The Justice Department is holding the feet of a weak-on-crime Democratic prosecutor to the fire over an apparently discriminatory policy that requires special treatment for criminal noncitizens when making charging and plea decisions.
Fairfax County Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano, elected to office in 2019 with the help of backing from a pair of George Soros-funded organizations, has developed a reputation for failing to bring illegally present suspects to justice, in at least one instance with deadly consequences.
'That's a perversion of justice.'
For instance, Descano's office dropped a felony charge last year against Wilmer Osmany Ramos Giron, an illegal alien from Guatemala who was accused of abducting and strangling the mother of his child.
Owing to a sweetheart plea deal agreed to by Descano's office, Ramos Giron — who was previously deported on multiple occasions and arrested repeatedly on gun-related charges — served only two months at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center.
The light-touch from Descano's office has also set the stage for tragedy.
Abdul Jalloh is an illegal alien from Sierra Leone who, according to the Department of Homeland Security, has been arrested over 30 times on charges of rape, malicious wounding, assault, drug possession, identity theft, trespassing, larceny, firing a weapon, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, and pick-pocketing.
After Descano's office dropped numerous cases against Jalloh — including two involving malicious wounding charges and another involving an assault and battery charge — the convicted felon allegedly stabbed to death an American citizen, 41-year-old Stephanie Minter of Fredericksburg, on Feb. 23.
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The Victims Rights Reform Council said in a complaint filed last month on behalf of the victim's mother, Cheryl Minter, that police repeatedly warned Fairfax County prosecutors about Jalloh's behavior prior to the stabbing, noting that he demonstrated a "blatant disregard for human life" and was a "danger to the community," WJLA-TV reported.
A Fairfax County police major reportedly wrote to one of Descano's underlings, Fairfax County Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Jenna Sands:
I wanted to bring Mr. Jalloh’s release to your attention, because Mr. Jalloh is one of the repeat (and violent) offenders we discussed when we met. I wanted to get your background on why he is out so soon and ask if his prior suspended sentence (of I believe 5 years) was pursued by your office? Unfortunately, based on MTV Station’s numerous dealings with him, it is not a question of if, but rather when he will maliciously wound (or worse) again. My role of keeping the public safe, prompts me to follow up on his status.
Jalloh was convicted of a malicious stabbing in 2023. Although sentenced to seven years in prison, he had five years suspended.
In a letter on Wednesday, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon notified Descano that she has authorized a full investigation to determine whether his office has "engaged in unlawful discrimination in violation of Title VI and the Safe Streets Act and whether [his office] is engaged in a pattern or practice of law enforcement misconduct that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States."
Dhillon said the investigation centers on a policy requiring special treatment for illegal aliens that was authorized by Descano and adopted by his office in December 2020.
The controversial policy, titled "Guidelines for Plea Bargaining, Charging Decisions, and Sentencing," requires that assistant attorneys consider:
This policy was hardly a secret.
Descano vowed on a recently scrubbed page of his website not only to provide a "safe place for everyone, regardless of their immigration status," but to "take immigration consequences into account when making charging and plea decisions." He added, "If two people commit the same crime, but only one's punishment includes deportation, that's a perversion of justice and not a reflection of the values of Fairfax County."
While some Virginians — like Cheryl Minter — might prefer to see Descano prioritize throwing murderers, rapists, and other criminals in prison, the Democratic attorney noted that "avoiding the unnecessary destruction of [migrant] families and communities will be a top priority."
Descano — who believes "tough-on-crime policies are short-sighted" — confirmed his receipt of Dhillon's notice on Wednesday and stated, "My policies are fair, legal, and reflect the values of my community."
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The 2025 Palisades Fire raged for at least 24 days, torching 23,448 acres in Los Angeles County, killing 12 people, and destroying over 6,800 structures.
While state authorities list Jan. 7, 2025, as being the official start of the Palisades Fire, the 30-year-old son of a French citizen is accused of kindling the inferno days earlier.
'It would be out of resentment of the rich enjoying their money.'
Jonathan Rinderknecht was arrested in October and charged with property destruction by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce, and willful of malicious burning of timber on federal lands. He is alleged to have set the Lachman Fire on New Year's Day — a fire that was suppressed but apparently continued to burn underground until revived topside days later by heavy winds.
Federal prosecutors have provided new details about the alleged arsonist.
According to a trial memorandum reviewed by Bloomberg, Rinderknecht "exhibited extreme anger, indignation, and frustration about being unable to find companionship on New Year’s Eve."
