truepundit--2020-09-04--‘I’m The Public Face’: Here’s A List Of Lawmakers Who Broke COVID Rules

• Not all lawmakers have been willing to follow social distancing restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic .
• Democratic Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney was photographed dining indoors Sunday , though Philadelphia still prohibits indoor dining .
• Here ’ s a list of lawmakers who have tried to dodge coronavirus rules .
Lawmakers have mandated a variety of COVID restrictions to stem the spread of the pandemic , but not all lawmakers have been willing to follow the rules .
Governors , mayors and state health departments have required that Americans wear masks , social distance , refrain from spending @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling across state lines , stay home from church services and much more .
But many political leaders and members of their families have failed to comply with social distancing rules .
Here ’ s a list of lawmakers who appeared to dodge coronavirus-related restrictions .
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attended a hair appointment in San Francisco Monday , though indoor hair salons in the California city are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic , Fox News reported .
Security footage obtained by Fox News shows a wet-haired Pelosi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Monday as she attended her appointment for a wash and blow-out .
Hair services at the salon range from $ 85 for a shampoo , haircut , blow dry to $ 325 for a Brazilian blowout , according to the eSalon website .
The house speaker ’ s nose and mouth are not covered by a face mask , though a face mask appears to be hanging around her neck , video shows .
San Francisco hair salons have been closed since March and were permitted to open Sept. 1 for outdoor hair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Erica Kious , the owner of the salon , told Fox News Tuesday that a stylist who rents a chair texted her Sunday night and let her know that “ Pelosi assistant just messaged me to do her hair.
” “ It was a slap in the face that she went in , you know , that she feels that she can just go and get her stuff done while no one else can go in , and I can ’ t work , ” the salon owner said , adding that she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi was not wearing a mask .
“ We ’ re supposed to look up to this woman , right ?
” Kious said , according to Fox News .
“ It is just disturbing.
” Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said that Pelosi “ always wears a mask and complies with local COVID requirements.
” “ This business offered for the Speaker to come in on Monday and told her they were allowed by the city to have one customer at a time in the business , ” he told KTVU .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presented to her by this establishment.
” A photo posted Sunday shows Democratic Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Mayor Jim Kenney eating without a mask in a restaurant in Maryland , the Philadelphia Inquirer reported .
The mayor ’ s office confirmed that the photo was taken Sunday in the Chesapeake Bay area .
Indoor dining is prohibited in Philadelphia until Sept. 8 , according to the Philadelphia Department of Health .
A spokesperson for Kenney ’ s office told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Kenney visited a restaurant owned by one of his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way back to Philadelphia to eat outdoors at Rouge in Rittenhouse Square .
“ Throughout the pandemic , the Mayor has consistently deferred to the guidance of the Health Commissioner , who in this case felt strongly about waiting until Sept. 8 to resume indoor dining , ” Deana Gamble told the DCNF .
“ If elected officials at the federal level had similarly deferred to health experts over the past five months , this might not even be an issue by now.
” Gamble added that Kenney understands “ the frustrations of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit by the pandemic , ” but emphasized to the Inquirer that the Maryland County where Kenney dined has only 782 total coronavirus cases while Philadelphia has more than 33,000 .
Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot obtained a haircut during a state-wide stay-at-home order in April — a haircut she defended by saying that the stylist wore both a face mask and gloves .
“ I ’ m the public face of this city , ” the mayor said , according to NBC News .
“ I ’ m on national media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eye.
” “ I think what really people want to talk about is , we ’ re talking about people dying here , ” Lightfoot said when she defended the haircut , NBC reported .
“ We ’ re talking about significant health disparities .
I think that ’ s what people care most about.
” Lightfoot ’ s haircut came after her public service announcement that “ getting your roots done is not essential , ” according to the Chicago Tribune .
Her hair stylist posted a photo of the mayor ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that she had the “ pleasure of giving Mayor Lightfoot a hair trim , ” according to NBC .
Democratic Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker joined protestors in Chicago to commemorate Juneteenth on June 19 .
Photographs from the event show Pritzker marching in the midst of the crowds wearing a mask .
Pritzker ’ s decision to join protestors came though both the state of Illinois and Chicago had entered Phase 3 of the state ’ s reopening plan .
Chicago entered Phase 3 on June 3 , and guidance from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or social gatherings be limited to less than 10 persons , NBC Chicago reported .
Democratic New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo traveled to Georgia July 20 to discuss the continuing coronavirus pandemic with Democratic Savannah , Georgia , Mayor Van Johnson .
Officials from New York brought a large quantity of PPE to Georgia , including surgical masks , test kits , and over a thousand gallons of hand sanitizer , the Democrat and Chronicle reported .
Critics blasted the trip as a public relations stunt following Cuomo ’ s order that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other long term care facilities .
Experts called Cuomo ’ s order a “ fatal error , ” and said that this order led to higher levels of death among nursing home residents .
Cuomo ’ s visit to Georgia took place though Georgia was one of the 22 states on New York ’ s travel advisory list , the Democrat and Chronicle noted .
Travelers from states that are on the list must quarantine for 14 days after they arrive in New York , but Cuomo did not quarantine since he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his trip was less than 24 hours , the publication reported .
A video taken during Cuomo ’ s visit shows the mask-less governor hugging Van Johnson , despite New York ’ s mask mandate .
“ Everyone wore masks the entire time except when they spoke at the press conference and these photos were taken three seconds after it ended , ” Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi told The New York Post .
“ There is no bigger champion of wearing masks than this governor and it ’ s ironic that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to politicize mask wearing is now trying to seize of this cheap political attack , ” Azzopardi added .
Democratic Virginia Gov .
Ralph Northam sparked a backlash when he was seen reviewing security at Virginia Beach without a face mask in late May , according to local outlet NBC12 .
Photographs of the incident , which occurred as Northam pondered mandating a statewide face mask policy , circulated on social media mocking the Virginia governor for failing to follow his own advice .
Northam ’ s office said in a statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be within six feet of anyone.
” “ The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible , ” Northam ’ s office said .
“ He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.
” Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined protestors on the streets of Los Angeles , California on June 2 , taking a knee outside police headquarters to show solidarity with those protesting despite the Los Angeles stay-at-home order issued June 1 .
“ I hear you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the police , ” Garcetti told protestors , Fox News reported .
Despite his gesture of solidarity , hundreds of protestors gathered that night to demonstrate outside his home .
The move came three days after Garcetti called in the National Guard to deal with the continuing riots and protests occurring throughout the city .
The mayor also imposed a curfew , Fox reported , telling media : “ This is no longer a protest .
This is destruction .
This is vandalism.
” Democratic New York Mayor Bill de Blasio drew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attempt to go to the gym on March 16 , the day that Cuomo announced all gyms in the state would shut down to stop the spread of the coronavirus .
“ The YMCA has been a huge part of his and his family ’ s life , like it has been for a lot of New Yorkers , ” ” de Blasio ’ s office said in a statement about his decision to go to the gym only hours before Cuomo closed gyms in the state .
“ It ’ s clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before that , the mayor wanted to visit a place that keeps him grounded one last time.
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Not all lawmakers have been willing to follow social distancing restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic.
Democratic Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney was photographed dining indoors Sunday, though Philadelphia still prohibits indoor dining.
Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi attended hair appointments despite COVID restrictions.
Here’s a list of lawmakers who have tried to dodge coronavirus rules.
Lawmakers have mandated a variety of COVID restrictions to stem the spread of the pandemic, but not all lawmakers have been willing to follow the rules.
Governors, mayors and state health departments have required that Americans wear masks, social distance, refrain from spending time in large groups, quarantine after traveling across state lines, stay home from church services and much more.
But many political leaders and members of their families have failed to comply with social distancing rules. Here’s a list of lawmakers who appeared to dodge coronavirus-related restrictions.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attended a hair appointment in San Francisco Monday, though indoor hair salons in the California city are currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Fox News reported.
Security footage obtained by Fox News shows a wet-haired Pelosi walking through eSalon in San Francisco on Monday as she attended her appointment for a wash and blow-out. Hair services at the salon range from $85 for a shampoo, haircut, blow dry to $325 for a Brazilian blowout, according to the eSalon website.
The house speaker’s nose and mouth are not covered by a face mask, though a face mask appears to be hanging around her neck, video shows.
San Francisco hair salons have been closed since March and were permitted to open Sept. 1 for outdoor hair appointments only, Fox News reported.
Erica Kious, the owner of the salon, told Fox News Tuesday that a stylist who rents a chair texted her Sunday night and let her know that “Pelosi assistant just messaged me to do her hair.”
“It was a slap in the face that she went in, you know, that she feels that she can just go and get her stuff done while no one else can go in, and I can’t work,” the salon owner said, adding that she “can’t believe” that Pelosi was not wearing a mask.
“We’re supposed to look up to this woman, right?” Kious said, according to Fox News. “It is just disturbing.”
Pelosi spokesman Drew Hammill said that Pelosi “always wears a mask and complies with local COVID requirements.”
“This business offered for the Speaker to come in on Monday and told her they were allowed by the city to have one customer at a time in the business,” he told KTVU. “The Speaker complied with the rules as presented to her by this establishment.”
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney
A photo posted Sunday shows Democratic Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mayor Jim Kenney eating without a mask in a restaurant in Maryland, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. The mayor’s office confirmed that the photo was taken Sunday in the Chesapeake Bay area.
Indoor dining is prohibited in Philadelphia until Sept. 8, according to the Philadelphia Department of Health.
A spokesperson for Kenney’s office told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Kenney visited a restaurant owned by one of his friends in Maryland and stopped on his way back to Philadelphia to eat outdoors at Rouge in Rittenhouse Square.
“Throughout the pandemic, the Mayor has consistently deferred to the guidance of the Health Commissioner, who in this case felt strongly about waiting until Sept. 8 to resume indoor dining,” Deana Gamble told the DCNF. “If elected officials at the federal level had similarly deferred to health experts over the past five months, this might not even be an issue by now.”
Gamble added that Kenney understands “the frustrations of local restaurant owners who have been hardest hit by the pandemic,” but emphasized to the Inquirer that the Maryland County where Kenney dined has only 782 total coronavirus cases while Philadelphia has more than 33,000.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot
Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot obtained a haircut during a state-wide stay-at-home order in April — a haircut she defended by saying that the stylist wore both a face mask and gloves.
“I’m the public face of this city,” the mayor said, according to NBC News. “I’m on national media and I’m out in the public eye.”
“I think what really people want to talk about is, we’re talking about people dying here,” Lightfoot said when she defended the haircut, NBC reported. “We’re talking about significant health disparities. I think that’s what people care most about.”
Lightfoot’s haircut came after her public service announcement that “getting your roots done is not essential,” according to the Chicago Tribune. Her hair stylist posted a photo of the mayor’s fresh cut on Facebook and said said that she had the “pleasure of giving Mayor Lightfoot a hair trim,” according to NBC.
Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker
Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker joined protestors in Chicago to commemorate Juneteenth on June 19. Photographs from the event show Pritzker marching in the midst of the crowds wearing a mask.
Pritzker’s decision to join protestors came though both the state of Illinois and Chicago had entered Phase 3 of the state’s reopening plan. Chicago entered Phase 3 on June 3, and guidance from the City of Chicago mandated that non-business or social gatherings be limited to less than 10 persons, NBC Chicago reported.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Democratic New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo traveled to Georgia July 20 to discuss the continuing coronavirus pandemic with Democratic Savannah, Georgia, Mayor Van Johnson. Officials from New York brought a large quantity of PPE to Georgia, including surgical masks, test kits, and over a thousand gallons of hand sanitizer, the Democrat and Chronicle reported.
Critics blasted the trip as a public relations stunt following Cuomo’s order that coronavirus patients be placed in nursing homes and other long term care facilities. Experts called Cuomo’s order a “fatal error,” and said that this order led to higher levels of death among nursing home residents.
Cuomo’s visit to Georgia took place though Georgia was one of the 22 states on New York’s travel advisory list, the Democrat and Chronicle noted. Travelers from states that are on the list must quarantine for 14 days after they arrive in New York, but Cuomo did not quarantine since he is an “essential
” employee and his trip was less than 24 hours, the publication reported.
A video taken during Cuomo’s visit shows the mask-less governor hugging Van Johnson, despite New York’s mask mandate.
“Everyone wore masks the entire time except when they spoke at the press conference and these photos were taken three seconds after it ended,” Cuomo senior adviser Rich Azzopardi told The New York Post.
“There is no bigger champion of wearing masks than this governor and it’s ironic that the right wing echo chamber that spent months trying to politicize mask wearing is now trying to seize of this cheap political attack,” Azzopardi added.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam
Democratic Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam sparked a backlash when he was seen reviewing security at Virginia Beach without a face mask in late May, according to local outlet NBC12.
JUST IN: Statement from @GovernorVA on not wearing a mask today while in Virginia Beach. “The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible. He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.” @NBC12 — Henry Graff (@HenryGraff) May 23, 2020
Photographs of the incident, which occurred as Northam pondered mandating a statewide face mask policy, circulated on social media mocking the Virginia governor for failing to follow his own advice.
Northam’s office said in a statement that Northam was “not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.”
“The Governor has repeatedly encouraged wearing face coverings inside or when social distancing is impossible,” Northam’s office said. “He was outside today and not expecting to be within six feet of anyone.”
LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
Democratic Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joined protestors on the streets of Los Angeles, California on June 2, taking a knee outside police headquarters to show solidarity with those protesting despite the Los Angeles stay-at-home order issued June 1.
“I hear you. I hear what you are saying about the police,” Garcetti told protestors, Fox News reported. Despite his gesture of solidarity, hundreds of protestors gathered that night to demonstrate outside his home.
The move came three days after Garcetti called in the National Guard to deal with the continuing riots and protests occurring throughout the city.
The mayor also imposed a curfew, Fox reported, telling media: “This is no longer a protest. This is destruction. This is vandalism.”
New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio
Democratic New York Mayor Bill de Blasio drew fire when he made a last ditch attempt to go to the gym on March 16, the day that Cuomo announced all gyms in the state would shut down to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
“The YMCA has been a huge part of his and his family’s life, like it has been for a lot of New Yorkers,””de Blasio’s office
said in a statement about his decision to go to the gym only hours before Cuomo closed gyms in the state. “It’s clear that’s about to change and before that, the mayor wanted to visit a place that keeps him grounded one last time.”
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truepundit--2020-09-04--Seattle Police Recover Knives, Shields And Spikes After Clearing Protest Encampment

