Records Fail To Verify That Second Alleged Would-Be Assassin Ever Voted For Trump
Although Routh claimed that he voted for Trump in 2016, there is no record of him voting that year in his then-home state.Reversal of FATE: Steve Baker’s update on January 6 prisoners is ‘a good sign’
January 6 started as a chance for Trump supporters to innocently protest and quickly turned into a day that would change their lives forever.
Now, however, things might be taking a turn for the better.
“One J-sixer is seeing a reversal of fate,” Jill Savage of “Blaze New Tonight” explains.
“John Strand is actually one of the more, let’s call it, infamous stories, certainly one of the more high-profile cases of all the January 6 defendants,” Steve Baker tells Savage.
Strand was friend and bodyguard of Simone Gold — a doctor and attorney who was the deplatformed founder of the Frontline American Doctors. Gold had been accused of “disinformation” for recommending alternative therapies that were not part of what Baker calls the “approved narrative” regarding COVID-19.
Gold was scheduled to speak on January 6 at one of the six legally permitted events scheduled on the Capitol property that day.
“By the time they got to the Capitol, everything had gone to hell in a handbasket, and so there was nothing but chaos by the time they arrived. The breaches had already taken place. John Strand and Simone Gold did not participate in violence, they did not participate in breaching the Capitol building whatsoever,” Baker explains.
However, their fatal flaw was going inside the Capitol peacefully.
“She actually decided to deliver her prepared remarks there in the Rotunda. She climbed up on the Eisenhower statue, with John standing guard beside her, she delivered her remarks there in the great Rotunda of the Capitol, and then they peacefully left, just as so many other hundreds and thousands of people did,” Baker says.
Both Strand and Gold were “handed that infamous 1512 obstruction of an official proceeding felony.”
The felony carried up to 20 years of imprisonment.
Gold ended up taking a plea deal and pled down to a single misdemeanor. Judge Christopher Cooper sentenced her to 60 days in prison.
“John Strand decided he was not going to take this lying down, that he was going to be a warrior, and he, despite the odds being horribly stacked against him, he was going to go to trial and he did that,” Baker explains.
He was convicted on all counts, and he was sentenced to 32 months in prison.
“Now what’s happening is that because of the Supreme Court’s overturning the 1512 obstruction of an official proceeding charge against 355 defendants, him being one of those,” Baker says, “they’re shortening their sentences or letting them go.”
If they haven’t gone to trial yet, they’re not charging them with it.
“It’s especially a good sign because the Department of Justice has already announced that they want to figure out how to continue with that charge,” Baker explains. “But the point being, is it appears that the judges are pushing back against the DOJ.”
“We’ll take this as a good sign,” he adds.
'Just another box': Actress Kerry Washington claims Trump's conviction changes meaning of 'felon'
Actress Kerry Washington largely defended the label of "felon" in an interview where she said that President Trump's felony convictions have changed what the word will mean to many.
Pointing to a corrupt justice system, Washington said that "everything has changed."
Washington was interviewed by outlet Bustle while doing promotion for her show "UnPrisoned," a television series about a single mother whose father moves in after he gets out of prison. Washington has also starred in "Scandal," "Boston Legal," and "The Simpsons."
Due to the nature of her show, Washington was asked about the definition of "felon," and if it has changed due to Trump's conviction.
'Donald Trump may not be able to vote in his home state.'
"Everything has changed in terms of how I feel about the so-called justice system," Washington replied. "We're in such an interesting moment when it comes to [the question of], 'What is a felon?' I love what people have been sharing on social media, [saying that] if a person who is a convicted felon can still run for president, then we should be removing that box from job applications."
Bustle interviewer Kendra James pointed to the idea that the word would have a "different face" and not one that looks like the actor Delroy Lindo, who plays a felon in the aforementioned "UnPrisoned" series. The allusion to racial connections to the word felon is certainly strange given that Lindo is an incredibly recognizable actor, who has had roles in the movies "Malcolm X," "Get Shorty," and "The Devil's Advocate."
The reporter then stated to Washington, "If a felon can run for president, a felon should be able to vote. Full stop."
Washington then claimed that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has been "trying to make it impossible in Trump's home state."
"A bill was passed in Florida to allow formerly incarcerated folks to vote, and DeSantis has been trying to do everything he can to [undercut] that. Donald Trump may not be able to vote in his home state," she claimed.
However, in late May 2024, DeSantis stated that he would ensure Trump would be able to vote in Florida and provide clemency if he had to.
"Given the absurd nature of the New York prosecution of Trump, this would be an easy case to qualify for restoration of rights per the Florida Clemency Board, which I chair," DeSantis said, according to Politico.
Washington's interview continued with racial and serial-activist themes, equating racist stereotypes with astrological stereotypes:
"Being a felon has become just another box that we put people in, to assume who they are and what they're capable of, in the same way we do with gender or race, or that I can do with astrology."
