January 11, 2021

'Trump said I could': One possible legal defense for accused rioters

https://www.chron.com/opinion/article/Trump-said-I-could-One-possible-legal-defense-15860797.php

Teri Kanefield and Mark Reichel
,
The Washington Post
Updated: Jan. 11, 2021 6:47 a.m.

Federal agents spent the weekend arresting people around the nation who were allegedly part of the mob that stormed the Capitol on Wednesday after President Donald Trump urged a crowd to "fight like hell" to overturn the election results. But many of those charged with crimes for their alleged roles in the riot can thus plausibly raise what is known as the "public authority" defense - arguing, essentially, that Trump gave them permission to do what they did.

Here's how it works. Suppose the chief of police in a town told you that you could ignore a "no parking" sign and park in an otherwise forbidden place. Suppose also that you relied on his word and parked in that place. Then, later, suppose a police officer handed you a parking ticket.

You'd have a defense. Specifically, you could point your finger at the authority figure who invited you to commit the illegal act. The spotlight then turns to the authority figure: Did the chief of police have the authority to waive the parking restriction? If not, was it reasonable for you to believe that he did? Did you have reason to know that you shouldn't park there, even if he told you that you should?

Each day, more evidence emerges that Trump and other elected officials instigated this riot. The rioters were lured to Washington with Trump's promise that the day would "be wild." At the rally, Rudy Giuliani - Trump's lawyer and close adviser - called for "trial by combat." Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Ala., told the crowd to "take names and kick ass." Trump told the crowd, "When you catch somebody in a fraud, you're allowed to go by very different rules."

More at link

January 11, 2021

Capitol Covid Spread. House members sheltered were exposed to virus

Capitol Virus Spread: House lawmakers may have been exposed to someone testing positive for COVID-19 while they sheltered at an undisclosed location during the siege.

Lawmakers were taken to that location as a violent mob loyal to Trump ransacked the Capitol. The Capitol’s attending physician notified all lawmakers of the potential virus exposure and urged them to be tested. The infected individual wasn't named. Some lawmakers and staff were furious after video surfaced of Republican lawmakers not wearing their masks in the room during lockdown.

AP

January 10, 2021

Been snowing all day in Central Texas,

January 10, 2021

Trump put the lives of his OWN devotees at risk.

January 10, 2021

Love this GOP SW VA's leaving House tweet

Sure, he's probably an asshole, but he was interesting - just on CNN saying they concluded there were 7 hate groups involved Wednesday which I want to know more about. Plus I liked his parting tweet

https://twitter.com/RepRiggleman/status/1345779478610456576?s=19

January 9, 2021

What's the most FUBAR thing you are thinking about tonight!? I know, minor

But it just seems so sad to me that Joe Biden, who won fair and square, has to go through the reality of this country right now.

Many of his votes were mail-ins but that was just because people were trying to protect themselves when voting, against a deadly virus which trump (on tape,) knowingly hid from us.

Inauguration should be the best moment in your well deserved career, life and efforts. Now, because of an ex you will be going through it with utter fear.

January 8, 2021

Dart like a bullet or move on

Every human has heard about what happened yesterday.

Either pursue that and introduce impeachment articles tomorrow !

Or move on.

There's an arc in every news cycle and this one peaked and is on the way down.

If you don't impeach tomorrow, start acting like the party in charge. "#1 priority we are working with drug companies and state and local officials to ramp up vaccine distribution.

Meanwhile many are looking at the events of Wednesday and working on determining cause, including the trump administration's incitement and Capitol police's lessons learned.

But there too many important things that are affecting our country right now. Urgent things that affect human life and we are proceeding on that path."

January 7, 2021

MoJoe producer releases video of opening

https://twitter.com/danielnorwick/status/1347139352346959872?s=19

January 7, 2021

From Ted Lieu's mouth to the PTB's ears!!!!

https://twitter.com/tedlieu/status/1347025658191499266?s=20

January 7, 2021

Wow, unintended consequences. They were holed up together

today... Facing fear of death.

What I am seeing in House is overwhelmingly... Let's work together for the people.

Screech.. Lee Zeldin - R-NY. What an asshole.