detroit, where President Barack Obama came for the Detroit Auto Show to celebrate the revival of American auto industry, carved out time to meet with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver on January 20, 2016, and pledged all support to her beleaguered city. President also sent Nicole Lurie, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the HHS, to Flint to lead the federal response.
Back-to-Back Reports Raise Stakes; Cause Hand-Wringing
On January 21, 2016, federal Environmental Protection Agency issued a report saying that efforts both by state and local officials had failed so far. The EPA ordered them to protect public health and ensure safety of Flint's water system. On January 21, 2016, a regional director of EPA resigned over the water crisis. Among the recommendations and orders issued by the EPA were:
* Submission of plans to ensure that Flint's water would have adequate treatment, including corrosion control
* Training Flint's city personnel to qualify for handling city's water system as per standard compliant with federal requirements
* Creating a website to provide information to public
A day later, January 22, 2016, a gubernatorial task force, the Flint Water Advisory Task Force, issued a scathing report on the failure over Flint water crisis, and recommended a third party to be hired as an evaluator and judge to decide when the Flint's water system would be free of lead. The task force also recommended that the state should work in collaboration with
* EPA on a comprehensive lead sampling program
* CDC on investigating into any possible connection to surge in Legionnaires' disease
Meanwhile, heads continued to roll over this embarrassing crisis that had rocked the Michigan politics and brought national attention to the scale of shameful neglect that a predominantly poor, Black city had to endure because of state's cost-cutting measures. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 22, 2016 announced suspension of two employees of the state Department of Environmental Quality.
State Official Vows to Work with EPA on Flint Crisis
The interim head of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on January 23, 2016 wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy vowing to working with the federal agency to resolve the Flint's water crisis. However, Keith Creagh, the interim DEQ head who replaced the preceding head who had resigned over the water crisis, also questioned the legality of EPA orders issued a day earlier.
Virginia Tech Prof Appointed to Oversee Flint's Water Testing
The Virginia Tech professor who had exposed Flint Water System's elevated lead presence despite repeated denials by state officials was appointed by the city and its Mayor, Karen Weaver, to oversee the testing of city's water. On the same day, January 27, 2016, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Professor Marc Edwards to a state panel that was entrusted to seek a long-term solution to Flint's water crisis.
State, Federal Authorities Rush to Help Flint with Big Promises
After state legislature acted on Governor Rick Snyder's call for an immediate infusion of $28 million to help mitigate Flint's water crisis, Democrats in Congress pledged on January 28, 2016 to seek $600 million aid for Michigan to help the residents of Flint.
Knowledge about Spike in Legionnaires' Disease Known for Months
Internal e-mails obtained through Freedom of Information Act raised genuine credibility to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's January 13, 2016, public acknowledgement that he came to know just few days ago about the prevalence of Legionnaires' Disease in the aftermath of the switch of Flint's water source. The e-mails obtained by the liberal group Progress Michigan and shared with The Associated Press showed that there was e-mail communication between local authorities and Snyder's office dating back to March 2015 related to the spike in Legionnaires' cases in the Genesee County. According to one of the e-mails, released on February 4, 2016, Genesee County's environmental health supervisor, Jim Henry, wrote on March 10, 2015 to Flint's leaders, state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Flint's state-appointed emergency coordinator that "the increase of illnesses closely correspond with the time frame of the switch". Three days later an official from DEQ forwarded the e-mail to an aide of Snyder.
Bipartisan Energy Bill Held in Senate over Flint Crisis
An aggressive Democratic group of Senators on February 4, 2016 blocked the first bipartisan energy bill in a decade to drive home the point that Congress had to consider a financial package for Flint now. Last week, Democrats proposed a package of $600 million to help in Flint crisis, but early this week, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said on February 4, 2016, the price tag was reduced to half at $300 million. But Senate Republicans won't even consider this package, and the number two Senate Republican John Cornyn of Texas went as far as saying that it was too early to put a price tag.
Michigan Issues Nation's Strictest Lead Rules
Shamed by the Flint water crisis, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and a group of water experts on April 15, 2016 unveiled some of the strictest rules regulating lead in the state's water system. Under the proposed rules,
* All underground lead services pipes will be replaced
* Each water system is to fully replace old pipes within 10 years
* All water utilities to test samples for all schools, day care centers and nursing homes
* All house sales to have disclosure on lead plumbing
* Mandatory yearly testing to become requirement for the state's water systems
* Water systems are to issue warnings within two days if lead is found to exceed the upper limit
Under the Environmental Protection Agency rules, water systems across the nation have to take measures if lead concentration is found to exceed 15 ppb in more than 10 percent of customers sampled. Under the new Michigan rules, the threshold is to be brought down to 10 ppb by 2020.
*************** Charges Unveiled ********
Three Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on April 20, 2016 unveiled charges against two state regulators and one city employee for official misconduct, evidence tampering and other offenses in Flint water crisis. The state employees include:
* Michael Prisby, a former district engineer with the state Department of Environmental Quality
* Stephen Busch, a supervisor in the department's drinking water office
Beside Prisby and Busch, Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow was charged with tampering with evidence by falsifying with the test results and willful neglect of duty.
Six More Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on July 29, 2016 brought 18 count of charges against six more state employees:
Department of Environmental Quality
Liane Shekter Smith
Adam Rosenthal
Patrick Cook
Department of Health and Human Services
Nancy Peeler
Corinne Miller
Robert Scott
*************** Charges Unveiled ********
Senate Panel Approves $220 million Relief for Flint Water Crisis
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on April 28, 2016 voted 19-1 to pass a $220 million relief package for Flint water crisis. The package was part of a broader, $4.8 billion measure for water-related projects across the nation. The House already passed a similar package.
Two Emergency State Officials in Charge of Flint Charged
Michigan's Attorney-General Bill Schuette on December 20, 2016 unveiled two former emergency state officials--Darnell Earley and Gerald Ambrose--in charge of Flint when a bungled switch of its source of water supply had spawned off the one of worst water crisis of the nation. In addition to Earley and Ambrose, two former Flint workers, Howard Croft and Daugherty Johnson, were charged in false pretenses, conspiracy to commit false pretenses, misconduct in office and willful neglect in duty while in office.
Judge Approves Plan to Replace Flint Water Pipes
U.S. District Judge David Lawson on March 28, 2017 gave blessing to a weeks-long, negotiated settlement to replace lead-tainted pipes to about 18,000 homes. The cost will be as high as $97 million to make those changes by January 2020. The settlement was reached as part of a lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council and ACLU of Michigan against the state and Flint.
Charges Reach Closer to Governor's Inner Circle
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schutte on June 14, 2017 unveiled charges against five officials, including Nick Lyon, Director of Michigan Health and Human Services, bringing the shame and legal consequence of the Flint water crisis to the governor's doorstep. The charges included manslaughter and misconduct in office. With these five indictments, the total number of officials sucked into legal wrangling rose to 15.
Governor Defends Two Officials
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder defended Nick Lyon and Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells on June 17, 2017.
Prosecutors Drop Charges against Eight, Shock Flint Residents
Prosecutors on June 13, 2019 dropped charges against eight defendants in a surprise move that had shocked the Flint residents. State Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud, who took over the probe in January 2019 after a new attorney-general had been elected in November 2018 midterm polls, said that all the avenues had not been pursued under the previous probe and she wanted to go for a full-throated investigation with a clean slate. However, Hammoud's decision angered many Flint residents, Hammoud's boss, Attorney-General Dana Nessel, pledged that justice would be served.
Officials Explain Their Move at a Town Hall Meeting
Michigan's solicitor general, Fadwa Hammoud, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy appeared at a town hall on June 29, 2019 in Flint to explain their June 13, 2019, decision to drop charges and re-launch the investigation from the scratch. About 100 residents were present.
MICHIGAN
US Supreme Court Upholds Michigan Ban on Considering Race as Factor in College Admission
The US Supreme Court on April 22, 2014 ruled that states were free to prohibit college admission criteria based on race. The 6-2 verdict (Judge Sonia Sotomayor and Judge Ruth Bader Ginsburg differed with the majority--Justice John Roberts, Justice Samuel Alito, Judge Anthony Kennedy, Judge Stephen Breyer, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia--while Justice Elena Kagan recused herself from the case) didn't reflect apex court's stance on affirmative action, it merely represented Chief Justice John Roberts court's continuous tilt to the deference of states' right. In 2003, the US Supreme Court ruled that institutions couldn't prefer one racial group over others though they might take "race" as one of their selection criteria. In 2006, Michigan voters passed a referendum by 58 percent vote, prohibiting state institutions from considering "race" as one of the admission criteria. The 6th US Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the Michigan ban on race-based admission.
******************** LAWMAKERS IN THE MIDDLE OF SCANDAL *****************
Michigan Lawmakers Out after Plotting to Cover up Affairs
Two Tea Party-backed lawmakers were shamed by Michigan state House of Representatives, one of them was kicked out and another resigned after they had brought disrepute by seeking to cover up their affair by an outlandish e-mail orchestrated by one them, Rep. Todd Courser, to his followers that called out Courser a "bisexual porn addicted sex deviant". The e-mail was sent in May 2015. Subsequently Courser admitted the plot. At little after 4 AM on September 11, 2015, Rep. Cindy Gamrat was kicked out of the House, becoming the fourth legislator in the state's history to be kicked out. An hour earlier, Courser resigned from the chamber.
Ex-Lawmakers Charged
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on February 26, 2016 indicted former Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat on three and two counts of felony charges, respectively.
******************** LAWMAKERS IN THE MIDDLE OF SCANDAL *****************
***************************** FLINT WATER CRISIS ****************************
National Guards Called in by Governor to Help Flint Residents
A man-made health crisis spawned out of control and made national headlines, reflecting an astounding failure of local, state and federal level. The crisis had its origin in April 2014 when the city of Flint switched from the Detroit water system with Lake Huron as its water source to Flint River as its primary source of water to save money. In the months that followed the switch, there were spike in the number of children with elevated levels of lead in their blood. One theory was that water pipe corrosion led to leaching of lead over months into untreated water from the Flint River. In October 2015, the local officials declared a public health emergency and switched back to the Detroit water system. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 12, 2016 activated the National Guard, and guardsmen deployed throughout Flint the following day, distributing water bottles, filters and other supplies to residents. Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said on January 13, 2016 that there was a significant spike in Legionnaires' disease in the Genesee County over the past two years.
State AG Opens Investigation; Governor Calls for Declaration of Federal Emergency
Ten days after governor's January 5, 2016, declaration of state of emergency at Flint over city's water crisis, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette on January 15, 2016 announced launching an investigation into whether any of the state laws were broken and anyone was responsible. A recent report submitted by a gubernatorial task force criticized the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) for failing to enforce necessary requirements such as mixing anti-corrosive chemicals with the water after switching the city's primary water source from Lake Huron to Flint River that might have prevented leaching of lead from decades-old water pipeline and meeting out the complaint about water quality from residents with "aggressive dismissal, belittlement and attempts to discredit these efforts and individuals involved". A separate investigation was also going on under the supervision of the federal Environmental Protection Agency. In another development, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 15, 2016 asked President Barack Obama to declare Flint water crisis as federal emergency.
President Obama Signs Federal Emergency Declaration
Within 24 hours upon receiving a request from Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, President Barack Obama on January 16, 2016 signed a federal emergency declaration for Flint, a city of 99,000 residents, mostly poor and Black, that would bring Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Flint for co-ordination and collaboration with local and state authorities in relief distribution. Under the federal emergency declaration, FEMA will direct supplies such as water, filters, cartridges and other items for 90 days. However, President Obama rejected Governor Snyder's request for federal disaster declaration on the ground that Flint water crisis was not the result of any natural disaster.
Governor Vows to Fix Flint Water Crisis
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder spent most of his time during his State of the State address on January 19, 2016 to assure residents of Flint and beyond that he would be not only by their side, but also fix the water crisis that had thrust Flint into national spotlight. During his address, Snyder said that his administration would:
* Disburse $28 million in the short term aid
* Send more National Guard members to Flint
* Make public all his e-mails regarding the crisis
* Appeal for reconsideration of Obama's rejection to declare Flint an area of federal disaster
Governor Releases e-mails; Obama Assures Flint Mayor; State House Okays $28 Million
As promised, Governor Rick Snyder on January 20, 2016 released all his e-mails related to Flint water crisis for public to see. During the day, state House passed a measure that would immediately grant $28 million in aid to Flint. The measure now goes to the state Senate. In the neighboring city of Detroit, where President Barack Obama came for the Detroit Auto Show to celebrate the revival of American auto industry, carved out time to meet with Flint Mayor Karen Weaver on January 20, 2016, and pledged all support to her beleaguered city. President also sent Nicole Lurie, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the HHS, to Flint to lead the federal response.
Back-to-Back Reports Raise Stakes; Cause Hand-Wringing
On January 21, 2016, federal Environmental Protection Agency issued a report saying that efforts both by state and local officials had failed so far. The EPA ordered them to protect public health and ensure safety of Flint's water system. On January 21, 2016, a regional director of EPA resigned over the water crisis. Among the recommendations and orders issued by the EPA were:
* Submission of plans to ensure that Flint's water would have adequate treatment, including corrosion control
* Training Flint's city personnel to qualify for handling city's water system as per standard compliant with federal requirements
* Creating a website to provide information to public
A day later, January 22, 2016, a gubernatorial task force, the Flint Water Advisory Task Force, issued a scathing report on the failure over Flint water crisis, and recommended a third party to be hired as an evaluator and judge to decide when the Flint's water system would be free of lead. The task force also recommended that the state should work in collaboration with
* EPA on a comprehensive lead sampling program
* CDC on investigating into any possible connection to surge in Legionnaires' disease
Meanwhile, heads continued to roll over this embarrassing crisis that had rocked the Michigan politics and brought national attention to the scale of shameful neglect that a predominantly poor, Black city had to endure because of state's cost-cutting measures. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder on January 22, 2016 announced suspension of two employees of the state Department of Environmental Quality.
State Official Vows to Work with EPA on Flint Crisis
The interim head of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality on January 23, 2016 wrote a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy vowing to working with the federal agency to resolve the Flint's water crisis. However, Keith Creagh, the interim DEQ head who replaced the preceding head who had resigned over the water crisis, also questioned the legality of EPA orders issued a day earlier.
Virginia Tech Prof Appointed to Oversee Flint's Water Testing
The Virginia Tech professor who had exposed Flint Water System's elevated lead presence despite repeated denials by state officials was appointed by the city and its Mayor, Karen Weaver, to oversee the testing of city's water. On the same day, January 27, 2016, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed Professor Marc Edwards to a state panel that was entrusted to seek a long-term solution to Flint's water crisis.
State, Federal Authorities Rush to Help Flint with Big Promises
After state legislature acted on Governor Rick Snyder's call for an immediate infusion of $28 million to help mitigate Flint's water crisis, Democrats in Congress pledged on January 28, 2016 to seek $600 million aid for Michigan to help the residents of Flint.
Knowledge about Spike in Legionnaires' Disease Known for Months
Internal e-mails obtained through Freedom of Information Act raised genuine credibility to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder's January 13, 2016, public acknowledgement that he came to know just few days ago about the prevalence of Legionnaires' Disease in the aftermath of the switch of Flint's water source. The e-mails obtained by the liberal group Progress Michigan and shared with The Associated Press showed that there was e-mail communication between local authorities and Snyder's office dating back to March 2015 related to the spike in Legionnaires' cases in the Genesee County. According to one of the e-mails, released on February 4, 2016, Genesee County's environmental health supervisor, Jim Henry, wrote on March 10, 2015 to Flint's leaders, state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Flint's state-appointed emergency coordinator that "the increase of illnesses closely correspond with the time frame of the switch". Three days later an official from DEQ forwarded the e-mail to an aide of Snyder.
Bipartisan Energy Bill Held in Senate over Flint Crisis
An aggressive Democratic group of Senators on February 4, 2016 blocked the first bipartisan energy bill in a decade to drive home the point that Congress had to consider a financial package for Flint now. Last week, Democrats proposed a package of $600 million to help in Flint crisis, but early this week, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., said on February 4, 2016, the price tag was reduced to half at $300 million. But Senate Republicans won't even consider this package, and the number two Senate Republican John Cornyn of Texas went as far as saying that it was too early to put a price tag.
Michigan Issues Nation's Strictest Lead Rules
Shamed by the Flint water crisis, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and a group of water experts on April 15, 2016 unveiled some of the strictest rules regulating lead in the state's water system. Under the proposed rules,
* All underground lead services pipes will be replaced
* Each water system is to fully replace old pipes within 10 years
* All water utilities to test samples for all schools, day care centers and nursing homes
* All house sales to have disclosure on lead plumbing
* Mandatory yearly testing to become requirement for the state's water systems
* Water systems are to issue warnings within two days if lead is found to exceed the upper limit
Under the Environmental Protection Agency rules, water systems across the nation have to take measures if lead concentration is found to exceed 15 ppb in more than 10 percent of customers sampled. Under the new Michigan rules, the threshold is to be brought down to 10 ppb by 2020.
*************** Charges Unveiled ********
Three Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on April 20, 2016 unveiled charges against two state regulators and one city employee for official misconduct, evidence tampering and other offenses in Flint water crisis. The state employees include:
* Michael Prisby, a former district engineer with the state Department of Environmental Quality
* Stephen Busch, a supervisor in the department's drinking water office
Beside Prisby and Busch, Flint utilities administrator Michael Glasgow was charged with tampering with evidence by falsifying with the test results and willful neglect of duty.
Six More Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schuette on July 29, 2016 brought 18 count of charges against six more state employees:
Department of Environmental Quality
Liane Shekter Smith
Adam Rosenthal
Patrick Cook
Department of Health and Human Services
Nancy Peeler
Corinne Miller
Robert Scott
*************** Charges Unveiled ********
Senate Panel Approves $220 million Relief for Flint Water Crisis
The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on April 28, 2016 voted 19-1 to pass a $220 million relief package for Flint water crisis. The package was part of a broader, $4.8 billion measure for water-related projects across the nation. The House already passed a similar package.
Two Emergency State Officials in Charge of Flint Charged
Michigan's Attorney-General Bill Schuette on December 20, 2016 unveiled two former emergency state officials--Darnell Earley and Gerald Ambrose--in charge of Flint when a bungled switch of its source of water supply had spawned off the one of worst water crisis of the nation. In addition to Earley and Ambrose, two former Flint workers, Howard Croft and Daugherty Johnson, were charged in false pretenses, conspiracy to commit false pretenses, misconduct in office and willful neglect in duty while in office.
Judge Approves Plan to Replace Flint Water Pipes
U.S. District Judge David Lawson on March 28, 2017 gave blessing to a weeks-long, negotiated settlement to replace lead-tainted pipes to about 18,000 homes. The cost will be as high as $97 million to make those changes by January 2020. The settlement was reached as part of a lawsuit filed by the Natural Resources Defense Council and ACLU of Michigan against the state and Flint.
Charges Reach Closer to Governor's Inner Circle
Michigan Attorney-General Bill Schutte on June 14, 2017 unveiled charges against five officials, including Nick Lyon, Director of Michigan Health and Human Services, bringing the shame and legal consequence of the Flint water crisis to the governor's doorstep. The charges included manslaughter and misconduct in office. With these five indictments, the total number of officials sucked into legal wrangling rose to 15.
Governor Defends Two Officials
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder defended Nick Lyon and Chief Medical Executive Eden Wells on June 17, 2017.
Prosecutors Drop Charges against Eight, Shock Flint Residents
Prosecutors on June 13, 2019 dropped charges against eight defendants in a surprise move that had shocked the Flint residents. State Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud, who took over the probe in January 2019 after a new attorney-general had been elected in November 2018 midterm polls, said that all the avenues had not been pursued under the previous probe and she wanted to go for a full-throated investigation with a clean slate. However, Hammoud's decision angered many Flint residents, Hammoud's boss, Attorney-General Dana Nessel, pledged that justice would be served.
Officials Explain Their Move at a Town Hall Meeting
Michigan's solicitor general, Fadwa Hammoud, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy appeared at a town hall on June 29, 2019 in Flint to explain their June 13, 2019, decision to drop charges and re-launch the investigation from the scratch. About 100 residents were present.
Ex-Governor, Eight Others Charged in Flint Water Crisis
Nearly seven years after Flint switched its water source in a haste that had created one of the worst public health crisis in the U.S., sickened hundreds of residents of this predominantly African-American city and led to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, the time of rekoning came on January 14, 2021 as prosecutors charged nine people, including Former Governor Rick Snyder and key members of his administrations on various counts. Six of the nine charged on January 14, 2021 were also charged earlier, but that case had been dropped in June 2019 as a new prosecution team led by Fadwa Hammoud of the state attorney general's office took charge. Gov. Snyder faces charges on the count of failing to oversee "performance, condition and administration" of his appointees and protect nearly 100,000 residents of Flint.
$626 million Settlement Reached
A Michigan judge on November 10, 2021 approved a $626 million landmark settlement for the Flint water crisis that had tainted the water of Flint residents with lead and bacteria in 2014-15 after a switch of the predominantly Black city's water source.
Michigan Supreme Court Dismisses Charges against Former Governor, Officials
In a legal setback to the state attorney general, Dana Nessel, Michigan State Supreme Court on June 28, 2022 dismissed charges against Former Governor Rick Snyder and other officials over the Flint water crisis.
Mistrial Declared in Trial related to Four Flint Children
A federal judge in Ann Arbor on August 11, 2022 declared a mistrial after days of deliberations by the jury could not return a verdict. The federal trial involves two firms---Veolia North America and Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, or LAN---and four children as plaintiffs. Plaintiffs argued that the defendants were negligent and failed to urge authorities to cut off the newly made connection to the Flint River as the sole water source and restore the original water source, a Detroit-area utility. Veolia and LAN are not part of the $626 million settlement.
***************************** FLINT WATER CRISIS ****************************
Ban on Michigan's Restrictive Election Law Stands
The U.S. Supreme Court on September 9, 2016 put the last nail to the coffin for Michigan GOP's hope for banning the straight-ticket voting by refusing to hear the state's appeal. Michigan's Republican Governor Rick Snyder signed a law in January 2016 to ban the straight-ticket vote, an option Michigan had since 1891. In July 2016, the U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain of Detroit imposed a temporary stay on the law, and a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, ruling on the state's appeal, last month (August 2016) upheld Judge Drain's temporary injunction. The U.S. Supreme Court was the last stop for Michigan's GOP leadership to remove the temporary injunction on the controversial law, and on September 9, 2016, it became clear that this restrictive law would not go into effect at least this election cycle.
Michigan Electoral Maps Rejected
A three-judge panel on April 25, 2019 said that Michigan's current GOP-made electoral maps were unconstitutional and ordered the state legislature to work with Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer to redraw nine of the 14 U.S. House districts and 25 of 148 seats in state legislature by August 1, 2019. Judge Eric Clay of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Judge Dennise Page Hood and U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist also ordered state senate elections in 2020.
***************************** FLINT WATER CRISIS ****************************
Ban on Michigan's Restrictive Election Law Stands
The U.S. Supreme Court on September 9, 2016 put the last nail to the coffin for Michigan GOP's hope for banning the straight-ticket voting by refusing to hear the state's appeal. Michigan's Republican Governor Rick Snyder signed a law in January 2016 to ban the straight-ticket vote, an option Michigan had since 1891. In July 2016, the U.S. District Judge Gershwin Drain of Detroit imposed a temporary stay on the law, and a three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, ruling on the state's appeal, last month (August 2016) upheld Judge Drain's temporary injunction. The U.S. Supreme Court was the last stop for Michigan's GOP leadership to remove the temporary injunction on the controversial law, and on September 9, 2016, it became clear that this restrictive law would not go into effect at least this election cycle.
Michigan Electoral Maps Rejected
A three-judge panel on April 25, 2019 said that Michigan's current GOP-made electoral maps were unconstitutional and ordered the state legislature to work with Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer to redraw nine of the 14 U.S. House districts and 25 of 148 seats in state legislature by August 1, 2019. Judge Eric Clay of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, U.S. District Judge Dennise Page Hood and U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist also ordered state senate elections in 2020.
****************************** GOVERNOR'S KIDNAP PLOT ************************
13
Arrested, Charged in Governor’s Kidnap Plot
In
a sensational announcement, federal and state authorities on October 8, 2020
announced that 13 people had been charged in conspiracy to overthrow
government institutions and kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Six
of them have been charged on federal counts, and five out of six are Michigan
residents and the remaining one is a Delaware resident. Six men had been
charged in trying to kidnap Governor Whitmer for what they had accused her of “uncontrolled
power”, according to the affidavit filed in the federal court. According to the
FBI affidavit, the six men have been training in August and September this year
with a group that federal authorities have labeled as a militia group, and they
have been arrested on October 7, 2020. The U.S. Attorney for the
Western District of Michigan Andrew Birge called the men “violent
extremists”, and the U.S. attorney for Detroit, Matthew Schneider, called
the conspiracy as a wake-up call to all as “violence has been prevented today".
Separately,
but in a related incident, seven other men were charged by state
authorities on October 8, 2020 for hatching out conspiracy to foment
uprising, adopt violence, overthrow government institutions and kidnap the
governor of Michigan. State Attorney-General Dana Nessel accused them of
instigating a “civil war”, seizing state Capitol and kidnapping state officials,
including Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Seven have been reported to have
ties with a Michigan-based militia group, Wolverine Watchmen.
In
the afternoon, Governor Gretchen Whitmer gave a poignant address, taking
direct shot at president for giving the White Supremacist groups a “rallying
cry” to “stand back and stand by".
Michigan Governor Kidnap Trial Begins
The federal trial against four defendants—Brandon Caserta, Barry
Croft Jr., Daniel Harris and Adam Fox—in a case to kidnap Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer began on March 8, 2022 at the U.S. District
Judge Robert Jonker’s court in Grand Rapids. Two other indicted co-conspirators,
Ty Garbin and Kaleb Franks, have pleaded guilty and will be key
government witnesses against the four defendants.
Two
Acquitted in Whitmer Kidnap Trial
The
jury in the Governor Gretchen Whitmer kidnap trial at the U.S. Court
in Grand Rapids on April 8, 2022 acquitted Daniel Harris and
Bandon Caserta. The jury was deadlocked on two other defendants—Adam Fox
and Barry Croft—implying that prosecutors could retry them. The
verdict, no doubt, is a setback to government’s effort to successfully
prosecute the right-wing militants who have planned to kidnap the Michigan
governor over her strong healthcare-related restrictions at the height of
COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
A New Jury Selected to Try Fox and Croft
A new jury was selected on August 9, 2022 to try two co-defendants--Adam Fox and Barry Croft--in kidnapping plot hatched against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Jury Deliberation Begins on Fox and Croft
After a nine-day trial filled with fiery arguments by both sides, the jury on August 22, 2022 received the case on charges that Adam Fox and Barry Croft had orchestrated plots to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler made a strong closing remarks that waiting "outside a woman's house in the middle of the night with night-vision goggles" was anything but an innocuous act. Defense attorneys portrayed them as "big talkers", "foul mouthed", "marijuana-smoking" individuals, but added that they didn't have the capability of kidnapping a governor.
Fox and Croft convicted on August 23, 2022.
Three Convicted on Abduction Charges
A jury on October 26, 2022 convicted three people—Joe Morrison,
his father-in-law Pete Musico, and Paul Bellar—on all counts related to
kidnapping plot against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The trial
was held in the state court, separate from the federal trial. The defendants,
members of Wolverine Watchmen, provided weapons training and other
support to Adam Fox and other people in a plot to kidnap the governor.
The federal trial produced mixed outcomes: two acquittals, two convictions
and two guilty pleas. In the state trial, Judge Thomas Wilson
ordered the trio of defendants to report to jail pending sentencing on December
15, 2022. The kidnapping ring was broken in October 2020, and 14 people
were arrested.
Governor Kidnapping Conspirators Sentenced to Lengthy Terms
A judge on December 15, 2022 handed down severe sentences to
three convicted defendants who had conspired to kidnap Governor Gretchen
Whitmer and launch a civil war. Pete Musico was sentenced to a
minimum 12 years in prison. Joe Morrison and Paul Bellar
were sentenced to 10 years and seven years, respectively. Governor
Gretchen Whitmer told the court in a recorded statement that the conspiracy
had done significant “damage” to “our democracy".
Co-leader of Kidnap Plot Receives 16 Years
At the sentencing hearing at the U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids,
prosecutors asked for life imprisonment for Adam Fox, 39, one of the main
brains behind a plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and
blow up a bridge to facilitate their conspiracy. However, U.S. District
Judge Robert Jonker on December 27, 2022 handed a 16-year sentence,
followed by five years of supervised release. Fox will get a two-year credit
for the jail time he has already served.
Croft Sentenced to 19 years
U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker on December 28, 2022 sentenced Barry Croft Jr., 47, to 19 years of imprisonment, capping the fourth and final defendant's sentencing in the federal trial. Prosecutors sought life sentence for the Delaware trucker.
Trial for Last Three Defendants in Governor Kidnap Case Begins
The jury selection began on August 21, 2023 in the trial for the
last three of 14 defendants accused of planning to kidnap Michigan
Governor Gretchen Whitmer before the 2020 presidential election. The court hearing
for Eric Moliter, Michael Null and his brother, William Null, will begin
on August 23, 2023 in rural Antrim County.
Nine defendants were convicted in state or federal courts, and many of them pleaded
guilty. Two had been acquitted.
Jury Acquits Last Three of 14 Defendants in Kidnap Plot
A jury on September 15, 2023 acquitted three defendants—Null brothers,
Nichael and William, and Eric Moliter—in the Governor Gretchen Whitmer
kidnap trial.
****************************** GOVERNOR'S KIDNAP PLOT ************************
Michigan Fake Electors Charged
Michigan Attorney-General Dana Nessel on July 18, 2023 indicted 16 fake
Republican electors on eight counts, including document forgery, for conspiracy to deprive Joe
Biden the victory in the 2020 presidential election in the state.
Michigan to Phase out Carbon-based Energy
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer on November 28, 2023 signed a landmark
bill that would require the state’s utilities to produce 100% carbon-free
electricity by 2040. The measure passed by the Democratic-led legislature
is hailed by the environmental advocates. The measure calls for generating 50%
of the electricity from renewables by 2030, 60% by 2035, and 100% by
2040. Michigan is ranked the 11th largest power-consuming state
in the nation based on the figures released in 2021. Currently Michigan generates
only 12% of the electricity from renewable sources, which are classified under
the category of solar, wind, water, nuclear, or the natural gas provided the
carbon emitted is captured by carbon-capture technology.
Michigan’s goals will inspire other states to help achieve Biden
administration’s overall objective to achieve (a) carbon pollution-free
electricity by 2035 and (b) net-zero by the mid-century.
MINNSOTA
************************** SHOOTING DEATH OF JAMAR CLARK *****************
Mayor Requests Federal Civil Rights Inquiry
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges on November 16, 2015 requested a federal civil rights investigation into November 15, 2015, shooting of an unarmed black man, Jamar Clark, 24, who was on life support after sustaining gunshot over his left eye. Hodges' letter to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice came after two days of protests in Minneapolis by the group Black Lives Matter. Currently, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating into events surrounding the shooting. According to police chief, Janee Harteau, two police officers involved in the incident were on paid leave. Two officers didn't have body-cam during the time of incident, but it's not known yet whether there was any squad, or surveillance, camera. Police was called to north Minneapolis around 12:45AM on November 15, 2015 after a report of the assault. Apparently Jamar Clark was intervening with the paramedics tending to a wounded person when police got involved and shooting ensued.
Clark Dies; Protesters Set up Tents outside Police Station
On November 16, 2015 evening, Jamar Clark died after his life support was removed. Meanwhile, demonstrators led by the Black Lives Matter intensified their protest movement demanding that the authorities release the video of the incident and incident should be investigated by the DOJ. Protesters on November 17, 2015 set up protest tent outside the 4th Precinct Police Station, near where the shooting took place.
Old Racial Wound Re-surfaces in Minnesota
Protests against the shooting death of Jamar Clark continued on November 18, 2015 amid the disclosure of two police officers' names who were involved in the incident and now on paid leave. Both the officers--Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze--were with the policing job for the past seven years, but with the city police for the last 13 months.
Police Officers Not to Face Charges
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced on March 30, 2016 that would not face any charge related to the November 15, 2016, shooting death of Jamar Clark in Minneapolis.
Police Duo Cleared in Internal Police Investigation
Based on an internal investigation, Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau announced on October 21, 2016 that officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze had followed appropriate processes and protocols related to November 15, 2016, shooting death of Jamar Clark. A local prosecutor and the U.S. attorney both refused to charge the officers before. The police dapartment's internal investigation was conducted by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A separate U.S. DOJ investigation is ongoing on police response to subsequent protests.
************************** SHOOTING DEATH OF JAMAR CLARK *****************
Black Motorist's Death Sparks Nationwide Outrage
A black motorist, Philando Castile, 32, was shot to death by a suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul police officer on July 6, 2016 in front of his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, and her 4-year-old daughter. The video of the interaction between a St. Anthony Police Department officer, Jeronimo Yanez, and the motorist and the resulting shooting recorded on the cell phone of Castile's girlfriend went viral and a national outrage ensued immediately. Apparently the police officer stopped the motorist on suspicion of being involved in a reported robbery. Philando Castile was ticketed about 50 times in and around Minneapolis area, court records showed, indicating a possible profiling of a man of color. In the days after shooting death of Philando Castile, there has been increased media scrutiny of the suburb of St. Anthony and neighboring Lauderdale and Falcon Heights as only 7 percent of the residents are Black, according to the Census Bureau, while half of total arrests made in 2016 are Blacks. This incident at Falcon Heights and another fatal shooting a day earlier in Baton Rouge fed and fueled a racially charged atmosphere that had been made worse by often provocative and reckless talks in the campaign trail, eventually leading to the July 7, 2016, heinous act by Micah Johnson who had killed five law enforcement officers during a Black Lives Matter rally to protest the deaths of black people in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.
Castile's Funeral Turned into "Unite for Philando" Event
Eight days after Philando Castile was shot dead by a police officer from suburban St. Paul police department, his funeral attracted thousands of people on July 14, 2016 at the 3,000-seat Cathedral of St. Paul, where a Baptist preacher, Rev. Steve Daniels, asked for unity. In fact, the cathedral was full of signs that bore the words "Unite for Philando".
Prosecutors Charge the Officer in Philando Castile Shooting
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi on November 16, 2016 unveiled second-degree manslaughter charges against the St. Anthony Police Department officer Jeronimo Yanez in the July 6, 2016, shooting death of a black motorist, Philando Castile, in Falcon Heights, a suburb of Twin Cities.
Cop who Kills Black Motorist Acquitted
A jury on June 16, 2017 acquitted St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez in the July 6, 2016, killing of Philando Castile. The verdict evoked outrage and frustration in the community of color in Minnesota and beyond. In sheer disgust, the family members of Castile stormed out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, the St. Anthony Police Department dismissed Yanez hours after the verdict, saying that public would not be served well with continuing presence of Yanez.
Castile's Mother Reaches a $3 Million Settlement
Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, was reported June 26, 2017 to have reached a $3 million settlement with the city of St. Anthony.
MINNSOTA
************************** SHOOTING DEATH OF JAMAR CLARK *****************
Mayor Requests Federal Civil Rights Inquiry
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges on November 16, 2015 requested a federal civil rights investigation into November 15, 2015, shooting of an unarmed black man, Jamar Clark, 24, who was on life support after sustaining gunshot over his left eye. Hodges' letter to the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice came after two days of protests in Minneapolis by the group Black Lives Matter. Currently, the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating into events surrounding the shooting. According to police chief, Janee Harteau, two police officers involved in the incident were on paid leave. Two officers didn't have body-cam during the time of incident, but it's not known yet whether there was any squad, or surveillance, camera. Police was called to north Minneapolis around 12:45AM on November 15, 2015 after a report of the assault. Apparently Jamar Clark was intervening with the paramedics tending to a wounded person when police got involved and shooting ensued.
Clark Dies; Protesters Set up Tents outside Police Station
On November 16, 2015 evening, Jamar Clark died after his life support was removed. Meanwhile, demonstrators led by the Black Lives Matter intensified their protest movement demanding that the authorities release the video of the incident and incident should be investigated by the DOJ. Protesters on November 17, 2015 set up protest tent outside the 4th Precinct Police Station, near where the shooting took place.
Old Racial Wound Re-surfaces in Minnesota
Protests against the shooting death of Jamar Clark continued on November 18, 2015 amid the disclosure of two police officers' names who were involved in the incident and now on paid leave. Both the officers--Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze--were with the policing job for the past seven years, but with the city police for the last 13 months.
Police Officers Not to Face Charges
Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced on March 30, 2016 that would not face any charge related to the November 15, 2016, shooting death of Jamar Clark in Minneapolis.
Police Duo Cleared in Internal Police Investigation
Based on an internal investigation, Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau announced on October 21, 2016 that officers Mark Ringgenberg and Dustin Schwarze had followed appropriate processes and protocols related to November 15, 2016, shooting death of Jamar Clark. A local prosecutor and the U.S. attorney both refused to charge the officers before. The police dapartment's internal investigation was conducted by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. A separate U.S. DOJ investigation is ongoing on police response to subsequent protests.
************************** SHOOTING DEATH OF JAMAR CLARK *****************
Black Motorist's Death Sparks Nationwide Outrage
A black motorist, Philando Castile, 32, was shot to death by a suburban Minneapolis-St. Paul police officer on July 6, 2016 in front of his girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, and her 4-year-old daughter. The video of the interaction between a St. Anthony Police Department officer, Jeronimo Yanez, and the motorist and the resulting shooting recorded on the cell phone of Castile's girlfriend went viral and a national outrage ensued immediately. Apparently the police officer stopped the motorist on suspicion of being involved in a reported robbery. Philando Castile was ticketed about 50 times in and around Minneapolis area, court records showed, indicating a possible profiling of a man of color. In the days after shooting death of Philando Castile, there has been increased media scrutiny of the suburb of St. Anthony and neighboring Lauderdale and Falcon Heights as only 7 percent of the residents are Black, according to the Census Bureau, while half of total arrests made in 2016 are Blacks. This incident at Falcon Heights and another fatal shooting a day earlier in Baton Rouge fed and fueled a racially charged atmosphere that had been made worse by often provocative and reckless talks in the campaign trail, eventually leading to the July 7, 2016, heinous act by Micah Johnson who had killed five law enforcement officers during a Black Lives Matter rally to protest the deaths of black people in Baton Rouge and Minnesota.
Castile's Funeral Turned into "Unite for Philando" Event
Eight days after Philando Castile was shot dead by a police officer from suburban St. Paul police department, his funeral attracted thousands of people on July 14, 2016 at the 3,000-seat Cathedral of St. Paul, where a Baptist preacher, Rev. Steve Daniels, asked for unity. In fact, the cathedral was full of signs that bore the words "Unite for Philando".
Prosecutors Charge the Officer in Philando Castile Shooting
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi on November 16, 2016 unveiled second-degree manslaughter charges against the St. Anthony Police Department officer Jeronimo Yanez in the July 6, 2016, shooting death of a black motorist, Philando Castile, in Falcon Heights, a suburb of Twin Cities.
Cop who Kills Black Motorist Acquitted
A jury on June 16, 2017 acquitted St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez in the July 6, 2016, killing of Philando Castile. The verdict evoked outrage and frustration in the community of color in Minnesota and beyond. In sheer disgust, the family members of Castile stormed out of the courtroom. Meanwhile, the St. Anthony Police Department dismissed Yanez hours after the verdict, saying that public would not be served well with continuing presence of Yanez.
Castile's Mother Reaches a $3 Million Settlement
Valerie Castile, mother of Philando Castile, was reported June 26, 2017 to have reached a $3 million settlement with the city of St. Anthony.
MISSISSIPPI
Legislature Passes Anti-Gay Measures
Mississippi legislatures approved measures that would decriminalize refusal of services on religious ground such as refusing to take order for cake for reception of a gay wedding. The measure sailed through the House on April 1, 2016 by 69-45 votes, two days after Senate passed by 32-17. The bill now goes to Governor Phil Bryant for his signature.
Federal Judge Orders Mississippi to Instruct Circuit Clerks to Issue Gay Marriage License
A federal judge on June 27, 2016 quashed a measure, dubbed as House Bill 1523, passed by the Mississippi legislature to go around the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court verdict that had legalized same-sex marriage. The U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ordered the state to issue instructions to state's 82 circuit clerks that each of them had to issue a marriage license irrespective of applicant's sexual orientation and they couldn't recuse themselves on the religious ground as granted by the HB 1523, set to take hold on July 1, 2016. Both Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, a Republican, and Attorney-General Jim Hood, a Democrat, defended the HB 1523 in court.
Mississippi Governor Signs One of the Nation's Strictest anti-Abortion Bill
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant on March 21, 2019 has signed a bill that would ban all abortions after fetal heartbeats are heard, making the measure one of the strictest measures on the land in effort to ban abortion. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2019. New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights called the bill as "cruel and unconstitutional", and vowed to press for lawsuit. The bill doesn't exempt rape or incest. A federal judge in 2018 struck down a Mississippi anti-abortion law aimed at prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks. At present, there is only one abortion clinic operational in the state.
Mississippi Removes the Last Vestiges of Confederacy
In a historic vote by Mississippi's legislature, state House on June 28, 2020 passed a resolution by 91-23 vote to retire the state flag that includes a confederate emblem on the left top corner, a symbol that had been put more than a century ago in 1894 by White supremacist lawmakers after the defeat of the South in the Civil War. The Senate followed suit with a vote that approved the measure by 37-14 vote. Gov. Tate Reeves said all along that he would sign the bill.
Reeves Signs the Bill
Mississippi became the last state on June 30, 2020 to drop the last of traces of Civil War's shameful past as Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill passed two days ago by both houses of legislature to retire the state flag with a confederate emblem on the top left corner.
Legislature Passes Anti-Gay Measures
Mississippi legislatures approved measures that would decriminalize refusal of services on religious ground such as refusing to take order for cake for reception of a gay wedding. The measure sailed through the House on April 1, 2016 by 69-45 votes, two days after Senate passed by 32-17. The bill now goes to Governor Phil Bryant for his signature.
Federal Judge Orders Mississippi to Instruct Circuit Clerks to Issue Gay Marriage License
A federal judge on June 27, 2016 quashed a measure, dubbed as House Bill 1523, passed by the Mississippi legislature to go around the June 2015 U.S. Supreme Court verdict that had legalized same-sex marriage. The U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves ordered the state to issue instructions to state's 82 circuit clerks that each of them had to issue a marriage license irrespective of applicant's sexual orientation and they couldn't recuse themselves on the religious ground as granted by the HB 1523, set to take hold on July 1, 2016. Both Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, a Republican, and Attorney-General Jim Hood, a Democrat, defended the HB 1523 in court.
Mississippi Governor Signs One of the Nation's Strictest anti-Abortion Bill
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant on March 21, 2019 has signed a bill that would ban all abortions after fetal heartbeats are heard, making the measure one of the strictest measures on the land in effort to ban abortion. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2019. New York-based Center for Reproductive Rights called the bill as "cruel and unconstitutional", and vowed to press for lawsuit. The bill doesn't exempt rape or incest. A federal judge in 2018 struck down a Mississippi anti-abortion law aimed at prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks. At present, there is only one abortion clinic operational in the state.
Mississippi Removes the Last Vestiges of Confederacy
In a historic vote by Mississippi's legislature, state House on June 28, 2020 passed a resolution by 91-23 vote to retire the state flag that includes a confederate emblem on the left top corner, a symbol that had been put more than a century ago in 1894 by White supremacist lawmakers after the defeat of the South in the Civil War. The Senate followed suit with a vote that approved the measure by 37-14 vote. Gov. Tate Reeves said all along that he would sign the bill.
Reeves Signs the Bill
Mississippi became the last state on June 30, 2020 to drop the last of traces of Civil War's shameful past as Governor Tate Reeves signed a bill passed two days ago by both houses of legislature to retire the state flag with a confederate emblem on the top left corner.
Governor Reeves Signs a Bill for a New Flag
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves on January 11, 2021 signed a bill that approved a new state flag that, for the first time, didn't include any confederate symbol, becoming the last of U.S. states to drop any vestige of confederacy. The new design includes a magnolia and a phrase: "In God We Trust".
Anti-Lynching Bill Signed more than a Century after the First Try
That it took more than 200 tries and 122 years since the first
anti-lynching bill had been introduced in 1900 by the then-lone Black member of
the Congress, Rep. George Henry White, showed the intensity of
resistance coming from an as august institution as the Congress, underlying how
racism at worst and racial insensitivity at best had been part of Congress for
so long time. Senate this time passed the anti-lynching bill unanimously, and the
House passed it on 422-3 on March 7, 2022. President Joe Biden on
March 29, 2022 signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act.
Jackson's Water Woes Force Residents to Stock up Bottled Water
After last week's massive rainfall, it was a matter of time when the capital city of Jackson would face its own moment of reckoning. On August 30, 2022, Jackson's one of the two neglected water treatment plants was flooded, leading to cutting off the water supplies to a large area of this city of 150,000. A month ago Health Department found the city's water quality poor and issued "boil" advisory. On August 29, 2022 night, Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said that he would declare an emergency for Jackson's water system. On August 30, 2022, that state of emergency declaration was issued. Governor Tate Reeves also requested the Biden administration to declare state of federal emergency. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba complained that Jackson's water system was suffering from short staffing and "decades of deferred maintenance".
EPA Launches Investigation into Jackson’s Water Crisis
EPA Launches Investigation into Jackson’s Water Crisis
Environmental Protection Agency on October 20, 2022 launched an
investigation into whether state agencies had discriminated in funding the
critical operation meant for the upkeep, maintenance and improvement of Jackson’s
water system that had led to water crisis for weeks in August and September
2022.
************************************* WELFARE SCANDAL *******************************
Mississippi’s Welfare Corruption: a Playbook for Right-wing Hypocrisy
The Dallas Morning News on January 4, 2023 published an article
on how a conservative state with its GOP leaders lecturing the poor people to
work instead of receiving welfare checks condoned—if not enabled—diverting
millions of dollars in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families to pet
projects designed to help the affluent. Because of stigma, hurdles and outright
opposition from the ruling GOP, the percentage of poor people in the nation’s
poorest state who are receiving the TANF aid is as low as 10% and the amount of
the assistance is the lowest in the nation, according to the Center for
Budget and Policy Priorities. During 2012 budget year, 24,180
Mississippians received TANF aid. The figure dropped to 2,880 during 2021
budget year.
Mississippi Department of Human Services facilitated
disbursement of millions of dollars from TANF program to well-connected
people to build their pet projects between 2016 and 2019, according to the
state auditor, and state and federal prosecutors. Former Human Services
Director John Davis pleaded guilty to charges related to misspending of
TANF money in one of the state’s largest public corruption scandals. The
scandal has tainted several prominent figures, including former NFL quarterback
Brett Favre, who is facing civil lawsuit along with about three dozen
defendants as part of current human services chief’s effort to recuperate misappropriated
money, including $5 million used for a volleyball arena at the University of
Southern Mississippi, Favre’s alma mater, according to the Mississippi
Auditor Shad White. Brett Favre’s daughter played volleyball at the
University of Southern Mississippi beginning in 2017. An additional $2.1
million of TANF money was used as part of development of a concussion drug by a
Favre-invested company.
************************************* WELFARE SCANDAL *******************************
Mississippi Undermines the Local Control of Capital City
Once a citadel of segregationists and Jim Crow era discrimination, Mississippi’s
White-dominated legislature did an end-run around the current local control
of the Black-majority Jackson by depriving the residents from choosing their
own court. The legislature passed a new law signed by Governor Tate Reeves
to create a new state-run court for Jackson that would undermine the very
precept of local control. The new court, Capitol Complex Improvement
District, or CCID, Court, whose judge will be appointed by the Chief
Justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court and the prosecutors will be appointed
by the Office of Attorney General, is created amidst rising homicides and other
law-and-order issues for the city of 150,000 residents.
NAACP and other rights groups sued the state in the federal court. U.S.
District Judge Henry Wingate in a ruling late December 31, 2023 said that
plaintiffs didn’t have any standing to file this case as they couldn’t prove
any harm that this law could have on them.
MISSOURI
Shooting death of an Unarmed Black Teen by a White police Officer Stirs Protest and Attracts FBI Inquiry
The August 9, 2014, shooting death of a black teenager, Michael Brown, 16, by a white police officer at Ferguson, a St. Louise suburb with predominant black population, evoked memory of Trayvon Martin and strong condemnation from civil rights groups and Black community. Protesters gathered at Ferguson for two successive days (August 10 and August 11), and wide-spread looting, vandalism, brick-batting and violence reported both nights. Meanwhile, the USAG Eric Holder said on August 11, 2014 that the shooting death of Brown, who was unarmed, constituted ground for an inquiry by Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Ferguson Tense, Violence Returns to the Streets
Since the August 9, 2014 shooting death of an unarmed black teen, Michael Brown, Ferguson remained tense and witnessed daily protests, many of them were violent such as wide-spread looting, burning of vehicles, radical youths throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. Ferguson police proved itself inept in handling the situation. The suburb has 70 percent black population, while 30 of the city's 33-member police force are white.
Highway Patrol Asked to Intervene in Ferguson
After four nights of violence, looting and burning, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on August 14, 2014 asked Missouri Highway Patrol to assume the policing authority of Ferguson, replacing the city police. The state highway patrol chief, Ron Johnson, who is black and has grown up near Ferguson, appeared alongside protesters on August 14, and the tension appeared to have subsided significantly. Meanwhile, during the day (August 14, 2014), vigils were observed in more than 90 U.S. cities.
Ferguson Police Releases Robbery Video, Names the Police Officer
Ferguson Police on August 15, 2014 released a convenience store video that had Michael Brown a robbery suspect hours before the tragic shooting death by a white police officer. It's not clear whether the shooting was related to this robbery incident. Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson also made public the name of the police who had shot Brown to death. Darren Wilson, 28, had 6-year service record.
Governor Calls National Guard to Keep Ferguson Streets Safe
As the nightly violence remained unabated, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on August 18, 2014 called National Guard to oversee the streets of Ferguson.
Holder Visits Ferguson, Pledges Federal Investigation
Attorney General Eric Holder stepped in the volatile racial landscape of Ferguson by visiting the violence-hit city on August 20, 2014 and assuaging a restive populace that a "thorough and fair" federal inquiry would be held into the death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer. Meanwhile, St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert Mcculloh's office on August 20, 2014 presented the case to a grand jury.
National Guard Troops Withdraw
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on August 21, 2014 ordered National Guard troops to withdraw from Ferguson as a relative calm had returned to the St. Louis suburb of 21,000 residents.
4,500 Attend Brown's Funeral
A crowd of more than 4,500 people thronged a massive St. Louis area church as part of funeral of a black teenager, Michael Brown, on August 25, 2014.
Justice Department to Investigate Ferguson Police Department
The US DOJ announced on September 4, 2014 that it would launch an inquiry into pattern and practice of Ferguson Police department. The inquiry is separate from the one currently being led by the FBI into August 9, 2014, shooting death of an unarmed teenager, Michael Brown.
Verdict Clearing White Police Officer Triggers Violence in Ferguson
A jury in St. Louis gave its verdict on November 24, 2014 not to indict White police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown in August. The verdict triggered spontaneous protests across the nation, and many of the protesters in Ferguson resorted to violence torching police vehicles, looting stores, destroying properties and damaging buildings. President Barack Obama and the parents of Michael Brown urged for calm and peace. The verdict was announced by the St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch at a news conference in the afternoon.
Governor Sends Additional National Guard Troops to Squelch Violence
Taken aback by sudden spurt of violence and looting a night before and accused of not deploying around 700 National Guard troops earlier, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on November 25, 2014 took no chance and tripled the National Guards to about 2,500.
White Police Officer Cleared in DOJ Inquiry
The U.S. DOJ on March 4, 2015 cleared the White police officer, Darren Wilson, involved in August 9, 2014, shooting death of a black unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, at Ferguson, Missouri. In a separate report, released simultaneously with the Wilson report, the DOJ issued a scathing rebuke of the Ferguson Police Department for pursuing policies and protocols targeting against the minority communities.
Obama Weighs in Ferguson Case, Criticizes City's Police Department
Two days after a Justice Department inquiry cleared Darren Wilson and a separate, but simultaneously released, report decried the practices of Ferguson Police Department, President Barack Obama on March 6, 2015 called the way Ferguson Police Department had treated minorities appalling, "oppressive and abusive". The comment came as President Obama addressed a town hall meeting at South Carolina's Benedict College and a day before the President was to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday when Alabama state troopers had mercilessly beaten participants of Selma-to-Montgomery March.
Ferguson Police Chief Quits
A week after a U.S. Department of Justice's report tore apart Ferguson Police Department for its anti-minority practices, department's embattled chief, Thomas Jackson, resigned on March 11, 2015. His resignation will be effective March 19, 2015, according to Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III.
First Anniversary of Brown's Death Marked with Peaceful Rallies amid Scattered Violence
A year ago, world had changed forever for the unknown city of Ferguson as an unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by a White police officer, leading to days of riots, birth of an iconic civil rights movement of the modern era, Black Lives Matter, deeper discussion on community policing and introspection into nation's race relations. A year later, Ferguson remained as emblematic as a festering problem just like a year ago with a veneer of peace amid underlying problems of race relations remaining unaddressed and unanswered. On August 9, 2015, to mark the one-year anniversary of Brown's death, Brown's father led a peaceful march through the heart of Ferguson. It was mostly a peaceful demonstration during daytime, only to have few gunmen and scattered violence filling the streets during night.
Ferguson, USDOJ Close to an Agreement
Since a March 2015 US DOJ report blasted the practices and procedures used by Ferguson Police department, negotiation was continuing with fits and starts between the sides to come up with a reasonable framework that would be submitted to a federal court for review and approval. Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said on December 16, 2015 that an agreement was very close. The deal calls for new training for city's police force and appointing a federal monitor to oversee the progress stipulated in the deal.
Ferguson, DOJ Reach Agreement
The U.S. Department of Justice and Ferguson city officials reached an agreement on January 27, 2016 on criminal justice system reform that would require Ferguson:
* Police department to end unlawful arrest practice
* Municipal court to become absolutely independent of prosecutors
* To allow the passers-by to record police activities
* To raise police salaries to hire qualified officers
* To hire an independent monitor
The agreement must be approved by Ferguson City Council to become effective and avoid expensive lawsuit.
Feds Sue Ferguson
A day after Ferguson City Council voted down the agreement reached between the city officials and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Obama administration filed a lawsuit against the city on February 10, 2016. Addressing a news conference, Attorney-General Loretta Lynch said that Ferguson didn't leave any "further choice". The February 9, 2016, vote of 6-0 against the deal was a setback to Mayor James Knowles III who had assured after the deal was unveiled on January 27, 2016 that he had votes in the city council to pass it. The city council members cited the high costs of the deal's implementation for a city that was running at an operating deficit of $2.5 million as a prime reason for having voted against it.
Ferguson Succumbs to Fed, Okays Settlement
More than a month after Ferguson City Council's February 9, 2016, vote to reject a settlement with DOJ triggered a federal lawsuit, the city council reassessed pros and cons and on March 15, 2016 moved ahead to vote for the settlement. After the vote, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III and Michael Brown Senior, father of Michael Brown Junior whose August 2014 shooting death gave rise to the prominence of Black Lives Matter movement, exchanged hugs. Brown Senior called the deal his deceased son's "legacy".
Ferguson Names New Police Chief
Ferguson on March 31, 2016 hired a Miami police officer, Major Delrish Moss, as the head of its police department.
Judge Okays Ferguson Settlement
A St. Louis federal judge, Catherine Perry, on April 19, 2016 okayed the Ferguson settlement, thus paving the way for the city to take final steps to begin implementing the settlement terms.
Governor Greitens Announces to Step down
Under pressure from all quarters over his scandalous sex-assault case in which he tried to coerce and blackmail the victim, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens on May 29, 2018 announced that he would step down. His political fortune was already clouded by an indictment in St. Louis that he illegally acquired a donors list from a veterans charity that he had founded to raise fund for his 2016 election. Eric Greitens will be replaced by Lt. Gov. Michael Parson.
MISSOURI
Shooting death of an Unarmed Black Teen by a White police Officer Stirs Protest and Attracts FBI Inquiry
The August 9, 2014, shooting death of a black teenager, Michael Brown, 16, by a white police officer at Ferguson, a St. Louise suburb with predominant black population, evoked memory of Trayvon Martin and strong condemnation from civil rights groups and Black community. Protesters gathered at Ferguson for two successive days (August 10 and August 11), and wide-spread looting, vandalism, brick-batting and violence reported both nights. Meanwhile, the USAG Eric Holder said on August 11, 2014 that the shooting death of Brown, who was unarmed, constituted ground for an inquiry by Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Ferguson Tense, Violence Returns to the Streets
Since the August 9, 2014 shooting death of an unarmed black teen, Michael Brown, Ferguson remained tense and witnessed daily protests, many of them were violent such as wide-spread looting, burning of vehicles, radical youths throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. Ferguson police proved itself inept in handling the situation. The suburb has 70 percent black population, while 30 of the city's 33-member police force are white.
Highway Patrol Asked to Intervene in Ferguson
After four nights of violence, looting and burning, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on August 14, 2014 asked Missouri Highway Patrol to assume the policing authority of Ferguson, replacing the city police. The state highway patrol chief, Ron Johnson, who is black and has grown up near Ferguson, appeared alongside protesters on August 14, and the tension appeared to have subsided significantly. Meanwhile, during the day (August 14, 2014), vigils were observed in more than 90 U.S. cities.
Ferguson Police Releases Robbery Video, Names the Police Officer
Ferguson Police on August 15, 2014 released a convenience store video that had Michael Brown a robbery suspect hours before the tragic shooting death by a white police officer. It's not clear whether the shooting was related to this robbery incident. Ferguson police Chief Thomas Jackson also made public the name of the police who had shot Brown to death. Darren Wilson, 28, had 6-year service record.
Governor Calls National Guard to Keep Ferguson Streets Safe
As the nightly violence remained unabated, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on August 18, 2014 called National Guard to oversee the streets of Ferguson.
Holder Visits Ferguson, Pledges Federal Investigation
Attorney General Eric Holder stepped in the volatile racial landscape of Ferguson by visiting the violence-hit city on August 20, 2014 and assuaging a restive populace that a "thorough and fair" federal inquiry would be held into the death of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer. Meanwhile, St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert Mcculloh's office on August 20, 2014 presented the case to a grand jury.
National Guard Troops Withdraw
Missouri Governor Jay Nixon on August 21, 2014 ordered National Guard troops to withdraw from Ferguson as a relative calm had returned to the St. Louis suburb of 21,000 residents.
4,500 Attend Brown's Funeral
A crowd of more than 4,500 people thronged a massive St. Louis area church as part of funeral of a black teenager, Michael Brown, on August 25, 2014.
Justice Department to Investigate Ferguson Police Department
The US DOJ announced on September 4, 2014 that it would launch an inquiry into pattern and practice of Ferguson Police department. The inquiry is separate from the one currently being led by the FBI into August 9, 2014, shooting death of an unarmed teenager, Michael Brown.
Verdict Clearing White Police Officer Triggers Violence in Ferguson
A jury in St. Louis gave its verdict on November 24, 2014 not to indict White police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of black teenager Michael Brown in August. The verdict triggered spontaneous protests across the nation, and many of the protesters in Ferguson resorted to violence torching police vehicles, looting stores, destroying properties and damaging buildings. President Barack Obama and the parents of Michael Brown urged for calm and peace. The verdict was announced by the St. Louis County Prosecutor Robert McCulloch at a news conference in the afternoon.
Governor Sends Additional National Guard Troops to Squelch Violence
Taken aback by sudden spurt of violence and looting a night before and accused of not deploying around 700 National Guard troops earlier, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon on November 25, 2014 took no chance and tripled the National Guards to about 2,500.
White Police Officer Cleared in DOJ Inquiry
The U.S. DOJ on March 4, 2015 cleared the White police officer, Darren Wilson, involved in August 9, 2014, shooting death of a black unarmed teenager, Michael Brown, at Ferguson, Missouri. In a separate report, released simultaneously with the Wilson report, the DOJ issued a scathing rebuke of the Ferguson Police Department for pursuing policies and protocols targeting against the minority communities.
Obama Weighs in Ferguson Case, Criticizes City's Police Department
Two days after a Justice Department inquiry cleared Darren Wilson and a separate, but simultaneously released, report decried the practices of Ferguson Police Department, President Barack Obama on March 6, 2015 called the way Ferguson Police Department had treated minorities appalling, "oppressive and abusive". The comment came as President Obama addressed a town hall meeting at South Carolina's Benedict College and a day before the President was to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday when Alabama state troopers had mercilessly beaten participants of Selma-to-Montgomery March.
Ferguson Police Chief Quits
A week after a U.S. Department of Justice's report tore apart Ferguson Police Department for its anti-minority practices, department's embattled chief, Thomas Jackson, resigned on March 11, 2015. His resignation will be effective March 19, 2015, according to Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III.
First Anniversary of Brown's Death Marked with Peaceful Rallies amid Scattered Violence
A year ago, world had changed forever for the unknown city of Ferguson as an unarmed Black teenager Michael Brown was shot dead by a White police officer, leading to days of riots, birth of an iconic civil rights movement of the modern era, Black Lives Matter, deeper discussion on community policing and introspection into nation's race relations. A year later, Ferguson remained as emblematic as a festering problem just like a year ago with a veneer of peace amid underlying problems of race relations remaining unaddressed and unanswered. On August 9, 2015, to mark the one-year anniversary of Brown's death, Brown's father led a peaceful march through the heart of Ferguson. It was mostly a peaceful demonstration during daytime, only to have few gunmen and scattered violence filling the streets during night.
Ferguson, USDOJ Close to an Agreement
Since a March 2015 US DOJ report blasted the practices and procedures used by Ferguson Police department, negotiation was continuing with fits and starts between the sides to come up with a reasonable framework that would be submitted to a federal court for review and approval. Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III said on December 16, 2015 that an agreement was very close. The deal calls for new training for city's police force and appointing a federal monitor to oversee the progress stipulated in the deal.
Ferguson, DOJ Reach Agreement
The U.S. Department of Justice and Ferguson city officials reached an agreement on January 27, 2016 on criminal justice system reform that would require Ferguson:
* Police department to end unlawful arrest practice
* Municipal court to become absolutely independent of prosecutors
* To allow the passers-by to record police activities
* To raise police salaries to hire qualified officers
* To hire an independent monitor
The agreement must be approved by Ferguson City Council to become effective and avoid expensive lawsuit.
Feds Sue Ferguson
A day after Ferguson City Council voted down the agreement reached between the city officials and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Obama administration filed a lawsuit against the city on February 10, 2016. Addressing a news conference, Attorney-General Loretta Lynch said that Ferguson didn't leave any "further choice". The February 9, 2016, vote of 6-0 against the deal was a setback to Mayor James Knowles III who had assured after the deal was unveiled on January 27, 2016 that he had votes in the city council to pass it. The city council members cited the high costs of the deal's implementation for a city that was running at an operating deficit of $2.5 million as a prime reason for having voted against it.
Ferguson Succumbs to Fed, Okays Settlement
More than a month after Ferguson City Council's February 9, 2016, vote to reject a settlement with DOJ triggered a federal lawsuit, the city council reassessed pros and cons and on March 15, 2016 moved ahead to vote for the settlement. After the vote, Ferguson Mayor James Knowles III and Michael Brown Senior, father of Michael Brown Junior whose August 2014 shooting death gave rise to the prominence of Black Lives Matter movement, exchanged hugs. Brown Senior called the deal his deceased son's "legacy".
Ferguson Names New Police Chief
Ferguson on March 31, 2016 hired a Miami police officer, Major Delrish Moss, as the head of its police department.
Judge Okays Ferguson Settlement
A St. Louis federal judge, Catherine Perry, on April 19, 2016 okayed the Ferguson settlement, thus paving the way for the city to take final steps to begin implementing the settlement terms.
Governor Greitens Announces to Step down
Under pressure from all quarters over his scandalous sex-assault case in which he tried to coerce and blackmail the victim, Missouri Governor Eric Greitens on May 29, 2018 announced that he would step down. His political fortune was already clouded by an indictment in St. Louis that he illegally acquired a donors list from a veterans charity that he had founded to raise fund for his 2016 election. Eric Greitens will be replaced by Lt. Gov. Michael Parson.
MONTANA
Republican Leaders Continue to Silence Transgender Lawmaker in Montana
In a shameful and repressive manner, GOP House leaders in Montana
continued on April 24, 2023 for the third straight day to block a Democratic
transgender member of the Montana House, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, from talking
on the House floor. Rep. Zooey Zephyr was silenced on April 20, 2023 and
April 21, 2023, respectively. Montana legislature has taken up a measure that
will ban gender-affirming procedures as well as restrict on when students can
change their gender and pronouns. Rep. Zooey Zephyr warned the Republican
leaders that they would have blood in their hands if they restricted the access
to gender-affirming medical care. On April 24, 2023, a raucous group of
supporters chanted from the House gallery: “let her speak”. The demonstrators
were forcefully evicted from the chamber, creating a spectacle of the disobedience
movement reminiscent of the ones in the Civil Rights Era.
Montana House Session Cancelled
Montana House of Representatives Speaker Matt Regier on April 25, 2023 cancelled the day’s
session to take stock of the situation stemming from the disturbances in the
House chamber a day ago and subsequent arrest of seven protesters who were
demanding that a transgender member of the House, Rep. Zooey Zephyr,
D-Missoula, be allowed to speak
after she had been silenced by GOP leadership for making comment on a bill against
gender-affirming care for children that GOP members would have “blood on their
hands”. GOP demanded that Rep. Zephyr apologize for her unparliamentary
languages.
Rep. Zephyr Censured by Montana House
In another shameful and a potentially democracy-undermining move, GOP-dominated
Montana House of Representatives on April 26, 2023 barred a transgender
lawmaker, Rep. Zooey Zephyr, from speaking from the floor for the rest
of the ongoing legislative session.
NEVADA
Las Vegas Turned into a Valley of Death
It seems coming from a horror movie, a tell-tale of bone-shuddering and chilling unfurling of events as a madman was hell-bent in bringing the world to its knee. Only it could be a movie. What happened in Las Vegas Strip on a balmy evening of October 1, 2017 was a real-life grisly tragedy caused by a gunman intent with pure evil idea of killing people at random. The suspected gunman, Stephen Paddock, used his 32nd floor room's window in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino as a resting pad to fire on tens of thousands of joyful crowd below attending a Country Music festival, leading to a scene of chaos and confusion. As people were rushing wherever they could, the bullets came raining in from the sky and turning the event, Route 91 Harvest Festival, at the Las Vegas Strip into a macabre scene of battle zone. By the early morning of October 2, 2017, at least 59 people were estimated to have been killed and 527 injured. Paddock, after committing the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. history, later killed himself. Police found at least 20 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from his room. Among the guns they found were AR-15-style assault rifles.
Las Vegas Strip Turned a Huge Memorial; Authorities Zeroing on Bump Stock
As day light broke on October 2, 2017, Las Vegas Strip was turned into a stretch of memorials to pay tribute to 59 dead and more than 500 injured in the October 1, 2017, mayhem carried out by Stephen Paddock. Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, had arrived at the U.S. from Philippines late October 2, 2017. Danley told authorities that Paddock had wired $100,000 to her recently, and she thought that Paddock was trying to break up. Meanwhile, investigators were focusing on "bump stocks", a relatively inexpensive device that could make a semi-automatic weapon to an automatic weapon by helping to fire at a rapid-pace clip.
Feinstein Unveils Measure to Limit Bump Stocks
As the little-known "bump stocks" came to nation's attention after the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. history, Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein and other Democrats unveiled a measure in the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 4, 2017 that would ban sales, transfer, importation, manufacture or possession of bump stocks, trigger cranks and similar accessories.
Calls for Restricting "Bump Stock" Grow with even NRA Joining the Chorus
As the use of "bump stock" by the Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock in the deadliest mass shooting in the USA made all but impossible to defend this device, National Rifle Association threw its hat in the ring on October 5, 2017 to ensure that there was no legislative push against the broader rights of gun ownership. In a joint statement, NRA's chief executive and executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, and Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, asked the ATF to review whether "these devices comply with federal law".
NEVADA
Las Vegas Turned into a Valley of Death
It seems coming from a horror movie, a tell-tale of bone-shuddering and chilling unfurling of events as a madman was hell-bent in bringing the world to its knee. Only it could be a movie. What happened in Las Vegas Strip on a balmy evening of October 1, 2017 was a real-life grisly tragedy caused by a gunman intent with pure evil idea of killing people at random. The suspected gunman, Stephen Paddock, used his 32nd floor room's window in Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino as a resting pad to fire on tens of thousands of joyful crowd below attending a Country Music festival, leading to a scene of chaos and confusion. As people were rushing wherever they could, the bullets came raining in from the sky and turning the event, Route 91 Harvest Festival, at the Las Vegas Strip into a macabre scene of battle zone. By the early morning of October 2, 2017, at least 59 people were estimated to have been killed and 527 injured. Paddock, after committing the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. history, later killed himself. Police found at least 20 rifles and hundreds of rounds of ammunition from his room. Among the guns they found were AR-15-style assault rifles.