The actress added that the United States has begun to allow a kind of "psychological deepening with felons and returning citizens" and said she was excited that her show helps people "understand and connect to the humanity of returning citizens," by which she meant people getting released from prison.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Democratic judge already facing removal over ethics violations arrested after allegedly attacking cop
Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson faced 30 counts of ethics violations and a likely ouster by the Georgia Supreme Court when voters rejected her last month. On Thursday, things got a whole lot worse for the scandal-plagued Democrat.
The Atlanta Police Department indicated that around 3:18 a.m. on June 20, a police officer working an approved security gig had an unfortunate encounter with the 38-year-old judge. Upon hearing a commotion outside the nearby Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge on Peachtree Road, the officer went over to investigate and observed security escorting a woman out of the venue.
According to police, when the officer attempted to help de-escalate the situation, Peterson "rushed toward the commotion and immediately started screaming at the security guard and the officer."
The officer continued helping security escort the woman out, at which point the 140-pound judge allegedly pushed the officer in the chest and attempted to interfere with the removal effort.
After Peterson allegedly attacked the officer once more, he placed her under arrest. The arresting officer's bodycam footage shows Peterson's wig go flying prior to the officer handcuffing her and marching her away from the mob.
Peterson's trip to jail was apparently delayed by Peterson's refusal to cooperate or identify herself. She can be heard cussing out the arresting officer at the station and telling him to "shut the f*** up."
Fulton County Jail records indicated Peterson was charged with simple battery against a police officer as well as with felony willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence.
Peterson provided an alternative account of what happened on her Instagram, noting, "This was a setup."
"Officer initially claimed he was charging me with disorderly conduct, all for trying to help a woman who was being attacked by men then took me to jail and I found out I'm being charged with a felony now," wrote Peterson. "Officer slammed me to the ground for helping this woman but let the attacker get away."
"They will stop at nothing to tarnish my character," added the Democratic judge.
Prior to her arrest on Thursday, Peterson's character was already well tarnished.
She has demonstrated a 'steadfast unwillingness to accept moral accountability.'
After conducting an investigation into allegations of misconduct against Peterson, the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission indicated in its Sept. 28, 2021, court filing regarding formal charges that the Democrat "has repeatedly violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by failing to establish, maintain, and enforce high standards of conduct, failing to personally observe such standards of conduct so that the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary may be preserved, and failing to respect and comply with the law."
The director of the commission indicated in March 2024 that Peterson faced thirty counts regarding ten episodes of alleged misconduct.
Peterson is accused of improper social media posts; improper contact with represented parties during litigation; flouting courthouse security protocols to conduct a wedding after hours; obstructing access to public court records; "abusive interactions with a fellow judge and other county officials"; unnecessarily holding a woman in contempt and giving her the maximum jail sentence simply for trying to amend her marriage certificate; routine backdating of orders; "exhibiting judicial incompetence, administrative mismanagement, and indifference relating to a petition for year's support and letters of administration;" and of "systemic judicial incompetence."
"She has demonstrated a 'steadfast unwillingness to accept moral accountability' in nearly all the episodes of misconduct," concluded the commission's hearing panel's report.
The three-person hearing panel unanimously agreed that Peterson should be removed. The final decision regarding Peterson's removal is up to the Georgia Supreme Court, which will make its determination at a later date. Voters, however, simplified matters in the May 21 Democratic primary.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Peterson's successful primary challenger Valerie Vie will run unopposed in the November general election.
Fulton County commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. indicated he is representing Peterson in her new criminal case, reported WAGA-TV.
Arrington told reporters, "Based on eyewitnesses and the female victim, we believe the videos will confirm that Judge Peterson should not have been arrested."
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
You Might Be Living In A Banana Republic If…
Just in case you’re still wondering, perhaps it’s time to go Jeff Foxworthy on the question.DA says high schooler who slapped teacher twice in face will be tried as an adult
A North Carolina district attorney said the high schooler caught on a viral cellphone video slapping a teacher in the face last month will be tried as an adult.
According to Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O’Neill, the student in question — 17-year-old Aquavious Hickman — stated he would kill the female Parkland High School teacher, WRAL-TV reported.
What's the background?
In the April 15 video, the teacher remains seated and offers no resistance as the student slaps her twice in the face; the second slap sends the teacher's glasses flying.
“The f***’s wrong with you?" the student asks the teacher after the physical attack. "What you gonna do, still sit in that chair 'cause you a bitch ... ain’t nobody even coming, you got slapped, bitch go back to teaching ...”
Here's the video (Content warning: Language and racial slur, uttered by the student):
— (@)
One day after the attack, the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said it "charged a juvenile with Assault on a Government Official and Communicating Threats." Specifically, authorities said Juvenile Justice "issued a Secure Custody Order for one (1) count of Communicating Threats ... and two (2) counts Misdemeanor Assault ..."
At that time, when asked if he would try the student as an adult, O’Neill noted to WGHP-TV that he cannot bring the case to superior court because the charges are only misdemeanors.
