Georgia prosecutor signals ‘imminent’ decision to file charges in Trump case – latest

Trump says no documents found at Mar-a-Lago, just ‘cool’ empty folders marked classified

a judge in Georgia Tuesday heard arguments on the public release of a grand jury report after an eight-month investigation Donald TrumpAlleged efforts to subvert the results of the 2020 election in that state.

During its investigation, the panel heard testimony and evidence about abuse and harassment of election workers, a fraudulent voter scheme, and Mr. Trump’s infamous phone calls to election officials to “find” enough votes for his victory. Had gone.

The report of the special grand jury, which has been barred from issuing an indictment, likely includes a summary of its investigative work and recommendations for indictments for the alleged misconduct that prompted the investigation and its conclusion.

The former president’s attorneys have claimed they were never involved in the investigation, while Fulton County District Attorney Fannie Willis argued for keeping the report private because her office prepared to file criminal charges against those named in the report. appears to be. A decision from his office is “imminent,” she told the judge.

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ICYMI: Fox News pokes fun at its latest culture war obsession – ‘woke’ Xbox

After M&Ms dropped its spokeswoman amid right-wing claims the cartoon chocolate characters weren’t cute enough, Fox News personalities have identified a new target in the culture wars: Xbox.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 09:00

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Nick Fuentes returns to Twitter

Twitter banned 24-year-old fascist influencer Nick Fuentes in 2021 for “repeated violations” of the platform’s rules, prompting a wave of far-right accounts on other platforms like Telegram, where he has more than 53,000 subscribers .

At 7.30 am, a verified account with his name posted a meme of Patrick’s character Spongebob Squarepants to announce its return to the social media platform, where new owner Elon Musk has opened the door to white nationalist, neo-Nazi and other far-right extremist accounts.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 08:00

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ICYMI: Georgia DA says charge decision in Trump election interference imminent as grand jury report kept secret

Fulton County District Attorney Fannie Willis has said a special grand jury report on efforts by Donald Trump and his allies to reverse 2020 election losses is being sealed because she is still considering whether to file charges against those involved in the schemes. Whether or not criminal charges should be sought.

Speaking before Judge Robert McBurney in Georgia at a Tuesday hearing to determine whether the report would be publicly released, Ms. Willis told the judge that making it public at this time could prevent future cases against potential defendants. There can be bias.

“We feel it is not appropriate to release the report at this time to ensure future defendants are treated fairly,” she said. She said a “decision is imminent” on whether she will seek indictment.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 07:00

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ICYMI: Trump defends his ‘perfect’ Georgia phone call in series of Truth Social posts

In a series of Truth Social posts on Tuesday, Trump continued to lie about the results of the 2020 presidential election and referred to his “correct” phone calls to Georgia officials in search of “search” votes for his victory in the state. defended.

He made baseless allegations of “fraud” in the election and “stuffing” in the ballot, which has not been verified by any court or election official.

His claims came as a Georgia judge heard arguments on the release of a grand jury report from an investigation targeting the former president and his aides, leading to indictments from prosecutors in the state.

He followed up his statements by claiming he “did a great job as president” in an all-caps rant spanning nearly two terms, prompting federal law enforcement to recover documents at his Mar-a-Lago property. Said “Gestapo”, which he refused to return. and to prosecute those who stormed the US Capitol on 6 January.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 06:00

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ICYMI: Classified documents found at Mike Pence’s Indiana home

Former Vice President Mike Pence’s attorney turned over a dozen classified records to the FBI after they were found at the former vice president’s home.

A lawyer for Mr Pence found the documents at Mr Pence’s new home in Carmel, Indiana, where he served as governor and a congressman before Trump was tapped as vice president.

The FBI and the Justice Department’s National Security Division have launched investigations into how the documents got into Mr Pence’s home. Mr Pence’s lawyer told CNN that the FBI requested access to the classified documents that evening, to which he agreed.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 05:00

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Khashoggi’s widow speaks out against Mike Pompeo’s ‘shameful’ remarks

Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi an “activist supporting the losing team” whose murder attracted much media attention.

Pompeo writes, “To be clear, Khashoggi was a journalist to the same extent that I and many other public figures are journalists.” Never Give An Inch: Fighting for the America I Love,

His widow Hanan El-Atra told Independent His comment is “shameful”.

“I want to ask Mr. Pompeo, did he ever meet my husband? Did he ever talk to him? Where is he getting this misinformation from?”

Mr Pompeo has doubled down after facing widespread criticism, responding to a statement Washington PostFred Ryan, publisher and CEO, condemned their “shocking” and misrepresentation of Khashoggi’s life.

“Americans are safe because we didn’t label Saudi Arabia a pariah state,” Mr. Pompeo said. “I’ve never let the media bully me. Just b/c someone is a part-time stringer for WaPo doesn’t make their life more important than our military serving in dangerous places protecting us all. I don’t take it never forgot

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 04:00

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New photo of Trump with mobster emerges a day after outcry over ex-mob boss photo op

A photo taken during the summer of 2022 shows a smiling former President Donald Trump showing a thumbs up to former President Donald Trump, along with podcaster and motivational speaker John Allitt, who was once a hitman for the Gambino crime family.

Alite, who confirmed the authenticity of the photo in a phone interview Independentdescribed himself as a political independent who supported Mr Trump’s push for criminal justice reform, and said his support for the former president is well known.

The after picture was passed on to The Independent Philadelphia Inquirer published a photo with the former president and Joseph “Skinny Joey” Merlino, who ran the Philadelphia Mafia in the 1990s when Mr. Trump was a casino operator in nearby Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 03:00

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Trump withdraws appeal, ending legal battle over New York probe

Donald Trump has dropped another lawsuit against New York Attorney General Letitia James, the second time he has halted legal action against her after a judge last week fined her and her lawyers nearly $1m for filing frivolous cases. Was fined.

Alex Woodward25 January 2023 01:00

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Mother of Capitol officer who died after January 6 asks judge to seek longer jail term for rioter, ‘You’re the reason Brian is dead’

In a letter to US District Judge Thomas Hogan included in the government’s filing against a Capitol rioter convicted of assaulting a police officer with a dangerous weapon, the mother of a Capitol officer who died after the attack, Told him “you’re the reason Brian got killed”.

Brian Sicknick’s mother, Gladys Sicknick, said the rioter, Julian Khater, has taken “center stage in our repeated nightmares” after pepper-spraying the officer’s face.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of seven and a half years.

“Just when the raw nerves are starting to heal, we are taken back to the scene of your crime,” she wrote in his letter. “You, among all the other lunatics – you are the reason Brian died, Mr. Khater.”

Sicknick collapsed later that day after being hit by pepper spray on January 6, 2021. He died the next day in the hospital. He died of natural causes after suffering a series of strokes.

His partner Sandra Garza this month filed a $10m wrongful death lawsuit against Mr Khater and Donald Trump, accusing them of inciting the mob with their baseless stolen election narrative.

Alex Woodward25 Jan 2023 00:00

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Oath Keepers founder calls for new trial after being found guilty of seditious conspiracy for January 6 attack

Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes has filed a motion for a new trial after c.Charged with treason conspiracy in November For his role in leading a right-wing group in the weeks before the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.

The cases mark the first successful jury convictions of Americans on charges related to treason in decades, some of the largest trials yet in the federal government’s sweeping criminal investigation into the Capitol attack.

Alex Woodward24 January 2023 23:00