Las Vegas Strip Turned a Huge Memorial; Authorities Zeroing on Bump Stock
As day light broke on October 2, 2017, Las Vegas Strip was turned into a stretch of memorials to pay tribute to 59 dead and more than 500 injured in the October 1, 2017, mayhem carried out by Stephen Paddock. Paddock's girlfriend, Marilou Danley, had arrived at the U.S. from Philippines late October 2, 2017. Danley told authorities that Paddock had wired $100,000 to her recently, and she thought that Paddock was trying to break up. Meanwhile, investigators were focusing on "bump stocks", a relatively inexpensive device that could make a semi-automatic weapon to an automatic weapon by helping to fire at a rapid-pace clip.
Feinstein Unveils Measure to Limit Bump Stocks
As the little-known "bump stocks" came to nation's attention after the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. history, Democratic Senator Diane Feinstein and other Democrats unveiled a measure in the Senate Judiciary Committee on October 4, 2017 that would ban sales, transfer, importation, manufacture or possession of bump stocks, trigger cranks and similar accessories.
Calls for Restricting "Bump Stock" Grow with even NRA Joining the Chorus
As the use of "bump stock" by the Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock in the deadliest mass shooting in the USA made all but impossible to defend this device, National Rifle Association threw its hat in the ring on October 5, 2017 to ensure that there was no legislative push against the broader rights of gun ownership. In a joint statement, NRA's chief executive and executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, and Chris Cox, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, asked the ATF to review whether "these devices comply with federal law".
Las Vegas Journalist Stabbed to Death
A Las Vegas Review-Journal investigative journalist, Jeff
German, was stabbed to death on September 3, 2022 morning outside
his home. Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is looking for a suspect. Glenn
Cook, the executive editor of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, issued a
statement on September 4, 2022, mourning the death of Jeff German,
saying that the “Review-Journal family is devastated to lose Jeff".
Clark County Democratic Official Arrested in Investigative Journalist’s
Murder
A Clark County Democratic Party official, County Public Administrator
Robert “Rob” Telles, was arrested on September 7, 2022 in the murder
of investigative journalist Jeff German.
Las Vegas Attacker Identified
Hours after an attacker rammed his vehicle onto revelers in New Orleans, a U.S. Army soldier blew up his cybertruck near the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas on January 1, 2025. Matthew Livelsberger, 37, was found dead with a self-inflicted wound. Authorities said on January 2, 2025 that the two back-to-back attacks on the New Year's Day were not related or coordinated.
Las Vegas Green Beret Commits Suicide to Send Message, Investigators Say
FBI Special Agent in Charge of Las Vegas investigation Spencer Evans said on January 3, 2025 that Matthew Livelsberger, an Army Green Beret, left behind written notes before blowing his Tesla cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas and shooting himself to death. According to the notes, Livelsberger didn't harbor any ill-will or hatred against Elon Musk or Donald Trump, but rather focused on "a wakeup call" to cleanse "my mind" because of the "lives I took" and compatriots he had lost. The indication was, according to the investigators, that Livelsberger was suffering from PTSD. Investigators don't believe that the incident was related to terrorism.
NEW YORK
Grand Jury Refuses to Indict White Police Officer in Chokehold Death of a Black Man
Before the raw emotions and raucous demonstrations had even subsided over the verdict of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson, another grand jury issued a verdict along similar line on December 3, 2014. This time, a Staten Island grand jury refused to bring indictment charges against a White police officer, Daniel Pantaleo, who was accused of putting a chokehold on Eric Garner on July 17, 2014. Garner has been alleged to have been selling loose cigarette which remains illegal in New York. Outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder, reacting to the jury verdict, said that his department would launch a federal investigation into Garner's death.
Two Police Officers Assassinated
In cold blooded murders, a man with history of anti-police rhetoric shot dead two NYPD officers at point blank range on December 20, 2014. The officers--Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu--were inside a patrol car at Brooklyn when the armed man, Ismaiiyl Brinsley, approached them, opened fire and then killed himself. Before turning the gun on the police officers, Brinsley shot his ex-girlfriend in Baltimore and headed to New York to kill what he had described in an instagram posting "pigs" to avenge the death of Eric Garner. Maryland police tracked his movement and issued an alert. But the alert had reached just few minutes before the officers were shot dead. Recent anti-police rhetoric put country's police departments on the defense, and, according to many, eventually led to this tragic event in New York.
Backlash against Police Tactics Protest Movement
After the gruesome assassination of two NYPD police officers by a hatred-filled Ismaiiyl Brinsley to take revenge for the killings of Eric Garner and Michael Brown by taking measures to put "wing on pigs", there was an outpouring of sympathy and support for the police departments across the nation and there was expected, but irrational, accusation and finger-pointing at the recent protest movements that had flared up across the nation to raise popular voice against some of the recent police brutalities. While it's undeniable that the tone and tenor of some of the demonstrations went overboard in accusing the police departments in a broad brush, it's also unwanted in some quarters to link the December 20, 2014, assassination of Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu on Brooklyn streets not only to recent protest movements, but also to comments attributed to President Obama, AG Eric Holder and New York Mayor Bill de Blasio. The NAACP President Cornell William Brooks said on CBS' Face the Nation on December 21, 2014 that "it's not fair" to link the carnage of a lunatic gunman to a largely peaceful protest movement. On the other side of the political spectrum, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former New York Governor George Pataki lashed out against months of anti-police rhetoric orchestrated by leaders including President Obama, AG Holder and Mayor de Blasio.
New York Joins California to Raise Minimum Wage to $15
Democratic Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton joined Governor Andrew Cuomo at a raucous rally on April 4, 2016 in a Manhattan restaurant where New York governor signed a minimum wage bill that called for minimum wage to rise to $15 per hour in
* three years in the New York City
* phased manner in other parts of the state with the rate of increase tied to inflation
Gunman Arrested after Shootout
Ahmad Khan Rahami, the 28-year-old Afghan-born American suspected of carrying out two powerful explosions at the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and Jersey Shore two days ago that had narrowly missed causing any fatality, was arrested on September 19, 2016 after a brief shootout at Linden, New Jersey.
******* WORST TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE SEP 11, 2001 ******
Eight People Killed in a Halloween Afternoon Terrorist Attack
It was a balmy, lovely Halloween afternoon of October 31, 2017. People were walking, biking on a trail along the Hudson River in the heart of Manhattan. Suddenly a truck veered into the trail, and began plowing down the pedestrians and bikers, reminiscing a Hollywood horror movie scene. Before people even grasped that it was the deadliest terrorist attack in New York City since September 11, 2001, scores of people lay bloodied, shoes tattered and bikes mangled on the trail. Emerged from the pick-up that banged on a school bus and ended up near the Stuyvesant High School the suspect, later identified as Sayfullo Saipov, and ran back and forth on the road with a pellet gun and a paintball gun before shot by the police on abdomen. He was critically injured and taken to hospital. At the end of the day, eight people were killed and 11 injured in the ensuing mayhem. Five of the people killed were Argentine tourist who happened to be in New York for a school reunion. A sixth Argentine was also injured. One Belgian tourist was killed too and three of the injured are from Belgium. Immediately after the attack, Saipov's immigration status came under the scanner. Saipov has immigrated to the USA in 2010 from Uzbekistan, and is a Green Card holder. He lived in New Jersey and Florida. He rented the pick-up from a Home Depot store in New Jersey.
Feds Implicates the Attacker to ISIL Inspiration
Federal prosecutors in their court filing on November 1, 2017 said that the perpetrator of the worst terrorist attack in New York City since September 11, 2001 had been inspired by the ISIL ideology. The filing a day after the suspect, Sayfullo Saipov, 29, transformed a busy bike path in the heart of the city into a killing field by ramming a rented truck and killing eight people in addition to injuring dozen. Saipov was brought to a Manhattan federal courtroom in a wheel chair on November 1, 2017. The filing put the fate of Saipov in the civilian court system, thus tossing out the possibility of transferring the suspect to Guantanamo Bay military prison as President Donald Trump had preferred. President Trump blasted the U.S. criminal justice system "a laughingstock" and "a joke". Talking to reporters during the day, Trump said that he would definitely consider sending the suspect to Gitmo. Trump also derided the immigration system, saying that Saipov had entered the nation after receiving visa based on diversity lottery system. The bill that had created the diversity visa program was passed 27 years ago by Congress with bipartisan support and signed in 1990 by then-President George H.W. Bush. Noting that Chuck Schumer at that time supported the bill, Donald Trump did not forget to tinge the Senator from New York, tweeting that "Diversity Visa Lottery Program" was a "Chuck Schumer beauty".
Saipov Receives Automatic Life without Parole after Jury is Split on
Death Penalty
A 12-member federal jury informed the federal judge on March 13, 2023
that they couldn’t reach unanimity on death sentence against Sayfullo
Saipov, 35. The defendant automatically gets a life term without parole
although the formal sentencing will be handed at a later date. The same federal
jury convicted him in January 2023.
******* WORST TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE SEP 11, 2001 ******
Failed Suicide Bombing Heightens Terrorism Fear
A bomber, Bangladeshi born Akayed Ullah, 27, blew himself up at one of the busiest Manhattan subway corridors on December 11, 2017, injuring only himself, but raising the fear of another terrorist attack and driving the city's millions of residents and office-goers into another panic mode. Hours after the failed bombing, President Donald Trump railed against the so-called "chain migration" program.
Failed Bombing Suspect Faces Terrorism Charges
Prosecutors on December 12, 2017 filed terrorism charges against 27-year-old Akayed Ullah and accused him of posting an anti-Trump taunt on social media before he had tried to blow himself up at one of the busiest subway corridors in Time Square a day earlier. The 10-page criminal complaint filed by the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Joon Kim, based on the interrogation conducted at the Bellevue Hospital where the suspect was being treated for his injury, accused Ullah of carrying out the attack on behalf of Islamic State.
A.G. Schneiderman to Resign over Sex Abuse Charges
New York's Attorney-General Eric Schneiderman, often viewed as the firm voice for women and progressive issues, suddenly found himself hobbled by sex abuse controversy, offered to resign on late May 7, 2018. The day's unraveling event and outcome came in a whirlwind speed after The New Yorker published an article during the day, accusing the 63-year-old Democrat of verbally and physically abusing four women and torpedoed one of the state's powerhouses in the #MeToo era movement. Just last month Schneiderman hailed the same publication, The New Yorker, for starting "a critical national reckoning" by holding Harvey Weinstein and other men of power accountable for their misdeeds.
No Federal Charges against Police Officer involved in Choke-hold Death of Garner
Attorney-General William Barr on July 16, 2019 announced that federal prosecutors would not file any charge against Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the choke-hold death of Eric Garner, generating fury and anger among community activists, civil rights groups and local African-American leaders.
************************************ EPSTEIN SUICIDE ***************************
Disgraced Financier's Suicide Triggers Inquiries
Disgraced billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein charged in sex trafficking of underage girls in early 2000s was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correction Center in New York on August 10, 2019, and that immediately triggered multiple inquiries by the DOJ Inspector-General, FBI and New York City medical examiner into how such a high-profile inmate might have committed suicide at a high-security federal detention center.
************************************ EPSTEIN SUICIDE ***************************
******* WORST TERRORIST ATTACK IN NEW YORK CITY SINCE SEP 11, 2001 ******
Failed Suicide Bombing Heightens Terrorism Fear
A bomber, Bangladeshi born Akayed Ullah, 27, blew himself up at one of the busiest Manhattan subway corridors on December 11, 2017, injuring only himself, but raising the fear of another terrorist attack and driving the city's millions of residents and office-goers into another panic mode. Hours after the failed bombing, President Donald Trump railed against the so-called "chain migration" program.
Failed Bombing Suspect Faces Terrorism Charges
Prosecutors on December 12, 2017 filed terrorism charges against 27-year-old Akayed Ullah and accused him of posting an anti-Trump taunt on social media before he had tried to blow himself up at one of the busiest subway corridors in Time Square a day earlier. The 10-page criminal complaint filed by the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Joon Kim, based on the interrogation conducted at the Bellevue Hospital where the suspect was being treated for his injury, accused Ullah of carrying out the attack on behalf of Islamic State.
A.G. Schneiderman to Resign over Sex Abuse Charges
New York's Attorney-General Eric Schneiderman, often viewed as the firm voice for women and progressive issues, suddenly found himself hobbled by sex abuse controversy, offered to resign on late May 7, 2018. The day's unraveling event and outcome came in a whirlwind speed after The New Yorker published an article during the day, accusing the 63-year-old Democrat of verbally and physically abusing four women and torpedoed one of the state's powerhouses in the #MeToo era movement. Just last month Schneiderman hailed the same publication, The New Yorker, for starting "a critical national reckoning" by holding Harvey Weinstein and other men of power accountable for their misdeeds.
No Federal Charges against Police Officer involved in Choke-hold Death of Garner
Attorney-General William Barr on July 16, 2019 announced that federal prosecutors would not file any charge against Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the choke-hold death of Eric Garner, generating fury and anger among community activists, civil rights groups and local African-American leaders.
************************************ EPSTEIN SUICIDE ***************************
Disgraced Financier's Suicide Triggers Inquiries
Disgraced billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein charged in sex trafficking of underage girls in early 2000s was found dead in his cell at the Metropolitan Correction Center in New York on August 10, 2019, and that immediately triggered multiple inquiries by the DOJ Inspector-General, FBI and New York City medical examiner into how such a high-profile inmate might have committed suicide at a high-security federal detention center.
************************************ EPSTEIN SUICIDE ***************************
Police Officer Involved in Garner Shooting Fired
New York City Police Commissioner James O'Neill announced on August 19, 2019 that Daniel Pantaleo, whose choke-hold-induced death of Eric Garner had boosted Black Lives Matter movement with the rallying cry of "I can't breathe" that came out of the Garner during choke-hold, would be fired from the NYPD after an internal inquiry and the department's "own disciplinary process".
New York State Prosecutor Seeks Trump's State Tax Returns from Accounting Firm
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. sought President Donald Trump's state tax returns from his accounting firm to investigate into how the president's accountants had handled the hush money payment to Stormy Daniel before the 2016 presidential election. Trump White House took to legal recourse to block the release of his tax returns. After the case landed in the appellate court, the 2nd U.S. District Court of Appeals ruled on November 4, 2019 that "any presidential immunity from a state criminal process does not bar the enforcement of such subpoena" and, therefore, there was no bar from releasing the document by the accountants. Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow retorted that the verdict by the three-judge panel would be reviewed and appealed.
Trump Appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court
President Donald Trump filed an appeal against Manhattan DA's effort to get president's tax returns document to the U.S. Supreme Court on November 14, 2019. President's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said in the filing that the release would "impair Executive Branch operations".
New York State Prosecutor Seeks Trump's State Tax Returns from Accounting Firm
Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. sought President Donald Trump's state tax returns from his accounting firm to investigate into how the president's accountants had handled the hush money payment to Stormy Daniel before the 2016 presidential election. Trump White House took to legal recourse to block the release of his tax returns. After the case landed in the appellate court, the 2nd U.S. District Court of Appeals ruled on November 4, 2019 that "any presidential immunity from a state criminal process does not bar the enforcement of such subpoena" and, therefore, there was no bar from releasing the document by the accountants. Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow retorted that the verdict by the three-judge panel would be reviewed and appealed.
Trump Appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court
President Donald Trump filed an appeal against Manhattan DA's effort to get president's tax returns document to the U.S. Supreme Court on November 14, 2019. President's lawyer, Jay Sekulow, said in the filing that the release would "impair Executive Branch operations".
Calls
Mount for Governor Cuomo to Resign after Investigation Finds 11 Women Harassed
New
York Attorney-General Leticia James on August 3, 2021 made public of the findings of her five-month
investigation into alleged sexual harassment complaints against Governor
Andrew Cuomo. Leticia James, along with Anne Clark and former
U.S. Attorney Joon Kim, pursued a thorough investigation, producing a 165-page
report and concluding that Governor Cuomo had sexually harassed 11 women in
“violation of federal and state laws”. Although Attorney-General Leticia
James has not recommended any criminal referral, individual attorneys
general can pursue criminal charges against the governor. President Joe
Biden, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand asked
the governor to step down which Cuomo said he would not do.
Cuomo Announces His Resignation, Paving the Way for the First Female Governor
After most of his party establishment, including President Joe Biden, deserted him and the New York State Assembly was mulling over removing him by impeachment, Governor Andrew Cuomo on August 10, 2021 announced that he would resign. He remained defiant and dismissed allegation that he had sexually harassed 11 women as reported a week ago by the state's attorney general. Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul will become the state's first female governor after Cuomo's resignation becomes effective in two weeks.
Assembly to Suspend Cuomo Impeachment Investigation
New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on August 13, 2021 said in a statement that, based on the advice of legal scholars, the [assembly's] judiciary committee would suspend the investigation into various alleged misdeeds of Governor Andrew Cuomo once he resigned in 14 days. Heastie said that over the past several months, the committee with the help of outside experts, who had joined the investigation at the outset in March 2021, had unearthed "credible evidence in relation to allegations that have been made in reference to the governor" related to sexual harassment, misusing state resources for publication of a book and misleading reports on COVID-19 nursing home deaths which might have yielded to "articles of impeachment had he not resigned".
Cuomo Remains Defiant on His Way out
True to his form, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on August 23, 2021 dismissed the state's attorney-general's investigation that concluded governor's sexual harassment of at least 11 women as a "political firecracker". In his recorded valedictory address hours before 12:01 AM departure timeline, Cuomo said that although he initially thought of fighting the frivolous allegations, but prolonging the fight could inconvenience the state.
New
York’s First Woman Governor to Mandate Masks at Schools
On August
24, 2021, right after the midnight, a history was created in the state of
New York as Kathy Hochul became the first woman governor of the state,
replacing the tainted Governor Andrew Cuomo. Gov. Hochul later in the
day said that she would mandate masks at schools to create a safe environment
of learning.
Albany Prosecutor Asks for delayed Hearing after Sheriff's Office Files Case against Cuomo
Albany County Sheriff's office filed a criminal case last week against Former New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo on charges that Cuomo had forcibly touched a woman on December 20, 2020. However, Albany County District Attorney David Soares sent a letter to Albany City Court Judge Holly Trexler on November 4, 2021, calling the Sheriff's complaint filing "defective". DA Soares asked the judge to delay the trial until January 2022. Sheriff's office's complaint filing last week took the DA's Office by surprise as David Soares had been investigating into Cuomo's conduct for quite some time. Judge Holly Trexler on November 4, 2021 delayed the summon date for Cuomo from November 17, 2021 to January 7, 2022.
Transcripts of Cuomo Interrogation Released
New York Attorney-General Leticia James on November 10, 2021 released hundreds of pages of transcript from 11 hours of interrogation of Former Governor Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo remained defiant during the interrogation.
Two Men to be Cleared in Malcom X Assassination
Manhattan
District-Attorney Cyrus Vance’s Office
said on November 17, 2021 that it was working with the Innocence
Project and civil rights lawyer David Shanies’ office to clear the
names of two of the three people convicted in the February 21, 1965,
assassination of Malcom X, a controversial and domineering militant
leader in the America’s civil rights movement. Cyrus Vance said on November
17, 2021 that “these men didn’t get the justice that they deserved”. Malcom
X preached “self-actualization” and “any means” to achieve the so called Black self-determination.
However, a year before his assassination, Malcom X left the Nation of
Islam. He was assassinated on February 21, 1965 at Harlem’s Audubon
Auditorium. Three men put in the trial were Muhammad Aziz, now 83, Khalil
Islam, now deceased, and Mujahid Abdul Halim, and in March 1966,
they were sentenced to life in prison. Halim, wo was freed in 2010 on a parole,
said that he was among the three people who had pulled the trigger, but the
other two were not Muhammad Aziz and Islam. A re-investigation found
that FBI had suppressed information which were key to proving the alibi
provided by Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam. On November 17,
2021, Cyrus Vance said that his office would furnish more information to a
judge on November 18, 2021.
**************** MALCOM X
Two
Malcom X Murder Convicts Cleared
In righting
the historical wrongs, at least to many civil rights activists, a New York
judge on November 18, 2021 exonerated Muhammad Aziz and late
Khalil Islam. Manhattan Judge Ellen Biben dismissed the convictions.
An ecstatic Aziz told reporters that he “was victimized by the criminal justice
system”. Mujahid Abdul Halim, the third person convicted in the February
21, 1965, assassination of Malcom X admitted that he was one of the
three shooters, but denied Aziz and Islam had played any role. Subsequent
information showed a compromised initial investigation by the FBI, including a
direct intervention by the then-FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover. Muhammad
Aziz and Khalil Islam were paroled in 1980s. Islam died in 2009. Mujahid Abdul
Halim was paroled in 2010.
State, City Settle with Two Wrongfully Accused Defendants in Malcom X
Murder
David Shanies, a lawyer of late Khalil Islam and Muhammad Aziz said on October 30,
2022 that the New York City and the state of New York had reached
settlements of $26 million and $10 million, respectively, with his clients
as “Muhammad Aziz, Khalil Islam, and their families suffered because of these
unjust convictions for more than 50 years".
**************** MALCOM X
************************************ SALMAN RUSHDIE ***********************************
Salman Rushdie Stabbed
The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie was stabbed on August 12, 2022 on stage at
Chautauqua, New York. The alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, 24, of
N.J., stabbed 10 to 15 times. Rushdie was admitted in the hospital and as of
late evening he was on a ventilator. According to reports, he may lose one eye.
Prosecutor Calls Rushdie Attack “Preplanned”
District Attorney Jason Schmidt on August 13, 2022 told a judge that
the attack launched by Hadi Matar a day earlier was a “preplanned”
attack. Matar, charged in attempted murder and assault, appeared at the Chautauqua
County Court House at Mayville, and pleaded not guilty. Meanwhile, The
Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie was taken off the ventilator
during the day.
Iran Denies Any Link to Rushdie Attack
Iran’s Foreign Ministry on August 15, 2022 denied that it had
played any direct or indirect role in August 12, 2022, stabbing attack
on The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie. Former Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini issued fatwa in 1989 for Rushdie’s head, accusing the author
of The Satanic Verses of blasphemy. However, Iranian Foreign Ministry
spokesman, Nasser Kanaani, praised the stabbing.
Rushdie Appears on the Second Day of the Trial
On the first day of the Salman Rushdie's attempted murder trial, the alleged attacker, Hadi Matar, who pleaded not guilty, appeared on February 10, 2025 at a courtroom in Mayville, New York. District-Attorney Jason Schmidt detailed the charges against Matar on February 10, 2025.
On February 11, 2025, renowned author Rushdie took the witness stand and described in vivid details how he had been repeatedly stabbed, what thought process at that time raced through his mind and the difficulties he had faced in his lengthy recovery process. February 11, 2025 is the first time since the infamous attack on August 12, 2022 that Salman Rushdie appeared face-to-face with his would-be killer. Rushdie's wife, Rachel Eliza Griffiths, was seen shedding tears on the second row of the courtroom.
Matar Found Guilty
Matar was found guilty on February 21, 2025.
************************************ SALMAN RUSHDIE ***********************************
Bannon Faces State Charges
Bannon Faces State Charges
The Washington Post reported on September 6, 2022 that former White House chief strategist
Steve Bannon would surrender on September 8, 2022 as he was
facing state charges for the alleged fraud related to a $25 million fundraising
effort for a campaign, dubbed as “We Build the Wall”, to build a
border wall with private donation. Steve Bannon pleaded not guilty to
federal charges in August 2020 after he and two others were yanked from
a yacht for bilking out of $1 million in private donation. Another associate,
disabled veteran Brian Kolfage, pleaded guilty to federal charges. A
third defendant Timothy Shea’s case ended in a mistrial in June 2022.
Before leaving office, then-President Donald Trump included Bannon among
more than 120 people for clemency. The presidential pardon only covers federal
charges, not the state charges. Manhattan District-Attorney Alvin Bragg began
to look at this case, according to a February 2021 report by The
Washington Post. The case will be tried in the state supreme court.
Bannon pleaded not guilty on September 8, 2022 on state charges of conspiracy and fraud.
Clean Slate Law Signed by New York Governor Hochul
New York became the latest state to put a stamp of approval for giving
millions of convicts a second chance in life after they served their due time.
On November 16, 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the landmark law at
the Brooklyn Museum. Under the law, people with misdemeanor will have clean
slate three years after serving time and felons eight years after serving time.
However, sex crimes and many Class A felonies such as murder are exempt from
the purview of the clean slate law. New York joins a slew of states, including California,
New Jersey, and Michigan, that have passed the clean slate laws.
Sean Combs Case Takes Turn into Unchartered Legal Territory
After the September 2024 arrest of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, the defendant and his phalanx of attorneys are trying to get him out of jail on bail, but have remained unsuccessful so far. The music mogul is facing a range of charges on abuses against aspiring artists who have come to meet and seek help from him.
Recent filing by the prosecutors opposing his bail plea cited evidence derived from papers obtained from his jail cell during a regular sweep by the authorities of the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. They had turned over the documents to the prosecutors, who had apparently used the evidence to oppose the music mogul's bail plea on the ground that Combs was running a campaign from the jail cell to influence witnesses, public opinion and perception.
Defense lawyer Marc Agnifilo filed his motion days after prosecutors had submitted their filing opposing the bail, apparently citing the documents seized from the jail cell. In his motion, Agnifilo lambasted the prosecutors' approach as infringing in the process of attorney-client privacy as the documents seized from the jail cell were the results of the attorney-client conversation. U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian of New York City on November 19, 2024 ordered the prosecutors not to use the papers seized from Combs' jail cell.
************************* NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS *******************
DOJ Asks the Judge to Drop Mayor's Corruption Case
The Trump administration's Department of Justice announced last week that it would drop the indictment against Mayor Eric Adams to facilitate his administration to govern efficiently, leading to Manhattan's federal prosecutor to resign on February 14, 2025.
Eric Adams was indicted on $100,000 in illegal payments and bribery by Turkish government sources to buy favor when he was a New York City borough president. The charges have been brought by Biden administration's DOJ. On February 19, 2025, U.S. Deputy A.G. Emil Bove pleaded in the court of U.S. District Judge Dale Ho to dismiss the indictment after the mayor said, under oath, that there was no "quid pro quo". Adams was in a very high spirit during the day.
NYC Mayor's Attorneys Ask the Judge for Dismissal
On February 26, 2025, New York City Mayor Eric Adams' attorneys filed a petition to dismiss the case on the ground of prosecutorial misconduct. At the issue is the leak of a letter written by the U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon to U.S. Attorney-General Pam Bondi, arguing against dropping the charges slapped on the mayor in September 2024. In the letter, Sassoon mentioned an offer to resign as she had refused to follow an instruction from Deputy Attorney-General Emil Bove to drop charges against Adams. Eventually, Bove accepted Sassoon's resignation. Mayor Eric Adams' attorneys said in the filing that the leak was orchestrated to politically harm the mayor.
Mayor Adams Relieved as Case Dismissed with Prejudice
On April 2, 2025, U.S. District Judge Dale Ho dismissed the corruption case against Mayor Eric Adams with prejudice, implying that the case could not be refiled. However, dismissing the case, Judge Dale Ho made it clear that he had reservation over the prosecutors' effort to get the case dismissed as the deal "smacks" of a bargain between Trump DOJ and Eric Adams.
************************* NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS *******************
NEW JERSEY
Gunman Arrested after Shootout
Ahmad Khan Rahami, the 28-year-old Afghan-born American suspected of carrying out two powerful explosions at the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan and Jersey Shore two days ago that had narrowly missed causing any fatality, was arrested on September 19, 2016 after a brief shootout at Linden, New Jersey.
Democrat Wins in New Jersey Governor Race
Democrat Phil Murphy defeated Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno in November 7, 2017, race.
NORTH CAROLINA
********************************** LGBT LEGISLATION *************************
North Carolina Law Raises National Eyebrows
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed a controversial bill on March 23, 2016 that would supersede all local ordinances related to banning same-sex discrimination as well as Charlotte's so-called bathroom ordinance that allowed the transgender to use the bathroom that aligned with their gender now, not the with their birth time gender. All large corporations, civil rights groups, universities, and gay rights groups asked the governor not to sign the bill, but of no avail. Among the protesters included venerable names such as IBM, American Airlines, Duke University, Microsoft, Facebook, National Basketball Association and Google. The one-day session of the North Carolina General Assembly on March 23, 2016 passed the bill with lightning speed. The bill also included a provision banning local governments from raising the minimum wage beyond the state's $7.25 per hour.
Rights Groups Files Lawsuit
North Carolina's civil rights and gay rights groups on March 28, 2016 filed a federal lawsuit against a discriminatory bill signed by Governor Pat McCrory on March 23, 2016.
State Attorney General to Ignore the Law
North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper, a Democrat and fighting with incumbent Pat McCrory in the upcoming November gubernatorial elections, said on March 29, 2016 that he would not enforce the controversial HB 2 that was signed into law by the governor six days ago.
North Carolina's Bathroom Law Illegal, U.S. Says
The top civil rights lawyer in the Department of Justice, Vanita Gupta, on May 4, 2016 upped the ante on North Carolina, saying its so-called bathroom law, as part of Public Facilities Privacy and Securities Act, or House Bill 2, was illegal and gave the state until May 9, 2016 to get it correct. Ms. Gupta wrote a letter to Governor Pat McCrory, threatening legal action as the bathroom law hindered with the Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and would deprive the employees of public agencies of "full enjoyment of Title VII right". Besides, the House Bill 2, according to the DOJ, violates the Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, which bars discrimination in education based on sex.
Additional Scrutiny of North Carolina's Bathroom Law
In addition to the U.S. Justice Department's much publicized letter admonishing the North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory over the Public Facilities Privacy and Securities Act, or the House Bill 2, two other federal agencies are studying the law for possible action. The involvement of Department of Transportation and the Housing and Urban Development brings more bad news for the state which has seen in recent days cancellation of concerts, threatened boycott of the state and eschewing the state by convention organizers.
DOJ, North Carolina Sue, Countersue
The legal punch and counterpunch began in the earnest on May 9, 2016 as the U.S. DOJ deadline had passed without North Carolina complying with the department's May 4, 2016, directive over the state's so-called bathroom law. The DOJ filed a lawsuit on May 9, 2016, holding the state in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, which bars discrimination in education based on sex. In the May 4, 2016, letter, the top civil rights official of the Department of Justice, Vanita Gupta, admonished the state for violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by implementing the Public Facilities Privacy and Securities Act, or House Bill 2, after the North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory had signed it on March 23, 2016. On May 9, 2016, the U.S. DOJ added an additional charge, one related to the Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, in its lawsuit against the state. The U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, making public the filing of lawsuit, blasted the House Bill 2, saying that it "provides no benefit to society, and all it does is harm innocent Americans". The governor, Pat McCrory, during the day escalated the fight by filing another lawsuit at a different federal court in the state, saying that the federal government had run amok by a sharp "radical reinterpretation" of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
North Carolina Governor Signs Bill to Repeal and replace Bathroom Bill
North Carolinian Governor Roy Cooper on March 30, 2017 signed a bill that would repeal and replace House Bill 2, infamously known as Bathroom Bill, that had brought national shame and embarrassment upon the state. Under the new bill, state will be in charge of any bathroom ordinances and local jurisdictions are prohibited from enacting any measure related to bathroom issues through 2020.
North Carolina's Now-Repealed Bathroom Bill Would have Severe Costs on State Economy
An Associated Press study released just before infamous House Bill 2 was repealed and replaced pegged an impact of $3.7 billion over the next dozen years on the state economy if the bill would have gone into force.
********************************** LGBT LEGISLATION *************************
Voter ID Law Struck Down
A Panel of 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 29, 2016 struck down North Carolina's voter ID law, calling it a discriminatory against "African-Americans with surgical precision". The appeals court ruling reversed a late April 2016 lower court ruling by a federal judge in Winston-Salem.
U.S. Supreme Court Frustrates GOP, not to Intervene in Voter ID Law
North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory received a severe jolt on August 31, 2016 in his bid to restore one of the most restrictive, if not discriminatory, voter ID laws of the nation in the aftermath of the July 29, 2016, ruling by a panel of 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals as the U.S. Supreme Court was deadlocked with 4-4 vote and decided not to accept the appeal.
********* CONTINUING BLUE-BLACK TENSION: LATEST IS CHARLOTTE **********
Black Man's Death Sparks Violence
Capping another streak of police shootings and deaths of Black men, Keith Lamont Scott was the latest addition to that growing statistic on September 20, 2016. Scott was apparently waiting in his car on a reserved spot at a Charlotte apartment complex and what ensued next led to fatal shooting of Scott by a police officer. The initial report by police sources said that Scott had a gun in his possession. Scott's death came four days after September 16, 2016, killing of an unarmed Black man, Terrence Crutcher, 40, in Tulsa by a White female officer, Betty Shelby, who was responding to a stalled car. Scott's killing sparked outrage and violence in Charlotte. Angry mobs set vehicles ablaze, vandalized properties and looted stores.
Emergency Declared by Governor to Curb Violence
A day after Keith Lamont Scott was shot dead by a fellow Black police officer, Brentley Vinson, state and local officials worked frantically to deescalate the tense situation on September 21, 2016. Police had to fire tear-gas shells to disperse protesters who throughout the day staged demonstrations across Charlotte. North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory late on September 21, 2016 declared a state of emergency and activated National Guards and State Troopers. Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, appearing at CNN, said that the city was trying its best to bring back normalcy. Later in the evening, Roberts said that she would review the video of the events leading to shooting, but would not release the video to public. Meanwhile, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Chief Kerr Putney, an African-American, said that investigators had found gun in Keith Lamont Scott's car that he had been alleged to have brandished at an officer were looking into the encounter.
Video of Encounter Adds More to the Confusion
Relatives of Keith Lamont Scott on September 22, 2016 saw the video of the encounter in which the Black man was shot to death by a fellow Black police officer. After seeing the video, both sides agreed on one thing: there was no conclusive proof what Scott was holding in hand--a book as claimed by family or a pistol as claimed by police. The third night on September 22, 2016 was by and large peaceful as a night curfew was imposed. A man who was shot a day before in what was dubbed a "civilian on civilian violence" succumbed to his injury during the day. National Guards troops fanned out across Charlotte during the day to maintain peace. On the national level, Congressional Black Caucus walked from Capitol to the U.S. DOJ to hand a letter to the U.S. Attorney-General Loretta Lynch demanding that the department conduct more thorough investigations into killings of Black people by law enforcement agencies.
Widow Releases Cell Phone Video
The widow of the African-American man shot to death in Charlotte on September 20, 2016 released a video taken on her cell phone just before and after the encounter of the police shooting, but the video released on September 23, 2016 by Rakeyia Scott shed little light on what had happened during encounter. Keith Lamont Scott was waiting in his White truck at a reserved parking space in an apartment complex for his son to be dropped off by a school bus. Police went to the apartment complex to serve warrant for another man. As Rakeyia Scott emerged from the apartment, she saw swarms of police officers surrounding her husband's truck, and she screamed to her husband to get out of the car as well as to officers not to shoot.
********* CONTINUING BLUE-BLACK TENSION: LATEST IS CHARLOTTE **********
North Carolina's Congressional Map Rejected
A panel of federal judges on January 9, 2018 issued a damning report against North Carolina's General Assembly-drawn Congressional map, calling it unconstitutional and hyper-partisan gerrymandering. The judges gave GOP-controlled General Assembly until January 24, 2018 to come up with new maps or face the court-mandated re-districting ahead of February 12, 2018, start of nomination filing for 2018 midterm election.
NORTH DAKOTA
Pipeline Company Sues against the Protesters
A Houston-based pipeline company, Dakota Access LLC, which is constructing a $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline to bring Bakken Shale oil to Illinois on August 15, 2016 has filed a federal lawsuit against the protesters who have been becoming more and more unruly these days and pose a serious threat to the pipeline's workers near Standing Rock Sioux reservation close to North Dakota-South Dakota borders. The Standing Rock Sioux tribe filed a lawsuit against federal government last month for giving the permit to the Texas company to construct the pipeline that, according to protesters, would crisscross through several sacred Indian sites.
Judge Orders Protesters not to Obstruct
Responding to the petition filed a day earlier by Dakota Access LLC, the U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on August 16, 2016 ordered the protesters near Standing Rock Sioux reservation not to interfere with the construction work.
Pipeline Firm to Suspend Work
In a change of heart, partly forced by the delicate situation at the construction site in southern North Dakota and national outcry in favor of Standing Rock Sioux tribe, Dakota Access LLC, owner of the proposed $3.8 billion, four-state pipeline that would bring the Bakken Shale oil from North Dakota to Illinois through South Dakota and Iowa, on August 18, 2016 decided to temporarily stop the construction work near Standing Rock Sioux reservation. The environmental group earthjustice filed a lawsuit against the federal government last month after the Army Corps of Engineers gave green light to Dakota Access LLC to go forward with its construction work.
Surprise Feds Move Halts Pipeline Construction
Hours after dealt with setback by the ruling of the U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in favor of Dakota Access LLC, the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and its backers received a reprieve on September 9, 2016 as the Interior Department, Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Justice ordered all construction work on the federal land suspended and asked the owner of the pipeline, the Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, to voluntarily suspend work on the adjoining private land.
Appeals Court Lifts Temporary Injunction on Pipeline Construction
The U.S. Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia on October 9, 2016 lifted a temporary injunction on the construction of the $3.8 billion, 1172-mile Dakota Access Pipeline within 20 miles of Lake Oahe. Responding to the court's verdict, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault II issued a statement, reiterating that the struggle would continue.
Veterans to Join Dakota Access Pipeline Protest
As many as 2,000 veterans will join the months-old Oceti Sakowin protest camp, set up 40 miles south of Bismarck in the coming days in lieu of North Dakota Governor Jack Dalrymple's November 28, 2016, order to evacuate the camp on the grounds of harsh winter.
Feds Denies Permit to Construct Pipeline
In the waning days of Obama administration, federal government on December 4, 2016 denied permit to build pipeline underneath parts of Missouri River, sending a wave of joy and a taste of victory to thousands of protesters who had stayed put for weeks amid a harsh winter to protest against what they saw sacrilege of sacred Indian sites and potential pitfall of environmental harm. Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Chairman Dave Archambault II lauded the Obama administration decision to deny permit, saying that it was a great day.
Foreign Land Purchase to be Restricted near Military Bases
The Associated Press on May 5, 2023 reported that the U.S. Treasury’s Office of
Investment Security was to authorize the Committee on Foreign Investment in
the United States, or CFIUS, expanded powers to evaluate and deny,
if needed, foreign land purchase within 100 miles of the eight military
bases. The push to restrict foreign land purchase near the U.S. military
bases began with full-throttle momentum after hue and cry was raised over the
Chinese firm Fufeng Group’s plan to build $700 million wet corn
milling plant about 12 miles from the Grand Fork Air Force Base.
North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Sen. John Hoeven and Sen. Kevin Cramer—all
GOP leaders—asked the federal government in July 2022 for an expedited
review. In September 2022, CFIUS told the Chinese firm, Fufeng, that it was
reviewing the firm’s application. Eventually, CFIUS decided that it didn’t have
authority to block the deal. However, at the end, the plan was shelved after
the Air Force stepped in and opined that the plan would directly contravene national
security.
Seven other military bases that fall under this restrictive category
include Ellsworth Air Force Base in South Dakota, Dyess Air Force
Base in Texas, Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Laughlin
Air Force Base in Del Rio, National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in
Des Moines, Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, and Air Force
Plant-42 in Palmdale, California, respectively.
North Dakota Jury Slaps $660 million Fine against Greenpeace
The Dallas Morning News reported in its Business section on March 22, 2025 that a North Dakota jury this week had slapped $660 million in fines against Greenpeace for organizing protests against Energy Transfer LP in 2016 and 2017. The fine could be intimidating and chilling to future environmental protests and movement against industry's depredation of the environment.
Many attorneys are encouraging protesters to check out whether the protest venue states do have provisions against Strategic Lawsuits Public Participation, or SLAPP. North Dakota is a SLAPP state implying the state having no, or very minimal, protection for the protesters.
President Barack Obama suspended the work for Dakota Access Pipeline, but the first Trump administration lifted the suspension, and the pipeline was restarted in 2017 and subsequently.
OHIO
No Indictment in Tamir Rice Shooting Death Case
In another flashpoint of race relations surrounding the death of a Black at the hand of a White police officer, a grand jury on December 28, 2015 decided to not indict a Cleveland police officer Timothy Loehmann in November 2014 shooting death of 12-year-old Tamir Rice at a Cleveland park. On that tragic November 2014 day, someone called 911 to report that a "juvenile" Black was wielding, most likely, a pellet gun, and within minutes two police officers--Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback-- arrived at the scene in a cruiser. What the widely circulated surveillance video shows is that after their arrival Loehmann has opened fire. Many activists accused the Cuyahoga County prosecutor, Timothy McGinty, of failing to pursue this case seriously and present the case in a pressing manner to the grand jury. Addressing a press conference at Cleveland on December 28, 2015, Mr. McGinty made public the grand jury's decision not to charge either Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback. Earlier, Timothy McGinty called Rice's mother Samaria Rice and informed the jury's decision, according to Rice family attormey Subodh Chandra.
Peaceful Protest Held
A day after a grand jury decision not to indict Timothy Loehmann and Frank Garmback in the November 2014 Tamir Rice shooting death case, a crowd of 50 protesters on December 29, 2015 assembled outside the Cuyahoga County courthouse decrying the grand jury's verdict.
Appeals Court Tosses out Voter Registration Law
A panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on September 23, 2016 that the voter registration purge law that Ohio had proposed would drop many genuine voters who had not cast their votes in recent polls and sent the measure back to a lower court to work on appropriate criteria. The ACLU of Ohio and another activist group sued the state's Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted in April 2016 for violating voting rights.
Supreme Court Upholds Ohio Voter Roll Cleaning
Dealing a severe setback to voting rights and minority rights groups, the U.S. Supreme Court on June 11, 2018 ruled in favor of Ohio's decision to purge the electoral list of any voter who had failed to vote in successive polls as well as respond to a mailed notice. The ruling in Larry Harmon vs. Ohio case was 5-4, with the court's conservative majority holding the sway. Failure to vote is not an auto-trigger to purge the voter roll. Instead states have mail a notice to check whether the voters have moved out of their respective counties. So, in a way, that Harmon, who skipped voting in 2010, 2012 and 2014, and also failed to respond to a mailed notice, which he had denied that he had ever received, had been purged out of the voter roll did by itself not constitute any violation to voter rights. But the larger context here is not amiss: Republicans want any tool--legal or unconstitutional--to suppress, according to voter rights groups, voter turnout. In the dissenting opinion, Justice Stephen Breyer cited statistics that in 2012, Ohio had sent out notices to the state's 20 percent registered voters, but only 4 percent had moved outside their county.
A Saturday Night's Vibrancy Shattered to Bloody Pieces by Gunman
A gunman with mask and body armor opened fire from his AR-15-style rifle at a teeming Oregon District, a busy nightlife at Dayton's core, in the late hours of August 3, 2019 or early hours of August 4, 2019 and killed at least nine people and injured more than 30. 24-year-old Connor Betts killed his own sister, Megan, 22. However, it's not clear whether he knew that one the victims of his mayhem is his own sister. The killings--Dayton and El Paso--made August 3, 2019 one of the bloodiest gun violence days in nation's recent memory. Connor Betts was later killed in police shootout.
50th Anniversary of the War Protest Shooting Will be a Subdued Affair
Despite a months-long elaborate planning, organizers have settled down on a slimmer and digital version of the 50th anniversary of shooting deaths of four students on the Kent State Campus fifty years ago on May 4, 1970 as the novel coronavirus pandemic has forced normal lives in Ohio and beyond to be tethered at home. The Associated Press reported fifty years ago that Ohio National Guards opened the fire after report circulated that there might be a sniper in the campus that was disputed by Ohio Highway Patrol later. The incident stirred Americans' conscience and paved the way for subsequent strengthening of national anti-war sentiment. Four student martyrs of the Kent State who fell to the bullets of Ohio National Guards Corp were Allison Krause, 19, Pittsburgh; Sandy Lee Scheur, 20, Youngstown; Jeffrey G. Miller, 20, Plainview, NY; and William K Schroeder, 19, Lorain, Ohio.
OKLAHOMA
Obama Becomes the First Sitting President to Visit a Federal Penitentiary
Days after commuting the sentences of 46 prisoners, a record number of pardons by a president on a single day, and calling out the Congress to pass meaningful legislation by the year's end aimed at reforming the country's criminal justice system, President Barack Obama on July 16, 2015 became the first sitting president to visit a federal penitentiary as he arrived at the sprawling complex of El Reno Federal Correctional Institution and visited some select jail cells. After years of so-called failed policy of tough-on-crime, Congressional lawmakers, especially the Republicans, are coming to the grips that it's better and cost-effective to restitute and restore tens of thousands of non-violent criminals into society than throwing them behind the bar for years.
Abortion Measure Aims to Punish Doctors
In one of the most expansionist legislative overreach, Oklahoma Senate on May 19, 2016 followed up a bill passed by the state House and voted 33-12 to pass an anti-abortion bill that would make any abortion carried out by doctors as felony. The bill, sponsored by the state Senator Nathan Dahm, now goes to the desk of Governor Mary Fallin.
Governor Vetoes the Abortion Bill
Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin on May 20, 2016 vetoed one of a unique abortion bill passed by the state senate a day earlier. The bill was aimed at curbing abortion rights by allowing felony charges to be filed against doctors.
White Police Officer Charged in Murder of a Black Motorist
Six days after Terrence Crutcher was shot to death, the policewoman who opened the fire was charged on first-degree manslaughter on September 22, 2016. Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said that Betty Shelby had "reacted unreasonably" in September 16, 2016, encounter with Mr. Crutcher.
Oklahoma White Police Officer Acquitted
Underscoring the immense difficulty in winning conviction of police personnel charged in shooting, an Oklahoma jury on May 17, 2017 acquitted the police officer Betty Jo Shelby, a 43-year-old White police officer, in the shooting death of a Black motorist, Terence Crutcher, in a fateful encounter on September 16, 2016 in the midst of a rash of tragic shooting deaths of scores of Blacks at the hand of police officers, many of them were Whites.
Oklahoma Lands in Historic Settlement with OxyContin Maker
Oklahoma notched a historic win on March 26, 2019 by forcing an out-of-court settlement with OxyContin maker, Purdue Pharma, resulting in $270 million in disbursement to the state to fight against the alarming opioid crisis. The Oklahoma Attorney-General Mike Hunter filed suits against three opioid makers in June 2017. The other two are Johnson and Johnson and Teva Pharmaceutical. Under the $270 million settlement, Purdue will immediately give $102.5 million to establish a foundation at the Oklahoma State University for addiction treatment and research. Sackler family, owner of the company, but not defendant in this case, will provide too $75 million over five years. However, separate lawsuits, numbering about 1,600, filed by the states, municipalities and individuals are still pending against the Purdue Pharma.
Teva Reaches Settlement with Oklahoma
Days before trial begins related to unethical marketing of painkillers by some of the well-known drug manufacturers, including Johnson and Johnson, and almost two months after extracting a similar, but larger, deal from OxyContin maker, Purdue Pharma, Oklahoma Attorney-General Mike Hunter on May 26, 2019 secured another high-profile settlement, this time with Teva Pharmaceuticals, maker of many of the generics. The price tag of the Teva deal is $85 million.
Judge Lowers the Fine by $107 million
U.S. District Thad Balkman on November 15, 2019 reduced his original August 26, 2019, verdict slapping Johnson and Johnson with $572 million fine by $107 million as he acknowledged that he might have done miscalculation. Now, the price tag stands at $355 million.
Oklahoma Sues Three Largest Drug Distributors on Opioid Sales
Oklahoma Attorney-General Mike Hunter filed a lawsuit in the Cleveland County on January 13, 2020 against three largest drug distributors--McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health Inc. and AmerisourceBergen Corporation--for rampant and irresponsible opioid sales that had led to wide-spread addiction in Oklahoma.
********************** CENTENNIAL OF TULSA RACE MASSACRE *******************
Church Services Held to Launch Centennial Event of Tulsa Massacre
A host of church events were organized in Tulsa and many parts of Oklahoma on May 30, 2021 to launch a meticulously planned series of two-day events to mark the centennial of Tulsa Race Massacre that had happened 100 years ago in a span of 48 hours (May 31, 1921 and June 1, 1921) in which White mob had attacked a prosperous Black neighborhood in Tulsa, Greenwood Neighborhood, also known as Black Wall Street for its thriving store fronts, vibrant lifestyle and booming businesses owned and operated by African-American residents, and reportedly killed more than 300 people and burned down the entire neighborhood. The massacre was one of the worst massacres perpetrated against African-American people in this country. Organizers of the centennial event called the Sunday May 30, 2021 as the Unity Faith Day. Many African-American pastors lamented the effort to reconcile without reparations. The centennial will close with President Joe Biden's visit to Tulsa on June 1, 2021.
Centennial of 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Brings Solemnity, Soul-searching
On May 31, 2021, a solemn event was held at Standpipe Hill where scores of African-American World War I veterans had fended off the White mob attacking the thriving Greenwood neighborhood of Tulsa. The steep slopes of Standpipe Hill were soaked with African-American blood on May 31, 1921. The ensuing race massacre that continued through June 1, 1921 killed more than 300 African-American people and destroyed 35 square blocks of one of the most prosperous Black neighborhoods in the then-United States. The day was filled with multitude of demonstrations, rallies, memorials, panel discussion and prayers in Greenwood. Speaker after speaker called for reparations at a memorial held in the historic Vernon AME Church at Greenwood where African-American people of Greenwood sought shelter from the attack of marauding White mob. The church was burned down.
Biden Ends Silence on One of the Worst Race Massacres in American History
It took a century and several American presidents to ultimately acknowledge and admit the deep scar that a White mob had inflicted on a vibrant African-American community in Tulsa. President Joe Biden on June 1, 2021 formally ended that painful and excruciating silence by visiting Greenwood and urging Americans that "we can't just learn what we want to know, but what we should know". President Biden visited the Greenwood Cultural Center to know first hand the degree of brutalities perpetrated by a White mob in a span of two days (May 31, 1921 to June 1, 1921) that had burned down 35 square blocks of Greenwood neighborhood, known at that time as the Black Wall Street, and killed at least 300 African-Americans. President Joe Biden, along with HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge and senior advisers Susan Rice and Cedric Richmond, was greeted by a throng of crowd waiting for the presidential motorcade to pass through the Greenwood Avenue. Joe Biden is the first American President to end an 100-year silence with his poignant call for weeding out racial intolerance. Biden met three centenarian survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre--Viola "Mother" Fletcher, Hughes "Uncle Red" Van Ellis and Lessie "Mother Randle" Bennigfield Randle--in private at Greenwood Cultural Center.
Centenarian Survivor of Tulsa Race Riot Publishes Memoire
The Dallas Morning News reported on July 5, 2023 that Viola
Ford Fletcher, 109, an witness to the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot that had
destroyed the vibrant Black neighborhood of Greenwood, also known as the Black
Wall Street because of a thriving business and entrepreneurial climate,
published her memoire—Don’t Let Them Bury My Story—chronicling and
cataloguing details of the mob violence unleashed during May 31-June 1, 1921
race riot.
Tulsa Victims’ Lawyers File Appeal
The attorney of the three surviving victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race
Massacre on August 4, 2023 filed an appeal with the Oklahoma
Supreme Court against a lower court ruling last month. Oklahoma State District
Court Judge Caroline Wall ruled that the suit—filed against the City of
Tulsa, regional Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Military Department and Tulsa
County Sheriff’s Office—didn’t have any merit to stand as the clause, nuisance
clause, under which it was filed didn’t exist now. Damario
Solomon-Simmon, the plaintiff attorney, referring to the suit—which demanded
an accounting of property and wealth lost or stolen in the massacre,
construction of a hospital in Tulsa and creation of a victims compensation fund—said
on August 7, 2023 that it was more than a just individual compensation.
It’s goal is to drive the reckoning of a city’s past and bringing it to a full
accounting of the history.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Frustrates Tulsa Massacre Survivors
Oklahoma Supreme Court’s nine justices left the historical wrongs to be remained
un-righted. On June 12, 2024, Oklahoma Supreme Court upheld a
lower court ruling that had dismissed the plaintiff’s argument that Tulsa
recompense the victims for the [May 31-June 1, 1921] Tulsa Race Massacre
in which White mob systematically had destroyed Black businesses in the
thriving Black community of Greenwood district, known, at that time, as the Black
Wall Street. The state’s apex court ruled that the plaintiff’s allegations,
although rooted in the deeply troubling past of the city and very painful, didn’t
fit the framework of the state’s nuisance statute. The lawsuit was filed in
2020 by massacre survivors Lessie Benningfield Randle, Viola Fletcher and
Hughes Van Ellis, who passed away last year (2023) at the age of 102.
DOJ to Review 1921 Tulsa Race Riot
In the first ever vindication for the victims’ rights advocates,
including the descendants, Department of Justice on September 30, 2024
announced that it would launch a review of the 1921 Tulsa riots that had
killed at least 300 Black people and destroyed thousands of Black properties
and businesses in a thriving Black Wall Street neighborhood in Tulsa.
********************** CENTENNIAL OF TULSA RACE MASSACRE *******************
Oklahoma
Governor Commutes Death Sentence
After
much of outcries and high-profile protests, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt
on November 18, 2021 commuted the death sentence of Julius Jones.
The decision came around noon, hours before the 4PM scheduled execution at McAlester.
Julius Jones’ case grew in prominence after a 2018 airing of a
three-episode series, The Last Defense, on the ABC. Julius Jones’
backers proclaimed the Black man’s innocence, and alleged that he had been
framed by the actual killer in the 1999 killing of an Oklahoma City
businessman, Paul Howell. Oklahoma City high school students walked out
of classes on November 17, 2021 demanding that Julius jones’ life be spared. On
the same day, former University of Oklahoma athlete, Heisman Trophy winner and NFL’s
Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield posted a video, getting very
emotional, eyes filling with tears and appealing for Julius Jones.
Oklahoma Approves First Taxpayers-funded Religious Charter School
In a first such action that’s sure to invite lawsuits, an Oklahoma state
board, Statewide Virtual Charter School Board, on June 5, 2023 voted 3-2
in favor of Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma’s application for the nation’s first
K-12 virtual religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Virtual
Charter School. Already the alarm bell is ringing as Oklahoma
Attorney-General Gentner Drummond has criticized the board’s action and
blamed them for putting the state and its taxpayers at the risk of costly
lawsuits. Drummond said that the vote was a slap on the face of the Oklahoma
Constitution.
Suit Filed to Block First Catholic Charter School
On July 31, 2023, parents, clergy, and education groups filed a
lawsuit against June 5, 2023, decision by the Oklahoma’s Statewide
Virtual Charter School Board to create the nation’s first parochial charter
school. According to the lawsuit—filed by the ACLU, Americans United for Separation
of Church and State, Education Law Center and Freedom From Religion Foundation
on behalf of the plaintiffs—St. Isidore of Seville Virtual Charter School will indoctrinate
students with the taxpayers’ money.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Rules against Religious Charter
Oklahoma Supreme Court on June 25, 2024 ruled against a proposed
virtual K-12 religious charter school—St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual
Charter School—to be operated by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and
the Diocese of Tulsa. Writing for the majority [7-1], Justice James
Winchester, an appointee of Former Republican Governor Frank Keating,
opined that the religious charter would be against the precept of the Establishment
Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The clause prohibits the government from
giving primacy to any religion. Dissenting the majority, Justice Dana Kuehn
said that the majority clearly violated the Free Exercise Clause of the
First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The case splits Republican
leaders as Oklahoma Attorney-General Gentner Drummond petitioned against
the religious charter backed by Governor Kevin Stitt.
Oklahoma to Require Furnishing Residency Status of Students before Enrollment
The Oklahoma State Board of Education on January 28, 2025 approved a rule, requiring the parents to submit residency status for their children by submitting documents such as passport, green card, state ID cards and other relevant documents during the time of enrollment in the public schools. The measure can't be enforced without legislative approval and the subsequent gubernatorial signature of the related legislative measure. Students, who are undocumented immigrants, will still be allowed to be enrolled in the public schools, but the schools are supposed to report how many students are undocumented immigrants. The measure, if implemented, will raise the scare among migrant communities in Oklahoma, which has nearly 90,000 undocumented immigrants and 6,000 undocumented migrant students enrolled in the state's public schools.
OREGON
Governor to Resign over Bending Rules to Help Fiancee
Oregon's four-term Governor John Kitzhaber, who won re-election for another four-year term in November 2014, will quit ignominiously on February 18, 2015 over a brewing scandal related to helping the business interest of his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. The call for the Democratic governor grew louder in recent days from fellow Democrats. Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown will be nation's first bi-sexual governor, a remarkable feat to LGBT movement.
Oregon to Become the First State to Have Automatic Poll Registration
Seventeen years after Oregon took a leap in participative democracy by making all elections with mail-in-ballots, the state on March 16, 2015 became the first state that would shift the onus of registration from voters to the state. Under a precedent-setting bill signed by Governor Kate Brown on March 16, 2015, the state will mail a ballot to every Oregonian who has interacted with the Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division since 2013.
Mass Shooting at a Rural Community College Kills 9
A rural community college in Oregon was the latest place to bear the brunt of senseless mass shooting. A gunman opened fire on students of Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon on October 1, 2015, killing 9 people. An emotional President Obama issued a passionate plea for the nation to do something instead of just mourning and sympathizing. The gunman, 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer, armed with six guns and enough ammunition, later turned the gun on himself, taking his own life.
Siege of a Refuge Complex Precipitates Rural Oregon Ranching Town into Crisis
A state of confusion and chaos prevailed at the ranching town of Burns in southeast of Oregon on January 2, 2016 as a peaceful protest organized to show support for two local ranchers--Dwight Hammond, 73, and Steven Hammond, 46--descended into a state of wild west as an armed group led by Nevada rancher Ammon Bundy broke off the broader demonstration and, instead of returning home, laid a siege on the headquarters of nearby Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Hammonds were accused of setting fire on federal property in 2001 and 2006 to prevent invasive plants from growing and spreading into their property. Both Hammonds were convicted three years ago, and Hammond senior had served three months while the son had served one year. However, a judge late last year ruled that their sentences were inadequate, and ordered each of them to serve four years each. Hammonds were leery about Bundy and his group, and local residents didn't approve the siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters. The main demonstration on January 2, 2016 was held at the Burns' courthouse, and Dwight Hammond and his wife, Susan, greeted the marchers. Ammon Bundy and his father, Cliven Bundy, led armed men in early 2014 in a standoff with the federal government as federal officials were seeking to confiscate Bundy family's cattle grazing on federal lands in Nevada.
Locals Decry the Motive of Siege
The sheriff of the local county where the siege of a wildlife refuge headquarters was playing out in rural southeastern Oregon asked on January 3, 2016 to fold their demonstration and go back. The Harney County Sheriff, David Ward, issued a statement a day after Ammon Bundy led a group of armed men to lay siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, saying that these "men came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers, when in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to overthrow the county and federal government in hope to spark a movement across the United States."
Oregon Ranchers Turn in to Authorities
Oregon Ranchers Dwight Hammond and his son, Steven Hammond, whose case struck a chord with the rightwing fringe movement, on January 4, 2016 turned themselves in to a jail in California as a judge had ordered them. Meanwhile, federal government took a wait-and-see approach as the armed group, called the Citizens for Constitutional Freedom, which laid a siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters demanded that local and state officials meet with them on their demands, including that federal government "give up its unconstitutional presence in this county."
Siege Leader Demands Return of Land to Locales
The leader of a fringe group that had laid a siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since January 2, 2016 said that the armed protesters would return home once a plan was in place to return the local land from federal control to local that of local residents. However, locals were not al all thrilled to see their county, Harney County, on the national spotlight on daily basis and want Ammon Bundy and some twenty others to pack up and leave.
Governor Calls the Siege Illegal; Siege Leader Meets with Local Sherriff
Oregon Governor Kate Brown on January 7, 2016 called the siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge since January 2, 2016 illegal, and said that it had to end. Meanwhile, the siege leader Ammon Bundy met with Harney County Sherriff David Ward on January 7, 2016, and the Sherriff Ward told Bundy to go back as that was the desire of majority of his constituents.
High Drama Unfolds as a New Mexico Rancher Destroys His Federal Grazing Contract
At an attention-grabbing event organized by Ammon Bundy and his team of occupiers of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge, a New Mexico rancher, Adrian Sewell of Grant County, NM, on January 23, 2016 destroyed his federal grazing contract in a sideshow of defiance of federal authorities.
One Killed as Rancher Resists Arrest
One of the activists at the heart of 24-day siege of Malheur Wildlife Refuge in the high desert of Oregon was killed on January 26, 2016 by FBI and Oregon state troopers at a traffic stop. The siege leader Ammon Bundy and other activists were headed to a town hall meeting at John Day, a Grant County town, 70 miles north of Burns. The Oregonian newspaper reported that few hundreds people were waiting at the John Day Senior Center where Bundy and other protesters were scheduled to talk. FBI and state troopers stopped the entourage middle of their journey, and arrested five of the six people, including the leader Ammon Bundy. The sixth, LaVoy Finicum, was fatally shot as he had resisted arrest, leading to a short chase and eventual shooting as he had tried to grab something, later identified as a gun, from his jacket's inside pocket. Three other people were later arrested during the day from Oregon and Arizona.
Arrestees Remanded in Custody; Federal Refuge Sealed
Seven of the eight arrested people, including the siege leader Ammon Bundy, were produced before the U.S. Magistrate Judge Stacie Beckerman on January 27, 2016, and they had been ordered to be remanded in custody. They had been sent to Multnomah County Jail. On another front, federal agents sealed off the Malheur National Refuge on January 27, 2016, cutting off the support to four remaining militants who were inside the refuge.
Four Holdouts Remain at the Wildlife Refuge, Post Videos
After the arrest of the siege leader Ammon Bundy and seven others on January 26, 2016, the same day another belligerent rancher, LaVoy Finicum, was shot to death in a high desert chase with state and federal agents, most of the ranchers who had laid siege on Malheur National Wildlife Refuge had left heeding to the appeal by Bundy with the exception of four, who had demanded authorities give them immunity from prosecution.
16, Including Four Holdouts, Indicted
Sixteen people were indicted on charges of felony conspiracy, including intimidation to prevent federal officials from carrying out their duty at Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. The indictment, unsealed on February 4, 2016, targeted siege leader Ammon Bundy and 15 others, including four remaining holdouts.
Last Four in Standoff Surrender; Bundy Patriarch Arrested
A 41-day siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge ended peacefully on February 11, 2016 as the last four holdouts surrendered with the help of a often rogue-acting Nevada lawmaker. The lawmaker, Michele Fiore, is known for her stand and posture such as carrying pistol and strong anti-federal government rhetoric that had made her darling to the extreme right-wing and symbol of strong anti-Washington sentiment. Fiore though also supports legalization of marijuana and gay marriage.
Meanwhile, Cliven Bundy, who was embroiled in a grazing fee dispute with the Bureau of Land Management in early 2014 and led a mini revolt in Nevada, was arrested upon his arrival at the Portland, Oregon airport on February 10, 2016 evening. Cliven Bundy's son Ammon led the siege of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Hours before his arrest, Cliven Bundy made a plea through a Facebook posting to all "patriots" and "militia" to "wake up" and head to Burns, the tiny town near the refuge.
Cliven Bundy Charged in Six Counts
Cliven Bundy will face a federal judge in Oregon on February 16, 2016, but not related to the 41-day siege of Malheur Wildlife Refuge. Cliven Bundy was taken to custody after his arrival at the Portland, Oregon airport on February 10, 2016. Cliven Bundy was charged on six counts--conspiracy, assault on a federal officer, obstruction, weapon use and possession, extortion to interfere with commerce, and aiding and abetting--related to an early 2014 standoff in Nevada with the Bureau of Land Management. U.S. Attorney in Las Vegas, Daniel Bogden, is not saying why it has taken so long to bring charges against Cliven Bundy.
Elder Bundy Must Stay Behind Bars
A U.S. federal magistrate judge, Janice Stewart, on February 16, 2016 ruled that Cliven Bundy must stay behind the bars as his case went forward through the judicial system.
Bundy, 18 Others Indicted in 2-year-old Siege
Prosecutors on March 3, 2016 indicted 19 people on charges, including conspiracy, assault and threats, in a 2014 standoff in a Nevada ranch that had drawn national spotlight. Seven of the defendants were already in custody, and authorities fanned out in five states--Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Oklahoma and New Hampshire--to detain remaining 12 defendants. Among those indicted were Cliven Bundy and his two sons.
FBI under Investigation in Oregon Fatal Shooting
The narrative given by FBI that it was the Oregon State Police which fired three rounds that had killed LaVoy Finnicum at a traffic stop on January 26, 2016 in a remote rural area in Oregon came under doubt on March 8, 2016 as federal authorities opened an investigation into whether FBI had lied on the day's events and claim that it didn't fire any round on that day.
Bundy Brothers Acquitted in 41-day Siege
A federal grand jury on October 27, 2016 acquitted Ryan Bundy, Amon Bundy and five others on charges brought by federal authority for their 41-day (January 2-February 11, 2016) siege at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in the Oregon highland. The Portland jury found that the government evidence was not sufficient enough to prove that the defendants had put life-threatening obstacles to the discharge of duties by federal authorities at the wildlife refuge. However, U.S. District Judge Anna Brown did not immediately approve the release of the ranchers.
PENNSYLVANIA
A.G. Indicted on Leaking Grand Jury Information
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was indicted on August 6, 2015 in a case that involved leaking grand jury information to strike back against her critics. Kane, a 49-year-old Democrat and the state's first female A.G., was indicted on counts that included perjury, obstruction of justice, conspiracy and other charges. Kane vehemently denied the accusation, and refused to resign amid rising calls to quit.
A.G. Arraigned, Doesn't Plan Quitting
Disgraced Attorney General Kathleen Kane of Pennsylvania on August 8, 2015 was arraigned at the courthouse of Magisterial District Judge Cathleen Kelley Rebar, who had scheduled a preliminary hearing for August 24, 2015 and set bond at $10,000. Kane remained defiant, and refused to resign.
Embattled A.G. Will not Seek Re-election
Just hours before the deadline for submitting the signatures for Primary, Pennsylvania's embattled Attorney-General Kathleen Kane announced on February 16, 2016 at Scranton, her hometown, not to seek another term in office.
A.G. Convicted on All Charges
Pennsylvania Attorney-General Kathleen Kane on August 15, 2016 was convicted on all nine charges by a jury.
A.G. Steps Down
Bringing a collective sigh of relief to state officials, Pennsylvania Attorney-General Kathleen Kane stepped down on August 16, 2016, a day after a jury had convicted Kane on all nine charges. Her resignation will be effective by the end of August 17, 2016 when the First Deputy Attorney General Bruce Castor will fill in her shoes, a job he has been already doing over the past several months as Kane has been hobbled with the legal wrangling. Responding to Kane's decision to step down, state Governor Tom Wolf said that it was a correct decision that would help the "people of Pennsylvania to finally move on from this situation".
State Supreme Court Tosses out GOP Electoral Map
In a setback to the chances for GOP to hold U.S. House majority, Pennsylvania Supreme Court on January 22, 2018 rejected a Congressional map crafted by the state House GOP majority, calling the map as extreme gerrymandering. gave state's GOP to come up an alternative Congressional map by February 9, 2018 and Governor Tom Wolf to submit it to the court by February 15, 2018.
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Unveils New Congressional Map
As Pennsylvania's legislature was unable to furnish a new Congressional map in collaboration with Governor Tom Wolf before the deadline set by the state's supreme court, the apex court on February 19, 2018 issued its own remap for the state's 18 Congressional districts. The new map issued by Pennsylvania Supreme Court cheered Democrats, but Republicans were bracing for a legal fight ahead of important May 15, 2018, primary election.
U.S. Supreme Court Allows State Supreme Court's Election Map to Go Forward
U.S. Supreme Court on March 19, 2018 refused to take up a case for the second time filed by Pennsylvania Republican leaders challenging the Congressional map redrawn by the state supreme court, dealing a significant setback to GOP in its effort to hold on to House of Representatives in 2018 midterm election.
