Wray’s Resignation Won’t Undo Trauma His FBI Foot Soldiers Caused Innocent Families
Despite Wray’s announcement that he will step down, the effects of his heavy-handed leadership leaves scars on his victims.Despite Wray’s announcement that he will step down, the effects of his heavy-handed leadership leaves scars on his victims.January 6 clemency can’t undo years of trauma
“Your lives are going to be great. They will be great. I promise.” Those were Donald Trump’s words to the children of a few of the January 6 defendants who are languishing in prison.
As we anticipate January 20, a date that signifies the potential for essential pardons and clemency for those unjustly treated in connection with January 6, we must acknowledge that the pain will not end with presidential pardons. While they may offer some relief, they cannot undo the suffering endured by these defendants and their families over the past four years.
The unjust imprisonment and legal battles faced by President Trump, his supporters, and the everyday Americans who traveled to Washington, D.C., to show their admiration for a president they deeply respect cannot be ignored.
Americans must understand the gravity of the campaign against President Trump and his supporters, as well as the relentless targeting of those who share his views.
In early 2021, shortly after the events of January 6, the FBI conducted violent pre-dawn raids on the homes of Trump supporters. These raids, orchestrated by the Biden administration, were a show of force by the Department of Justice. The scenes were alarming: Women were held at gunpoint, and children were jolted awake by the sound of doors being smashed and flash-bang grenades detonating in their bedrooms.
One particularly horrifying incident involved a family whose home was raided with such brutality that flash-bangs set their bathroom on fire. As smoke engulfed their home, the family was forced to crawl on the floor to escape. While clemency may provide some relief to those affected, it cannot undo the trauma or erase the lasting scars inflicted on these families by these harrowing experiences.
The politically charged and violent actions taken against a former president and his supporters should alarm all Americans, regardless of their political views. Targeting a former president with politically motivated actions is unacceptable and undermines the principles of justice. Over the past four years, we’ve watched as President Trump, his family, and his supporters endure relentless legal battles. President Trump has stood as a singular voice in this nation, advocating for the unjustly imprisoned Americans linked to the events of January 6.
One particularly moving moment was when one of us brought the children of January 6 defendants to meet President Trump. His reassurance to these children, telling them they “will be OK and would have a great life,” was profound. He expressed his unwavering commitment to “free the January 6 hostages.” Few understand political persecution as deeply as President Trump, and despite his own struggles, he has shown empathy for these families, prioritizing their well-being and vowing to fight on their behalf.
The Trump Justice Department and Congress need to conduct a thorough investigation into the unlawful detention of nonviolent January 6 protestors. Many of these individuals, with no prior criminal records, were denied bail and subjected to unjust treatment. Americans must understand the gravity of the campaign against President Trump and his supporters, as well as the relentless targeting of those who share his views.
While it’s true that some individuals crossed the line on January 6, they do not represent the majority. Violence against law enforcement cannot be tolerated, but it’s equally important to recognize that the actions of a few have unfairly stigmatized an entire group. We live in a nation that values freedom of speech, expression, and religion. Yet many January 6 defendants have been wrongfully charged, tried, and convicted based solely on their beliefs, jokes, or even their reading materials. This undermines the very freedoms that define our country.
The Biden Justice Department appears to have disregarded a core American principle: we are a nation that values freedom, where individuals should not be imprisoned for their political beliefs. The tyranny displayed since President Trump’s 2016 election victory cannot be ignored. For far too long, our country has operated under a two-tier justice system, and this must end. No president, former or current, nor his supporters should ever endure the prolonged and politically driven legal battles we have witnessed.
As the holiday season approaches, we urge you to keep the January 6 defendants and their families in your thoughts and prayers. Let us especially remember the many children who will spend this time separated from their mothers and fathers.
On January 20, when Donald Trump takes the oath of office, many Americans will see those words as a renewed source of hope. That moment cannot come soon enough.
Oakland mayor facing ouster attempts to pin downfall on 'right-wingers' following FBI raid
Tens of thousands of Americans at wits' end in the crime-ridden city of Oakland enjoyed a breakthrough on June 18: They gathered far more than the required number of verified signatures to put Democratic Mayor Sheng Thao's recall to a vote in November.
Just days after learning that she might soon be held to account for the rampant crime and local collapse she has reigned over, Thao's house was raided by the FBI. According to ABC News, the FBI — whose agents ultimately left the home carrying boxes — were joined on the scene by elements of the Internal Revenue Service and U.S. Postal Service.