However, WRAL noted in its Monday morning report that a grand jury returned the "true bills of indictment" last week against the juvenile for second-degree kidnapping of a teacher by unlawfully confining and restraining her without her consent for the purpose of terrorizing her. Second-degree kidnapping is a felony under state law.
The juvenile also was indicted on the original charges of assault on a government official and communicating threats, WRAL said.
In addition, the juvenile was indicted for second-degree kidnapping of a teacher in a separate incident, WRAL reported, adding that on Feb. 1 he unlawfully confined and restrained a male teacher without consent to terrorize him. The juvenile also was charged with misdemeanor riots in connection with the Feb. 1 incident, during which O’Neill said he didn't act alone, WGHP said in a separate story.
A WXII-TV video report said Hickman was out on bond; a WGHP video report added that he's scheduled to appear in court May 28.
Parkland student who slapped teacher to be tried as an adult, filmed incident was not the first www.youtube.com
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Superintendent Tricia McManus told WGHP soon after the slaps caught on video that a district hearing would determine consequences for the student — and McManus said she would recommend expulsion.
Additional allegation
Also last month, a former Parkland substitute teacher told WGHP in another story that the student who slapped the teacher twice in the face physically attacked him last year.
Larry Edwards — who has about 40 years of teaching experience and taught at the high school for about 13 years before retiring and becoming a substitute teacher there — told WGHP the student pushed him in the head.
“I was appalled,” Edwards told the station, noting that he was subbing for a biology class in early May 2023 when the student gave him another student’s name and wasn't supposed to be in the class.
Edwards noted to WGHP that the student was disruptive prior to the physical attack: “I walked up to the desk to get my phone to call the office, and he mockingly walked behind me, and I happened to turn around and see him, and the students started laughing. The next thing I know, he had taken his hand and smushed my head, and everybody started laughing, and he ran out.”
Edwards told the station he reported the alleged assault that day, writing an affidavit and presenting it to high school administrators: “The principal was very apologetic. … About a month later, I got this letter from downtown, the juvenile office … I anxiously awaited a day for the court so I could see him in the courtroom because I just wanted to face him."
But Edwards said he was told authorities went a different route, adding to WGHP that he believes it was "sort of swept under the rug."
A district spokesperson told the station regarding Edwards' claims that federal law mandates that student discipline records are private and cannot be shared, and the district cannot comment.
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
'You talkin' s**t to my daughter?' Mom allegedly boards school bus, repeatedly punches 64-year-old driver, drags her by hair
Surveillance video caught the moment last week when a mom allegedly boarded a school bus in Mesa, Arizona, asked the 64-year-old bus driver if she was "talkin' s**t" to her daughter, and then unleashed a flurry of punches on the driver — and even began dragging the screaming driver by her hair toward the bus exit.
Video released of Mesa bus driver attack youtu.be
Police on Wednesday arrested 27-year-old Hermenegilda Marquez in connection with the April 11 incident, KSAZ-TV reported, adding that she's accused of aggravated assault on a school employee — a felony.
Investigators stated that "the defendant was shown video of the attack on the bus and was told that because she was on video committing the assault, she would be charged with a felony, but she showed no emotion upon hearing this," KSAZ added.
Oh, and KTVK-TV reported that Marquez was already on unsupervised probation for a domestic violence assault conviction.
What's the background?
Investigators said the incident took place after the bus driver dropped off children at a designated stop in a residential neighborhood near McKellips Road and 4th Avenue, KSAZ said, adding that court documents indicate the bus driver told police she's a substitute driver and normally isn't on the route.
Court documents indicated that school district video shows Marquez entering the bus and yelling at the driver, KSAZ reported.
"You talkin' s**t to my daughter?" the mother is heard yelling multiple times as she walks up the bus steps while students walk down the steps next to her and exit the bus. The woman appears to take a swing at the bus driver, who hollers at her to get off the bus.
KTVK, citing documents, reported that the bus driver said she didn’t know Marquez or her daughter and reportedly told Marquez she hadn’t said anything to anyone.
Soon, the mother exited the bus — but video shows at least two other individuals getting on the bus steps to berate the driver with one of them calling her a "stupid ass bitch."
With that, the mother got on the bus again and physically attacked the screaming driver with a flurry of punches and slaps. The attacker even tried to drag the bus driver out by her hair.
Court documents state that a male later identified as the defendant's boyfriend ran aboard the bus and pulled the defendant off the bus, KSAZ reported, adding that investigators said Marquez fled the scene in a car before officers arrived.
KSAZ's initial story about the attack cited a district letter to families saying the bus driver suffered minor injuries. KTVK, citing police, said the bus driver's pacemaker began to shock her.
A judge ordered the woman to stay away from the bus stop and set her bail at $5,000, according to a KSAZ video report.
Below is a longer video of the attack, including what prefaced it as well as the aftermath. Content warning: Language
Mom yells at then attacks Arizona bus driver youtu.be
Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!
Today's top stories
www.theblaze.com
www.theblaze.com
thefederalist.com