Report: Investigators recommend Capitol Police officer face no criminal charges for lethally shooting Ashli Babbitt



The Capitol Police officer who fatally shot Ashli Babbitt will not face criminal charges, according to a report of the recommendation made by investigators.

The recommendation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the investigation.

Babbitt was among those killed during an hourslong siege on Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters who were seeking to stop Congress from confirming the official election results proclaiming then-candidate Joe Biden the victor.

The incident was captured on video and has become a source of heated debate over those who accused the police officer of an improper use of force and those who emphasize the violent nature of the assault on Congress.

Babbitt, a 35-year-old Air Force veteran from California, was shot in the neck just outside of the Senate chambers as rioters began to break through the doors. A graphic video appears to show Babbitt trying to climb into the chambers before a shot rings out and she falls to the ground. She was declared deceased at a hospital later.

The woman's husband told KUSI-TV that she was a "strong supporter" of former President Donald Trump.

A day after the Capitol riot, the officer who shot Babbitt was placed on administrative leave and suspended from their official duties while the matter was investigated.

At least eight people who were at the Capitol rioting have died, including one officer who was lethally injured during the attack and three other demonstrators who experienced medical emergencies.

Babbitt worked at a pool service company that her family had purchased in San Diego three years ago. She also appeared to believe in the QAnon conspiracy theory that posits that Democrats are involved in a Satanic global child murder and sex trafficking cult.

Here's more about Babbitt's death:

Ashli Babbitt, Woman Who Died in Coup, Served in US Air Forcewww.youtube.com

Capitol rioter apologizes for death threat against AOC, says he's willing to testify in Congress



A Texas man, arrested for his part in the rioting at the U.S. Capitol, says that he is willing to testify in Congress and apologized for a death threat made against Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).

Federal prosecutors used social media posts of Garret Miller, 34, of Richardson, Texas, as evidence to substantiate their charges against him.

At one point during Capitol rioting on Jan. 6, Miller allegedly tweeted "Assassinate AOC" to the congresswoman. In another message, he implied that he wanted to hang the Capitol Police officer who shot and killed Ashli Babbitt during the rioting at the Capitol.

In a statement from Miller's defense attorney Clinton Broden, he said that he believed he was following the "instructions" of President Donald Trump when he joined the mob at the Capitol.

"I was in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021, because I believed I was following the instructions of former President Trump and he was my president and the commander-in-chief. His statements also had me believing the election was stolen from him," Miller said in the statement.

"Nevertheless, I fully recognize Joe Biden is now the President of the United States and that the election is over," the statement continued. "Donald Trump is no longer president and I would not have any reason to continue to follow his lead."

He also apologized to AOC and the Capitol Police but said that the tweets were not meant as a threat.

"While I never intended to harm Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez nor harm any members of the Capitol Police force, I recognize that my social media posts were completely inappropriate. They were made at a time when Donald Trump had me believing that an American election was stolen," Miller continued.

"I want to publicly apologize to Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez and the Capitol Police officers. I have always supported law enforcement and I am ashamed by my comments," he added.

Miller was ordered detained without bail on Monday. He is charged with several crimes including violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.

Another message documented by federal prosecutors showed Miller refuting the idea that the people who rioted at the Capitol were instigated by "paid infiltrators."

Image Source: Twitter screenshot

"Nah we stormed it. We where gentle. We where unarmed. We knew what had to be done," Miller said on social media.

Here's more about the arrest of Garrett Miller:

Man arrested for role in Capitol riot, threatening to assassinate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezwww.youtube.com

California GOP official resigns after bragging about storming the US Capitol



A California man resigned his positions with the California Republican Assembly, an activist group, after he bragged on social media about storming the U.S. Capitol and breaking into the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

Jorge Riley resigned as the corresponding secretary for the CRA's state board and as president of the Sacramento chapter after he posted photographs and videos to his Facebook page about the rioting.

Riley was recorded in a video posted to Reddit where he bragged about how he and other rioters broke into the Capitol. He said that he made his way into Pelosi's office and chanted "F*** Nancy Pelosi" with other rioters.

"We breached over there I think. We broke windows. We went into the door. We pushed our way in," he said on the video.

Riley called it a "mostly peaceful" protest and said that the Capitol Police were very nice to him and the other rioters. He also falsely claimed that no officers were hurt, but later reports documented that several others were injured during the rioting and one officer later died from his injuries.

He also posted a message on his Facebook page making it clear that he was "storming" the Capitol building.

Image Source: Facebook screenshot

The CRA released a statement condemning the lawlessness at the Capitol.