It remains unclear why Thao's house was targeted, but it has been suggested in mainstream reports that Thao is under investigation for public corruption. The California Globe noted that another home raided in the area last week belonged to the owner of California Waste Solutions, which the Oakland Public Ethics Commission indicated in 2020 had illegally laundered campaign contributions to then-councilwoman Thao and several of her peers.
Rather than express humility or address the concerns of prospective recall voters, Thao used a press conference Monday to displace blame.
Thao noted that after 15 people were shot at a "Juneteenth" celebration, "our city woke up to the news that the FBI had raided the home that I share with my partner and our family," intimating the latter had a comparable gravity.
Vowing to be "100% transparent" but unwilling to take questions, Thao alleged, "I have done nothing wrong."
"I can tell you with confidence that this investigation is not about me. I have not been charged with a crime and I am confident that I will not be charged with the crime because I am innocent," claimed Thao. "The timing of all of this is troubling and we should all be concerned."
Thao expressed anger that other officials weren't similarly being raided and suggested that she would have been treated differently if she were wealthier than she already is or if she came from money.
The current mayor also suggested that despite lacking a foothold in Oakland, "There are a lot of radical right-wing forces" who have somehow managed to "build the rules to protect and preserve their power and maintain dominance over the rest of us."
The empowered rule maker further suggested that the desire by at least 40,000 residents in the city of roughly 430,550 to have her kicked out of office is a "waste of time."
"I'm not going down like that," said Thao, managing to work up a tear.
Oakland United to Recall Sheng Thao held its own press conference shortly after Thao's, poking holes in the mayor's characterizations and rhetoric, reported CBS News.
Seneca Scott, an organizer with the group, said, "We knew exactly what she would do: take no questions from the public after disappearing for several days, blame everyone, [and] scapegoat over 41,000 neighbors who signed her petition."
The Recall Thao campaign notes on its website that "Thao's incompetence and dishonesty accelerated Oakland's decline, causing longstanding businesses to close and generational families to leave."
Last year, the Athletics followed the Raiders and Golden State Warriors out of Oakland. Various businesses have fled the city or hired small armies of private security to deal with the crime.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Americans can’t afford MCDONALD’S as Bidenomics implodes
There’s no question that under President Joe Biden, inflation is out of control, and families across the country are suffering for it.
And while Sara Gonzales doesn’t advocate for eating fast food, she can’t help but notice that the current prices of fast food illustrate just how devastating this problem has become.
At the end of 2019, medium french fries at McDonald's cost $1.79. That price has now increased by 134.1% to $4.19. Similarly, a McChicken was $1.29. Now, it’s a whopping 201.6% higher at $3.89.
A McDonald’s cheeseburger increased 215%, from $1.00 to $3.15.
“I don’t eat McDonald's, but the fact of the matter is a lot of average Americans do,” Gonzales says. “This is the bottom of the barrel when we’re talking about inflation and increase in prices.”
McDonald’s isn’t alone either. Chick-fil-A and Taco Bell, among others, have also seen massive increases in their menu prices.
“This is not sustainable,” Gonzales says. “When the average American has to take out a payday loan to purchase their groceries, I would say things are not trending in the right direction.”
Jaco Booyens notes that it’s not the fault of the food industry for these astronomical prices.
“It’s fuel. It’s transportation of food through this country. We have the most complex food-distribution network in the world. Our food travels further than any other nation’s food,” Booyens explains.
“When you stop drilling, baby, and you don’t produce fuel, and you deplete your resources, everything goes up.”
Want more from Sara Gonzales?
To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred take to news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
CNN legal analyst: Cohen is the REAL CRIMINAL in hush money trial
After the star witness of Trump’s hush money trial, Michael Cohen, confessed to stealing $60,000 from his old boss, even CNN is admitting Trump might not be so bad.
“The way this was raised and addressed on direct is what Julia Louis-Dreyfus would call ‘yada, yada, yada,’" CNN's senior legal analyst began in a recent segment. “Michael Cohen explained this whole thing: ‘That’s what was owed, and I didn’t feel Mr. Trump deserved the difference.’”
“That’s a lot different than ‘I stole $60,000 from my boss on the transaction at the heart of this case,’” he continued.
“And by the way, the fact that he was never charged with larceny is important, because stealing $60,000 through fraud, which would be larceny in New York State, is more serious of a crime than falsifying business records,” the legal analyst concluded.
