Federal Prison Officials are Refusing to Give Chauvin’s Family Updates

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Federal Prison Officials are Refusing to Give Chauvin’s Family Updates

(Headline USA) An attorney for Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was blamed for George Floyd’s overdose death, said Saturday that Chauvin’s family has been kept in the dark by federal prison officials after he was stabbed in prison.

The lawyer, Gregory M. Erickson, slammed the lack of transparency by the Federal Bureau of Prisons a day after his client was stabbed on Friday by another inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tucson, Arizona, a prison that has been plagued by security lapses and staffing shortages.

A person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Friday that Chauvin was seriously injured in the stabbing. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the attack.

On Saturday, Brian Evans, a spokesperson for the Minnesota attorney general’s office, said: “We have heard that he is expected to survive.”

Erickson said Chauvin’s family and his attorneys have hit a wall trying to obtain information about the attack from Bureau of Prisons officials. He said Chauvin’s family has been forced to assume he is in stable condition, based only on news accounts, and has been contacting the prison repeatedly seeking updates but have been provided with no information.

“As an outsider, I view this lack of communication with his attorneys and family members as completely outrageous,” Erickson said in a statement to the AP. “It appears to be indicative of a poorly run facility and indicates how Derek’s assault was allowed to happen.”

“How the family members who are in charge of Derek’s decisions regarding his personal medical care and his emergency contact were not informed after his stabbing further indicates the institution’s poor procedures and lack of institutional control.”

A spokesperson for the Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday evening.

The Bureau of Prisons has only confirmed an assault at the Arizona facility and said employees performed “life-saving measures” before the inmate was taken to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

The Bureau of Prisons did not name the victim or provide a medical status “for privacy and safety reasons.”

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press

‘You Can’t Hide’: Pro-Palestinian Hecklers Disrupt Biden’s Lavish Thanksgiving Escapade

Luis Cornelio
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‘You Can’t Hide’: Pro-Palestinian Hecklers Disrupt Biden’s Lavish Thanksgiving Escapade

(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) President Joe Biden’s Thanksgiving lavish retreat in Nantucket was interrupted by a group of pro-Palestinian protesters voicing their grievances during his stroll through the island’s streets.  

The president and First Lady Jill Biden encountered a vocal crowd shouting “Free Palestine.” On a separate occasion, chanting accusations concerning alleged genocide. “Biden, Biden, you can’t hide. We charge you with genocide!” they shouted.

Reports indicate that the protesters located Biden twice, first as he exited a lunch with his family and later during a tree-lighting ceremony, as highlighted by Fox News.  

Approximately 40 demonstrators gathered to express their opposition to the United States’ support for Israel, specifically calling for a ceasefire in the Hamas-governed Gaza Strip, according to the Daily Mail. 

The Secret Service adjusted the President’s route to the vacation home in response to the demonstration, which featured a large banner reading “Ceasefire 4Eva” and chants advocating for a peace in Gaza. 

“The pause is just a pause. A permanent ceasefire. Let Gaza live,” the group chanted, as reported by the Mail.

During one encounter with protesters, Biden appeared nonchalant, seemingly unfazed by the chants, instead acknowledging a veteran in Nantucket. This incident unfolded as criticism arose over the President’s stay at a 13-acre estate owned by billionaire David Rubenstein, a private equity magnate.

Conservative journalist Katie Pavlich commented on Twitter, drawing attention to Biden’s activities amid ongoing international conflicts.

“If you’re wondering what President Biden has been doing today after two rounds of hostage releases with zero Americans (including a 4-year-old) and as Hamas plays games with their lives, he was shopping in Nantucket. He also had a milkshake,” Pavlich said.

Left-wing Propagandist Jorge Ramos Triggered by Trump Univision Interview

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Left-wing Propagandist Jorge Ramos Triggered by Trump Univision Interview

(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) In a recent op-ed, leftist journalist Jorge Ramos threw a temper tantrum in response to the handling of a Univision interview with former President Donald Trump, where the leading candidate for president highlighted his agenda. 

Ramos expressed his partisan dissent regarding the Nov. 9 interview, pointing out what he perceived as a lack of tough questions of Trump’s statements during the session.  

“We cannot normalize behavior that threatens democracy and the Hispanic community, or offer Trump an open microphone to broadcast his falsehoods and conspiracy theories,” Ramos emphasized in his column. “We must question and fact-check everything he says.” 