Searing Report Blasts Decades of Cover-ups in Pennsylvania Catholic Church System
A report of an 18-month investigation into decades of child abuses by more than 300 Catholic priests was made public on August 14, 2018 by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. The grand jury report blasted the church's "systematic" coverup effort of abuses dating back to 1947 against more than 1,000 children. Releasing the report, Pennsylvania Attorney-General Josh Shapiro said that the most troublesome part was the "systematic coverup by senior church officials in Pennsylvania and at the Vatican". The grand jury report, covering six of the state's eight dioceses--Harrisburg, Pittsburg, Allentown, Scranton, Eerie and Greensburg--and detailing with searing critique of the church leadership, said in an unflattering way that despite "some institutional reform, individual leaders of the church have largely escaped public accountability", with priests "were raping little boys and girls, and the men of God who were responsible for them not only did nothing; they hid it all. For decades". The nearly 1,400-page report shone a light of Catholic Church's complicity in systemic abuses that had been going on for decades in every diocese other than two that had been already studied--Philadelphia and Altoona-Johnstown. The explosive report came weeks after former Archbishop Theodore McCarrick of Washington, D.C. had resigned from the church's official responsibility over allegation of sexual assault on minors and adults. Also came a harsh spotlight on the present archbishop of Washington D.C. diocese, Donald Wuerl, who had spent 18 years as cardinal of Pittsburgh diocese and under whose watch many of the abuses had happened.
Horror Arrives at Pittsburgh Synagogue
It was a Saturday morning, and the house of worship was full of faithful. Then sudden bursts of fire and anti-Semitic screams filled the air and turned the Tree of Life Congregation into a bloody field of carnage. A suspect, Robert Bowers, armed with an AR-15-style assault weapon and at least three handguns wreaked havoc in the leafy Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on October 27, 2018, and by the end of his mayhem, 11 congregants lay dead. The 46-year-old suspect from Baldwin, Pennsylvania was wounded in gunshot and remained hospitalized in stable condition at the University of Pittsburg Medical Center. Hours after the reprehensible attack, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Scott Brady, and FBI special agent in charge of Pittsburgh office, Robert Jones, unveiled 29-count of charges against Bowers. However, there was a silver-lining in the October 27, 2018, tragedy as one of the ceremonies being performed at the synagogue was a bris, a ceremony marking a child's birth, children were spared from the death toll. As the day wore on, more information about the suspect, Robert Bowers, poured on, especially his strident views against Jews expressed on the social media site Gab, a platform popular with White Nationalists for its lack of adequate monitoring and screening. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf said at a news conference that "we simply cannot accept this violence as a normal part of American life". Israeli premier, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed his grief on behalf of "the entire people of Israel".
Vigil Held to Vow that "Hatred will Never Win"
Vigils and memorials were held in Pittsburgh and other cities on October 28, 2018 to commemorate the killing of 11 congregants a day earlier by a White supremacist at the Tree of Life Synagogue. Many of the vigils held multi-faith prayer services and the common theme was to reiterate the pledge of not letting hatred win over love.
Trump to Visit Pittsburgh, Suspect Appears at the Court
The suspected gunman in Tree of Life Synagogue shooting on October 29, 2018 appeared at a downtown courthouse in Pittsburgh to face charges, involving the ones with death penalty. Robert Bowers, nonchalant look on his face, was pushed on a wheelchair into the courtroom. Meanwhile, White House's announcement that President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump would visit the Pittsburgh synagogue on October 30, 2018 had engendered division within the city's Jewish community. About 26,000 signatures were collected by October 29, 2018 morning favoring a petition by the Pittsburgh chapter of Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, a progressive Jewish group headed by Alexander Soros, son of George Soros, to oppose the presidential visit to Pittsburgh. However, Tree of Life Synagogue's Rabbi Jeffrey Myers said that president would be welcome at the house of worship. Also, the Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto requested Trump not to take this visit to the city at this time.
Trump Makes the Controversial Visit amid Funeral and Protests
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump on October 30, 2018 made the controversial visit to Tree of Life Synagogue and laid white flowers at a memorial at the synagogue. President Trump consoled Rabbi Jeffrey Myers. However, no Congressional leaders and local leaders accompanied Trump, providing a unique rebuke to president's divisive rhetoric. As individual funerals were being held, Trump's visit exposed a rift in the Jewish community in Pittsburgh and about 2,000 protesters turned out against presidential visit during the day at a gathering not far from October 27, 2018, shooting that had killed 11.
Medical Plane Crash Kills Seven, Injures 19 in Philadelphia
Mexico-based air ambulance carrier, Jet Rescue Air Ambulance, took off from Northeast Philadelphia Airport in the evening of January 31, 2025. The Learjet 55 was carrying a child, who had received treatment at the Shriner's Children Hospital, child's mom and four crew personnel. The air ambulance crashed after a short while, and all six onboard and one person on ground were killed. In addition, 19 people were injured. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said that the death toll could rise as fire rescue crews and emergency personnel were searching through affected neighborhoods and sifting through debris. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said that all six on board were Mexican citizens. The January 31, 2025, air crash is the second aviation accident in as many days.
PUERTO RICO
Puerto Rico Teeters Near Bankruptcy
The U.S. territory of Puerto Rico on June 29, 2015 received a gloomy report from an international panel of economists that was appointed by Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla. The panel headed by the former World Bank Chief Economist Anne Krueger submitted its findings to the Padilla's administration. Later in the day, Governor Alejandro Garcia Padilla asked the U.S. Congress to allow it to seek bankruptcy protection and announced that he would appoint a financial team to discuss with the territory's lender to re-service its crushing $72 billion in public debt.
Puerto Rico's New Governor Presses for Full Statehood
Ricardo Rossello, 37, was sworn in as Puerto Rico's governor on January 2, 2017, and addressing his people, Rossello proposed a soon-to-be held referendum to decide whether Puerto Ricans preferred statehood. Making a case for statehood, Rossello said that Washington could not claim that it was a model for democracy while depriving the full democratic rights to 3.5 million of its citizens.
Puerto Rico Referendum Favors Statehood
In a referendum held June 11, 2017 that attracted only 23 percent of the electorate, overwhelming number of voters cast ballots in favor of statehood while the remainder was split into favoring independence and status quo. Puerto Rico's Governor Ricardo Rossello later announced victory for statehood and vowed to push ahead to make his island the 51st state of the union. However, the final say lies in the hands of the U.S. Congress, a very likely outcome expected out of Washington in a year of gridlock.
******************************** Hurricane Maria *********************************
Hurricane Maria Lashes Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017 made a landfall in southeastern part of the island and began ravaging the island by tossing out cars, blowing away roofs, triggering flash floods, uprooting trees and cutting off powers to millions of residents.
Puerto Rico Reeling under Severe Crisis
As tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans were left displaced and in dire need of relief, the authorities were barely managing the crisis. On September 22, 2017, the Guajataca Dam in northwest Puerto Rico was on the verge of giving in after 15 inches of rains fell in the 48 hours since Hurricane Maria had made landfall, making about 70,000 people in the downstream of the dam vulnerable. Many places were cut off, and telecommunication remained severed for most of the residents. To add to the growing woes, gas shortage was making the life of residents miserable.
San Juan Mayor Slams Trump Administration's Handling amid self-Patting by President
Talking to reporters at his Bedminster Golf Club in New Jersey, President Donald Trump on September 29, 2017 lauded the "incredible" work his administration had done in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. However, most of the island's residents were at a sharp contrast with what president thought about Washington's response to the hurricane. San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz vented out her frustration, "begging anyone who can hear us to save us from dying". Cruz criticized the statement of acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke that the federal effort was "satisfactory". At least 16 people had died in Puerto Rico.
President Trump Visits the Island amid Controversy
After back-and-forth between San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and President Trump over federal relief effort, President Donald Trump visited Puerto Rico on October 3, 2017, and was warmly greeted at San Juan by the mayor, island's governor, Ricardo Rossello, and other officials. After a small slice of the island, Trump again lauded the federal government's relief and aid effort amid the rise of estimate of death toll from 16 to 34.
Aide Package Approved by House as Trump Blasts Puerto Rico in a Tweet
House of Representatives on October 12, 2017 approved a $36.5 billion aide package for hurricane-impacted states, including Puerto Rico, by a margin of 353-69 votes. Speaker Paul Ryan said that the package would help the island "stand on its own two feet". However, the overall mood was soured by an untimely tweet by President Donald Trump blasting the island and warning that FEMA could not continue to help out the "P.R. forever".
Puerto Rico Death Toll May be as High as 8,000
A joint study conducted by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and other institutions has put the death toll linked to Hurricane Maria in the range of 800 to 8,000, much higher than the official number of few dozens. The average of the estimates has been pegged at roughly 4,600. The study has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 29, 2018. The study points to a big hole in how the government has come up with the estimate in the first place, stoking further doubt in the credibility of the regional government. The government estimate was about 64.
Puerto Rican Government Acknowledges more than 1,400 Deaths
The New York Times reported on August 9, 2018 that Puerto Rican government quietly acknowledged much higher death toll than publicly stated. The acknowledgement came as part of a draft that had been submitted to Congress, asking for $139 billion in recovery funds and stating that there were 1,427 more deaths registered in the last four months of 2017 than the same period in the preceding year.
Revision of Death Toll
Puerto Rican government on August 28, 2018 silently revised the Hurricane Maria-related death toll to 2,975, hours after an assessment of the hurricane-related casualties was made public by the Milken Institute of Public Health of the George Washington University.
******************************** Hurricane Maria *********************************
Violence Greets May Day Protest in Puerto Rico
Thousands of Puerto Ricans rallied, as part of a general strike, at San Juan on May 1, 2018, protesting against, among others, school closings, pension cuts and university fees increase. The rally at San Juan was mostly peaceful until near the fag end when a splinter group of militants attacked and vandalized downtown area. Police had to resort to tear gas to disperse the unruly crowd. Governor Ricardo Rossello decried the violence by a handful of protesters.
Protest Turns Violent as Insulting Chats Publicly Released
Days after 889 pages of group chat became known and published, involving Governor Ricardo Rossello and his top aides exchanging insulting texts with each other mocking Hurricane Maria victims and survivors in very unflattering terms and almost a week after six former government officials had been charged in the federal court on corruption charges, tens of thousands of protesters on July 17, 2019 participated in a rally at San Juan, demanding that Rossello resign immediately. San Juan looked like a battle-torn city late July 17, 2019 as a section of protesters turned violent, leading to security forces lobbing tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.
Rossello Rules out Resignation
On July 21, 2019, Puerto Rico's governor, Ricardo Rossello, said in a FB video that he would not run for re-election, but also would not resign, setting off days of anarchy and political turmoil ahead as Puerto Ricans were hell-bent in ousting the governor.
Largest Protest to Date Held to Demand Governor's Resignation
10 days after the July 12, 2019, release of 889-page text conversation between Governor Ricardo Rossello and his top aides that included insulting comments against Hurricane Maria victims and others, the largest demonstration was held on July 22, 2019 to demand governor's resignation. Tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans took to streets in the capital, San Juan, amid the island's largest-circulation daily, El Nuevo Dia, publishing during the day a front-page headliner: "Governor, it's time to listen to people: You have to resign". Puerto Rico is struggling with a $70 billion bailout package to overcome a 13-year recession, requiring it to carry out several austerity measures, including school closings, and an additional $100 billion in losses from Hurricane Maria.
Under Pressure, Rossello Says that He Will Resign
Better sense prevails, Puerto Rico is spared from another bout of political uncertainty as, under pressure, Governor Ricardo Rossello said on July 24, 2019 that he will resign on August 2, 2019.
Puerto Rico's Political Uncertainty Gets Twist with Legal Woes
Puerto Rico's Supreme Court inserted itself in the middle of political uncertainty on August 5, 2019 as it accepted a petition filed by the Puerto Rican Senate challenging the bona fide of a veteran politician, Pedro Pierluisi, and asking the court to issue an injunction barring Pieluisi from carrying out work as the governor of the island and rule a 2005 Constitutional amendment invalid. The 2005 amendment in question allows a Secretary of State to be confirmed by only one house of legislature. Pedro Pierluisi was named as the Secretary of State last week and confirmed by Puerto Rico's House of Representatives, but not Senate. Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as island's governor on August 2, 2019. A related, but separate, lawsuit was filed on August 5, 2019 by San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz challenging the swearing-in of Pedro Pierluisi as Puerto Rico's governor. If Pedro Pierluisi is disqualified, Justice Secretary Wanda Vasquez is the next in the line to assume governorship.
Puerto Rico to Hold a Statehood Referendum
Puerto Rico Governor Wanda Vasquez announced on May 16, 2020 that the U.S. island territory would hold a referendum in the November general election on statehood. However, this time, the referendum is significantly different and simplified compared to previous five ones as the November 3, 2020, referendum will ask only one question whether Puerto Ricans want their island to be converted into a full statehood. In earlier referendums, the questions also included secession, or full independence. In 2017 referendum, the voter participation was very low (23%), with half a million people preferred full statehood, about 7,800 preferred independence, and 6,800 for status quo.
Puerto Rican Governor Loses in Party Primary
After the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Puerto Rico to hold primaries after the island's bungled effort to hold elections on August 9, 2020, Puerto Rican authorities on August 16, 2020 held elections in various precincts. In a major setback, Puerto Rico's governor, Wanda Vasquez, lost the primary to Pedro Pierluisi.
Judge Okays Puerto Rico’s Bankruptcy Exit Plan
A federal judge approved the exit plan from Puerto Rico’s years-long
bankruptcy process, largest in the $4 trillion in municipal bond market,
that would reduce $33 billion in debt, including $22 billion in bond
payment. U.S. District Judge Laura Taylor Swain released the ruling
on January 18, 2022, focusing on the plan’s “good faith, reasonable,
fair, and equitable” resolution. The exit plan calls for waiving $3 billion
in pension bonds, $18.8 billion in general-obligation bonds and $7.4
billion in commonwealth-backed securities. This [exiting the bankruptcy] is
a key step for the island before it undertakes to restart paying its dues to
bondholders, grow its economy at a robust pace and focus on development and
infrastructure investment, including in its struggling power grid.
Supreme
Court Upholds Continuous Discrimination against Puerto Rico over SSI Benefits
In
a shameful 8-1 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court on April 21, 2022
has put its stamp of approval for a broad daylight discrimination that excludes
Puerto Rico from the Supplemental Security Income that benefits millions
of Americans with disabilities and blindness. Writing for the majority, Justice
Brett Kavanaugh said that the decision to not give the Puerto Ricans the
SSI benefits as supported by the nation’s law and upheld by two previous
rulings is, by itself, not unconstitutional. Justice Sonia Sotomayor,
whose parents were born in Puerto Rico, dissented. Puerto Rican Governor Pedro
Pierluisi blasted the Supreme Court verdict as utterly “discriminatory".
SOUTH CAROLINA
*************************** WALTER SCOTT SHOOTING DEATH ******************
Another Police Shooting Death of Unarmed Black Roils South Carolina City
A North Charleston white police officer, Michael Slager, 33, on April 7, 2015 was charged in the murder of an unarmed black man, Walter Scott, 50, who was pulled over on April 4, 2015 for a broken taillight in his car. An amateur video shot by a passer-by, Feidin Santana, shows Slager firing eight times at a fleeing Scott. North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey epitomized the mood of a besieged city: "when you're wrong, you are wrong".
Police Officer Involved in Unarmed Black Man's Death Fired
The North Charleston Police Department on April 8, 2015 fired the white police officer Michael Slager, who was seen in a video of shooting a fleeing black unarmed man, after it became clear that he had lied about the episode that had led to the shooting death of Walter Scott.
Charged Police Officer Let Go on House Arrest
Judge Clifton Newman on January 4, 2016 allowed Michael Slager, 33--charged in the murder of an unarmed black man, Walter Scott, 50, who was pulled over on April 4, 2015 for a broken taillight in his car-- the White police officer of the North Charleston, to post bail and go for house arrest. Slager had been in jail since April 7, 2015.
Police Officer Indicted by Fed
More than four months after being charged by the state, police officer Michael Slager on May 11, 2016 was indicted on federal charges of obstruction of justice and unlawful use of weapons. The Magistrate Judge Bristow Marchant agreed to let Slager remain free on the bond that he had already put in the state court. The family and the lawyer of Walter Scott, who was shot to death by the then-North Charleston police officer Michael Slager in an ill-fated traffic stop on April 4, 2015 over a broken taillight in Scott's car, lauded the federal charges unsealed on May 11, 2016.
Mistrial Declared in Walter Scott Trial
Adding to the frustration over a justice system that is often viewed as discriminatory to the community of color, Judge Clifton Newman on December 5, 2016 declared mistrial after three-day jury deliberation.
White Police Officer Pleads Guilty to Civil Rights Violation Charges
The White police officer at the storm of April 4, 2015, shooting death of a black motorist, Walter Scott, in North Charleston on May 2, 2017 pleaded guilty to the federal civil rights violation of Scott. The plea deal by Michael Slager came almost five months after his state trial had been declared to have ended in mistrial.
*************************** WALTER SCOTT SHOOTING DEATH ******************
White Supremacist Take Lives of Eight Parishioners at a Historic Black Church
A White man in his early 20s sat with the congregants at a bible study in Charleston's historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the evening of June 17, 2015, and after an hour, opened fire, killing nine Parishioners, including the pastor and state Senator Clementa Pinckney. The suspect, Dylann Storm Roof, was taken into custody the following day (June 18, 2015) without any resistance from Shelby, North Carolina, about 250 miles north. Law enforcement agencies now believe, based on Roof's recent conversations with his friends and acquaintances, that the suspect has harbored deep-rooted hatred against black people. The killing within the place of worship stirred the nation's conscience and reminded the ugly, old era when black churches were targeted with impunity. The Emmanuel AME Church carries enriched civil rights and emancipation history, dating back to early 19th century. The church was born out of a slave rebellion led by Denmark Vesey in 1822. Vesey was captured and executed, and the church was burned down. Every time church was targeted, it got emboldened and resurrected. Quite a few times, the church survived operating underground to evade attack from White supremacists. The church was even once destroyed by earthquake, only to be rebuilt in 1891. The church became a hallowed ground of American Civil Rights movement back in 1950s and 1960s.
The nine Black Parishioners killed are Rev. Clementa Pinckney; Cynthia Hurd, 54; Tywanza Sanders, 26; Sharonda Singleton, 45; Myra Thomson, 59; Ethel Lance, 70; Susie Jackson, 87; Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74; and DePayne Doctor, 49.
"All He Did Was to Unite Us", says Charleston Mayor
As a city was gradually coming to the grips of reconciliation and healing, there was outpouring of empathy and compassion. Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., a fellow White Democrat, who had been working tirelessly over the past several years to bridge the racial chasms, summed it all on June 19, 2015, two days after gruesome slayings of nine Black parishioners took place in Charleston's historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church at the hands of a mad-boy, evil-hearted young man, Dylann Roof: "A hateful person came to this community with some crazy idea he'd be able to divide, but all he did was unite us and make us love each other even more".
South Carolina Governor Asks Confederate Flag to be Removed from Statehouse Perch
Standing beside the state's two U.S. Senators, Lindsey Graham, Republican, and Tim Scott, an African-American Republican, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on June 22, 2015 called for removal of confederate flag from the front of the statehouse. The ferocity of the wind of change in the debate of publicly displaying the confederate flag that has generated since the killing of nine Black parishioners during a bible study in Charleston's historic Emmanuel AME Church has crossed the state line and is now taking down political resistance in the name of "southern heritage" by its root from Mississippi to Alabama, an unthinkable event even few months ago. What's created the outcry was a video uploaded on the YouTube that showed the perpetrator of the June 17, 2015, massacre, Dylan Roof, with the confederate flag and burning the US flag. The video got viral, and there was a concerted effort to banish the divisive flag from the public view. The confederate flag was hoisted on the South Carolina statehouse in 1961 as a symbol of defiance to the civil rights movement. After NAACP called for "economic boycott" of the state in 1999, the flag was moved from the statehouse to a flagpole on a perch in front of the statehouse 15 years ago. If South Carolina Senate and Assembly heed the governor's call to remove the confederate flag from the front perch of the statehouse, they have to vote for the measure by a two-third majority in each chamber, a requirement as part of the deal 15 years ago that had helped the flag to be moved from the statehouse itself to the front perch. Some lawmakers already proposed to move the flag to the state-run Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum.
Confederate Flag Faces Popular Ire from State to State
* Many, including President Barack Obama, re-twitted June 22, 2015 former Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's blunt twit demanding that the divisive flag had to come down.
* Walmart on June 22, 2015 announced that it would stop selling confederate relics.
* Mississippi House Speaker Phillip Gunn on June 22, 2015 called for the change in the state flag that had a confederate emblem on the upper left corner.
President Obama weighed in the debate and said in an interview for Marc Maron's "WTF" podcast released on June 22, 2015 that the legacy of slavery still "casts a long shadow" on American life.
South Carolina Lawmakers Heed Governor's Call; Vote to Begin Debate
Heeding the call by South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley a day before to remove the Confederate flag from the front perch of the statehouse, state's House on June 23, 2015 voted 103-10 to begin debate on removing the battle flag. The wind of change on the confederate flag debate began to blow so swift after the June 17, 2015, murder of nine African American parishioners, including Senator Clementa Pinckney, a state Senator since 1997 and pastor of the Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, that removal of the divisive flag that was unthinkable even weeks ago now appeared likely in a matter of few days. Also retailer after retailer have announced plan to discontinue selling any confederate-themed relics. The retailers include household names such as Walmart, Target, Sears, eBay and Amazon.
Slain Pastor Honored at South Carolina Statehouse, Political Support Growing for Confederate Flag to Go
As Pastor Clementa Pinckney's body was brought to South Carolina Rotunda on June 24, 2015, a host state officials, including Governor Nikki Haley, and his colleagues from the legislature which he had served for nearly 20 years paid rich homage to a preacher turned politician who was known for composure and compassion. Meanwhile, political support began to swell in favor of taking down the Confederate battle flag and other symbols from the South after a historic call made by Gov. Haley on June 22, 2015 to remove the divisive flag from the perch of statehouse.
* In Alabama, Governor Robert Bentley, a conservative Republican, issued an executive order on June 24, 2015, immediately removing four secessionist flags. Governor Bentley called displaying the Confederate Battle flag akin to displaying Nazi symbols. What's made Bentley's executive order all the more significant was that the Confederacy was formed 154 years ago in Montgomery and Jefferson Davis was elected President.
* Two US Senators and a US House Representative from Mississippi called for removal of confederate symbol emblazoned in the upper left corner of the state flag, following the appeal of Attorney General Jim Hood, only Democrat in the statewide office, who said: "You've got to ask yourself the question: What would Jesus do in this circumstance?"
* Pressure is mounting to remove a bust of Confederate General and Ku Klux Klan leader Nathan Bedford Forrest from the Tennessee Senate
President Gives Eulogy in Slain Senator's Funeral
President Barack Obama gave eulogy on June 26, 2015 in Rev. Clementa Pinckney's funeral at the Emmanuel AME Church, and sang "Amazing Grace". President Obama spoke on gun control, slavery, Confederate flag and race relations.
South Carolina Senate Votes for Confederate Flag Removal
South Carolina's upper chamber on July 6, 2015 voted to remove the confederate battle flag from the front perch of the state Capitol. The vote was a lopsided one 37-3. The Senate needs to vote on the measure one more time, and it's expected to take place on July 7, 2015.
South Carolina Senate Upholds the Removal Vote
Repeating the lopsided nature of the vote registered a day earlier, South Carolina Senate on July 7, 2015 voted 36-3 to remove the confederate battle flag from the front perch of the state Capitol. The measure now goes to 124-member lower chamber, House of Representatives, that includes 46 Democratic Party lawmakers.
Attacker Indicted
Dylan Roof, who had carried out the dastardly racial attack by opening fire at the Emmanuel AME Church during an evening bible study, was on July 7, 2015 indicted on nine degrees of murder, three degrees of attempted murder and weapons charges. Roof faces 33 counts, including hate crimes resulting in death.
South Carolina House Votes to Remove Confederate Battle Flag
Following the lead of state Senate, South Carolina's House of Representatives on July 8, 2015 voted overwhelmingly (93-27 votes) to remove the Confederate battle flag from the front perch of the state Capitol at Columbia. The measure now goes to Governor Nikki Haley's desk for her signature. This marks a remarkable and historic turnaround for a state that seceded first from the Union in 1860 and again flew the Confederate Battle Flag over the statehouse in 1961 in defiance of civil rights movement and to mark the 100th anniversary of the Civil War.
South Carolina Governor Makes History, Signs Legislation to Remove Confederate Flag
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley on July 9, 2015 signed a historic legislation that would remove the Confederate Battle Flag from the front perch of the statehouse. Signing the legislation, Governor Haley said that "we will bring it down with dignity and we will make sure it is stored in its rightful place".
Confederate Battle Flag and Flagpole Removed from State Capitol Ground
Witnessed and cheered by thousands of people, the Confederate battle flag that was flying on the front perch of the statehouse was lowered in a ceremony on July 10, 2015, ending an era of painful reminder of nation's segregationist past. Afterward, the flagpole that had adorned the divisive flag since 2000 was also yanked.
NAACP Lifts South Carolina Boycott
In its national convention at Philadelphia, NAACP on July 11, 2015 approved a resolution to lift the economic boycott of the state that was imposed in 2000 after the Confederate battle flag, instead of being removed altogether, was moved to the front perch from the top of the statehouse.
***************************** ABORTION LAW **********************************
South Carolina Moves to Ban Abortion after 19 Weeks
South Carolina legislature on May 17, 2016 passed a bill to ban abortion after 19 weeks, becoming the 17th state in the nation that had enacted such restrictive law. The bill now goes to Governor Nikki Haley's desk, and all indications are that she will sign it. At present, 12 states have such laws in effect, legal challenges are being waged in three other states while a similar South Dakota law signed in March 2016 will go into effect this summer.
Governor Signs Restrictive Abortion Law
Governor Nikki Haley on May 25, 2016 signed the bill into law that would make the procedure all but illegal after 19 weeks of pregnancy. The few exemptions include when mother's life or fetal wellbeing is at stake.
***************************** ABORTION LAW **********************************
Justice Department Seeks Death Penalty for Roof
Attorney General Loretta Lynch on May 24, 2016 said that her department would seek death penalty against Dylann Roof, accused of opening fire on parishioners at Charleston's Emmanuel AME Church during an evening bible study on June 17, 2016 that had killed nine people. Beside federal indictment, Lynch had been indicted last July on state charges that included nine degrees of murder, three degrees of attempted murder and weapons charges.
Church Attacker Convicted
Dylan Roof was convicted by a Charleston jury on December 15, 2016 in all 33 counts of charges in the June 17, 2015, murder of nine Parishioners of Emmanuel AME Church.
Roof Receives Death Penalty
Dylan Roof was sentenced to death on January 10, 2017.
DOJ, Victims Family Agree on $88 million Settlement
The U.S. Department of Justice and victims' families in Emmanuel AME Church shooting on October 28, 2021 agreed to $88 million settlement. Victims' families sued the Justice Department for failing to properly conduct Dylann Roof's background check.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Pine Ridge Uprising: 50th Anniversary of Native Indian Uprising Remembered
There are now mixed feelings about the Native Americans’ uprising in South
Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation half a century ago. On February 27, 1973,
thousands of Native American activists took up arms in protest against
centuries-old repression, forced integration, economic deprivation and decades-old
political discrimination, and seized the town of Wounded Knee. The siege
of the town and the resistance lasted for 71 days. There was frequent gunfire
between law enforcement personnel and armed activists during the 71-day siege.
Although the resistance ultimately failed, it raised the awareness of Native
American rights among general population. Two Native Americans were killed, and
a U.S. Marshal was paralyzed.
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga Shootings Target Military Facilities, Kill 4
A lone gunman on July 16, 2015 opened fire on a military recruitment center at Chattanooga, and then rushed in a vehicle to a Marine base and opened fire again, killing four Marines and one Navy sailor. The gunman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, was later shot dead by a Chattanooga police officer. The Marines killed are Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, 21, of Marietta, GA; Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, 37, originally from Arkansas, but recently has resided in Chattanooga, who had been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq; Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan from Springfield, Massachusetts; and Sgt. Carson Holmquist, 25, from Jacksonville, NC.
Demand for Armed Staffing at Military Recruitment Centers Grows
A more than centuries old ban on carrying guns by military personnel at recruitment centers came under sharp focus--and criticism--after the July 16, 2015, attack on a military recruitment center and a Marine base in Chattanooga by a lone guman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez. Many lawmakers and politicians want to change the so-called Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 that proscribed the military from domestic law and order enforcement.
A Fifth Personnel Succumbs to Injury
A fifth military personnel, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, severely injured in July 16, 2015, shooting spree in Chattanooga died on July 18, 2015 from his wounds, raising the death toll to 5.
Six Involved in Chattanooga Attack to be Given Purple Hearts
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced on December 16, 2015 that Navy had decided that the July 16, 2015, attack on a military recruitment center and a Marine base in Chattanooga by a lone guman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez. was inspired by foreign terrorists and, as a result, the service would award Purple Hearts to the five killed--Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Lance Cpl. Squire Wells and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan--and an injured service member, Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley.
TEXAS
*********************************** DALLAS **********************************
Rawlings to Run for a Second Term
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on December 2, 2014 announced that he would run for a second four-year term and strive toward completing many of his expansive agendas such as GrowSouth Initiative to bring more jobs and economic prosperity in South Dallas, resolution to a controversial Trinity River Corridor plan, fine-tuning of his stand on school reforms that encompassed around a home-school charter plan and his popular stand to weed out domestic violence.
Dallas Mayoral Race in 2011
On May 14, 2011, Dallas voters went to poll to choose the next Mayor from a pool of four candidates: (1) Mike Rawlings, former Pizza Hut CEO; (2)Ron Natinsky, former City Council member; (3) David Kunkle, former Police Chief; and (4) Edward Okpa, an African-American businessman. Rawlings received 41%, Kunkle 32% and Natinsky 25%. Rawlings ran strong both in Southern and Northern parts of the city. The runoff will be held on June 18, 2011.
Rawlings won the runoff and was inaugerated as the new Mayor on June 27.
Dallas County DA Resigns Prematurely
To treat her mental health problems, Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk on September 6, 2016 announced that she would step down. As soon as Hawk had become the DA in January 2015, she was embroiled with one controversy after another and she had to take a prolonged leave last year to seek treatment and therapy at a Houston facility for depression. Had she tendered her resignation before August 26, 2016, elections would have been held in November to elect a new D.A. Now, Governor Gregg Abbott is sure to appoint a Republican to her job. In the interim, the First Assistant D.A. Messina Madson is going to fill in, a job basically she has been doing on and off for the past 20 months.
First African-American Woman Named Dallas County DA
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on December 6, 2016 named a retired Dallas County judge as the county's first Black top law enforcement official. Faith Johnson, a fellow Republican, will most likely run in the general election in 2018.
Eric Johnson Elected Mayor in the Runoff
After the May 4, 2019, election whittled down the list to top two vote-getters in the Dallas mayoral election, state Rep. Eric Johnson and Dallas City council member Scott Griggs faced off on June 7, 2019. Eric Johnson, fueled by strong North Dallas support, won a convincing victory.
TENNESSEE
Chattanooga Shootings Target Military Facilities, Kill 4
A lone gunman on July 16, 2015 opened fire on a military recruitment center at Chattanooga, and then rushed in a vehicle to a Marine base and opened fire again, killing four Marines and one Navy sailor. The gunman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez, was later shot dead by a Chattanooga police officer. The Marines killed are Lance Cpl. Squire Wells, 21, of Marietta, GA; Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, 37, originally from Arkansas, but recently has resided in Chattanooga, who had been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq; Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan from Springfield, Massachusetts; and Sgt. Carson Holmquist, 25, from Jacksonville, NC.
Demand for Armed Staffing at Military Recruitment Centers Grows
A more than centuries old ban on carrying guns by military personnel at recruitment centers came under sharp focus--and criticism--after the July 16, 2015, attack on a military recruitment center and a Marine base in Chattanooga by a lone guman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez. Many lawmakers and politicians want to change the so-called Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 that proscribed the military from domestic law and order enforcement.
A Fifth Personnel Succumbs to Injury
A fifth military personnel, Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, severely injured in July 16, 2015, shooting spree in Chattanooga died on July 18, 2015 from his wounds, raising the death toll to 5.
Six Involved in Chattanooga Attack to be Given Purple Hearts
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced on December 16, 2015 that Navy had decided that the July 16, 2015, attack on a military recruitment center and a Marine base in Chattanooga by a lone guman, Mohammad Youssef Abdulazeez. was inspired by foreign terrorists and, as a result, the service would award Purple Hearts to the five killed--Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Randall Smith, Sgt. Carson Holmquist, Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, Lance Cpl. Squire Wells and Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan--and an injured service member, Sgt. DeMonte Cheeley.
TEXAS
*********************************** DALLAS **********************************
Rawlings to Run for a Second Term
Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings on December 2, 2014 announced that he would run for a second four-year term and strive toward completing many of his expansive agendas such as GrowSouth Initiative to bring more jobs and economic prosperity in South Dallas, resolution to a controversial Trinity River Corridor plan, fine-tuning of his stand on school reforms that encompassed around a home-school charter plan and his popular stand to weed out domestic violence.
Dallas Mayoral Race in 2011
On May 14, 2011, Dallas voters went to poll to choose the next Mayor from a pool of four candidates: (1) Mike Rawlings, former Pizza Hut CEO; (2)Ron Natinsky, former City Council member; (3) David Kunkle, former Police Chief; and (4) Edward Okpa, an African-American businessman. Rawlings received 41%, Kunkle 32% and Natinsky 25%. Rawlings ran strong both in Southern and Northern parts of the city. The runoff will be held on June 18, 2011.
Rawlings won the runoff and was inaugerated as the new Mayor on June 27.
Dallas County DA Resigns Prematurely
To treat her mental health problems, Dallas County District Attorney Susan Hawk on September 6, 2016 announced that she would step down. As soon as Hawk had become the DA in January 2015, she was embroiled with one controversy after another and she had to take a prolonged leave last year to seek treatment and therapy at a Houston facility for depression. Had she tendered her resignation before August 26, 2016, elections would have been held in November to elect a new D.A. Now, Governor Gregg Abbott is sure to appoint a Republican to her job. In the interim, the First Assistant D.A. Messina Madson is going to fill in, a job basically she has been doing on and off for the past 20 months.
First African-American Woman Named Dallas County DA
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on December 6, 2016 named a retired Dallas County judge as the county's first Black top law enforcement official. Faith Johnson, a fellow Republican, will most likely run in the general election in 2018.
Eric Johnson Elected Mayor in the Runoff
After the May 4, 2019, election whittled down the list to top two vote-getters in the Dallas mayoral election, state Rep. Eric Johnson and Dallas City council member Scott Griggs faced off on June 7, 2019. Eric Johnson, fueled by strong North Dallas support, won a convincing victory.
Infrastructure Deserts Identified by SMU Research
Although known to locals for many years, a recent study conducted by SMU
researchers put a spotlight on the so called “infrastructure deserts” in
the mostly African American and Hispanic neighborhoods in South Dallas. The
lead author of the study, Professor Barbara Minsker of SMU’s Civil and
Environmental Engineering, has pointed out 62 such “infrastructure deserts”
where walkable space is not adequate and quality of life for the area’s people
is poor. According to the SMU Infrastructure Equity Project, released on
August 17, 2022, there are several factors which define a neighborhood “infrastructure
desert”: lack of (1) street tree canopies, (2) food access, (3) medical
services access, (4) sidewalks, (5) crosswalks, (6) improved pavements, (7)
trail access, (8) internet access, (9) bank access, (10) gathering places and
(11) public transit.
The study estimates that (A) low-income neighborhoods are 2.2 to 3.5
times more likely to have deficient infrastructure compared to high-income
neighborhoods; (B) African American and Hispanic neighborhoods are up to 5
times and 3 times more likely, respectively, to have deficient
infrastructures compared to White neighborhoods.
Dozens of Murder Cases Jeopardized by Unshared Videos
Dallas Judge Amber Givens postponed a murder trial in January 2023 as a
police detective had failed to share several videos related to the case, thus violating
a state law, Richard Miles Act. Richard Miles spent 15 years behind the
bars for the murder he had not committed because the prosecutors had failed to
share key evidence with the defense team that could have exonerated the
defendant. He was released from jail in 2012. A November 2022 internal
audit of the Dallas Police Department found that 89,000 video
evidence—72,000 from patrol and 17,000 others—were not appropriately categorized,
implying that those video evidence might not have been shared with prosecutors
or defense teams, or both. However, that number [89,000] accounts for circa 2%
of 3.8 million videos dating back to 2016. After the internal audit, Dallas
Police Department accelerated the process of categorization of all
backlogged videos, and as of March 3, 2023, the number of uncategorized
videos was reduced to circa 18,000, according to March 9, 2023,
edition of The Dallas Morning News. DPD has varying lengths of retention
policy, depending on the nature of crimes. For uncategorized videos, there is
higher likelihood for videos to be prematurely deleted. DPD has recently
changed its minimum retention policy from the state-mandated 90 days to one
year on its storage platform, Axon’s evidence.com.
Johnson Re-elected Uncontested
Mayor Eric Johnson cruised to an easy victory in May 6, 2023, local polls,
overwhelmingly defeating the write-in candidate Kendal Richardson.
Johnson seemed to have solidified support among Downtown business communities
and reinforced political backing from South and North Dallas areas.
Municipal Amortization Planned to be Curtailed for Average Citizen
An obscure tool that empowers the everyday citizen to file a complaint
against a business entity—deemed to be undermining the community health and
safety—is to be curtailed if the recommendation of the Dallas city officials is
any indication. This is the unintended consequence of the state Senate Bill
929, authored by state Senator Tan Parker and passed in this year’s
legislative session. The measure, SB 929, calls for compensating a
business if it is forced to shutter by the local jurisdiction. That has put
hitherto unfamiliar municipal amortization in the spotlight. This tool
empowers the community members and residents to file complaints before the city’s
Board of Adjusters and present evidence at public hearings against the
[accused] businesses.
With the SB 929 becoming law, the city of Dallas and other local
jurisdictions, fearing that they will be left holding the bag for millions of
dollars in liabilities due to the shuttered businesses, want to limit the scope
of amortization and allow only a limited few to avail that tool. According to the
recommendation given by the city staff, Dallas will allow only city council
members to leverage the amortization process to file complaints to the Board
of Adjusters. The Dallas Morning News reported on November 13,
2023 that the issue had raised strong passion among minority communities
south and west of downtown and community groups such as Singleton
United/Unidos in West Dallas and Downwinders at Risk.
$1.25 billion Dallas Bond Election Crucial to Infrastructure and Quality
of Life Issues
Voters in North Texas will cast their votes on May 4, 2024 in
local polls, including electing local government officials, bond proposals,
numerous amendments and local government charters. However, the stakes are
never higher for Dallas voters as they will decide the outcome of 10
propositions that will raise $1.25 billion to fund over 5,000 infrastructure,
park, cultural and other projects billed as ways to improve live-play-work
culture.
The ten propositions that will be in the election are: Prop A:
Streets and Transportation—$521.2 million; Prop B: Parks and
Recreations--$341.3 million; Prop C: Flood Protection and Storm
Drainage—$52.1 million Prop D: Libraries—$43.5 million; Prop E:
Cultural Arts Facilities—$75.2 million; Prop F: Public Safety—$90 million;
Prop G: Economic Development—$72.3 million; Prop H: Housing
Infrastructure—$26.4 million; Prop I: Homelessness—$19 million;
Prop J: Technology—$5.
Dallas Voters Approve 10 Props in a Low Turnout Election
In a low turnout and low-key election on May 4, 2024, Dallas voters approved $1.25 billion bond package consisted of 10 separate propositions.
City Council Expected to Approve $5 billion budget
The Dallas
Morning News has reported
in its September 10, 2024, edition that the city council is expected to
approve $4.97 billion for the Fiscal 2024 (October 1, 2024-September 30, 2024)
during its session on September 18, 2024. The major sources of revenue include
property tax ($1 billion) and sales tax ($463 million), contributing bulk of
general fund which is pegged at $1.9 billion, $65 million more than the current
budget cycle. Also, $250 million from the $1.25 billion bond package approved
in May 2024 will be allocated during this budget cycle.
|
Item |
Allocation ($million) |
|
General Fund |
1902.7 |
|
Dallas Water Utilities |
826.9 |
|
Debt Services |
485.8 |
|
General Purpose Capital |
479.6 |
|
Enterprise Capital |
432.6 |
|
Aviation |
208.1 |
|
Additional Resources |
183.2 |
|
Sanitation Services |
163.2 |
|
Convention and Event Services |
137.4 |
|
Dallas Water Utilities and Storm Drainage |
85.9 |
|
Planning and Development |
60.4 |
|
Transportation and Public Works |
0.5 |
|
Municipal Radio |
0.5 |
The package includes property tax rate relief, ninth successive year
Dallas is striving for providing tax relief, falling to 70.47 cents per $100
valuation. The reduction in property tax rate will lead to less than what would
have been a revenue windfall because of the anticipated higher appraisals, but
the property tax bills will still come higher. In addition, several services
will have higher fees in the coming budget year.
Dallas City Council Approves Largest Budget
Dallas City Council on September 18, 2024 approved the largest
budget in the city’s history. The $4.97 billion budget includes a
revenue boost from service fees. Although the property tax rate cut will mark
the steepest in the past 40 years, the tax bills for individual homeowners and
apartment owners will increase due to rising appraisal value. The appraisals now
yield a total tax base of $215 billion, up $17 billion compared to the
last year.
Dallas Politics Gets Murky, but not over Presidential Election
A trio of propositions—S, T and U—are upending the Dallas political establishment and creating divisions over local affairs. The controversial proposals put in the November 5, 2024, ballot are creating as much, if not more, partisan rancor than the presidential election itself. The proposals, petitioned by Dallas Hero and put on the ballot after receiving enough signatures, are meant for enhancing city government accountability, hiring more police officers and competitive compensation and benefits to Dallas first responders. Although the propositions look innocuous and noble from the surface, they mask a conservative effort to undermine the city government.
The Proposition S aims to dilute the immunity of the city officials from litigation.
The Proposition T aims to tie the salary and status of the city manager to the survey at least 1,400 residents (at least 100 residents from each of 14 council districts will undertake the survey in five areas--homelessness, crime, litter, pan handling and street conditions--between January 1 and March 31 every year) and dilute the immunity of the city officials from litigation.
The Proposition U calls for half of the revenue growth to be dedicated to fund Police as well as Fire and Rescue Departments. The State Pension Review Board or Dallas City Council, according to the proposition, will decide on how much money will be allocated to the Police and Fire Rescue Pension Funds. If any additional money is left after that, it will be spent to shore up other priorities in the law enforcement domain, including making non-pension benefits and wages as competitive as the top five police departments in North Texas responsible for cities with at least 50,000 people. Proposition U also requires at least 4,000 police personnel in the city police department. Currently Dallas Police Department has 3,100 law enforcement personnel.
Former mayors—including Tom Leppert, Mike Rawlings and Ron Kirk—along with many former and current city council members formed a broad alliance against the Proposition effort.
Dallasites to Vote on 18 Props
The Dallas Morning News in its October 11, 2024 edition published a
detailed explanation and narrative on 18 Propositions that Dallas voters
would see on the November 5, 2024, ballot. Initially, there were 21
Propositions, but the state Supreme Court in a September 11, 2024,
ruling nullified the Propositions K, M and N because their objectives
were to cancel out the three other Propositions—Proposition S, Proposition T
and Proposition U—championed by a conservative group, Dallas Hero.
Dallas Voters Pass Props S and U
Dallas voters on November 5, 2024 voted for Propositions S and U in a setback to the Dallas Council members, former and current officials who had actively campaigned against the props and representing the frustration over the work of the city government.
Michelin's Entry in Texas Sets off the Foodie Buzz
Almost a century after Michelin's launched its restaurant and diner review in France in 1926, the revered restaurant reviewer, renowned for making or breaking the restaurants' name recognition, entered the Lone Star state. On November 11, 2024, Michelin's Texas Guide issued its first ever Texas review of the restaurant industry. 20 Dallas-Fort Worth area restaurants notched up the "Recommended" status. Michelin's Guide has many awards such as "Sustainability", "Best Cocktail" and "Recommended". However, its coveted star awards are reserved for the best of the bests in the industry. 1-star, 2-star and 3-star awards are very rare awards for some of the bests in the restaurant industry, and any of the stars is considered as the industry's gold standard.
On November 11, 2024, Michelin's Texas Guide awarded 1-star award to 15 Texas restaurants, Deep Ellum's Tatsu being the only star winner in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, 44 Texas restaurants with Bib Gourmand Award (in the category of good food at a good price), and 57 diners with Recommended award.
Dallas, Collin Counties' Combined Homelessness Price Tag Estimated at $193 million
It is a gut punch for taxpayers when they come across this whopping research figure related to the cost dealing with the homelessness in Dallas and Collin Counties. A recent Dallas County Health Department study estimated that it cost $193 million in 2023 for Dallas and Collin Counties to take care of their unhoused population, The Dallas Morning News reported in a front-page article published on November 16, 2024. The total figure was derived from the Point-In-Time Homeless Count Survey that had found 4,410 unhoused people in 2023 and the per-capita-cost of homelessness (more than $43,700) derived from a previous study. According to the Dallas County Health and Human Services research,
* $60,406,945 spent on Medical Treatments
* $49,383,753 spent on Hospitalizations
* $32,214,709 spent on Emergency Shelter
* $17,257,247 spent on Mental Health
* $16,850,311 spent on Incarceration
* $16,293,400 spent on ER Visits
The Dallas HHS research specifically alludes to a novel program, R.E.A.L [Responsible, Equitable, Accountable and Legitimate] Time Rehousing Initiative, launched in 2021 that had met its goal of putting 2,700 unhoused people under the roof in two years at a cost of $70 million. The R.E.A.L Time Rehousing Initiative, also known as RTR Initiative, is a joint public and private collaboration among Housing Forward, City of Dallas, Dallas County and several other partners.
Johnson Stresses Four Ps in the State of the City Address, Moody's Cuts Dallas Debt Rating
Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson on December 5, 2024 gave his State of the City address, emphasizing four pillars of governance encompassing on four Ps: Public Safety, Parks, Pothole Repair and Property Tax Relief. This is especially true after Dallas voters approved Proposition U despite calls from former mayors and other city leaders against the three Propositions (S, T and U) pushed by a conservative group, Dallas Hero, on ground of severe financial implications from the mandates of those propositions, especially the Proposition U that called for allocating at least 50% of additional annual revenue to the police and first responder budgets. The admonishment from those leaders came out to be true days after the Proposition U--along with Proposition S--had been passed by Dallas voters in the November 5, 2024, election as Moody's lowered the Dallas debt rating from stable to negative outlook, referencing its action to the upcoming financial burden that would stem from the mandate of Proposition U.
Dallas Equity Picture Getting Better, Albeit Slowly
The Dallas Morning News reported in its January 27, 2025, edition that Assistant City Manager of Dallas Elizabeth Cedillo-Pereira had presented the second city-wide equity report on January 17, 2025 at the 6th Annual Equity Indicators Symposium held at Fair Park. The 2023 Equity Indicators Report is only second time that a report on equity was released, the first report released in 2019. The 2019 report showed a glaring disparity between Whites and non-Whites. The indicators are formed by aggregating 60 disparate and distinct topics ranging from environment to economic opportunities to neighborhoods to infrastructure. Scores are generated to reflect the state of equity on a scale of 0 to 100, higher score reflects a healthier equity footprint. In 2019, Dallas scored 39.77, in 2022 41.22 and 42.65 in 2023, respectively. The report shows a durable, but disjointed, improvement in Dallas' equity landscape.
Texas' 2012-2013 Budget Cycle
Gov. Rick Perry on June 17, 2011 signed a two-year, $172.3 billion spending plan approved by the special session of the Texas legislature. The plan falls about $20 billion short of what many experts believe the amount needed to maintain current services. The budget strips about $4 billion from the public education, provides financial aid to 43,000 fewer college applicants, including 29,000 fewer students applying for Texas Grants, and cuts payments to medicaid providers by $800 million in state fund. The 2012-13 budget plan also includes an accounting trick that would delay the last month's public school spending by few days to push it forward to the 2014-15 fiscal cycle. The legislature also baked in a $4.8 billion Medicaid IOU to the 2013 session. The Center for Public Policy Priorities, a left-leaning group, has estimated that it takes about $206 billion to provide current level of services to a growing population. The spending plan, after taking into account of the school deferral and Medicaid IOU, will spend $186 billion. As a result of axing necessary spending, 5700 jobs will be eliminated from the state agencies and the universities, approximately 30,000 jobs will be phased out from the public education over the next two years, and Medicaid will suffer a deep funding cut in the second year of the fiscal 2012-13 cycle ($6 billion in the second year from $10.2 billion in the first year).
Based on July1, 2011 The Dallas Morning News Report
The TX biennial budget (2012-13) includes $21.8 billion for higher education spending, a decrease of nearly $1 billion than the current biennial budget (Sep 1, 2009 to Aug 31, 2011). The items falling in the chopping block:
* State's 35 universities will take significant hit.
* Texas Grants will be allocated $560 million, a 10% decrease from $622 million.This also implies that there will be money for only 30% new, eligible students (whose family incomes don't exceed $45,000 per year). However, the state's higher education commissioner is urging to allocate less money--$5,000 instead of $7,100--per student to reach the target rate of 50%.
Texas' 2014-2015 Budget Cycle
The revenue estimate released last week (January 6-12, 2013) by Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has brought cheers and competing priorities to public space as the economic picture is slowly, but surely, improving. The estimate for the next biennium (September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015) has been broken down as follows:
* Available Revenue
$101.4 billion: General-purpose state taxes, fees and investment income
* Initial Spending Projections
** $5.2 billion: Estimated cost of a "supplemental bill" for the current budget period (September 1, 2011 through August 31, 2013) to pay for Medicaid, prisoner health care and wildfires.
** $1.75 billion: Cost of another bill to undo the accounting gimmick done in the last budget cycle so that state's schools get the required funding prior to their fall opening in August 2013.
** Just under $89 billion: Estimated cost of Senate's initial two-year budget for 2014-2015 (September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015)
** Just over $89 billion: Estimated cost of House's initial two-year budget for 2014-2015 (September 1, 2013 through August 31, 2015)
** Remainder: $5 billion to $5.5 billion
On January 14, 2013, both the House and Senate submitted their initial two-year budget. Senate's initial budget will spend about $186.8 billion, including federal funds, while the House's initial estimate for 2014-2015 budget is $187.7 billion. Both the House and Senate measures call for spending about $89 billion of state funds, with the House planning to spend $175 billion more than Senate.
After 139 days of legislative maneuvering, Texas lawmakers raced to finish the budget work at the nick of the moment, and sent a $197 billion biennial budget plan to Rick Perry on May 26, 2013. The 2014-15 budget was approved by the Texas Senate on May 25 by 27-4 votes. The House passed the measure on May 26 by 118-29 votes.
The 2014-15 budget aims to restore part of $5.3 billion axed from public school funding during last budget cycle by
* Undoing $3.2 billion of the $4 billion cut from basic state aid last session;
* Putting back less than $100 million--of $1.3 billion whacked off the grant programs--for full-day pre-kindergarten, remedial instructions and dropout prevention.
The 2014-15 budget doesn't include another $2.7 billion that may be spent over the next two years. It was put in a separate measure, and $2 billion out of $2.7 billion will come from rainy day fund. This allocation will only be spent if voters approve in a fall referendum the constitutional amendment that is required to form a Water Infrastructure Bank. The measure was passed by the both chambers on May 26.
Many conservatives denounced the budget as it would take almost $3.9 billion of the state's $11.8 billion rainy day fund by 2015 to pay for a water infrastructure bank, address wildfire damage, pitch money toward relief for West Fertilizer Plant explosion and undo a delay of contribution to permanent school fund due to an accounting gimmick in the last session.
The budget also plans to phase out System Benefit Fund, intended for electricity bill rebates for poor, by stopping collection of the fee effective September 1, 2013. The current amount in the fund, to the tune of $837 million, will be disbursed among the poor through 82 percent discount in September 2013 and May-August 2014. After September 2014, the discount will fall to 15 percent, and close the fund in 2016.
The budget also provides $1.3 billion tax relief for small businesses as opposed to what Gov. Rick Perry wanted: $1.8 billion.
The spending plan will replenish the TEXAS Grants, the fund for higher education program, to serve 84 percent of low- and moderate-income students, compared to current two-thirds who have been receiving this grant.
Gov. Rick Perry's two signature pro-entrepreneurship funds--Emerging Technology Fund and Texas Enterprise Fund--will receive in $50 million in new money and be allowed to use $120 million of unspent money, respectively. State's controversy-plagued Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) is to get $600 million in bond money.
After the 140-day session was over on May 27, 2013, Gov. Rick Perry called the legislators back for a 30-day special session immediately.
TEXAS PRIMARIES 2014
The Texas primaries held on March 4, 2014 threw some of the old equations astray in Republican Primaries as Tea-Party backed candidates posed stiff fights in some of the state wide races, including:
* Dan Patrick will now face off David Dewhurst in May 27 runoff for Lt. Governor
* Dan Branch will now face off Ken Paxton for AG
However, Sen. John Cornyn sailed smoothly as did Greg Abbott on the Republican side, and Wendy Davis on the Democratic side.
************************************ Rick Perry Indictment Story ****************
Perry Indicted over His Veto
Texas Governor Rick Perry on August 15, 2014 was indicted on two felony counts--abuse of official capacity and coercion of public servant--over his veto in the last legislative session of $7.5 million in funding of the Travis County's Public Integrity Unit (PIU) unless Rosemary Lehmberg, a Democrat, resigned. Perry's rationale for veto was that Lehmberg, who was arrested on DWI charges, had lost his confidence and she needed to resign, which Lehmberg refused to do. At that time, Lehmberg was investigating the grants awarded by state cancer research agency, Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). Instead, Lehmberg appeared in court, served her time and continued to work as DA. If Lehmberg resigned as per Perry's demand, Perry would have opportunity to appoint a Republican as DA of democratically leaning Travis County. Meanwhile, defying the governor's veto, Travis County officials apportioned and adjusted the funding for the PIU that oversees the workings and corruption trial of government agencies. Fourteen months ago, the director of a consumer watchdog, Texans for Public Justice, Craig McDonald, filed a lawsuit against Perry over his funding veto. A Republican judge in Bexar County appointed Michael McCrum, a San Antonio attorney, as a special prosecutor for this case. McCrum denied that there was any political consideration behind the indictment.
Perry is the first Texas Governor in more than a century to have been indicted. The last governor indicted was James E "Pa" Ferguson on charges of embezzlement and eight other charges. A Travis County grand jury indicted Ferguson in 1917 over a case in which the governor had vetoed an entire appropriation bill to fund University of Texas as his call for some professor firings went unheeded by the school. The state house impeached him and the senate convicted him, but he had resigned a day before the judgment was announced.
Perry Judge Rejects Tossing out the Charges
In a 44-page ruling, District Judge Bert Richardson on January 27, 2015 rejected the pleas of Perry defense attorneys that the charges be dropped, and instead called for the trial to proceed. The decision issued by Judge Richardson, a Republican, poses serious logistical and fund-raising threat to a potential Perry presidential run.
Prosecutor Details Case against Perry
Prosecutor Michael McCrum on February 13, 2015 filed new details against former Texas Governor Rick Perry, saying that governor's action was aimed at forcing out Travis County District Attorney and curtailing the public integrity unit she led. Perry faces two counts of indictments
* Abuse of official capacity
* Coercion of public servant
State Appeals Court Drops One Count against Perry
A Texas state appeals court on July 24, 2015 tossed out the coercion count charge against Rick Perry. The court decided to okay the trial to go forward on the other charge.
Texas' Highest Appeals Court Clears Perry
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on February 24, 2016 dropped the remaining count, abuse of official capacity, of charges against former Governor Rick Perry in defunding Travis County's Public Integrity Unit. While former governor didn't waste anytime to declare that he was vindicated by the appeals court's 6-2 ruling, one of the two prosecutors, Michael McCrum of San Antonio, said that he would review the decision and consider of resurrecting the charges if necessary. Another special prosecutor in the case, David Gonzalez, concurred.
************************************ Rick Perry Indictment Story ****************
******************************* TEXAS SCHOOL FUNDING ***********************
As 2011-12 school year is progressing with less state funding, the victims are becoming more and more transparent. According to a November 25, 2011, report in The Dallas Morning News, more schools in Texas have sought waiver from 22-cap classroom for the first through fourth grade. The News culled the data from Texas Education Agency. In the School Year 2011-12, 257 school districts have asked for the waiver from TEA compared to 168 during the school year of 2010-11. This year 1,360 campuses and 6,988 classrooms have asked for the waiver compared to 625 campuses and 2,238 classrooms in 2010-11 School Year. The waiver from the law, enacted in 1984, has become necessary for many school districts because of $2 billion a year school funding cuts over the next two years (2011-12 and 2012-13). An additional $1.4 billion in state grants were also eliminated from the state budget. Also, this school year (2011-12) marked the first time that school districts have sought the waiver based on "financial hardship" instead of normally applied reasons of lack of classroom space, inability to hire enough qualified teachers or unanticipated growth in enrollment. A report from the state Comptroller Susan Combs estimated that the state could save $558 million a year by switching to an "average" class size of 22 pupils instead of having a cap of 22 pupils. School districts have seen an average of 3.3 percent cuts in school funding this year (2011-12), while many North Texas school districts will face a larger cut (8.6 percent)in school funding next school year (2012-13).
TEXAS STILL FEELING THE POLITICAL AND POSITIVE EFFECT OF A THREE DECADE OLD LAW
Texas schools are experiencing significant impact of a three decade old law that had revolutionized the public school education system in the state, put the state in the map of school reform movement and, eventually, become a lighting rod for politicians of all stripes. In 1984, Dallas billionaire Ross Perot teamed up with the then-Gov. Mark White and Lt. Gov. Bill Hobby, both Democrat, to craft a measure that would be passed by the legislature and signed by the governor on July 13, 1984. The bill, also known as House Bill 72, would call for:
(a) No pass, no play rule for school athletes
(b) 22-pupil cap size for elementary school class from Kindergarten through fourth grade
(c) Mandatory half-day Pre-K class
(d) Mandatory Full-day Kindergarten class (initially planned to be half-day, but a drafting error made its place for good and changed the program from half-day to a full-day one)
(e) Introduction of High School Completion tests
TEXAS SCHOOL FUNDING AND THE RESULTING LAWSUIT
As part of the 2006 public school education funding reform, the local property tax rate has been cut by a third accompanied by the anticipated boost in revenue from the higher business and cigarette taxes. Generally the urban and sub-urban school districts have benefited from the "target revenue" adjustment from the 2006 reform. However, inequitable funding remains a hurdle for many poor and rural school district. One example of inequitable funding is the comparison between the Rockwall and Mesquite school districts for 2011-12 school year. Although both the districts have school property tax rate of $1.04 per $100 of property valuation, no including the additional levy in each to pay off construction bonds, the average dollars allocated for these school districts are $6,374 per student for Rockwall and $5,335 per student for Mesquite, respectively for 2011-12 school year. The state average is $5,709 per student. One study by the Equity Center, a group that represents lower rung school districts, estimates that the bottom half of the school districts--512 districts--are slated to receive average funding of $5,196 per student in 2011-12 as opposed to $7,155 per student for the top 15%, or 154, school districts.
Source: The Dallas Morning News October 2, 2011
On October 11, 2011, an Equity Center-organized lawsuit was filed in a Travis county state court, demanding equitable school funding. The plaintiffs included seven school districts--Hillsboro ISD, Hutto ISD, Nacogdoches ISD, Pflugerville ISD, San Antonio ISD, Taylor ISD and Van ISD--two taxpayers, one parent, a property owner in Kaufman ISD and the newly formed Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition. The suit, one of the three expected in the coming weeks, named Education Commissioner Robert Scott, Comptroller Susan Combs and the State Board of Education as defendants. Wayne Pierce, a former Kaufman ISD superintendent and Executive Director of the Equity Center, said that more than 150 school districts are part of Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition, and another 150 school districts are expected to join the coalition by the time the suit will go to trial in a year. As of last year, more than 200 schhol districts are tapped out with maximum rate of property tax, i.e., $1.17 per $100 of property valuation. Currently districts cann't raise property tax rate over $1.04 per $100 valuation without voter approval.
In order to formulate ideas of more equitable school funding, on February 29, 2012, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Strauss appointed 11 Senators and 11 House members respectively to a panel that would provide recommendation in the run-up to 2013 session. Sen. Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, and Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, R-Killeen, will lead the Joint Interim Committee to Study the Public School Finance System.
State Judge John Deitz on February 4, 2013 ruled the state of Texas' school funding system unconstitutional, thus setting the ball rolling on major revamp of school funding formula second time in a decade. Specially he took issues with three areas--Adequacy, Efficiency and State Property Tax--of funding:
* (Adequacy) Total school funding: Judge Deitz ruled that the constitution's requirement for adequacy of funding was violated in part because the state was demanding more without a boost in fund.
* (Efficiency) Distribution formula among school districts: The inequities violate the state constitutional requirement that the system be efficient as Judge Deitz opined: "The Texas Constitution states a shared truth that education of all is necessary to preserve our rights and liberties."
* State Property Tax: State mandate of $1.17 cap per $100 of property valuation, thus indirectly dictating a state tax which is illegal.
On February 22, 2013, National Education Association has released a study related to school spending distribution across states. The NEA study shows that Texas has ranked 49th among all 50 states and District of Columbia in terms of per pupil spending in 2012-13. Texas is spending $8,400 for each student during 2012-13 compared to national average $11,455. The spending per pupil has dropped significantly compared to 2010-11 school year's spending ($9,446) per pupil. The figures have been collected for elementary and secondary schools. The only two states which are trailing Texas are Nevada ($8,340) and Arizona ($7,021). The NEA has been issuing the annual report on nation's public schools, called the Rankings and Estimates, since early 1960s. The report adds political complexity and color to Texas' ongoing legal battle with hundreds of school districts over school funding.
Many of school districts who are part of the litigant group are looking forward to their day in court and the state of Texas is looking forward to mitigate any fallout from this lawsuit as the outgoing legislature (2013) has put back $3.4 billion in the Texas schools after siphoning off $5.4 billion in 2011 legislative session. However, many medium- and low-wealth school districts don't see the latest funding increase as a deal-maker as it puts back only $2 for each $3 taken out of school funding in 2011.
The parties returned to the court of state Judge John Deitz on January 21, 2014 that many had come to believe would be resolved by the state supreme court. On one hand, state of Texas contended that many of the points raised by the litigants had become moot after the state legislature last year had put back $3.4 billion in the state coffer for education funding and reduced the high-stake end-of-course tests from 15 (Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology, English I Reading, English I Writing, English II Reading, English II Writing, English III Reading, English III Writing, Geometry, Physics, Chemistry, Geography, U.S. History and World History) to 5 (English I, English II, Algebra, Biology and US History). However, attorneys for more than 600 school districts argued that the state legislature had put back $3.4 billion in 2013 after chopping off the education funding in 2011 by $5.4 billion.
Texas Improves Ranking in Per-Pupil Spending
A report issued by the National Education Agency (NEA) ranked Texas 46th for the current school year (2013-14), up by three notches from the last year's ranking of 49th among 50 states and District of Columbia, with average spending per student at $8,998 compared to national average of $11,674 per student. According to the report issued on March 25, 2014, Texas tops Arizona, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Utah in per-pupil spending. Texas legislature in the last session (2013) put back $3.4 billion in additional funding after chopping off $5.4 billion in 2011. However, the current level of average spending per student is still lower than the average spending per student in 2010-11 school year ($9,462 per student). The NEA report also showed improvement in teachers' salary ranking for 2013-14 school year (35th) compared to last year's ranking of 38th. However, the average annual salary of $49,270 (2013-14) is up by $450 from a year ago, but less than this year's national average of $56,689. Three years ago (2010-11), Texas ranked 30th in the average annual salary of teachers.
Judge Tosses Out Texas' School Funding System
Nearly 18 months after his first and preliminary ruling, state Judge John Deitz on August 28, 2014 rejected the state's school funding system even after boost in funding by the legislature last year. Judge Deitz sided with a coalition of 600 school district in ruling that state funding system at its current form was unfair and inadequate.
Texas Fares Relatively Better This Year in Per Pupil Spending
According to a report issued on March 18, 2015 by the National Education Association, Texas is spending on average $9,559 per student this school year (2014-15), 38th in rank among 50 states and the District of Columbia. That compares to this year's national average of $12,040 per pupil and last year's (2013-14) state's own rank of 46. In the year (2010-11) before the massive school funding cuts took place, Texas spent an average of $9,462 per student, placing it at 40th among the states. Other key findings in the report are:
* The average teacher salary for the current school year (2014-15) is $50,576 (ranked 29) compared to $48,638 in 2010-11 (ranked 30)
Texas Supreme Court Hears School Funding Case
On September 1, 2015, school districts' lawyers faced off state's lawyers in the state supreme court over the school funding model. The arguments followed in the predictable ways: school districts claimed that there was not enough fund to provide quality education to 5.3 million school students while the state mentioned the infusion of $3.4 billion in additional fund during the latest legislative session.
Texas Supreme Court Upholds State's Education Funding System
Rejecting the arguments of litigants representing the interest of hundreds of school districts, tens of thousands of students and their guardians, Texas Supreme Court on May 13, 2016 upheld the Texas' school funding system, giving the state a significant victory in almost three decades. The decision was unanimous, and writing for the rest of judges, Justice Don Willett rejected most of the arguments used by the state Judge John Dietz when he had ruled in 2013 that the state school funding was unconstitutional.
Robin Hood Model Irks Wealthy School District
The Dallas Morning News in a front-page article reported on July 31, 2022 that Plano and roughly 174 other school districts, about 10% of the state's school systems, will send money to the state for redistribution among poorer school districts. In 2023, according to The Dallas Morning News' estimate, Plano's share of revenue recapture will be $212,339,567. DISD will send more than $142 million to the state for redistribution.
Texas Public School Basic Allotment Remains Steady since 2019
The Dallas Morning News reported on July 25, 2024 in a related article that the Texas public school basic allotment per pupil remained at $6,160 ,the same amount as it was in 2019. In the 2019 dollar value adjusted for inflation, the current per pupil basic allotment should have been close to $7,500.
******************************* TEXAS SCHOOL FUNDING ***********************
Abbott Sworn in as State's 48th Governor
Greg Abbott became Texas' 48th governor on January 20, 2015 after he was sworn in at a magnificent ceremony in Austin. Abbott succeeded the longest-serving Texas Governor Rick Perry. In his inaugural address, Abbott carefully stayed away some of the most controversial topics, and instead focused on common sense issues such as improvement of education, unshackling transportation gridlock and addressing the state's growing water need.
***************TEXAS Biennium Budget (September 1, 2105-August 31, 2017)***********
House Passes 2-Year Budget
Texas' House of Representative on April 1, 2015 passed $209.8 billion budget by an overwhelming margin (141-5).
Texas Senate Passes its Own Version of Budget Blueprint
Texas Senate on April 14, 2015 approved a $211.4 billion budget blueprint that's sharply different from the House-passed measure.
***************TEXAS Biennium Budget (September 1, 2105-August 31, 2017)***********
**************************** Texas Insurers' Health Check ***************************
Texas Insurers See Big Profit in 2013
Insurers who offer homeowners coverage in Texas saw big profit margin in 2013 as, according to the Texas Department of Insurance estimate issued on April 2, 2014, the so-called loss ratio for the year stood at 44.8 percent compared to previous year's loss ratio of 54.5 percent. A loss ratio of 60 percent is considered healthy for the industry. The loss ratio doesn't directly reflect profit as it doesn't include items such as agent commissions, administrative costs and other expenses.
Texas Insurers Make Huge Profit in 2014
Texas Department of Insurance on April 20, 2015 issued estimate of industry's loss ratio for last year (2014), a golden standard of what the industry pays out for each dollar in premium, that shows significant windfall for an industry that had grown its lobbying powers significantly in recent years. For all of 2014, Texas insurers' overall loss ratio was a healthy 46.4 percent.
**************************** Texas Insurers' Health Check ***************************
******************************* TEXAS VOTER ID LAW ***************************
A day after Supreme Court's ruling on Voting Rights Act, Texas AG Gregg Abbott on June 26, 2013 rushed ahead to implement the strict voter ID act passed by the Texas legislature in 2011.
On July 25, 2013, addressing a National Urban League conference in Philadelphia, the US AG Eric Holder made it plain that his Justice Department was willing to pursue legal route to block the election rule changes being sought by the state of Texas. The DOJ has leeway to pursue a legal case and persuade a court to force Texas to seek a federal pre-clearance through the Section 3 of the Voting Rights Act. Meanwhile, US Rep. Marc Veasey, D-TX, along with others had already sued to block the new redistricting matters and the strict Voter ID law.
The US Department of Justice on August 22, 2013 joined the lawsuit filed by US Rep. Veasey to block a stringent voter ID law and weighing on a fight on redrawn election map. The case was filed in a Corpus Christi court.
Judge Blocks Voter ID Law
A federal district judge, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie, on October 9, 2014 blocked the Texas voter id law from going into effect days before the November mid-term polls. Issuing a scathing ruling against the country's one of the most stringent voter id laws, Judge Ramos likened the measure to an unconstitutional "poll tax" that would burden and hinder the voting rights of the state's minority population.