This aligns with what investigators previously said about the suspect.
A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives agent claimed in a sworn affidavit that:
Prosecutors said in the new filing that after unsuccessfully trying to make plans with two other people, Rinderknecht — then working as an Uber driver — dropped off passengers in the Palisades area then, "alone again," scaled the hillside where investigators apparently found evidence that the suspect had set a fire with a barbecue lighter.
Prosecutors further alleged that Rinderknecht had become "increasingly angry with his life and society at large," adding that he had become "fixated on Luigi Mangione" — the 27-year-old Maryland native accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare chief executive Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024.
According to the trial memorandum, a forensic review of Rinderknecht's computer revealed he had searched for news regarding Mangione using search terms like "free Luigi Mangione," "lets [sic] take down all the billionaires," and "reddit lets kill all the billionaires."
Mangione is apparently admired by more than one alleged arsonist.
Chamel Abdulkarim, a 29-year-old accused of sparking the massive fire that destroyed a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse in Ontario, California, last month, compared himself to Mangione, according to Bill Essayli, the first assistant United States attorney for the Central District of California.
When questioned by investigators about why someone might set the Palisades area ablaze, Rinderknecht said that "it would be out of resentment of the rich enjoying their money as 'we're basically being enslaved by them' and compared such an act of 'desperation' to the murder for which Mangione was charged," prosecutors claimed in the filing.
Steven Haney, Rinderknecht’s lawyer, said in a statement to Bloomberg, "I maintain my client’s innocence."
"No misguided theory from the government will change the lack of evidence showing my client started or was responsible for either of the fires for which he is charged. We look forward to proving it at trial," added Haney.
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Last week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revealed evidence that the entire Russiagate hoax — a scheme to derail President Donald Trump’s first term — was manufactured by the outgoing Obama administration. At a press gaggle on Tuesday, Trump followed up by accusing Obama of “treason” for trying to rig the 2016 election and calling for severe consequences.
These revelations matter. But unless someone actually goes to jail, they won’t change anything.
MAGA supporters were furious over how the Epstein case was handled because they’re sick of elites skating free.
Democrats have shown they’re willing to jail political opponents — up to and including the president himself. Republicans, on the other hand, have proven utterly incapable of holding lawbreaking leftists accountable. Exposing treasonous acts is helpful, but if no one is punished, the corruption only deepens.
“Lock her up!” wasn’t just a chant at Trump rallies. MAGA supporters understood that the Clintons were deeply corrupt. They saw in Trump a candidate who might finally deliver justice. Elites gasped at the slogan, warning about the dangers of weaponizing the justice system. Then, with no sense of irony, they weaponized that very system against Trump to stop his re-election.
The lesson should have been obvious: Either cross the Rubicon, or don’t approach it at all. But don’t go fishing in it.
Americans are tired of watching the powerful get away with everything. In 2008, bankers crashed the economy and got bailed out. In 2020, Anthony Fauci and the biomedical regime imposed tyranny under the guise of public health. In 2020 and 2024, Joe Biden was propped up by a Democratic cabal that subverted the Constitution and jailed dissidents. The southern border was thrown open to reshape the electorate and lock in leftist power.
Kamala Harris nearly extended that reign — had she not turned out to be the dumbest, most tone-deaf, and most unlikable candidate ever smuggled onto a national ticket.
Yet through all of it, no one in power has paid a serious price for their crimes.
Major revelations come and go. But with no accountability, they become little more than distractions. There may have been a time when shame alone could bring a public reckoning — but our current ruling class is incapable of shame. They don’t resign in disgrace. They don’t retreat. They wait for the news cycle to move on.
The scandals pile up like grains of sand in a desert, each one indistinguishable from the next.
RELATED: Rule by the people? Not anymore in the Western world
In this environment, exposing corruption becomes just another way to tranquilize the public. People think, “At least the truth is out there — maybe voters will care.” But what if the scandal is about rigging the vote in the first place? If Democrats can open the border, fabricate intelligence, and collude with media to tip elections, then what good is the ballot box?
Exposure, without punishment, doesn’t deter. It emboldens.
The left doesn’t hesitate to jail its enemies. January 6 protesters were locked up for years — including some who never entered the Capitol. Trump officials like Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro were arrested and imprisoned. Pro-life activists got comically inflated sentences for silent protests. The FBI threatened parents who challenged school boards. Douglass Mackey was convicted for making memes. Trump himself faced fabricated charges that could’ve put him behind bars for life — all to stop his return.