Seattle police officers recovered knives , shields , spikes and other dangerous implements from a city park Tuesday as unrest continues in the city .
Law enforcement recovered the items during a sweep of Cal Anderson Park , the original location of the now-disbanded Capitol Hill Organized Protest occupation known as CHOP , according to a Seattle Police Department blog post .
The assortment of weapons , which also included an unfired munition , were found in a tent inside the public area after officers obtained a warrant , the blog post read .
The makeshift shields , which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the raised fist symbol frequently associated with Black Lives Matter , photos posted by the department showed .
One shield appeared to depict a dead pig with the words “ ABOLISH SPD , ” pictures showed .
The weapons and defensive tools were booked into evidence , according to the post .
No arrests have been made and law enforcement is still investigating the find .
Seattle rioters last week were caught on camera attempting to trap law enforcement officers in a police precinct before setting it ablaze , according to KOMO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Quikrete ’ and then tried to seal off the exits , ” Seattle police Sgt .
Randy Huserik told the local outlet .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s a lot of leaps that have to be made about what their intent was last night , ” said Sgt .
Huserik .
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Seattle police officers recovered knives, shields, spikes and other dangerous implements from a city park Tuesday as unrest continues in the city.
Law enforcement recovered the items during a sweep of Cal Anderson Park, the original location of the now-disbanded Capitol Hill Organized Protest occupation known as CHOP, according to a Seattle Police Department blog post. The assortment of weapons, which also included an unfired munition, were found in a tent inside the public area after officers obtained a warrant, the blog post read.
Officers recover weapons, shields, and spike strips during park cleanup. https://t.co/5buRUpPQNk pic.twitter.com/ZPPzPuoVJA — Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) September 2, 2020
The makeshift shields, which are seemingly made of plywood, were emblazoned with the raised fist symbol frequently associated with Black Lives Matter, photos posted by the department showed. One shield appeared to depict a dead pig with the words “ABOLISH SPD,” pictures showed.
The weapons and defensive tools were booked into evidence, according to the post. No arrests have been made and law enforcement is still investigating the find.
Seattle rioters last week were caught on camera attempting to trap law enforcement officers in a police precinct before setting it ablaze, according to KOMO News.
“They mixed up the ‘Quikrete’ and then tried to seal off the exits,” Seattle police Sgt. Randy Huserik told the local outlet. “I don’t think there’s a lot of leaps that have to be made about what their intent was last night,” said Sgt. Huserik.
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truepundit--2020-09-04--Old Navy Will Pay Employees To Be Poll Workers On Election Day

