Criminal Justice
Menendez steps down temporarily as U.S. Senate committee chairman amid federal charges
WASHINGTON — New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez will temporarily step aside as chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee following a federal indictment for conspiracy to commit bribery and other charges. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer made the announcement Friday afternoon, saying in a written statement that “Senator Menendez has rightly decided to […]
Biden administration to create new gun violence prevention office
WASHINGTON — The White House Thursday announced the formation of an Office of Gun Violence Prevention that will help states and local governments as they implement a gun safety legislative package President Joe Biden signed into law last year. Lacking additional action in Congress to curb gun violence, “the Office of Gun Violence Prevention along […]
U.S. attorney general defends Hunter Biden investigation under questioning by House GOP
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans led by Ohio’s Jim Jordan on Wednesday grilled U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about how the Justice Department has handled its investigation and prosecution of Hunter Biden on felony gun charges. The questions about the president’s son came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week asked several committees, including the […]
Former U.S. Capitol Police chief blames intelligence failures, not Trump, for Jan. 6 attack
The FBI and U.S. Department of Homeland Security failed to share intelligence with the U.S. Capitol Police ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, leaving the Capitol Police under-prepared for that day’s violence, the former chief of the Capitol Police told a U.S. House panel chaired by Georgia Republican Barry Loudermilk on Tuesday. But Democrats […]
In FL, “Hope Cards” could help law enforcement and domestic violence survivors
Survivors of domestic violence would be able to carry “Hope Cards” that provide information about any protective court orders they have obtained, if new legislation passes in the upcoming Florida Legislature. The Hope Card would be issued by the Office of the State Courts Administrator and must be a durable, laminated, wallet-size card which would […]
FL law enforcement agencies endorse U.S. Sen. Rick Scott in his bid for reelection next year
The Florida Police Chiefs Association (FPCA) announced Monday that they are endorsing U.S. Sen. Rick Scott’s reelection campaign, the second big endorsement from a Florida-based law enforcement organization for Scott going into next year’s U.S. Senate election. In July, 59 of the state’s 67 sheriffs announced that they were backing the incumbent senator in the […]
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment
The Texas Senate on Saturday acquitted Attorney General Ken Paxton of 16 articles of impeachment alleging corruption and bribery, his most artful escape in a career spent courting controversy and skirting consequences of scandal. No article received more than 14 of the required 21 votes to convict. Only two of 19 Republican Senators, Bob Nichols of Jacksonville and Kelly […]
During National Day of Action, FL immigration advocates call for reform
Immigration advocates gathered on Friday afternoon to demand closure of immigrant detention centers, including one in Northeast Florida previously criticized over reports of medical mistreatment. The group that gathered at the First Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee consisted of representatives from the ACLU of Florida, Immigrant Action Alliance, Southern Poverty Law Center, Florida People’s Advocacy Center, […]
Judge rules Trump’s 2020 Georgia racketeering case and 16 others severed from October trial
A Fulton County judge ruled Thursday that 17 defendants, including former President Donald Trump, will be tried separately from co-defendants Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, who are scheduled to go on trial on Oct. 23 for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. On Thursday, Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee noted in […]
Top FL officials celebrate GOP dominance in Orlando (plus a sneak preview on 2026 Gov candidates)
Thursday night’s Republican Party of Florida Statesman’s dinner in Orlando was not only an occasion for the party to raise money and celebrate their dominance in state politics, but the event showed an early sneak preview of a group of likely 2026 candidates looking to succeed Ron DeSantis as Florida’s next governor. Lt. Gov. Gov. […]
U.S. prisons chief insists to Senate panel there’s been ‘visible change’ in the system
WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Bureau of Prisons on Wednesday outlined to the Senate Judiciary Committee how she has sought improvements in the nation’s troubled prison system, and fielded questions from Republicans about transgender inmates. “Developing meaningful change throughout the agency is not something that happens in a moment,” Colette Peters, the director […]
Trump’s trial will be televised. That transparency comes with a cost
The first of the televised sessions in former President Donald Trump’s conspiracy trial in Georgia aired Sept. 5, and it was dull as a butter knife: Two of the 19 alleged conspirators arguing to have their cases separated from the mob and from each other. It was an inauspicious start to what is potentially the […]