Referencing a past encounter with Trump during a press conference, Ramos recalled being escorted out by security at Trump’s directive. “Trump never would have given me an interview,” Ramos highlighted.

“Our job as journalist is to question those in power. That’s what reporters do. That’s what I did in Iowa and what I have done with Trump since he announced his first presidential campaign,” Ramos added.

The interview itself saw Trump elaborating on his potential second-term agenda, notably reiterating his commitment to completing the border wall and asserting that Mexico would cover the costs, a statement met with left-wing skepticism. 

Following the interview’s airing, calls for a boycott of Univision emerged from some left-leaning activists. Actor and activist John Leguizamo urged fellow artists and public figures to refrain from participating in Univision appearances.

In a seemingly unrelated move, Univision anchor Leon Krauze left the network shortly after the interview, although no official reason for the departure was provided. 

In response to the controversy surrounding the interview and subsequent fallout, Wade Davis, a TelevisaUnivision executive, emphasized the network’s commitment to impartial coverage. 

“Our goal is to cover candidates from all political parties — Democrats, Republicans and Independents — and to assure Hispanics of the most comprehensive access to information that will help them make educated decisions at the ballot box,” Davis wrote. “Our mission is to make Latinos a vital part of our electoral process by encouraging them to register and exercising their constitutional right to vote.”

Santos Sees Congress Expulsion as ‘Badge of Honor’ Amid Scandal

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Santos Sees Congress Expulsion as ‘Badge of Honor’ Amid Scandal

(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., facing expulsion from Congress amid accusations of misusing campaign funds for personal use, has unexpectedly embraced the impending action as a “badge of honor.”  

According to the New York Post, scandal-ridden Santos also accused colleagues of partying with lobbyists, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of commitment to their duties in a lengthy interview on Twitter. 

“I have colleagues who are more worried about getting drunk every night with the next lobbyist that they’re gonna screw and pretend like none of us know what’s going on, and sell off the American people, not show up to vote because they’re too hungover or whatever the reason is, or not show up to vote at all and just give their card out like f–king candy for someone else to vote for them,” Santos said in a Friday interview on Twitter. 

Despite bipartisan efforts to remove him from office, Santos remained resolute and even proud. 

“I don’t care. You want to expel me? I’ll wear it like a badge of honor,” he declared. “I’ll be the sixth expelled member of Congress in the history of Congress. And guess what? I’ll be the only one expelled without a conviction.” 

Santos’ troubles began after his 2022 victory to represent New York’s 3rd Congressional District, with allegations of resume embellishments and financial disclosure discrepancies leading to a federal indictment on 23 counts of fraud, including wire fraud, false statements to the Federal Election Commission, identity theft and misusing public funds. 

A House Ethics Committee report detailed Santos’ alleged misuse of campaign contributions for personal luxuries, including designer bags, Botox treatments and a subscription to an adult website. 

Acknowledging the overwhelming odds against him, Santos conceded he would be expelled from Congress once the Ethics-led resolution goes to the House floor. “I’ve done the math over and over, and it doesn’t look really good,” he declared. 

House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest, R-Miss., is expected to hold a vote after the Thanksgiving break. Meanwhile, Santos scheduled a press conference for Nov. 30, where it speculated that he would announce his resignation

Rapists, Sex Offenders Among Those Illegally Entering America

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Rapists, Sex Offenders Among Those Illegally Entering America

(Bethany Blankley, The Center Square) – Rapists and sex offenders are among the most violent people illegally entering the U.S., according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They illegally enter to avoid punishment in their home country or illegally enter the U.S., commit violent offenses, and then attempt to flee back to their home country, agents say.

In one recent case, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ICE-ERO)-Boston agents arrested a Brazilian man who illegally entered the U.S. and was wanted in Brazil for raping a 5-year-old.

The 37-year-old Brazilian man was arrested Nov. 14 on Martha’s Vineyard near his residence in West Tisbury, Massachusetts. Prior to illegally entering the U.S. during a previous administration, the Brazilian national was convicted on multiple counts for raping a child. After his convictions and before he was sentenced to 14 years in prison, he fled Brazil and illegally entered the U.S.

He “unlawfully entered the United States on an unknown date at an unknown location without being inspected or admitted by an immigration official,” ICE said. He represents one of millions of gotaways – foreign nationals who illegally enter the U.S. between ports of entry to intentionally evade capture by law enforcement. Law enforcement officials have no idea how many, who or where they are. They are among at least 1.7 million since January 2021, The Center Square previously reported.