Old Navy announced Tuesday that it would still pay its employees if they volunteered to work at polling places on Election Day instead of working in its stores .
The announcement , which was also on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day , applies to the brand ’ s 50,000 employees who work in approximately 1,000 stores across the United States .
Old Navy said the program is meant to help ensure that polling places across the country operate smoothly on Election Day , according to the company ’ s press release .
“ The brand is tapping into its vast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees in more than 1,000 store locations across the U.S. , encouraging them to apply to serve in their communities , and giving them the means to do so , ” the company said Those who volunteer to work at the polls will be paid for an eight-hour workday , the Miami Herald reported .
“ We are constantly inspired by our store teams , with their passion for community work and fostering a sense of belonging both in and outside of our store walls , said Nancy Green , Old Navy ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this country matters and deserves to be heard at the polls , and if we at Old Navy can be even a small part of making that process more accessible to the communities we call home , we are on board.
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Old Navy announced Tuesday that it would still pay its employees if they volunteered to work at polling places on Election Day instead of working in its stores.
The announcement, which was also on National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, applies to the brand’s 50,000 employees who work in approximately 1,000 stores across the United States. Old Navy said the program is meant to help ensure that polling places across the country operate smoothly on Election Day, according to the company’s press release.
“The brand is tapping into its vast service-minded associate base, with 50,000 field employees in more than 1,000 store locations across the U.S., encouraging them to apply to serve in their communities, and giving them the means to do so,” the company said
Old Navy will pay store employees for eight hours who serve as poll workers for the 2020 election. https://t.co/gJ57HaTO2S — Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) September 2, 2020
Those who volunteer to work at the polls will be paid for an eight-hour workday, the Miami Herald reported.
“We are constantly inspired by our store teams, with their passion for community work and fostering a sense of belonging both in and outside of our store walls, said Nancy Green, Old Navy’s president.
“Every voice in this country matters and deserves to be heard at the polls, and if we at Old Navy can be even a small part of making that process more accessible to the communities we call home, we are on board.”
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truepundit--2020-09-04--ICE Arrests Over 2,000 Illegal Immigrants With Violent Criminal Convictions Or Charges

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 2,000 illegal immigrants who have criminal histories involving victims between July 13 and Aug. 20 , ICE announced Monday .
The immigrants who are illegally living in the U.S. are subject to removal because of their previous arrests or charges connected to victims , according to ICE .
Of those arrested for immigration-related charges , around 85 % had pending criminal charges or previous criminal convictions .
“ The aliens targeted during this operation preyed on men , women and children in our communities , committing serious crimes and , at times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tony Pham , the senior official performing the duties of ICE director .
Several of the illegal immigrants who were arrested reportedly had multiple pending charges and previous criminal convictions , according to ICE .
The most common charge was assault , and ICE reported 338 convictions and 386 pending assault charges among the group of immigrants arrested in the recent enforcement action .
“ By focusing our efforts on perpetrators of crimes against people , we ’ re able to remove these threats from our communities and prevent future victimization from occurring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we are eliminating the threat posed by these criminals , many of whom are repeat offenders , ” Pham said .
Other charges included domestic violence , sexual offenses including rape and assault , and various family offenses like neglect and cruelty , according to ICE .
Convictions in Colorado and Wyoming included child abuse , domestic violence strangulation , and attempted murder , according to ICE .
A 27-year-old illegal immigrant arrested in Denver , Colorado who is a documented member of the West-Side Bloods street gang was convicted for indecent exposure-masturbation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to register as a sex offender , according to ICE .
“ During this effort we focused specifically on those who may have suffered disproportionally during the pandemic , ” said John Fabbricatore , field director for ICE in Denver .
“ We specifically targeted our enforcement actions at abusers and helped victims by eliminating the threat posed by their perpetrators , and in some cases , preventing future victimization by recidivist offender.
” Individuals who violate immigration law are subject to arrest , detention , and possible deportation , according to ICE @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 2,000 illegal immigrants who have criminal histories involving victims between July 13 and Aug. 20, ICE announced Monday.
The immigrants who are illegally living in the U.S. are subject to removal because of their previous arrests or charges connected to victims, according to ICE. Of those arrested for immigration-related charges, around 85% had pending criminal charges or previous criminal convictions.
“The aliens targeted during this operation preyed on men, women and children in our communities, committing serious crimes and, at times, repeatedly hurting their victims,” said Tony Pham, the senior official performing the duties of ICE director.
ICE announces results of latest operations targeting criminal aliens https://t.co/3Nt3JdZ7n4 pic.twitter.com/6tSqFg5Wpk — ICE (@ICEgov) September 1, 2020
Several of the illegal immigrants who were arrested reportedly had multiple pending charges and previous criminal convictions, according to ICE. The most common charge was assault, and ICE reported 338 convictions and 386 pending assault charges among the group of immigrants arrested in the recent enforcement action.
“By focusing our efforts on perpetrators of crimes against people, we’re able to remove these threats from our communities and prevent future victimization from occurring. Through our targeted enforcement efforts, we are eliminating the threat posed by these criminals, many of whom are repeat offenders,” Pham said.
Other charges included domestic violence, sexual offenses including rape and assault, and various family offenses like neglect and cruelty, according to ICE.
Convictions in Colorado and Wyoming included child abuse, domestic violence strangulation, and attempted murder, according to ICE.
A 27-year-old illegal immigrant arrested in Denver, Colorado who is a documented member of the West-Side Bloods street gang was convicted for indecent exposure-masturbation, child abuse, and was required to register as a sex offender, according to ICE.
“During this effort we focused specifically on those who may have suffered disproportionally[sic] during the pandemic,” said John Fabbricatore, field director for ICE in Denver. “We specifically targeted our enforcement actions at abusers and helped victims by eliminating the threat posed by their perpetrators, and in some cases, preventing future victimization by recidivist offender.”
Individuals who violate immigration law are subject to arrest, detention, and possible deportation, according to ICE.
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truepundit--2020-09-04--Boston Police Officers Charged With ‘Stealing Taxpayer Money’ In $200,000 Overtime Scheme

A group of nine current and retired Boston police officers were arrested and charged Wednesday for an alleged $ 200,000 overtime scheme that took place at the department ’ s evidence warehouse .
The three current and six retired police officers were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds , according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release .
The indictment was filed on Aug. 20 and unsealed Wednesday morning .
“ These officers are charged with stealing taxpayer money , year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling .
“ Beyond the theft of funds , this kind of official misconduct also erodes trust in public institutions , at a time when that trust is most needed.
” The officers who were all members of the Boston Police Department ’ s ( BPD ) Evidence Control Unit are accused of routinely departing overtime shifts , where they made 1.5 times regular pay , hours early while submitting false overtime slips that said they worked the entire shift , according to the DOJ .
The scheme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In one example , the officers allegedly claimed to work an overtime shift of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. , but the warehouse was often locked and alarmed by 6 p.m. , according to the DOJ .
Supervisors were privy to the scheme , endorsing fraudulent overtime slips and submitting fraudulent slips of their own .
Lt. Timothy Torigian , who is a current member of the BPD , allegedly received more than $ 43,000 for hours he didn ’ t work while the other eight received between $ 15,000 and $ 25,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ News of these indictments send a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated or ignored and can damage the trust my officers have worked so hard to build with the communities we serve , ” BPD Commissioner William Gross said in a statement .
The three current officers who were indicted have been suspended without pay , according to the statement .
“ I am a strong supporter of the police , especially in these difficult times .
But all must be treated equally under the law , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Lelling said .
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the DOJ gave BPD annual benefits worth $ 10,000 between 2016 and 2018 for multiple federal grants , according to the DOJ .
The officers face up to 10 years for embezzling money from an agent that receives federal funds and up to five years for conspiracy to commit theft of federal funds .
The defendants appeared in a virtual arraignment hearing in Massachusetts federal district court Wednesday , the DOJ release reported .
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A group of nine current and retired Boston police officers were arrested and charged Wednesday for an alleged $200,000 overtime scheme that took place at the department’s evidence warehouse.
The three current and six retired police officers were each charged with one count of conspiracy to commit theft of federal funds and one count of embezzlement from an agency receiving federal funds, according to a U.S. Department of Justice press release. The indictment was filed on Aug. 20 and unsealed Wednesday morning.
“These officers are charged with stealing taxpayer money, year after year, through fraud,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “Beyond the theft of funds, this kind of official misconduct also erodes trust in public institutions, at a time when that trust is most needed.”
The officers who were all members of the Boston Police Department’s (BPD) Evidence Control Unit are accused of routinely departing overtime shifts, where they made 1.5 times regular pay, hours early while submitting false overtime slips that said they worked the entire shift, according to the DOJ. The scheme dates back to around May 2016.
In one example, the officers allegedly claimed to work an overtime shift of 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., but the warehouse was often locked and alarmed by 6 p.m., according to the DOJ. Supervisors were privy to the scheme, endorsing fraudulent overtime slips and submitting fraudulent slips of their own.
Lt. Timothy Torigian, who is a current member of the BPD, allegedly received more than $43,000 for hours he didn’t work while the other eight received between $15,000 and $25,000 each, according to the DOJ.
“News of these indictments send a strong message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated or ignored and can damage the trust my officers have worked so hard to build with the communities we serve,” BPD Commissioner William Gross said in a statement.
The three current officers who were indicted have been suspended without pay, according to the statement.
“I am a strong supporter of the police, especially in these difficult times. But all must be treated equally under the law, regardless of wealth, power or station,” Lelling said.
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the DOJ gave BPD annual benefits worth $10,000 between 2016 and 2018 for multiple federal grants, according to the DOJ. The officers face up to 10 years for embezzling money from an agent that receives federal funds and up to five years for conspiracy to commit theft of federal funds.
The defendants appeared in a virtual arraignment hearing in Massachusetts federal district court Wednesday, the DOJ release reported.
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truepundit--2020-09-04--Biden Silent On Harris Supporting Bail Fund That Helped Rioters After He Condemned Riots, Violence