So why are Republicans so cowardly?
If what Gabbard alleges is true, then Barack Obama, James Clapper, John Brennan, Susan Rice, John Kerry, Loretta Lynch, and Andrew McCabe conspired to destroy the American electoral system. They manufactured intelligence for the express purpose of overturning a legitimate election.
That is treason, plain and simple.
If these people are allowed to walk, they’ll know they’re untouchable. And they’ll act like it. Again.
Trump seemed genuinely surprised and angered by the backlash to Attorney General Pam Bondi’s handling of the Epstein files. Some speculated it was because Trump himself was implicated, but that was always unlikely. If real dirt on Trump existed, the people fabricating charges against him would’ve used it. Instead, Trump kept comparing Epstein to Russiagate — and now it’s obvious why.
RELATED: Why the Epstein story cannot be buried
He knew the Russiagate disclosures were about to drop and didn’t want them overshadowed by Epstein.
Still, the connection matters.
MAGA supporters were furious over how the Epstein case was handled because they’re sick of elites skating free. They’re sick of being ruled by people who break the law with impunity. Fauci. Epstein. The Clintons. Americans know they’re governed by some of the worst people on the planet, and they’re done pretending otherwise.
The country is crying out for justice.
But frankly, I don’t think the Trump administration will deliver it. I hope I’m wrong. But I doubt there will be any serious action taken against Obama or the rest of his old guard. Republicans talk tough but never follow through. Even after the left tried to jail and then attempted to assassinate the president, the GOP still wrings its hands over setting a bad precedent.
It’s a bad joke. And everyone knows it.
Revelations are fine. But none of this will matter until the Trump administration grows a spine and puts these people in prison where they belong.
The Department of Justice announced Saturday that it was opening a racial discrimination investigation into the Minneapolis-area Hennepin County Attorney's Office following its embrace of a policy that requires prosecutors to factor a criminal defendant's race into plea deal negotiations.
Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty, a leftist who has long enjoyed the support of George Soros-backed organizations including TakeAction Minnesota, recently sent a memo to prosecutors in her office titled "Negotiations Policy for Cases Involving Adult Defendants."
The memo, first reported by Lou Raguse of KARE-TV, states that "while racial identity and age are not appropriate grounds for departures [from the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines], proposed resolutions should consider the person charged as a whole person, including their racial identity and age."
"While these factors should not be controlling, they should be part of the overall analysis," continued Moriarty. "Racial disparities harm our community, lead to distrust, and have a negative impact on community safety."
Moriarty, who recently refused to charge a worker in Democratic Gov. Tim Walz's administration who allegedly vandalized multiple Teslas, added that "prosecutors should be identifying and addressing racial disparities at decision points, as appropriate."
'Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason.'
Jill Hasday, a law professor at the University of Minnesota, told KARE that the policy "both says, 'Don't take race into account,' presumably because of the constitutional problems with taking race into account in addition to potentially political objections, but it simultaneously says this is something you should consider."
"The problem for the drafters of this policy is, once you take race into account, it doesn't really matter what else you say," continued Hasday. "The policy is going to be struck down."
The DOJ evidently took interest after the policy was brought to light and critics noted that Moriarty may be in violation of federal law 18 U.S.C. § 242, which makes it a crime for anyone — "under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom" — to willfully subject any person "to different punishments, pains, or penalties, on account of such person being an alien, or by reason of his color, or race, than are prescribed for the punishment of citizens."
"The investigation will focus on whether the HCAO engages in the illegal consideration of race in its prosecutorial decision-making," said a May 2 letter signed by Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division.
While the DOJ will focus on the "discriminatory" policy outlined in Moriarty's memo, investigators will also review all of the HCAO's policies and practices "that may involve the illegal consideration of race in prosecutorial decision-making."
The DOJ may, for instance, take a look at Moriarty's related "collateral consequences policy," which requires prosecutors to notify a supervisor if a defendant might face "major collateral consequences" from prosecution, such as "immigration consequences" or "loss of or inability to obtain public benefits."
Dhillon noted Sunday evening, "Lady Justice is blindfolded for a reason," adding that the DOJ will "investigate and take action wherever necessary to identify government practices that may run afoul of our civil rights norms."
Daniel Borgertpoepping, a spokesman for the HCAO, told WCCO-TV in a statement Sunday, "We are aware of the letter from the Department of Justice posted to social media but have not received it. Our office will cooperate with any resulting investigation and we're fully confident our policy complies with the law."