"The California Republican Assembly strongly condemns lawlessness. It is not an appropriate way to seek redress from our government and is inconsistent with the values of CRA," read the statement.

"Specifically, we denounce the lawlessness that took place at our nation's capital on January 6, 2021. The perpetrators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. CRA was not involved with the event and any participation by individual CRA members was in their capacity as private citizens," it continued.

Riley also posted in support of pro-Trump attorney Lin Wood, who called for Vice President Mike Pence to be executed on the day of the Capitol rioting.

Image Source: Facebook screenshot

"Follow Lin Wood wherever he may roam he is a true patriot!!!" wrote Riley.

Here's more about Jorge Riley storming the Capitol:

Sacramento Man Seen In Mob At US Capitolwww.youtube.com

John Sullivan trained for Olympics and appeared in an Uber commercial before becoming a left-wing activist and rioting at the Capitol



John Sullivan, the man who was arrested for his part in the U.S. Capitol rioting, was an Olympic speed skating hopeful and appeared in an Uber commercial before he made a left-wing turn in his politics and became an activist.

Sullivan appeared in the commercial as a speed skater and aspiring Olympian. It aired in August 2016 on national television according to PT News.

Here's the commercial from the Uber YouTube account:

A little drive goes a long way - Speed Skater | Uberyoutu.be

In his Twitter account, John Sullivan posted the Uber commercial in 2016 alongside other tweets documenting his skating dreams.

I added a video to a @YouTube playlist https://t.co/KE8PsrCD9n A little drive goes a long way - Speed Skater
ā€” John Sullivan (@John Sullivan)1465338760.0

He also raised $2,680 through a GoFundMe campaign to help fund his Olympic dreams.

The account appeared to be under the screen name @johnjohn809, but was later changed to @activistjohn.

Image Source: Twitter screenshot

In 2018, he competed in the Olympic Trials.

Olympic's John Sullivan youtu.be

But after that, he appeared to take a turn and became a left-wing activist that insulted President Donald Trump on social media. James Sullivan, his brother, told PT News that he became radicalized very quickly.

"It has hurt our family," James said. "My Mother cries most days."

John Sullivan founded Insurgence USA, a left-wing activist organization, after the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

He told KUTV that he had traveled to Washington D.C. in order to document various protests, but a federal affidavit quotes him as encouraging the rioting from inside the Capitol.

After the crowd broke through the last barricade, and as SULLIVAN and the others approach the Capitol Building, SULLIVAN can be heard in the video saying at various points: 'There are so many people. Let's go. This s--- is ours! F--- yeah,' 'We accomplished this s---. We did this together. F--- yeah! We are all a part of this history,' and 'Let's burn this s--- down.

He was charged with crimes related to violently entering a restricted building.

In a bizarre twist of irony, Klete Keller, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and ardent Trump supporter, was also arrested for his part in the Capitol rioting.

Sullivan has admitted that he is a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement. He sells t-shirts, knifes, gas masks, and other BLM-related tactical gear at his website.

Here's more about the arrest of John Sullivan:

Utah activist John Sullivan arrested for involvement in Capitol riotwww.youtube.com

Woman arrested for rioting at Capitol quit her job at Cleveland schools to expose 'global evil' of pedophilia in gov't



A woman who was arrested for her alleged involvement at the U.S. Capitol riots had worked as a school therapist at the Cleveland Metropolitan School District before she quit in order to pursue her mission to expose pedophilia rings in local government.

The FBI searched Christine Priola's home in Willoughby, Ohio, on Friday based on a tip from a Twitter account who identified her through images posted by the FBI from the Capitol rioting, according to WKYC-TV.

The photos showed a woman taking a photograph or video of a man sitting in the chair of Vice President Mike Pence in the House of Representatives after it was seized by rioters.

The woman held a sign that read, "The children cry out for justice."

The FBI confiscated computers and her phone and discovered that photos, videos and messages had been wiped from the devices from around the time of the Capitol rioting.

WKYC documented a resignation letter from Priola submitted the day after the Capitol riot.

"I will not be taking the corona virus 19 vaccine in order to return to in person learning," said Priola in the letter to school officials.

"I will be switching paths to expose the global evil of human trafficking and pedophilia, including in our government and children's service agencies," she added.

"I do not agree with my union dues which help fund people and groups that support the killing of unborn children," Priola wrote.

Priola was taken into custody by the FBI at her home on Thursday morning. She was charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds, and unlawful activities on Capitol grounds.