Former vice president Joe Biden has not addressed his vice presidential pick ’ s support for a foundation that bailed rioters out of jail , though the 2020 presidential candidate condemned rioting and violence .
Sen. Kamala Harris and at least 13 of Biden ’ s campaign staff members supported the Minnesota Freedom Fund ’ s efforts to bail out those arrested during riots and protests following the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes .
The Daily Caller News Foundation repeatedly asked the Biden @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of his campaign .
The Biden campaign has not responded to numerous requests for comment on the matter , though Biden himself has condemned the rioting and violence .
“ I want to be very clear , ” Biden said in a speech earlier this week .
“ Rioting is not protesting .
Looting is not protesting .
Setting fires is not protesting .
None of this is protesting .
It ’ s lawlessness .
Plain and simple .
And those who do it should be prosecuted.
” Harris called on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the beginning of June to donate to the MFF , while several Biden staffers posted on social media that they had donated to the group .
The MFF received $ 35 million in donations after Floyd ’ s death , Fox9 reported , noting that much of this sum was used to bail protestors or rioters out of jail .
Court records investigated by Fox9 showed that Minnesota Freedom Foundation bailed out Christopher Boswell , a twice convicted sex offender , Jaleel Stallings , a suspect who allegedly shot at police , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been accused of killing her friend .
Before Floyd ’ s death , Fox9 reported , the foundation bailed out 563 individuals with an average bail of $ 342 .
Since Floyd ’ s death Minnesota Freedom Foundation has bailed out 184 people with an average bail of $ 13,195 , Fox9 reported , noting that the foundation is also assisting 400 individuals with court fines , lost wages and legal fees .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Former vice president Joe Biden has not addressed his vice presidential pick’s support for a foundation that bailed rioters out of jail, though the 2020 presidential candidate condemned rioting and violence.
Sen. Kamala Harris and at least 13 of Biden’s campaign staff members supported the Minnesota Freedom Fund’s efforts to bail out those arrested during riots and protests following the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.
The Daily Caller News Foundation repeatedly asked the Biden campaign to address these donations made by members of his campaign. The Biden campaign has not responded to numerous requests for comment on the matter, though Biden himself has condemned the rioting and violence.
“I want to be very clear,” Biden said in a speech earlier this week. “Rioting is not protesting. Looting is not protesting. Setting fires is not protesting. None of this is protesting. It’s lawlessness. Plain and simple. And those who do it should be prosecuted.”
Harris called on her millions of followers on Facebook and Twitter in the beginning of June to donate to the MFF, while several Biden staffers posted on social media that they had donated to the group.
The MFF received $35 million in donations after Floyd’s death, Fox9 reported, noting that much of this sum was used to bail protestors or rioters out of jail.
Court records investigated by Fox9 showed that Minnesota Freedom Foundation bailed out Christopher Boswell, a twice convicted sex offender, Jaleel Stallings, a suspect who allegedly shot at police, and Darnika Floyd, a woman who has been accused of killing her friend.
Before Floyd’s death, Fox9 reported, the foundation bailed out 563 individuals with an average bail of $342. Since Floyd’s death Minnesota Freedom Foundation has bailed out 184 people with an average bail of $13,195, Fox9 reported, noting that the foundation is also assisting 400 individuals with court fines, lost wages and legal fees.
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truepundit--2020-09-04--‘Defund The Police’ Movement Emboldened Criminals Across Nation, GOP State AGs Say

Republican state attorneys general discussed the previous 100 days of protests across the country on a call hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association on Wednesday .
Attorneys general from Georgia , Arkansas and Florida said that Democratic leaders took too long to denounce the violent incidents and that officials should support the police rather than defund the police .
“ The ‘ defund the police ’ movement has emboldened criminals across the nation , and anyone who does not condemn this movement is helping to turn America into a lawless society , ” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association , said on the call .
“ We must focus on restoring law and order , ending lawlessness , and ensuring that our neighborhoods are safe , ” he added .
“ I think it is critically important that every elected official in this nation draw a line between peaceful protests and rioting , ” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said .
“ Protesters use words , rioters use violence .
The first is protected by the first amendment , and the other is outright lawless.
” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she described as officials abandoning their oaths to protect communities for a political agenda .
She said that leaders are working against police by defunding their departments and refusing to prosecute protesters and rioters responsible for criminal acts .
“ I am repeatedly outraged to see so many elected officials around our country that have taken oaths to the citizens that trusted them … I have been shocked to see them abandon their oaths and responsibilities to meet some carefully crafted , albeit dangerously misplaced political goal , ” Moody said .
Arkansas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be “ ludicrous ” and “ dangerous ” to defund the police .
“ We must defend the police rather than defund the police , ” she added .
Rutledge claimed that protesters and rioters were paid , though she would not provide evidence beyond saying that she was told “ at a security briefing ” that that was the case .
She said that during the riots in Little Rock , Arkansas , pallets of bricks were put out ahead of time .
She also said that she saw protesters in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some of the nicest hotels ” and that they were being “ shipped in by buses ” across the country .
Rutledge said that if post-election violence were to occur , local and state authorities already share intelligence and would be prepared .
The Republican Attorneys General Association is asking every attorney general to denounce violence and destruction , the organization announced in a press release Wednesday .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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Republican state attorneys general discussed the previous 100 days of protests across the country on a call hosted by the Republican Attorneys General Association on Wednesday.
Attorneys general from Georgia, Arkansas and Florida said that Democratic leaders took too long to denounce the violent incidents and that officials should support the police rather than defund the police.
“The ‘defund the police’ movement has emboldened criminals across the nation, and anyone who does not condemn this movement is helping to turn America into a lawless society,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, the vice-chairman of the Republican Attorneys General Association, said on the call.
“We must focus on restoring law and order, ending lawlessness, and ensuring that our neighborhoods are safe,” he added.
The #DefundthePolice movement has emboldened criminals. Over the last 100 days, we have seen brutal acts of violent crime and arson take place across the country. Anyone who does not condemn this movement is helping turn America into a lawless society. 1/2 — Chris Carr (@ChrisCarr_Ga) September 2, 2020
“I think it is critically important that every elected official in this nation draw a line between peaceful protests and rioting,” Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr said. “Protesters use words, rioters use violence. The first is protected by the first amendment, and the other is outright lawless.”
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said she was shocked to see what she described as officials abandoning their oaths to protect communities for a political agenda. She said that leaders are working against police by defunding their departments and refusing to prosecute protesters and rioters responsible for criminal acts.
“I am repeatedly outraged to see so many elected officials around our country that have taken oaths to the citizens that trusted them … I have been shocked to see them abandon their oaths and responsibilities to meet some carefully crafted, albeit dangerously misplaced political goal,” Moody said.
To observe this shameful 100 day benchmark, @RepublicanAGs are calling on all AGs, regardless of party, to denounce and condemn the violence and destruction being perpetrated by #lawlessliberals.
cc: @DemocraticAGs, @TheDemocrats, @JoeBidenhttps://t.co/iREAUfA9nK — RAGA (@RepublicanAGs) September 2, 2020
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge said that it would be “ludicrous” and “dangerous” to defund the police. “We must defend the police rather than defund the police,” she added.
Rutledge claimed that protesters and rioters were paid, though she would not provide evidence beyond saying that she was told “at a security briefing” that that was the case.
She said that during the riots in Little Rock, Arkansas, pallets of bricks were put out ahead of time. She also said that she saw protesters in Washington, D.C. “coming out of some of the nicest hotels” and that they were being “shipped in by buses” across the country.
Rutledge said that if post-election violence were to occur, local and state authorities already share intelligence and would be prepared.
The Republican Attorneys General Association is asking every attorney general to denounce violence and destruction, the organization announced in a press release Wednesday.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
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truepundit--2020-09-04--Chinese Embassy’s PR Firm Received Coronavirus Relief Loan