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Former President Donald Trump noted in January that if he was ultimately denied presidential immunity in his election interference case, "Then Crooked Joe Biden doesn't get Immunity, and with the Border Invasion and Afghanistan Surrender, alone, not to mention the Millions of dollars that went into his 'pockets' with money from foreign countries, Joe would be ripe for Indictment."
Trump added, "By weaponizing the DOJ against his Political Opponent, ME, Joe has opened a giant Pandora's Box."
In subsequent months, various Republicans raised the possibility that President Joe Biden and his allies might soon get a taste of their own medicine.
For instance, a fundraising email circulated by Rep. James Comer's (R-Ky.) campaign in March noted, "When President Trump returns to the White House, it's critical the new leadership at the DOJ have everything they need to prosecute the Biden Crime Family and deliver swift justice."
'Joe Biden has done exactly that for the last few years and has done far more in addition to that to engage in a campaign of lawfare against his political opposition.'
While the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on July 1 that Trump and other presidents have "absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within [their] conclusive and preclusive constitutional authority," Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) appears more than happy to keep alive the fear among Democrats that upon turning the tables, a Trump administration might similarly engage in lawfare.
On Sunday, Kristen Welker of NBC News' "Meet the Press" showed Vance year-old footage of Trump stating, "I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States of America, Joe Biden, and the entire Biden crime family."
Insinuating such action would be unprecedented, Welker pressed Vance on whether he would support such an initiative as Trump's vice president.
Vance, on Trump's shortlist of potential running mates, answered, "I find it interesting how much the media and the Democrats have lost their mind over this particular quote. Donald Trump is talking about appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Joe Biden for wrongdoing. Joe Biden has done exactly that for the last few years and has done far more in addition to that to engage in a campaign of lawfare against his political opposition."
"I think what Donald Trump is simply saying is, 'We ought to investigate the prior administration.' There are obviously many instances of wrongdoing," continued Vance. "The House Oversight Committee has identified a number of corrupt business transactions that may or may not be criminal. Of course, you have to investigate to find out."
Vance underscored that Trump's desire to investigate Biden is a "totally reasonable thing for him to do and frankly, the Biden administration has done far worse."
"If you think that what Donald Trump is proposing is a threat to democracy, isn't what Biden has already done a massive threat to our system of law and government?" added the Ohio Republican.
After a hurried attempt to distance the Biden White House from the prosecutions against Trump — entirely sidestepping at least one case wherein prosecutors reportedly met with elements of the White House before taking action against Trump — Welker asked Vance once more whether he would back Trump should he seek justice for Biden.
"I would absolutely support investigating prior wrongdoing by our government. Absolutely. That's what you have to have in a system of law and order," said Vance. "But I have to reject the premise here."
Vance torpedoed Welker's intimation that lawfare would be unprecedented and that Biden had nothing to do with the appointment of special counsel Jack Smith, noting that Attorney General Merrick Garland — who made the appointment — was not only handpicked by Biden but "answers to Joe Biden [and] can be fired by Joe Biden."
After indicating Biden's fingerprints were on the appointment of the special counsel who brought two indictments against his political opponent, the Ohio senator continued poking holes in the talking head's narrative framework.
Vance noted that one of the "main guys" engaged in the prosecution of Trump in New York "was a Department of Justice official in the Biden administration who jumped ship to join a local prosecutor's office to go after Donald Trump."
Vance was referencing Matthew Colangelo's migration from a senior position in the Biden DOJ — acting associate attorney general, then principal deputy associate attorney general — to a supporting role going after Trump in New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office.
Welker immediately went on the defensive, suggesting, "That happens all the time."
After indicating Welker's claim that such strategic migrations were common was rubbish, Vance reiterated that Trump's proposal is aimed at "merely reinforcing our system of law and government."
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What you will not find in the defense memorandum arguing for dismissal is a discussion of the allegations that the SPLC opened bank accounts in the names of businesses that didn't exist, giving false statements to banks in order to open the accounts.
Washington, D.C., is now in charge of making sure that dogs in Los Angeles aren't mistreated.
The DOJ has been prosecuting Eithan Haim for exposing child transgender interventions. He may soon face jail, despite Trump's executive order ordering the end of Biden's lawfare.
President Joe Biden’s issuance of an unprecedented blanket pardon of his son should be seen as part of a continued cover-up.
There need to be criminal investigations into Cheatle, Mayorkas, and their respective agencies, and, where appropriate, prosecutions.
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