She appeared before the federal court in downtown Cleveland and was released on an unsecured $20,000 bond. Priola faces up to two years in prison and fines if found guilty.

Here's the video report from WKYC:

Former CMSD employee arrested and charged for involvement in Capitol riotswww.youtube.com

House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy denies Antifa involved in Capitol rioting, accepts Biden victory, but argues against impeachment



House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said in a speech on the House floor that Antifa was not to blame for the rioting at the U.S. Capitol, that he accepted President-elect Joe Biden's victory, but that he would vote against impeachment.

McCarthy was speaking Wednesday during the House debate on whether to impeach President Donald Trump for one article of impeachment for inciting an insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.

"Let me be clear. Last week's violent attack on the Capitol was undemocratic, unAmerican, and criminal," said McCarthy.

"Violence is never a legitimate form of protest. Freedom of speech and assembly under Constitution is rooted in non-violence. Yet the violent mob that descended upon this body was neither peaceful nor Democratic. It acted to disrupt Congress's Constitutional responsibility," he continued.

He then denied claims by some in the media and on social media that the rioting and violence was mostly caused by Antifa actors pretending to be Trump supporters.

"Some say the riots were caused by Antifa," said McCarthy.

"There was absolutely no evidence of that. And conservatives should be the first to say so. Conservatives also know that the only thing that stops mob violence is to meet it with force rooted in justice and backed by moral courage. And last week we saw mob violence met by courage, sacrifice and heroism from the brave men and women who protect this institution every day," he continued.

He then gave his reasons for not supporting the impeachment.

"I believe impeaching the president in such a short time frame would be a mistake," said McCarthy.

"No investigations have been completed, no hearings have been held. What's more, the Senate has confirmed that no trial will begin until after President-elect Biden is sworn in," he explained.

"But here's what a vote to impeach would do. A vote to impeach would further divide this nation. A vote to impeach will further fan the flames of partisan division," said McCarthy. "Most Americans want neither in action nor in retribution, they want durable, bipartisan justice."

McCarthy went on to squarely put the blame of the rioting on the shoulders of the president.

"That doesn't mean the president is free from fault. The president bears responsibility for Wednesday's attack on Congress by mob rioters. He should have immediately denounced the mob when he saw what was unfolding," said McCarthy.

He also said that Congress should enact a fact-finding mission and a censure resolution against the president instead of impeaching him.

The House of Representatives went on to impeach President Donald Trump for a second time for incitement of insurrection in a vote of 232 to 197.

Here's the video of McCarthy's speech:

McCarthy Calls For Censure Resolution For President Trump's Actions During Capitol Riot | NBC Newswww.youtube.com

Joint Chiefs of Staff release rare statement denouncing 'insurrection' at US Capitol and accepting election of Joe Biden



The Joint Chiefs of Staff denounced the "insurrection" at the U.S. Capitol in a rare statement that also confirmed the official election results.

The statement was released Tuesday afternoon.

"The American people have trusted the Armed Forces of the United States to protect them and our Constitution for almost 250 years. As we have done throughout our history, the U.S. military will obey lawful orders from civilian leadership, support civil authorities to protect lives and property, ensure public safety in accordance with the law, and remain fully committed to protecting and defending the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic," read the statement.

"The violent riot in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021 was a direct assault on the U.S. Congress, the Capitol building, and our Constitutional process. We mourn the deaths of the two Capitol policemen and others connected to these unprecedented events," the statement continued.

"We witnessed actions inside the Capitol building that were inconsistent with the rule of law. The rights of freedom of speech and assembly do not give anyone the right to resort to violence, sedition and insurrection," said the statement.

"As Service Members, we must embody the values and ideals of the Nation. We support and defend the Constitution. Any act to disrupt the Constitutional process is not only against our traditions, values, and oath; it is against the law," the statement added.

"On January 20, 2021, in accordance with the Constitution, confirmed by the states and the courts, and certified by Congress, President-elect Biden will be inaugurated and will become our 46th Commander in Chief," the statement concluded.

The statement came moments before three House Republicans announced that they would support a second impeachment of Trump on the charge of incitement of insurrection.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also reportedly said Tuesday that he would be supportive of impeachment efforts after experiencing the chaos at the Capitol.

President Trump spoke to reporters as he left the White House and denied that his actions encouraged the acts of violence at the Capitol.

Here's more about the effort for a second impeachment:

McConnell signals support for Trump impeachment: NYT Reportwww.youtube.com

Samuel Corum/Getty Images

'I will vote to impeach the president,' says GOP Rep. Liz Cheney



Rep. Liz Cheney of Wyoming became the second House Republican to announce support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump after a congressman representing New York's 24th congressional district became the first.