• A registered foreign agent of the Chinese embassy received a coronavirus relief loan of between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 .
• BLJ Worldwide serves as a propagandist for Beijing , handling the embassy ’ s media relations , crisis communications and public messaging initiatives .
• The firm , which maintains the embassy ’ s Facebook page , has posted pro-Beijing coronavirus spin on the social media site .
• BLJ received $ 144,000 from the embassy and $ 313,200 from a Beijing-linked non-profit organization from Jan. 1 through June 30 , according to foreign lobbying disclosures .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a propagandist for Beijing received loans of up to $ 350,000 each under the coronavirus relief program , government documents show .
BLJ Worldwide received a loan of between $ 150,000 and $ 350,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) , according to analysis of the federal database that tracks payments for the coronavirus relief program .
The New York-based firm received $ 144,000 from the Chinese embassy and $ 313,200 from the China-U.S. Exchange Foundation ( CUSEF ) from Jan. 1 through June 30 , according to a disclosure BLJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week under the Foreign Agents Registration Act ( FARA ) , which was enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda .
CUSEF has come under scrutiny in the U.S. because of its founder Tung Chee Hwa ’ s links to the Chinese Communist Party .
He is vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People ’ s Political Consultative Conference , a top advisory group to the Chinese government , according to CUSEF ’ s website .
BLJ ’ s FARA filing says the firm provides media relations , media training @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” for the Chinese embassy .
BLJ also operates the embassy ’ s social media accounts , which have numerous posts touting Beijing ’ s position on hot-button issues , including the coronavirus pandemic .
BLJ Worldwide received its PPP loan on April 13 , according to analyses of the PPP database conducted by CNN and ProPublica .
The Small Business Administration has provided loans to small businesses to pay employees and cover other expenses in order to deal with the economic setback from government-imposed shutdowns due to the pandemic .
Companies can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certain requirements in the program .
BLJ Worldwide obtained its loan to protect 16 jobs , according to the government database .
The Daily Caller News Foundation also received a loan through the program .
Loans to businesses linked to China have come under scrutiny because of Beijing ’ s alleged cover up of the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in its early stages .
U.S. officials and health experts have accused the Chinese government of withholding data about the virus from health authorities for more than a month after it began to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Wuhan , China in November 2019 , has caused more than 850,000 deaths across the globe .
BLJ Worldwide , which signed an agreement with the Chinese embassy in June 2017 , has amplified Beijing ’ s spin through the embassy ’ s social media platforms .
In a Facebook post on May 5 , the embassy claimed that it has showed “ transparency every step of the way ” during the coronavirus pandemic .
“ # China has shared information on the disease with the international community timely and worked with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # coronavirus , ” the post reads .
BLJ disclosed in previous filings with the Justice Department that it maintains the Chinese embassy ’ s Facebook account .
On Jan. 23 , the embassy account touted its cooperation with the World Health Organization in the coronavirus response .
Just nine days earlier , WHO cited false assurances from the Chinese government that coronavirus was not spreading through human-to-human transmission .
The embassy account has also been highly critical of demonstrators in Hong Kong , who took to the streets beginning last year to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Nov. 14 , 2019 , the embassy account accused demonstrators in Hong Kong of “ ruining their homeland.
” “ Their actions are on the brink of terrorism , ” the post reads.In a post on Nov. 19 , 2019 , the embassy called the Hong Kong demonstrations “ a revolution started by a bunch of hot heads who do not understand the cost , pain and goal of a revolution.
” BLJ Worldwide has provided other consulting services to the embassy , the FARA filing says .
The firm has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Chinese diplomats , and arranged meetings with “ key influencers , politicians , leaders in academia and business leaders , ” according to the filing .
BLJ says in the FARA filing that its work for the Chinese embassy entails : “ 1 ) media training ; 2 ) media monitoring ; 3 ) social media ; 4 ) media relations ; 5 ) message recasting ; 6 ) public diplomacy support ; 7 ) strategic communications guidance and support ; 8 ) crisis communications and hot button issues ; 9 ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ firm conducted four media training sessions in coordination with the embassy , including a “ large lecture on diplomatic skills ” and “ a special media training for senior diplomats.
” “ BLJ has also helped the Embassy to re-craft its core policy points into talking points , and has helped to edit speeches for Embassy hosted events , or events in which the Embassy has participated , ” the FARA filing says .
For CUSEF , the Hong Kong-based nonprofit , BLJ has “ engage openly with academic and thought leaders , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinners.
” BLJ has also supported CUSEF-sponsored trips to China for journalists at Vox , Slate , the Boston Herald , the Boston Globe , and The Huffington Post , according to the FARA filing .
It is unclear from the filing when those trips occurred .
A journalist writing for Vox disclosed taking a CUSEF-sponsored trip to Beijing in a June 13 , 2018 article for the website .
A Slate article published on July 30 , 2018 discloses that the author visited China on a trip sponsored by CUSEF .
BLJ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China-U.S. Focus , an opinion website operated by CUSEF .
Another public relations firm that represents the Chinese government , Rogich Communications , received a PPP loan .
In a FARA filing on Tuesday , Rogich Communications said it represents the Chinese embassy , the People ’ s Republic of China and Cui Tiankai , the Chinese ambassador to the United States .
The firm said in the filing it did not provide any services for its clients this year or received any payment .
Neither BLJ Worldwide nor Rogich Communications responded to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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A registered foreign agent of the Chinese embassy received a coronavirus relief loan of between $150,000 and $350,000.
BLJ Worldwide serves as a propagandist for Beijing, handling the embassy’s media relations, crisis communications and public messaging initiatives.
The firm, which maintains the embassy’s Facebook page, has posted pro-Beijing coronavirus spin on the social media site.
BLJ received $144,000 from the embassy and $313,200 from a Beijing-linked non-profit organization from Jan. 1 through June 30, according to foreign lobbying disclosures.
An American consulting firm that serves as a propagandist for Beijing received loans of up to $350,000 each under the coronavirus relief program, government documents show.
BLJ Worldwide received a loan of between $150,000 and $350,000 through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), according to analysis of the federal database that tracks payments for the coronavirus relief program.
The New York-based firm received $144,000 from the Chinese embassy and $313,200 from the China-U.S. Exchange Foundation (CUSEF) from Jan. 1 through June 30, according to a disclosure BLJ Worldwide filed with the Justice Department this week under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), which was enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda.
CUSEF has come under scrutiny in the U.S. because of its founder Tung Chee Hwa’s links to the Chinese Communist Party. He is vice chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, a top advisory group to the Chinese government, according to CUSEF’s website.
BLJ’s FARA filing says the firm provides media relations, media training, crisis communications and “message recasting” for the Chinese embassy. BLJ also operates the embassy’s social media accounts, which have numerous posts touting Beijing’s position on hot-button issues, including the coronavirus pandemic.
BLJ Worldwide received its PPP loan on April 13, according to analyses of the PPP database conducted by CNN and ProPublica.
The Small Business Administration has provided loans to small businesses to pay employees and cover other expenses in order to deal with the economic setback from government-imposed shutdowns due to the pandemic.
Companies can have their loans forgiven if they meet certain requirements in the program. BLJ Worldwide obtained its loan to protect 16 jobs, according to the government database. The Daily Caller News Foundation also received a loan through the program.
Loans to businesses linked to China have come under scrutiny because of Beijing’s alleged cover up of the severity of the coronavirus pandemic in its early stages.
U.S. officials and health experts have accused the Chinese government of withholding data about the virus from health authorities for more than a month after it began to spread. The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China in November 2019, has caused more than 850,000 deaths across the globe.
BLJ Worldwide, which signed an agreement with the Chinese embassy in June 2017, has amplified Beijing’s spin through the embassy’s social media platforms. In a Facebook post on May 5, the embassy claimed that it has showed “transparency every step of the way” during the coronavirus pandemic.
“#China has shared information on the disease with the international community timely and worked with other countries in the fight against the #coronavirus,” the post reads.
BLJ disclosed in previous filings with the Justice Department that it maintains the Chinese embassy’s Facebook account.
On Jan. 23, the embassy account touted its cooperation with the World Health Organization in the coronavirus response. Just nine days earlier, WHO cited false assurances from the Chinese government that coronavirus was not spreading through human-to-human transmission.
The embassy account has also been highly critical of demonstrators in Hong Kong, who took to the streets beginning last year to protest a fugitive law proposed by Beijing.
On Nov. 14, 2019, the embassy account accused demonstrators in Hong Kong of “ruining their homeland.”
“Their actions are on the brink of terrorism,” the post reads.In a post on Nov. 19, 2019, the embassy called the Hong Kong demonstrations “a revolution started by a bunch of hot heads who do not understand the cost, pain and goal of a revolution.”
BLJ Worldwide has provided other consulting services to the embassy, the FARA filing says.
The firm has drafted and placed op-eds written on behalf of Chinese diplomats, and arranged meetings with “key influencers, politicians, leaders in academia and business leaders,” according to the filing.
Payment details from BLJ Worldwide’s FARA filing, Aug. 31, 2020.
BLJ says in the FARA filing that its work for the Chinese embassy entails: “1) media training; 2) media monitoring; 3) social media; 4) media relations; 5) message recasting; 6) public diplomacy support; 7) strategic communications guidance and support; 8) crisis communications and hot button issues; 9) influencer relationship building and networking.”
The firm conducted four media training sessions in coordination with the embassy, including a “large lecture on diplomatic skills” and “a special media training for senior diplomats.”
“BLJ has also helped the Embassy to re-craft its core policy points into talking points, and has helped to edit speeches for Embassy hosted events, or events in which the Embassy has participated,” the FARA filing says.
For CUSEF, the Hong Kong-based nonprofit, BLJ has “engage[d] openly with academic and thought leaders, including through the use of salon style dinners.”
BLJ has also supported CUSEF-sponsored trips to China for journalists at Vox, Slate, the Boston Herald, the Boston Globe, and The Huffington Post, according to the FARA filing.
It is unclear from the filing when those trips occurred. A journalist writing for Vox disclosed taking a CUSEF-sponsored trip to Beijing in a June 13, 2018 article for the website. A Slate article published on July 30, 2018 discloses that the author visited China on a trip sponsored by CUSEF.
BLJ operates the Facebook and Twitter accounts for China-U.S. Focus, an opinion website operated by CUSEF.
Another public relations firm that represents the Chinese government, Rogich Communications, received a PPP loan.
In a FARA filing on Tuesday, Rogich Communications said it represents the Chinese embassy, the People’s Republic of China and Cui Tiankai, the Chinese ambassador to the United States.
The firm said in the filing it did not provide any services for its clients this year or received any payment.
Neither BLJ Worldwide nor Rogich Communications responded to requests for comment for this story.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-09-04--Police In Some Riot-Torn Cities Won’t Say How They’ll Protect In-Person Voters In November