Appeals Court Reinstates Voter ID Law
On October 14, 2014, a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the voter id law that was tossed out by the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie, on October 9, 2014.
Appeals Court Issues Verdict against Voter ID Law
A day before the 50th anniversary of signing of Voting Rights Act by the then-President Lyndon B. Johnson, a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on August 5, 2015 that the Texas' voter ID law was "discriminatory" against minorities, but stopped short of calling it tantamount to "poll tax" as a lower court judge, the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie, ruled on October 9, 2014.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law
A full bench of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on July 20, 2016 tossed out one of the strictest voter ID laws of the nation, ruling that the Texas Senate Bill 14 had been passed to discriminate the minorities and thus violated the Voting Rights Act. The 9-6 ruling didn't nullify all the ID requirements of the law, but definitely loosened the strict requirements enshrined in the law. The decision, especially coming from a conservative appeals court, was a slap in the face of Texas' Republican state officials. The law was enacted in 2011, but kept in abeyance until the June 25, 2013, U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating the Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. Reacting to the verdict of the full bench of the New Orleans-based appeals court, the lead plaintiff of the case, Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, then a state house representative and now a U.S. House member, issued a statement, "Today Texas voters' fair access to the ballot box is restored". What has befuddled many is that state's GOP officials and leaders have spent so much time and money to pass the measure, SB14, destined to fix an almost non-existent problem as voter impersonation has been extremely rare as there has been only a pair of convictions out of 20 million votes cast a decade leading to the passage of the measure.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law
A full bench of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on July 20, 2016 tossed out one of the strictest voter ID laws of the nation, ruling that the Texas Senate Bill 14 had been passed to discriminate the minorities and thus violated the Voting Rights Act. The 9-6 ruling didn't nullify all the ID requirements of the law, but definitely loosened the strict requirements enshrined in the law. The decision, especially coming from a conservative appeals court, was a slap in the face of Texas' Republican state officials. The law was enacted in 2011, but kept in abeyance until the June 25, 2013, U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating the Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. Reacting to the verdict of the full bench of the New Orleans-based appeals court, the lead plaintiff of the case, Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, then a state house representative and now a U.S. House member, issued a statement, "Today Texas voters' fair access to the ballot box is restored". What has befuddled many is that state's GOP officials and leaders have spent so much time and money to pass the measure, SB14, destined to fix an almost non-existent problem as voter impersonation has been extremely rare as there has been only a pair of convictions out of 20 million votes cast a decade leading to the passage of the measure.
Texas Reaches Agreement on Voter ID Law
Two weeks after a federal appeals court tossed out the state's strict voter ID law, Texas on August 3, 2016 reached an agreement that would loosen the stiff voting requirements as called for by the SB14. Under the agreement, Texas voters whose name are on the voter list will be able to cast their votes by showing IDs that go beyond the narrow list allowed by the law, thus helping reverse disenfranchising about 600,000 Texans. The agreement reached among the state, the US DOJ officials and minority rights groups will be submitted to the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie for her approval. Besides, the state officials will spend about $2.5 million in voter reach-out effort. On July 20, 2016, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 9-6 against the SB14, specifically calling out the state for violating the Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act that prohibited discrimination based on color, race and ethnicity.
Federal Judge Reaffirms Her Ruling
In April 2017, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie upheld her earlier verdict that Texas' strict voter id law violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as well as 14th and 15th Amendments of constitution.
Texas Voter ID Law Tossed out for Fifth Time
A federal judge in Corpus Christie on August 23, 2017 blocked portions of SB 14 enacted in 2011 and entirely tossed out the revamp of that law, a re-christened SB 5, in a severe jolt to the Republican leadership in Texas. With her August 23, 2017, verdict, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie for rejected Texas' strict voter ID measures four of five times and New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against it one more time.
Appeals Court Lets the Revamped Voter ID Law Stand
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on April 27, 2018 rejected a lower court ruling that had found the revised voter ID law passed in the last legislative session in 2017 equally discriminatory as the measure's predecessor version passed in 2011. The appellate judges in a 2-1 ruling called the August 23, 2017, ruling of the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos as "abuse of discretion" and let the SB 5 go into effect. The preceding version of the voter ID law, dubbed as SB 14, enacted in 2011 had been rejected by the lower court judge and appellate court, sending the measure to Texas legislature for re-work. In the just concluded session of 2017, legislature loosened some of the stringent requirements enshrined in SB 14, and the final measure, SB 5, passed in May 2017 included:
* Longer leeway of expired photo IDs from 2 years (SB 14) to 4 years
* Expanding the list of IDs to be included as bona fide
* Increase in number of mobile locations to obtain election certificates
Unfortunately, the revised provisions in SB5 did not satisfy Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos. The case eventually found its way to the conservative 5th U.S. Court of Appeals.
******************************* TEXAS VOTER ID LAW ***************************
Texas Governor's Hysterical Reaction to Planned Military Exercise Evokes Criticism
Since the U.S. Army Special Operations Command announced on March 24, 2015 a three-month (July 15- September 15, 2015) military exercises, dubbed as the Operation Jade Helm 15, for its Special Ops troops, conservative websites, blogs and talk-shows were filled with fear-mongering and silly comments over a possible declaration of Martial Law and takeover by federal authorities. Instead of addressing the uneasiness of some Texans in the operation's geographic locations in Bastrop, Big Springs, Caddo Lake, Caldwell, Christoval, College Station, Dell City, Eldorado, Goliad, Junction, Leakey, Menard, Mountain Home, San Angelo, San Antonio and Victoria, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on April 28, 2015 used all the more common playbook of pandering the right-wing hardcore by writing a letter to Texas State Guard to be vigilant during the time of exercises to ensure that the rights of Texans won't get trampled. White House on April 29, 2015 addressed the issue and sought to calm down the brinkmanship surrounding the Operation Jade Helm 15 that would take place not only in Texas, but also in New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and California. The White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest even questioned the rationale behind the Texas governor's letter to Texas State Guard, and said that he had "no idea what he's thinking".
US Supreme Court Upholds State's Right to Reject License Plate Emblazoned with Confederate Flag
The US Supreme Court on June 18, 2015 ruled 5-4 to uphold state's right to reject a petition by Sons of Confederate Veterans to have the divisive flag on the state-issued license plates. The majority ruling was handed out by Judges Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Sonya Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas, one of the most conservative judges in the bench. The apex court verdict tossed out the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton lauded the Supreme Court ruling.
****************************** Death of Sandra Bland *****************************
Black Woman Arrested in a Regular Traffic Stop Found Dead in County Jail
In a painful reminder of another tragedy involving a Black person's life, a woman, Sandra Bland, 28, arrested three days ago in a minor traffic violation was found dead on July 13, 2015 in her cell in Waller County Jail at Hempstead, 60 miles northwest of Houston. Bland was arrested after an altercation with a state trooper, Brian Encinia, 30, in Prairie View. Bland was alleged to have failed to give turn signals as she was changing lanes, and was stopped by a police officer. Authorities said that she had committed suicide by wrapping a plastic around her neck. Texas Rangers and FBI launched an investigation into her death that drew another bout of sharp attention into--and allegation against --police treatment of people of color. Ms. Sandra Bland, from the Chicago suburb of Naperville, graduated from the predominantly black Prairie View A-and-M University in 2009, and was on her way to begin a new job with her alma mater when she was pulled off the road.
DPS Faults State Trooper, County Jail
Texas' Department of Public Safety said on July 17, 2015 that proper protocols and procedures were not followed in the aftermath of the tragic traffic stop of Sandra Bland on July 10, 2015, faulting the state trooper Brian Encinia. Bland was found dead in her Waller County Jail cell three days later on July 13, 2015. Subsequently DPS assigned Encinia to an "administrative" duty. The DPS in its preliminary findings also faulted the Waller County Jail for lax standard and supervision.
Bland Admits Suicide Attempts
Waller County Jail fell under more scrutiny and scanner as authorities disclosed on July 22, 2015 that Sandra Bland had admitted in her jail form that she had tried to commit suicide before. Despite the admission, questions are being asked, why she has not been under closer supervision, raising doubts about protocols and best practices of the jail.
Waller County DA's Office: Bland's Death Suicide
Waller County's District Attorney's Office said on July 23, 2015 that based on autopsy Sandra Bland's death was decided as suicide, statement her family strongly refuted and suspected of foul play.
Grand Jury Returns No Indictment
A Waller County grand jury on December 21, 2015 decided not to indict any employee in the sheriff's office or the county jail in the death of Sandra Bland. Bland was found hanging at her jail cell on July 13, 2015, three days after she was pulled over by a state trooper for changing lanes without giving turn light and subsequently arrested. But prosecutor Darrell Jorden said on December 21, 2015 that the jury reached no decision as far as the state trooper, Brian Encinia, was concerned, and the jury would reconvene in early January 2016 to decide on the state trooper.
State Trooper Indicted on Perjury Charge
16 days after clearing the Waller County Sherriff's Office and Waller County jail of any wrongdoing, a grand jury on January 6, 2016 indicted Brian Encinia, the state trooper who had pulled up Sandra Bland for failing to give lane change signal, on perjury count, a Class A misdemeanor that carries up to a year in jail as well as $4000 in fine. The special prosecutor on the case, Darrell Jorden, said that the jury came to conclusion that Encinia had lied to the investigators about the reason for removal of Ms. Bland from the vehicle. Shortly after the indictment was issued, Texas Department of Public Safety issued a statement saying that the state trooper would be fired.
Federal Judge Signs off Settlement by Bland Family
A federal judge in Houston, U.S. District Judge David Hittner, on November 2, 2016 approved and signed off a settlement deal reached by Sandra Bland's family with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Waller County and now-dismissed state trooper Brian Encinia. The $1.9 million deal reached in September 2016 all but ends the wrongful death lawsuit brought by Sandra Bland's mom, Geneva Reed-Veal, and other family members.
****************************** Death of Sandra Bland *****************************
************************ Indictment of Texas A.G. Ken Paxton **********************
Paxton Indicted on Three Counts of Security Fraud
A case that was thought to have been resolved after the then-Attorney General candidate Ken Paxton had admitted to referring clients to Mowery Capital Management, a financial services firm run by a Paxton confidante, without being registered with the Texas State Securities Board, and paid a $1,000 fine, resulting in a rare reprimand by the board in May 2014, turned out to be a political and legal albatross for the Attorney General as a Collin County jury on July 28, 2015 issued a three-count indictment--and then immediately sealed--against him. Paxton will report to Collin County jail on August 3, 2015 for mug shot photo. After Paxton vanquished his rivals in Republican Primary, former Rep. Dan Branch and Barry Smitherman, as well as his little known Democratic challenger in the general election to succeed Greg Abbott riding the Tea Party wave, Texans for Public Justice filed a formal complaint in April 2015 with the Travis County District Attorney's office. The Travis County D.A. forwarded the complaint to the Collin County D.A. Greg Willis, a friend of Paxton. After Willis recused himself from the case, two veteran defense lawyers from Houston area, Kent A. Schaffer and Brian Wice, were appointed as Special Prosecutors and Texas Rangers led the investigation, leading to the unraveling of the case that had brought into light Paxton's connection to another firm, Servergy Inc., which Paxton had referred his clients without divulging that he had a business interest in it. Kent A. Schaffer and Brian Wice submitted the Rangers' findings to Collin County jury, leading to the July 28, 2015, issuance of three-count indictment against Paxton. Tarrant County State District Judge George Gallagher will preside over the case. Paxton became the first sitting state Attorney General to be indicted since Jim Mattox was indicted on bribery charges in 1983, but eventually acquitted two years later.
Paxton Booked in Collin County, Released on Bond
Amid protesters outside calling for his resignation at the Collin County courthouse, Texas A.G. Ken Paxton posted bond to secure his release after turning himself on August 3, 2015 on three counts of securities fraud-related charges. Paxton remained defiant, vowing to defend and clear himself. The three-count indictment includes allegation that Paxton had "engaged in fraud" in July 2011 by selling more than $100,000 in stock of a technical company, Servergy Inc., to a state representative Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, and a Florida businessman, Joel Hochberg, with a combined investment of $600,000 in Servergy. Paxton didn't tell Cook and Hochberg that he would make profit from their investment. In addition, the indictment stated that Paxton also had failed to disclose that he was compensated with 100,000 shares of Servergy and he didn't put any money into the company. The third count read that, a year later, Paxton had "rendered services as an investment adviser representative" without being registered with the Texas State Board of Securities. In 2014, he said the failure to register a mere "oversight", and paid $1,000 in fine.
Partner at the Center of Controversy Slapped with $60,000 in Fine
Investor Fritz Mowery, head of Mowery Capital Management, on August 3, 2015--the same day as Paxton was arrested, taken mug shot photo and released on bond--was slapped with $60,000 in fine for violating rules regarding questionable business relations with Texas A.G. Ken Paxton by two administrative judges after a week of testimony. The judges only handed out the fine, but didn't revoke his business license, an issue that would be decided later by the Texas State Board of Securities. Mowery-Paxton business relations began in 2004 with a verbal agreement that Paxton would steer his clients to Mowery in exchange for commission without Paxton being registered with the Texas State Board of Securities. The arrangement came to public knowledge during the May 2014 Republican Primary for Attorney General's office, and Paxton admitted the lapse and paid $1,000 in fine. However, a subsequent lawsuit filed a public interest group expanded into a full-blown investigation carried out by the Texas Rangers and led to the three-count indictment against Paxton by a Collin County jury.
Paxton being Prosecuted at Tax Payers' Money
The Dallas Morning News on March 11, 2016 published an article on steep costs of prosecuting Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, and Collin County taxpayers will be left holding the bag. Since Collin County DA Greg Willis had recused from the case, Collin County District Judge Scott Becker named three criminal defense lawyers--Brian Wice, Kent Schaffer and Nicole DeBorde--to act as "attorneys pro tem" on the case. Judge Becker offered a $300 per hour rate to the prosecutors, and the first bill, according to The Dallas Morning News, topped $254,000.
Paxton Hammered by SEC
Compounding the criminal case against Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2016 filed civil charges against Paxton on two counts which were among the three counts returned by a Collin County grand jury impaneled by the Collin County District Judge Chris Oldner. The same two counts are:
* Persuading, even worse, pressuring his clients to invest in Servergy Inc., a North Texas tech firm, without divulging that he had not done so
* Getting compensated for funneling clients to Servergy
The third criminal count returned by Collin County District Judge Chris Oldner-impaneled grand jury was related to failure to properly register with the state of Texas for such investment advice.
Paxton Loses Appeal in Higher State Court
A Dallas-based state appeals court, the 5th Court of Appeals, on June 1, 2016 threw out Texas A.G. Ken Paxton's appeal against a three-count indictment. Paxton was indicted on three counts on July 28, 2015: A Collin County grand jury indicted on two counts of first-degree felony fraud charges, alleging him of persuading investors to invest in Servergy Inc., an upstart technology company, while failing to disclose that he himself had not invested in the company but received company stock. The third count involved a third-degree charge of failing to register as an investment adviser while making a commission by referring clients to a friend's investment firm. A Fort Worth judge, George Gallagher, upheld those three counts of indictment in December 2015. Paxton's lawyers then filed an appeal to the Dallas-based 5th Court of Appeals. In handing out its verdict, the Dallas-based court rejected three of the four arguments of Paxton lawyers that the way the grand jury had been impanelled was improper. Also, the court rejected the fourth argument that a federal statute trumped the state laws under which the indictment was issued.
Paxton Wins Reprieve from the SEC Case
U.S. District Judge Atmos Mazzant III on October 7, 2016 threw out the SEC's civil case against the Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, giving at least some sort of relief and hope to Paxton's defense team that the case might be rejected by an appeals court on criminal counts too. Mazzant, a Sherman-based judge appointed by President Barack Obama, opined that the government had no justifiable evidence to implicate Paxton to any wrongdoing, and tossed out the case filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2016 "conditionally", implying that the government might re-file the case with stronger evidence.
Paxton's Criminal Trial to Proceed, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Rules
Five days after receiving the welcome news from a U.S. district judge who had tossed out the SEC case, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton was not lucky enough to have the repeat success at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on October 12, 2016 as the court refused to take up Paxton's appeal for his charges to be tossed out. Reacting to TCCA's refusal to take up Paxton's appeal, the special prosecutor Brian Wice said that it marked the end of Paxton's year-long effort to "avoid being judged by a jury of his peers". Defense lawyer Philip Hilder vowed to appeal to Texas Supreme Court. A lower appeals court in Dallas, 5th Court of Appeals, and a Tarrant County district judge, George Gallagher, refused to toss out the case before. In July 2015, Ken Paxton was charged on two first-degree felony charges and one third-degree felony charge:
FIRST-DEGREE FELONY CHARGES
* Paxton duped people, including fellow lawmakers, to invest in Servergy Inc., a North Texas tech company, without telling them that he was paid to do so.
* Paxton failed to disclose that he had received 100,000 Servergy shares in exchange for bringing $840,000 investment from friends and clients, including fellow lawmakers.
THIRD-DEGREE FELONY CHARGE
* Paxton failed to register with the state of Texas as an "investment adviser representative".
Paxton, Trustee Move Legally against Adversaries
The legal drama surrounding Texas A.G. Ken Paxton's indictment took a dramatic turn in November 2016 as the overseer of Paxton's blind trust, Charles Loper III, filed a lawsuit against Plano-based Unity Resources on the charges of duping him into investment. Loper's suit targeted Unity Resources and its two top officials, Mark Mersman and Mark Solomon. The suit also alleged that two of the Unity's investors--Byron Cook, a Republican State Representative and a Paxton adversary, and Joel Hochberg, a Florida businessman--who had first brought the allegation against Paxton for recommending others to invest in an upstart tech company, Servergy Inc, without divulging his conflict of interest, had worked for self-enrichment at the expense of others. It was not quite clear why Charles Loper III did not name other investors that included Ken Paxton in the lawsuit. Paxton doubled down on it in the second week of December 2016 by asking a separate judge, U.S. District Judge Atmos Mazzant III, who handled SEC's civil lawsuit to order for the release of Cook's and Hochberg's communications with the Unity Resources.
Civil Suit against Paxton Dismissed
Almost five months after the October 7, 2016, dismissal of a civil lawsuit against Texas A.G. Ken Paxton by U.S. District Judge Atmos Mazzant III, the same judge on March 2, 2017 delivered another setback to the SEC after it had revived the case against Paxton. This time, though, Securities and Exchange Commission will not have another shot to revive the suit.
Paxton Trial to Move out of Collin County
Handing a severe legal blow to Team Paxton, the judge overseeing Ken Paxton's trial, Judge George Gallagher, ruled on March 30, 2017 that Texas AG's trial would proceed, but be moved out of Collin County as requested by prosecutors. The judge also delayed the start of the trial from scheduled May 1, 2017 pending disclosure of new venue. Special prosecutors in this case--Nicole DeBorde, Kent Schaffer and Brian Wice--alleged that there was a concerted effort to besmirch them in Collin County.
New Judge Chosen to Oversee Paxton Trial
After the March 30, 2017, ruling by Judge George Gallagher to move the trial of Texas A.G. Ken Paxton out of Collin County at the request of prosecutors, defense attorneys also requested a replacement of the presiding judge. After Paxton's new venue was decided to be in Harris County, it was open to speculation who would replace Judge Gallagher, a Republican. The news that came out on June 13, 2017 was not altogether positive for Paxton and his team as Robert Johnson, a Democrat, was randomly picked from Harris County's 22 criminal judges. Johnson was elected last year to the 177th Court in Harris County beating incumbent Ryan Patrick, his Republican challenger and son of state's Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Paxton Prosecutors Denied Hourly Rates
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled on November 21, 2018 that prosecutors in the Paxton's security trial would receive a fixed rate instead of an hourly rate, likely delaying the trial further. The prosecutors had earlier threatened to step down if not granted the hourly rate. A presiding judge initially set an hourly rate of $300 per hour, in addition to the fixed rate, for three special prosecutors after Collin Country District Attorney Greg Willis had recused himself on the ground that he was a friend of Paxton. Five-member Collin County Commissioners Court balked at the payment arrangement, and although they agreed to pay the first installment of $254,000, they refused to clear the second invoice totaling $205,000. The county filed a case to halt the payment, and a lower court in Dallas agreed with the county. Then, the prosecutors appealed to TCCA, and on November 21, 2018, the appeals court in 6-3 voted sided with the Dallas court.
Court Ruling Jeopardizes Paxton Trial
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, state's second-highest court, on June 19, 2019 ruled that it would not take up the appeals of the prosecutors who had asked judges to reconsider the court's November 21, 2018, verdict that had scuttled the hourly pay plan for the prosecutors, jeopardizing the prospect that Texas A.G. Ken Paxton would ever face the justice in his securities fraud trial.
Paxton Case Returned to Collin County
In a victory of sort, Harris County Judge Robert Johnson on June 25, 2020 returned the securities fraud suit against Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton to Collin County. Paxton's case has been hanging for long time in legal pipeline and moved several times, ultimately landing at the Harris County in 2017. Unfortunately, Hurricane Harvey battered Houston, damaging the courthouse and leading another prolonged delay.
******************************* TEXAS SCHOOL FUNDING ***********************
Abbott Sworn in as State's 48th Governor
Greg Abbott became Texas' 48th governor on January 20, 2015 after he was sworn in at a magnificent ceremony in Austin. Abbott succeeded the longest-serving Texas Governor Rick Perry. In his inaugural address, Abbott carefully stayed away some of the most controversial topics, and instead focused on common sense issues such as improvement of education, unshackling transportation gridlock and addressing the state's growing water need.
***************TEXAS Biennium Budget (September 1, 2105-August 31, 2017)***********
House Passes 2-Year Budget
Texas' House of Representative on April 1, 2015 passed $209.8 billion budget by an overwhelming margin (141-5).
Texas Senate Passes its Own Version of Budget Blueprint
Texas Senate on April 14, 2015 approved a $211.4 billion budget blueprint that's sharply different from the House-passed measure.
***************TEXAS Biennium Budget (September 1, 2105-August 31, 2017)***********
**************************** Texas Insurers' Health Check ***************************
Texas Insurers See Big Profit in 2013
Insurers who offer homeowners coverage in Texas saw big profit margin in 2013 as, according to the Texas Department of Insurance estimate issued on April 2, 2014, the so-called loss ratio for the year stood at 44.8 percent compared to previous year's loss ratio of 54.5 percent. A loss ratio of 60 percent is considered healthy for the industry. The loss ratio doesn't directly reflect profit as it doesn't include items such as agent commissions, administrative costs and other expenses.
Texas Insurers Make Huge Profit in 2014
Texas Department of Insurance on April 20, 2015 issued estimate of industry's loss ratio for last year (2014), a golden standard of what the industry pays out for each dollar in premium, that shows significant windfall for an industry that had grown its lobbying powers significantly in recent years. For all of 2014, Texas insurers' overall loss ratio was a healthy 46.4 percent.
**************************** Texas Insurers' Health Check ***************************
******************************* TEXAS VOTER ID LAW ***************************
A day after Supreme Court's ruling on Voting Rights Act, Texas AG Gregg Abbott on June 26, 2013 rushed ahead to implement the strict voter ID act passed by the Texas legislature in 2011.
On July 25, 2013, addressing a National Urban League conference in Philadelphia, the US AG Eric Holder made it plain that his Justice Department was willing to pursue legal route to block the election rule changes being sought by the state of Texas. The DOJ has leeway to pursue a legal case and persuade a court to force Texas to seek a federal pre-clearance through the Section 3 of the Voting Rights Act. Meanwhile, US Rep. Marc Veasey, D-TX, along with others had already sued to block the new redistricting matters and the strict Voter ID law.
The US Department of Justice on August 22, 2013 joined the lawsuit filed by US Rep. Veasey to block a stringent voter ID law and weighing on a fight on redrawn election map. The case was filed in a Corpus Christi court.
Judge Blocks Voter ID Law
A federal district judge, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie, on October 9, 2014 blocked the Texas voter id law from going into effect days before the November mid-term polls. Issuing a scathing ruling against the country's one of the most stringent voter id laws, Judge Ramos likened the measure to an unconstitutional "poll tax" that would burden and hinder the voting rights of the state's minority population.
Appeals Court Reinstates Voter ID Law
On October 14, 2014, a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the voter id law that was tossed out by the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie, on October 9, 2014.
Appeals Court Issues Verdict against Voter ID Law
A day before the 50th anniversary of signing of Voting Rights Act by the then-President Lyndon B. Johnson, a three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on August 5, 2015 that the Texas' voter ID law was "discriminatory" against minorities, but stopped short of calling it tantamount to "poll tax" as a lower court judge, the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie, ruled on October 9, 2014.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law
A full bench of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on July 20, 2016 tossed out one of the strictest voter ID laws of the nation, ruling that the Texas Senate Bill 14 had been passed to discriminate the minorities and thus violated the Voting Rights Act. The 9-6 ruling didn't nullify all the ID requirements of the law, but definitely loosened the strict requirements enshrined in the law. The decision, especially coming from a conservative appeals court, was a slap in the face of Texas' Republican state officials. The law was enacted in 2011, but kept in abeyance until the June 25, 2013, U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating the Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. Reacting to the verdict of the full bench of the New Orleans-based appeals court, the lead plaintiff of the case, Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, then a state house representative and now a U.S. House member, issued a statement, "Today Texas voters' fair access to the ballot box is restored". What has befuddled many is that state's GOP officials and leaders have spent so much time and money to pass the measure, SB14, destined to fix an almost non-existent problem as voter impersonation has been extremely rare as there has been only a pair of convictions out of 20 million votes cast a decade leading to the passage of the measure.
Appeals Court Strikes Down Texas Voter ID Law
A full bench of the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals on July 20, 2016 tossed out one of the strictest voter ID laws of the nation, ruling that the Texas Senate Bill 14 had been passed to discriminate the minorities and thus violated the Voting Rights Act. The 9-6 ruling didn't nullify all the ID requirements of the law, but definitely loosened the strict requirements enshrined in the law. The decision, especially coming from a conservative appeals court, was a slap in the face of Texas' Republican state officials. The law was enacted in 2011, but kept in abeyance until the June 25, 2013, U.S. Supreme Court ruling invalidating the Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. Reacting to the verdict of the full bench of the New Orleans-based appeals court, the lead plaintiff of the case, Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth, then a state house representative and now a U.S. House member, issued a statement, "Today Texas voters' fair access to the ballot box is restored". What has befuddled many is that state's GOP officials and leaders have spent so much time and money to pass the measure, SB14, destined to fix an almost non-existent problem as voter impersonation has been extremely rare as there has been only a pair of convictions out of 20 million votes cast a decade leading to the passage of the measure.
Texas Reaches Agreement on Voter ID Law
Two weeks after a federal appeals court tossed out the state's strict voter ID law, Texas on August 3, 2016 reached an agreement that would loosen the stiff voting requirements as called for by the SB14. Under the agreement, Texas voters whose name are on the voter list will be able to cast their votes by showing IDs that go beyond the narrow list allowed by the law, thus helping reverse disenfranchising about 600,000 Texans. The agreement reached among the state, the US DOJ officials and minority rights groups will be submitted to the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie for her approval. Besides, the state officials will spend about $2.5 million in voter reach-out effort. On July 20, 2016, the New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 9-6 against the SB14, specifically calling out the state for violating the Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act that prohibited discrimination based on color, race and ethnicity.
Federal Judge Reaffirms Her Ruling
In April 2017, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie upheld her earlier verdict that Texas' strict voter id law violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act as well as 14th and 15th Amendments of constitution.
Texas Voter ID Law Tossed out for Fifth Time
A federal judge in Corpus Christie on August 23, 2017 blocked portions of SB 14 enacted in 2011 and entirely tossed out the revamp of that law, a re-christened SB 5, in a severe jolt to the Republican leadership in Texas. With her August 23, 2017, verdict, U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos of Corpus Christie for rejected Texas' strict voter ID measures four of five times and New Orleans-based 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against it one more time.
Appeals Court Lets the Revamped Voter ID Law Stand
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on April 27, 2018 rejected a lower court ruling that had found the revised voter ID law passed in the last legislative session in 2017 equally discriminatory as the measure's predecessor version passed in 2011. The appellate judges in a 2-1 ruling called the August 23, 2017, ruling of the U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos as "abuse of discretion" and let the SB 5 go into effect. The preceding version of the voter ID law, dubbed as SB 14, enacted in 2011 had been rejected by the lower court judge and appellate court, sending the measure to Texas legislature for re-work. In the just concluded session of 2017, legislature loosened some of the stringent requirements enshrined in SB 14, and the final measure, SB 5, passed in May 2017 included:
* Longer leeway of expired photo IDs from 2 years (SB 14) to 4 years
* Expanding the list of IDs to be included as bona fide
* Increase in number of mobile locations to obtain election certificates
Unfortunately, the revised provisions in SB5 did not satisfy Judge Nelva Gonzalez Ramos. The case eventually found its way to the conservative 5th U.S. Court of Appeals.
******************************* TEXAS VOTER ID LAW ***************************
Texas Governor's Hysterical Reaction to Planned Military Exercise Evokes Criticism
Since the U.S. Army Special Operations Command announced on March 24, 2015 a three-month (July 15- September 15, 2015) military exercises, dubbed as the Operation Jade Helm 15, for its Special Ops troops, conservative websites, blogs and talk-shows were filled with fear-mongering and silly comments over a possible declaration of Martial Law and takeover by federal authorities. Instead of addressing the uneasiness of some Texans in the operation's geographic locations in Bastrop, Big Springs, Caddo Lake, Caldwell, Christoval, College Station, Dell City, Eldorado, Goliad, Junction, Leakey, Menard, Mountain Home, San Angelo, San Antonio and Victoria, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on April 28, 2015 used all the more common playbook of pandering the right-wing hardcore by writing a letter to Texas State Guard to be vigilant during the time of exercises to ensure that the rights of Texans won't get trampled. White House on April 29, 2015 addressed the issue and sought to calm down the brinkmanship surrounding the Operation Jade Helm 15 that would take place not only in Texas, but also in New Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and California. The White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest even questioned the rationale behind the Texas governor's letter to Texas State Guard, and said that he had "no idea what he's thinking".
US Supreme Court Upholds State's Right to Reject License Plate Emblazoned with Confederate Flag
The US Supreme Court on June 18, 2015 ruled 5-4 to uphold state's right to reject a petition by Sons of Confederate Veterans to have the divisive flag on the state-issued license plates. The majority ruling was handed out by Judges Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Sonya Sotomayor and Clarence Thomas, one of the most conservative judges in the bench. The apex court verdict tossed out the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton lauded the Supreme Court ruling.
****************************** Death of Sandra Bland *****************************
Black Woman Arrested in a Regular Traffic Stop Found Dead in County Jail
In a painful reminder of another tragedy involving a Black person's life, a woman, Sandra Bland, 28, arrested three days ago in a minor traffic violation was found dead on July 13, 2015 in her cell in Waller County Jail at Hempstead, 60 miles northwest of Houston. Bland was arrested after an altercation with a state trooper, Brian Encinia, 30, in Prairie View. Bland was alleged to have failed to give turn signals as she was changing lanes, and was stopped by a police officer. Authorities said that she had committed suicide by wrapping a plastic around her neck. Texas Rangers and FBI launched an investigation into her death that drew another bout of sharp attention into--and allegation against --police treatment of people of color. Ms. Sandra Bland, from the Chicago suburb of Naperville, graduated from the predominantly black Prairie View A-and-M University in 2009, and was on her way to begin a new job with her alma mater when she was pulled off the road.
DPS Faults State Trooper, County Jail
Texas' Department of Public Safety said on July 17, 2015 that proper protocols and procedures were not followed in the aftermath of the tragic traffic stop of Sandra Bland on July 10, 2015, faulting the state trooper Brian Encinia. Bland was found dead in her Waller County Jail cell three days later on July 13, 2015. Subsequently DPS assigned Encinia to an "administrative" duty. The DPS in its preliminary findings also faulted the Waller County Jail for lax standard and supervision.
Bland Admits Suicide Attempts
Waller County Jail fell under more scrutiny and scanner as authorities disclosed on July 22, 2015 that Sandra Bland had admitted in her jail form that she had tried to commit suicide before. Despite the admission, questions are being asked, why she has not been under closer supervision, raising doubts about protocols and best practices of the jail.
Waller County DA's Office: Bland's Death Suicide
Waller County's District Attorney's Office said on July 23, 2015 that based on autopsy Sandra Bland's death was decided as suicide, statement her family strongly refuted and suspected of foul play.
Grand Jury Returns No Indictment
A Waller County grand jury on December 21, 2015 decided not to indict any employee in the sheriff's office or the county jail in the death of Sandra Bland. Bland was found hanging at her jail cell on July 13, 2015, three days after she was pulled over by a state trooper for changing lanes without giving turn light and subsequently arrested. But prosecutor Darrell Jorden said on December 21, 2015 that the jury reached no decision as far as the state trooper, Brian Encinia, was concerned, and the jury would reconvene in early January 2016 to decide on the state trooper.
State Trooper Indicted on Perjury Charge
16 days after clearing the Waller County Sherriff's Office and Waller County jail of any wrongdoing, a grand jury on January 6, 2016 indicted Brian Encinia, the state trooper who had pulled up Sandra Bland for failing to give lane change signal, on perjury count, a Class A misdemeanor that carries up to a year in jail as well as $4000 in fine. The special prosecutor on the case, Darrell Jorden, said that the jury came to conclusion that Encinia had lied to the investigators about the reason for removal of Ms. Bland from the vehicle. Shortly after the indictment was issued, Texas Department of Public Safety issued a statement saying that the state trooper would be fired.
Federal Judge Signs off Settlement by Bland Family
A federal judge in Houston, U.S. District Judge David Hittner, on November 2, 2016 approved and signed off a settlement deal reached by Sandra Bland's family with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Waller County and now-dismissed state trooper Brian Encinia. The $1.9 million deal reached in September 2016 all but ends the wrongful death lawsuit brought by Sandra Bland's mom, Geneva Reed-Veal, and other family members.
****************************** Death of Sandra Bland *****************************
************************ Indictment of Texas A.G. Ken Paxton **********************
Paxton Indicted on Three Counts of Security Fraud
A case that was thought to have been resolved after the then-Attorney General candidate Ken Paxton had admitted to referring clients to Mowery Capital Management, a financial services firm run by a Paxton confidante, without being registered with the Texas State Securities Board, and paid a $1,000 fine, resulting in a rare reprimand by the board in May 2014, turned out to be a political and legal albatross for the Attorney General as a Collin County jury on July 28, 2015 issued a three-count indictment--and then immediately sealed--against him. Paxton will report to Collin County jail on August 3, 2015 for mug shot photo. After Paxton vanquished his rivals in Republican Primary, former Rep. Dan Branch and Barry Smitherman, as well as his little known Democratic challenger in the general election to succeed Greg Abbott riding the Tea Party wave, Texans for Public Justice filed a formal complaint in April 2015 with the Travis County District Attorney's office. The Travis County D.A. forwarded the complaint to the Collin County D.A. Greg Willis, a friend of Paxton. After Willis recused himself from the case, two veteran defense lawyers from Houston area, Kent A. Schaffer and Brian Wice, were appointed as Special Prosecutors and Texas Rangers led the investigation, leading to the unraveling of the case that had brought into light Paxton's connection to another firm, Servergy Inc., which Paxton had referred his clients without divulging that he had a business interest in it. Kent A. Schaffer and Brian Wice submitted the Rangers' findings to Collin County jury, leading to the July 28, 2015, issuance of three-count indictment against Paxton. Tarrant County State District Judge George Gallagher will preside over the case. Paxton became the first sitting state Attorney General to be indicted since Jim Mattox was indicted on bribery charges in 1983, but eventually acquitted two years later.
Paxton Booked in Collin County, Released on Bond
Amid protesters outside calling for his resignation at the Collin County courthouse, Texas A.G. Ken Paxton posted bond to secure his release after turning himself on August 3, 2015 on three counts of securities fraud-related charges. Paxton remained defiant, vowing to defend and clear himself. The three-count indictment includes allegation that Paxton had "engaged in fraud" in July 2011 by selling more than $100,000 in stock of a technical company, Servergy Inc., to a state representative Rep. Byron Cook, R-Corsicana, and a Florida businessman, Joel Hochberg, with a combined investment of $600,000 in Servergy. Paxton didn't tell Cook and Hochberg that he would make profit from their investment. In addition, the indictment stated that Paxton also had failed to disclose that he was compensated with 100,000 shares of Servergy and he didn't put any money into the company. The third count read that, a year later, Paxton had "rendered services as an investment adviser representative" without being registered with the Texas State Board of Securities. In 2014, he said the failure to register a mere "oversight", and paid $1,000 in fine.
Partner at the Center of Controversy Slapped with $60,000 in Fine
Investor Fritz Mowery, head of Mowery Capital Management, on August 3, 2015--the same day as Paxton was arrested, taken mug shot photo and released on bond--was slapped with $60,000 in fine for violating rules regarding questionable business relations with Texas A.G. Ken Paxton by two administrative judges after a week of testimony. The judges only handed out the fine, but didn't revoke his business license, an issue that would be decided later by the Texas State Board of Securities. Mowery-Paxton business relations began in 2004 with a verbal agreement that Paxton would steer his clients to Mowery in exchange for commission without Paxton being registered with the Texas State Board of Securities. The arrangement came to public knowledge during the May 2014 Republican Primary for Attorney General's office, and Paxton admitted the lapse and paid $1,000 in fine. However, a subsequent lawsuit filed a public interest group expanded into a full-blown investigation carried out by the Texas Rangers and led to the three-count indictment against Paxton by a Collin County jury.
Paxton being Prosecuted at Tax Payers' Money
The Dallas Morning News on March 11, 2016 published an article on steep costs of prosecuting Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, and Collin County taxpayers will be left holding the bag. Since Collin County DA Greg Willis had recused from the case, Collin County District Judge Scott Becker named three criminal defense lawyers--Brian Wice, Kent Schaffer and Nicole DeBorde--to act as "attorneys pro tem" on the case. Judge Becker offered a $300 per hour rate to the prosecutors, and the first bill, according to The Dallas Morning News, topped $254,000.
Paxton Hammered by SEC
Compounding the criminal case against Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2016 filed civil charges against Paxton on two counts which were among the three counts returned by a Collin County grand jury impaneled by the Collin County District Judge Chris Oldner. The same two counts are:
* Persuading, even worse, pressuring his clients to invest in Servergy Inc., a North Texas tech firm, without divulging that he had not done so
* Getting compensated for funneling clients to Servergy
The third criminal count returned by Collin County District Judge Chris Oldner-impaneled grand jury was related to failure to properly register with the state of Texas for such investment advice.
Paxton Loses Appeal in Higher State Court
A Dallas-based state appeals court, the 5th Court of Appeals, on June 1, 2016 threw out Texas A.G. Ken Paxton's appeal against a three-count indictment. Paxton was indicted on three counts on July 28, 2015: A Collin County grand jury indicted on two counts of first-degree felony fraud charges, alleging him of persuading investors to invest in Servergy Inc., an upstart technology company, while failing to disclose that he himself had not invested in the company but received company stock. The third count involved a third-degree charge of failing to register as an investment adviser while making a commission by referring clients to a friend's investment firm. A Fort Worth judge, George Gallagher, upheld those three counts of indictment in December 2015. Paxton's lawyers then filed an appeal to the Dallas-based 5th Court of Appeals. In handing out its verdict, the Dallas-based court rejected three of the four arguments of Paxton lawyers that the way the grand jury had been impanelled was improper. Also, the court rejected the fourth argument that a federal statute trumped the state laws under which the indictment was issued.
Paxton Wins Reprieve from the SEC Case
U.S. District Judge Atmos Mazzant III on October 7, 2016 threw out the SEC's civil case against the Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, giving at least some sort of relief and hope to Paxton's defense team that the case might be rejected by an appeals court on criminal counts too. Mazzant, a Sherman-based judge appointed by President Barack Obama, opined that the government had no justifiable evidence to implicate Paxton to any wrongdoing, and tossed out the case filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 11, 2016 "conditionally", implying that the government might re-file the case with stronger evidence.
Paxton's Criminal Trial to Proceed, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Rules
Five days after receiving the welcome news from a U.S. district judge who had tossed out the SEC case, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton was not lucky enough to have the repeat success at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on October 12, 2016 as the court refused to take up Paxton's appeal for his charges to be tossed out. Reacting to TCCA's refusal to take up Paxton's appeal, the special prosecutor Brian Wice said that it marked the end of Paxton's year-long effort to "avoid being judged by a jury of his peers". Defense lawyer Philip Hilder vowed to appeal to Texas Supreme Court. A lower appeals court in Dallas, 5th Court of Appeals, and a Tarrant County district judge, George Gallagher, refused to toss out the case before. In July 2015, Ken Paxton was charged on two first-degree felony charges and one third-degree felony charge:
FIRST-DEGREE FELONY CHARGES
* Paxton duped people, including fellow lawmakers, to invest in Servergy Inc., a North Texas tech company, without telling them that he was paid to do so.
* Paxton failed to disclose that he had received 100,000 Servergy shares in exchange for bringing $840,000 investment from friends and clients, including fellow lawmakers.
THIRD-DEGREE FELONY CHARGE
* Paxton failed to register with the state of Texas as an "investment adviser representative".
Paxton, Trustee Move Legally against Adversaries
The legal drama surrounding Texas A.G. Ken Paxton's indictment took a dramatic turn in November 2016 as the overseer of Paxton's blind trust, Charles Loper III, filed a lawsuit against Plano-based Unity Resources on the charges of duping him into investment. Loper's suit targeted Unity Resources and its two top officials, Mark Mersman and Mark Solomon. The suit also alleged that two of the Unity's investors--Byron Cook, a Republican State Representative and a Paxton adversary, and Joel Hochberg, a Florida businessman--who had first brought the allegation against Paxton for recommending others to invest in an upstart tech company, Servergy Inc, without divulging his conflict of interest, had worked for self-enrichment at the expense of others. It was not quite clear why Charles Loper III did not name other investors that included Ken Paxton in the lawsuit. Paxton doubled down on it in the second week of December 2016 by asking a separate judge, U.S. District Judge Atmos Mazzant III, who handled SEC's civil lawsuit to order for the release of Cook's and Hochberg's communications with the Unity Resources.
Civil Suit against Paxton Dismissed
Almost five months after the October 7, 2016, dismissal of a civil lawsuit against Texas A.G. Ken Paxton by U.S. District Judge Atmos Mazzant III, the same judge on March 2, 2017 delivered another setback to the SEC after it had revived the case against Paxton. This time, though, Securities and Exchange Commission will not have another shot to revive the suit.
Paxton Trial to Move out of Collin County
Handing a severe legal blow to Team Paxton, the judge overseeing Ken Paxton's trial, Judge George Gallagher, ruled on March 30, 2017 that Texas AG's trial would proceed, but be moved out of Collin County as requested by prosecutors. The judge also delayed the start of the trial from scheduled May 1, 2017 pending disclosure of new venue. Special prosecutors in this case--Nicole DeBorde, Kent Schaffer and Brian Wice--alleged that there was a concerted effort to besmirch them in Collin County.
New Judge Chosen to Oversee Paxton Trial
After the March 30, 2017, ruling by Judge George Gallagher to move the trial of Texas A.G. Ken Paxton out of Collin County at the request of prosecutors, defense attorneys also requested a replacement of the presiding judge. After Paxton's new venue was decided to be in Harris County, it was open to speculation who would replace Judge Gallagher, a Republican. The news that came out on June 13, 2017 was not altogether positive for Paxton and his team as Robert Johnson, a Democrat, was randomly picked from Harris County's 22 criminal judges. Johnson was elected last year to the 177th Court in Harris County beating incumbent Ryan Patrick, his Republican challenger and son of state's Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick.
Paxton Prosecutors Denied Hourly Rates
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled on November 21, 2018 that prosecutors in the Paxton's security trial would receive a fixed rate instead of an hourly rate, likely delaying the trial further. The prosecutors had earlier threatened to step down if not granted the hourly rate. A presiding judge initially set an hourly rate of $300 per hour, in addition to the fixed rate, for three special prosecutors after Collin Country District Attorney Greg Willis had recused himself on the ground that he was a friend of Paxton. Five-member Collin County Commissioners Court balked at the payment arrangement, and although they agreed to pay the first installment of $254,000, they refused to clear the second invoice totaling $205,000. The county filed a case to halt the payment, and a lower court in Dallas agreed with the county. Then, the prosecutors appealed to TCCA, and on November 21, 2018, the appeals court in 6-3 voted sided with the Dallas court.
Court Ruling Jeopardizes Paxton Trial
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, state's second-highest court, on June 19, 2019 ruled that it would not take up the appeals of the prosecutors who had asked judges to reconsider the court's November 21, 2018, verdict that had scuttled the hourly pay plan for the prosecutors, jeopardizing the prospect that Texas A.G. Ken Paxton would ever face the justice in his securities fraud trial.
Paxton Case Returned to Collin County
In a victory of sort, Harris County Judge Robert Johnson on June 25, 2020 returned the securities fraud suit against Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton to Collin County. Paxton's case has been hanging for long time in legal pipeline and moved several times, ultimately landing at the Harris County in 2017. Unfortunately, Hurricane Harvey battered Houston, damaging the courthouse and leading another prolonged delay.
*******************************Another
Round of Allegation against Paxton*******
Paxton
Alleged by Officials of His Office of Committing Crimes
Already
under years-long investigation, seven top officials of Texas Attorney-General’s
Office wrote a letter on October 1, 2020 to Human Resources Director,
expressing their deep concern over Attorney-General Ken Paxton’s violation
of “federal and/or state law including prohibitions related to improper
influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential criminal offenses” that
required a thorough federal investigation, The Austin-American Statesman
and KVUE-TV reported on late October 3, 2020. It’s not
clear whether the new allegations are related to the existing securities laws-related
case.
Paxton
Allegation Concerns Abbott, Patrick
Responding
to a whistleblower complaint filed by seven top employees at the
Attorney-General’s Office, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on October 4,
2020 said that the allegation against Ken Paxton was “concerning” and he
would have no further comment until the results of the investigation. Lt.
Gov. Dan Patrick also expressed concern over the allegation. One of the
prosecutors in an already years-long fraud case against Ken Paxton, Brian
Wice, said on October 4, 2020 that “we are looking” into the whistleblower
complaint although it’s not sure if the new allegation was tied to the existing
securities fraud investigation. The Austin-American Statesman and
KVUE-TV reported late October 3, 2020 that seven officials at Paxton’s
office filed a whistleblower complaint on October 1, 2020, alleging that
Paxton had violated “federal and/or state law including prohibitions related to
improper influence, abuse of office, bribery and other potential criminal
offenses”. Paxton’s office issued a
statement, defending the attorney general, calling the whistleblower letter as
an effort to “impede an ongoing investigation into criminal wrongdoing by
public officials including employees of this office".
Paxton’s
Former Lieutenant Calls for Resignation
One
of Ken Paxton’s strongest political allies and a former lieutenant at
the Attorney-General’s Office, U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, on October
5, 2020 called on Texas’ attorney general to resign for the sake of Texans.
However, Ken Paxton remained resolute and reiterated that he would continue serving
as the state’s top law enforcement officer. The whistleblower complaint
centered around “abuse of office, bribery, and other potential criminal
offenses”, and called for a federal investigation into Attorney-General’s Office.
Shedding light on what kind of elements the whistleblower complaint had touched
upon, Houston Chronicle reported on late October 4, 2020 that
Paxton’s relationship with Austin developer Nate Paul had raised many
red flags.
Outside
Lawyer Hired by Paxton Still Investigating
An
outside lawyer hired by Attorney-General Ken Paxton is continuing investigation
into a complaint filed by Austin developer Nate Paul and referred to the
attorney general’s office by authorities in Travis County. The outside
lawyer, Brandon Cammack, told The Dallas Morning News on
October 6, 2020 that Paxton had asked him to continue the investigation
that had become a flashpoint of a whistleblower complaint by top employees at
the attorney general’s office. Nate Paul was reported to have given $25,000
to Paxton’s 2018 reelection campaign. The relationship between Nate Paul and
Ken Paxton had become a source of embarrassment to many Republicans, including Rep.
Chip Roy, who had worked at Attorney-General’s Office before running for
Congress and who had recently called for his former boss to step down.
Political
Crisis at AG Office Hitting Nerve in GOP
There
is more information that has emerged on October 8, 2020 as
Attorney-General Ken Paxton’s relationship with Austin realtor Nate Paul had
attracted severe eyebrows from various corners in Austin’s political circle.
Apparently, what had triggered this crisis was a sweeping raid by FBI against
Nate Paul’s commercial and residential properties in August of 2019. That had led
to a filing of a complaint by Nate Paul against federal and state authorities
in Travis county. At the urging of Ken Paxton, representatives of Travis
County District Attorney Margaret Moore met with Nate Paul, Michael
Wynn, Paul’s lawyer, and Attorney-General Paxton at the DA’s office in May
2020. However, because of complaint included FBI and Texas
Department of Public Safety as the accused parties, Travis County DA
Margaret Moore referred the case to Texas AG’s Office on June 10, 2020.
However, AG Office’s ranking officials did not proceed with the investigation
into Nate Paul’s complaint against federal and state law enforcement agencies
as they didn’t find any merit in the complaint. That’s when Attorney-General
Ken Paxton stepped in and reached out to a 34-year-old Houston defense
lawyer, Brandon Cammack, in August 2020. Cammack issued several
subpoenas and Ken Paxton had blessings on them. The Austin-American
Statesman divulged last week that seven top-ranking officials at Texas
Attorney-General’s Office had filed a whistleblower complaint against the
attorney general himself, accusing him of abuse of office and bribery, among
others.
Seven top-ranking officials are Deputy First Assistant
Attorney-General Ryan Bangert, Deputy AG [Administration] Lacey Mase, Deputy AG
[Legal Counsel] Ryan Vassar, Deputy AG [Civil Litigation] Darren McCarty, Deputy
AG [Policy and Strategic Initiatives] Blake Brickman, Deputy AG [Criminal
Justice] Mark Penley, and Jeff Mateer, Paxton’s second-in-command, who had
resigned on October 2, 2020. Deputy AG Penley has been on paid
leave as well as David Maxwell, director of law enforcement at the
attorney general’s office. On October 7, 2020, first five of the seven,
who wrote the whistleblower letter to the HR director of the agency, officials
wrote another letter to Paxton and his new second-in-command, Brent Webster,
that continuing investigation by an outside lawyer into enforcement agencies’
action was “unconscionable” and “a violation of our own public responsibilities
and ethical obligations".
Paxton
Ends Outside Inquiry
Bowing
out to increasing criticism from inside and outside of his office, Texas
Attorney-General Ken Paxton on October 9, 2020 ended the “special
prosecutor’s” investigation into the complaint filed by his donor and friend,
Austin real estate magnate Nate Paul hours after Travis County District
Attorney Margaret Moore distanced herself from the controversial
investigation and vowed not to work on this case to prosecute anyone. With DA
Margaret Moore standing aside, it has become clear that irrespective of what
comes out of Special Prosecutor Brandon Cammack’s investigation, there
will be no follow-up legal action coming from the appropriate authorities, in
this case it will be Travis County DA’s Office. However, it’s not clear whether
the investigation has been stopped only for the first referral, which has been
dated June 10, 2020, or both the first referral and a second referral, dated September
23, 2020, which has remained unknown to public until The Dallas Morning
News has revealed it on October 9, 2020. The first referral is related
to a complaint against FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety, while the
second complaint is related to financial fraud.
Paxton
Hit with Whistleblower Lawsuit
Former
and current employees of Texas Attorney-General’s Office on November 13,
2020 filed a whistleblower lawsuit, alleging abuse of office by their
former boss, A.G. Ken Paxton. The plaintiffs include three former
employees—Deputy Attorney-General James “Blake” Brickman, Deputy Attorney-General
J. Mark Penley and the agency’s director of law enforcement, David Maxwell—fired
by Paxton and one current employee, Ryan Vassar, a deputy attorney-general
for legal counsel, who has been in
investigative leave since mid-October 2020.
Another
Twist in Paxton’s Own Troubles
After
a stinging rebuke by the U.S. Supreme Court for his frivolous lawsuit to
overturn Joe Biden’s victory, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton is facing his
own legal challenges and the scale of scandal involving his office and himself is
growing. The Dallas Morning News reported on December 14, 2020
that Austin Police Department was investigating into a complaint filed by Paxton
after he had received a series of texts on the night of October 11, 2020
from a Republican donor and his friend, Bryan Hardeman, with a photo of
a dead deer and a message warning Paxton to “Stay the hell away from Nate Paul”.
Hardeman and Nate Paul, Paxton’s trusted friend and donor, had a
business fallout and began to have legal wrangling. Paxton is alleged to have leveraged his office
to try to help out Nate Paul.
Lawsuit Alleges Major Donor Doing Remodel of Paxton Home, Employing Former Mistress
The Dallas Morning News on February 12, 2021 published in its print version that the whistleblower lawsuit by four former officials at the Texas Attorney-General's Office in November 2020 had some revised and added filing lately that alleged Ken Paxton's bizarre abuse of power. The allegation continued: "The real estate donor was also a major donor to Paxton's campaign, was assisting Paxton in the remodel of his personal residence, and was the employer of Paxton's mistress".
Paxton's Own Office Clears the AG from Wrongdoing
In a bizarre outcome of a dubious investigation, Texas Attorney-General's Office on August 24, 2021 released a report absolving Ken Paxton, saying that all charges related to a scandal involving one of his top-most donors, Nate Paul, were "either factually incorrect or legally deficient". The report--59 pages plus more than 300 pages of document--is unsigned and author's name is not there.
Paxton Reaches Settlement in Whistleblower Lawsuit
In an uncharacteristic concession and political yielding, Texas
Attorney-General Ken Paxton settled the whistleblower lawsuit with three
former employees. The settlement agreement, filed on February 10, 2023,
calls for an apology from the state’s top law enforcement official for calling
the whistleblowers “rogue” employees and state to pay $3.3 million to
plaintiffs. Out of four whistleblowers, Former Deputy Attorney-General for
Criminal Justice Mark Penley, Former Deputy Attorney-General for Legal Counsel
Ryan Vassar and Former Director of Law Enforcement David Maxwell were part
of the mediation effort. Former Deputy Attorney-General for Policy and
Strategic Initiatives James “Blake” Brickman was not part of the mediation
effort and had intended to go for a trial. But, Brickman changed the course
after an agreement of the “non-monetary terms”, according to his lawyer. AG
Ken Paxton issued a statement, saying that he wanted to have a singular
focus on serving Texans and that’s the reason to settle to unencumber by a
political “sideshow".
********** KEN PAXTON IMPEACHMENT SAGA
Investigators Lay out Incriminating Report against Texas' Top Law Enforcement Officer
The Dallas Morning News reported on May 24, 2023 in a front-page coverage that Texas House ethics panel was investigating the Office of Attorney General, or OAG, related to special favors given to a donor to Texas A.G. Ken Paxton, firing of Paxton deputies who had raised alarms over abuse and misuse of powers, a $3.3 million settlement that Paxton had subsequently reached with the fired attorneys, and other misuses of the Office. Meanwhile, in an apparent effort to distract the growing focus on his misdeeds, Attorney-General Ken Paxton accused House Speaker Dade Phelan of being intoxicated while conducting official business, according to The Dallas Morning News. The ethics panel, House Committee on General Investigating, is reported to have hired prosecutors who have expertise in investigating White Collar crimes.
In a hearing held by the House ethics panel, the investigating team of the House Committee on General Investigating on May 24, 2023 outlined several instances and acts of abused perpetrated by Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton.
Texas Ethics Panel Impeaches Paxton
Texas House General Investigating Committee on May 25, 2023 filed 20 articles
of impeachment, including bribery, obstruction of justice and abuse of
public trust, against Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton. The committee
launched the probe in March 2023, around the same time when Paxton had reached
a settlement with former whistleblowers for $3.3 million. The committee hired outside
investigators to undertake the probe. This week, media reports made the existence
of the ongoing probe public. Five members of the state House General
Investigating Committee convened privately on May 25, 2023, and
decided to file the articles of impeachment. The members of the ethics panel
are Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction; Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; Rep.
David Spiller, R-Jacksboro; Ann Johnson, D-Houston; and Oscar Longoria,
D-Mission, respectively. Murr is the chairperson of the General
Investigating Committee.
The full House will now vote on the articles of impeachment. If
impeached, Ken Paxton will be barred from the office until he clears his name
from the state Senate. To remove Paxton permanently from the office, Senate
requires two-third vote for impeachment move.
In the history of Texas, only two other public officials were removed
from the office. In 1917, Governor James E. “Pa” Ferguson was impeached
and removed from office for misuse of public funds and abuse of his official
power over feud with the University of Texas. In 1975, the Senate
sustained impeachment charges against Judge O.P. Carrillo, and removed
him from office.
Texas A.G. Impeached in a Historic House Vote
Despite threatening calls by the attorney general himself and political
pressure by Former President Donald Trump and Texas State GOP Chair Matt
Rinaldi, most of the state’s Republican lawmakers on May 27, 2023 joined
House of Representative’s all Democrats to impeach A.G. Ken Paxton. The
121-23 historic vote will prohibit Paxton immediately from carrying out the
state’s top law enforcement duties.
Articles of Impeachment Delivered to Senate
A dozen House members whom Speaker Dade Phelan had named as
prosecuting team in Ken Paxton’s Senate impeachment trial walked to the Senate
chamber on May 29, 2023, and delivered 20 articles of impeachment. The
prosecuting team includes all the members of the House General Investigating Committee--Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction; Rep. Charlie Geren, R-Fort Worth; Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro; Ann Johnson, D-Houston; and Oscar Longoria, D-Mission--PLUS Reps. Jeff Leach, R-Allen; Morgan Meyer, R-Dallas; Briscoe Cain, R-Deer
Park; Terry Canales, D-Edinburg; Erin Gamez, D-Brownsville; Cody Vasut,
R-Angleton; and Joe Moody, D-El Paso, respectively. Paxton is prohibited
from carrying out the state’s legal duty, and his top lieutenant Brent
Webster is now leading the agency.
Late May 29, 2023, Senate announced that the trial would begin no
later than August 28, 2023. A panel of seven Senators that includes Sen.
Royce West, D-Dallas, will meet on June 20, 2023 to develop the
rules for the trial.
Gov. Gregg Abbott named on May 31, 2023 Former Secretary of State John B. Scott as the Interim Attorney-General.
OAG Violates Its Own Rules to Defend Paxton
The Dallas Morning News reported on June 17, 2023 in a
front-page article that the Office of Attorney General violated its own
protocols and rules to allow six of its employees to take extended leave to help
support indicted, and now suspended, Attorney-General Ken Paxton’s
defense in the upcoming state Senate trial. First Assistant Attorney-General
Brent Webster on May 31, 2023 approved the extended leave with the
assurance that those six state employees would be able to rejoin the OAG upon
completion of the Paxton trial. At that time, Webster was leading the OAG as
acting AG. Six employees are Texas Solicitor-General Judd Stone, General
Litigation Chief Chris Hilton, Assistant Solicitor-Generals Joseph Mazzara and
Kateland Jackson, Assistant Attorney-General Allison Collins, and Executive
Assistant Jordan Eskew.
State Senators Approve Paxton Trial Rules
After two days of closed-door deliberation, Texas state Senate on June
21, 2023 set September 5, 2023 for the suspended Attorney-General
Ken Paxton’s trial date and approved a pair of resolutions outlining the
trial rules. Sen. Angela Paxton, Ken Paxton’s wife, will be barred from
voting in the Senate trial although she will attend the trial and she will be
counted as part of calculating the percentage of senate votes.
Paxton not to Testify before Senators
Texas’ suspended Attorney-General Ken Paxton’s attorney Tony Buzbee on July
3, 2023 said
in a statement that his client would not testify in his upcoming Senate
impeachment trial. Attorney Tony Buzbee said that “we will not bow to
their evil, illegal, and unprecedented weaponization of state power in the
Senate chamber".
Paxton’s Lawyers Asks for Removal of Three Democratic State Senators
Impeached and suspended Attorney-General Ken Paxton’s lawyers on July
21, 2023 filed a motion with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, asking him to
remove three state Democratic Senators—Senator Nathan Johnson, Senator
Roland Gutierrez and Senator Jose Menendez—from the decision-making process
in the upcoming impeachment hearing as they had shown bias against Paxton.
Paxton Team Files Two Motions to Dismiss Most of the Articles of
Impeachment
On July 31, 2023, Paxton attorneys filed two motions with
the Texas senate to dismiss most of the articles of impeachment. The first
motion is related to “prior-term doctrine” that prohibits removal of elected
officials based on the conduct prior to the election. Paxton attorneys claimed
that voters knew all the information related to all but one of the 20 articles
of impeachment prior to 2022 election in which Paxton was reelected handsomely.
One article—related to $3.3 million settlement to be funded by taxpayers—should
be dismissed as part of a related article, Paxton team contended. The second
motion asks the Senators to exclude any evidence dating pre-2023. The Paxton
team filed other motions too with Senators earlier, including the one that
asked to disqualify three Democratic Senators from the impeachment hearing.
Paxton Asks Whistleblowers’ Statements to be Excluded from Senate
Hearings
As the deadline for the motion filings is August 5, 2023 and that
for the responses to those motion filings is August 15, 2023 in the
run-up to the September 5, 2023, Senate trial of Texas’ suspended Attorney-General
Ken Paxton, Team Paxton is filing flurries of motions. On August 2, 2023,
Paxton filed another motion, this time to exclude statements made by the whistleblowers
during the House impeachment hearings from the Senate proceeding. The Paxton team
also alleged that the whistleblowers who appeared before and gave statements to
the Texas House General Investigating Committee were not sworn under oath.
Reams of Documents tying Developer, Paxton Filed by House Investigators
On August 17, 2023, House investigators filed volumes of additional
documents, e-mails, texts, and other exhibits, showing a camaraderie between now-indicted
Austin developer Nate Paul and now-suspended Attorney-General Ken
Paxton. The Paxton-Paul connection was nurtured by the Austin developer and encouraged by Paxton to shield Nate Paul from
federal investigation, according to the Texas House impeachment prosecutors.
Paxton’s staff warned several times the now-suspended attorney general against
Nate Paul’s effort to leverage the OAG to thwart federal investigators. Nate
Paul bribed Paxton by remodeling Paxton’s Austin home and employing a woman--Laura Olson--with whom Paxton had an affair. The new trove of documents and exhibits have
been uploaded on the Senate website by late August 17, 2023.
Former State Appellate Judge Appointed Counsel in Impeachment Hearing
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick on August 18, 2023 announced that a
former judge in the 14th Court of Appeals would serve as his
counsel in the impeachment trial of now-suspended Attorney-General Ken
Paxton. Marc Brown was a judge in the appellate court from 2013-2018,
and prior to that, he was a lower court judge in Harris County.
Paxton Tops House Managers’ Witness List, Leaked Doc Reveals
The Dallas Morning News on August 24, 2023 published a story on
the fast-unraveling saga of Ken Paxton’s impeachment trial scheduled to
begin on September 5, 2023 in the Texas Senate. The Dallas Morning
News revealed some of the big names in state politics in the witness lists
furnished by both House Managers and Paxton attorneys. Dick DeGuerin,
one of the attorneys for the House Managers, said that their side didn’t leak
the witness lists. Among the witnesses called by the House Managers, some of
the big names included Ken Paxton himself, Laura Olson, the woman
with whom the attorney general allegedly had affairs, and Nate Paul who
was alleged to have bribed Ken Paxton in lieu of receiving help for his real
estate business interest. The suspended attorney general’s witness list
includes his former Primary rivals George P. Bush and Eva Guzman as well
as former presidential strategist Karl Rove.
Eight former employees of the OAG who had referred Paxton to the FBI are both
in the defendant’s and House Managers’ witness lists. Of the eight, Former
Deputy Attorneys-General James “Blake” Brickman, J. Mark Penley and Ryan
Vassar as well as Director of Law Enforcement for the OAG David Maxwell
joined the whistleblower lawsuit that had been settled by Paxton for $3.3
million in taxpayers’ money, a settlement that had subsequently snowballed
into a separate Texas House investigation culminating in impeachment of Ken
Paxton in May 2023. The four other ex-employees of the OAG who have not
joined the whistleblower lawsuit are: Jeff Mateer, Paxton’s former
second-in-command; Ryan Bangert, a former deputy first assistant attorney
general; Darren McCarty, former deputy attorney general for civil
litigation; and Lacey Mase, a former deputy attorney general for
administration.
Epic Impeachment Trial to Begin at Texas Senate
The first impeachment trial of a Texas statewide official in almost in a
century is set to begin at the Texas Senate on September 5, 2023 where
now-suspended Attorney-General Ken Paxton faces 20 articles of
impeachment. The articles are broken down as follows: (1) Articles I-V on
misuse and abuse of office to provide illicit help to a donor, Nate Paul; (2)
Articles VI-VIII on disregard of duty and hurting the whistleblowers; (3)
Articles IX and X on bribery; (4) Articles XI-XIV on securities fraud
allegation and obstruction; (5) Article XV on false statements in the
whistleblower report; and (6) Articles XVI-XX on broader dereliction and
unfitness counts.
Texas Senators Reject Motions to Dismiss Paxton Charges
The historic impeachment trial against Ken Paxton began on September
5, 2023 at the state Senate. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick is acting as a
presiding judge. At the outset, he was sworn in by the Texas Supreme Court Chief
Justice Nathan Hecht. Patrick later swore the oaths to 30 Senators, barring
Angela Paxton, wife of Ken Paxton, who had been recused, but was allowed to
attend the hearings as per the impeachment hearings rules adopted in June 2023.
In the pretrial motions, attorneys for Paxton asked the jurors—in this
case, state senators—to quash the impeachment charges against their client.
But, Senators rejected the motions to dismiss the charges, setting the stage
for potential removal of the first statewide official since 1917, when 21
articles of impeachment had been brought against James “Pa” Ferguson that
had led to his conviction on 10 counts and eventual removal from office.
Paxton Lawyer Accuses a Key Witness of Trying to Orchestrate a Coup
In a drama-filled hearing at the Texas Senate on September 6, 2023,
Tony Buzbee, one of Ken Paxton’s lawyers, accused Former First
Assistant Attorney-General Jeff Mateer of trying to orchestrate a coup to
remove his boss from the office. Mateer vehemently denied the accusation,
retorting “absolutely not".
Former Top Cop at OAG Accuses Paxton of Untethered Commitment to Paul
On the fourth day of the hearing at Ken Paxton’s historic
impeachment trial at the Texas Senate, former attorney general’s ex-top cop
said on September 8, 2023 that Paxton pressured him to launch an
investigation into Nate Paul’s complaints that FBI, state police and a judge
were jointly conspiring against Paul after the real estate businessman’s
premises were raided in 2019. David Maxwell, whom the prosecution team
addressed with profound respect as an admirable law enforcement officer, said
that he had conveyed to Paxton what he had come to conclusion about Nate Paul:
a “criminal”. However, Paxton remained unmoved. Paxton attorney Dan Cogdell
pushed back on the former Texas Ranger’s narrative, questioning whether he had
any evidence about wrongdoing of Nate Paul.
Another key witness, Ryan Vassar, continued his testimony on September
8, 2023 for the second day, with defense attorney J. Mitch Little
aggressively questioning Vassar and displaying text messages among the
whistleblowers related to how unflattering they were about Paxton and his
immediate successor Brent Webster in the aftermath of reporting Paxton
to FBI.
Paxton Impeachment Trial Enters Second Week
On September 11, 2023, the second week of the Senate impeachment
trial of Ken Paxton resumed, with four witnesses testifying at the
Senate. Paxton’s former Chief of Staff Katherine “Missy” Carey testified
that she had warned her boss on two occasions that his alleged affair was
increasingly crossing the lines of personal ingressions and impacting the work
and employees of the OAG.
Attorney Hired to Probe Raid of Paxton Donor Regrets Taking the Case
A private attorney, Brandon Cammack, hired by Attorney-General
Ken Paxton to probe the 2019 FBI raid of homes and businesses of a [Paxton]
donor testified on September 12, 2023 at Texas Senate that his life had
been impugned after he took over the job since no OAG employee would take it. Paxton
deputies reported their boss to FBI on September 30, 2020.
Woman Named in Paxton Affair Spared from Testifying
Although she was present in Senate and reported to be ready to invoke the
Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination, Laura Olson—named as the
woman with whom now-suspended Attorney-General Ken Paxton was reported
to have an alleged affair—was not eventually called to testify on the seventh
day of the hearing of the first impeachment trial in over a century involving a
Texas state official. The September 13, 2023, decision by the trial’s
presiding judge, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, helped Paxton family,
especially Senator Angela Paxton, skirt a surely embarrassing moment
that nobody would look forward to. During the day, prosecution team
accidentally rested their case, acknowledging that a “screw-up” did happen.
Defense Rested Their Case
Paxton defense team on September 14, 2023 rested their case.