In May 2019, after failing to appear for his sentencing, the 2nd Criminal Court of Sorriso in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, Brazil, issued a warrant for his arrest.

It would take another four and a half years – until Sept. 28, 2023 – for ICE to learn of his whereabouts in the U.S. And after ICE ERO-Boston agents became aware of his presence on Martha’s Vineyard, it would take another six weeks to apprehend him. He was apprehended during a vehicle stop and served with a notice to appear before a Department of Justice immigration judge. He remains in ERO custody pending his removal proceedings.

“This undocumented Brazilian national represented a significant threat to the inhabitants of Martha’s Vineyard,” ERO Boston Field Office Director Todd Lyons said. “He sexually assaulted a five-year-old child in his homeland and then ran from authorities when held accountable for his actions. ERO Boston will not allow such predators to threaten our residents. We will continue to apprehend and remove anyone who attempts to use our New England community as a refuge from justice.”

In another recent case, border agents arrested two El Salvadorans wanted for rape in Maryland who were attempting to flee the U.S. by heading back to El Salvador. One was in the country illegally and had previous removal orders. The other had lawful permanent residence status. Both were processed for removal.

Federal agents apprehended the suspected rapists and fugitives at Washington Dulles International Airport in late October.

One 53-year-old Salvadoran man who was illegally in the U.S., was first arrested in Montgomery County, Maryland, with a warrant for felony second degree rape and sexual abuse of a minor. He was previously ordered to be removed from the U.S. by an immigration judge in 2006.

The second 53-year-old Salvadoran man who was arrested had a warrant out for his arrest in Prince George’s County, Maryland, for felony second degree rape.

Critics argue that their plan to flee to El Salvador indicates that any claims they made to justify staying in the U.S. were likely invalid because after they were caught committing a crime they tried to go back to El Salvador.

Their arrests came after ICE-ERO agents arrested two violent criminals wanted in El Salvador and Brazil: an MS-13 gang member on El Salvador’s Top 100 list and a Brazilian military officer involved in a 2015 massacre. They were apprehended in Alabama and New Hampshire, respectively.

In fiscal year 2022, ICE ERO agents arrested 46,396 illegal foreign nationals with criminal histories including 198,498 associated charges and convictions. The charges and convictions include 21,531 assault offenses; 8,164 sex and sexual assault offenses; 5,554 weapons offenses; 1,501 homicide-related offenses; and 1,114 kidnapping offenses.

Police Shortages Leading to a Rise in Unsolved Murders in DC

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Police Shortages Leading to a Rise in Unsolved Murders in DC

(Headline USA) Though it’s no longer the homicide capital of the United States, the nation’s capital is witnessing a multiyear spike in the number of homicides but solving far fewer of them.

The percentage of homicides that are solved by the Metropolitan Police Department has declined sharply in 2023, leaving the city on track to record its lowest so-called “clearance rate” or “closure rate” in more than 15 years.

As of Nov. 13, only 75 of the 244 homicides committed this year have been solved by police.

Factoring in the 33 prior-year homicides cleared thus far in 2023, the overall closure rate stands at around 45%.

That would be the lowest rate dating back at least to 2007, according to statistics provided by the MPD.

Nationally, the average clearance rate tends to hover between 50% and 60%, said Rick Rosenfeld, a professor of criminology at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.

A low closure rate, particularly on homicides, can erode police morale and community trust in the police and lessen the public cooperation between citizens and police that is vital for many investigations, said Christopher Herrmann, an associate professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a former crime analyst supervisor with the New York Police Department.

“That whole process can kind of spiral down, where the community doesn’t trust the police that much anymore or there’s a lack of faith,” he said. “There’s much less cooperation between the community and the police. And once the police see a lack of cooperation from the community, some of them will kind of throw their hands up in the air and say, ‘Why should we care when no one in the community wants to help?’”

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Lyndsey Appiah acknowledged that closure represents “some sense of justice for victims.”

In addition, she said, “The surety of consequence is a deterrent to crime. So it’s important that we are, as quickly as possible, closing cases and solving cases.”

The drop in homicide closures is part of a public safety crisis facing the nation’s capital. Appiah, in testimony to the House Judiciary Committee this year, flatly acknowledged the scope of the problem.