Police departments in multiple cities that have witnessed constant protests and riots failed to respond to whether they were prepared to ensure that their residents can safely vote in person .
Police departments in New York , Chicago and Kenosha , Wisconsin did not respond to multiple inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation .
Departments in Minneapolis and Washington , D.C. declined to discuss efforts that it had taken to ensure that protests or riots did not disrupt voting on Nov. 3 .
In D.C. , the Metropolitan Police Department ( MPD ) refused to say how it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be able to vote safely .
A spokesperson said that though the department “ does not discuss operational tactics , ” its “ Special Operations division is equipped to handle First Amendment assemblies of any stature.
” Though the district ’ s protests have been mostly peaceful , they have continued since George Floyd ’ s death on May 25 .
As of now , no permits have been issued to protesters for Nov. 3 , according to MPD .
In Minneapolis , where protests have been ongoing and occasional riots have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MPD said that while it can not discuss operational tactics , it is “ keenly aware of the high tensions ” throughout the city and is “ willing and able to respond to a situation when requested.
” New York and Chicago have also had numerous protests against police brutality and racial inequality throughout the summer , some of which have turned violent and have led to rioters and looters causing millions of dollars of damage .
In addition to the ongoing protests in each city , both New York and Chicago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year as well .
Kenosha saw ongoing riots in the days following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police , leading to millions of dollars of damage and the deaths of two protesters .
Though the riots have ceased since the National Guard was deployed throughout the city , the police department did not respond when asked if it had taken any steps to ensure that voters would not be hindered from casting their ballots in person .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large audience .
For licensing opportunities of our original content , please contact [ email protected ] Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --

Police departments in multiple cities that have witnessed constant protests and riots failed to respond to whether they were prepared to ensure that their residents can safely vote in person.
Police departments in New York, Chicago and Kenosha, Wisconsin did not respond to multiple inquiries from the Daily Caller News Foundation. Departments in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C. declined to discuss efforts that it had taken to ensure that protests or riots did not disrupt voting on Nov. 3.
In D.C., the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) refused to say how it was preparing to ensure that all in-person voters would be able to vote safely. A spokesperson said that though the department “does not discuss operational tactics,” its “Special Operations division is equipped to handle First Amendment assemblies of any stature.”
Though the district’s protests have been mostly peaceful, they have continued since George Floyd’s death on May 25. As of now, no permits have been issued to protesters for Nov. 3, according to MPD.
In Minneapolis, where protests have been ongoing and occasional riots have rattled the city, a spokesman for the MPD said that while it cannot discuss operational tactics, it is “keenly aware of the high tensions” throughout the city and is “willing and able to respond to a situation when requested.”
New York and Chicago have also had numerous protests against police brutality and racial inequality throughout the summer, some of which have turned violent and have led to rioters and looters causing millions of dollars of damage. In addition to the ongoing protests in each city, both New York and Chicago have seen their respective homicide rates spike this year as well.
Kenosha saw ongoing riots in the days following the shooting of Jacob Blake by police, leading to millions of dollars of damage and the deaths of two protesters.
Though the riots have ceased since the National Guard was deployed throughout the city, the police department did not respond when asked if it had taken any steps to ensure that voters would not be hindered from casting their ballots in person.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --


truepundit--2020-09-04--‘We Don’t Think He Did Anything Wrong’: Gun Rights Group Details Why Rittenhouse Shooting Is ‘Self D

‘We Don’t Think He Did Anything Wrong’: Gun Rights Group Details Why Rittenhouse Shooting Is ‘Self Defense’