Closing Arguments Made in Paxton Impeachment Trial, Senators Begin
Deliberation
On September 15, 2023, both the House managers and Paxton defense
team made closing arguments. Suspended Attorney-General Ken Paxton, who
was present on the first day of the impeachment trial and pleaded not guilty to
all 16 articles of impeachment prior to leaving before lunch, appeared
at the Senate during the day after a gap of 10 days. Although the House had
voted to impeach Paxton on 20 articles, Senators kept four charges in
abeyance while drawing up the impeachment rules in June 2023. Those four
articles of impeachment relate to securities fraud that have happened prior to
Paxton becoming the attorney general of the Lone Star State.
No sooner the closing arguments were made, had the attention shifted to
30 Senators cum jurors in this historic trial. They began deliberating and left
without decision around 8PM on September 15, 2023.
Paxton Poised to Return to His Old Job
The Texas Senate on September 16, 2023 acquitted Ken Paxton
on all 16 articles of impeachment. Separately, four additional articles
of impeachment were dismissed too. Only two Republican state senators joined 12
Democratic Senators to vote “YES” on at least one article of impeachment, falling
short of two-third needed to remove Paxton from office. Out of 31 Senators,
Angela Paxton attended the hearing, but was prohibited from participating as
per Senate-drawn impeachment rules. Paxton is now emboldened and will likely
seek political revenge against key House GOP leaders. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick
blasted the House impeachment process and Speaker Dade Phelan’s
leadership, calling the House impeachment endeavor as a “rushed” process.
Governor Gregg Abbott praised Paxton too, but more in general terms. In the
short term, there will be fissures in the state GOP, but in the longer term,
the state party may veer farther to the extreme right.
********** KEN PAXTON IMPEACHMENT SAGA
Businessman at the Center of Paxton Controversy Indicted
Federal authorities on June 9, 2023 indicted a key donor to disgraced
A.G. Ken Paxton on eight counts of felony charges, including false
statements to get loans. Nate Paul was under the FBI investigation since
2019. Nate Paul was detained on June 8, 2023 in Travis
County jail. He was brought to the court of U.S. Magistrate Judge Dustin M.
Howell on June 9, 2023. Paul was released, but he had to surrender
his passport.
Judge Orders Paxton to Testify in the Whistleblower Case
A whistleblower case filed in 2020 after Texas Attorney-General Ken
Paxton fired his top prosecutors after they reported him to the FBI for
illegally helping a donor, Nate Paul. The four whistleblowers--Former Deputy Attorney-General for Criminal Justice Mark Penley, Former Deputy Attorney-General for Legal Counsel Ryan Vassar, Former Director of Law Enforcement David Maxwell and former Deputy Attorney-General for Policy and Strategic Initiatives James “Blake” Brickman-- who had
filed the lawsuit against Paxton wanted the attorney general to testify under oath.
Paxton reached a settlement with the fired prosecutors that had a component of $3.3 million in
taxpayers money owed to them. That [$3.3 million in taxpayers money] led to the House impeachment of Paxton, and
eventual acquittal by the state Senate. The whistleblower lawsuit remained
dormant, and recently the state Supreme Court lifted a hold. Paxton filed a
lawsuit against proceeding with the case in Burnett County, which he had
lost. On December 20, 2023, a Travis County judge, Judge Jan Soifer
of the 345th District Court, ruled that Ken Paxton would have to
testify in person, handing a setback to the besieged, but a
great political survivor, Paxton.
Paxton not to Contest Whistleblower Lawsuit
As the Texas Supreme Court on January 12, 2024 ordered Texas
Attorney-General Ken Paxton to testify under oath in the whistleblower
lawsuit by February 8, 2024, it was quite evident that the state’s top
law enforcement official would try to evade being deposed at any cost. The
background of the case was that plaintiffs’ attorneys had sent notices to
Paxton, his top deputy, Brent Webster, Chief of Staff Leslie French Henneke and
Adviser Michelle Smith, calling for their testimonies under oath. After receiving
the judicial setback from the Texas Supreme Court, Paxton changed his strategy,
and in a filing on January 18, 2024 in a Travis County court, Paxton said that
he would not contest the whistleblower lawsuit.
Paxton Ordered to Testify in Whistleblower Lawsuit
State District Judge Jan Soifer of Travis County on January 24, 2024 ordered Texas
Attorney-General Ken Paxton to testify in the whistleblower lawsuit by February
1, 2024. Paxton in a filing on January 18, 2024 said that he wouldn’t
contest the case and would agree to [a reasonable] fine in addition to calling
for the whistleblower lawsuit dismissal, The January 24, 2024, decision by
Judge Soifer is a significant setback to Paxton’s effort to evade in-person
deposition.
Paxton Evades in-Person Testimony, for the Time Being, Thanks to State
Supreme Court
Texas Supreme Court ruled on January 30, 2024 that Attorney-General
Ken Paxton and three other officials didn’t need to testify in person, at
least for the time being, giving a political reprieve to the embattled
conservative. The state’s apex court asked the plaintiffs’ lawyers to file
their response by February 29, 2024. After Texas Supreme Court ruled on January
12, 2024 that Paxton had to testify under oath in a whistleblower lawsuit,
Paxton agreed to: not contest the whistleblowers’ allegation, accept any damage
fine and pay any reasonable attorney fees to plaintiff lawyers. However, four
whistleblower plaintiffs, who had accused Paxton of violating the Texas
Whistleblower Act, continued to pursue the case against Paxton. Ken Paxton
was scheduled to testify on February 1, 2024. However, Paxton’s
attorneys argued that after the attorney general had decided not to contest the
whistleblower allegations, there was nothing left to address in the case.
Whistleblower Lawsuit to Go on
A day after the Texas Supreme Court blocked Attorney-General
Ken Paxton’s in-person testimony under oath and gave plaintiffs’ attorneys
until February 29, 2024 to respond, the legal sparring on January 31,
2024 moved to the 419th State District Court in Travis County
where the lawyers for the state’s top law enforcement officer argued that it’s
time to end the whistleblower lawsuit as the defendant had already decided to refrain
from contesting the charges, accept the financial penalty and pay [if reasonable]
the attorney fees. However, four plaintiffs, who had filed the civil case,
accusing Paxton of violating the Texas Whistleblower Act, contended that
Paxton had yet to admit wrongdoing. Under the Texas Whistleblower Act,
government employees can report any suspected wrongdoing without fear of
getting fired. Paxton fired eight former employees at the OAG after they had
reported him to the FBI on suspected corruption and other activities, including
favoring a political donor. After the hearing on January 31, 2024, Texas State
District Judge Catherine Mauzy ruled that the whistleblower suit would
continue.
Paxton Doesn't Need to Testify under Oath
In reference to the January 24, 2024, ruling by Travis County State Court Judge Jan Soifer that ordered Attorney-General Ken Paxton, First Assistant Attorney-General Brent Webster, Paxton Chief of Staff Lesley French Henneke and Paxton Senior Adviser Michelle Smith to be deposed, the case eventually ended up in the state Supreme Court. On November 22, 2024, Texas Supreme Court ruled in an unsigned order that the defendants didn't need to testify under oath, giving the OAG a huge relief and political reprieve.
*******************************Another Round of Allegation against Paxton*******
Paxton to Argue Dismissal of Security Laws Violation Case
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton and his attorneys are going to ask a Houston
judge on February 16, 2024 to throw out a financial security violation
case as the delayed trial had “imposed additional and entirely foreseeable”
worry, anxiety and uncertainty upon the defendant. Prosecutors will argue that
it’s Paxton who is to blame for much of the delay. Most of the delay, though, surrounds
two areas of disagreement: lawyer fees and venue. The venue has
been switched among various places over the past several years, including
Collin County, Harris County, back to Collin County and now in Harris County
again. In 2017, prosecutors successfully argued that a fair trial was
not possible in Paxton’s home Collin County, thus transferring the case to
Harris County, a Democratic stronghold. Paxton’s lawyers appealed and succeeded
in moving the case to Collin County. Prosecutors then appealed the transfer and
a higher court in 2023 transferred the case from the hands of three judges in
Collin County to the 185th District Court Judge Andrea Beall,
a Democrat, in Harris County.
Paxton to Stand Trial on Security Fraud Case
A Houston judge on February 16, 2024 ordered Texas
Attorney-General Ken Paxton’s security fraud trial to begin on April 15,
2024. At a pre-trial hearing, Ken Paxton’s lawyers, including Dan
Cogdell, argued that the delay had violated Paxton’s constitutional right
to a speedy trial. However, District Judge Andrea Beall of the 185th
State District Court remained unconvinced. She had scheduled another
pre-trial hearing on March 20, 2024. Paxton faces two counts of security
fraud-related indictment: (1) Paxton solicited investors for a firm without
disclosing his monetary interest in the firm, and (2) Paxton solicited
investors without registering with the state regulators, for which Texas securities
regulators fined $1000 in 2014. The 2015 indictment includes a first-degree
felony count for not disclosing his financial interest in the investing
firm that carries up to 99 years of prison time if convicted and a third-degree
felony count for not registering with the state securities regulators.
In addition to the securities fraud case, Attorney-General Ken Paxton
is facing an ethics complaint by his legal fraternity for trying to overturn
the people’s mandate in 2020, a whistleblower lawsuit and a separate FBI
investigation that entangled him with his federally indicted donor and
benefactor Nate Paul.
Paxton Agrees to a Settlement in Securities Fraud Case
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton and the prosecutors led by Special
Prosecutor Brian Wice agreed to a settlement on March 26, 2024 in a
nine-year-old securities fraud case. The pre-trial intervention happened almost
three weeks prior to the April 15, 2024, trial of the case at the court
of Judge Andrea Beall. Under the settlement, Paxton doesn’t have to
acknowledge that he has committed any crime, will pay $270,000 in restitution,
perform community work at a food pantry or soup kitchen in Collin County and
take ethics training. The settlement marks an end to a tumultuous chapter of
legal wrangling that has engulfed almost all of the tenure of Paxton as the
state’s top law enforcement officer.
************************ Indictment of Texas A.G. Ken Paxton **********************
******** TEXAS TO OPPOSE SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT PROGRAM ******
Texas Governor Doesn't Want to Participate in Syrian Refugee Re-settlement Program
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on November 16, 2015 wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, expressing his strong reservations for re-settling any Syrian refugee in Texas without strengthening the vetting process. Governor Abbott joins two dozens other governors to oppose Obama administration's current policy of re-settling 10,000 Syrian refugees in the USA. Abbott's letter, coming on the heels of November 13, 2015, Paris attacks in which one of the perpetrators was a Syrian passport holder, though, may not have much executive, or legal, binding as the refugee re-settlement program falls exclusively under the federal authorities, and once resettled, refugees can move about anywhere in the country.
Texas Sues Fed, Agency to Stop Refugee Re-settlement
The state of Texas under Attorney General Ken Paxton on December 2, 2015 took a very unusual and rare, but controversial, step to go to a federal court to block any future re-settlement of Syrian refugees in Texas. The case was filed in the federal court in Dallas against the Obama administration and International Rescue Committee, a New York-based refugee re-settlement agency that worked closely with federal and state governments to help new migrants and asylum seekers to settle down.
Texas Loses its Case to Block Syrian Refugees
The U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas on February 8, 2016 rejected the Texas Health and Human Services' motion filed in December 2015 to request the federal court to issue a temporary injunction against the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state as the case went through the legal system. Judge Godby ruled that there might be some risks arising out of the refugees being settled in Texas, but the responsibility for mitigating the risks lied with federal executive authorities, not with the court or state authorities.
Texas Exits the Refugee Re-settlement Program
Pandering to the right, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott announced on September 30, 2016 that his state would immediately exit the Syrian refugee re-settlement program. Texas leads the nation in re-settling Syrian refugees, by far hosting more than 7,000 of them. On ground, Abbott's move will trigger not so significant change as the federal government has to work with non-profit relief agencies to take on the onus from the state. In Fiscal 2017, according to a September 2016 announcement by the Obama administration, USA will take in about 110,000 Syrian refugees for re-settlement. In response to Texas' move, the U.S. Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement said that it was working to name a replacement agency for the state to co-ordinate future re-settlement in Texas.
******** TEXAS TO OPPOSE SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT PROGRAM ******
Governor Abbott's History-setting Cuba Trip
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's three-day (November 30-December 2, 2015) Cuba trip set a new precedent from the perspective of setting aside ideological compulsion in favor of accelerating growth and fostering business opportunities. Abbott's Cuba trip came in the wake of a Texas A-and-M research estimating a benefit of $43 billion in state economy and 214 new jobs that Texas would have realized from normalization of trade relationship with Cuba. On the eve of his visit, Gregg Abbott issued a statement, emphasizing the benefit of the increased trade with Cuba: "With a new era of eased trade and travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba", Texas "has an opportunity to capitalize and expand its economic footprint at home and abroad".
On the second day of his trip, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott visited an industrial hub, Mariel Special Development Zone, near Havana on December 1, 2015. The SDZ has the capability of storing and shipping more than 3 million shipping containers. At present, the U.S. companies can't invest in the SDZ because of the so-called trade embargo that has become the hallmark, and lately a symbol of failure, of the U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba.
************************** DEADLY TORNADOES IN NORTH TEXAS ***************
Tornadoes Hit North Texas Hard
About a dozen tornadoes left a trail of deadly devastation, including ruined homes, mangles cars and 11 deaths, in North Texas a day after Christmas. It was a very unusual weather phenomenon for so many tornado touchdowns in December. However, the ferocity of 11 or so tornadoes on December 26, 2015 left a community battered, dreams of many shattered and the New Year plan for hundreds of North Texas families tattered. A tornado touched down in Ellis County, wreaking significant damage to at least 200 homes in Ovilla, Glenn Heights and Red Oak. However, the deadliest touchdown occurred at Garland near I-30 and George Bush Turnpike where an EF4 tornado had killed eight people by causing severe traffic accidents. Also, tornadoes touched down during the night in Copeville and Blue Ridge in Collin County. Damage of scores of homes in Rowlett was reported too. At Copeville, two people died, while a three-day-old baby was killed in tornado at Blue Ridge. December 26, 2015, tornado strikes in North Texas marked the most fatal since May 9, 1927 when 34 people were killed in an outbreak of tornadoes in Dallas and Collin counties and surpassed the death toll of 10 on April 2, 1957.
How Is the Tornado Strength Measured?
It's measured in Enhanced Fujita scale. The scale spans from a reading of 0 to a reading of 5 based on wind speed and degree of possible destruction.
* EF0: 65 to 85 mph
* EF1: 86 to 109 mph
* EF2: 110 to 137 mph
* EF3: 138 to 167 mph
* EF4: 168 to 199 mph
* EF5: 200 to 234 mph
National Weather Services Records 10 Tornado Touchdowns in North Texas
The National Weather Services on December 29, 2015 gave an updated estimate of number of tornado touchdowns in Ellis, Dallas and Collin counties on December 26, 2015. According to NWS estimate, 10 tornadoes had touched down on the fateful night a day after Christmas Day.
Damage Estimated to be $1.2 billion
The Insurance Council of Texas on December 29, 2015 gave the first insight into the damage and destruction caused in the wake of a series of tornadoes that had left 11 people dead. Based on the preliminary estimate, North Texas had sustained nearly $1.2 billion in property damage in December 26, 2015, tornadoes. However, Fort Worth's Mayfest storm in May 1995 still remained the costliest damage wreaked by the Mother Nature in recent memory.
************************** DEADLY TORNADOES IN NORTH TEXAS ***************
Texas Governor Asks States to Continue Iran Sanctions
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on May 31, 2016 wrote a letter asking all the state governors not to lift sanctions against Iran. Abbott's letter to state leaders reflected his rising profile among Conservatives and raised speculation about his future national ambition amid his statewide tour to promote his new book, Broken But Unbowed. In April 2016, President Barack Obama wrote a letter to all state governors to reconsider states-imposed economic sanctions on Iran in light of the international deal on Iran's nuclear program. Abbott wrote a letter on May 16, 2016 to President Obama rejecting his call to lift sanctions on Iran. In addition, Abbott asked the state legislature to strengthen the economic sanctions on Iran further.
**************************** DALLAS SHOOTING *****************************
Worst Attack on Law Enforcement Personnel since 9/11
A peaceful Black Lives Matter march at Dallas downtown on the summer evening of July 7, 2016 to protest against shooting deaths of two Blacks--Philando Castile in Minnesota on July 6, 2016 and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 5, 2016--earlier in the week was peaceful, spirited and raucous. Even the police personnel providing security to the crowd were seen exchanging pleasantries with the demonstrators. Everything then changed in a matter of moments when a lone gunman later identified as Army veteran Micah Xavier Johnson opened fire on police personnel. The spree of mayhem and murder unleashed by Micah Johnson on July 7, 2016 cost five precious and fine police officers, four from DPD ranks--Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael Smith and Patrick Zamarripa--and one DART officer, Brent Thompson. The gunman held himself within the El Centro College, creating a hostage like situation and resulting in hours-long negotiation with Dallas Police that went nowhere. As there was no clear path found to end the hostage situation, Dallas Police Chief David Brown decided to send a robot bomb, the Remotec Andros Mark V-A1, that the department had bought in 2008 for $151,000 to approach and kill Johnson inside the El Centro College. The incident also marked the first time in the US a robot bomb was used by any law enforcement agency to kill a gunman.
Gunman Discharged from Army
As the city of Dallas has yet to reconcile itself to the bloodiest attack on law enforcement since 9/11, a grim picture on the life of the gunman, Micah Xavier Johnson, has begun to evolve that may track his descent straight into psychological abyss in the run-up to July 7, 2016 shooting deaths of five police officers during a Black Lives Matter protest rally. He was investigated into a sexual harassment against a female soldier while deployed in Afghanistan, and he was later discharged from the military. He often expressed his hatred against Whites, and on July 7, 2016, he specifically went to Dallas Downtown with the intention of killing White police officers.
Police Chief Rues of "too much" Being Asked of Police
At an emotion-filled press conference on July 11, 2016, Dallas Police Chief David Brown poured out his frustration over how a police department like his stretched too thin was being asked to provide ever more services with so scare resources at its disposal. Chief Brown's response to the worst attack on law enforcement since 9/11 in which Micah Johnson had killed five police officers and wounded 11 more--including two civilians and 7 police officers--was widely lauded.
Message of Reconciliation and Introspection at the Funeral
A solitude and solemn air of poignancy filled the air inside Myerson Symphony Center on July 12, 2016, with speakers giving eulogy to city's five fallen law enforcement officers. With the families of victims taking the front-row seats, speakers after speakers, including the president and a former president, stressed on the unity, reconciliation, goodness of the community and healing to overcome the divisiveness and bitterness. The most compelling message was delivered by President Barack Obama, country's first black president, in which he had dared to step in each other's shoes and understand each other's perspectives and purpose. This was a message laced with emotion, candor and a touch of country's racial divide. Former President George W. Bush called for compassion, and said that there was more common virtues among communities. The dignitaries at the funeral of Dallas' five of finest officers included Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle, Second Lady Jill, former First Lady Laura Bush, DPD Chief David Brown and Dallas Mayor Michael Rawlings among others.
Nation not even Close to Where it Should be, President Says about Race Relations
A day after attending and addressing the funeral of five fallen Dallas officers, President Barack Obama on July 13, 2016 held a trust building event between community activists and law enforcement agencies at the White House, an event attended, among others, by Terry Cunningham, the head of International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Brittany Packnett of President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing beside the president himself. The atmosphere was candid and frank, and the participants talked about the challenges and opportunities faced by the law enforcement agencies and the communities they policed. President Barack Obama acknowledged that the nation was not close to where it should be in terms of race relations and related problems.
**************************** DALLAS SHOOTING *****************************
Texas' Huge New Oil Find Reported
The U.S. Geological Survey on November 16, 2016 reported that at least 20 billion barrels of oil were sitting underneath the Wolfcamp Shale formation, part of the Permian Basin in west Texas.
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks on February 21, 2017 dealt a legal blow to state of Texas' effort to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding. Judge Sparks ruled in his preliminary injunction that state's effort to terminate the abortion provider from the Medicaid fund was "unqualified".
******************* Texas' Biennial (Sep 1, 2017-August 31, 2019) Budget ****************
House-Senate Wrangling Looming over "Rainy Day Fund"
Texas' House and Senate leaders are heading for a possible showdown over whether to tap in portions of $12 billion in state's rainy day fund, formally known as Economic Stabilization Fund. The rainy day fund is projected to swell to $12 billion by September 2019. House Budget Committee Chairman John Zerwas on March 3, 2017 acknowledged that he might need to tap about $4 billion from the rainy day fund, created in 1987 based on taxes drawn from the state's oil and natural gas operations, to reach the House's estimate of $108.9 billion in spending from general-purpose revenue. The office of Comptroller Glen Hegar pegged the state's general-purpose revenue at $104.9 billion. Senate is working off a different baseline spending of $103.6 billion. However, Senate's budget writers overlooked the next cycle's additional contribution needed to balance Medicaid's unfunded mandate for the current two-year budget cycle. Using rainy day fund requires two-third majority in both houses, and both the Governor Gregg Abbott, who in the State of the State address in January 2017 asked the legislature to avoid "looting the rainy day fund", and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick are against tapping the rainy day fund.
House Passes School Funding Bill
On April 19, 2017, the Texas House of Representatives passed a school overhaul bill that would allocate about $18.4 billion, or 37.9 percent, from the state coffer to the state's school maintenance, operations and facilities. In 2008, the state's share was 48.5 percent, or $17.1 billion. In the fiscal 2019, the second year of the budget cycle, the state's share will jump to 39 percent.
Texas Legislature Wraps up only with Biennial Budget as a Major Piece of Achievement
Texas' 140-day once-in-two years session concluded on May 29, 2017, with not much to show the world. However, only thing that ought to be passed to keep the state government running was passed: Texas' $216.8 billion two-year budget. Now, that bill goes to Comptroller Glenn Hegar for his final stamp of approval. The legislature also passed a $2.6 billion--$1 billion in state funds and $1.6 billion in federal funds--supplemental bill to cover the deficit from the ongoing budget cycle.
************* Texas' Special Legislative Session
Governor Calls Special Legislative Session; Discloses a 20-Point Agenda
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott in June 2017 called a special legislative session that would begin on July 18, 2017. Abbott made public his 20-point agenda, and wanted the legislature to take it up. Among the items, included three abortion-related measures.
Special Session over with Little to Show Results
Texas' special legislative session called by Governor Gregg Abbott lasted 29 days (July 18, 2017 through August 15, 2017) and cost taxpayers $1 million, but failed to yield any significant results on issues afflicting millions of Texans. The failure of leadership to steer the legislative boat to the welfare of the state's residents lies first and foremost at the doorstep of governor himself as his 20-point agenda for the special session has included some of the controversial and polarizing items such as bathroom measure that has been opposed by IBM and other prominent companies and property tax roll-back plan, a measure vehemently opposed by the local jurisdictions. The most shameful measure that was passed and enacted into law by the special session was the further restricting the access of Texas women to abortion. Now, women need to buy a supplemental healthcare plan, if they find one, just for abortion coverage. This legislative session also saw a clear division between the pragmatic leadership of House Speaker Joe Strauss and right-wing frenzy exemplified by Senate leader and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and emboldened by Gov. Gregg Abbott.
************* Texas' Special Legislative Session
******************* Texas' Biennial (Sep 1, 2017-August 31, 2019) Budget ****************
****************************** TEXAS' ELECTORAL MAP *************************
Appeals Court Rejects New Congressional Map
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 10, 2017 ruled that some of redrawn Congressional districts in Texas violated the U.S. Constitution, or the Voting Rights Act. The verdict was split by 2 to 1, with Justices Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez criticizing the state law passed in 2013 that was the foundation for re-drawing the Congressional districts, while the dissenting opinion was provided by Judge Jerry Smith. The verdict took on the legislature's effort to orchestrate what came to have been known as "packing and cracking", implying concentrating like-minded voters into one district (packing), while spreading them across multiple districts (cracking).
Appeals Court: Redistricting Dilutes Minority Voting
A federal appeals court on April 20, 2017 doubled down on its earlier March 10, 2017, ruling and issued a stinging rebuke to Texas legislature's 2011 redistricting map, ruling that the redrawn map for the Texas state house districts had diluted the representation of minority voters significantly, thus violating the landmark Voting Rights Act. Like the March ruling, Justices Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez ruled against the Texas' 2011 redrawn map, while Judge Jerry Smith dissented.
Federal Appeals Court Orders Congressional Maps to be Re-drawn
A three-judge panel of a federal appeals court in San Antonio on August 15, 2017 issued a 107-page ruling, ordering Texas to redraw the Congressional district map as three of the districts had been redrawn deliberately to dilute and discriminate against the minority voters. The same court ruled in March 2017, invalidating the Congressional map, but did not order the map to be redrawn, waiting until to pass a judgment whether any remedial step had been taken in the 2013 redrawn Congressional map. With the August 15, 2017, ruling, the appellate panel made it clear that the issues had not been addressed, left alone accommodated satisfactorily, by the state's legislature. The court gave state three days to decide when and how the state was going to address the issue.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects State Electoral Map
For the second time, a federal appeals court in San Antonio ruled on August 24, 2017 against the redrawn electoral map for Texas legislature. The ruling said that the re-drawn map done in 2011 continued to be biased even after changes were made in 2013. The court identified four North Texas counties, including Dallas and Tarrant, where discriminatory practices were adopted to draw the local electoral maps for state legislature. The San Antonio court has given the state three days to plan for calling a special legislative session, but the state's attorney-general is most likely to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Takes State's Election Map Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court on January 12, 2018 accepted two cases related to redrawn boundaries of Congressional maps and state election maps, and consolidated them into one.
Genesis of Legal Battle over Poll Boundaries
The case began in 2011 when the civil rights and minority rights groups filed court cases alleging that the new electoral maps drawn by the Texas legislature was discriminatory against the minority. After a federal district court found the same outcome, Texas legislature re-drew the electoral maps in 2013, but a pair of August 2017 rulings found fault even with the 2013 maps, zeroing in on their discriminatory effect on two Congressional districts and nine statehouse districts.
******** TEXAS TO OPPOSE SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT PROGRAM ******
Texas Governor Doesn't Want to Participate in Syrian Refugee Re-settlement Program
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on November 16, 2015 wrote a letter to President Barack Obama, expressing his strong reservations for re-settling any Syrian refugee in Texas without strengthening the vetting process. Governor Abbott joins two dozens other governors to oppose Obama administration's current policy of re-settling 10,000 Syrian refugees in the USA. Abbott's letter, coming on the heels of November 13, 2015, Paris attacks in which one of the perpetrators was a Syrian passport holder, though, may not have much executive, or legal, binding as the refugee re-settlement program falls exclusively under the federal authorities, and once resettled, refugees can move about anywhere in the country.
Texas Sues Fed, Agency to Stop Refugee Re-settlement
The state of Texas under Attorney General Ken Paxton on December 2, 2015 took a very unusual and rare, but controversial, step to go to a federal court to block any future re-settlement of Syrian refugees in Texas. The case was filed in the federal court in Dallas against the Obama administration and International Rescue Committee, a New York-based refugee re-settlement agency that worked closely with federal and state governments to help new migrants and asylum seekers to settle down.
Texas Loses its Case to Block Syrian Refugees
The U.S. District Judge David Godbey of Dallas on February 8, 2016 rejected the Texas Health and Human Services' motion filed in December 2015 to request the federal court to issue a temporary injunction against the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the state as the case went through the legal system. Judge Godby ruled that there might be some risks arising out of the refugees being settled in Texas, but the responsibility for mitigating the risks lied with federal executive authorities, not with the court or state authorities.
Texas Exits the Refugee Re-settlement Program
Pandering to the right, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott announced on September 30, 2016 that his state would immediately exit the Syrian refugee re-settlement program. Texas leads the nation in re-settling Syrian refugees, by far hosting more than 7,000 of them. On ground, Abbott's move will trigger not so significant change as the federal government has to work with non-profit relief agencies to take on the onus from the state. In Fiscal 2017, according to a September 2016 announcement by the Obama administration, USA will take in about 110,000 Syrian refugees for re-settlement. In response to Texas' move, the U.S. Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement said that it was working to name a replacement agency for the state to co-ordinate future re-settlement in Texas.
******** TEXAS TO OPPOSE SYRIAN REFUGEE RE-SETTLEMENT PROGRAM ******
Governor Abbott's History-setting Cuba Trip
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's three-day (November 30-December 2, 2015) Cuba trip set a new precedent from the perspective of setting aside ideological compulsion in favor of accelerating growth and fostering business opportunities. Abbott's Cuba trip came in the wake of a Texas A-and-M research estimating a benefit of $43 billion in state economy and 214 new jobs that Texas would have realized from normalization of trade relationship with Cuba. On the eve of his visit, Gregg Abbott issued a statement, emphasizing the benefit of the increased trade with Cuba: "With a new era of eased trade and travel restrictions between the U.S. and Cuba", Texas "has an opportunity to capitalize and expand its economic footprint at home and abroad".
On the second day of his trip, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott visited an industrial hub, Mariel Special Development Zone, near Havana on December 1, 2015. The SDZ has the capability of storing and shipping more than 3 million shipping containers. At present, the U.S. companies can't invest in the SDZ because of the so-called trade embargo that has become the hallmark, and lately a symbol of failure, of the U.S. foreign policy toward Cuba.
************************** DEADLY TORNADOES IN NORTH TEXAS ***************
Tornadoes Hit North Texas Hard
About a dozen tornadoes left a trail of deadly devastation, including ruined homes, mangles cars and 11 deaths, in North Texas a day after Christmas. It was a very unusual weather phenomenon for so many tornado touchdowns in December. However, the ferocity of 11 or so tornadoes on December 26, 2015 left a community battered, dreams of many shattered and the New Year plan for hundreds of North Texas families tattered. A tornado touched down in Ellis County, wreaking significant damage to at least 200 homes in Ovilla, Glenn Heights and Red Oak. However, the deadliest touchdown occurred at Garland near I-30 and George Bush Turnpike where an EF4 tornado had killed eight people by causing severe traffic accidents. Also, tornadoes touched down during the night in Copeville and Blue Ridge in Collin County. Damage of scores of homes in Rowlett was reported too. At Copeville, two people died, while a three-day-old baby was killed in tornado at Blue Ridge. December 26, 2015, tornado strikes in North Texas marked the most fatal since May 9, 1927 when 34 people were killed in an outbreak of tornadoes in Dallas and Collin counties and surpassed the death toll of 10 on April 2, 1957.
How Is the Tornado Strength Measured?
It's measured in Enhanced Fujita scale. The scale spans from a reading of 0 to a reading of 5 based on wind speed and degree of possible destruction.
* EF0: 65 to 85 mph
* EF1: 86 to 109 mph
* EF2: 110 to 137 mph
* EF3: 138 to 167 mph
* EF4: 168 to 199 mph
* EF5: 200 to 234 mph
National Weather Services Records 10 Tornado Touchdowns in North Texas
The National Weather Services on December 29, 2015 gave an updated estimate of number of tornado touchdowns in Ellis, Dallas and Collin counties on December 26, 2015. According to NWS estimate, 10 tornadoes had touched down on the fateful night a day after Christmas Day.
Damage Estimated to be $1.2 billion
The Insurance Council of Texas on December 29, 2015 gave the first insight into the damage and destruction caused in the wake of a series of tornadoes that had left 11 people dead. Based on the preliminary estimate, North Texas had sustained nearly $1.2 billion in property damage in December 26, 2015, tornadoes. However, Fort Worth's Mayfest storm in May 1995 still remained the costliest damage wreaked by the Mother Nature in recent memory.
************************** DEADLY TORNADOES IN NORTH TEXAS ***************
Texas Governor Asks States to Continue Iran Sanctions
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on May 31, 2016 wrote a letter asking all the state governors not to lift sanctions against Iran. Abbott's letter to state leaders reflected his rising profile among Conservatives and raised speculation about his future national ambition amid his statewide tour to promote his new book, Broken But Unbowed. In April 2016, President Barack Obama wrote a letter to all state governors to reconsider states-imposed economic sanctions on Iran in light of the international deal on Iran's nuclear program. Abbott wrote a letter on May 16, 2016 to President Obama rejecting his call to lift sanctions on Iran. In addition, Abbott asked the state legislature to strengthen the economic sanctions on Iran further.
**************************** DALLAS SHOOTING *****************************
Worst Attack on Law Enforcement Personnel since 9/11
A peaceful Black Lives Matter march at Dallas downtown on the summer evening of July 7, 2016 to protest against shooting deaths of two Blacks--Philando Castile in Minnesota on July 6, 2016 and Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on July 5, 2016--earlier in the week was peaceful, spirited and raucous. Even the police personnel providing security to the crowd were seen exchanging pleasantries with the demonstrators. Everything then changed in a matter of moments when a lone gunman later identified as Army veteran Micah Xavier Johnson opened fire on police personnel. The spree of mayhem and murder unleashed by Micah Johnson on July 7, 2016 cost five precious and fine police officers, four from DPD ranks--Lorne Ahrens, Michael Krol, Michael Smith and Patrick Zamarripa--and one DART officer, Brent Thompson. The gunman held himself within the El Centro College, creating a hostage like situation and resulting in hours-long negotiation with Dallas Police that went nowhere. As there was no clear path found to end the hostage situation, Dallas Police Chief David Brown decided to send a robot bomb, the Remotec Andros Mark V-A1, that the department had bought in 2008 for $151,000 to approach and kill Johnson inside the El Centro College. The incident also marked the first time in the US a robot bomb was used by any law enforcement agency to kill a gunman.
Gunman Discharged from Army
As the city of Dallas has yet to reconcile itself to the bloodiest attack on law enforcement since 9/11, a grim picture on the life of the gunman, Micah Xavier Johnson, has begun to evolve that may track his descent straight into psychological abyss in the run-up to July 7, 2016 shooting deaths of five police officers during a Black Lives Matter protest rally. He was investigated into a sexual harassment against a female soldier while deployed in Afghanistan, and he was later discharged from the military. He often expressed his hatred against Whites, and on July 7, 2016, he specifically went to Dallas Downtown with the intention of killing White police officers.
Police Chief Rues of "too much" Being Asked of Police
At an emotion-filled press conference on July 11, 2016, Dallas Police Chief David Brown poured out his frustration over how a police department like his stretched too thin was being asked to provide ever more services with so scare resources at its disposal. Chief Brown's response to the worst attack on law enforcement since 9/11 in which Micah Johnson had killed five police officers and wounded 11 more--including two civilians and 7 police officers--was widely lauded.
Message of Reconciliation and Introspection at the Funeral
A solitude and solemn air of poignancy filled the air inside Myerson Symphony Center on July 12, 2016, with speakers giving eulogy to city's five fallen law enforcement officers. With the families of victims taking the front-row seats, speakers after speakers, including the president and a former president, stressed on the unity, reconciliation, goodness of the community and healing to overcome the divisiveness and bitterness. The most compelling message was delivered by President Barack Obama, country's first black president, in which he had dared to step in each other's shoes and understand each other's perspectives and purpose. This was a message laced with emotion, candor and a touch of country's racial divide. Former President George W. Bush called for compassion, and said that there was more common virtues among communities. The dignitaries at the funeral of Dallas' five of finest officers included Vice President Joe Biden, First Lady Michelle, Second Lady Jill, former First Lady Laura Bush, DPD Chief David Brown and Dallas Mayor Michael Rawlings among others.
Nation not even Close to Where it Should be, President Says about Race Relations
A day after attending and addressing the funeral of five fallen Dallas officers, President Barack Obama on July 13, 2016 held a trust building event between community activists and law enforcement agencies at the White House, an event attended, among others, by Terry Cunningham, the head of International Association of Chiefs of Police, and Brittany Packnett of President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing beside the president himself. The atmosphere was candid and frank, and the participants talked about the challenges and opportunities faced by the law enforcement agencies and the communities they policed. President Barack Obama acknowledged that the nation was not close to where it should be in terms of race relations and related problems.
**************************** DALLAS SHOOTING *****************************
Texas' Huge New Oil Find Reported
The U.S. Geological Survey on November 16, 2016 reported that at least 20 billion barrels of oil were sitting underneath the Wolfcamp Shale formation, part of the Permian Basin in west Texas.
U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks on February 21, 2017 dealt a legal blow to state of Texas' effort to exclude Planned Parenthood from Medicaid funding. Judge Sparks ruled in his preliminary injunction that state's effort to terminate the abortion provider from the Medicaid fund was "unqualified".
******************* Texas' Biennial (Sep 1, 2017-August 31, 2019) Budget ****************
House-Senate Wrangling Looming over "Rainy Day Fund"
Texas' House and Senate leaders are heading for a possible showdown over whether to tap in portions of $12 billion in state's rainy day fund, formally known as Economic Stabilization Fund. The rainy day fund is projected to swell to $12 billion by September 2019. House Budget Committee Chairman John Zerwas on March 3, 2017 acknowledged that he might need to tap about $4 billion from the rainy day fund, created in 1987 based on taxes drawn from the state's oil and natural gas operations, to reach the House's estimate of $108.9 billion in spending from general-purpose revenue. The office of Comptroller Glen Hegar pegged the state's general-purpose revenue at $104.9 billion. Senate is working off a different baseline spending of $103.6 billion. However, Senate's budget writers overlooked the next cycle's additional contribution needed to balance Medicaid's unfunded mandate for the current two-year budget cycle. Using rainy day fund requires two-third majority in both houses, and both the Governor Gregg Abbott, who in the State of the State address in January 2017 asked the legislature to avoid "looting the rainy day fund", and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick are against tapping the rainy day fund.
House Passes School Funding Bill
On April 19, 2017, the Texas House of Representatives passed a school overhaul bill that would allocate about $18.4 billion, or 37.9 percent, from the state coffer to the state's school maintenance, operations and facilities. In 2008, the state's share was 48.5 percent, or $17.1 billion. In the fiscal 2019, the second year of the budget cycle, the state's share will jump to 39 percent.
Texas Legislature Wraps up only with Biennial Budget as a Major Piece of Achievement
Texas' 140-day once-in-two years session concluded on May 29, 2017, with not much to show the world. However, only thing that ought to be passed to keep the state government running was passed: Texas' $216.8 billion two-year budget. Now, that bill goes to Comptroller Glenn Hegar for his final stamp of approval. The legislature also passed a $2.6 billion--$1 billion in state funds and $1.6 billion in federal funds--supplemental bill to cover the deficit from the ongoing budget cycle.
************* Texas' Special Legislative Session
Governor Calls Special Legislative Session; Discloses a 20-Point Agenda
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott in June 2017 called a special legislative session that would begin on July 18, 2017. Abbott made public his 20-point agenda, and wanted the legislature to take it up. Among the items, included three abortion-related measures.
Special Session over with Little to Show Results
Texas' special legislative session called by Governor Gregg Abbott lasted 29 days (July 18, 2017 through August 15, 2017) and cost taxpayers $1 million, but failed to yield any significant results on issues afflicting millions of Texans. The failure of leadership to steer the legislative boat to the welfare of the state's residents lies first and foremost at the doorstep of governor himself as his 20-point agenda for the special session has included some of the controversial and polarizing items such as bathroom measure that has been opposed by IBM and other prominent companies and property tax roll-back plan, a measure vehemently opposed by the local jurisdictions. The most shameful measure that was passed and enacted into law by the special session was the further restricting the access of Texas women to abortion. Now, women need to buy a supplemental healthcare plan, if they find one, just for abortion coverage. This legislative session also saw a clear division between the pragmatic leadership of House Speaker Joe Strauss and right-wing frenzy exemplified by Senate leader and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and emboldened by Gov. Gregg Abbott.
************* Texas' Special Legislative Session
******************* Texas' Biennial (Sep 1, 2017-August 31, 2019) Budget ****************
****************************** TEXAS' ELECTORAL MAP *************************
Appeals Court Rejects New Congressional Map
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 10, 2017 ruled that some of redrawn Congressional districts in Texas violated the U.S. Constitution, or the Voting Rights Act. The verdict was split by 2 to 1, with Justices Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez criticizing the state law passed in 2013 that was the foundation for re-drawing the Congressional districts, while the dissenting opinion was provided by Judge Jerry Smith. The verdict took on the legislature's effort to orchestrate what came to have been known as "packing and cracking", implying concentrating like-minded voters into one district (packing), while spreading them across multiple districts (cracking).
Appeals Court: Redistricting Dilutes Minority Voting
A federal appeals court on April 20, 2017 doubled down on its earlier March 10, 2017, ruling and issued a stinging rebuke to Texas legislature's 2011 redistricting map, ruling that the redrawn map for the Texas state house districts had diluted the representation of minority voters significantly, thus violating the landmark Voting Rights Act. Like the March ruling, Justices Orlando Garcia and Xavier Rodriguez ruled against the Texas' 2011 redrawn map, while Judge Jerry Smith dissented.
Federal Appeals Court Orders Congressional Maps to be Re-drawn
A three-judge panel of a federal appeals court in San Antonio on August 15, 2017 issued a 107-page ruling, ordering Texas to redraw the Congressional district map as three of the districts had been redrawn deliberately to dilute and discriminate against the minority voters. The same court ruled in March 2017, invalidating the Congressional map, but did not order the map to be redrawn, waiting until to pass a judgment whether any remedial step had been taken in the 2013 redrawn Congressional map. With the August 15, 2017, ruling, the appellate panel made it clear that the issues had not been addressed, left alone accommodated satisfactorily, by the state's legislature. The court gave state three days to decide when and how the state was going to address the issue.
Federal Appeals Court Rejects State Electoral Map
For the second time, a federal appeals court in San Antonio ruled on August 24, 2017 against the redrawn electoral map for Texas legislature. The ruling said that the re-drawn map done in 2011 continued to be biased even after changes were made in 2013. The court identified four North Texas counties, including Dallas and Tarrant, where discriminatory practices were adopted to draw the local electoral maps for state legislature. The San Antonio court has given the state three days to plan for calling a special legislative session, but the state's attorney-general is most likely to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Supreme Court Takes State's Election Map Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court on January 12, 2018 accepted two cases related to redrawn boundaries of Congressional maps and state election maps, and consolidated them into one.
Genesis of Legal Battle over Poll Boundaries
The case began in 2011 when the civil rights and minority rights groups filed court cases alleging that the new electoral maps drawn by the Texas legislature was discriminatory against the minority. After a federal district court found the same outcome, Texas legislature re-drew the electoral maps in 2013, but a pair of August 2017 rulings found fault even with the 2013 maps, zeroing in on their discriminatory effect on two Congressional districts and nine statehouse districts.
State Remap Basis not Discriminatory, Supreme Court Rules
U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 2018 in a 5-4 ruling overturned an appeals court ruling that had found a number of Texas' Congressional and State House districting maps re-drawn in 2013 discriminatory against minorities, handing a big win to GOP leaders in Texas and giving a severe jolt to voting rights, civil rights and minority rights groups.
Trump DOJ Backs State in Re-map Fight
After the June 25, 2018, U.S. Supreme Court's verdict, the state's re-map fight was back in the three-judge appeal panel, and this time muddying the water, U.S. DOJ reversed its stand on January 30, 2019 to throw support behind the state on pre-clearance provision based on the history of past discrimination.
U.S. Supreme Court Says Voting Remap Doesn't Belong to Federal Court
In an amended filing, Texas voters rights groups have thought that the U.S. Supreme Court will take their side, based on similar cases stemming from favorable rulings related to redrawn boundaries of Maryland and North Carolina, but the U.S. Supreme Court has disappointed them with its June 27, 2019, verdict along 5-4 line that the election remap doesn't belong to federal court system.
Trump DOJ Backs State in Re-map Fight
After the June 25, 2018, U.S. Supreme Court's verdict, the state's re-map fight was back in the three-judge appeal panel, and this time muddying the water, U.S. DOJ reversed its stand on January 30, 2019 to throw support behind the state on pre-clearance provision based on the history of past discrimination.
U.S. Supreme Court Says Voting Remap Doesn't Belong to Federal Court
In an amended filing, Texas voters rights groups have thought that the U.S. Supreme Court will take their side, based on similar cases stemming from favorable rulings related to redrawn boundaries of Maryland and North Carolina, but the U.S. Supreme Court has disappointed them with its June 27, 2019, verdict along 5-4 line that the election remap doesn't belong to federal court system.
****************************** TEXAS' ELECTORAL MAP *************************
************************** Texas' Sanctuary City Law ******************************
Fed Sides with Texas
As Texas' recently passed law targeting state's so-called sanctuary cities was winding though the court, there was an unexpected, but unsurprising, party of interest that had joined the lawsuit on June 23, 2017. Trump administration's Department of Justice and Attorney-General Jeff Sessions joined on behalf of the state and submitted filings in the federal district court in San Antonio.
Federal Judge Blocks Key Parts of Texas Sanctuary Law
Two days before it went into effect, a federal judge in San Antonio on August 30, 2017 blocked key parts of the state's sanctuary city law (SB 4), handing a big setback to Governor Gregg Abbott. In the 94-page ruling, Judge Orlando Garcia rejected the law's requirement of compliance by the local law enforcement agencies with the federal requests to hold immigrants in the local jails. The federal judge also blocked another requirement that local authorities could not limit the enforcement of immigration laws. However, Judge Garcia let other provisions of the law stand such as local law enforcement agencies' right to ask any detainee's legal status, but limited what they could do with that information only to inform the federal immigration authorities. Governor Gregg Abbott is positioning the law (SB 4) to hew the next move against the Travis County Sherriff Sally Hernandez for pursuing a sanctuary city law.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Two Sections of the Sanctuary City Law
A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based federal appeals court on September 25, 2017 overturned an August 30, 2017, lower court ruling that tossed out the Senate Bill 4 regarding the sanctuary city. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld two provisions while three other provisions were ordered to continue to be blocked. The provisions upheld relates to:
* Local jurisdictions can not prohibit law enforcement from co-operating to federal immigration authorities
* Local jails are required to oblige with the "detainers", the request from immigration authorities to hold the violators of immigration law in local jails.
However, the appeals court left the other three provisions blocked, including the provision that targeted the local officials with a fine of $25,000 fine per violation and threat of removal from office as well as the provision that punishes local authorities for speaking up against the law.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Parts of the Law
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 13, 2018 upheld parts of the law, partly mirroring the September 25, 2017, verdict of a separate three-judge panel of the same court. The March 13, 2018, court ruling did not see anything in the SB4 unconstitutional other than the provision that gave powers to authority to punish local officials for not endorsing federal immigration statutes. Under the SB4 provisions upheld by the court, state may now:
* Threaten local politicians, officials with removal, jail time, or $25,000 in daily fines
* Force state's towns, cities and college campuses that protect undocumented immigrants or impose hefty fines
Texas' GOP officials were happy about the ruling.
********************** Texas' Sanctuary City Law ******************************
************************** Texas' Sanctuary City Law ******************************
Fed Sides with Texas
As Texas' recently passed law targeting state's so-called sanctuary cities was winding though the court, there was an unexpected, but unsurprising, party of interest that had joined the lawsuit on June 23, 2017. Trump administration's Department of Justice and Attorney-General Jeff Sessions joined on behalf of the state and submitted filings in the federal district court in San Antonio.
Federal Judge Blocks Key Parts of Texas Sanctuary Law
Two days before it went into effect, a federal judge in San Antonio on August 30, 2017 blocked key parts of the state's sanctuary city law (SB 4), handing a big setback to Governor Gregg Abbott. In the 94-page ruling, Judge Orlando Garcia rejected the law's requirement of compliance by the local law enforcement agencies with the federal requests to hold immigrants in the local jails. The federal judge also blocked another requirement that local authorities could not limit the enforcement of immigration laws. However, Judge Garcia let other provisions of the law stand such as local law enforcement agencies' right to ask any detainee's legal status, but limited what they could do with that information only to inform the federal immigration authorities. Governor Gregg Abbott is positioning the law (SB 4) to hew the next move against the Travis County Sherriff Sally Hernandez for pursuing a sanctuary city law.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Two Sections of the Sanctuary City Law
A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based federal appeals court on September 25, 2017 overturned an August 30, 2017, lower court ruling that tossed out the Senate Bill 4 regarding the sanctuary city. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld two provisions while three other provisions were ordered to continue to be blocked. The provisions upheld relates to:
* Local jurisdictions can not prohibit law enforcement from co-operating to federal immigration authorities
* Local jails are required to oblige with the "detainers", the request from immigration authorities to hold the violators of immigration law in local jails.
However, the appeals court left the other three provisions blocked, including the provision that targeted the local officials with a fine of $25,000 fine per violation and threat of removal from office as well as the provision that punishes local authorities for speaking up against the law.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Parts of the Law
A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on March 13, 2018 upheld parts of the law, partly mirroring the September 25, 2017, verdict of a separate three-judge panel of the same court. The March 13, 2018, court ruling did not see anything in the SB4 unconstitutional other than the provision that gave powers to authority to punish local officials for not endorsing federal immigration statutes. Under the SB4 provisions upheld by the court, state may now:
* Threaten local politicians, officials with removal, jail time, or $25,000 in daily fines
* Force state's towns, cities and college campuses that protect undocumented immigrants or impose hefty fines
Texas' GOP officials were happy about the ruling.
********************** Texas' Sanctuary City Law ******************************
***************************** HURRICANE HARVEY *****************************
Hurricane Harvey all set to Splash Texas Coast
Hurricane Harvey was reported to have been moving over the Atlantic with a menacing speed, according to the National Hurricane Center on August 24, 2017, and was set to make a landfall in the late hours of August 25, 2017 near Corpus Christie.
Hurricane Harvey Makes Landfall; Begin Pummeling Coastal Areas
As the outer band of Hurricane Harvey was incessantly pelting the coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana in the afternoon of August 25, 2017, Trump administration's Homeland Security Adviser Thomas Bossert said that the president was in constant touch with the governors of Louisiana and Texas. President Trump late on August 25, 2017 approved Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's request for a disaster declaration. In the late hours of August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 storm with 130 mph winds, made landfall near Corpus Christie. The storm surges were predicted to reach as high as 12 feet. Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall 30 miles north of Corpus Christie, came ashore as the strongest storm in the U.S. in the past 13 years and strongest in Texas since 1961 when Hurricane Carla pummeled Texas.
Hurricane Harvey Batters Houston Area
Hurricane Harvey battered Houston and its suburbia during the weekend (August 26-27, 2017), with floods submerging homes, vehicles and signposts. Cars had been washed off the roads, and tens of thousands had to flee homes and take shelters in schools, gyms and community centers. FEMA Administrator Brock Long, underscoring the difficult task of relief, recovery and restitution ahead, told The Washington Post on August 27, 2017 that the recovery efforts would take many more months.
Houstonians Hit Hard by Hurricane Harvey
After making a landfall as Category 4 storm on late August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey drenched Houston and surrounding areas with pelting rains that had caused flashfloods and numerous deaths. On August 28, 2017, most parts of Greater Houston area was submerged with water, and almost 9,000 people were made refugees. They sought shelter at George R. Brown Convention Center. The 5,000-people capacity was made the rehabilitation center for evacuated and rescued people. Underscoring the need of additional space, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said on August 28, 2017 that the city was planning to open an additional shelter to support the overflowing capacity of George R. Brown Convention Center. Meanwhile, civilian volunteers in hundreds--if not thousands--had lent their helping hand to the relief and evacuation effort. Many people pressed their own boats, submersibles, vehicles, truck to work to help evacuate strangers and neighbors alike from marooned buildings. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit flood-ravaged areas in Texas on August 29, 2017.
Trump Visits Corpus Christie, Austin as Houstonians Suffer
President Donald Trump on August 29, 2017 visited Corpus Christie, and gave a pep-talk to a crowd, far away from the where the epic storm was causing much of its devastation: Houston. Trump called the storm "epic" and "historic", but relied on the "Texas can handle anything" spirit to get people on their feet. Meanwhile, 9,000 refugees were housed in George R. Brown Convention Center. Police and fire officials had rescued more than 13,000 people so far. Meanwhile, a pair of 70-year old dams were on the verge of overflowing, with Army Corps of Engineers issuing emergency alert for residents in the downstream of the dams to "GET OUT NOW". As Galveston and many of the Houston roads had turned into rivers, American Red Cross said on August 29, 2017 that as of the day, at least 17,000 Texans had sought refuge. President Trump, in addition to visiting Corpus Christie, also visited DPS Command Center at Austin, where he was greeted with protesters outside and Gov. Gregg Abbott inside.
Death Toll Rises; Hurricane Harvey Makes Second Landfall
As of August 30, 2017, death toll stemming from Hurricane Harvey rose to at least 31 as the Hurricane Harvey that veered off into ocean made another landfall during the day near Louisiana-Texas borders, causing inundation, storm surge and flash floods in and around the Texas-Louisiana borders. Thousands of residents of Port Arthur, Beaumont and other areas sought refuge in newly opened evacuation shelters. During the day, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez updated the death toll as a missing SUV had been found and six members of a family were found dead in the vehicle. Houston City Police Chief Art Acevado said that 47 missing-person reports were filed with the department. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said during the day that more than 32,000 people were staying at various shelters opened in the state. An additional 5,000 people were staying in state parks and hotels. Beside, thousands of displaced people took shelter in houses of friends and families across the state. Meanwhile, at least 14,000 Texas National Guardsmen were deployed in the Harvey-affected areas in addition to 10,000 National Guards troops.
Door-to-door Searches Begin
Firefighters and rescuers on August 31, 2017 launched one of the largest door-to-door searches in Texas history to account for anyone missing or assess the situation in the neighborhoods in Houston area that had been affected the worst. As water crisis in Beaumont and Port Arthur area became acute a day after Hurricane Harvey made a second landfall near Texas-Louisiana borders, the Houston area began limping toward normalcy during the day. The death toll as of August 31, 2017 rose to at least 39.
Trump Visits Texas for Second Time
Mindful of lapses during his first visit when President Trump did not meet any Hurricane Harvey victims, his second visit to state on September 2, 2017 was full of symbolism and photo-ops as the president served the hot meals and hot dogs to the evacuees at the Reliance Convention Center in Houston. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to at least 44. Also, during the time of crisis, a noble example of neighborly relations was displayed as Mexico offered to help Texas in relief effort and Governor Gregg Abbott readily accepted it.
Abbott, Lawmakers Blast White House Request for Hurricane Aid
As the White House's Office of Management and Budget sent Congress on November 17, 2017 a $44 billion aid request for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott and lawmakers from the both parties from the affected regions blasted the aid request wholly inadequate.
Harvey's First Anniversary Puts a Spotlight on Senate Candidates' Actions
As August 25, 2018 marks the first anniversary of the Hurricane Harvey's landfall in Texas coast, spotlight has been turned on how Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Beto O'Rourke, have handled legislative moves to help out people in the affected region. The hurricane cost Texas $125 billion in damages and killed 68 people with its direct impact and about 35 more in indirect effect afterwards.
Hurricane Harvey Makes Landfall; Begin Pummeling Coastal Areas
As the outer band of Hurricane Harvey was incessantly pelting the coastal areas of Texas and Louisiana in the afternoon of August 25, 2017, Trump administration's Homeland Security Adviser Thomas Bossert said that the president was in constant touch with the governors of Louisiana and Texas. President Trump late on August 25, 2017 approved Texas Governor Gregg Abbott's request for a disaster declaration. In the late hours of August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey, a category 4 storm with 130 mph winds, made landfall near Corpus Christie. The storm surges were predicted to reach as high as 12 feet. Hurricane Harvey, which made landfall 30 miles north of Corpus Christie, came ashore as the strongest storm in the U.S. in the past 13 years and strongest in Texas since 1961 when Hurricane Carla pummeled Texas.
Hurricane Harvey Batters Houston Area
Hurricane Harvey battered Houston and its suburbia during the weekend (August 26-27, 2017), with floods submerging homes, vehicles and signposts. Cars had been washed off the roads, and tens of thousands had to flee homes and take shelters in schools, gyms and community centers. FEMA Administrator Brock Long, underscoring the difficult task of relief, recovery and restitution ahead, told The Washington Post on August 27, 2017 that the recovery efforts would take many more months.
Houstonians Hit Hard by Hurricane Harvey
After making a landfall as Category 4 storm on late August 25, 2017, Hurricane Harvey drenched Houston and surrounding areas with pelting rains that had caused flashfloods and numerous deaths. On August 28, 2017, most parts of Greater Houston area was submerged with water, and almost 9,000 people were made refugees. They sought shelter at George R. Brown Convention Center. The 5,000-people capacity was made the rehabilitation center for evacuated and rescued people. Underscoring the need of additional space, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said on August 28, 2017 that the city was planning to open an additional shelter to support the overflowing capacity of George R. Brown Convention Center. Meanwhile, civilian volunteers in hundreds--if not thousands--had lent their helping hand to the relief and evacuation effort. Many people pressed their own boats, submersibles, vehicles, truck to work to help evacuate strangers and neighbors alike from marooned buildings. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit flood-ravaged areas in Texas on August 29, 2017.
Trump Visits Corpus Christie, Austin as Houstonians Suffer
President Donald Trump on August 29, 2017 visited Corpus Christie, and gave a pep-talk to a crowd, far away from the where the epic storm was causing much of its devastation: Houston. Trump called the storm "epic" and "historic", but relied on the "Texas can handle anything" spirit to get people on their feet. Meanwhile, 9,000 refugees were housed in George R. Brown Convention Center. Police and fire officials had rescued more than 13,000 people so far. Meanwhile, a pair of 70-year old dams were on the verge of overflowing, with Army Corps of Engineers issuing emergency alert for residents in the downstream of the dams to "GET OUT NOW". As Galveston and many of the Houston roads had turned into rivers, American Red Cross said on August 29, 2017 that as of the day, at least 17,000 Texans had sought refuge. President Trump, in addition to visiting Corpus Christie, also visited DPS Command Center at Austin, where he was greeted with protesters outside and Gov. Gregg Abbott inside.
Death Toll Rises; Hurricane Harvey Makes Second Landfall
As of August 30, 2017, death toll stemming from Hurricane Harvey rose to at least 31 as the Hurricane Harvey that veered off into ocean made another landfall during the day near Louisiana-Texas borders, causing inundation, storm surge and flash floods in and around the Texas-Louisiana borders. Thousands of residents of Port Arthur, Beaumont and other areas sought refuge in newly opened evacuation shelters. During the day, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez updated the death toll as a missing SUV had been found and six members of a family were found dead in the vehicle. Houston City Police Chief Art Acevado said that 47 missing-person reports were filed with the department. Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said during the day that more than 32,000 people were staying at various shelters opened in the state. An additional 5,000 people were staying in state parks and hotels. Beside, thousands of displaced people took shelter in houses of friends and families across the state. Meanwhile, at least 14,000 Texas National Guardsmen were deployed in the Harvey-affected areas in addition to 10,000 National Guards troops.
Door-to-door Searches Begin
Firefighters and rescuers on August 31, 2017 launched one of the largest door-to-door searches in Texas history to account for anyone missing or assess the situation in the neighborhoods in Houston area that had been affected the worst. As water crisis in Beaumont and Port Arthur area became acute a day after Hurricane Harvey made a second landfall near Texas-Louisiana borders, the Houston area began limping toward normalcy during the day. The death toll as of August 31, 2017 rose to at least 39.
Trump Visits Texas for Second Time
Mindful of lapses during his first visit when President Trump did not meet any Hurricane Harvey victims, his second visit to state on September 2, 2017 was full of symbolism and photo-ops as the president served the hot meals and hot dogs to the evacuees at the Reliance Convention Center in Houston. Meanwhile, the death toll rose to at least 44. Also, during the time of crisis, a noble example of neighborly relations was displayed as Mexico offered to help Texas in relief effort and Governor Gregg Abbott readily accepted it.
Abbott, Lawmakers Blast White House Request for Hurricane Aid
As the White House's Office of Management and Budget sent Congress on November 17, 2017 a $44 billion aid request for the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott and lawmakers from the both parties from the affected regions blasted the aid request wholly inadequate.
Harvey's First Anniversary Puts a Spotlight on Senate Candidates' Actions
As August 25, 2018 marks the first anniversary of the Hurricane Harvey's landfall in Texas coast, spotlight has been turned on how Sen. Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, Beto O'Rourke, have handled legislative moves to help out people in the affected region. The hurricane cost Texas $125 billion in damages and killed 68 people with its direct impact and about 35 more in indirect effect afterwards.
***************************** HURRICANE HARVEY *****************************
Texas Speaker to Call It Quits
After a bitter legislative battle with his fellow conservative party members, including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Governor Gregg Abbott, Texas House Speaker Joe Strauss on October 25, 2017 announced that he would leave by the end of current legislative session, leaving a hole in the state politics with one significant voice of political moderation and bipartisanship.
Property Tax Reform: A Two-Edge Sword
Property tax reform has been hamstrung in Texas legislature in the last few sessions over growing conflict between political interest of state on one hand and local municipalities on the other. Local entities can reduce the property tax rates, but homeowners can still feel the sting because of rising property values. Texas requires cities to post the so called "effective tax rate", the rate that locks down the same amount of property revenue. Given the rising values of properties across North Texas, the effective tax rate would be always less than the current rate.
* For example, current (2017-2018) tax rate in Frisco is 44.7 cents per $100. The effective tax rate for 2018-1019 will be 41.8 cents per $100 if the city has to collect same amount of tax revenue. Percentage of current tax rate over effective tax rate is (44.7-41.8)/41.8 = 6.9%.
* For example, current (2017-2018) tax rate in Plano is 46.9 cents per $100. The effective tax rate for 2018-1019 will be 44.1 cents per $100 if the city has to collect same amount of tax revenue. The proposed tax rate for 2018-2019 is 46 cents per $100. Percentage of proposed tax rate over the effective tax rate is (46-44.1)/44.1=4.3%.
At present, if the percentage of tax rate over the effective tax rate goes over 8 percent, property owners can petition for a rollback election. The threshold of 8 percent is called as rollback rate. In 2017, Texas House proposed a legislation to lower the rollback rate to 6 percent. Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, proposed the rollback rate to 4 percent. Neither plan was approved in regular 2017 session as well as special session. Now, Gov. Gregg Abbott is calling for lowering the rollback rate to 2.5 percent in 2019.
******************************** TEXAS FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ******************
Texas Foster Care Reforms Ordered by a Federal Judge Partly Upheld by Appeals Court
The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals on October 18, 2018 upheld parts of the ruling ordered by the U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack to ensure a safe environment to more than 10,000 Texas kids who, by misfortune, were ensnared by the state's foster care system. The case began as a class-action lawsuit in 2011, but the state instead of complying the order issued by U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, chose to fought against her ruling. The three-judge panel--consisting of Judges Jerry E. Smith, Edith Brown Clement and Patrick Higginbotham--upheld the lower court ruling by ordering the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to hire more conservatorship caseworkers to visit foster children to ensure their safety. The appeals court also ordered the state to hire more investigators to quickly investigate abuses. However, appeals court rejected Judge Jack's order to create a hotline for foster children to report abuse and cap caseloads, instead ordering the state government to come up with a framework of how to manage caseloads. Three years ago U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack ruled state's foster care system "unconstitutional" and "broken". The genesis of the case dated back to 2011 when New York-based Children's Rights sued against the state of Texas, raising hope that the state's broken foster care system would be fixed. Meanwhile, Texas foster care advocates are growing leery over a federal law--Family First Prevention Services Act--pushed by Rep. Kevin Brady, a Republican from Texas, and signed by President Donald Trump in February 2018 that would eliminate most, if not all, of federal reimbursement of group foster care.
Justice Graham Jack to Oversee Massive Overhaul to Texas Foster Care System
Barring any intervention from the appeals court, U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack of Corpus Christie, according to a November 25, 2018, scholarly article published by The Dallas Morning News, is to oversee a historic overhaul to Texas foster care system. Judge Graham Jack will ensure appropriate staffing level in three categories that touch the foster care ecosystem: caseworkers, abuse investigators and licensing inspectors. Last week, Judge Janice Graham Jack finetuned her January 2018 order to align with an October 18, 2018, appeals court order that upheld parts of Judge Graham Jack's order. In 2015, Jack issued an order to do immediate remedy to the state's "broken" long-term foster care system as it subjected state's already vulnerable kids to mayhem and harm. In addition to manageable caseloads, Justice Jack wants:
* CPS' new sister agency, Investigations Division, to quickly look into allegation of abuses
* Lines of communications to be streamlined to appropriately report and follow through abuses
* CPS to submit a remediation plan related to physical and emotional health to a child's personnel electronic file within 30 days of a final judgment
* Health and Human Services Commission to have enough licensing inspectors to ensure compliance for the state's foster care homes
However, in October 18, 2018, ruling, the appeals court rejected some of the other sweeping verdicts issued in January 2018 by Justice Jack. They include:
* Capping caseloads
* Better array of state-offered placement across various geographic regions
* Installation of landlines for abused children
* Preparation of foster teens for adult living
* Improvement in group homes
Texas Needs to Caseload Burden, Appeals Court Orders
Seems the state of Texas is on a recalcitrant path to contest any order to reform its broken foster children mess after Judge Janice Graham Jack continued to oversee Texas' effort to reform the foster care. Attorney-General Ken Paxton in February 2019 filed a brief to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, objecting Judge Janice Graham Jack's workload studies guidelines that would give the state only 60 days and other orders of Judge Graham. The appeals court on July 8, 2019 issued a ruling to this effect, ordering the state to reduce the caseload burdens for all three categories of employees:
* 14 to 17 children per caseworker for CPS conservatorship workers
* At most 14 actives cases for abuse investigators
* At most 14 actives cases for licensing inspectors
However, the three-judge appeals panel set the reform effort by Judge Graham Jack back by tossing out her order related to overhaul the state's foster care computer system.
Judge Imposes Fines for Oversight Failure in Group Setting
Fuming at the state's recalcitrance, U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack on November 5, 2019 slapped a $50,000 a day fine for not ensuring a guard present 24-by-7 to oversee foster kids in group setting. There are about 11,000 kids in the state's long-term foster care. Judge Graham Jack also warned the state that the fine would double on November 15, 2019 until the state could report back to two court-appointed monitors--Kevin Ryan of New Jersey-based Public Catalyst and Deborah Fowler of Austin-based Texas Appleseed--that such an arrangement had been made.
However, Judge Janice Graham Jack rejected the plaintiffs' request to hold the state in contempt of court for not conducting caseload studies for three categories of employees: (1) CPS conservatorship workers, or caseworkers; (2) Residential Child Care abuse investigators; (3) licensing inspectors. Judge Jack, though, chided the state for trying to recruit a consultant, University of Colorado Professor John Fluke, to conduct such a caseload study. Fluke testified in a related Rhode Island case that there was no correlation between the caseloads and outcome.
State Agrees to Settlement on Caseload Cap
The Dallas Morning News reported on December 23, 2019 that Texas had agreed to the basic framework of caseload cap for three types of foster care workers to yield better outcomes after U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack imposed heavy daily fines on the state. State of Texas has always refused to oblige the judge's order on caseload cap despite strong evidence that less volume of caseload often yields positive outcome. Under the agreement,
* CPS "conservatorship caseworker" will handle in between 14 and 17 children
* Child-abuse investigators will investigate between 14 and 17 cases
* Residential child care licensing inspectors, who oversee foster homes' and congregate-care facilities' compliance with minimum standards, will police between 14 and 17 "total asks"
Judge in Foster Care Case Scolds State over Child's Death and Other Abuses
U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack took the state of Texas to the task during a conference call on February 21, 2020 over the recent death of a child at a treatment center in Fort Bend county and widespread abuses such as restraints used at a different Houston-area facility. The judge ordered the state to hand over all the relevant documents to the court-appointed special masters. That the state agencies didn't come out with the death and one of the special masters, during routine investigations, found that out angered the judge most.
Court-appointed Monitors Assail State Foster Care in a New Report
In a June 16, 2020, 363-page report submitted to the U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack, two special monitors, Kevin Ryan and Deborah Fowler, called the state foster care as "disjointed and dangerous".
Property tax reform has been hamstrung in Texas legislature in the last few sessions over growing conflict between political interest of state on one hand and local municipalities on the other. Local entities can reduce the property tax rates, but homeowners can still feel the sting because of rising property values. Texas requires cities to post the so called "effective tax rate", the rate that locks down the same amount of property revenue. Given the rising values of properties across North Texas, the effective tax rate would be always less than the current rate.
* For example, current (2017-2018) tax rate in Frisco is 44.7 cents per $100. The effective tax rate for 2018-1019 will be 41.8 cents per $100 if the city has to collect same amount of tax revenue. Percentage of current tax rate over effective tax rate is (44.7-41.8)/41.8 = 6.9%.
* For example, current (2017-2018) tax rate in Plano is 46.9 cents per $100. The effective tax rate for 2018-1019 will be 44.1 cents per $100 if the city has to collect same amount of tax revenue. The proposed tax rate for 2018-2019 is 46 cents per $100. Percentage of proposed tax rate over the effective tax rate is (46-44.1)/44.1=4.3%.