“Oxford defines a crisis as a time of intense difficulty, trouble or danger,” she testified. “So I would say there is a crisis.”

Homicides in Washington are up 33% this year over last year. Violent crimes involving juveniles also are rising steadily, as are carjackings, with a U.S. congressman and a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates among the recent victims.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Appiah cited police staffing issues and difficulties with crime scene analysis among the potential factors impacting the clearance rate.

The MPD is at around 3,300 officers this year, down from 3,800 officers since 2020 — a decrease of 500 over three years.

Police union officials have publicly blamed the D.C. Council for the anti-police policies that have driven away officers and stifled recruiting efforts, such as defund the police.

The impact of these unsolved killings can have a corrosive effect in multiple directions.

“It devastates the Black family, and it can devastate the police department,” said Ronald Moten, a community activist. “It always gives the family some sense of relief if there’s a closure.”

“It doesn’t help you heal by itself, but it’s part of the healing process.”

Moten’s half-brother was slain in 1991, during the period when homicides in D.C. regularly exceeded 400 per year. The case was never solved.

“It hurts because you feel like somebody’s gotten away with killing your child with no consequences,” Moten said. “That’s painful.”

“You want closure, and you want somebody to be held accountable.”

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press

Andrew Cuomo Accused of Sexual Assault … Again

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Andrew Cuomo Accused of Sexual Assault … Again

(Headline USA) Democrat and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is being sued by a former aide who says Cuomo sexually harassed her while he was still in office.

Cuomo was accused of sexual assault by 11 women in 2021.

Cuomo’s former executive assistant Brittany Commisso filed the case against the ex-governor in New York’s state Supreme Court in Albany on Wednesday.

The filing, a three-page summons, came just before the expiration for lawsuits under the Adult Survivors Act. The law gave victims of sexual abuse a one-year window for claims that would otherwise be barred by time limits.

Commisso was one of at least 11 women who accused Cuomo of sexual misconduct, leading to his abrupt 2021 resignation in a #MeToo-era scandal that marked a severe fall from grace for the Democrat.

Cuomo has denied the allegations.

Commisso’s lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and unwanted touching from Cuomo and said she was punished for reporting the incidents.

The case seeks monetary damages.

Her allegations led to a criminal charge against Cuomo that was eventually dismissed last year at the request of a county prosecutor.

The prosecutor described her as credible but said he couldn’t prove the case.

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press

 

Derek Chauvin Stabbed in Prison

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Derek Chauvin Stabbed in Prison

(Headline USA) Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who was convicted of murder after George Floyd died of an overdose, was stabbed by another inmate and seriously injured Friday at a federal prison in Arizona.

The attack happened at the Federal Correctional Institution, Tucson, a medium-security prison that has been plagued by security lapses and staffing shortages. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss details of the attack and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity.

The Bureau of Prisons confirmed that an incarcerated person was assaulted at FCI Tucson at around 12:30 p.m. local time Friday. In a statement, the agency said responding employees contained the incident and performed “life-saving measures” before the inmate, who it did not name, was taken to a hospital for further treatment and evaluation.

No employees were injured and the FBI was notified, the Bureau of Prisons said. Visiting at the facility, which has about 380 inmates, has been suspended.

Messages seeking comment were left with Chauvin’s lawyers and the FBI.

Chauvin’s stabbing is the second high-profile attack on a federal prisoner in the last five months. In July, disgraced sports doctor Larry Nassar was stabbed by a fellow inmate at a federal penitentiary in Florida.

Chauvin’s lawyer, Eric Nelson, had advocated for keeping him out of general population and away from other inmates, anticipating he’d be a target. In Minnesota, Chauvin was mainly kept in solitary confinement “largely for his own protection,” Nelson wrote in court papers last year.

Chauvin’s stabbing comes as the federal Bureau of Prisons has faced increased scrutiny in recent years following the alleged suicide of the cosmopolitan oligarch Jeffery Epstein. 

It’s another example of the agency’s inability to keep even its highest profile prisoners safe after Nassar’s stabbing and “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski’s suicide at a federal medical center in June.

Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press

Biden Blasted for Abraham Accords Ignorance, Claiming He Triggered Hamas Attack

Luis Cornelio
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Biden Blasted for Abraham Accords Ignorance, Claiming He Triggered Hamas Attack

(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) President Joe Biden’s recent remarks attributing a potential trigger for the Hamas-led terrorist attack in southern Israel have drawn intense scrutiny, particularly after he took credit for peace deals that began during the Trump administration.