• A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the organization believes Kyle Rittenhouse was “ forced to fire in self defense ” the night he was accused of shooting three people , killing two of them , in Kenosha , Wisconsin .
• Rice said Rittenhouse appeared to have been trained and handled the situation with discipline and precision .
• The spokesman and teenager ’ s lawyer decry the claim that Rittenhouse was a vigilante or that he was in possession of an illegal firearm .
A spokesperson for the Gun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment group , told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Kyle Rittenhouse ’ s actions in Kenosha , Wisconsin last week were justified in the context of self defense .
Firearms instructor and GOA spokesman Alan Rice , who spoke on behalf of the organization ’ s lawyers , insisted 17-year-old Rittenhouse was within his legal right to self preservation when he allegedly shot three people , killing two of them , in the riots that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake .
“ We don ’ t think he did anything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using a firearm , ” Rice told the DCNF in a phone interview .
“ They chased him , they followed him and he was forced to fire in self defense.
” Rittenhouse was arrested last week after being accused of shooting and killing one man near an auto body shop while he was being chased around midnight going into Wednesday morning , according to a criminal complaint obtained by Axios .
The 17-year-old ran into the road , tripped and fell to the ground and allegedly fatally shot another man in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as they rushed him , the complaint stated .
“ It ’ s the defender ’ s perception , did he perceive his life was in immediate or otherwise unavoidable danger of death or serious bodily injury ?
” Rice said .
“ I do think he made the right call , I think he would ’ ve been seriously injured or worse , killed , if he didn ’ t fight back .
I don ’ t think he had a choice , these guys were chasing him and he was outnumbered.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to charge Rittenhouse both substantiate claims that the teenager was fleeing from a group before the first shooting .
Rice also invoked Wisconsin self defense law to bolster GOA ’ s view that the 17-year-old was justified in his course of action .
“ A person is privileged to threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with his or her person by such other person , ” the Wisconsin self defense law referenced by Rice reads @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The actor may intentionally use only such force or threat thereof as the actor reasonably believes is necessary to prevent or terminate the interference.
” Rice said that Rittenhouse acted within the legal bounds of the state law and insisted the code is one of the more lenient in the U.S. , as it allows the defender to use threats and take preventative self defense action .
“ Because let ’ s be clear , ” liberal talk show host John Oliver said in a Sunday show , according to the Daily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a rifle can not maintain order , because a 17-year-old vigilante with a rifle trying to maintain order is himself the definition of disorder—except , of course , if you ’ re a regular viewer of Tucker Carlson , a show that exists to teach its viewers precisely three things : Property damage is violence , homicide is order , and pillows are for sale.
” Others argue that Rittenhouse was illegally carrying the rifle .
Rice disagrees with the characterization of Rittenhouse as a “ vigilante ” and pointed to statements from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to debunk the classification of the AR-15 as illegal .
Bainbridge in a Friday statement wrote that Rittenhouse finished his workday as a community lifeguard in Kenosha , cleaned graffiti off a local public school and then traveled to a car dealership after the owners called for help from the public .
Rittenhouse and a friend grabbed rifles that were legally possessed in Wisconsin to protect the businesses seeking aid , the statement read .
“ We ’ ve got to remember , why were these people in Kenosha ?
These people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ riot and burn and we ’ ve got Kyle Rittenhouse going to a local school and washing graffiti off the wall , ” Rice said .
“ Without knowing anything about the situation , it looks to me like Kyle Rittenhouse is a pretty decent young man.
” The criminal complaint issued against the teen lists a misdemeanor charge for possession of a firearm by a minor .
Additionally , it is forbidden for someone to carry a firearm openly in the state of Wisconsin unless they are over 18 , according to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to be trained and the accuracy of his shot placement may bode well in his defense .
“ As far as the shot placement , we teach in self defense training : hits count , misses don ’ t .
He didn ’ t hit an innocent bystander and his shots went where they needed to go , so that shows an amazing amount of discipline — he ’ s obviously had training , ” Rice told the DCNF .
“ I would guess that his defense team would raise that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reckless , he wasn ’ t dangerous , he hit the person who was trying to harm him , ” he continued .
Rittenhouse is accused of killing Joseph Rosenbaum , 36 , and Kyle Huber , 26 , in addition to severely injuring Gaige Grosskreutz , 26 , with a grizzly wound to the arm , according to the complaint .
All three of the men had past convictions ranging from sexual conduct with a minor to felony strangulation and false imprisonment , according to a DCNF analysis of Kenosha and statewide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a hero by some for trying to thwart the shooting by hitting Rittenhouse with a skateboard , but Rice disagreed .
“ That skateboard ceased to be a skateboard when the person who had it decided to turn it into a deadly weapon , ” Rice said .
“ That skateboard at that moment was the same thing as someone swinging a baseball bat.
” “ That was not an innocent kid with a skateboard , ” he added .
“ An innocent kid with a skateboard would ’ ve gotten on his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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A spokesman for the Gun Owners of America told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the organization believes Kyle Rittenhouse was “forced to fire in self defense” the night he was accused of shooting three people, killing two of them, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Rice said Rittenhouse appeared to have been trained and handled the situation with discipline and precision.
The spokesman and teenager’s lawyer decry the claim that Rittenhouse was a vigilante or that he was in possession of an illegal firearm.
A spokesperson for the Gun Owners of America, a prominent Second Amendment group, told the Daily Caller News Foundation that Kyle Rittenhouse’s actions in Kenosha, Wisconsin last week were justified in the context of self defense.
Firearms instructor and GOA spokesman Alan Rice, who spoke on behalf of the organization’s lawyers, insisted 17-year-old Rittenhouse was within his legal right to self preservation when he allegedly shot three people, killing two of them, in the riots that followed the police shooting of Jacob Blake.
“We don’t think he did anything wrong as far as defending himself and using a firearm,” Rice told the DCNF in a phone interview. “They chased him, they followed him and he was forced to fire in self defense.”
Rittenhouse was arrested last week after being accused of shooting and killing one man near an auto body shop while he was being chased around midnight going into Wednesday morning, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Axios. The 17-year-old ran into the road, tripped and fell to the ground and allegedly fatally shot another man in the chest and a third in the arm as they rushed him, the complaint stated.
“It’s the defender’s perception, did he perceive his life was in immediate or otherwise unavoidable danger of death or serious bodily injury?” Rice said. “I do think he made the right call, I think he would’ve been seriously injured or worse, killed, if he didn’t fight back. I don’t think he had a choice, these guys were chasing him and he was outnumbered.”
Videos and the criminal complaint used to charge Rittenhouse both substantiate claims that the teenager was fleeing from a group before the first shooting. Rice also invoked Wisconsin self defense law to bolster GOA’s view that the 17-year-old was justified in his course of action.
NYT Investigative Journalist shows that Kyle Rittenhouse did not shoot first. He was running away from Antifa & rioters pursuing him while shots were fired. pic.twitter.com/mVU3SAkWWb — Kyle Kashuv (@KyleKashuv) August 27, 2020
“A person is privileged to threaten or intentionally use force against another for the purpose of preventing or terminating what the person reasonably believes to be an unlawful interference with his or her person by such other person,” the Wisconsin self defense law referenced by Rice reads, according to the state legislature. “The actor may intentionally use only such force or threat thereof as the actor reasonably believes is necessary to prevent or terminate the interference.”
Rice said that Rittenhouse acted within the legal bounds of the state law and insisted the code is one of the more lenient in the U.S., as it allows the defender to use threats and take preventative self defense action.
Critics insist Rittenhouse wasn’t justified.
“Because let’s be clear,” liberal talk show host John Oliver said in a Sunday show, according to the Daily Beast. “A 17-year-old vigilante with a rifle cannot maintain order, because a 17-year-old vigilante with a rifle trying to maintain order is himself the definition of disorder—except, of course, if you’re a regular viewer of Tucker Carlson, a show that exists to teach its viewers precisely three things: Property damage is violence, homicide is order, and pillows are for sale.”
Others argue that Rittenhouse was illegally carrying the rifle.
Look at all these shitheart performative rightwing accounts trying to argue a 17-year-old in illegal possession of a loaded rifle shot multiple people "in self-defense." At least now you know "law and order" is just a weakly coded message, if you didn't before — Adam Weinstein (@AdamWeinstein) August 26, 2020
Rice disagrees with the characterization of Rittenhouse as a “vigilante” and pointed to statements from the teenager’s lawyer Pierce Bainbridge to debunk the classification of the AR-15 as illegal.
Bainbridge in a Friday statement wrote that Rittenhouse finished his workday as a community lifeguard in Kenosha, cleaned graffiti off a local public school and then traveled to a car dealership after the owners called for help from the public. Rittenhouse and a friend grabbed rifles that were legally possessed in Wisconsin to protect the businesses seeking aid, the statement read.
“We’ve got to remember, why were these people in Kenosha? These people are in Wisconsin because of a shooting to riot and burn and we’ve got Kyle Rittenhouse going to a local school and washing graffiti off the wall,” Rice said.
“Without knowing anything about the situation, it looks to me like Kyle Rittenhouse is a pretty decent young man.”
The criminal complaint issued against the teen lists a misdemeanor charge for possession of a firearm by a minor. Additionally, it is forbidden for someone to carry a firearm openly in the state of Wisconsin unless they are over 18, according to USA Carry.
Rice also said Rittenhouse appeared to be trained and the accuracy of his shot placement may bode well in his defense.
“As far as the shot placement, we teach in self defense training: hits count, misses don’t. He didn’t hit an innocent bystander and his shots went where they needed to go, so that shows an amazing amount of discipline — he’s obviously had training,” Rice told the DCNF.
“I would guess that his defense team would raise that at trial and say he wasn’t reckless, he wasn’t dangerous, he hit the person who was trying to harm him,” he continued.
Rittenhouse is accused of killing Joseph Rosenbaum, 36, and Kyle Huber, 26, in addition to severely injuring Gaige Grosskreutz, 26, with a grizzly wound to the arm, according to the complaint. All three of the men had past convictions ranging from sexual conduct with a minor to felony strangulation and false imprisonment, according to a DCNF analysis of Kenosha and statewide court databases.
Huber was hailed as a hero by some for trying to thwart the shooting by hitting Rittenhouse with a skateboard, but Rice disagreed.
Anthony Huber was the hero that tried to apprehend the gunman in #Kenosha, after the gunman shot a BLM protester in the face he ran-up to him with his skateboard to stop him from shooting others. He was shot in the chest by the gunman and died. Rest in power, Anthony Huber. pic.twitter.com/c0Kw4v7926 — Brianna Westbrook (@BWestbrookAZ8) August 26, 2020
“That skateboard ceased to be a skateboard when the person who had it decided to turn it into a deadly weapon,” Rice said. “That skateboard at that moment was the same thing as someone swinging a baseball bat.”
“That was not an innocent kid with a skateboard,” he added. “An innocent kid with a skateboard would’ve gotten on his skateboard and rolled away.”
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truepundit--2020-09-04--US Citizen Turned ISIS Fighter Pleads Guilty To Terror Charge