At present, if the percentage of tax rate over the effective tax rate goes over 8 percent, property owners can petition for a rollback election. The threshold of 8 percent is called as rollback rate. In 2017, Texas House proposed a legislation to lower the rollback rate to 6 percent. Senate Bill 2, authored by Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, proposed the rollback rate to 4 percent. Neither plan was approved in regular 2017 session as well as special session. Now, Gov. Gregg Abbott is calling for lowering the rollback rate to 2.5 percent in 2019.
******************************** TEXAS FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ******************
Texas Foster Care Reforms Ordered by a Federal Judge Partly Upheld by Appeals Court
The three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Court of Appeals on October 18, 2018 upheld parts of the ruling ordered by the U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack to ensure a safe environment to more than 10,000 Texas kids who, by misfortune, were ensnared by the state's foster care system. The case began as a class-action lawsuit in 2011, but the state instead of complying the order issued by U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack, chose to fought against her ruling. The three-judge panel--consisting of Judges Jerry E. Smith, Edith Brown Clement and Patrick Higginbotham--upheld the lower court ruling by ordering the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to hire more conservatorship caseworkers to visit foster children to ensure their safety. The appeals court also ordered the state to hire more investigators to quickly investigate abuses. However, appeals court rejected Judge Jack's order to create a hotline for foster children to report abuse and cap caseloads, instead ordering the state government to come up with a framework of how to manage caseloads. Three years ago U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack ruled state's foster care system "unconstitutional" and "broken". The genesis of the case dated back to 2011 when New York-based Children's Rights sued against the state of Texas, raising hope that the state's broken foster care system would be fixed. Meanwhile, Texas foster care advocates are growing leery over a federal law--Family First Prevention Services Act--pushed by Rep. Kevin Brady, a Republican from Texas, and signed by President Donald Trump in February 2018 that would eliminate most, if not all, of federal reimbursement of group foster care.
Justice Graham Jack to Oversee Massive Overhaul to Texas Foster Care System
Barring any intervention from the appeals court, U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack of Corpus Christie, according to a November 25, 2018, scholarly article published by The Dallas Morning News, is to oversee a historic overhaul to Texas foster care system. Judge Graham Jack will ensure appropriate staffing level in three categories that touch the foster care ecosystem: caseworkers, abuse investigators and licensing inspectors. Last week, Judge Janice Graham Jack finetuned her January 2018 order to align with an October 18, 2018, appeals court order that upheld parts of Judge Graham Jack's order. In 2015, Jack issued an order to do immediate remedy to the state's "broken" long-term foster care system as it subjected state's already vulnerable kids to mayhem and harm. In addition to manageable caseloads, Justice Jack wants:
* CPS' new sister agency, Investigations Division, to quickly look into allegation of abuses
* Lines of communications to be streamlined to appropriately report and follow through abuses
* CPS to submit a remediation plan related to physical and emotional health to a child's personnel electronic file within 30 days of a final judgment
* Health and Human Services Commission to have enough licensing inspectors to ensure compliance for the state's foster care homes
However, in October 18, 2018, ruling, the appeals court rejected some of the other sweeping verdicts issued in January 2018 by Justice Jack. They include:
* Capping caseloads
* Better array of state-offered placement across various geographic regions
* Installation of landlines for abused children
* Preparation of foster teens for adult living
* Improvement in group homes
Texas Needs to Caseload Burden, Appeals Court Orders
Seems the state of Texas is on a recalcitrant path to contest any order to reform its broken foster children mess after Judge Janice Graham Jack continued to oversee Texas' effort to reform the foster care. Attorney-General Ken Paxton in February 2019 filed a brief to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, objecting Judge Janice Graham Jack's workload studies guidelines that would give the state only 60 days and other orders of Judge Graham. The appeals court on July 8, 2019 issued a ruling to this effect, ordering the state to reduce the caseload burdens for all three categories of employees:
* 14 to 17 children per caseworker for CPS conservatorship workers
* At most 14 actives cases for abuse investigators
* At most 14 actives cases for licensing inspectors
However, the three-judge appeals panel set the reform effort by Judge Graham Jack back by tossing out her order related to overhaul the state's foster care computer system.
Judge Imposes Fines for Oversight Failure in Group Setting
Fuming at the state's recalcitrance, U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack on November 5, 2019 slapped a $50,000 a day fine for not ensuring a guard present 24-by-7 to oversee foster kids in group setting. There are about 11,000 kids in the state's long-term foster care. Judge Graham Jack also warned the state that the fine would double on November 15, 2019 until the state could report back to two court-appointed monitors--Kevin Ryan of New Jersey-based Public Catalyst and Deborah Fowler of Austin-based Texas Appleseed--that such an arrangement had been made.
However, Judge Janice Graham Jack rejected the plaintiffs' request to hold the state in contempt of court for not conducting caseload studies for three categories of employees: (1) CPS conservatorship workers, or caseworkers; (2) Residential Child Care abuse investigators; (3) licensing inspectors. Judge Jack, though, chided the state for trying to recruit a consultant, University of Colorado Professor John Fluke, to conduct such a caseload study. Fluke testified in a related Rhode Island case that there was no correlation between the caseloads and outcome.
State Agrees to Settlement on Caseload Cap
The Dallas Morning News reported on December 23, 2019 that Texas had agreed to the basic framework of caseload cap for three types of foster care workers to yield better outcomes after U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack imposed heavy daily fines on the state. State of Texas has always refused to oblige the judge's order on caseload cap despite strong evidence that less volume of caseload often yields positive outcome. Under the agreement,
* CPS "conservatorship caseworker" will handle in between 14 and 17 children
* Child-abuse investigators will investigate between 14 and 17 cases
* Residential child care licensing inspectors, who oversee foster homes' and congregate-care facilities' compliance with minimum standards, will police between 14 and 17 "total asks"
Judge in Foster Care Case Scolds State over Child's Death and Other Abuses
U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack took the state of Texas to the task during a conference call on February 21, 2020 over the recent death of a child at a treatment center in Fort Bend county and widespread abuses such as restraints used at a different Houston-area facility. The judge ordered the state to hand over all the relevant documents to the court-appointed special masters. That the state agencies didn't come out with the death and one of the special masters, during routine investigations, found that out angered the judge most.
Court-appointed Monitors Assail State Foster Care in a New Report
In a June 16, 2020, 363-page report submitted to the U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack, two special monitors, Kevin Ryan and Deborah Fowler, called the state foster care as "disjointed and dangerous".
Federal
Judge Threatens Fine over Texas Foster Care
U.S.
District Judge Janis Graham Jack on December 18, 2020 threatened Texas
Health and Human Services Commission $75,000 daily fine beginning January 3,
2021 unless the state would have, by then, an electronic readout of a
five-year history of abuse or corporal punishment at each home or facility. The
case is being drawn out almost for a decade since it has been filed in March
2011 by New York-based Children’s Rights. The children’s rights group sued
several states and counties over neglect in foster setting, but most of the
jurisdictions settled. Texas, under the then-A.G. Gregg Abbott and now under
A.G. Ken Paxton, continued to fight in court, citing the case an example of
intervening in the state’s rights. Judge Graham Jack, a Clinton appointee,
blasted against both defendant agencies—Health and Human Services Commission
and Department of Family Protective Services—in several rulings for a
system that had failed Texas’ foster kids with impunity. State HHSC’s
Residential Child Care Licensing arm is responsible to provide appropriate “screen
outs” of allegations of maltreatment of foster kids. Late last year, Judge
Graham Jack slapped $150,000 daily fines on the state for not having enough
overnight guarding arrangement at foster care facilities under all group settings.
Under the last year’s (November 5, 2019) order, fines started to pile up
beginning on November 8, 2019 with $50,000 per day, increasing on
November 19, 2019 to $100,000 per day, and eventually jumping to $150,000
per day.
Foster Care Abuse, Scandal Reported
Days after Governor Gregg Abbott had a change of heart and gave his nod to carry out the implementation of reforms ordered by U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack of Corpus Christie, state's foster care system was once again back to limelight as two court-appointed masters--Kevin Ryan and Deborah Fowler--submitted a searing report on February 8, 2021, chronicling rampant abuse and child-on-child attack at a residential treatment center, operated by Villanova, PA-based Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Care in the League City, Galveston County, for the foster kids. According to the report, submitted to the judge and heads of State Health Human Services Commission and Department of Family and Protective Services, the riot and attack took place on October 2, 2020. Judge Janice Graham Jack met with the state HHS chief Cecile Young and DFPS chief Jaime Masters on February 9, 2021 via a ZOOM call to discuss on the report. HHS contains Residential Child Care Regulation, a department that oversees Texas' foster care providers. Devereux rebutted the special masters' report as filled with inconsistencies and inaccuracies.
GOP Lawmakers Push for Scaling up the Community-based Care, or CBC, Model
The Dallas Morning News in its May 2, 2021, edition has described the composition, vision and functions of the CBC contractors and how GOP lawmakers are pushing to cover more regions in the upcoming years. The CBC model delegates all the responsibilities to a single private contractor in a region and takes all the responsibilities from the oversight of CPS. As of January 7, 2021, about 6,480 kids, or 21% of the total foster kids, were under the purview of the CBC model. In a Community-based Care, or CBC, model, the Department of Family and Protective Services selects a single contractor for a prescribed region. That CBC contractor is responsible for (1) finding foster homes or other living shelters for kids under the state care and (2) providing full range of therapies and supports to the foster kids.
Region: 3B; Area: Fort Worth; Program began in Sep 2014; Kids served: 1,984; % State Total: 7%
Region: 2; Area: Abeliene, Witchita Falls; Began in Dec 2018; Kids served: 1,665; % State Total: 6%
Region: 8A; Area: San Antonio; Program began in Feb 2019; Kids served: 1,787; % State Total: 6%
Region: 1 Area: TX Panhandle; Program began in Jan 2020; Kids served: 1,044; % State Total: 4%
Judge Scolds State for High Numbers of Kids Spending Nights under Makeshift Arrangement
At a hearing on September 14, 2021, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack blasted state's argument that high number of foster kids were sleeping in makeshift arrangements such as CPS offices and hotels because many of the congregate-care facilities had closed due to "heightened monitoring" ordered by the judge to weed out providers with unsafe conditions. Judge Graham Jackson has held the state of Texas responsible for a crisis like situation where CWOP [children without placements] number averages 400 or more, implying that many kids are spending multiple nights a month in CPS offices, hotels and other makeshift facilities.
Expert Panel to Give Advice on Chronic Placement Problems of Foster Kids
An agreement has been reached between plaintiffs' lawyers and defendants on October 22, 2021 and submitted to U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack. On October 25, 2021, the non-binding agreement has been shared with the media. Under the deal, a three-member experts panel will be formed to come up with recommendations to address the chronic CWOP [children without placements] problems. Ideally, the foster kids should be rehabilitated with foster families. When that doesn't happen, congregate-care facilities are good alternative for the foster kids. Because of deteriorating quality of many of the congregate-care facilities, Judge Janis Graham Jack ordered them closed, leading to shortfall of record number of beds. The state was not even ready or prepared for handling this unexpected crisis. The defendants blamed judge's order of strict protocols for congregate-care facilities for this CWOP surge which many of the foster kids advocacy groups had dismissed as lame-duck excuse by an irresponsible state authority. Three experts will have to come up and deliver the recommendations by December 15, 2021. Plaintiffs have chosen one expert, Judith Meltzer, an executive vice president of the D.C.-based Center for the Study of Social Policy. A second expert is Ann Elizabeth Stanley picked by the defendant group--Governor Abbott, Department of Family and Protective Services, and Health and Human Services Commission. Since 2000, Stanley worked for Casey Family Programs, nation's largest foundation for foster care. These two experts are going to choose the third expert for the panel. CWOP kids usually sleep overnight at the CPS facilities, or motels or other facilities. A recent presentation from the DFPS Commissioner Jaime Masters shown at a legislative hearing held couple of weeks ago demonstrates the depth of CWOP crisis. CWOP metric is calculated if a kid spends two consecutive nights in an office or a motel. The presentation shows a significant uptick of CWOP in September 2021 to 362 compared to 87 a year earlier. The average length of stay also increased for CWOP kids: 18 days in September 2021 compared to 3.6 days in September 2020. According to Masters' testimony, the state has lost 147 beds in fiscal 2020 (September 1, 2019 through August 31, 2020), followed by almost three-fold loss of 471 beds in fiscal 2021.
Experts Panel Recommends for More Mental Healthcare; Conservators List
Improvements
A three-member experts panel formed in the Fall 2021 submitted a
non-binding recommendation on January 10, 2022 to the state defendants
and plaintiffs in the 11-year ongoing case against the state’s foster care
system. The panel—composed of Ann Stanley of Casey Family Programs, former
Alabama child welfare official Paul Vincent and Judith Meltzer, an executive
vice president of D.C.-based Center for the Study of Social Policy—said that
the foster care crisis would not be optimally addressed without pivoting the focus
on new mental health services for the children, mobile crisis teams to help
distressed families and high-quality treatment programs for children suffering
from mood disorder and depression. In Texas, residential treatment centers and
emergency shelters are licensed as General Residential Operations, or GROs.
The three-member expert panel recommended to avoid group settings, or congregate-care
facilities. Citing the disadvantages of congregate-care settings, the
three-member panel wrote that the children often resisted the very idea of
congregate-setting because they were unable to “control any of the most vital
elements of their lives—where they live, with whom, where they attend school,
when they see their families and friends and who are their helpers”. These
children often prefer, according to the expert panel’s report, to stay at a hotel
or in office. The three-member expert panel wrote that the “panel believes that
if [the department] can construct placements reflective of a highly supported
treatment foster home or kinship home in their home community”, the outcome
would have been better in terms of stability. The experts panel urged the state
to tap money from the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, American Rescue
Plan Act, signed by President Joe Biden to invest in creating mobile crisis
teams for appropriate intervention to avoid unnecessary removals. The panel
also recommends action to prevent losing federal money from the 2018 Family
First Prevention Services Act, signed by Former President Donald Trump,
which calls for investment in preventive services designed to keep families
intact instead of spending money on the “back end” systems such as “congregate
care”. The three-member panel estimated that the state would lose $17.4
million this fiscal year and $25.6 million in the next fiscal year because
“Texas GROs are not compliant with Family First".
On January 10, 2022, two court-appointed monitors—Deborah Fowler
and Kevin Ryan—submitted their third report on Texas’ compliance with the U.S.
District Judge Janis Graham Jack’s order. The monitors’ report cited
improvements in several areas amidst some recent backsliding in few other areas.
When the Residential Child Care Investigation (RCCI) unit’s personnel
ruled out an allegation, monitors agreed 86% of the time. In the first
half of 2021, in “Priority I” child abuse hotline cases, RCCI personnel
responded with face-to-face contact 81% of the time, monitors’ report
stated. Amidst those improvements, there were some setbacks too, according to
monitors. The average wait time on telephone hotline maintained by CPS’ Statewide
Intake Division was 4.6 minutes between January through June 2021 compared
to 2.3 minutes between February 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020.
The monitors’ report and three-member expert panel report on CWOP
are likely to be discussed by Judge Graham Jackson this week.
Judge Takes State to Task
U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack during a virtual hearing on January 11, 2022
took the state of Texas to task for not complying with her order. Specially,
she was livid over state’s recent practice to send some of the foster kids to
sub-par, out-of-state treatment centers in places as far as Michigan.
Privatization of Foster Care Happening at Slower Pace, Senate Report
Says
In March 2022, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick formed a Senate panel to investigate
into quality and safety issues that had afflicted the state’s foster care
system. On May 16, 2022, the state Senate panel issued a report that
blamed much of the problem on a slow rollout of the “community-based care”,
or CBC, model. Sen. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham, who heads the
special panel formed by Lt. Gov. Patric, has summarized the problem as the one
created by a slow rollout of CBC, saying that “it has really dragged on”. Under
the “community-based care”, or CBC, model, a single vendor gets
the overall responsibility of running the foster care system for an entire
region. The CBC model is designed to provide the foster kids with the feasibility
of staying close to their community and growing up in a more acclimatized
environment compared to staying far away from their families. Since 2017,
Texas failed to roll out CBC model, border to border, according to Sen.
Louis Kolkhorst and Sen. Charles Perry, Lubbock, vice chairman of
the panel. The report said that only 4 of 16 regions in Texas had now in
place a “single source continuum contractor”, or SSCC. Among the four
regions under the private SSCC management, three entered “stage two”, a
full handoff of responsibilities by CPS caseworkers to SSCC employees. None has
yet reached the “stage three” that triggers the financial rewards and penalty
distribution. Since its initial rollout in 2010, CBC model has gone
through trials and tribulations. SSCCs are now offered a blended rate of
$83 per day per child. But, on April 29, 2022, when the hiring bids
have been launched for various regions, Metroplex East—that includes
Collin, Dallas, Ellis, Fannin, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro and Rockwall
counties—and other regions have started with lower offer bids. Two rural
catchment regions set the bids at $77 and $62 per day per child. Sen. Kolkhorst
expressed surprise at a Senate hearing on May 16, 2022, asking Theresa
Thomas of the newly created Office of Community Based Care Transition
“can you explain that to me?".
Judge Threatens Stiff Fine, Mulls Possibility of Jury Trial
During a regular hearing on June 6, 2022, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack blasted a lawyer of Gov. Gregg Abbott and the heads of state's Department of Family and Protective Services as well as Health and Health Human Services Commission for lack of progress. Judge Janis Graham Jack threatened the state to impose stiff penalties, thus opening up the possibility of a jury trial. In November 2019, Judge Graham Jack imposed $50,000 daily fine on the state, but suspended the fine after three days. This time, the fine will be stiffer, and most likely, it will lead to a jury trial. Judge Graham Jack called out DFPS for lack of progress, among others, on (1) safe placement of the abused children, (2) adequate background check of the caregivers and (3) prevention of repeat sexual violation of children. The judge was livid as HHSC had failed to adhere with adequate compliance for updating information on children on time, a gap that HHSC as an overseer of inspecting and licensing functions should have improved significantly by now.
Judge Dresses down Texas over Foster Kids Situation
A federal judge who was overseeing the state’s foster kids crisis
threatened on January 27, 2023 to hold the state in contempt of court. At
a hearing in Dallas, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack blasted state’s
inability to reduce “children without placements”, or CWOPs as
the special monitors—Deborah Fowler and Kevin Ryan—explained in
their fifth report how subpar situation in CWOP setting could compromise the safety
and security of vulnerable kids , including documented cases of a 13-year-old
girl being sexually assaulted and another 17-year-old boy shot to death.
CWOP Metric Improves, but Still Problematic
The Dallas Morning News reported in a front-page article on March 6,
2023 that the January 2023 figure of the “children without placement”,
or CWOP, was 171, a significant drop from a very alarming CWOP number
of 416 in July 2021. Although a bill authored by Republican Senator Lois
Kolkhorst that was passed in 2021 allocated an additional $124
million to the budget of the department overseeing the foster kids and
banned overnight stay at department facilities, it still allowed foster kids to
stay overnight at unlicensed facilities such as unregulated rentals, church
floors and other unregulated facilities. CWOP is defined as those
children who have stayed overnight in such unregulated and unlicensed
facilities for two successive nights. A CWOP monthly figure of 171 is still way
too high to take any comfort. For CWOP cases, two workers are assigned to each
kid.
State Spending $7 million to Fight, not Fix the Foster Care
In April 2023, Governor Gregg Abbott hired international
law firm Gibson Dunn and Crutcher to represent the state instead of lawyers
in the Attorney-General’s office. One of the attorneys in that firm, Allyson
N. Ho, is charging the state taxpayers more than $1,300 per hour. Initially,
the April 6, 2023, contract that Governor Gregg Abbott signed
included a max of $1 million in attorney fees, but on May 22, 2023,
Abbott’s office signed a revised contract because “it continues to require the
assistance of outside legal counsel”. On June 9, 2023, Governor Gregg
Abbott signed a “supplemental” spending bill to allocate an additional
funding of $6 million. That shocked, but not surprised, the plaintiffs
and foster kids advocates as instead of spending $7 million to fix the
broken foster care system, the state preferred to fight the case. On June
13, 2023, Allyson N. Ho submitted a filing with a list of 14 state
officials—with the right to call additional witnesses—to be called as witnesses
to demonstrate that the state had made progress in adhering “substantial
compliance with the Remedial Order".
The case was filed in March 2011 by New York-based Children’s
Rights as a class-action lawsuit. The non-profit advocacy group hired Yetter
Coleman of Houston and Haynes and Boone of Dallas as in-state, pro bono
counsel. In late 2015, Judge Janis Graham Jack ruled that the state of
Texas ran an unsafe long-term foster care system. In the last 3-and-a -half
years of court monitoring, monitors Deborah Fowler of Austin-based Texas Appleseed
and Kevin Ryan of New Jersey-based Public Catalyst along with their staff
rang up $46 million in attorney fees, and the state had to pay it.
Off-duty Officers Use Taser, Cuffs to Restrain Foster Kids, Monitors’
Report Says
Court-appointed monitors on June 27, 2023 filed a report to
the federal judge who’s overseeing the Texas foster care class-action lawsuit that
described horrendous treatment meted out to CWOP foster kids with off-duty
police officers moonlighting for two private security firms using stun gun,
pepper-spray and handcuffs to restrain problematic kids. Those practices are
outlawed in licensed foster care facilities. According to The Dallas Morning
News, the state had signed agreements with two private security firms in
early 2022, with PPI securing a contract of $26.8 million and Silver Shield winning
a $2.4 million. The contract is renewable on August 31, 2023. The
monitors’ report covers a timeline from December 1, 2022 through January 31,
2023.
Monitors Ask Judge to Impose Fines on State over Foster Care Neglect
The Dallas Morning News reported in a front-page article on August 29,
2023 that the attorneys for monitors appointed by a federal judge filed a
motion to the U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jackson that it’s about
time to impose fines on the state for failing to implement her prior orders,
including timely sharing of the abuse history of foster kids with the
caregivers. The monitors also found significant problems in providing
abuse-related training to the caregivers and the employees connected to the
process of a kid’s placement and welfare under the CPS. The motion says that
there have been 12,693 children in the final six months of 2022
under the state’s “permanent managing conservatorship".
PMC children are those who have been removed from their families by the Child
Protective Services 12 to 18 months ago. Out of 12,693 PMC children,
1,329 had indicators for “sexual victimization history”. Of the 548
children identified as the victims of sexual abuse, monitors wrote, 132 had
incidents that occurred after the “child entered foster care”. About one-third of
the children abused under foster care were subjected to repeat-abuses in the
foster care. Lead defense attorney Allyson N. Ho, defending the state,
disputed the narrative that it was high enough to warrant steep fines as
the number constituted a mere 0.1% of the total PMC children.
Plaintiff’s Attorneys Calls for Partial Receivership of the Foster Care System
The Dallas Morning News reported in a front-page article on November
27, 2023 that the lawyers for the foster kids in Texas’ long-running foster
care lawsuit had recently submitted filings to a federal judge, requesting not
only hefty fines on the state for not obeying the orders of U.S. District
Judge Janis Graham Jack, but also handing over the responsibility of the
long-term foster care to a court-appointed receiver. One of the plaintiff’s
lawyers, Marcia Robinson Lowry, said that “an extreme remedy” like partial
receivership was needed to make the foster care system whole again. Lowry
advocated parts of the foster care system such as functions related to CWOP,
mental health drugs and maltreatment investigations should be split off and
handed over to a court-appointed receiver.
Foster Kids’ Lawyers Demand Fines Slapped on Texas
This week a federal judge, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack,
who has moved to Dallas from Corpus Christie in the recent past, is holding a
hearing to make a call whether hefty fines are needed to punish the state of
Texas for failing to comply with the judge’s orders, according to the December
5, 2023, edition of The Dallas Morning News. The attorneys for the
plaintiffs requested the judge during a December 4, 2023, hearing to
impose stiff fines on the state. Allyson N. Ho and her colleague Prerak Shah
of the international law firm Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher argued that
the state made progress and should be spared from fines.
In the past, U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack slapped, or
threatened to slap, fines twice. First time she imposed a fine of $150,000
in late 2019 for the state’s failure to guarantee that there was at least
one adult supervising foster children overnight in privately operated group
homes and cottages. A year later, the judge threatened to impose $75,000 per
day fine on the state for its failure to comply with the judge’s edict.
Judge Slaps $100K Daily Fines against HHSC Chief
A federal judge, U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack, on April 15,
2024 issued a searing 427-page verdict, assailing the state of Texas
for continuing non-compliance with the court order to properly investigate and
remediate the abuses and sufferings of foster children under the state care. Cecile
Erwin Young, head of the Health and Human Services Commission, was
held in contempt of the court and slapped with $100,000 daily fines until
the conditions were corrected.
Judge at the Center of Foster Care Battle Removed
The Dallas Morning News in its February 25, 2025, editorial criticized the Fifth U.S. Circuit of Appeals' recent decision to remove U.S. District Judge Janice Graham Jack from the Texas foster care case that had begun in 2011.
******************************** TEXAS FOSTER CARE SYSTEM ******************
************************ TEXAS' 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ********************
Texas' 86th Legislative Session Begins
Texas' 86th legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 8, 2019, with Dennis Bonnen, all but assured to assume the mantle of speakership and replace Joe Strauss. Within days of the general election in November 2018, Bonnen secured enough support from Democrats and Republicans to lock his hold to the speaker's job.
************* DENNIS BONNEN SCANDAL
Tape Released to Public
A June 12, 2019, meeting among Empower Texans leader Michael Quinn Sullivan, Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Bonnen's chief lieutenant Dustin Burrows has resulted into a political scandal of epic proportion as the Republican leader wanted to give press credentials to Sullivan's conservative organization's Texas Scorecard's writers in exchange for not to be critical to his leadership and ouster of 10 Republican incumbents. Speaker Bonnen also said unflatteringly about the local elected officials. After public clamor and Democratic demand, Sullivan released the audio tape which he had done secretly on October 15, 2019. 10 Republican incumbents are Phil Stephenson of Wharton; Tan Parker of Flower Mound; Steve Allison of San Antonio; Trent Ashby of Lufkin; Ernest Bailes of Shepherd; Drew Darby of Sn Angelo; Kyle Kacal and John Raney of College Station; Stan Lambert of Abilene; and Travis Clardy of Nacogdoches. In addition to 10 Republican incumbents, Speaker Bonnen badmouthed about few Democrats. Now, it's all but certain that Bonnen may be forced to resign or not to run re-election in 2020.
************* DENNIS BONNEN SCANDAL
************** TX Biennial Budget (September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021)
Rosy Forecasts Made by Comptroller
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on January 7, 2019 released a healthy economic scenario for the state in the upcoming two-year budget cycle. Comptroller's Office projected an impressive 8.1 percent increase in general-purpose revenue (GPR) to $119.1 billion compared to a forecast of 2.7 percent decrease in GPR going to the beginning of the last session. The estimate of $119.1 billion includes approximately $4.2 billion that will be left as a balance as a bumper fiscal cycle closes out on August 31, 2019. Sales taxes yield close to half of GPR. However, the brightest spot in the estimate comes from a windfall from the oil production tax, bringing a net of $7.4 billion, or a hefty 11.1 percent growth.
According to Hegar's estimate, the Rainy Day Fund will swell to $15.4 billion by August 31, 2021 from its current level of $12.5 billion.
House Passes Unanimously Two-year Budget
It was a very optimistic scene on the House floor on March 27, 2019 unlike two years ago. House during the day passed a two-year $251.1 billion budget that would spend 16 percent more in public school funding for the next two years. Calling the budget "extraordinary", House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Zerwas credited an "incredibly prosperous" economy for this forward-looking budget. The legislation was passed by 149-0 vote. Another supplemental bill of $9.3 billion to plug the hole from the last budget cycle was passed too by 149-0 vote.
Under the $251.1 billion budget bill, the House is proposing $9 billion in new funding for pre-K to 12th grade. Out of that, $6.3 billion will be used for core academic funding and college readiness programs while the remaining $2.7 billion will be used to compensate for lowering ISDs' maintenance and operation property taxes.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Chris Turner of Grand Prairie praised the legislation, but pointed out two areas that should have been spotlighted: additional funding still does not split state and local burdens 50-50; and, state's TEXAS (Toward Excellence, Access and Success) Grant that provides $5,000 awards to lower- to moderate-income families will reach only 70 percent--not all--of the target candidates. Chairman Zerwas has admitted on both 50-50 split and TEXAS Grant not to be awarded for all needy students, citing that the revenue was not there.
Lawmakers Pass the Budget for the Next Biennium, Supplemental to Fill Gaps from Last Time
By overwhelming margins, Texas lawmakers on May 27, 2019, last day of the session, passed a state budget with a price tag of $250.7 billion. Out of the biennium budget of $250.7 billion, $118.9 billion is allocated for general-purpose state revenue.
Also to bridge the gap from the last two-year budget cycle, state lawmakers passed a supplemental bill of $9.9 billion to fund the gaps from the preceding biennium budget as well as to fund recovery from Hurricane Harvey. Out of $9.9 billion in "supplemental" funding, $6.1 billion will be obtained from the state's "Rainy Day Fund" that's estimated to have $9.5 billion by the end of fiscal 2021 even after the withdrawal for supplemental bill.
************** TX Biennial Budget (September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021)
Bonnen Unanimously Elected Speaker
Angleton Republican Rep. Dennis Bonnen was elected the Speaker of the state House of Representatives on January 8, 2019 by 147-0 vote. The 86th legislative session will most likely to see focus on substantive issues such as school finance reforms, state's rising property values and other issues dear and near to most of the Texans. One of the drivers of the focus away from the divisive issues such a bathroom bill and school vouchers plan that has rocked the last session is the GOP's diminished majority in the House from the 95-55 last session to 83-67 this session.
*************************** Property Tax Relief Effort
Property Tax Cap of 2.5 Percent Unveiled by GOP
GOP led by Gov. Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen are focused on bringing a tax relief bill in this legislative session that will cap property tax growth to 2.5 percent. If the local taxing authorities want to go beyond the cap, voters may petition for a vote whether to grant such approval which is currently set for property tax revenue growth of more than 8 percent. If the plan becomes law, many of the local taxing districts will face adverse financial constraints to fund many of their infrastructure and educational priorities. However, there is a caveat in the bill. It will exempt any taxing authority which takes in a total of tax receipts of at most $15 million, thus ensuring that 154 of the 254 Texas counties--home to 1.8 million Texans--will not see any relief.
GOP Proposes a Penny Increase in Sales Tax to Offer Property Tax Cut
As House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 2 that would cap property tax revenue for local entities at 2.5 percent are being pushed through the legislature, state's three top GOP leaders--Gov. Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen--on April 10, 2019 also proposed a separate measure to increase state sales tax by one cent to offer residential and commercial property tax rate reduction. In the coming days, bills will be filed to increase sales tax increase by 1 cent that would bring in additional $5 billion a year. After the measure becomes law, Texas voters will vote to ratify the amendment for it to become effective.
Republican Leaders Propose a Penny Increase in Sales Tax
Texas' top three Republican leaders, Gov. Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen, on April 10, 2019 issued a joint statement, calling for further property tax relief in addition to Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2, both aimed at slowing down the property tax revenue. Under the plan proposed by the GOP leaders on April 10, 2019, a penny increase in state sales tax increase will take effect and additional revenue will be used to provide relief to home owners and other property owners.
Texas Senate Passes Property Tax Bill
Texas Senate on April 15, 2019 passed Senate Bill 2 by 18-12 votes after a lone GOP holdout, Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo, stood down in his threat to block the bill to be brought to the chamber floor. Seliger, opposed to constraining the already funding-deprived local taxing authorities, took a stand against the proposed cap of 2.5 percent in property tax revenue growth without voter approval. Many local leaders, including Mayor Mike Rawling of Dallas, slammed the bill as too punitive for big cities like his and warned that [it] would compromise the public safety. Senate leader and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who had been championing property tax relief to the state's home owners and businesses, on April 12, 2019 threatened to invoke so called "nuclear option" to forego three-fifth threshold needed to bring a bill to Senate floor. At present, Texas Senate has 19 Republican members, including Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo, and Patrick can't afford to lose a single GOP lawmaker's vote to bring a bill to the senate chamber. After Patrick's April 12, 2019, threat, Sen. Kel Seliger saw no benefit to be a lone GOP resistant, and instead stood down and voted against the bill with 11 of his Democratic colleagues. One Democratic Senator, Eddie Lucio of Brownsville, was present in the chamber, but didn't vote. The Senate Bill 2 passed on April 15, 2019 includes the amended cap of 3.5 percent instead of 2.5 percent originally proposed.
Texas House Approves Property Tax Bill
Texas House on April 30, 2019 has voted 107-40 to approve House Bill 2 that caps property tax increase at 3.5% without triggering an election.
*************************** Property Tax Relief Effort
*************** School Funding Plan
Democrats Unveil Public School Funding Plan in the House
Emboldened Democrats in Texas House fired their first salvo in public education funding by unveiling a package with $16.2 billion in new money, including $1.6 billion for the all day Pre-K education for all Texas children. Unveiling the plan on February 21, 2019, House Democratic Caucus leader Chris Turner of Grand Prairie said unwaveringly that "we want our children to have the best education possible". The Democratic proposal stands less chance to become law compared with House GOP proposal that has a price tag of $9 billion and Senate's $6 billion plan that also included an across the board $5,000 one-time pay bump for all Texas educators.
Texas House Passes School Funding Bill
Texas House of Representatives on April 3, 2019 passed an once-a-generation historic public school funding bill that would pump new money in the state's classrooms and increase the pay for 650,000 teachers and staff by a minimum of $1,850. This is the most meaningful school funding bill in a decade. The House Bill 3 was spearheaded by Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Humble, chairman of the House Education Committee. The bill got amended on the House floor, and Democratic caucus leader Chris Turner of Grand Prairie led the effort to push the amendment that would raise the salaries of teachers and staff by about $1,850. The bill was passed by 148-1, with Bedford Republican Jonathan Strickland the only no vote. The House Bill 3 provides:
* $6.3 billion in new money to Texas' public schools over the next two years, including per-pupil spending increase from $5,140 to $6,030
* $2.7 billion to reduce the school maintenance and operation tax relief by 5 cents
Texas Senate Passes Its Own School Finance Measure
Three days after Texas state House passed a school funding bill by 148-1 vote, Texas Senate approved its own version of the school funding bill on May 6, 2019 that would raise the teachers' average take-home pay by $5,000 and offer relief to residential and commercial property owners. The author of the Senate bill, Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, sang praise favoring his bill as a measure out to "transform our education system". The bill was passed by 26-2 votes, with opposing two Senators from Republican Party with three others from the GOP had abstained.
The original bill proposed by Sen. Larry Taylor had a two-year funding increase of $15.5 billion compared to House's $9 billion in additional price tag ($6.3 billion in infusion of additional money plus $2.7 billion to cut school Maintenance and Operation taxes by 5 cents). However, Sen. Larry Taylor's initial version of the bill was tied to the premise of raising the sales tax by a penny which didn't get put to vote, let alone approved, in either chamber.
The amended bill will lower school maintenance and operation tax by 10 cents per $100 valuation, a nickel more than House-passed bill. The bill will increase teacher and librarian pay by $5,000. The price tag for $5,000 pay raise for state's teachers and librarians will cost taxpayers about $4 billion. The amended Senate bill also provides $127 million for merit pay to high achieving teachers. However, there remains significant difference between Senate and House school funding bills. The Senate bill has to do some financial tricks to look for additional revenue to fund its huge pay bump for teachers and librarians while doubling the school property tax cuts relative to House measure. It aims at raising incremental revenue of $3 billion by collecting new online tax revenue and by diverting the severance tax from oil and gas.
Texas' Top Three GOP Leaders Unveil Compromise School Funding Bill
Underlining the top priority of this legislative session and with only four days remaining for this year's legislative session to wind down, Texas' top three GOP leaders--Governor Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen--flanked by key lawmakers and bill authors unveiled on May 23, 2019 a compromise school funding bill that would shift the funding burden from the local school districts to the state and reduce the school property tax rate, on the average, 8 cents per $100 valuation in 2020 and 13 cents per $100 valuation in 2021. The compromise bill will be voted by both chambers on May 27, 2019. The compromise version of the bill will boost school funding by $11.5 billion in the next two-year cycle (2019-20 and 2020-21). Out of $11.5 billion increase in school funding:
* $4.5 billion allocated for direct spending in the classrooms
* $5 billion in school property tax relief
* $2 billion in increased teacher pay
The first bucket of $4.5 billion in boost in direct investment in classrooms will help the state to increase part of the per pupil spending from $5,180 to $6,160, and help so called property-rich school districts to retain more of "recapture" money. For DISD, that means an additional $20 million to invest in expanding Pre-K program, college readiness program and Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) to retain best of educators in the most needed classrooms. The state will help fund the full-day Pre-kindergarten programs, paving the way for today's children to have a better shot in future success.
As far as school property taxes are concerned, the compromise bill's allocation of $5 billion in extra funding will help school districts reduce school property tax rates by 8 cents per $100 valuation in 2020 and 13 cents per $100 valuation in 2021, respectively. Under the plan, city and county tax revenue can be increased by a maximum of 3.5 percent without calling a vote, while the school property taxes can be increased without calling a vote by 2.5 percent as per Senate Bill 2.
For the $2 billion in increase in teacher pay, $1.6 billion will be tied to salary and compensation while the remaining $400 million will be dedicated to the merit and incentive pay as well as retirement benefits. The merit and incentive pay will be totally decoupled from the STAAR test assessment, a key demand by the teachers unions. The salary increase, although not as high as $5,000 as proposed in the original Senate bill, will help pay checks to grow by varying amounts for teachers, librarians, nurses and counsellors. Nearly 30 percent of the increase in basic allotment from $5,180 to $6,160 will be spent in increased teacher pay as well as merit and incentive pay along with teacher retirement funds.
Texas Legislature Closes Its Session with a Historic School Funding Measure
Texas Republican lawmakers came to Austin in January 2019 chastened by electoral setback by many formidable GOP lawmakers and close calls of some of the state GOP stalwarts. They took the message to the heart, and steered clear of the wedge issues such as "bathroom bill", and instead, focused on school funding and property tax relief. In the end, common sense issues triumphed. On May 27, 2019, Texas legislature passed a landmark education funding bill as part of the overall biennial budget of $250.7 billion. The school and the university component of the biennial funding bill includes $94.5 billion, up 16 percent from the preceding two-year cycle (Sep 2017-August 2019). The state infused an additional $11.5 billion in the school funding measure, including a whopping $5 billion to buy back local shares to account for capping the local school property tax rate hike to 2.5 percent. The vote on the both chambers was overwhelming, with only one dissenter in the House Jonathan Strickland.
However, the additional $11.5 billion in school funding is not without some sort of controversy as the price tag of $11.5 billion in additional funding this biennium (September 1, 2019-August 31, 2021) is estimated to increase to $13.4 billion in the next biennium (September 1, 2021-August 31, 2023), according to the Legislative Budget Board. This is partly due to capping of school property tax revenue growth at 2.5 percent, effectively forcing local governments to lower school property tax rates for many ISDs in Texas with rising property values. Since the state is on hook to find the money that will lost due to this cap, state's burden will increase in future. The legislature initially allocated $2.7 billion for property tax relief, but increased that amount to $5 billion after pressure put forth by Conservative groups. The additional money will come from online tax collections--about $550 million--and using a budgeting trick from a fund which has its primary goal to lower emissions. An additional $600 million per biennium is dependent on the state voters approving a measure to funnel more money from the Permanent School Fund.
*************** School Funding Plan
Comptroller's Projection Paints Dismal Revenue Outlook
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on July 20, 2020 issued a pretty gloomy revenue outlook for the state for the biennium ending August 31, 2021: a swing to $4.6 billion in red from pre-COVID-19 projection of $2.9 billion in black. The downward slump may be more than projected now as economic picture will clear out in the months to come with novel coronavirus surge has forced Governor Gregg Abbott to pause, and in some cases reverse, the opening of the state economy. The Oil Patch is also going through its bout of economic pain. The general-purpose revenue projected on July 20, 2020 was $110.2 billion, substantially smaller than $121.8 billion projected in October 2019.
************************** TEXAS' 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ******************
************************ TEXAS' 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ********************
Texas' 86th Legislative Session Begins
Texas' 86th legislative session is scheduled to begin on January 8, 2019, with Dennis Bonnen, all but assured to assume the mantle of speakership and replace Joe Strauss. Within days of the general election in November 2018, Bonnen secured enough support from Democrats and Republicans to lock his hold to the speaker's job.
************* DENNIS BONNEN SCANDAL
Tape Released to Public
A June 12, 2019, meeting among Empower Texans leader Michael Quinn Sullivan, Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Bonnen's chief lieutenant Dustin Burrows has resulted into a political scandal of epic proportion as the Republican leader wanted to give press credentials to Sullivan's conservative organization's Texas Scorecard's writers in exchange for not to be critical to his leadership and ouster of 10 Republican incumbents. Speaker Bonnen also said unflatteringly about the local elected officials. After public clamor and Democratic demand, Sullivan released the audio tape which he had done secretly on October 15, 2019. 10 Republican incumbents are Phil Stephenson of Wharton; Tan Parker of Flower Mound; Steve Allison of San Antonio; Trent Ashby of Lufkin; Ernest Bailes of Shepherd; Drew Darby of Sn Angelo; Kyle Kacal and John Raney of College Station; Stan Lambert of Abilene; and Travis Clardy of Nacogdoches. In addition to 10 Republican incumbents, Speaker Bonnen badmouthed about few Democrats. Now, it's all but certain that Bonnen may be forced to resign or not to run re-election in 2020.
************* DENNIS BONNEN SCANDAL
************** TX Biennial Budget (September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021)
Rosy Forecasts Made by Comptroller
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on January 7, 2019 released a healthy economic scenario for the state in the upcoming two-year budget cycle. Comptroller's Office projected an impressive 8.1 percent increase in general-purpose revenue (GPR) to $119.1 billion compared to a forecast of 2.7 percent decrease in GPR going to the beginning of the last session. The estimate of $119.1 billion includes approximately $4.2 billion that will be left as a balance as a bumper fiscal cycle closes out on August 31, 2019. Sales taxes yield close to half of GPR. However, the brightest spot in the estimate comes from a windfall from the oil production tax, bringing a net of $7.4 billion, or a hefty 11.1 percent growth.
According to Hegar's estimate, the Rainy Day Fund will swell to $15.4 billion by August 31, 2021 from its current level of $12.5 billion.
House Passes Unanimously Two-year Budget
It was a very optimistic scene on the House floor on March 27, 2019 unlike two years ago. House during the day passed a two-year $251.1 billion budget that would spend 16 percent more in public school funding for the next two years. Calling the budget "extraordinary", House Appropriations Committee Chairman John Zerwas credited an "incredibly prosperous" economy for this forward-looking budget. The legislation was passed by 149-0 vote. Another supplemental bill of $9.3 billion to plug the hole from the last budget cycle was passed too by 149-0 vote.
Under the $251.1 billion budget bill, the House is proposing $9 billion in new funding for pre-K to 12th grade. Out of that, $6.3 billion will be used for core academic funding and college readiness programs while the remaining $2.7 billion will be used to compensate for lowering ISDs' maintenance and operation property taxes.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Chris Turner of Grand Prairie praised the legislation, but pointed out two areas that should have been spotlighted: additional funding still does not split state and local burdens 50-50; and, state's TEXAS (Toward Excellence, Access and Success) Grant that provides $5,000 awards to lower- to moderate-income families will reach only 70 percent--not all--of the target candidates. Chairman Zerwas has admitted on both 50-50 split and TEXAS Grant not to be awarded for all needy students, citing that the revenue was not there.
Lawmakers Pass the Budget for the Next Biennium, Supplemental to Fill Gaps from Last Time
By overwhelming margins, Texas lawmakers on May 27, 2019, last day of the session, passed a state budget with a price tag of $250.7 billion. Out of the biennium budget of $250.7 billion, $118.9 billion is allocated for general-purpose state revenue.
Also to bridge the gap from the last two-year budget cycle, state lawmakers passed a supplemental bill of $9.9 billion to fund the gaps from the preceding biennium budget as well as to fund recovery from Hurricane Harvey. Out of $9.9 billion in "supplemental" funding, $6.1 billion will be obtained from the state's "Rainy Day Fund" that's estimated to have $9.5 billion by the end of fiscal 2021 even after the withdrawal for supplemental bill.
************** TX Biennial Budget (September 1, 2019 to August 31, 2021)
Bonnen Unanimously Elected Speaker
Angleton Republican Rep. Dennis Bonnen was elected the Speaker of the state House of Representatives on January 8, 2019 by 147-0 vote. The 86th legislative session will most likely to see focus on substantive issues such as school finance reforms, state's rising property values and other issues dear and near to most of the Texans. One of the drivers of the focus away from the divisive issues such a bathroom bill and school vouchers plan that has rocked the last session is the GOP's diminished majority in the House from the 95-55 last session to 83-67 this session.
*************************** Property Tax Relief Effort
Property Tax Cap of 2.5 Percent Unveiled by GOP
GOP led by Gov. Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen are focused on bringing a tax relief bill in this legislative session that will cap property tax growth to 2.5 percent. If the local taxing authorities want to go beyond the cap, voters may petition for a vote whether to grant such approval which is currently set for property tax revenue growth of more than 8 percent. If the plan becomes law, many of the local taxing districts will face adverse financial constraints to fund many of their infrastructure and educational priorities. However, there is a caveat in the bill. It will exempt any taxing authority which takes in a total of tax receipts of at most $15 million, thus ensuring that 154 of the 254 Texas counties--home to 1.8 million Texans--will not see any relief.
GOP Proposes a Penny Increase in Sales Tax to Offer Property Tax Cut
As House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 2 that would cap property tax revenue for local entities at 2.5 percent are being pushed through the legislature, state's three top GOP leaders--Gov. Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen--on April 10, 2019 also proposed a separate measure to increase state sales tax by one cent to offer residential and commercial property tax rate reduction. In the coming days, bills will be filed to increase sales tax increase by 1 cent that would bring in additional $5 billion a year. After the measure becomes law, Texas voters will vote to ratify the amendment for it to become effective.
Republican Leaders Propose a Penny Increase in Sales Tax
Texas' top three Republican leaders, Gov. Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dennis Bonnen, on April 10, 2019 issued a joint statement, calling for further property tax relief in addition to Senate Bill 2 and House Bill 2, both aimed at slowing down the property tax revenue. Under the plan proposed by the GOP leaders on April 10, 2019, a penny increase in state sales tax increase will take effect and additional revenue will be used to provide relief to home owners and other property owners.
Texas Senate Passes Property Tax Bill
Texas Senate on April 15, 2019 passed Senate Bill 2 by 18-12 votes after a lone GOP holdout, Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo, stood down in his threat to block the bill to be brought to the chamber floor. Seliger, opposed to constraining the already funding-deprived local taxing authorities, took a stand against the proposed cap of 2.5 percent in property tax revenue growth without voter approval. Many local leaders, including Mayor Mike Rawling of Dallas, slammed the bill as too punitive for big cities like his and warned that [it] would compromise the public safety. Senate leader and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who had been championing property tax relief to the state's home owners and businesses, on April 12, 2019 threatened to invoke so called "nuclear option" to forego three-fifth threshold needed to bring a bill to Senate floor. At present, Texas Senate has 19 Republican members, including Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo, and Patrick can't afford to lose a single GOP lawmaker's vote to bring a bill to the senate chamber. After Patrick's April 12, 2019, threat, Sen. Kel Seliger saw no benefit to be a lone GOP resistant, and instead stood down and voted against the bill with 11 of his Democratic colleagues. One Democratic Senator, Eddie Lucio of Brownsville, was present in the chamber, but didn't vote. The Senate Bill 2 passed on April 15, 2019 includes the amended cap of 3.5 percent instead of 2.5 percent originally proposed.
Texas House Approves Property Tax Bill
Texas House on April 30, 2019 has voted 107-40 to approve House Bill 2 that caps property tax increase at 3.5% without triggering an election.
*************************** Property Tax Relief Effort
*************** School Funding Plan
Democrats Unveil Public School Funding Plan in the House
Emboldened Democrats in Texas House fired their first salvo in public education funding by unveiling a package with $16.2 billion in new money, including $1.6 billion for the all day Pre-K education for all Texas children. Unveiling the plan on February 21, 2019, House Democratic Caucus leader Chris Turner of Grand Prairie said unwaveringly that "we want our children to have the best education possible". The Democratic proposal stands less chance to become law compared with House GOP proposal that has a price tag of $9 billion and Senate's $6 billion plan that also included an across the board $5,000 one-time pay bump for all Texas educators.
Texas House Passes School Funding Bill
Texas House of Representatives on April 3, 2019 passed an once-a-generation historic public school funding bill that would pump new money in the state's classrooms and increase the pay for 650,000 teachers and staff by a minimum of $1,850. This is the most meaningful school funding bill in a decade. The House Bill 3 was spearheaded by Rep. Dan Huberty, R-Humble, chairman of the House Education Committee. The bill got amended on the House floor, and Democratic caucus leader Chris Turner of Grand Prairie led the effort to push the amendment that would raise the salaries of teachers and staff by about $1,850. The bill was passed by 148-1, with Bedford Republican Jonathan Strickland the only no vote. The House Bill 3 provides:
* $6.3 billion in new money to Texas' public schools over the next two years, including per-pupil spending increase from $5,140 to $6,030
* $2.7 billion to reduce the school maintenance and operation tax relief by 5 cents
Texas Senate Passes Its Own School Finance Measure
Three days after Texas state House passed a school funding bill by 148-1 vote, Texas Senate approved its own version of the school funding bill on May 6, 2019 that would raise the teachers' average take-home pay by $5,000 and offer relief to residential and commercial property owners. The author of the Senate bill, Sen. Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood, sang praise favoring his bill as a measure out to "transform our education system". The bill was passed by 26-2 votes, with opposing two Senators from Republican Party with three others from the GOP had abstained.
The original bill proposed by Sen. Larry Taylor had a two-year funding increase of $15.5 billion compared to House's $9 billion in additional price tag ($6.3 billion in infusion of additional money plus $2.7 billion to cut school Maintenance and Operation taxes by 5 cents). However, Sen. Larry Taylor's initial version of the bill was tied to the premise of raising the sales tax by a penny which didn't get put to vote, let alone approved, in either chamber.
The amended bill will lower school maintenance and operation tax by 10 cents per $100 valuation, a nickel more than House-passed bill. The bill will increase teacher and librarian pay by $5,000. The price tag for $5,000 pay raise for state's teachers and librarians will cost taxpayers about $4 billion. The amended Senate bill also provides $127 million for merit pay to high achieving teachers. However, there remains significant difference between Senate and House school funding bills. The Senate bill has to do some financial tricks to look for additional revenue to fund its huge pay bump for teachers and librarians while doubling the school property tax cuts relative to House measure. It aims at raising incremental revenue of $3 billion by collecting new online tax revenue and by diverting the severance tax from oil and gas.
Texas' Top Three GOP Leaders Unveil Compromise School Funding Bill
Underlining the top priority of this legislative session and with only four days remaining for this year's legislative session to wind down, Texas' top three GOP leaders--Governor Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dennis Bonnen--flanked by key lawmakers and bill authors unveiled on May 23, 2019 a compromise school funding bill that would shift the funding burden from the local school districts to the state and reduce the school property tax rate, on the average, 8 cents per $100 valuation in 2020 and 13 cents per $100 valuation in 2021. The compromise bill will be voted by both chambers on May 27, 2019. The compromise version of the bill will boost school funding by $11.5 billion in the next two-year cycle (2019-20 and 2020-21). Out of $11.5 billion increase in school funding:
* $4.5 billion allocated for direct spending in the classrooms
* $5 billion in school property tax relief
* $2 billion in increased teacher pay
The first bucket of $4.5 billion in boost in direct investment in classrooms will help the state to increase part of the per pupil spending from $5,180 to $6,160, and help so called property-rich school districts to retain more of "recapture" money. For DISD, that means an additional $20 million to invest in expanding Pre-K program, college readiness program and Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) to retain best of educators in the most needed classrooms. The state will help fund the full-day Pre-kindergarten programs, paving the way for today's children to have a better shot in future success.
As far as school property taxes are concerned, the compromise bill's allocation of $5 billion in extra funding will help school districts reduce school property tax rates by 8 cents per $100 valuation in 2020 and 13 cents per $100 valuation in 2021, respectively. Under the plan, city and county tax revenue can be increased by a maximum of 3.5 percent without calling a vote, while the school property taxes can be increased without calling a vote by 2.5 percent as per Senate Bill 2.
For the $2 billion in increase in teacher pay, $1.6 billion will be tied to salary and compensation while the remaining $400 million will be dedicated to the merit and incentive pay as well as retirement benefits. The merit and incentive pay will be totally decoupled from the STAAR test assessment, a key demand by the teachers unions. The salary increase, although not as high as $5,000 as proposed in the original Senate bill, will help pay checks to grow by varying amounts for teachers, librarians, nurses and counsellors. Nearly 30 percent of the increase in basic allotment from $5,180 to $6,160 will be spent in increased teacher pay as well as merit and incentive pay along with teacher retirement funds.
Texas Legislature Closes Its Session with a Historic School Funding Measure
Texas Republican lawmakers came to Austin in January 2019 chastened by electoral setback by many formidable GOP lawmakers and close calls of some of the state GOP stalwarts. They took the message to the heart, and steered clear of the wedge issues such as "bathroom bill", and instead, focused on school funding and property tax relief. In the end, common sense issues triumphed. On May 27, 2019, Texas legislature passed a landmark education funding bill as part of the overall biennial budget of $250.7 billion. The school and the university component of the biennial funding bill includes $94.5 billion, up 16 percent from the preceding two-year cycle (Sep 2017-August 2019). The state infused an additional $11.5 billion in the school funding measure, including a whopping $5 billion to buy back local shares to account for capping the local school property tax rate hike to 2.5 percent. The vote on the both chambers was overwhelming, with only one dissenter in the House Jonathan Strickland.
However, the additional $11.5 billion in school funding is not without some sort of controversy as the price tag of $11.5 billion in additional funding this biennium (September 1, 2019-August 31, 2021) is estimated to increase to $13.4 billion in the next biennium (September 1, 2021-August 31, 2023), according to the Legislative Budget Board. This is partly due to capping of school property tax revenue growth at 2.5 percent, effectively forcing local governments to lower school property tax rates for many ISDs in Texas with rising property values. Since the state is on hook to find the money that will lost due to this cap, state's burden will increase in future. The legislature initially allocated $2.7 billion for property tax relief, but increased that amount to $5 billion after pressure put forth by Conservative groups. The additional money will come from online tax collections--about $550 million--and using a budgeting trick from a fund which has its primary goal to lower emissions. An additional $600 million per biennium is dependent on the state voters approving a measure to funnel more money from the Permanent School Fund.
*************** School Funding Plan
Comptroller's Projection Paints Dismal Revenue Outlook
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on July 20, 2020 issued a pretty gloomy revenue outlook for the state for the biennium ending August 31, 2021: a swing to $4.6 billion in red from pre-COVID-19 projection of $2.9 billion in black. The downward slump may be more than projected now as economic picture will clear out in the months to come with novel coronavirus surge has forced Governor Gregg Abbott to pause, and in some cases reverse, the opening of the state economy. The Oil Patch is also going through its bout of economic pain. The general-purpose revenue projected on July 20, 2020 was $110.2 billion, substantially smaller than $121.8 billion projected in October 2019.
************************** TEXAS' 86TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ******************
Abbott Begins His Second Inning with
Lofty Goals
Texas
Governor Gregg Abbott on January 15, 2019 delivered a much different address at
his inauguration ceremony after getting re-elected in the November 2018
election. Instead of focusing on divisive issues such as “bathroom bill”,
Abbott focused on reforming property taxes, state’s public education, curbing
human trafficking and other issues central to common people’s life. His speech
reflects the change in pivot of the state’s GOP from divisive issues to more
popular themes.
************** TEXAS VOTER LIST FRACAS AND POLITICAL CHEAPSHOT *********
58,000 Unauthorized Might Have Voted, Texas Secretary of State Says
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's Office on January 25, 2019 said that about 95,000 legal residents of Texas had obtained driver's licenses and then registered to vote, based on the preliminary data obtained from the [Texas] Department of Public Safety. Out of that, approximately 58,000 had voted in a 22-year cycle (1996-2018). State's top officials, beginning Attorney-General Ken Paxton and Governor Gregg Abbott immediately jumped on the issue of illegals voting in the election, a red meat issue for the GOP base. However, Whitley's office failed to verify how many of the 58,000 who had cast votes subsequently gained citizenship through naturalization.
Texas Secretary of State's Office Acknowledges Flaws in the Voter Scrutiny List
Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's Office sent a directive to County election officials on January 29, 2019 to dispatch anything yet to scrutinize citizenship of any of the names shared with them four days earlier as that list might not have been updated and might be flawed. The January 29, 2019, guidance came amid mounting criticism by the voting rights groups, minority groups and Democrats accusing the Secretary of State's Office of trying voter suppression.
New Voter Guidance Sent to Counties
As the original list sent a week earlier had unraveled, posing legal liability for the counties, Texas Secretary of State David Whitley's Office sent a second guidance in three days, prodding the individual counties to tread carefully and treat the original list as a starting point. The purpose of the February 1, 2019, directive was to "provide additional guidance to Texas counties in conducting their list maintenance activities".
Whitley Grilled in Senate Hearing
Texas' acting Secretary of State David Whitley, named by Governor Gregg Abbott in December 2018 to replace Rolando Pablos after Pablos had resigned, was grilled on February 7, 2019 by Texas' Senators on his recent directive about voter roll maintenance. Whitley may not receive a confirmation vote by the state Senate.
Whitley Acknowledges Errors in the Voter List Advisory
Acting Texas Secretary of State David Whitley on February 14, 2019 acknowledged errors in handling the advisory that his office had sent to county election officials with a list 96,000 residents, with potentially 58,000 might have voted in at least one election cycle since 1996. That list included several naturalized citizens, raising the doubt about motive behind the advisory.
Pressure Mounts for Whitley to Withdraw His Bid
Texas Acting Secretary of State David Whitley is coming increasing pressure from civil rights groups and other Democrats to withdraw his bid to become the permanent state secretary of state. He doesn't have any support from Democratic Senators to win confirmation vote in Texas Senate. Senate Democratic Caucus leader Sen. Jose Rodriguez of El Paso on February 21, 2019 has issued a statement, saying that "damage has already been done" for David Whitley.
DPS Chief Seems to be Made Scapegoat in the Voter Data Faux Pas
What seemed to be a well-choreographed political stage-crafting, Texas' highly respectable DPS chief, Steven McCraw, is being made a political scapegoat for Texas' acting secretary of state's mishandling, if not outright abuse, over identifying the non-citizens in the Texas voter list. In a March 12, 2019, testimony before the state Senate Criminal Justice Committee, Steve McCraw took full responsibility for the voter roll mess-up that had landed the Acting Secretary of State David Whitley in a soup. McCraw acknowledged that it [flagging non-citizens in the voter list] was a brand new project and "we should have taken affirmative action on the front end to ensure that we" had a senior-level person heading the project.
Voter Purge Project Dropped
After receiving black eye and unwanted attention from around the nation, state of Texas dropped the much condemned voter rolls purge endeavor that the acting Secretary of State David Whitley had launched in January 2019, according a settlement between the state and voter rights groups made public on April 26, 2019. Under the settlement terms, state didn't admit any wrongdoing or criminal culpability. Three lawsuits followed after the advisory was sent to local election administrators in January 2019 to identify potential voter fraud and purge the voter rolls.
Whitley Fails to Win Confirmation Vote, Resigns as Election Chief
After Democratic Senators stood rock solid against confirming David Whitley as the permanent Secretary of State, former Abbott aide had no choice, but to resign on the last day of the legislative session, May 27, 2019.
************** TEXAS VOTER LIST FRACAS AND POLITICAL CHEAPSHOT *********
Texas Doesn't Need Oversight in Re-districting, Federal Court Says
A three-judge federal court panel in San Antonio on July 24, 2019 ruled that there didn't need to be any oversight of the state's re-districting effort after 2020 Census, dealing a setback to Texas' minority rights and voting rights advocates.
**************************** EL PASO WALMART SHOOTING *********************
Gunman Opens Fire at Walmart, Kills 22
A gunman who is a resident of Allen, Texas has driven hours to El Paso, entered a Walmart and turned the Saturday August 3, 2019 a bloody day in the history of the border town. The victims of 21-year-old Patrick Crusius' hateful act of violence and mayhem were 22 innocent people who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The dead included 13 U.S. citizens, one German and eight Mexican nationals. Patrick Crusius was later arrested. August 3, 2019 turned out to be one of the most fatal days in the nation's gun violence timeline which had been occurring more frequently and lethally. During the day, another gunman opened fire at a nightlife district in Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people and sending a nationwide shockwave.
Trump Condemns Bigotry, Violence
President Donald Trump on August 5, 2019 addressed a leery nation from the White House's Diplomatic Reception room, and condemned the gun violence and bigotry that one of the gunmen, Allen resident Patrick Crusius had displayed in his online writings. As Trump's 10-minute address lacked any specific proposals, many Democrats, including 2020 Presidential candidates, pressed for stricter gun laws, especially calling for Senate to table a bill passed by the House in February 2019 that had aimed at fixing some of the lacunae of the firearm background checks. In his online posts, Texas gunman Patrick Crusius had repeatedly showed his disdain and hatred for Mexicans.
90 Counts Slammed against the El Paso Shooter
A Grand Jury indictment was unsealed on February 6, 2020 by the U.S. Attorney John Bash on February 6, 2020 against the El Paso Walmart shooter, Patrick Crusius, who had driven from Allen to El Paso and wreaked havoc on August 3, 2019 at a Walmart by opening fire and killing 22 people. The indictment charges include 90 counts of varying nature, including 22 in hate crimes resulting in deaths, 22 in firearms-related to commit slayings, 23 in hate crimes in attempt to kill and 23 in firearms-related in attempt to kill.
9/11 Moment for El Paso Remembered on the First Anniversary
A somber, but spirited, air descended on El Paso on August 3, 2020 to mark the first anniversary of the worst attack on Mexicans in the USA in which an Allen resident, Patrick Crusius, drove hundreds of mile to create mayhem at the so called "Mexican Walmart" that had killed 23 people, including eight Mexican nationals, one German national and 14 Americans. The day was marked with social distancing protocols in place amidst novel coronavirus, but in a heart-felt, dignified way. 23 doves were released, plaques unveiled and a groundbreaking of a healing garden was begun.
**************************** EL PASO WALMART SHOOTING *********************
**************************** EL PASO WALMART SHOOTING *********************
Gunman Opens Fire at Walmart, Kills 22
A gunman who is a resident of Allen, Texas has driven hours to El Paso, entered a Walmart and turned the Saturday August 3, 2019 a bloody day in the history of the border town. The victims of 21-year-old Patrick Crusius' hateful act of violence and mayhem were 22 innocent people who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. The dead included 13 U.S. citizens, one German and eight Mexican nationals. Patrick Crusius was later arrested. August 3, 2019 turned out to be one of the most fatal days in the nation's gun violence timeline which had been occurring more frequently and lethally. During the day, another gunman opened fire at a nightlife district in Dayton, Ohio, killing nine people and sending a nationwide shockwave.
Trump Condemns Bigotry, Violence
President Donald Trump on August 5, 2019 addressed a leery nation from the White House's Diplomatic Reception room, and condemned the gun violence and bigotry that one of the gunmen, Allen resident Patrick Crusius had displayed in his online writings. As Trump's 10-minute address lacked any specific proposals, many Democrats, including 2020 Presidential candidates, pressed for stricter gun laws, especially calling for Senate to table a bill passed by the House in February 2019 that had aimed at fixing some of the lacunae of the firearm background checks. In his online posts, Texas gunman Patrick Crusius had repeatedly showed his disdain and hatred for Mexicans.
90 Counts Slammed against the El Paso Shooter
A Grand Jury indictment was unsealed on February 6, 2020 by the U.S. Attorney John Bash on February 6, 2020 against the El Paso Walmart shooter, Patrick Crusius, who had driven from Allen to El Paso and wreaked havoc on August 3, 2019 at a Walmart by opening fire and killing 22 people. The indictment charges include 90 counts of varying nature, including 22 in hate crimes resulting in deaths, 22 in firearms-related to commit slayings, 23 in hate crimes in attempt to kill and 23 in firearms-related in attempt to kill.
9/11 Moment for El Paso Remembered on the First Anniversary
A somber, but spirited, air descended on El Paso on August 3, 2020 to mark the first anniversary of the worst attack on Mexicans in the USA in which an Allen resident, Patrick Crusius, drove hundreds of mile to create mayhem at the so called "Mexican Walmart" that had killed 23 people, including eight Mexican nationals, one German national and 14 Americans. The day was marked with social distancing protocols in place amidst novel coronavirus, but in a heart-felt, dignified way. 23 doves were released, plaques unveiled and a groundbreaking of a healing garden was begun.
**************************** EL PASO WALMART SHOOTING *********************
Odessa Mass Shooting Kills 7
A motorist on August 31, 2019 fled a routine traffic-stop on I-20 near Odessa, giving the Highway Patrol a high-speed chase that had led to his opening fire on civilians in another mass shooting, killing at least 7. The gunman, identified as Seth Aaron Ator, was later killed in police fire.
Texas Scores First in Lack of Insurance Coverage
The Census Bureau reported on September 10, 2019 that about 5 million Texans, or 17.7%, lacked health insurance coverage in 2018, worst among the 50 states. The report also highlighted a worsening scenario nationally, with percentage of uninsured people spiking to 8.5% in 2018 from 7.9% in 2017, mostly due to lower Medicaid enrollment. The gap is more pronounced in two demographics, which overlap each other: Hispanic and non-citizen.
Abbott's Gun Safety Commission's Report Mum on Universal Background Check
The panel formed by Governor Greg Abbott in the aftermath of August 31, 2019, Odessa shooting came out with a 13-page Texas Safety Action Report on September 12, 2019 that recommended, among others:
* Expedited reporting of criminal convictions to Department of Public Safety
* Passing state laws to prohibit straw purchases of firearms as already under the federal law
* Requiring to report county sheriff's office on any lost gun within 10 days
* An easy, affordable and beneficial way for a private gun seller to voluntarily get the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, information about a potential buyer
However, the report does not include a mandatory background check provision in stranger-to-stranger transaction. After the August 31, 2019, Odessa shooting, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick came out boldly that he was "willing to take an arrow" from National Rifle Association for his proposal of mandatory background check in stranger-to-stranger transaction.
********************** MAIL-IN BALLOT SAGA
Texas Supreme Court Sides with Paxton on Mail-in Ballot Issue
The Republican-dominated Texas Supreme Court on May 15, 2020 handed a significant political victory to the state's Republicans and Attorney-General Ken Paxton as it overturned a verdict issued a day earlier by Houston-based 14th Texas Court of Appeals. By 2-1 vote, the appeals court panel upheld a lower court order to allow Texans to cast vote by mail-in ballot. The Travis County Judge Tim Sulak ordered election officials in April 2020 to give ballots to Texas voters who would seek mail-in ballots. Under Texas law, mail-in ballots are permissible in case voters are more than 65-year-old, or disabled, or in military service, or away from home. Judge Tim Sulak issued temporary injunction ordering the mail-in ballot opportunities because of lack of COVID-19 immunity under the disability clause. Paxton filed the appeal to Houston-based 14th Texas Court of Appeals which had ruled in favor of Judge Tim Sulak's temporary order allowing mail-in vote while the merit of the case was going through the court system. The Texas Supreme Court's May 15, 2020, verdict was not altogether surprising to Texas Democratic Party, whose Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa blasted the Republicans to force Texans to choose between "exercising their right to vote and exercising their right to live" which "is an affront to everything that this democracy stands for". Texas Democrats are pursuing the case both in state and federal courts.
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Mail-in Ballot in Texas
A San Antonio-based federal judge, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, on May 19, 2020 dealt a damaging legal setback to Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, state's Republican leadership who had taken a rigid stand against mail-in ballots and, to some extent, Texas Supreme Court's stand on this issue. Judge Bierry ordered Texas election officials to allow all eligible Texas voters the options to cast ballots by mail because not doing so would constitute the "abridging" or denying the rights of Americans over 18 years old to vote, thus violating the 26th Amendment of Constitution. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery also upheld the rationale of state judge's verdict that lack of coronavirus immunity could be interpreted as part of "disability" and voters were eligible to vote by mail under the state constitution's "disability clause". U.S. District Judge Fred Biery's May 19, 2020 ruling, effective immediately, pushes the state into a legal limbo over voter rights and voting procedures as conflicting stands by state's apex court and federal judiciary are going to compound the level of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming primary elections in July further, and eventually the case is likely to be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Federal Appeals Court Puts Hold on Mail-in Ballot
Hearing an emergency appeal from the Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued on May 20, 2020 an "administrative" injunction, setting aside a lower federal court ruling a day earlier that granted mail-in ballot right to Texans. Although Paxton did "applaud the Fifth Circuit", it was a temporary injunction and not related to the merit of U.S. District Judge Fred Biery's May 19, 2020, verdict.
