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Opening Statement January 7, 2022 |
| Edited by Andrew Cohen |
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The system goes easy on the Capitol rioters. Some federal judges were at first incredulous that Justice Department prosecutors were seeking such light sentences in plea deals with some of the far-right extremists who stormed the U.S. Capitol last January. But federal judges have gone below the government’s sentencing recommendations in 49 out of 74 cases so far. The Washington Post More: There has been an increase in online threats against elected officials, including President Biden, in the past few days, Homeland Security Department officials warned. Federal agents have ramped up security precautions. CNN A bitter anniversary. One year later, top GOP leaders refused to partake in Capitol Hill events commemorating the attack, while congressional Republicans blocked efforts for more permanent memorials to the victims. The New York Times More: FBI officials praise the “Sedition Hunters,” an online group of sleuths, for helping them identify hundreds of Capitol riot suspects. But now those online hunters want the feds to move more quickly to bring the rioters to justice. HuffPost Related: There is still disbelief and anger among residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhood rocked by last year’s riot. The Washington Post “If I’m being completely honest, I need someone to blame.” When Elizabeth Perryman was murdered in 1971, she left behind a family that got few answers from police investigating the case. Only decades later did it become clear who had committed the crime, when Perryman’s daughter, Regina, began searching online for details about what happened to her mother. She found that her family’s pain was mirrored, in many ways, by the pain endured by the children of the adults responsible for her mother’s death. The New Yorker
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp says he’ll push to loosen gun regulations in the state ahead of a Republican primary challenge and an expected election contest with Democratic candidate Stacey Abrams. PBS An inappropriate “ruse.” Police in Seattle, Washington, pretended in radio communications during social justice protests in 2020 that members of the far-right Proud Boys group were marching around downtown menacing residents. Seattle Times Republican legislators in Wisconsin have unveiled proposed police measures that include a law that would preclude local authorities from prohibiting no-knock search warrants. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel A staffing crisis at the urban jail in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, has forced officials to try to send prisoners to other jails around the state. Jail officials in suburban and rural counties say they have their own staffing problems. Charlotte Observer A blow to accountability in New York City jails. New Mayor Eric Adams is replacing the corrections department’s head of investigations, Sarena Townsend, who had angered union officials with her forceful reviews of excessive force cases. The City
Republicans against Trump. George Conway says that former President Trump must be held accountable for the Capitol riot. The Washington Post More: Karl Rove says that Republicans must take responsibility for the insurrection. The Wall Street Journal History will judge Merrick Garland for the decision he now makes about those who inspired the Capitol rioters. The U.S. attorney general will infuriate millions of Americans, no matter how aggressively he pursues charges against the former president. The New Yorker More: The Capitol insurrection was more than a day. The New Yorker It is ongoing. Washington Monthly A survivor looks back, one year later. “January 6 has not left a scar because we are nowhere close to healing. We cannot heal as long as there are two irreconcilable versions of reality warring for control of the nation’s psyche.” The New Republic More: Congressional investigators and the Justice Department will ultimately converge upon one man: What did Mike Pence know, and when did he know it? Emptywheel It takes a village to help families of the incarcerated. “Housing inmates closer to home can help ease reentry… clean slate legislation and occupational licensing reform can help children and family members of formerly incarcerated individuals… seeking to impose the minimum amount of punishment necessary to achieve legitimate public safety aims is consistent with a focus on families and children.” Hatch Center Policy Review A “real vision” that will be tested by hardliners. Alvin Bragg, Manhattan’s new district attorney, announces a new focus on the most serious crimes committed in New York City. That means many non-violent crimes will go unprosecuted. New York Magazine
Why are more children dying by gunfire? Their parents have more guns and aren’t properly storing them, for starters. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there was a 50% increase in gun deaths of children under age 14 from the end of 2019 to the end of 2020. The New York Times Another request to reroute prison funds. Federal prosecutors this week asked a judge to order Bureau of Prisons officials to turn over $3,800 remaining in Dzhokar Tsarnaev’s prison bank account. The convicted Boston Marathon bomber has been using the money for himself, rather than paying off the debt he owes to the victims of the attack. The judge quickly granted the request. The Washington Post A family tragedy in Florida. An infant child is now an orphan after his parents, both sheriff’s deputies in Florida, took their own lives over the weekend. Miami Herald Felony disenfranchisement continues for 63,000 people in Wisconsin. Voting rights advocates plan to reintroduce legislation that would allow people on parole or probation following their prison terms to be eligible to cast a ballot. Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Another reason to kill the filibuster. Gun reform advocates are disappointed that the Biden administration’s attempts to curb gun violence have been stymied by Republican opposition in Congress. They should not be surprised. The Trace |
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We must know more about how brain injuries affect crime and justice. Melissa Beckwith lives with pseudobulbar affect, a brain injury she suffered when she was attacked by her partner. He went to prison, but Beckwith began suffering emotional problems that ultimately landed her in trouble with the law, too. Now, Beckwith is working with Colorado lawmakers to pass a measure that would require screening for brain injuries for all crime victims. We can’t just leave these injuries untreated, Beckwith told Maurice Chammah in the latest installment of our “Life Inside” series.