In a puzzling assertion on Friday, Biden said that Hamas might have struck on Oct. 7 to thwart peace negotiations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. 

“I cannot prove what I’m about to say, but I believe one of the reasons Hamas struck when they did is because they knew I was working very closely with the Saudis and others in the region to bring peace to the region by having recognition of Israel and Israel’s right to exist,” Biden claimed.

“You may recall when we did the G20 a little while ago, I was able to get a resolution, a statement passed through there saying we are going to build a railroad from Riyadh all the way through the Middle East into Saudi Arabia, Israel etcetera all the way up to Europe,” Biden continued. 

Critics quickly flooded Twitter with scorching criticism, with New York Post columnist Miranda Devine calling Biden’s remarks a sign of “narcissism.” 

“The narcissism is breathtaking, as is the admission of incompetence and the sly diversion. The Abraham Accords were Trump’s triumph and his team would not have screwed up,” Devine said. “Biden’s antipathy to Trump and petty insistence he receive no credit – even to the point of erasing ‘Abraham’ – set back the project, and the insane resurrection of the Iran deal helped fuel Hamas.”

Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, labeled Biden’s statements as “delusional,” highlighting the Abraham Accords as a testament to peace. 

“This is delusional!” he said. “You know what peace looks like?  The Abraham Accords.  And we have President Trump to thank for that. The world had peace and stability just three years ago, all that is now over thanks to this confused man occupying the Oval Office.” 

Former President Donald Trump’s prior remarks echoed sentiments of discontent among critics, asserting that the attack would not have occurred under his administration and citing concerns about the trajectory of peace efforts under Biden’s leadership. 

“These Hamas attacks are a disgrace and Israel has every right to defend itself with overwhelming force. Sadly, American taxpayer dollars helped fund these attacks, which many reports are saying came from the Biden Administration. We brought so much peace to the Middle East through the Abraham Accords, only to see Biden whittle it away at a far more rapid pace than anyone thought possible. Here we go again,” Trump said on Oct. 7.

Over 24,000 Chinese Nationals Nabbed at U.S. Border in 2023, Surpassing Decade’s Total

Luis Cornelio
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Over 24,000 Chinese Nationals Nabbed at U.S. Border in 2023, Surpassing Decade’s Total

(Luis Cornelio, Headline USA) A recent report has exposed a staggering surge in Chinese nationals attempting illegal entry into the United States via the southern border, with over 24,000 individuals intercepted in 2023 alone.  

This number surpasses the combined total of Chinese migrants apprehended over the past 10 years, marking an unprecedented spike in this demographic’s attempts to enter the country illegally. 

According to the New York Times, the journey for these illegal aliens often begins with visa-free flights to Ecuador. From there, they all rely on human smugglers to navigate the deadly route of the Darien Jungle between Colombia and Panama. 

An alarming trend accompanying this surge is the notably high rate at which these immigrants are filing for asylum claims. Even those who do not apply for asylum manage to stay in the U.S. due to China’s refusal to accept them back, posing a significant challenge to immigration authorities. 

A government official disclosed that among the staggering 1.3 million individuals subject to final deportation orders, approximately 100,000 are Chinese nationals. 

“More than 24,000 came to the United States during the 2023 fiscal year, according to government data. Over the previous 10 years, fewer than 15,000 Chinese migrants were caught crossing the southern border illegally,” the report alleged. 

This surge in immigration has not escaped the scrutiny of national security concerns. Reports from the New York Post earlier this month emphasized the potential risks associated with this exponential increase. 

“Clearly that border is a big opportunity,” remarked Rebecca Grant, a national security analyst at IRIS Independent Research. 

Adding to the apprehension, news anchor David Asman raised alarms on Twitter about the possible infiltration of “terrorists” and “saboteurs” from regions like the Middle East and China. 

“Thousands of ‘gotaways’ are potential terrorists and saboteurs from Mideast and China,” Asman said on Twitter. “Human smugglers banking $billions and using profits to finance more deadly fentanyl smuggling. Biden admin’s open border policies are enabling America’s worst enemies.” 

The Biden administration’s open border policies have come under intensified scrutiny for enabling alleged adversaries of the United States to exploit the southern border. The current chaos ignited an impeachment effort against DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

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