Texas Supreme Court Sides with Paxton
After issuing a preliminary verdict stopping immediate efforts to mail ballots to Texas voters, Texas Supreme Court on May 27, 2020 issued its final ruling, making clear that lack of collective immunity to coronavirus didn't automatically equate to physical illness that would grant voters access to mail-in ballots option under the state's "disability" clause under the state's "Election Code". However, the verdict was not entirely a victory for Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton. Paxton argued that many voters were seeking mail-in ballots and demanded that county election officials investigate them. The Texas Supreme Court made it clear that voters could ask for mail-in ballots on the ground of "disability" clause, but county officials had no power to investigate whether the voters had "disability". Still Paxton lauded the ruling.
U.S. Supreme Court Dashes Democratic Hope for Mail-in Ballot
U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2020 rejected Texas Democrats' appeal to vacate an appeals court's injunction on a lower court judge's ruling to allow Texans to vote by mail, thus handing a victory to the state's Republican leaders. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed injunction on May 20, 2020.
Texas Scores First in Lack of Insurance Coverage
The Census Bureau reported on September 10, 2019 that about 5 million Texans, or 17.7%, lacked health insurance coverage in 2018, worst among the 50 states. The report also highlighted a worsening scenario nationally, with percentage of uninsured people spiking to 8.5% in 2018 from 7.9% in 2017, mostly due to lower Medicaid enrollment. The gap is more pronounced in two demographics, which overlap each other: Hispanic and non-citizen.
Abbott's Gun Safety Commission's Report Mum on Universal Background Check
The panel formed by Governor Greg Abbott in the aftermath of August 31, 2019, Odessa shooting came out with a 13-page Texas Safety Action Report on September 12, 2019 that recommended, among others:
* Expedited reporting of criminal convictions to Department of Public Safety
* Passing state laws to prohibit straw purchases of firearms as already under the federal law
* Requiring to report county sheriff's office on any lost gun within 10 days
* An easy, affordable and beneficial way for a private gun seller to voluntarily get the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, or NICS, information about a potential buyer
However, the report does not include a mandatory background check provision in stranger-to-stranger transaction. After the August 31, 2019, Odessa shooting, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick came out boldly that he was "willing to take an arrow" from National Rifle Association for his proposal of mandatory background check in stranger-to-stranger transaction.
********************** MAIL-IN BALLOT SAGA
Texas Supreme Court Sides with Paxton on Mail-in Ballot Issue
The Republican-dominated Texas Supreme Court on May 15, 2020 handed a significant political victory to the state's Republicans and Attorney-General Ken Paxton as it overturned a verdict issued a day earlier by Houston-based 14th Texas Court of Appeals. By 2-1 vote, the appeals court panel upheld a lower court order to allow Texans to cast vote by mail-in ballot. The Travis County Judge Tim Sulak ordered election officials in April 2020 to give ballots to Texas voters who would seek mail-in ballots. Under Texas law, mail-in ballots are permissible in case voters are more than 65-year-old, or disabled, or in military service, or away from home. Judge Tim Sulak issued temporary injunction ordering the mail-in ballot opportunities because of lack of COVID-19 immunity under the disability clause. Paxton filed the appeal to Houston-based 14th Texas Court of Appeals which had ruled in favor of Judge Tim Sulak's temporary order allowing mail-in vote while the merit of the case was going through the court system. The Texas Supreme Court's May 15, 2020, verdict was not altogether surprising to Texas Democratic Party, whose Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa blasted the Republicans to force Texans to choose between "exercising their right to vote and exercising their right to live" which "is an affront to everything that this democracy stands for". Texas Democrats are pursuing the case both in state and federal courts.
Federal Judge Rules in Favor of Mail-in Ballot in Texas
A San Antonio-based federal judge, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, on May 19, 2020 dealt a damaging legal setback to Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, state's Republican leadership who had taken a rigid stand against mail-in ballots and, to some extent, Texas Supreme Court's stand on this issue. Judge Bierry ordered Texas election officials to allow all eligible Texas voters the options to cast ballots by mail because not doing so would constitute the "abridging" or denying the rights of Americans over 18 years old to vote, thus violating the 26th Amendment of Constitution. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery also upheld the rationale of state judge's verdict that lack of coronavirus immunity could be interpreted as part of "disability" and voters were eligible to vote by mail under the state constitution's "disability clause". U.S. District Judge Fred Biery's May 19, 2020 ruling, effective immediately, pushes the state into a legal limbo over voter rights and voting procedures as conflicting stands by state's apex court and federal judiciary are going to compound the level of uncertainty surrounding the upcoming primary elections in July further, and eventually the case is likely to be resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court.
A Federal Appeals Court Puts Hold on Mail-in Ballot
Hearing an emergency appeal from the Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton, a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued on May 20, 2020 an "administrative" injunction, setting aside a lower federal court ruling a day earlier that granted mail-in ballot right to Texans. Although Paxton did "applaud the Fifth Circuit", it was a temporary injunction and not related to the merit of U.S. District Judge Fred Biery's May 19, 2020, verdict.
Texas Supreme Court Sides with Paxton
After issuing a preliminary verdict stopping immediate efforts to mail ballots to Texas voters, Texas Supreme Court on May 27, 2020 issued its final ruling, making clear that lack of collective immunity to coronavirus didn't automatically equate to physical illness that would grant voters access to mail-in ballots option under the state's "disability" clause under the state's "Election Code". However, the verdict was not entirely a victory for Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton. Paxton argued that many voters were seeking mail-in ballots and demanded that county election officials investigate them. The Texas Supreme Court made it clear that voters could ask for mail-in ballots on the ground of "disability" clause, but county officials had no power to investigate whether the voters had "disability". Still Paxton lauded the ruling.
U.S. Supreme Court Dashes Democratic Hope for Mail-in Ballot
U.S. Supreme Court on June 26, 2020 rejected Texas Democrats' appeal to vacate an appeals court's injunction on a lower court judge's ruling to allow Texans to vote by mail, thus handing a victory to the state's Republican leaders. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stayed injunction on May 20, 2020.
Abbott’s
Proclamation Tantamount to Voter Suppression, Democrats Allege
The
October 1, 2020, gubernatorial proclamation issued by Texas Governor Gregg
Abbott immediately drew firestorm from voting rights activists, civil
rights groups and Democrats. The proclamation, aimed at what Governor Abbott has
claimed upholding the election integrity and poll “security protocol”, limits
the number of drop-off location for mail-in ballots to one per county and requires
the early voting clerks to allow poll watchers in the location starting on October
2, 2020. Dallas County will not be
affected by governor’s proclamation as it has Dallas County Election
headquarters as the only location for mail-in ballot drop-off. However, both
Travis and Harris counties have multiple drop-off locations. Democrats blasted
the Abbott move as a thin veneer of voting suppression maneuver.
Fifth
Circuit Restores Gubernatorial Proclamation Temporarily
A
day after a federal judge in Austin overturned Governor Gregg Abbott’s
October 1, 2020, proclamation limiting one drop-off location per county for
mail-in ballots, 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on October 10,
2020 stayed a temporary injunction to the federal judge’s order, restoring
the governor’s original proclamation.
Texas
Supreme Court Sides with Governor on Mail-in Ballot Drop Location Limitation
After
going back and forth between the state authorities and lowers courts, Texas
Supreme Court on October 27, 2020 upheld Governor Gregg Abbott October
1, 2020, proclamation to limit the number of drop-off locations for mail-in
ballots to one per county. Voting rights groups and others filed suits
both in federal and state court systems against Texas Governor Gregg Abbott’s
October 1, 2020, proclamation. Earlier 5th U.S. Circuit Court
of Appeals vacated an injunction by a lower court. On October 27, 2020, Texas
Supreme Court unanimously overturned an October 15, 2020, order
issued by State District Judge Tim Sulak that had toseed out governor’s
proclamation on the ground that it “needlessly and unreasonably” increased the
risk of spread of COVID-19.
********************** MAIL-IN BALLOT SAGA
********************** MAIL-IN BALLOT SAGA
*********************** TEXAS’ 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ***********************
Phelan
All Set to Become Texas House Speaker
A
three-term Beaumont Texas State House member has seen the opportunity to make
the boldest move to hold the speaker’s gavel on the election night (November
3, 2020) and begun to work on the phones to garner support from majority of
the would-be members, including Latina and Black Democratic leaders. By November
5, 2020, Rep. Dade Phelan was on sound footing on his way to become one
of the most powerful political officer-holders in the state. Rep. Dade
Phelan’s path as the leader of the Texas House is anything but smooth as
the state faces a ravaging Coronavirus pandemic that has infected more than 1
million people, killed more than 20,000 and significantly stalled the state’s
brisk economic growth, putting a substantial dent on the revenue outlook to the
tune of more than $20 billion. The Texas House will have the same composition
of 83 to 67 in favor of GOP as the last session.
******************** TEXAS' BIENNIAL BUDGET (SEP 1, 2021 - AUG 31, 2023)
House Passes $246.8 State Budget; Tables Federal Aid for Now
Texas House on April 22, 2021 passed a $246.8 billion two-year state budget, but left the $35 billion aid disbursed by the federal government unallocated for the time being. The vote was 149-0. In one key setback to Governor Gregg Abbott, House members voted 147-0 on April 22, 2021 that none of the federal portion of the money would be spent without the approval from legislatures, either in regular or special session.
Governor will Have Last Say over Spending from Federal Package
Although the Texas House voted on April 22, 2021 that Governor Greg Abbott needed to get approval from the lawmakers before getting to spend the federal aid from the Coronavirus aid packages passed in December 2020 and March 2021, including billions of dollars to the state's schools, negotiators in the conference committee have diluted the provision, giving Gov. Abbott almost free reign over spending decision, according to The Dallas Morning News' May 19, 2021, edition.
********** SCHOOL AID
Republican Taylor's Bill Extends the Life of Federal Aid
Congress allocated a total of $19 billion to aid schools in plugging learning gaps, helping out underprivileged students and offering free tutoring to struggling students. State released $1.3 billion in federal aid in Spring 2020, but cut an almost equal amount of the state's shares of allocation. In April 2021, Texas released an additional $11.2 billion to schools. State's schools already planned out a list of things, including free tutoring, in the upcoming summer. Federal government directed schools to spend all the allocated money within three years. According to May 20, 2021, edition of The Dallas Morning News, GOP state Senator Larry Taylor of Friendswood filed a bill that would extend the timeline of aid from three years to five years, by requiring school districts to save an equivalent of 40% of the federal aid in state's share of school funding dollars and use them in the two school-years ending 2024-25. Many educators are baffled by Taylor's bill [of saving 40% of federal aid in state funding] as the federal money is a supplemental aid to help reduce the learning and achievement gaps induced by the pandemic and those federal money as well as state dollars ought to be spent as soon as possible to avoid a generation of students from falling below their peer group permanently. The third tranch of $5.5 billion in federal aid is yet to be released.
Third Tranch of Ed Aid Released
TEA in June 2021 released the third part of the education aid package, valued $5.5 billion, passed as part of the COVID-19 relief aid.
********** SCHOOL AID
Texas Legislature Passes $248.6 billion Final Version of Biennial Budget
Texas Senate on May 26, 2021 approved unanimously a $248.6 billion final, two-year (September 1, 2021-August 31, 2023) budget package that's 5% less than the budget for the current budget cycle (September 1, 2019-August 31, 2021). The current budget cycle did have more or less the same allocated amount as in the next budget cycle, but about $14 billion in additional federal funding infused as part of the Coronavirus aid package made the current two-year budget 5% pricier than the next budget. The Senate Bill 1 was overwhelmingly passed by House on May 27, 2021 by 142-6 votes.
State Flush with Money, Comptroller Projects
Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar has brought good news for the residents of the state as he on July 14, 2022
has projected better revenue receipts from sales taxes, which account for 59% of the state's revenue, and other sources such as Oil, Motor Vehicles, Natural Gas and Motor Fuel, adding an additional $14 billion to the coffer. At the end of the current biennium that ends August 31, 2023, total surplus will be around $40 billion. Out of the total surplus, "general revenue-related" funds will account $26.95 billion and rainy day fund will have an unspent amount of $13.66 billion.
******************** TEXAS' BIENNIAL BUDGET (SEP 1, 2021 - AUG 31, 2023)
Permitless-Carry Bill Just Shy of Becoming Law
Texas legislatures have knocked it out of the park this session as far as gun rights are concerned, with Senate passing a bill by 17-13 votes on May 24, 2021 that will let a Texas resident, who is legally allowed to own a gun, to carry a handgun without permit/license or training, delivering a major victory on an issue that National Rifle Association has been pushing for a long time. The House has passed the measure on May 23, 2021 by 82-62 votes. Many in the law enforcement agencies in the state objected to this bill. This bill brings handguns in parity with long guns that have "permitless-carry" privilege for long time in the state.
140-day-long, 87th Legislative Session Ends on the Memorial Day
The 87th Texas legislative session ended on May 31, 2021 as House Speaker Dade Phelan gaveled to mark the conclusion. However, a day before, House saw a dramatic action by Democratic members who had left the House, thus depriving the quorum needed to pass the Senate version of the voting bill. The quorum-busting action came after House-Senate conference committee threw away a more palatable HB6 and, instead, adopted the Senate version that would make universal sending of mail-in ballot applications illegal, impose new criminal penalties for violations in poll conduct by poll workers, empower partisan poll watchers and reduce early voting hours. Governor Gregg Abbott on May 31, 2021 made it clear that he would call a special legislative session in the late summer to include two of his preferred agenda items: poll integrity measure and bail reform measure. Gov. Abbott has also threatened to veto portions of the general budget that includes salaries of lawmakers and legislative staff.
President Biden Takes Aim at Texas GOP Effort to Curb Voting
President Joe Biden on June 1, 2021 told reporters at Tulsa, where he was visiting to mark the 100th anniversary of Tulsa Race Massacre, that the "sacred right is under assault" without naming, but hinting enough, what the president had meant. He named Vice President Kamala Harris as the administration's point-person on two initiatives: federal scrutiny on election rule changes being made in the states with a history of discrimination and setting national standard for election rules.
Abbott
Vetoes Lawmakers’ Pay
Carrying
out his earlier threat, Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on June 18, 2021 has
vetoed the portions of the Texas budget that funds the compensation and
benefits of state lawmakers, their aides and some legislative priorities
beginning September 1, 2021.
Governor
Abbott Calls for Special Session
Governor
Gregg Abbott on June 22, 2021 called for special legislative session to start on
July 8, 2021.
Special Session Begins with Red-meat Republican Items on Agenda
Texas legislature's special session began on July 8, 2021, with the Senate wasting little time to take up issues like election integrity, banning transgender athletes from school sports and restricting access to abortion while the House more focused on restoring the pay of the staff in addition to taking up the voting integrity bill. Governor Gregg Abbott included an 11-item agenda--including, voting integrity, abortion restriction, banning "critical race theory" from teaching in the class, banning transgender athletic participation in school sports and reforming bail system--for the lawmakers to debate, discuss and pass.
Democrats Flee Texas, Deprive House the Quorum to Pass Voting Integrity Bill
As hearings on contentious voting bills began in Senate and House at the special session and it looked all but guaranteed for the Republicans to pass a sweeping voting restriction bill that would have a chilling effect on the communities of color, Democratic lawmakers on July 12, 2021 re-played the 2003-style tactic, this time, though, instead of taking refuge at a Holiday Inn in Ardmore, Oklahoma, flying en masse straight to nation's capital. Governor Gregg Abbott pledged to arrest the Democratic lawmakers and force them to do their job at Capitol in Austin. According to Texas constitution, a bill can not be passed in the House floor without securing two-third of 150 members present.
Senate Advances Voting Bill as House Passes Measure to Arrest Fugitive Lawmakers
On July 13, 2021, Texas' Democratic lawmakers who had fled the state to deprive a House quorum against a voting bill that they alleged would do voter suppression appeared on the U.S. Capitol steps and pledged their fight against GOP's voter restriction measure with all the might that it would take and as much as possible. Meanwhile, Texas House passed a measure by 76-4 vote during the day to round up, if necessary, the fugitive lawmakers and Senate passed a voting bill by 18-4 margin. Nine state Senators fled the state along with their House compatriots. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other national Democratic leaders rallied behind the Texas Democratic lawmakers and their valorous stand against voting restriction measure.
Six Lawmakers Tested COVID-19 Positive as well as Pelosi, Biden Aides
After fleeing Texas to break House quorum in order to prevent a voting bill that Democrats and voting rights groups had alleged a Jim Crow Era 2.0 measure to suppress the votes of communities of color, three Democratic lawmakers were tested COVID-19 positive on July 17, 2021, days after they had met Vice President Kamala Harris. On July 18, 2021, a fourth Texas lawmaker was tested positive. As of July 20, 2021, a total of six fugitive Democratic lawmakers were tested positive as well as an aide of Speaker Nancy Pelosi--the aide had chaperoned the lawmakers--and a White house aide. Now, it's unlikely that the lawmakers will be able to meet with President Joe Biden in person.
Democrat Returns to State
A day after a Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Harold Dutton, returned to Austin from Houston where he had flown back days ago from Washington D.C. after breaking ranks with the fugitive Democratic lawmakers at the nation's capital with an excuse that his sister was being treated for cancer in Houston and he could not afford to get infected with COVID-19 that had sickened six state lawmakers, Rep. Philip Cortez of San Antonio returned to the state on July 21, 2021 as he wanted to explore alternative paths to improve the voting bill. Although Democrats are reluctant to admit it as a crack in their unity, the lone desertion may be indicative of what's coming next. There are now 91 lawmakers in Austin, and the House needs 100 lawmakers to restore the quorum.
Speaker Signs Civil Arrest Warrant against Democrat
A Democratic lawmaker, Rep. Philip Cortez, who had returned to Austin on July 21, 2021 to the much chagrin of many Democratic lawmakers who had fled Austin for Washington D.C. on July 12, 2021, a day after a controversial election bill, HB 3, was passed in a select committee along partisan line, now managed to make the House Republicans angry as he returned to Washington D.C. on July 25, 2021. Speaker Dade Phelan on July 25, 2021 night signed an order to arrest Cortez as he broke his promise to work with Republican lawmakers to improve the voting bill.
Abbott Calls Second Special Session
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott on August 5, 2021 called a second special session as the Democratic state House members were holed in Washington D.C., depriving the House of quorum. Governor Gregg Abbott included a 17-point agenda items in the second special session set to begin on August 7, 2021 compared to 13 points included in the first special session. In the second special session, the expansive agenda items include a voting bill, a transgender athlete bill and bail bond reforms.
Second Special Session Begins without House Quorum
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan gaveled out on August 7, 2021--after opening the second special session followed by Rep. Jeff Leach, Plano-R, leading the House prayer--until August 9, 2021. The second special session will last through September 6, 2021. On the opening day, Democrats deprived the House the required quorum for the third time in this session as more than 60 Democratic lawmakers stayed back in Washington D.C.
House Close to Getting the Quorum to Resume Business; Separate Legal Wins for Democrats, Abbott
As about 20 of the 57 Democratic lawmakers who had originally fled to Washington D.C. to deny GOP the House quorum remained at the nation's capital, urging the U.S. Senate Democrats to pass a voting rights bill that would supplant state legislations, many of the Texas House Democratic members showed up on the House floor on August 9, 2021, helping Speaker Dade Phelan close in on getting a quorum.
Meanwhile, Texas Supreme Court during the day rejected a Democratic motion to overturn Governor Gregg Abbott's veto of salaries for state lawmakers and their legislative aides. In another legislative verdict, Criminal District Judge Brad Urrutia of the 450th District Court in Travis County on August 9, 2021 handed a temporary reprieve to Democratic lawmakers who had fled to Washington D.C. as the judge issued a restraining order to GOP move to arrest and corral the lawmakers who had left the House. Judge Urrutia's restraining order will last for 14 days.
Texas Supreme Court Overturns Lower Court Order; Phelan Signs Arrest Warrants
House Speaker Dade Phelan on August 10, 2021 signed a civil arrest warrant to round up the 52 wayward Democratic House members after the Texas Supreme Court overturned a Travis County lower court's order issued a day earlier and House subsequently voted 80-12 to force the fugitives to return. The signed arrest warrant will be handed over to House Sergeant-at-Arms on August 11, 2021. 57 House Democrats originally have fled to Washington D.C. before the first emergency session, and at least 20 of them are still holed up there to press for federal action by Congress.
Texas Supreme Court: Absconding House Members Can be Arrested
Texas Supreme Court on August 17, 2021 ruled on the merit of whether quorum-breaking House members could be arrested and brought to the House floor. The answer is yes, and the Texas Constitution does not protect the boycotting Democratic House members from rounding up, according to the opinion written for all-Republican court by Justice James D. Blacklock.
Three Democrats Give House the Needed Quorum
Shocking and surprising their own ranks who are staying put in Washington D.C., three Democratic House members from Houston area--Reps. Garnet Coleman, Armando Walle and Ana Hernandez--have returned to the House floor on August 19, 2021, giving the needed quorum to resume the House business. The trio issued a joint statement, saying that they were proud of the work that they had done in the Washington D.C. and "now we continue to fight on the House floor".
House Passes Voting Bill
House of Representatives on August 26, 2021 passed a restrictive voting bill (Senate Bill 1) in a party line vote of 79-37, with only one Republican--Rep. Lyle Larson, San Antonio--voting with Democrats. House will vote on the bill a second time on August 27, 2021. After that, Senate can accept the House-passed changes or reconcile in a conference committee. The bill bans 24-hour voting and drive-through voting as well empowering partisan poll watchers.
Election Bill out of House Doors
An election bill that Democrats panned as a veiled Jim Crow-era effort to curb the minority voting sailed through the House floor for the second time on August 27, 2021. The margin was 80-41, with a lone San Antonio Republican, Rep. Lyle Larson, joining 40 other Democratic lawmakers to vote against the SB 1.
Voting Bill Awaits Abbott's Signature
The restrictive voting bill was discussed by a House-Senate reconciliation committee, and the bill was slightly modified in the conference committee. Senate on August 31, 2021 passed the SB 1 by 18-13 party line vote, and House passed it by 80-41 votes. A lone Republican, Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, voted against the SB 1. The SB 1 now awaits Governor Gregg Abbott's signature.
Second Special Session Ends with Major Wins for Abbott
Texas' second special session ended on September 2, 2021 with most of Governor Gregg Abbott's agenda items passed, including a restrictive voting bill, adding $1.8 billion for border security to $1.1 billion already allocated under the regular session and reforming the bail bond system.
Abbott Calls Third Special Session to Focus on Redistricting
Governor Gregg Abbott, fresh from victories from the last session, on September 7, 2021 called the third special session of the legislature beginning September 20, 2021 for Congressional and state re-districting work based on the new Census data. In addition to contentious and all-important redrawing of Congressional and legislative districts, Governor Abbott included four additional items in the agenda for the third special legislative session: participation of transgender athletes in school sports, local mandate on vaccination, distribution mechanism for $16 billion in federal pandemic aid and restraining dogs with heavy chains or with other unlawful restraints.
Abbott
Adds Property Tax Cut, Detention Measures in Special Session
Governor
Gregg Abbott on September 22, 2021
has added two action items to the current list of priorities which the
Texas legislature is tackling in the third special session. Governor Abbott is
asking the lawmakers to dip into state’s fund and use $2 billion to
provide a one-time school property tax relief to Texas homeowners. The relief
amount to individual homeowners will be around $2,000. Another item Abbott is including in the third special
legislative session is to pass a measure that will ask Texas voters to amend
constitution giving the state powers to detain more defendants without bail.
******** KEY HIGHLIGHT OF 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Regular Session (Jan 12 - May 31, 2021)
* Abortion Ban (SB 8, or Heartbeat Act)
* Two Major Electricity Bills (SB 3 to require weatherization of winterization and another bill setting requirements of ERCOT board)
* CRT (HB 3979)
* Permitless Carry (HB 1927)
* State Budget ($248.6 billion biennial budget)
First Special Session (July 8-Aug 6, 2021)
* Lack of quorum
Second Special Session (Aug 7-Sep 2, 2021)
* Election Bill
* Bail Reform (SB 6)
* Abortion Medication (SB 4)
* More anti-Critical Race Theory (SB 3)
* Border Security (HB 9 that provides $1.88 billion on the top of $1.05 billion approved in the regular session)
* Social Media Censorship (HB 20)
* Christine Blubaugh Act to prevent dating and family violence
* Big Appropriations ($701 million, one-time supplemental pension payment to retired teachers)
Third Special Session (Sep 20-Oct 19, 2021)
* Redistricting
* Property Taxes
* Federal COVID-19 funding
* Transgender Athletes
* Dog tethering
******** KEY HIGHLIGHT OF 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION
*********************** TEXAS’ 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION ***********************
Texas Heading for the Worst Economic Damage from Mother Nature
This week's massive snowstorm, record-low temperature and hours of power outages to millions of Texans created a havoc in the state and took a dent to state's image as the best steward of its citizen. The rolling black-out that began at 1:25AM on February 15, 2021 led to days and nights of agonizing hours of millions of Texans, with families shivering at record low temperature, burst water pipes at tens of thousands of homes and harrowing times for thousands of at-risk population groups such as people on dialysis pumps and ventilators. According to Insurance Council of Texas as reported by The Dallas Morning News on February 19, 2021, the insurance claims this time will exceed $19 billion in price tag that stemmed from damages by the Hurricane Harvey. And, it's not over yet. The primary reason that insurance claims will be record high from this disaster is due to the fact that this weather disaster has struck all 254 counties of Texas.
Texas Power Grid "Minutes away from Collapse"
As millions of Texans had to face harrowing few days of power outages in a record-low temperature, finger-pointing had begun and much of the blame was heaped upon the grid operator, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, for not pre-assessing the potential catastrophe and pre-planning beforehand. However, ERCOT CEO Bill Magness defended his organization on February 18, 2021, saying that the state's power grid was minutes away from total collapse that could hurl the state into indefinite power outage and ERCOT's decision to deploy extended targeted outages had saved the day for the state. On February 16, 2021 evening, there were 3 million Texas families without power on one of the state's coldest days ever.
Biden Declares a Major Disaster for 77 Texas Counties
President Joe Biden late February 19, 2021 declared 77 Texas counties a major disaster zone, paving the way for economic assistance for temporary housing, home repairs and low-cost loans. Although Governor Gregg Abbott asked the federal government to declare all 254 Texas counties a major disaster zone, he nonetheless thanked President Biden for "this partial approval". The fund will be provided under Major Disaster Declaration.
Major Disaster Declaration Extended for more than Two Dozen Additional Counties
As additional information are being gathered by the state and submitted to FEMA, there are now 108 Texas counties that have come under the White House's Major Disaster Declaration as of February 22, 2021.
PUC Chief Resigns amid Bipartisan Wrath
Facing a bipartisan grilling and scolding from the irate lawmakers in last week's special hearing at the Texas legislature, the head of the Texas Public Utility Commission, DeAnn Walker, on March 1, 2021 announced her resignation immediately.
ERCOT Chief Fired
After days of calls from the state's political bigwigs such as Governor Gregg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to resign, Electric Reliability Council of Texas on March 3, 2021 fired its embattled CEO Bill Magness. The firing of ERCOT chief executive, who will work as acting head for the next 60 days as the search for a new head ramps up, comes on the same day a House panel--U.S. House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Environment--has launched an investigation into epic power outages in Texas last month. At present, eight of the 16-member ERCOT board are working as the remaining half have resigned in the wake of massive power outages last month blamed by many on ERCOT.
Governor Names New PUC Chief
Governor Gregg Abbott on March 3, 2021 named Arthur D'Andrea as the new PUC chairman, replacing the former chair, DeAnn Walker. With DeAnn Walker's resignation from the 3-member PUC, the regulatory body is now working with two members.
PUC Shirks on $16 billion Overcharge Restitution
A Virginia-based consulting firm hired by the state of Texas for independent assessment of the state's power grid called out a "pricing error" that had led to $16 billion in overcharges, according to a March 13, 2021, report published in the print edition of The Dallas Morning News. The "pricing error" might have been caused because of failure of ERCOT to step in to lower the electricity price cap in the wholescale marketplace. Days ago on February 15, 2021, Public Utility Commission ordered ERCOT to raise the wholesale price cap to the maximum permissible limit of $9,000 per megawatt-hour to incentivize the generators to generate more power and sell them at the state's wholesale marketplace as demand was rising exponentially in the midst of plunging temperatures. The unintended consequence of that order was the exponential rise in the spot prices of "ancillary services", services needed to build the energy reserves or help sustain the power system in balance. Unfortunately, there is no price cap for "ancillary services" unlike the wholesale electricity prices. Ancillary services often go hand in hand with wholesale electricity prices, thus making it imperative to lower the cap for wholesale electricity prices when the demand is moderating. According to Carrie Bivens of Potomac Economics, the spot prices for "ancillary services" rose as high as $25,000 per megawatt-hour. To many, including the SMEs with Potomac, there ought to be price caps for "ancillary services" too just like wholesale electricity prices. According to Potomac's assessment of February 15-18, 2021 epic snowstorm, ERCOT erred by letting the wholesale electricity price cap stay at $9,000 per megawatt-hour in the last 32 hours of the crisis as the distributors and retail electricity providers had to bear the brunt of an additional $16 billion in spending related to elevated prices of "ancillary services". PUC had an opportunity last week to rectify the mistake related to the $16 billion in "pricing error" and order the ERCOT to get refunds from the generators. PUC, headed by the acting chair, Arthur D'Andrea, who is the only one left now in the three-member agency, has passed on that opportunity for reimbursement.
Senate Holds Unusual Session to Reverse the $16 billion Overcharge
Texas Senate is so intent to reverse the $16 billion in "pricing error" that the Texas energy market monitor, Potomac Economics, has blamed ERCOT for not lowering the wholesale electricity prices cap during the last 32 hours of epic February 15-18, 2021, snow storm and subsequently asked the PUC to reverse the overcharges, which one-member PUC has refused to oblige, that it has come back early in an unusual session on March 15, 2021 and passed a bill, Senate Bill 2142, by 27-3 votes at a lightning speed in hours. The bill bestows the authority in the state PUC and calls for reversal of the "pricing error". Now, the bill goes to Texas House. Senate leader Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick asked Governor Gregg Abbott to show public support for the bill.
PUC Head, Lone Member, Steps down
After comments during a March 9, 2021, conference call with the Bank of America Securities became public, Texas' lone commissioner remaining in the Public Utility Commission resigned on March 16, 2021. Governor Gregg Abbott asked PUC Chairman Arthur D'Andrea to step down after he was reported to have told the Bank of America Securities that he would be buying time for the increasing demand for the reversal of $16 billion in "pricing error" to die down. A day ago, Texas Senate overwhelimingly voted for reversal of the "pricing error". Governor Gregg Abbott appointed D'Andrea the PUC chairman on March 3, 2021 after Commissioner DeAnn Walker resigned. A third commissioner, Shelly Botkin, resigned too.
Death Toll from February 2021 Snow Storm Mounts to 111, New Report Says
Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on March 25, 2021 updated its estimate of death toll from the epic Texas snowstorm last month to 111.
Governor Signs Two Bills to Prevent February 2021 Catastrophic Failure of TX Power Grid
Gov. Gregg Abbott on June 8, 2021 signed a pair of bills chalked out by the Texas legislature in response to the epic February 2021 power failure in the state. SB 3 requires electric utilities to weatherize or winterize their facilities. Public Utility Commission will issue rules within six months of when the law becomes effective. Utilities and electric generators will weatherize or winterize their equipment and plants as per the proposed PUC rules. Another aspect of SB 3 is related to weatherizing the natural gas wells feeding the electric generator supply chain. An interagency committee, Supply Chain Security and Mapping Committee, will identify which gas wells feed the electric generators. Texas Rail Road Commission has six months to work and issue rules for weatherizing or winterizing the wells identified by the interagency committee. Critics slammed the SB 3 for low noncompliance penalties for utilities and generators as well as no timeline for utilities to weatherize their plants and interagency committee to finish identifying the gas wells which are part of the electric generator supply chain.
Governor Abbott has also signed SB 2 that requires ERCOT board members to have primary residences in Texas.
ERCOT Unveils a 60-point Plan to Bolster Grid Reliability
In response to Governor Gregg Abbott's June 6, 2021, letter instructing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and Public Utility Commission to come up with plans to strengthen the reliability of the state's grid system after an epic winter storm and an unexpected close-to-another-massive outage in June 2021 because of so many generators' simultaneous offline maintenance operation, ERCOT CEO Brad Jones sent a 60-point roadmap and reliability plan to Gov. Abbott and PUC. The plan, sent in the early hours of July 13, 2021, aims to shift some of the responsibilities to the shoulder of PUC. The roadmap makes it clear that ERCOT will continue to play the market regulator's role with all-hands-on-deck strategy. The roadmap includes provision that will level the "playing field between renewables and dispatchable thermal energy".
State Senators Grill Regulators over the Loopholes
Sparks flew during a heated hearing on September 28, 2021 at the Texas Senate Business and Commerce Committee, especially over a loophole in the Texas Rail Road rules that would exempt many of the well owners and operators from weatherizing or winterizing their assets in the coming winter. The bipartisan anger aimed at the Texas Rail Road Executive Director Wei Wang over the loopholes represented a unified chamber, a political rarity. The grid law passed in the regular session this year will require the natural gas owners to identify the wells which are "critical" to state's energy network and winterize them. The grid law will be effective in the Fall of 2022, but in the run up to winter months of 2021 and early 2022, the owners may fill out a TRR application form to seek an exemption. The application fee is a mere $150 instead of a hefty tens of thousands of dollars to winterize each well.
Cost of ERCOT Reliability Enhancement: A Hefty $1.5 billion
The independent market monitor overseeing the Electric Reliability Council of Texas last month gave the state legislature the latest estimate of spending for this year alone to bolster the state's grid. The Dallas Morning News in its front-page publication on July 21, 2022 put that figure at a hefty $1.5 billion. According to The Dallas Morning News, the monitor, Carrie Bivens, and PUC Chairman Peter Lake explained to the lawmakers last month on potential price increases that consumers would face in the coming months because of the reforms undertaken to bolster the reliability of the state's electric grid. The enhanced costs include, among others:
* Investment in winterizing the network of equipment
* Raising the power reserves to 6,500 megawatts on a regular day and 7,500 megawatts on days with higher uncertainties from the then-safety thresholds of 2,000 to 3,000 megawatts
* Changing the pricing model to encourage more power to the grid earlier than around a crisis situation
The latest report also estimates how renewables have added more generation compared to decreased generation by dispatchable-on-demand fleet (gas- and coal-fired power plants). Over the past five years, the independent monitor's report states, ERCOT has
* (RENEWABLE) Added 15,000 megawatts of wind, 10,000 megawatts of solar, and 1,500 megawatts of storage batteries
* (DISPATCHABLE) Added 1,500 megawatts of gas-fired power while abandoning 900 megawatts of gas steam units as well as sheded 5,600 megawatts of coal capacity by retiring coal-fired units
Since 2021 winter storm, regulators' focus was on grid reliability. Now is the time for second phase of the reform: market redesign.
Composition of Advisory Board Entrusted to Develop “Market Design” Under
Scrutiny
A 12-member State Energy Plan Advisory Committee was set up as
part of the Senate Bill 3. The SEPAC is entrusted to formulate a
recommendation by September 1, 2022 to firm up the grid reliability
through a “market redesign”. The Dallas Morning News has
published a front-page article on August 9, 2022, highlighting how none
of the 12 members—four each appointed by Governor Gregg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan
Patrick, and Speaker Dade Phelan—is not only devoid of any working involvement
with renewables, but all of them are deeply tied to fossil-fuel industry.
The head of the 12-member SEPAC, former Rep. Phil Wilson, heads one of
the large utilities—Lower Colorado River Authority—that depend on
dispatchable fleet to generate electricity and power hundreds of thousands of
Texas homes. There was no open meeting or public comments taken as feedback
while the committee had met couple of times behind the closed doors.
Public Shut out of State Panel’s Deliberation
In a behind-the-curtain, super-secret deliberation, a panel created as
part of the Senate Bill 3 and consisted of fossil fuel industry officials
and executives on August 10, 2022 approved recommendations by 7-5
votes although its report was not yet finished. The legislature will take
the recommendations and use them as a framework to work on a market redesign plan.
The report, or any of the recommendations, is not made public. Based on media
reports, they included:
* Reinforcing the work already being done at the Texas Railroad Commission
and Public Utility Commission
* Requiring the renewable energy to have some reliability requirement such
as penalty for not producing a set level of electricity in the summer months
* Giving the State Energy Plan Advisory Committee head Phil Wilson, a
former lawmaker and CEO of Lower Colorado River Authority, the leeway to change
recommendations
Texas Railroad Commission Approves Winterization Plan
Texas Railroad Commission on August 30, 2022 approved the state's first natural gas infrastructure protection standards for natural gas wells, pipelines and network of natural gas processing facilities. The standars were developed in response to epic 2021 winter storm blamed for the deaths of hundreds of Texans. Violators will be subject to fines as high as $1 million for major violations.
Consulting Firm Appointed by PUC Excludes Edge Case Scenario of Feb 2021
Snowstorm
As part of the market design plan, Public Utility Commission in
May 2022 launched a study by the consulting firm E3 to evaluate
various market designs to migrate from the current model of deregulated market,
which PUC Chairman Peter Lake called a “crisis-based market” model, to
the new market design model. The E3 report was released on November
10, 2022, and in its analysis, the firm took into consideration of the
demand peaks for the timeline of 1980 through 2019. The exclusion of the edge
case scenario of 2021 Valentine Week storm that strained the grid and killed
more than 200 people was not included in the model, disappointing many experts.
However, the report recommended that the grid operator take into consideration
2021 winter storm in the future analysis. The report states the rationale
behind excluding the 2021 winter storm as the “Consulting Team does not expect
the same levels of outage would be observed during similar weather conditions
due to improvements that have been made by the PUCT, such as weatherization
rules and firm fuel procurement".
The analysis by E3 didn’t also include the data from a vicious 2022
summer that had forced the grid couple of times almost to the state of emergency.
The report recommends a “Capacity Market Model” under which the state pays
the power generators even when their plants are offline to subsidize
maintenance and operation as part of ensuring a reliable supply of juice during
the extreme weather conditions. However, the PUC is mulling over and inching
toward adopting an alternative model, “Performance Credit Mechanism Model”,
which is a hybrid of the favored model as recommended by E3 and a deregulated
market. Public and all stakeholders have until noon December 15, 2022 to
submit comments. PUC Chair Peter Lake said that the commission would
come up with final recommendation before the beginning of the new legislative
session on January 10, 2023.
Panel Asks PUC to Hold off Market Redesign Plan; SARA Report Gives
Confidence
As the Public Utility Commission of Texas is preparing for a
final recommendation on a market redesign plan, all nine members of the Texas
Senate Business and Commerce Committee led by Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown
wrote a letter late December 1, 2022 to PUC to hold off on presenting any
market redesign plan until Senators had a clear look at the full
picture. The letter came as a surprise in the waning days of what could have
been a collection of “multiple options” and a recommendation on a new market
design to be presented by the PUC to Texas legislature. The letter was sent to
PUC two days after Lt. Governor Dan Patrick set his eyes for firming up
the grid reliability with incentives on new natural gas generators.
On November 29, 2022, the heads of Public Utility Commission
of Texas and ERCOT released a report, Seasonal Assessment of
Resource Adequacy, on how the operational and functional framework would
work during winter months. Peter Lake of PUC and Pablo Vegas, CEO of ERCOT,
exuded confidence on November 29, 2022 after releasing the SARA
Report for the winter. The report portrays three scenarios: (1) Forecasted,
(2) High and (3) Extreme. SARA Report—based on the previous (2007-2021)
years’ weather patterns and population growth—forecasts peak energy demand to
rise 67,398 megawatts in the winter months, with capacity of supply hovering
about 87,300 megawatts. The “High” scenario estimates the peak
demand around an additional 9,900 megawatts, exceeding the capacity by 25
megawatts which, in the large schema of things, is not significant. The “extreme”
scenario will entail an additional 12,677 megawatts, exceeding the
capacity by 1,897 megawatts, thus triggering a rolling blackout.
ERCOT’s Independent Market Monitor Prefers Status Quo
The Dallas Morning News in a front-page article reported on January
2, 2023 that Potomac Economics, the independent market monitor of Electricity
Reliability Council of Texas, had recommended the Public Utility Commission
to stay with the current market design of “energy-only market”, a
deregulated market structure with incentives for generators to produce and sell
powers in a competitive marketplace and consumers to choose a provider. Potomac
wrote in a comment submitted to the PUC that “we continue to believe in the
effectiveness of the energy-only market”. The most substantial change to the “energy-only
market” was made in December 2021 when the PUC changed the market
demand curve. That change lowered the price cap from $9,000 per megawatt
hour to $5,000 per megawatt hour, but made it easier to reach the lucrative
pricing cap. Potomac Economics estimated that the change made to the “energy-only
market” design led to an additional $1.7 billion in revenue to Texas’
real-time electricity market in 2022 through November 30, with 61% of that
going to the natural gas dispatchable sector. The new market model many in the
PUC prefer is Performance Credit Mechanism Model that rewards generators
which produce during peak demand. PUC has estimated that it will cost Texas
ratepayers about $460 million in increased electricity bill to implement the Performance
Credit Mechanism Model.
To the Surprise of Many, PUC Approves Complex Redesign
Setting up a battle with powerful Senators, Texas Public Utility Commission on January 19, 2023 approved the Performance Credit Mechanism Model. Under the PCM Model, circa 25% of Texas' energy market-- about $5.7 billion, according to the PUC--will be carved out for companies that own natural gas power plants. These generators will then compete for the so called "performance credits" that the retail electricity providers, municipal utilities and rural co-ops will be forced to purchase. The objective of the PCM Model is to ensure an instant and reliable supply response to a crisis situation such as the epic 2021 winter storm.
******************* PUC vs. LUMINANT
State Appeals Court Rules State’s Power Pricing Cap Unlawful
Texas’ 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin on March 17, 2023 ruled that PUC had
exceeded its authority and violated state law when it set the electricity price
at the allowable cap of $9,000 per megawatt-hour during the February 2021
winter storm crisis that had, at one point of time, plunged 49% of Texans into hours
of prolonged power outages as the grid was lurking on total collapse and led to
deaths of at least 200 people. As pipelines, gas wells, generating stations and
other energy infrastructure networks began to become non-operational, then-PUC
Chair DeAnn Walker invoked the so called “scarcity pricing model”, ordering
on February 15, 2021 the spot price for electricity to the then-allowable
maximum of $9,000 per megawatt-hour. PUC renewed the price cap with
another order on February 16, 2023. The price cap—it was subsequently
lowered to $5,000 per megawatt-hour—remained in force for four days,
costing an additional $16 billion. State’s utilities and energy
companies financially bled as they were forced to buy electricity at such a sky-high
pricing point, leading many of them to file bankruptcies. Several of these
firms joined the main plaintiff, Luminant, part of Vistra, which had filed a lawsuit against PUC
orders of February 15, 2021 and February 16, 2021 two weeks after
Texas’ worst winter storm in recent memory.
******************* PUC vs. LUMINANT
Texas Grid Operator Issues Cautionary Warning for Upcoming Summer
Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, Texas’ electric
grid operator on May 3, 2023 projected peak demand in the 2023 summer
greater than once unthinkable breakable threshold of 80,000 megawatts.
In 2022, Texas broke the record for the first time by breaching the 80,000-megawatt
threshold on July 20, 2022. ERCOT’s 2022 projection in its Seasonal
Assessment of Resource Adequacy, SARA, demand report never predicted a peak
demand exceeding 80,000 megawatts. SARA peak demand projection for 2022
was 77,317 megawatts. ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, though,
reassured Texans that the power grid is “ready to run” comparing it to a
vehicle.
However, there is still a fear among many grid observers and
policymakers that 2023 summer’s peak demand forecast of 82,739 megawatts
can bring close call such as what has happened several times in 2022 summer
months if there is a treacherous mix of extremely high temperature, subpar
supply of electricity from dispatchable fleet due to failure of one or more
generators and inadequate feed from renewables.
Lake Resigns as PUC Head
A little more than two years in the job, the head of Public Utility
Commission of Texas on June 2, 2023 announced his resignation. Peter
Lake, who shepherded one of the most radical reforms in the state’s energy
history after the deadly January 2021 snowstorm, will quit on July 1, 2023.
Texas Supreme Court Rules for “Sovereign Immunity” for ERCOT from
Lawsuit
Texas Supreme Court on June 23, 2023 unanimously ruled that ERCOT was a government unit,
but issued a divided verdict on whether ERCOT enjoyed the so called “sovereign
immunity” from lawsuits. On “sovereign immunity” issue, the verdict
was 5-4 in favor of shielding ERCOT from lawsuit. With this verdict, state’s
apex court overturned a Dallas appeals court’s ruling in a case that had been
brought by San Antonio municipal utility CPS Energy and a Dallas area private
energy developer, Panda Power Funds in the aftermath of the devastating
winter storm in February 2021.
Prop 7 A Windfall for Natural Gas Power Plants
Proposition 7 will provide cheap money to natural gas-powered utilities to generate
10 gigawatts of electricity—enough to power 2 million homes—so that this
dispatchable units can be switched on a short notice under emergency, according
to a front-page article published October 16, 2023 by The Dallas
Morning News. Prop 7 will be put in the November 7, 2023, ballot as one of the 14
amendments.
Many environmentalists and consumer rights groups think that this a
taxpayer dole-out to a powerful industry lobby in Texas as solar and wind are
becoming more mainstay in the Texas’ energy equation. Proposition 7 calls
for $10 billion in investment: $1 billion for investment in the non-ERCOT
coverage area: portions of East Texas, Panhandle and El Paso areas. A
second tranche of $1.8 billion will be allocated to strengthen the power
infrastructure for critical operations such as hospitals and fire
stations. The remaining $7.2 billion will be used to fund the cheap
loans for the qualifying generators. This year’s legislature budgeted $5
billion. The remaining $5 billion will come from the next legislative session. If
Prop 7 fails, the money will be appropriated for something else.
ERCOT Pulls the Electricity Reserve Program
Electric Reliability Council of Texas on November 17, 2023 pulled the plug on a
program that it had proposed after the deadly 2021 winter storm which had led
to deaths of more than 200 people in Texas. The program calls for activating
the deactivated and decommissioned power plants to boost power reserve. Early
this month, an ERCOT report said that there was a 20% chance of an emergency in
the grid in the coming winter and 17% chance of rolling blackout. However, the
response from the generators was so weak that ERCOT on November 17, 2023
was forced to withdraw the reserve program. The goal was to have a reserve for
powering about 600,000 households in case of an emergency. But the current
picture portrays a bleak outcome with forecasted reserve powering around only
an additional 2,200 homes, and that’s even because of the pledges made by the large
electric users to cut down the usage when demand is high in exchange for
incentives. ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, though, doesn’t believe that an
actual 2021-like blackout is likely to happen in the coming winter.
Legislative Hindrance Makes Texas from Achieving Full Potential on
Renewable Energy
The Dallas Morning News ran a front-page article on March 19, 2024
that confirmed the Lone Star State’s position as the top generator of solar
energy. On February 19, 2024, the Texas grid received a record amount of
solar energy: 17,200 megawatts. On February 25, 2024, for five
hours the electricity cost was $0 as the high solar and wind capacity had put
pressure on fossil fuel and nuclear generators to offer electricity at a cheap
price to remain competitive.
However, there is a headwind against the wider embrace of renewable
energy in Texas. In the last legislative session, the GOP lawmakers created the
Texas Energy Fund to provide $5 billion in cash reimbursements and
low-interest loans to firms willing to build natural gas-fired power plants. Lt.
Gov. Dan Patrick and hedge fund behemoth BlackRock rolled out a red carpet
to promote the Texas Energy Fund to potential firms. As a result, the
interest among the utilities about the TEF is very high, according to Commissioner
Jimmy Glotfelty, who had made the comment during a meeting of the Public
Utility Commission on February 15, 2024. Texas voters also ratified the
creation of the TEF.
In response to burgeoning footprint of renewables, ERCOT last year has
created the so called ERCOT Contingency Reserve Service, or ECRS, that
encourages dispatchable fleet—mostly natural gas-fired power plants—to generate
electricity when the reserves dipped low. Within months of ECRS’ introduction,
an independent market monitor issued a scathing criticism of the new service,
illustrating how the ancillary service had created an apparent situation of
reserve shortfall and cost taxpayers approximately $8 billion. That amount now
rose to $12 billion.
In addition, the Public Utility Commission has created a separate
energy market in late 2022 where utilities—irrespective of whether they are
dispatchable or renewable fleet—can vie for performance credits under the aegis
of they will be called upon when the demands will rise. State lawmakers capped
the new market at $1 billion.
ERCOT Sounds Alarm Bell for New EPA Rules
Days before the new EPA rules go into effect on July 8, 2024, ERCOT
chief Pablo Vegas gave an update to the ERCOT Board on June 21, 2024,
saying that the new EPA mandates aimed at cutting carbon emissions and mercury
contamination would have disastrous impact on the state’s coal-fired power plants
and, to a lesser extent, natural gas-fired power plants. The warning bell is
being rung in the run-up to a potentially scorching summer that may end up with
electricity demand topping last year’s record of 85 gigawatts. The Electricity
Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, now predicts that the demand will
jump to 130 gigawatts by 2030, due to huge electricity demand
from a growing footprint of power-hungry data centers and crypto-mining
facilities.
Texas Grid to be Connected with Southeastern Grid System
Biden administration will invest $360 million to connect ERCOT
grid with Mississippi that would integrate the standalone Lone Star State’s
energy conduit with Southeastern grid system, according to a front-page article
in the October 4, 2024, edition of The Dallas Morning News. As part
of the Southern Spirit project, Texas will be able to buy from and sell
to Southeastern states as per demand.
Abbott Highlights the Potential of Nuclear Energy
Texas Governor Gregg Abbott came out heavily in favor of nuclear energy at a nuclear industry conference on November 18, 2024. As part of the study performed by a governor-appointed panel, Texas Advanced Nuclear Reactor Working Group, a state fund, Texas Nuclear Power Fund, is to be created to help the private entities bear the front-end costs. The working group calls on the Texas legislature to pass a set of bills to create a university research network, support nuclear power and fund advanced nuclear technology and budget for the Texas Nuclear Power Fund. The model is the same as a state fund created as part of a 2023 legislative decision to encourage natural gas-fueled power plants builders to file applications to build new natural gas power plants. There are four existing nuclear power units at two sites in the Lone Star State, including two reactors in the Comanche Peak. One of the Public Utility Commission, or PUC, members appointed by Gregg Abbott is a passionate backer of growing footprint of nuclear energy. Jimmy Glotfelty, the PUC member appointed by Abbott, also addressed the Texas Nuclear Summit in Austin on November 18, 2024.
The Second Part of Power Plan to be Implemented Soon
The Dallas Morning News reported in its December 2, 2024, edition that the second component of the energy reliability plan that the state lawmakers had envisioned with a $10 billion legislative push in 2023 would soon kick in. The first part's goal is to shore up a loan program for a fleet of natural gas-fired generators. The initial application pool is already selected despite some serious faults in the screening criteria as one of the applicants has been implicated in a federal felony case. Many state lawmakers bristled at a recent hearing at the overseer of the screening process, Deloitte, for not robustly vetting the applicants. The state lawmakers had approved $5 billion of the $10 billion in the proposed fund. The cream of the pie of the Texas Energy Fund, or TEF, is always the loan program that will provide a cheap 3% loan to generators to build a fleet of natural gas-fired power plants. However, a second part of the overall program is not talked enough or not highlighted enough. That's the $1.8 billion back-up program, or known as the Texas Power Promise program. Under that grant program, cities, counties and businesses will be able to purchase back-up power systems to power critical infrastructures such as hospitals, community clinics, fire stations, storm shelters and other emergency facilities for 48 hours. There are 31,000 such candidate sites identified in Texas eligible for Texas Power Promise grants, according to a report issued in September 2024 by Patrick Engineering.
Writ of Mandamus Writs Supreme in Blocking Thousands of Cases
Tens of thousands of Winter Storm Uri plaintiffs filed cases against a host of defendants after Texas grid had failed to live up to the expectations of Texans, killing at least 246 people during the devastating Valentine's winter storm in 2021, forcing thousands of people to hospitals and bankrupting energy retailers in addition to huge losses to businesses, large and small enough. Even some of the insurers joined hands with their traditional nemesis--trial lawyers--to recoup money for significant payments related to claims. In June 2021, the State Supreme Court ordered all Winter Storm Uri filings to be consolidated in the Harris County Court of District Judge Sylvia Matthews.
In 2022, Harris County District Judge Sylvia Matthews divided the litigation into separate buckets: Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT; natural gas firms; generators; and transmission and distribution utilities, or TDUs, respectively.
The court rulings began to pile up against the plaintiffs starting in January 2023, starting with the judge's ruling against the plaintiffs' cases related to natural gas firms such as Atmos, Comstock, Andarko, Energy Transfer and Apache.
However, what's concerning to plaintiffs is the defendants' reliability on the [writ of] Mandamus, which a superior court can intervene and dismiss the cases filed in the lower courts even before the trials begin, and a single hearing is heard. In December 2023, the First Court of Appeals ruled that the cases against the generators such as Luminant, NRG, Calpine, Exelon and Sempra had "no basis in law or facts". The plaintiffs' attorneys filed an appeal of this power generator ruling the Texas Supreme Court, which was yet to decide whether to accept the appeal. In the interim, in June 2023, the State Supreme Court ruled that ERCOT did enjoy the immunity as a "sovereign government entity", another slap in the face of plaintiffs.
This leads to the TDUs remaining the only defendants without any preliminary or conclusive verdicts. Their high-priced attorneys filed a Writ of Mandamus to the Texas Supreme Court. The TDU hearing will be held on February 19, 2025.
*************************** EPIC SNOWSTORM OF 2021 ****************************
************************** ASTROWORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL DISASTER **************
Eight Killed, Hundreds Injured in Crowd Surge
A hyper-energetic air and lack of appropriate crowd management techniques turned a festive Friday night into a killing ground on November 5, 2021 at Houston's NRG Park as a 50,000-strong crowd were attending the Astroworld Music Festival. Once Travis Scott took the stage, there was a massive crowd surge towards the stage, making it difficult for people to move their arms and breathe. Spectators were passing out right and left. Many were trampled. Eight people were dead, and hundreds were injured. At least 13 people remained hospitalized as of November 6, 2021. Concert-goers described a situation wher people pushed each other with no space between them, making it impossible to move limbs, or breathe, or turn around.
************************** ASTROWORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL DISASTER **************
************************** ASTROWORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL DISASTER **************
Judge
Rules against Higher Tuition Rates for out-of-state Students
The
Dallas Morning News
reported on April 13, 2022 in its first page cover news that a federal
judge had ruled last week that the UNT could not charge out-of-state students
higher than the tuitions for in-state undocumented immigrant students. Texas
Public Policy Foundation, on behalf of the Young Conservatives of Texas,
filed a lawsuit against the University of North Texas, aiming at a provision of
the state law that was signed by Former Governor Rick Perry allowing
in-state tuition rates for undocumented immigrant students with the state residency
of three consecutive years prior to graduating from high schools. U.S.
District Judge Sean Jordan agreed with the plaintiff, ruling that providing
cheaper tuitions to aliens “without lawful immigration status” at the expense
of out-of-state American citizen students was “unconstitutional”. UNT is
appealing the ruling.
Lawsuit
against TWC over Claw-back Effort of Pandemic-era Unemployment Benefits
Lawsuit
had been filed against the Texas Workforce Commission as scores of Texans
had received notices from the state that they had been overpaid in unemployment
benefits from the COVID-19 aid package designed to help millions of Texans
during the peak of shelter-in-place era that had forced businesses to shutter
and temporarily, or permanently, lay off employees. Texas has disbursed $42
billion in unemployment benefit during that crisis time. The Dallas
Morning News on May 5, 2022 reported that the state now wanted to
claw back the extra money disbursed based on erroneous formula.
Iraqi Migrant Arrested over Plot to Assassinate Bush
An Iraqi, who arrived at the USA in September 2020 and filed for asylum in March 2021, allegedly plotted to kill Former President George W. Bush, according to The Dallas Morning News' May 25, 2022, edition. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio recently issued the complaint against Shihab Ahmed Shihab Shihab for plotting to kill Bush and smuggle in assassins through Mexico-U.S. border. Shihab was arrested on May 24, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio, and brought to the federal court. In a 21-page affidavit, the DOJ accused Shihab of scouting out the residential neighborhood of George W. Bush in February 2022.
High School End-of-Course STAAR Results Improve Somewhat
Texas Education Agency on June 16, 2022 released the end-of-course results from the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, STAAR, tests for the state's high schoolers. The results are somewhat satisfactory, but also point to continuous effort needed to bridge the "pandemic slide" that our Texas school students have widely experienced due to COVID-19-induced school shutdown. The breakdown of the results is as follows:
* Algebra I: Approaches (81% Spring 2019; 72% Spring 2021) 74% Spring 2022
Meets (62% Spring 2019; 41% Spring 2021) 46% Spring 2022
Masters (39% Spring 2019; 23% Spring 2021) 30% Spring 2022
* Biology: Approaches (88% Spring 2019; 81% Spring 2021) 82% Spring 2022
Meets (63% Spring 2019; 54% Spring 2021) 57% Spring 2022
Masters (26% Spring 2019; 22% Spring 2021) 23% Spring 2022
* English 1: Approaches (63% Spring 2019; 66% Spring 2021) 63% Spring 2022
Meets (49% Spring 2019; 50% Spring 2021) 48% Spring 2022
Masters (12% Spring 2019; 12% Spring 2021) 11% Spring 2022
* English 2: Approaches (67% Spring 2019; 70% Spring 2021) 71% Spring 2022
Meets (51% Spring 2019; 57% Spring 2021) 57% Spring 2022
Masters (8% Spring 2019; 11% Spring 2021) 9% Spring 2022
* U.S. History: Approaches (93% Spring 2019; 88% Spring 2021) 89% Spring 2022
Meets (75% Spring 2019; 69% Spring 2021) 71% Spring 2022
Masters (47% Spring 2019; 43% Spring 2021) 44% Spring 2022
This year's STAAR results for middle-school and elementary school students are yet to be released. They are expected to be out by the end of June 2022.
Districts will receive letter grades in August 2022 based on end-of-course tests. Districts will only receive A, or B, or C grades. Any district that has received D or F will, instead, be labeled "Not Rated".
STAAR Scores Improve for Middle- and Elementary-Schoolers
Texas Education Agency on July 1, 2022 made public the STAAR scores of reading and math for Grade 3, Grade 5 and Grade 8.
* In reading, the state's schools made enormous progress. From Grade 3 to 8, reading scores improved 9 percentage points in 2022 to 52% of pupils reading on par as the grade level, higher than the pre-pandemic 47% level in 2019.
* In Math, the story is not as rosy as in reading because the proficiency standard has hit 40% in 2022, compared to 35% in 2021 and 50% in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.
ERCOT Issues Conservation Alert after Load Peaks Record High
On July 11, 2022, the demand had hit a record high of 78,379
megawatts around 4:40PM, raising the stake high for ERCOT to
issue an alert for the consumers to notch up the thermostat by a few degrees, shut
down appliances and conserve energy. This is the seventh time that the record
has been set since June 12, 2022.
ERCOT Issues Conservation Alert Second Time in as many Days
The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, on July 13, 2022 issued conservation alerts in the afternoon and night as the maximum load in the grid had hit 78,395 megawatts in the late afternoon, about 1,700 megawatts below the committed capacity. ERCOT may start rolling outages when the power reserve goes below 1,375 megawatts. ERCOT has done rolling outages only four times in its history: December 22, 1989; April 17, 2006; February 2, 2011; and February 15-18, 2021.
Texas’ Largest Teachers Prep Company Faces Probation
Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, which produces more teachers than any other
program, including the formal college programs for teachers training, is now
facing probation, according to a July 23, 2022, front-page article in The
Dallas Morning News, because of a plethora of failures, including ignoring
the best practices, lack of compliance, failing the students in matching with
appropriate mentors and negligence in driving the classroom readiness for future
teachers. Texas State Board of Educator Certification reached a
probation agreement with the for-profit Texas Teachers of tomorrow on July
22, 2022. Under the agreement, among other things, TTT will publish on its
website that it’s under a state-supervised probation and pay for an independent
monitor to track and report progress. It has until October 31, 2022 to complete
the implementation of corrective measures.
Texas Appeals Court Rejects Paxton’s Bid to Usurp Local Prosecutorial
Authorities
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on September 28, 2022 rejected a petition
filed by Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton to reconsider a December 2021
ruling by the state’s highest criminal court that had curtailed state’s
authority to nullify local prosecutorial discretion. The case originated in
Jefferson County in which Paxton wanted to go after an alleged election fraud
case without permission from, or collaboration with, the local prosecutor’s
office. Paxton called the ruling “shameful”. The ruling from the TCCA is
significant as it will put additional constraints on Paxton’s ability to
prosecute abortion cases if local authorities decline to do that.
National Testing Results not as Rosy for Texas Students
Weeks after July 1, 2022, STAAR results showed bright light on
Texas’ march toward academic improvement after pandemic-led school shutdowns had
created significant learning deficiencies, especially for students from the underprivileged
families, National Assessment of Educational Progress, or NAEP, scores pointed
at something at contrast. NAEP scores for Texas students, based on the October 24, 2022, edition of The Dallas Morning News, are as follows:
Fourth Graders
% Proficient Math: TX 38% (2022) 44% (2019); Dallas 28% (2022) 32% (2019)
% Proficient Reading: TX 30% (2022) 30% (2019); Dallas 18% (2022) 18%
(2019)
Eighth Graders
% Proficient Math: TX 24% (2022) 44% (2019); Dallas 12% (2022) 15% (2019)
% Proficient Reading: TX 23% (2022) 25% (2019); Dallas 12% (2022) 13%
(2019)
****************************** 88TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ************************
Hundreds of Bills Pre-filed on the First Day for the 88th
Legislative Session
November 14, 2022 is the first day that Texas lawmakers can “prefile” legislation for the
next year’s session that will begin in Austin on January 10, 2023.
Hundreds of bills have been pre-filed on the first day, including an
overwhelming number of red-meat measures dear to conservatives.
Texas Budget Surplus Estimated to be $33 billion
On the eve of the 88th legislative session, Texas
Comptroller Glenn Hegar added an additional $6 billion to the estimated
surplus of the general-revenue accounts. With the estimated surplus made
public on January 9, 2023, Texas lawmakers will have $33 billion
in surplus, come August 31, 2023, the end of the Fiscal biennial 2022-2023. There
will be jockeying for political points and ground games by GOP lawmakers as
they will write a new budget for 2024-2025. Comptroller Glenn Hegar
took a victory lap for GOP policies in mentioning the significant surplus
amount, citing hard-working Texans, low-tax regime, pro-business Republican
policies, etc., but forgot to point at $8 billion in aid that came from the
federal COVID-19 aid package.
Phelan Reelected as House Speaker
Speaker Dade Phelan easily repelled an ultra-Conservative effort on the opening day of the legislature on January 10, 2023 as the Beaumont Republican defeated Arlington Republican Rep. Tony Tinderholt by 145-3 votes, with two lawmakers absent. The political composition in Texas Legislature is 86 for Republicans to 64 for Democrats while Republicans have an edge of 19-12 in Senate over Democrats.
Abbott Inaugurated for Third Term
Governor Gregg Abbott on January 17, 2023 was sworn in as the Lone
Star State’s governor for the third term. During his 13-minute speech, he
gave very little, if any, hint of whether he was planning to run for 2024
presidential election. He touched upon some familiar topics that inspired and
motivated his Conservative base such as property tax relief, parental control
in education, border control and tough on crime. With the budget surplus expected
around $33 billion, state GOP leaders are pushing for significant property tax
relief.
Abbott Ticks off Seven Priorities in State of the State Address
Giving a televised State of the State address from a San Angelo-based
rare-earth minerals company, Governor Gregg Abbott on February 16, 2023
spotlighted on seven priorities for the legislature to work on,
including property tax relief, “education empowerment”, school safety and
border security. Using Noveon Magnetic Corporation as a podium to give
his primetime address, Governor Gregg Abbott underlined the economic
strength of the state. Noveon is specialized in such sensitive technology that no
guests have been allowed to have their cell phones in the audience.
Democrats rebutted Governor Gregg Abbott’s State of the State
address by releasing a video with clips from multiple lawmakers and citizen
Texans, panning governor’s focus on “defunding our public schools” and lack of
focus on real issues.
Senate Bill 1000: Bill Filed in Senate to Reduce State Sales Tax
As the state is facing record surplus of $33 billion as of the
fiscal year ending August 31, 2023, there is growing call to expand the
tax relief push beyond Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s focus on school property
taxes of homeowners and property taxes on business owners’ “personal property”
such as office equipment. A portion of Dan Patrick’s proposal to raise homestead
exemption from $40,000 to $70,000 is not even helpful to business and
commercial properties. The Dallas Morning News reported in a front-page
article on February 24, 2023 that a duo of bipartisan Senators were
pushing for a bill that would reduce state sales tax rate from 6.25% to
5.75%. Senator Royce West filed the SB 1000 on February 17, 2023
with the backing from one of the most conservative state Senators, Sen. Bob
Hall of Edgewood. The potential revenue loss due to SB 1000 sales tax
relief for September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2025 is estimated to be circa
$7 billion. Even after losing out $7 billion, the state’s coffer will be
awash with money from the state’s main revenue workhorse: $80.9 billion in
sales tax revenue, according to The Dallas Morning News analysis. In
addition, other sources of revenue for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2025 include (1)
Natural Gas Production Tax ($8.6 billion), (2) Franchise Tax ($8.8 billion),
(3) Motor Vehicle Sales and Rental Taxes ($12.7 billion), (4) Oil Production
Tax ($13.3 billion), (5) Other Taxes ($16.9 billion), (6) Fees and Other Nontax
Revenue ($17.7 billion). Texas will have $165 billion in revenue from
taxes and fees for Fiscal 2024 and Fiscal 2025 even after half-a-penny
reduction in sales tax rate for every $1 in sales.
****************************** PROPERTY TAX CUT PACKAGE *****
Texas Senate Unveils Tax Cuts Package
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick on March 14, 2023 unveiled Senate’s
version of the historic tax cut package embedded in three separate bills. The $16.5
billion package includes the increase in homestead exemption from the
current $40,000 to $70,000 and a senior property tax exemption of $30,000.
The package also includes a proposed reduction in School Maintenance and
Operations tax rate by 17.5 cents and cutting taxes on business inventory
and equipment. However, Senate tax cuts package doesn’t include House’s
appraisal growth cap reduction plan. The House Bill 2 calls for capping
the appraisal growth at 5% instead of the current ceiling of 10%.
Slew of Property Tax Relief Bills Passed by Senate
Texas Senate on March 22, 2023 passed a host of bills unanimously that would
provide at least $16.5 billion relief in property taxes. Senate Bills
3, 4 and 5 were passed as was the Senate Joint Resolution 3 that
called for a state constitutional amendment to be put in front of voters to ratify
on whether to raise homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000. In addition,
elderly homeowners and homeowners with disabilities will receive an additional
$20,000 in homestead exemption to a total of $30,000 [from their current
$10,000] on the top of the homestead exemption for the rest of the population. House
will take up a different version of the tax relief package.
Senate’s Tax Relief Plan Deeper than House’s, Research Shows
The Dallas Morning News on April 27, 2023 published a front-page
article, comparing the Texas House-sponsored tax cut plan with that of
Senate’s. Considering the existing average statewide school property tax rate
of $1.19 per $100 valuation intact, The Dallas Morning News’
research has found more tax relief under the Senate plan. For a $300,000
valuation of a home:
* Under the Current Law: Homestead Exemption: $40,000; Under 65 years: Tax
Amount: $260,000 * 0.0119 = $3,094. Over 65 years: Additional Exemption:
$10,000; Tax Amount $250,000 * 0.0119 = $2,975.
* Under the Proposed Senate Bill: Homestead Exemption: $40,000 + $30,000 =
$70,000; Under 65 years: Tax Amount: $230,000 * 0.01015 = $2,335. Over 65
years: Additional Exemption: $30,000; Tax Amount $200,000 * 0.01015 = $2,030.
* Under the Proposed House Bill: Homestead Exemption: $40,000; Under 65
years: Tax Amount: $260,000 * 0.0094 = $2,444. Over 65 years: Additional
Exemption: $10,000; Tax Amount $250,000 * 0.0094 = $2,350.