A 23-year-old U.S. citizen pleaded guilty to a terror charge Wednesday after being captured in 2019 , according to the Department of Justice .
Omer Kuzu “ pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to terrorism , ” according to a DOJ statement .
Syrian Democratic Forces captured Kuzu in 2019 and the FBI sent him back to the U.S. “ after a five-year stint handling communications for ISIS , ” according to the statement .
Kuzu was indicted in early August , according to another Department of Justice statement .
“ This defendant , an American citizen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a brutal terrorist group and traveled halfway across the world to enact its agenda , ” United States Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas said , according to the statement .
“ The United States must do everything we can to prevent and deter this type of radicalization and prioritize prosecution of those that support the terroristic agenda of ISIS .
I am gratified Mr. Kuzu faced justice in an American court , ” Nealy Cox continued , according to the statement .
Plea papers note that Kuzu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Istanbul from the U.S. in 2014 , according to the statement .
Both ended up in Mosul , Iraq and dispatched to Syria after their training .
Kuzu began to “ work at the ISIS telecommunications directorate , ” according to the statement .
Kuzu also said in the plea papers that he knew ISIS was deemed a foreign terrorist organization and participated “ in terrorist activities , ” according to the statement .
He also said he pledged allegiance to now-dead “ ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic Caliphate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ He was given a monthly stipend , a Chinese-made AK 47 , and an ISIS bride , ” the statement said .
Kuzu went to Syria and worked “ communications support for ISIS fighters on the front lines , ” afterwards , according to the statement .
He also “ worked in the Caliphate ’ s technology center , ” according to the statement .
The 23-year-old currently faces federal prison for a maximum of 20 years and his sentence is scheduled for Jan. 2021 , according to the statement .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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A 23-year-old U.S. citizen pleaded guilty to a terror charge Wednesday after being captured in 2019, according to the Department of Justice.
Omer Kuzu “pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to provide material support to terrorism,” according to a DOJ statement.
Syrian Democratic Forces captured Kuzu in 2019 and the FBI sent him back to the U.S. “after a five-year stint handling communications for ISIS,” according to the statement.
Kuzu was indicted in early August, according to another Department of Justice statement.
Repatriated ISIS Fighter Pleads Guilty to Terror Charge https://t.co/wEvgK9w8oL — Justice Department (@TheJusticeDept) September 2, 2020
“This defendant, an American citizen radicalized on American soil, pledged allegiance to a brutal terrorist group and traveled halfway across the world to enact its agenda,” United States Attorney Erin Nealy Cox for the Northern District of Texas said, according to the statement.
“The United States must do everything we can to prevent and deter this type of radicalization and prioritize prosecution of those that support the terroristic agenda of ISIS. I am gratified Mr. Kuzu faced justice in an American court,” Nealy Cox continued, according to the statement.
Plea papers note that Kuzu said that he and his brother left for Istanbul from the U.S. in 2014, according to the statement. Both ended up in Mosul, Iraq and dispatched to Syria after their training.
Kuzu began to “work at the ISIS telecommunications directorate,” according to the statement. Kuzu also said in the plea papers that he knew ISIS was deemed a foreign terrorist organization and participated “in terrorist activities,” according to the statement.
He also said he pledged allegiance to now-dead “ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the Islamic Caliphate” afterwards, according to the statement. “He was given a monthly stipend, a Chinese-made AK 47, and an ISIS bride,” the statement said.
Kuzu went to Syria and worked “communications support for ISIS fighters on the front lines,” afterwards, according to the statement. He also “worked in the Caliphate’s technology center,” according to the statement.
The 23-year-old currently faces federal prison for a maximum of 20 years and his sentence is scheduled for Jan. 2021, according to the statement.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
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truepundit--2020-09-04--New Jobless Claims Fall Below 1 Million, Beat Wall Street Expectations

The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 881,000 last week as the economy continues to suffer the effects of the coronavirus pandemic , according to the Department of Labor .
The Department of Labor figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending on Aug. 22 , in which there were 1,006,000 new jobless claims reported .
Economists expected Thursday ’ s number to come in at 950,000 , according to CNBC .
New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August , marking the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ March .
“ The declines that we ’ re seeing are positive , ” said Ernie Tedeschi , managing director and policy economist for investment banking advisory firm Evercore ISI , The New York Times reported .
“ But they point to a long , drawn out recovery.
” “ We ’ re chipping away at the losses in terms of the number of jobs and some of the weaknesses there , but there ’ s still a long ways to go , ” Sarah House , a Wells Fargo Securities senior economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic , according to WSJ .
President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world .
Thursday ’ s jobless claims report comes as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics prepares to release August unemployment figures .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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The number of Americans filing new unemployment claims decreased to 881,000 last week as the economy continues to suffer the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Department of Labor.
The Department of Labor figure released Thursday represented a decrease of new jobless claims compared to the week ending on Aug. 22, in which there were 1,006,000 new jobless claims reported.
Economists expected Thursday’s number to come in at 950,000, according to CNBC. New jobless claims fell below 1 million in the first week of August, marking the first time the number was under 1 million since March.
“The declines that we’re seeing are positive,” said Ernie Tedeschi, managing director and policy economist for investment banking advisory firm Evercore ISI, The New York Times reported. “But they point to a long, drawn out recovery.”
“We’re chipping away at the losses in terms of the number of jobs and some of the weaknesses there, but there’s still a long ways to go,” Sarah House, a Wells Fargo Securities senior economist, told The Wall Street Journal last week.
Jobless claims hovered around 200,000 per week before the pandemic, according to WSJ. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency in March as coronavirus spread rapidly around the world.
Thursday’s jobless claims report comes as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics prepares to release August unemployment figures.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
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truepundit--2020-09-04--Operation Legend Made 2,000 Arrests, Seized Around 182 Pounds Of Drugs Since July, DOJ Says

Operation Legend , a federal initiative to combat murder and violent crime in major U.S. cities , has recorded over 2,000 arrests and seized large quantities of narcotics since the program ’ s July inception , according to the Department of Justice .
A total of 147 people have been arrested for homicide , 544 firearms have been seized and around 182 lbs ( 83 kilograms ) of narcotics , including heroin , cocaine , meth and fentanyl , have been removed from the streets during the operation , according to a Thursday Department of Justice press release .
Around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal offenses throughout Kansas City , Missouri , Chicago , Albuquerque , Cleveland , Detroit , Milwaukee , St. Louis , Memphis and Indianapolis , the release said .
Chicago had the most felony arrests with 103 since the program took effect in there on July 22 , according to the news release .
Kansas City , Missouri was a close second with a total of 99 felony apprehensions , the DOJ wrote .
Operation Legend began July 8 under the direction of Attorney General William Barr .
It was named after 4-year-old @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at his Kansas City , Missouri home , the press release said .
Taliferro ’ s alleged killer has since been arrested and the program has spread to crime ridden cities throughout the nation , offering federal assistance to investigate and prevent violent crime , according to an Aug. 13 DOJ press release .
Civil unrest , rioting and crime has risen in cities across the country since the death of George Floyd , a black man who died after a Minneapolis , Minnesota , police officer knelt on his neck for nearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was sparked again after the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake , a black man , who was shot multiple times in the back during a confrontation in Kenosha , Wisconsin , video showed .
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience .
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Operation Legend, a federal initiative to combat murder and violent crime in major U.S. cities, has recorded over 2,000 arrests and seized large quantities of narcotics since the program’s July inception, according to the Department of Justice.
A total of 147 people have been arrested for homicide, 544 firearms have been seized and around 182 lbs (83 kilograms) of narcotics, including heroin, cocaine, meth and fentanyl, have been removed from the streets during the operation, according to a Thursday Department of Justice press release.
Around 480 of the arrestees were charged with federal offenses throughout Kansas City, Missouri, Chicago, Albuquerque, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Memphis and Indianapolis, the release said.
Chicago had the most felony arrests with 103 since the program took effect in there on July 22, according to the news release. Kansas City, Missouri was a close second with a total of 99 felony apprehensions, the DOJ wrote.
Operation Legend began July 8 under the direction of Attorney General William Barr. It was named after 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro, who was fatally shot at his Kansas City, Missouri home, the press release said. Taliferro’s alleged killer has since been arrested and the program has spread to crime ridden cities throughout the nation, offering federal assistance to investigate and prevent violent crime, according to an Aug. 13 DOJ press release.
Civil unrest, rioting and crime has risen in cities across the country since the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after a Minneapolis, Minnesota, police officer knelt on his neck for nearly 9 minutes, video showed.
Unrest was sparked again after the officer-involved shooting of Jacob Blake, a black man, who was shot multiple times in the back during a confrontation in Kenosha, Wisconsin, video showed.
Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact [email protected].
Listen to the insightful Thomas Paine Podcast Below --