Sara Gonzales is shocked that CNN is being honest.
“From CNN,” she says, appalled. “Remember, this is the star witness. He is a liar. He is a known convicted perjurer. He is a fraud, and even CNN is forced to admit this star witness is the one who committed a more serious crime than falsifying business records.”
Jaco Booyens agrees but knows why Trump is being persecuted like this.
“The star witness is not a threat to the plan of the constant deep state government,” Booyens says. “And actually, it’s not even Donald Trump. It’s the will of the American people represented by a man called Donald Trump.”
Want more from Sara Gonzales?
To enjoy more of Sara's no-holds-barred take to news and culture, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
Family FBI Raided For Dad’s Pro-Life Advocacy Seeks $4.3 Million From ‘Corrupt’ DOJ
Mark Houck and Ryan-Marie Houck say in their legal filing obtained by The Federalist that their seven children live in constant terror as a result of the 'unnecessary' FBI raid.
Former FBI agent says THIS is the BIGGEST issue with Utah raid
A Utah resident named Craig Robertson was killed on Wednesday while FBI agents attempted to execute a search and arrest warrant. According to officials, Robertson had made several threats via his Facebook page against President Biden and others.
Glenn Beck isn’t convinced deadly force was justified in the raid of the 75-year-old man's home, so he sat down with former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin to hear what he thinks.
“You don’t do that. What he did was wrong, illegal, and you would expect the FBI to come in. However, you wouldn’t expect them to kill him. So, I don’t see a good guy here on either side. Although, I do kind of side with the victim,” Glenn tells Seraphin.
“The bigger picture,” Seraphin explains, “is this: you can make really bad decisions and get to the point where there’s a SWAT team there, and once that happens, a shooting of someone in that scenario can be very justified.”
He tells Glenn that if an officer has a reasonable belief that the person in question poses imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or another person, then deadly force is justified.
“I’m pretty confident — I’ve talked to my buddies who are actually on that team — that this was a straightforward weapon response scenario. They were justified in making that shot,” Seraphin says.
However, he explains that it’s not exactly what happens during the shooting that poses the problem with the handling of the situation. Rather, what had happened before.
“The decisions of the investigation that went on before it and the decision to send SWAT into this guy’s presence,” Seraphin says, “those can be bad decisions.”
Glenn is not pleased.
“I’m disgusted by this whole thing, and I still believe what the guy did was wrong, and he should have expected the FBI to show up,” Glenn says.
However, he notes, “He’s 75 years old. He is obese. Five, four, three hundred pounds. He can’t get up out of a chair without a walking stick or a cane. He walks with a cane. He’s got a blind son who just had a stroke. And you use basically a tank to come in through his front window.”
Want more from Glenn Beck?
To enjoy more of Glenn’s masterful storytelling, thought-provoking analysis, and uncanny ability to make sense of the chaos, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.
Today's top stories
www.theblaze.com
www.theblaze.com
Was the FBI Utah raid a WARNING to MAGA Republicans?
Craig Robertson was a 75-year-old man standing at 5’4” and weighing in at 300 lbs. He walked with a cane and was extremely limited physically.
Doesn’t sound like much of a threat, but apparently the FBI disagreed.
On August 8, after Robertson – a known Trump supporter – allegedly posted several threats against President Biden and other Democrats on social media, the FBI reportedly raided his home, shot him dead, and then placed his body on the sidewalk outside his home for the entire neighborhood to witness.
Considering Robertson’s stature and seniority, Pat Gray certainly thinks the FBI’s response was extreme and unnecessary.
“Yes, he said threatening things about the president and should not have,” Pat admits, but “the Secret Service should’ve showed up at his door and arrested him for it … you didn't need to send an FBI kill squad to shoot the guy dead.”
“It’s almost as if they knew that by breaking down the door with their warrant … the guy would reach for his weapon,” Jeffy says, suggesting the FBI may have baited Robertson in order to justify shooting him.
Thousands of violent threats have been made against Donald Trump, many of which came from government officials.
“Did the FBI / SWAT unit show up at any of their homes to shoot them dead? I don’t think so,” says Pat.
Want more from Pat Gray?
To enjoy more of Pat's biting analysis and signature wit as he restores common sense to a senseless world, subscribe to BlazeTV — the largest multi-platform network of voices who love America, defend the Constitution, and live the American dream.