Abbott Calls for Second Special Legislative Session
Governor Gregg Abbott on June 27, 2023 called a second special legislative session as the first special legislative session failed to push two of the governor’s three key measures over the finish line: (1) Property Tax Cut and (2) School Voucher Plan. The second special session includes only one agenda item that aims to strive for an “agreed-upon school property tax rate cuts” for the homeowners. The House passed a version of the school property tax cut that’s more aligned with Governor Abbott’s “rate compression” concept—a hitherto fringe conservative idea championed by the Texas Public Policy Foundation—that involved taking $17.6 billion in surplus revenue and applying all of it to eliminate the school districts’ “Maintenance and Operational” tax rate. The Senate plan hews to Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s significantly different philosophy to focus on providing relief via homestead exemption. While the plan passed by the House, which has adjourned sine die hours after passing the property tax relief measure hours after the beginning of the first special session, will help both the homeowners and businesses through “rate compression”, the state Senate’s plan will overwhelmingly help the homeowners and by a larger scale. The Senate’s plan does prioritize “rate compression” concept. Under the Senate plan, 30% of $17.6 billion will be set aside for homestead exemption, which the upper chamber wants to increase from the current $40,000 to $100,000.
Democrats’ Bill Aims to Provide Relief to Renters
Dallas Democratic Rep. John Bryant on July 6, 2023 unveiled a property tax relief package sponsored by half a dozen Democrats that would return rebates up to 10% of annual rent to renters, unveiling a bill for the first time to provide economic relief to renters. In addition, Bryant’s bill will raise the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 or 25% of the appraised value, whichever is higher up to $200,000.
TX Senate, House Leaders Unveil Tax Relief Package
On July 10, 2023, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker Dade Phelan introduced
a compromise tax relief package that would commit $18 billion of $33 billion
projected surplus to help 5.7 million homeowners. Under the plan, the
homestead exemption for the homeowners will be raised from the current $40,000
to $100,000. In addition, the property tax rate will be reduced under the
proposed package. According to Senator Paul Bettencourt, who will author
the Senate version of the property tax cut package, there are three components
of savings delivered by the compromise bill. In reference to a $331,000 homestead
and a total school tax rate of $1.1357 per $100 assessed value, savings will
accrue from:
Component I: Raising the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 will save
$60,000 * 0.01357 = $681.42 ($5.3 billion)
Component II: Property tax rate cut due to a 2019 tax relief package will amount to
$273.51
Component III: Proposed property tax rate cut: $311.37 (Property tax reduction of 10.7 cents per $100 in assessed value, amounting to $12.6 billion for residential and commercial property owners)
Estimated savings next year, based on the above calculation, is circa $1,266.30.
If the homestead owners are 65 years or older or are with disabilities, the expected
annual savings next year will average $1,437. The package doesn’t extend
the relief to renters. Non-homesteaded properties, including commercial
properties, investment properties and secondary homes, with assessed values of $5 million or less, will “receive a 20% circuit-breaker
on appraised values as a 3-year pilot project”, the joint news release said. On
November 7, 2023, a constitutional amendment will be put in front of the voters
to get approval for subjecting the commercial properties to a circuit-breaker, waiving
the $18 billion from the spending limit and increasing the homestead exemption
from $40,000 to $100,000.
To compensate for the loss suffered by the ISDs, the state will provide $12
billion as an offset money.
The compromise deal also calls for electing three members to the local appraisal board for large jurisdictions (counties with population more than 75,000), importing some unnecessary political toxicity into the tax evaluation process. In those large counties, the appraisal board will be expanded from the current five to nine directors, including three who will be directly elected. Tax Assessor-Collector will be the non-voting member. For counties with population less than 75,000, the current size of the appraisal board of directors with five members will remain the same.
Texas Senate Passes Sweeping Property Tax Reduction Package, Franchise
Tax Waiver
Texas Senate on July 12, 2023 unanimously approved an $18
billion property tax reduction package that would use, among others,
raising the homestead exemption, reducing the M&O tax rate and a three-year
pilot program to peg appraisal increase at a 20% circuit-breaker to help Texans
save thousands of dollars.
The Texas Senate on July 12, 2023 also passed a measure
that would waive the franchise tax for two-thirds of the businesses in
the state. The chamber raised the exempt limit from $1.35 million to $2.47
million, exempting an additional 67,000 businesses from the franchise tax.
Texas House Passes the Historic Property Tax Cut Package
After months of wrangling and surprisingly open political kerfuffle
among Top Three of the state’s Republican leaders, Texas has inched a step
closer to realizing a historic and deepest property tax cut package. On July
13, 2023, the House passed a related constitutional amendment by 132-5.
The state Senate also passed the constitutional amendment on July 13, 2023
by 31-0. The amendment will go to voters in November 2023 to increase the
homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000, exempt the package price tag—$18
billion—from the constitutionally mandated spending limit, and cap the
appraisal growth at 20% for non-homestead properties such as investment
properties, commercial properties and second homes.
Senate Bill 2, the legislation tied to the constitutional amendment that cleared the
Senate unanimously a day ago, was passed by House lawmakers by 132-4 votes.
The legislation gives GOP Top Three to brag on what each of them has won in the
final $18 billion package. Gov. Gregg Abbott, who has wanted half of
projected $33 billion in budget savings to go in entirety to accomplish “rate
compression”, or eliminate/minimize the so called M&O tax rate, may
now boast of winning $12 billion to achieve the “rate compression”.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has retained his plum goal of raising the homestead
exemption from $40,000 to $100,000, and Speaker Dade Phelan at least has
consolation of a three-year pilot program for a non-homestead circuit-breaker
of 20% for annual appraisal growth.
Genesis of the Largest Property Tax Cut Deal
The Dallas Morning News published an analytical contour of the state of
Texas’ progression on political dimensions and tangible measures related to the
property taxes in a front-page article of its July 17, 2023, edition.
Since 1997, Texas “homestead” appraisal for county, city and school
district can’t exceed a cap of 10% as per a legislative measure. During this
year’s session, House Speaker Dade Phelan has pushed for reducing the
appraisal growth cap for all properties—not just the “homesteads”—to 5%. Phelan
received pushback from two influential powerhouses: business groups and Lt.
Gov. Dan Patrick. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick argues that any
appraisal cap is redundant now after a 2019 bill that has capped revenue growth
for the most cities and counties at 3.5% and for the school districts at
2.5%. Because of the surging property values, according to the 2019 law,
Texas school districts are expected to lower the tax rates by an average of 9.9
cents per $100 assessed values. On the top, lop off another 10.7 cents
being achieved by the compromise tax cuts legislation this year, amounting to the
relief of about 21 cents per $100 assessed value.
On average, the statewide M&O tax rate is 91 cents per $100
assessed value. Another 23 cents are added to account for servicing
the debt, yielding an average of $1.14 school property tax rate.
For the DISD, the median housing price is $388,639. The current
homestead exemption is $40,000. Property tax is assessed on $388,639-$40,000 =
$348,639. DISD also offers an optional 10% discount, or $38,864. The current
property tax rate $1.18 per $100 assessed value, resulting in the average annual
property tax of ($348,639 - $38,864) * (1.18/100) = $3,655.
Under the proposed legislation, the homestead exemption will be $100,000.
Property tax will be assessed on $388,639-$100,000 = $288,639. DISD also offers
an optional 10% discount, or $38,864. The new property tax rate will be ($1.18 -
$0.21 = $0.97) per $100 assessed value, resulting in the average annual
property tax of ($288,639 - $38,864) * (0.97/100) = $2,423.
Savings amount to $3,655-$2,423 = $1,232.
****************************** PROPERTY TAX CUT PACKAGE *****
***************************** CHINESE LAND PURCHASE CONTROVERSY
Anti-Chinese Land Buying Bills Introduced across GOP-ruled States
The evil of the past is revisiting the Land of Promise one more time,
this time Republicans are banking on people’s fear of Chinese espionage.
According to the March 27, 2023, edition of The Dallas Morning News,
14 states have either prohibition or restriction on foreign ownership of
agricultural land. 15 other states are in the process of pushing such
restrictive measures. The discriminatory tactic has its root harkening back to the
1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, aimed at choking off immigration from Asia
in general and China in particular. The discriminatory law was not repealed until
1943. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 2021 land report,
Chinese nationals owned about 383,000 acres while nationals from North Korea,
Russia and Iran owned less than 5,000 acres.
In 2021, a legislative measure, Lone Star Infrastructure Protection Act,
was passed and subsequently signed by Governor Gregg Abbott that prohibited
entities from North Korea, China, Russia and Iran as well as any other nation
designated by the Governor of Texas in that category from accessing critical
infrastructure, including state’s power grid. The Lone Star Infrastructure
Protection Act all but bans any Chinese wind farm from investing in Texas’
burgeoning wind energy landscape.
In the current legislative session, Sen. Louise Kolkhorst, R-Brenham,
introduced a bill that expanded on the key provisions of the Lone Star
Infrastructure Protection Act to put a blockade on agricultural land ownership
by Chinese nationals as well as nationals from North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
After the much hue and cry, the bill excluded the dual citizens, legal
residents and homesteads. On the federal level, many bills are brought to the
House and Senate to restrict foreign ownership of land, including a bill
introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz that called for review of any real estate transaction
near military installation for potential national security implication by the
Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS.
***************************** CHINESE LAND PURCHASE CONTROVERSY
************* BIENNIAL BUDGET (SEPTEMBER 1, 2023-AUGUST 31, 2025) *************
House Bars Voucher-like Programs while Senate Approves one
Texas State House of Representatives on April 6, 2023 has voted 136-10 a biennial budget
that has a provision to bar a voucher-like program emphasizing using “state
money for non-public primary or secondary education”. 24 mostly rural
Republican lawmakers joined almost all Democratic lawmakers to push the
provision barring voucher-like programs over the finish line. The amendment was
sponsored by Rep. Abel Herrero, D-Robstown, and was part of the overall
budget plan that would allocate $302.7 billion as enshrined in House
Bill 1 that had been passed last month by the House Appropriations Committee.
That includes $136.9 billion in discretionary funds, also known as the general
revenue. Lawmakers also passed a provision to ban applying DEI in state
agency or public university jobs. The House-passed budget includes, among
others: (1) $17.3 billion for school property tax cuts, including $5.3 billion
cuts allocated from 2019; (2) $1 billion to freeze college and university tuition
freeze for two years.
Meanwhile, Texas Senate on April 6, 2023 passed in a partisan
18-13 vote a poles-opposite measure that was championed by Lt. Governor Dan
Patrick and Governor Gregg Abbott, both of these Republican top leaders had
been espousing so called “parental empowerment”. The measure will allow each public
student to receive $8,000 in Education Savings Account to get access to private
education, or receive additional tutoring, or other pedagogical help. For small
school districts with fewer than 20,000 students, each departing student will
guarantee $10,000 for the next five years.
TX Senate Passes $308 billion Budget
Texas Senate on April 17, 2023 unanimously passed a $308
billion biennium budget that included establishment of voucher-like Educational
Savings Account, a $10 billion program—Texas Energy Insurance Program—to
incentivize natural gas-fired power plants as part of strengthening the
electric grid system, and property tax relief.
Negotiators Unveil Budget Plan
After weeks of intense negotiation, House and Senate budget
reconciliation committee members on May 25, 2023 unveiled a two-year, $321.3
billion budget plan that would invest in border, school safety and
providing meaningful relief to Texas homeowners.
The most salient and most talked-about benefit for Texans that GOP is
promoting in the budget package is $12.3 billion in new school property
tax cuts on top of benefits from $5.3 billion in property tax relief from 2019.
************* BIENNIAL BUDGET (SEPTEMBER 1, 2023-AUGUST 31, 2025) *************
North Texas Lawmaker Recommended to be Expelled by House Committee
Texas House General Investigating Committee on May 6, 2023 recommended that Rep.
Bryan Slaton, R-Royse City, be expelled from the chamber for an
inappropriate sexual contact with a 19-year-old legislative aide. General
Investigating Committee Chairman Andrew Murr, R-Junction, made the committee
investigation and its findings public on May 6, 2023. Rep. Bryan
Slaton, one of the most conservative members of the House who had fought to
make abortion as a capital crime, clamp down on transgender rights and oppose
Speaker Dade Phelan’s gesture—irrespective of how limited that gesture was—to give
few committee chair slots to Democrats, was alleged to have an inappropriate
rendezvous with a legislative aide on March 31, 2023. The General
Investing Committee began to receive complaints about Slaton’s behavior
beginning April 5, 2023. The committee retained Former Harris County
District Judge Catherine Evans to investigate. Former Judge Evans submitted
the report on May 1, 2023. Slaton appeared before the committee for 90
minutes on May 4, 2023, but had shown no compunction or remorse. Now,
his expulsion measure goes to the full House for a vote, most likely to be held
on May 9, 2023.
Abbott Calls Special Session to Complete Unfinished Agenda
After 140 days in session, Texas legislative chambers couldn’t find a
compromise on property tax relief, increase in teacher salaries, and other
issues that Governor Gregg Abbott outlined at the outset of the once-in-a-two-years
session. No sooner had the session ended on May 29, 2023 night than Governor
Abbott called lawmakers back for special session.
Abbott Calls for Second Special Legislative Session
Governor Gregg Abbott on June 27, 2023 called a second special legislative session as
the first special legislative session failed to push two of the governor’s
three key measures over the finish line: (1) Property Tax Cut and (2) School
Voucher Plan. The second special session includes only one agenda item that
aims to strive for an “agreed-upon school property tax rate cuts” for the
homeowners.
************* THIRD SPECIAL SESSION
Abbott Calls Third Special Session to Focus on School Choice, Border
Security
Governor Gregg Abbott on October 5, 2023 issued a
proclamation, convening the third special session of the legislature. Governor
Abbott asked lawmakers to return to the Capitol on October 9, 2023 to
work on school choice and border security.
House Democrats Unveil Their Own Education Bill
Although Governor Gregg Abbott called the third special
legislative session by including the school choice program as the only item related
to the education agenda, Democrats in the House highlighted the real issues and
real problems that the state’s public schools were facing. On October 19,
2023, they unveiled their own longshot bill that would substantially
increase the current basic allotment of $6,160 per student pegged in 2019
and give one-time bonus as high as $15,000 to ISD employees, including
non-teaching employees. Republicans in the House are working towards a bill
that will strike a balance between the interests of public schools and
conservative desire in pushing a school voucher program as reflected by the
recently passed Senate measures.
In recent days, the state Senate passed two bills and sent them to
House. The first bill will create an ESA, or Education Savings Fund,
with $8,000 per year per student funded by the taxpayers’ money that
parents can either use to pay for their children’s private school tuition or
other intervention activities. The second bill will boost the basic allotment
amount by $75 and distribute educator bonus based on a two-tier formula—an average
of $3,000 for large school districts (> 5,000 students) and $10,000 bonus
for small school districts.
Abbott Expands the Special Session 3 Agenda on Education
As there is a stubborn resistance from the rural Republicans on a voucher-only
plan, which Governor Gregg Abbott likes to call a school choice plan, it’s
clear on October 31, 2023 that Governor Gregg Abbott has to address
the concerns of the rural Republicans. After hectic consultation with Speaker
Dade Phelan and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Governor Gregg Abbott on October
31, 2023 expanded the education component of the third special legislative
session. When Governor Gregg Abbott called the third special session
earlier in October 2023, he included school choice, border security and
COVID vaccination mandate as the sole must-act agenda items. On October
31, 2023, Governor Gregg Abbott expanded the education component to
include (1) voucher plan (which now calls for “universal” savings account of a
higher amount--$10,400 per year—than what state Senate has passed), (2)
teacher pay, (3) school security, (4) STAAR phaseout and (5) school funding.
************* THIRD SPECIAL SESSION
Comptroller Projects an Additional $5 billion in Surplus
As customary for the comptroller to report the state balance sheet
before the beginning of regular, or special, session, Comptroller Glenn
Hegar on October 5, 2023 projected an additional $5 billion in surplus. The
projection of surplus in the discretionary state fund is $13.5 billion
at the end of the current biennial session. The “rainy day” fund will have $24
billion in surplus money as of August 31, 2025.
****************************************** FOURTH SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
ESA Comes with a Hefty Price Tag
Immediately after the third special legislative session ended on
November 7, 2023 without addressing two of the three must-pass topics—COVID-19
vaccination, school choice and border security—Governor Gregg Abbott on
November 7, 2023 called for the fourth special legislative session. Gov. Gregg
Abbott included education and border security as the two must-pass items. In
the third special legislative session, lawmakers in the both chambers were able
to push over the finish line a bill that would ban employers from requiring
employees to be inoculated with COVID-19 vaccine. In the fourth special
legislative session, the education component includes a broader array of items
than only a voucher program. State Rep. Brad Buckley, R-Salado, chairman of the
Texas House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity & Enrichment, introduced a bill that’s an effort to strike a
balance between competing demands of establishing an education savings account,
or ESA, and boosting priorities for public schools, according to a front-page article
carried by The Dallas Morning News in its November 10, 2023,
edition.
The Buckley Bill includes a $10,500 ESA for each student
that may be used for private school tuition or other public-school remediation
such as tutoring or other intervention efforts. For homeschooled students, the
ESA price tag is $1,000 per pupil. The proposed legislation will give a one-time bonus of an average of $4,000 to Texas teachers. The House bill will increase the per
student base allotment from the current amount of $6,160 to $6,700 in
the current biennium budget cycle that ends on August 31, 2025. The base
allotment remains unchanged since 2019. In the first fiscal year of the ESA,
about 25,000 students will be prioritized for the taxpayers’ money based on
disabilities and family income. The price tag for the fiscal 2025 is estimated
at $460 million. As there are more and more students who will be prioritized
for the ESAs, the price tag for 2026 will be nearly $2 billion. The estimated
price tag for the ESA will climb to $2.3 billion in 2028, according to The
Dallas Morning News’ November 10, 2023, article.
State Senate Passes Education, Border Bills; Abbott Signs Vaccination
Bill
On November 10, 2023, Governor Gregg Abbott signed a bill
passed in the third special legislative session that had wrapped up on November
7, 2023. The bill, which prohibits employers from requiring vaccine mandate
for employees, includes only one of the three must-pass agenda items put by Governor
Gregg Abbott for the lawmakers to work on in the third special legislative
session.
During the day, the Texas House Select Committee on Educational
Opportunity & Enrichment passed a $7.6 billion school choice and other
school funding package by 10-4 votes. This is the first time that a
House panel has passed a school voucher-like measure since 2003 when then-Rep.
Kent Grusndorf, R-Arlington, led a push through the panel, only to see it
die down in the full house.
On November 10, 2023, the Texas Senate passed four bills covering
two must-pass agenda items included in the fourth special legislative session that
had begun on November 7, 2023, right after the third special session had
been wrapped up.
The bills are:
Senate Bill 1: $500 million to set up Educational Savings Account that will include $8,000
per public school student or $1,000 per homeschooled student
Senate Bill 2: Teachers pay raise
Senate Bill 3: $1.5 billion to construct border walls
Senate Bill 4: State and local police to enforce immigration laws and detain
undocumented immigrants and state judges empowered to order such undocumented
immigrants to return to the countries that they have come from
Mexico Issues a Strong Critique of a Key Border Bill
As the Texas legislature is inching toward passing the Senate Bill 4
that empowers the state and local police to detain and a state judge to order
deportation of undocumented immigrants, Mexico is taking strong exception to
the law. A statement issued on November 15, 2023 and attributed to
Mexico’s foreign minister, Alicia Barcena, panned the Senate Bill 4
although stopping short of whether Mexico would accept or reject such deportees.
Although Senate Bill 4 makes the presence of undocumented migrants in Texas a Class
B misdemeanor, refusal to obey a state judge’s order to return to the
country that the migrants have come from makes it a felony.
School Choice Bill to Hit House Floor as Key Architect Tries to Sweeten
The school choice bill—many versions of it in the past have encountered the
legislative graveyard as a coalition of rural Republicans and Democrats have worked
as a bulwark against any drive to undermine the public schools—proposed by Salado
Republican Rep. Brad Buckley is to hit the House floor on November 17,
2023. Rep. Buckley has added additional funding to win over the skeptical
rural Republicans. However, the scale of additional funding is not on par with
the demand of the public schools because of a “tax spending limit”
enacted in 1978. Although the spending cap can be raised by a simple
majority by the Senate and House, GOP lawmakers are reluctant to do that
because of the fear of the hard-right groups. In the ongoing special session,
GOP lawmakers added $1.5 billion in additional funding to strengthen border
security as demanded by Governor Gregg Abbott, thus reducing the size of the
pie that could be spent on shoring up the finances of the public education
system.
House Sinks ESA Component of the Education Bill
Rural Republican lawmakers joined Democrats on November 17, 2023 to strip the ESA
piece from the education bill. The vote was 84-63. The House vote puts
the final nail in the coffin of the school voucher program in the fourth
special legislative session.
****************************************** FOURTH SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION
****************************** 88TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ************************
Five Strategic Policies to Positively Change Student Achievement Outcome
(1) High-quality Pre-K
(2) Science of reading teacher training
(3) Additional instructional time
(4) Strategic compensation
(5) High-impact tutoring
(Source: The Dallas Morning News' December 25, 2022)
Maternal Mortality Rate Spikes us in 20 Years
New mother mortality rate in Texas increased 40% since 1999, according to
a research finding published by The Dallas Morning News on July 26,
2023. The research is related to the Institute for Health Metrics and
Evaluation study that compares mortalities of moms within one year of the
live births of babies during 2009-2019 period with that of the preceding
10-year period (1999-2009). The IHME study points at a glaring slide in
healthcare access to vulnerable and at-risk pregnant women and post-birth
medical services to treat complications and infections. Black mothers are twice
as likely to die after birth of child as White mothers. The mortality rate breakdown
for different demographic groups in Texas are: Hispanic (13.5 per 100,000 live
births during 1999-2009 vs. 25.2 per 100,000 live births during 2009-2019);
American Indian/Alaska Native (33.5 per 100,000 live births during 1999-2009
vs. 56.4 per 100,000 live births during 2009-2019); Black (42.9 per 100,000
live births during 1999-2009 vs. 83 per 100,000 live births during 2009-2019);
Asian/Pacific Islander (15.9 per 100,000 live births during 1999-2009 vs. 23.1
per 100,000 live births during 2009-2019); White (18.1 per 100,000 live births during
1999-2009 vs. 40.2 per 100,000 live births during 2009-2019).
TWC Disputes Rutger’s Research on Wage Theft
The Dallas Morning News reported on August 15, 2023 in a front-page
article on how millions Texas hourly minimum wage earners were deprived from
getting their fair share of the wage and Texas Workforce Commission,
instead of helping the deprived workers, stayed silent willy-nilly. According
to a research published last week by Rutgers University’s Workforce Justice
Lab@RU, the wage deprivation was widespread in Texas. Researchers looked at
more than 136,000 claims filed by the aggrieved workers with the TWC between
2010 and 2020. The research indicated that circa 80% of wage allegedly owed
remained uncollected. TWC disputes the figures and conclusion of the research.
2023 STAAR
Results for 3rd through 8th Grade (Source: The Dallas Morning News August 17, 2023)
Reading/Language
Arts
|
Grade |
Outcome |
Spring 2019 (Pre-pandemic) |
Spring 2022 (Post-Pandemic) |
Spring 2023 (STAAR Redesign) |
|
3rd |
Approaches Meets Masters |
75% 43% 27% |
75% 50% 30% |
75% 48% 49% |
|
4th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
73% 43% 21% |
76% 52% 28% |
76% 46% 21% |
|
5th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
77% 51% 28% |
80% 56% 36% |
80% 55% 28% |
|
6th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
66% 35% 17% |
69% 42% 22% |
75% 50% 21% |
|
7th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
74% 47% 28% |
78% 54% 37% |
77% 52% 26% |
|
8th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
77% 53% 27% |
82% 56% 37% |
82% 56% 27% |
|
Grade |
Outcome |
Spring 2019 (Pre-pandemic) |
Spring 2022 (Post-Pandemic) |
Spring 2023 (STAAR Redesign) |
|
3rd |
Approaches Meets Masters |
78% 47% 24% |
70% 41% 20% |
72% 43% 18% |
|
4th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
74% 46% 27% |
68% 41% 22% |
69% 46% 21% |
|
5th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
83% 55% 35% |
75% 46% 24% |
79% 49% 21% |
|
6th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
79% 45% 20% |
72% 37% 15% |
74% 37% 15% |
|
7th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
73% 41% 16% |
59% 29% 12% |
61% 35% 10% |
|
8th |
Approaches Meets Masters |
81% 55% 16% |
70% 38% 13% |
74% 44% 16% |
Science
and Social Studies
|
Grade |
Outcome |
Spring 2019 (Pre-pandemic) |
Spring 2022 (Post-Pandemic) |
Spring 2023 (STAAR Redesign) |
|
5th Science |
Approaches Meets Masters |
78% 47% 24% |
70% 41% 20% |
72% 43% 18% |
|
8th Science |
Approaches Meets Masters |
74% 46% 27% |
68% 41% 22% |
69% 46% 21% |
|
8th Social Studies |
Approaches Meets Masters |
67% 35% 20% |
59% 29% 17% |
60% 31% 15% |
Controversial Conservative Ed Vendor Claims to be a Vendor in Texas
The right-wing education content vendor PragerU on August 22, 2023
claimed that Texas had become their second client after Florida. However, the State
Board of Education President Kevin Ellis said that he had no knowledge that
PragerU had even applied for becoming a vendor with the state.
Texas’ A-F Grading System on Hold
A Travis County court on October 26, 2023 issued a
temporary restraint ordinance, or TRO, relief to a coalition of school
districts, including DISD, by blocking the Texas Education Agency from
releasing the A-F grade systems. The school districts complained that TEA and
its commissioner, Mike Morath, didn’t provide adequate information on
time to the schools to prepare for the grading formula changes that would reflect
poorer performance for many schools despite those campuses might have improved
under the current formula of the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of
Academic Readiness) test, which was introduced in 2017. TEA put on hold
implementing A-F grading system in 2020, 2021 and 2022 because of pandemic-era
disruptions. When STAAR was introduced in 2017, a well-known metric, called CCMR
(College, Career, Military Readiness), was introduced to partly influence
the grade of a school. If at least 60% of the graduating students pass with
CCMR compliance, the school will be labeled an equivalent of A in this metric.
As part of a five-year reset cycle, there is a change in the formula and the
current threshold is to be elevated to 88% for a school to earn an equivalent
of A grade this year. A coalition of school districts filed lawsuit against
what they called a whimsical and arbitrary decision.
*********** ESG BUSINESS MODEL AND RELATED POLITICAL ASSAULT *************
ESG Law: BlackRock Slams Texas Divestment of Texas School Fund
In a highly critical letter, BlackRock Vice Chairman Mark McCombe
said on March 21, 2024 that “we were dismayed” by State Board of
Education chief Aaron Kinsey’s decision early in the week to divest $8.5
billion in the Texas Permanent School Fund from the BlackRock management
apparently on the ground of a state law passed in 2021 that had prohibited the
state of Texas doing any business with firms discriminatory against fossil fuel
industry, an allegation that BlackRock vehemently denied. The letter criticized
Kinsey for making a decision dictated by political consideration instead of evaluating
the fiduciary responsibility of the firm to return a higher profit on the
investment and looking after the Lone Star State’s fiscal and business
interests.
McCombe also reminded Kinsey that the firm had an investment stake of
more than $300 billion in Texas-based corporations, including $125 billion in
energy sector and $550 million in Occidental.
Progressive Business Group Sues State Officials for anti-ESG Law
A progressive business coalition, American Sustainable Business Council, filed a lawsuit against Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton and Comptroller Glenn Hegar, accusing them of implementing the 2021 Senate Bill 13, also known as anti-ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) that undermined the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Under SB 13, Texas has led to divest from 16 financial services companies such as BlackRock Inc. and UBS Group. The Dallas Morning News reported on the lawsuit in its August 30, 2024, edition.
Paxton, Other GOP AGs Sues ESG Money Managers for Increase in Electricity Prices
The Bloomberg reported on November 29, 2024 that Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton and 10 other Republican attorney generals had filed an antitrust lawsuit, alleging three nationally renowned money managers--Vanguard Group Inc., State Street Corp. and BlackRock Inc.--had used their stakes in energy companies such as Peabody Energy Corp. and Arch Resources Inc. to reduce the fossil fuel-fired electricity output and hike the energy prices to pursue their political goals focused on the Environmental, Social and Governance, or ESG, Strategy. The filing accuses the firms of violating the 1914 Clayton Antitrust Act that prohibits share purchase in publicly traded companies with the ulterior motive of reducing competition. The suit blames the money manager trio for pursuing their ESG goals since 2021 after they have pushed hard for the embrace of renewable energy as part of ESG coalitions such as Climate Action 100+ and Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative.
*********** ESG BUSINESS MODEL AND RELATED POLITICAL ASSAULT *************
Publication of A-F Grades Blocked by Court
Just like last year, a state district court on August 12, 2024
issued a temporary restraint order, or TRO, relief for the plaintiffs—various
school districts—prohibiting the Texas Education Agency from making public the grades
of every school campus in Texas due August 15, 2024. In 2023, the
lawsuit was filed by plaintiffs—DISD was one of them—accusing the TEA of not
sharing the underlying methodology used to generate the grades. This year
(2024), the plaintiffs complained that the grading itself was faulty because,
among others, AI-implemented automated grading was used to grade students’ essay
papers. Texas Education Agency and its leader Mike Morath stood firm
behind the authenticity and accuracy of the means and methodology of the state’s
A-F Grading System. Morath decried that the parents would be deprived
from seeing the performance of their children’s schools. Travis County
District Judge Karin Crump, issuing the TRO relief on August 12,
2024, scheduled an August 26, 2024, hearing on the case.
********************************* SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME *****************************
Texas Supreme Court Rejects Attorney-General’s Petition in “Shaken Baby Syndrome” Case
This is a tragic, but unfortunately a farcical, saga playing out in the Texas judicial and criminal defense landscape for more than two decades. First some context. In 2003, an East Texas autistic man, Robert Roberson, now 57, was convicted in the 2002 death of his daughter, Nikki, who had suffered traumatic injury as prosecutors had accused the Palestine man of shaking the daughter violently, and sentenced to death. Roberson all along maintained his innocence, and his attorneys argued that Nikki had died due to complications from pneumonia.
He was scheduled for lethal injection in 2016. However, a 2013 “junk science law” that had been passed by the Texas legislature allowed him to contest his conviction based on the new scientific evidence that had made the previous scientific basis upon which the conviction had been obtained disputable. Eventually because of COVID and other issues, his hearing trails only got longer and his conviction had been upheld, leading to the most uncomfortable outcome of the state of Texas executing an innocent defendant and first death penalty to be carried out in the now-discarded “shaken baby syndrome”-caused death.
As Robert Roberson’s death penalty day was scheduled for October 17, 2024 in Huntsville, his attorney Gretchen Sween left no stone unturned to at least delay her client’s death penalty date. On October 16, 2024, Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee led by Joe Moody, D-El Paso, issued in a vote 7-0 a subpoena for Robert Roberson to appear for an in-person testimony at the state Capitol in Austin on October 21, 2024. Sween filed a lawsuit in a Travis County Court asking for a reprieve. With only half an hour left before the lethal injection, Travis County Judge Jessica Mangrum issued a temporary restraint ordinance, or TRO, relief to Sween and her client. Texas Assistant Attorney-General Ed Marshall argued before Judge Jessica Mangrum that the case was not a “shaken baby syndrome” case, instead a case of utter recklessness. Texas Office of Attorney General immediately appealed to Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, which vacated the lower court TRO relief order. The case eventually ended up with the Texas Supreme Court that in late October 17, 2024 put a hold on the Roberson execution for the time being so that he could be available for October 21, 2024, testimony at the Texas Capitol.
On October 19, 2024, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton filed a petition to the state Supreme Court, requesting the apex court to vacate its October 17, 2024, order that had upheld a lower court’s TRO relief. In his petition, Paxton cited so called “separation of power” clause, arguing that reprieve [from death penalty through legislative testimony] could only be offered by the executive branch, not the legislative branch. Paxton also argued that TDCJ couldn’t bring a death penalty inmate for in-person testimony at the Capitol, an unprecedented event in Texas history, because of “logistical” and “security” challenges. However, defendant’s attorney, Gretchen Sween, disputed that by arguing that state lawmakers had met with the defendant during a highly publicized meeting at the jail on September 27, 2024 with the defendant without physical restraint. On October 20, 2024, Texas Supreme Court rejected Paxton’s petition to vacate its October 17, 2024, ruling while not giving a clear mandate whether the defendant should appear for an in-person hearing at the Capitol.
Star Witnesses Slam Death Penalty against Roberson
There were several star witnesses during October 21, 2024, Texas House Jurisprudence Committee hearing on whether the state’s “junk science” law had been followed in the case of Robert Roberson’s now-discredited “shaken baby syndrome” death penalty case. Absent was the defendant himself as the committee members and Texas Attorney-General’s Office couldn’t agree on the modus operandi of the Roberson testimony. Although the committee chairperson, Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and the ranking member, Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, wanted Roberson to appear in person, Attorney-General Ken Paxton was opposed to bringing the defendant from Huntsville to Austin. Texas House Jurisprudence Committee is credited for saving the life of Roberson as it’s October 16, 2024, subpoena for Roberson to appear for an October 21, 2024, in-person testimony at the Capitol has kept the avenue for the legal process open to save the life of Roberson.
On October 21, 2024, there were some star powers on the Capitol. Dr. Phillip McGraw, the renowned TV personality known to millions of viewers as Dr. Phil, appearing on the Capitol, testified that, most likely, Roberson was innocent. Author John Grisham testified remotely, and thanked the committee members for saving an innocent man from being executed. A juror, Terre Compton, 69, who had convicted Roberson more than two decades ago, drove from Palestine to Austin to request the state to spare Roberson’s life.
A day ago, Governor Gregg Abbott expressed his opinion for the first time in this case, but not in a positive way for the criminal justice reform advocates. Abbott’s counsel, James Sullivan, on October 20, 2024 sent a letter to Texas Supreme Court to vacate the TRO relief, arguing that any delay in death penalty resided with the office of Governor, not the prerogative of legislature. His letter indirectly characterized the Texas House Jurisprudence Committee subpoena as unconstitutional.
Paxton Opens up for the First Time, Accuses Roberson of Abuses
For the first time in this case, Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton on October 23, 2024 expressed his opinion. He issued a statement to this effect on the OAG website, via e-mail and by posting on the social media platform X. He accused Robert Roberson, who had been saved by a novel legal maneuver by the Texas House Committee of Criminal Jurisprudence at the last minute, of repeatedly abusing his daughter, Nikki, and his ex-wife, and blamed the House committee for spreading falsehood in this case. Paxton said that "shaken baby syndrome" was not central to Roberson's conviction.
Lawmakers Allege Stonewalling by OAG
The filing by lawmakers of Texas House Jurisprudence Committee led by Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and ranking Republican Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, before the Texas Supreme Court clearly stated how the Office of Attorney General had stonewalled the in-person testimony of Robert Roberson III either at the Capitol, or even at the prison itself. The filing, made public on October 29, 2024, shed a light on a vindictive attorney general, hellbent on blocking the access of the committee to the defendant. The OAG is required to respond to the filing by November 4, 2024.
Texas Supreme Court Rules Legislature Lacking Authority to Forestall Execution
In a setback to the advocates and attorneys of Robert Roberson III, Texas Supreme Court on November 15, 2024 ruled that the "legislative investigatory power" was not sufficient to "forestall a long-scheduled execution". Writing a 31-page opinion, Justice Evan Young added that although Legislative branch couldn't forestall an executive branch's decision to carry out an execution, its subpoena power was valid, thus rejecting the argument of State Attorney-General Ken Paxton that the Legislature had performed an ultra vires act by issuing a subpoena for Roberson's testimony.
Execution Issuer Judge Recuses
The judge who issued the death penalty against Robert Roberson III recused from the case on November 25, 2024, according to the December 3, 2024, edition of The Dallas Morning News. Judge Deborah Oakes Evans' involvement in this case began in 2016. She never bought in the logic used by the defense lawyers that the "shaken baby syndrome" had been based on the so called "junk science" theory. In February 2022, she ruled against Robert Roberson III after hearing the defense propagating the "junk science" theory related to the "shaken baby syndrome", but eventually upholding the conviction. Later in 2022, she retired from the bench. However, she was assigned the case earlier this year. What made her recuse was not known, and frankly, seemed surprising even to chief defense attorney Gretchen Sween.
A.G. Obstructs Roberson's Testimony again
Since Texas Supreme Court on November 15, 2024 ruled that although the legislature's subpoena for "shaken baby syndrome" death row inmate Robert Roberson III was bona fide but lacked the authority to block the death penalty itself, Texas legislature was trying to find an opportunity for having an in-person testimony of Roberson. The House Committee of Criminal Jurisprudence subpoenaed Roberson's testimony for December 20, 2024. Again, it's the Attorney-General Ken Paxton who had blocked the in-person testimony, the committee chairman, Joe Moody, D-El Paso, said on December 19, 2024.
Second Time In-person Testimony Fails to Happen in Texas Capitol
For the second time in recent months, Attorney-General Ken Paxton was able to thwart an in-person testimony of Robert Roberson III at the Texas Capitol as lawmakers of the House Jurisprudence Committee on December 20, 2024 waited in vain.
Roberson's Lawyers File another Appeal to TCCA
On February 19, 2025, attorneys of Robert Roberson III filed another appeal for exoneration or sending the case back to the lower district court for a new trial. The latest appeal by Roberson's attorneys to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals occurred after 10 independent pathologists issued a statement attesting to the unreliability of the cause and manner of the death conclusions" for Roberson's daughter, Nikki.
********************************* SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME *****************************
******************************* 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ****************
Bill Filing Spree Marks the Legislative Filing Session's Opening
The informal opening of the 89th legislative session of Texas began on November 12, 2024 with deluge in bill filings. As of the end of the day of November 12, 2024, 1,511 bills have been filed. Many of the bills include the hot potato items such as measures related to school voucher-like program. The session will be gaveled in on January 14, 2025 and officially end on June 2, 2025.
Phelan Drops out of Speaker's Race
Sensing that it may not be possible to garner support from a majority of his own party caucus, two-term Speaker of the Texas House Dade Phelan on December 6, 2024 announced that he would drop out of speaker's race. A day before, one of his allies, Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, filed paperwork to run for the speakership. On December 7, 2024, the Texas House Republican Caucus will meet to choose a speaker. The other candidate in fray is David Cook, R-Mansfield.
Cook Wins after Three Rounds
On December 7, 2024, all 88 GOP lawmakers of the 150-member Texas House of Representatives met to choose their leader. After three rounds of votes, Rep. David Cook, R-Mansfield, won the mantle of the House GOP lawmakers. To become the Republican nominee of the speakership, the winner requires at least 67% of the votes, or 59 votes in the current GOP representation in the House. In the first round, Cook received 48 votes to Rep. Dustin Burrows' 40 votes. In the second round, Cook's tally was 47 to 41. After the second round, many of the Burrows' supporters left the venue. In the third round, the winning threshold was dropped to 60% of the voting members. Rep. David Cook, who had been the mayor of Mansfield between 2008 and 2021, won in the third round by garnering 48 votes compared to Burrows' 14.
Democrats may have last laugh in the January 14, 2025, Speaker election if Burrows chooses to stay in the contest.
********* September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2027 Biennium Budget *********
Texas Comptroller Issue Revenue Estimate of Close to $200 billion for the Next Biennium
As required by the Texas Constitution, State Comptroller Glenn Hegar on January 13, 2025 issued the ballpoint numbers of what lawmakers could allocate for spending in the next biennium (2026-2027). Under the state constitution, legislative bodies are to receive the projected revenue estimate from the State Comptroller's Office prior to the beginning of the legislature.
The revenue estimate of $194.60 billion released by Glenn Hegar's Office on January 13, 2025 includes:
* [A] General Revenue (GR)-related Tax Collections: Projected $155.42 billion (2026-27) [61%, or $94 billion in sales taxes] vs. $143.36 billion (2024-25)
* [B] Other GR-related Tax Collections: Projected $21.01 billion (2026-27) vs. $24.03 billion (2024-25)
** [A + B] Subtotal GR Revenue: Projected $176.43 billion (2026-27) vs. $167.38 billion (2024-25)
* [C] Rollover Balance from Previous Biennium: Projected $23.76 billion (2026-27) vs. $39.43 billion (2024-25)
*** [A+B+C] GR Subtotal + Rollover from Previous Biennium: Projected $200.19 billion (2026-27) vs. $206.81 billion (2024-25)
* [D] Reserves for Transfer to the (1) Economic Stabilization Fund, or Rainy-Day Fund, and (2) State Highway Fund: Projected $11.19 billion (2026-27) vs. $10.38 billion (2024-25)
* [E] Reduction in Economic Stabilization Fund because of the breach of constitutional cap of $28.5 billion: Projected $5.60 billion (2026-27) vs. $0.31 billion (2024-25)
****** [A+B+C-D+E] Total Revenue Available for General Purpose: $194.60billion (2026-27) vs. $196.73 billion (2024-25)
State lawmakers will have a total of estimated $362.2 billion in the 2026-27 biennium, including $194.60 billion in general purpose category, $115 billion in federal revenue and $70.7 billion from other sources.
State Lawmakers Unveil the First Draft of the Biennium Budget
On January 22, 2025, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman and House Appropriations Chair Gregg Bonnen filed the Senate Bill 1 and House Bill 1, respectively, to unveil the broad, base budget framework for the period between September 1, 2025 and August 31, 2027.
The House Bill 1 envisages $335.7 billion in state and federal money, including $154.1 billion in general purpose revenue, while the Senate Bill 1 estimates the corresponding allocation at $332.9 billion and $151.6 billion, respectively. In the current biennium (September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2025), the Lone Star State is spending $321.3 billion in federal and state money, including $144 billion in general-purpose revenue.
SB 1:Texas Senate Passes Unanimously $336.1 billion Budget
On March 25, 2025, Texas Senate passed unanimously a spending blueprint with a price tag of $336.1 billion for the biennium September 1, 2025 to August 31, 2027. The budget includes $153.4 billion general-purpose revenue, or state tax dollars, and $99.2 billion in federal funds. The budget includes several Conservative pet projects such as funding for Operation Lone Star ($6.5 billion), property tax relief ($6.5 billion, including $3 billion to raise homestead exemption to $140,000 from the current level of $100,000 and remaining $3.5 billion to buy down the local school taxes), transportation ($35.8 billion), public education, career training (this includes $850 million to create a Texas State Technical College endowment), and criminal justice.
********* September 1, 2025 - August 31, 2027 Biennium Budget *********
89th Legislature Begins a 140-day Journey, Burrows Elected Speaker with Help from Democrats
The 89th Legislative session of the Texas Legislature was launched on January 14, 2025 with institutional pomp, prestige, pride and privilege, with many lawmakers bringing their loved ones to the Capitol. Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Jimmie Blacklock, who was recently elevated to the role of chief justice by Governor Gregg Abbott after then-Chief Justice Nathan Hecht had retired, officiated the swearing-in of the elected Senators. The first order of the business in the House was electing a speaker. Rep. Dustin Burrows, Republican, Lubbock, defeated Rep. David Cook, Republican-Mansfield, by 85-55. Nine Democrats listed present, but desisted from voting while a tenth Democrat declined to cast a ballot. 49 Democrats and 36 Republicans voted for Burrows, while 52 Republicans and three Democrats voted for Cook.
****************************************** EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT
School Voucher Plan: Senate Bill 2 Costs to Triple in Five Years
Before Texas GOP Senators patted themselves for bringing a bill geared towards the "school choice" program, Texas Legislative Budget Board on January 28, 2025 issued a fiscally alarming estimate of the price tag of the proposed bill (Senate Bill 2). The price tag is expected to rise from $1 billion in 2026-27 Fiscal Year to $3.75 billion in 2030. The Senate Bill 2 author, Senator Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, said during a hearing of the Texas Senate Education K-16 Committee that the LBB estimate was a "fairy tale projection". The total estimated cost to cover the "student choice" program is $11 billion.
Under Creighton's Senate Bill 2, an Educational Savings Account will be available for $10,000 in taxpayer money for a student to fund private schooling, while tens of thousands of homeschoolers will be eligible to receive $2,000 in ESA money. Creighton has told the Senate Education K-16 Committee on January 28, 2025 that he will insert a trigger rule to ban undocumented migrant kids from receiving the taxpayer money through Educational Savings Account in case the U.S. Supreme Court revisits and overturns its 1982 Plyler vs. Doe ruling that requires public schools to open doors for all the kids. In the first year of the program, $800 million will be allocated for economically disadvantaged kids and children with disabilities while remaining $200 million will be for the rest of the students.
Texas Senate Passes Private School Voucher Bill
One of the emergency priorities for the Texas GOP leadership in general and Governor Gregg Abbott in particular sailed through Senate floor on February 5, 2025. The Senate Bill 2, better known as "School Choice" bill, was passed along party line vote by 19-12, with only one Republican, Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, voting with all 11 Democratic state senators against the bill.
There were slew of amendments filed by Democrats, but each one of them was rejected along the party line. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, chair of the chamber, said that it was the sixth time that the upper chamber of Texas Legislature passed a "school voucher" bill. In the past, the measures died in the House as a coalition of Democrats and rural Republicans formed a wall of opposition against voucher plan.
Under the Senate Bill 2, the school choice plan is made universal, and the Senate is committing $1 billion of the state's $24 billion in surplus money to fund the initial tranche of spending related to the school voucher plan. If the demand is higher than the money in the pot, a lottery system will determine the recipients. The first $800 million will be set aside for the students in the public schools who are either from the low-income households or have disabilities. However, the threshold for low-income households is set at a ludicrously high level of five times the federal poverty limit, implying a family of four with up to $160,000 annual income will fall in the category of low-income households. The remainder $200 million will be open to all other students, including the ones currently in private schools.
Students may open the Education Savings Account, or ESA, and the recipients will receive $10,000 in taxpayers' money meant for private school tuition, or $2,000 if they are to be homeschooled. For special education students, the ESA will receive $11,500 for covering the private school tuition or $2,500 for students with disabilities for homeschooling.
Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, author of the Senate Bill 2, took victory lap by excoriating the Democrats.
***************** TEACHER PAY INCREASE
Teacher Pay Raise Bill Passes a Key Senate Panel
On February 20, 2025, a key Texas Senate panel, Senate Education K-16 Committee, unanimously passed a teacher pay raise package, known as the Senate Bill 26, that would raise the pay of experienced teachers (having experience more than five years) in smaller school districts [with students 5,000 or less] by $10,000, and their peers in large school districts $5,500. Teachers with three or more years of experience will receive an additional $2,500. Educators with less experience will receive a smaller increase.
Teachers Pay Raise Bill Passes State Senate Unanimously
In a victory to one of the seven emergency items that Governor Gregg Abbott had put in front of the legislature as "must-pass" bills this session, Texas Senate on February 26, 2025 passed unanimously the Senate Bill 26 [by 31-0 votes]. Lauding the bill, Dallas Senator Royce West, a Democrat, congratulated the Senate Bill 26 author Sen. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, for passing one of the "best bills".
In addition to giving a universal raise, the Senate Bill 26 also expands the Teacher Incentive Allotment to reward more high-performing teachers by increasing the eligibility from the current level of 33% of teachers of an ISD to 50%. Just under half of Texas' roughly 1,200 school districts participate in the TIA program. Last year, only 10% of the state's 380,000 public school teachers received bonus from the TIA program.
***************** TEACHER PAY INCREASE
Texas Ever Closer to the Passage of a Universal Private School Voucher Law
Governor Gregg Abbott on March 26, 2025 looked more optimistic than ever before on his signature legislative priority being close to becoming reality. The universal school voucher program, the so-called Education Savings Account, is the first of a kind for the Lone Star State. Texas Senate passed its own package (SB 2) related to the universal voucher program.
Now, all the attention is focused on the House where in previous legislative sessions, a core group of rural Republicans and Democrats have formed a robust opposition bloc and foiled the voucher move. Many of those rural Republicans had to pay a heavy price as they had been primaried out last year. On March 26, 2025, a former Republican governor who had introduced the one of the first universal voucher plans in the country was at hand to cheer his Republican peers. However, Democratic lawmakers were quick to point out the budget-busting, ballooning price tag of Former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey's landmark Empowerment Scholarship Accounts that had zoomed past its original estimate of $65 million to hit as high as $864 million with a checkered and disputed outcome.
****************************************** EDUCATIONAL SAVINGS ACCOUNT
Abbott Lists Seven Emergency Items in His State of the State Address
Governor Gregg Abbott on February 2, 2025 gave the biennium State of the State Address at the Austin facility of Arnold Oil Supply to 800 people. The governor identified seven items and placed them as emergency legislative deliverables. They include:
(1) School Choice, (2) Property Tax Relief, (3) Bail Reform to deter the violent criminals from getting out of jails, (4) Water Supplies, (5) Teacher Pay, (6) Career Training, and (7) Cybersecurity.
******************* PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PACKAGE
Texas Senate Unanimously Passes the Property Tax Relief Bills
Texas Senate on February 13, 2025 voted a pair of bills related to property tax relief, including raising the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000. For elderly residents, the proposed homestead exemption is $150,000.The votes on Senate Bill 4 and Senate Joint Resolution 2, which calls for a special vote for constitutional amendment to raise homestead exemption, were 30-0 each.
In 2023, Texans passed a constitutional amendment to raise homestead exemption from $40,000 to $100,000 as part of an $18 billion property tax relief package.
The current package includes $3.5 billion in property tax compression--for the state to compensate ISDs' Maintenance and Operation tax rate reduction--resulting in an average savings of $133.13. The homestead exemption will cost the state $2.75 billion in 2026-2027 and will realize a saving of $363 per year on average.
******************* PROPERTY TAX RELIEF PACKAGE
******************************* 89TH TEXAS LEGISLATIVE SESSION ****************
******************* TEACHING BIBLE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ******************
SBE A Step Closer to Embed Bible-centered Education in Kindergarten
As part of a continuing trend pushed by Conservatives to lace education materials with Christianity, Texas' Republican leaders are pushing harder than ever to incorporate Bible-centered instruction materials in the coursework for the kindergarten classes. On November 19, 2024, the State Board of Education by 8-7 votes approved Bible-centric instruction materials for the kindergarten classes. This is a preliminary vote for approving the instruction materials, known as Bluebonnet Learning. The final vote will come on November 22, 2024.
SBE Votes 8-7 to Okay Christianity Teaching in Elementary Education
In the final vote, the State Board of Education on November 22, 2024 approved by a narrow margin, 8-7 votes, to incorporate Christianity- and Bible-centric content in the reading instruction plan at elementary schools. School districts are not required to follow the instruction material, Bluebonnet Learning, but the state may incentivize the adoption of the instruction materials by providing more money to the school districts that choose to teach the new content.
******************* TEACHING BIBLE AT ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ******************
U.T. System to Offer Free Tuition
In a landmark decision, University of Texas Board of Regents on November 20, 2024 decided to offer free tuition and waived fees for all incoming undergraduate students with family income less than $100,000. The game-changing decision will go into effect in the Fall of 2025 in all of its campuses. The initiative is an extension of the Promise Plus Program that the UT had implemented in 2022 to help the needy families with financial help. About seven million Texas families will be helped by the free tuition plan. UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken called the new measure a "game changer". UT System Chairman Kevin P. Eltife called the new plan "meaningful".
Proliferation of Uncertified Teachers Becoming a Concern
The Dallas Morning News ran a front-page story on February 28, 2025, reflecting the concern of growing number of uncertified teachers in Texas classrooms. The floodgates were opened with a 2015 law change that empowered the local school districts to waive certain requirements such as start dates, teacher certification requirements and other requirements by applying for "District of Innovation" designation. To make the matter worse that would come with unintended consequences, lawmakers didn't establish well-defined criteria for achieving the "District of Innovation" designation. Texas Education Agency can only log in the which districts have applied for the designation but can't approve or disapprove the application.
As of today, more than 980 school districts have applied for the "District of Innovation" designation. The primary fallout of that is exponential increase of uncertified teachers in the classrooms, partly due to well-intentioned move to connect professionals from the corporate world with real-life experience with the students and partly to address the acute shortages of teachers in the classrooms, especially during pandemic.
The Dallas Morning News reported the following breakdown of uncertified teachers by school types as of 2023:
(1) Charter School Districts: 61%
(2) Independent Town Districts: 40%
(3) Rural School Districts: 37%
(4) Major Suburban School Districts: 25%
(5) Major Urban School Districts: 17%
Also, there is a clear correlation between school outcome and proportion of uncertified teachers in the classrooms: A-graded schools (4.7%), B-graded schools (6.9%), C-graded schools (8.6%), D-graded schools (11.8%), and F-graded schools (15.9%), respectively.
There is additional research that points more or less the same outcome. According to a recent Texas Tech research, students under the newly hired uncertified teachers experience learning loss of four months in reading and three months in Math.
State Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Releasing 2023 School [A-F] Grades
In a victory to the Texas Education Agency and its chief, Mike Morath, a state appeals court, 15th Court of Appeals, on April 3, 2025 ruled in favor of releasing the 2023 campus accountability ratings that many school districts, DISD included, had filed lawsuit to block from being released. The state didn't release the 2020 through 2022 accountability ratings because of COVID-19. DISD and other school districts filed separate lawsuits to block the 2023 and 2024 accountability ratings.
UTAH
Utah to Allow Firing Squad
In a step backward, Utah on March 23, 2015 became the first state to enact a cruel law that would permit, if needed, death punishment by firing squad. Governor Gary Herbert signed the bill on March 23, 2015.
First Gay Mayor of Salt Lake City
Former Utah lawmaker Jackie Biskupski on November 17, 2015 became the first openly gay mayor of the Salt Lake City, marking another feather in the cap for the LGBT movement. Two-term incumbent Mayor Ralph Becker showed no emotion, and later congratulated Biskupski and pledged for a smooth transition.
Utah First State to Ban Fluoridation of Drinking Water
The first significant healthcare setback since Robert F. Kennedy became the Health and Human Services Secretary was dealt by Utah's GOP administration as the state's Republican Governor Spencer Cox on March 27, 2025 signed the nation's first law to ban adding Fluoride to drinking water, a decades-long dental health practice that American Dental Association strongly stood for. The ban is effective May 7, 2025. Similar measures are being seriously considered by lawmakers in Florida, Ohio and South Carolina, while lawmakers in New Hampshire, Tennessee and North Dakota have rejected such measure.
VIRGINIA
In a disgraceful fall by a rising Republican star who was once mentioned as possible running mate of 2012 GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell was on January 21, 2014 indicted on 14 counts of bribery and fraud charges related to returning favor to one of his political patrons, Jonnie Williams Sr., to promote his dietary supplement business, Star Scientific, in lieu of $140,000 in loans and gifts. McDonnell's wife, Maureen, was charged too.
Ex-Virginia Governor, Wife Found Guilty
A federal grand jury in Richmond, Virginia on September 4, 2014 issued guilty verdict against the former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, after a circus-like trial. Former governor was found guilty in 11 of the 13 counts, while his wife was found guilty in 9 of 13 counts.
Virginia Governor Restores Voting Rights for More than 200,000 Convicted Felons
In an expansive move to promote voting rights that immediately drew Republican criticism as foul play, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe on April 22, 2016 signed an executive order overturning a Civil War-era law and restoring the voting privilege for more than 200,000 convicted felons. Many of the new would-be voters are African American, a constituency that strongly votes for Democrats.
************************* CHARLOTTESVILLE VIOLENCE ************************
Charlottesville Turns into a War Zone over a White Supremacist Rally
The weekend of August 11-13, 2017 was never like the one before from the perspective of ideals of America's virtue as those qualities were put to test during the weekend in the college town of Charlottesville over the city council's decision to remove a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.
Unprecedented Violence in Charlottesville; Three Die
The neo-Nazi rally at Charlottesville on August 12, 2017 turned violent, with rally-goers fighting pitched battles against counter-demonstrators and security forces. A participant of the so-called "Take America Back" rally organized by the so-called White nationalist groups mowed a protester, Heather Heyer, 32, by his car. A short while later, a police helicopter monitoring the rally, crashed, killing the pilot, Lt. H. Jay Cullen, 48; and a police officer, Berke M.M. Bates. In the evening, responding to the day-long violence, Viginia Governor Terry McAuliffe imposed a state of emergency and asked the White Supremacists to "go home". Responding to the day's events in Charlottesville, President Donald Trump said at his Bedminster Golf Club that "many sides" were to blame for the violence. His comments immediately drew fire from Democrats and many Republicans.
Trump Returns to His Original Line of Defense
Without script, President Donald Trump proved himself an unpredictable as evidenced on August 15, 2017 as he told reporters at his New York's Trump Tower lobby that there were bad people on the "both sides" during a violent "Unite the Right" rally at Charlottesville on August 12, 2017 in which three people--two law enforcement personnel and a counterprotester, Heather Heyer--were killed. Trump specifically targeted the "Alt-Left" for stoking hatred too, and equated them with Nazis, a comparison later in day praised by Ku Klux Klan and other White Nationalist leaders.
"You Maginified Her", Victim's Mother Says at the Memorial Service
A solemn, but uplifting, memorial service was held on August 16, 2017 at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville to honor the life of Heather Heyer, 32, killed by a White Supremacist, James Alex Field, Jr., 20, who had mowed down counterprotesters on August 12, 2017 by ramming his car into them, killing Heyer and injuring 19 others. Her mother, Susan Bro, called for justice and urged the participants to channel their energy to protest injustice through non-violent means. Scores of attendees wore pink, Heather's favorite color. Also in the evening, an impromptu candle-light vigil, attended by hundreds, was held at the University of Virginia, venue of Nazi- and KKK-organized march with torch-bearing White Supremacists on August 11, 2017 evening.
Bushes Decry White Supremacy, Trump Stance
A joint statement by the last two Republican presidents, 41st President George H.W. Bush and the 43rd President George W. Bush, issued at Kennebunkport, Maine on August 16, 2017 reflected their firm value to ensure that "America must always reject racial bigotry, anti-semitism, and hatred in all forms". Their statement was an indirect jibe at the President Donald Trump's vacillating stance on racial bigotry.
Trump Disbands Business Advisory Council
Faced with desertion of a number of high-ranking business executives and stinging criticisms by others over the president's lack of unequivocal stand against White supremacy, President Donald Trump on August 16, 2017 shut down two business advisory councils. First, on August 14, 2017, Merck's CEO Kenneth Frazier, an African-American, stepped down from the president's manufacturing council, beginning an exodus of executives such as Under Armour's Kevin Plank, Intel's Brian Krazanich and the head of Alliance for American Manufacturing. On August 15, 2017, AFL-CIO leader Richard Trumka stepped down from the manufacturing council too, issuing a statement that "we cannot sit on a council for a president who tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism".
Former U.S. Attorney to Inquire into Violence
Charlottesville City on August 25, 2017 announced that former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia Tim Murphey was to lead an investigation into the August 12, 2017, violence and city's handling of it during the "Unite the Right" rally. Murphey will also look into another KKK rally held in the city in July 2017.
Trump Urges Peace on the Eve of First Anniversary of Charlottesville Demonstration
As White nationalists shifted their venue of their protest to Washington D.C., a day before the first anniversary of Charlottesville violence counter-protesters on August 11, 2018 flocked to the college town and their target this year was strong showing of police throughout the city. Many young demonstrators were irked by so many police personnel manning the city's streets. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump on August 11, 2018 appealed for peace in a twitter post.
White Nationalists' D.C. Rally Fizzles out
On the first anniversary of the Charlottesville violence, White nationalists led by Jason Kessler organized a rally outside the White House on August 12, 2018 under a cloudy sky. The rally was protected by police personnel as counter-demonstrators were far more in numbers, and before and after the rally, the protesters had to be given security protection. But Kessler-organized rally was anything but impressive, and called into question of actual public enthusiasm for such a divisive cause.
************************* CHARLOTTESVILLE VIOLENCE ************************
Democrats Sweep Up-and-Down Ballot Races
Democrats made an almost sweep in November 7, 2017, off-year election and buoyed the hope for the national party in the run-up to 2018 midterm polls. Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam handily defeated Republican Ed Gillespie to become the Governor-elect.
ERA Chances Brighten with Virginia about to Ratify
The Associated Press on January 4, 2020 reported that Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, would very soon be approved by both chambers of Virginia legislature after Democrats made large gains in November 2019 election, becoming the 38th state to ratify it and increasing its prospect to become the nation's 28th amendment of constitution. Congress passed the ERA in 1972, with a 1977 ratification deadline. However, the deadline was later extended to 1982. Because of the deadline that has expired so long ago, it's not sure that ERA will become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution.
Virginia Ratifies ERA
Virginia became the 38th state on January 15, 2020 to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, pushing the measure to close to finish line as it would have an opportunity to become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution. The House passed by 59-41 and the Senate approved the measure by 28-12. However, the measure has a long way to go to become the 28th Amendment of the Constitution as the Department of Justice last week issued a memo that it was about 38 years after the deadline for the amendment to be ratified by all 38 states. However, there is a final step for the House and Senate of the General Assembly to ratify each other's bills.
Virginia Legislature Takes the Final Step on Passing the ERA Bill
Virginia legislature's House and Senate on January 27, 2020 passed each other's measures to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, becoming the 38th state to do so.
Virginia Becomes the 23rd State to Abolish death Penalty
For a state that had executed nearly 1,400 people since its days as a colony and second to Texas since the death penalty had been restored by the U.S. Supreme Court with 113 executions, Virginia made a giant stride on March 24, 2021 to become the 23rd state to abolish death penalty as Governor Ralph Northam signed a legislation at Greensville Correctional Center, where the state's execution chamber had moved in 1990s and where 102 people had been executed so far.
A Record Penalty against “Unite the Right” Rally Organizers
A Record Penalty against “Unite the Right” Rally Organizers
In
an eye-popping sentence, a Virginia jury on November 23, 2021 fined 17
individuals and organizations a $26 million fine for the damages
inflicted during an August 11-12, 2017 protest in Charlottesville.
The jury was deadlocked on two counts, but reached the verdict on four other
counts. Nine plaintiffs, who had suffered psychologically or physically,
brought the lawsuit against the White supremacist organizers of the Unite
the Right rally in the court of U.S. District Judge Norman Moon.
Plaintiff attorney Roberta Kaplan vowed to retry on the two deadlocked
charges, but expressed satisfaction over the hefty financial penalty.
WEST VIRGINIA
Former Coal Exec Convicted in One of the Worst Mine Disasters
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship on December 3, 2015 was convicted of a 2010 disastrous accident at the Upper Big Branch mine that had cost lives of 29 miners. Blankenship has been convicted on one of three charges, and faces one year of jail on the count of misdemeanor conspiracy charge. He was acquitted on other two charges: making false statements and securities fraud. Massey Energy was later acquired by Alpha Natural Resources.
Former Coal Exec Sentenced to a Year in Prison
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship on April 6, 2016 was sentenced to a year in prison and $250,000 in fine. Earlier, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger ruled that the family members couldn't speak during the time sentencing hearing.
WISCONSIN
Federal Judge Tosses out Several Restrictive Voting Laws
A Wisconsin federal judge on July 29, 2016 tossed out several restrictive election laws. Two liberal groups brought suit against the laws, including a voter ID law, in May 2016. The judge rejected many of the laws, but upheld the voter ID law.
Unrest in Milwaukee after Another Police Shooting
A motorist was stopped by Milwaukee police at around 3:30 PM on August 13, 2016, and what transpired subsequently was another tragic death by police shooting and the beginning of a night of unrest. As of late night, police didn't identify the victim.
Milwaukee Left Reeling with Overnight Violence
Hundreds of protesters flooded the streets of Milwaukee on August 13, 2016 evening to protest against the shooting death of a Black motorist, Sylville Smith, 23, stopped by two police officers around 3:30PM. Crowd turned violent as the night wore on, many of them resorting to vandalism and looting. Community activists were seen mopping up and cleaning the debris on the streets from the violence overnight. At least six storefronts were set on fire, according to a press briefing on August 14, 2016 by the Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn. Police and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said that a video taken by a police body cam showed Flynn to be armed. Several squad cars were damaged and seven police officers injured in violence. Seventeen people were taken into custody. Also, early on August 14, 2016, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker activated the National Guards to provide help, if needed and asked, to local authorities.
Normalcy Returning to Milwaukee
After night curfew was promulgated and strictly enforced by police, normalcy returned on August 16, 2016 to the neighborhood wracked by violence in the aftermath of shooting death of Sylville Smith two days ago.
Milwaukee Police Officer Charged in Black Motorist's Death
A Milwaukee police officer, Dominique Heaggan-Brown, on December 15, 2016 was charged on reckless homicide in August 13, 2016, death of Sylville Smith. According to indictment, Smith threw his gun away, but the officer, a fellow African-American, still shot Smith dead, triggering a two-day riot that had highlighted the underlying tension between the communities of color and the law enforcement agencies responsible for policing those communities. Dominique Heaggan-Brown was fired in October 2016 from the Milwaukee Police Department on an unrelated sexual assault charge.
Milwaukee Police Officer Acquitted
A Milwaukee police officer, Dominique Heaggan-Brown, charged in the August 13, 2016, killing of a black motorist, Sylville Smith, after a brief foot chase, was on June 21, 2017 acquitted by a jury.
WEST VIRGINIA
Former Coal Exec Convicted in One of the Worst Mine Disasters
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship on December 3, 2015 was convicted of a 2010 disastrous accident at the Upper Big Branch mine that had cost lives of 29 miners. Blankenship has been convicted on one of three charges, and faces one year of jail on the count of misdemeanor conspiracy charge. He was acquitted on other two charges: making false statements and securities fraud. Massey Energy was later acquired by Alpha Natural Resources.
Former Coal Exec Sentenced to a Year in Prison
Former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship on April 6, 2016 was sentenced to a year in prison and $250,000 in fine. Earlier, U.S. District Judge Irene Berger ruled that the family members couldn't speak during the time sentencing hearing.
WISCONSIN
Federal Judge Tosses out Several Restrictive Voting Laws
A Wisconsin federal judge on July 29, 2016 tossed out several restrictive election laws. Two liberal groups brought suit against the laws, including a voter ID law, in May 2016. The judge rejected many of the laws, but upheld the voter ID law.
Unrest in Milwaukee after Another Police Shooting
A motorist was stopped by Milwaukee police at around 3:30 PM on August 13, 2016, and what transpired subsequently was another tragic death by police shooting and the beginning of a night of unrest. As of late night, police didn't identify the victim.
Milwaukee Left Reeling with Overnight Violence
Hundreds of protesters flooded the streets of Milwaukee on August 13, 2016 evening to protest against the shooting death of a Black motorist, Sylville Smith, 23, stopped by two police officers around 3:30PM. Crowd turned violent as the night wore on, many of them resorting to vandalism and looting. Community activists were seen mopping up and cleaning the debris on the streets from the violence overnight. At least six storefronts were set on fire, according to a press briefing on August 14, 2016 by the Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn. Police and Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said that a video taken by a police body cam showed Flynn to be armed. Several squad cars were damaged and seven police officers injured in violence. Seventeen people were taken into custody. Also, early on August 14, 2016, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker activated the National Guards to provide help, if needed and asked, to local authorities.
Normalcy Returning to Milwaukee
After night curfew was promulgated and strictly enforced by police, normalcy returned on August 16, 2016 to the neighborhood wracked by violence in the aftermath of shooting death of Sylville Smith two days ago.
Milwaukee Police Officer Charged in Black Motorist's Death
A Milwaukee police officer, Dominique Heaggan-Brown, on December 15, 2016 was charged on reckless homicide in August 13, 2016, death of Sylville Smith. According to indictment, Smith threw his gun away, but the officer, a fellow African-American, still shot Smith dead, triggering a two-day riot that had highlighted the underlying tension between the communities of color and the law enforcement agencies responsible for policing those communities. Dominique Heaggan-Brown was fired in October 2016 from the Milwaukee Police Department on an unrelated sexual assault charge.
Milwaukee Police Officer Acquitted
A Milwaukee police officer, Dominique Heaggan-Brown, charged in the August 13, 2016, killing of a black motorist, Sylville Smith, after a brief foot chase, was on June 21, 2017 acquitted by a jury.
Five
People Mowed to Death in Christmas Parade
A
speeding SUV rammed into a Christmas Parade in the Milwaukee suburb of
Waukesha on November 21, 2021 night, killing five people and injuring 48
others. Waukesha Police Chief Dan Thompson told reporters on November
22, 2021 that the suspect, Darrell Brooks Jr., was fleeing a
domestic disturbance scene. Darrell Brooks Jr., according to the police
chief, did not know any of his victims and the incident was not linked to
terrorism. The police chief also said that Darrell Brooks Jr. had acted alone.
Charges
Filed against the SUV Driver, Sixth Death Recorded
Waukesha authorities on November 23, 2021 filed
charges against the suspect, Darrel Brooks Jr., who had appeared in the
court. The charges include five counts of intentional homicides. On November
23, 2021, an eight-year-old, Jackson Sparks, who was walking along
the parade route on November 21, 2021 during the Waukesha’s Christmas Parade,
succumbed, raising the death toll to six. All other dead are adults. At least
62 people were injured, and dozens remained hospitalized.