Rep. John Katko of New York was the first House Republican to announce support Tuesday afternoon.

"On January 6, 2021 a violent mob attacked the United States Capitol to obstruct the process of our democracy and stop the counting of presidential electoral votes. This insurrection caused injury, death and destruction in the most sacred space in our Republic," Cheney said in her statement

"Much more will become clear in coming days and weeks, but what we know now is enough. The President of the United States summoned this mob, assembled the mob, and lit the flame of this attack," she continued.

"Everything that followed was his doing. None of this would have happened without the President. The President could have immediately and forcefully intervened to stop the violence. He did not," Cheney said.

"There has never been a greater betrayal by a President of the United States of his office and his oath to the Constitution," she added.

"I will vote to impeach the President," Cheney concluded.

Katko, a former federal prosecutor, gave similar reasons for his support of impeachment.

"To allow the president of the United States to incite this attack without consequence is a direct threat to the future of our democracy," Katko said in a statement. "For that reason, I cannot sit by without taking action. I will vote to impeach this president."

Prior to the announcements, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reportedly told people close to him that he believed Trump had committed impeachable offenses over his encouragement of the rioting at the U.S. Capitol.

Democrats have drawn up an article of impeachment that accuses the president of inciting an insurrection.

Trump was first impeached by the Democrat-controlled House in December 2019 on two articles of impeachment related to a controversial call the president made to the president of Ukraine. The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate voted against convicting and removing the president.

Here's more about the effort to impeach Trump again:

House Democrats to begin impeachment process of Trump for 'incitement of insurrection' | WNTwww.youtube.com

Frank Luntz polls Trump voters to see if their support has changed since the lethal rioting at the US Capitol



Pollster Frank Luntz released results Monday from a poll of Americans who support President Donald Trump after the lethal rioting at the U.S. Capitol.

Luntz said that he polled 800 Trump voters and found that a great majority of them would vote for the president again if given the opportunity.

"Despite their criticism of his conduct since November 3rd and last week, šŸµšŸ­% of Trump voters say they'd still vote for him if another presidential election were held today," Luntz said on his official social media account.

Another 4% said they would switch their vote to President-elect Joe Biden, 3% said they would vote for someone else or write in someone else, and 2% said they wouldn't vote at all.

Trump 2024

That percentage went down, however, when asked about the 2024 election.

Luntz said, "šŸÆšŸ±% of Trump voters say they'd rather vote for someone else in 2024. Among the choice of other candidates, Mike Pence currently leads the pack."

But, when asked if the president should continue to fight to remain in the White House, the Trump voters were evenly split, with 50% saying yes, and 50% saying no he shouldn't continue to fight.

In another question, 31% of Trump voters said he should retire from politics while 51% said he should run again in 2024.

Was the election rigged?

Luntz said that of the Trump voters he polled, 73% said the election system was rigged, "even after being reminded that Trump and his allies lost more than 60 cases in court challenging election results."

And 61% of the Trump voters polled said they would "never" trust election results again.

Who was responsible for the rioting at the Capitol?

When asked who was responsible for the violence and rioting at the U.S. Capitol, 21% of Trump voters said in Luntz's poll that Antifa was responsible. Another 17% said that the Democrats were responsible. Only 12% said that Trump supporters were responsible, and another 11% said Trump was responsible.

Five people died in the Capitol rioting, including one woman who was shot and killed by Capitol Police, three who died from other medical emergencies, and a Capitol Police officer who was injured by protesters and died days later.

President Trump agreed to an "orderly transition" after Congress voted to certify the Electoral College results on the evening of the U.S. Capitol chaos.

Here's the latest about the Capitol rioting:

Images of Capitol siege led to arrests, Capitol police officer's death investigated | WNTwww.youtube.com

Patriots coach Bill Belichick declines to accept Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump



New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick declined to accept a Presidential Medal of Freedom after it was offered to him by President Donald Trump.

The stunning rebuke came on Monday in a statement from the coach who is considered to be among the greatest coaches in NFL history.

"Recently, I was offered the opportunity to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which I was flattered by out of respect for what the honor represents and admiration for prior recipients," Belichick said in a statement.

"Subsequently, the tragic events of last week occurred and the decision has been made not to move forward with the award," he added. "Above all, I am an American citizen with great reverence for our nation's values, freedom and democracy. I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team.

"One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions," he concluded. "Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award."

President Trump has faced many calls to resign after he spoke at a massive rally last Wednesday against the certification of the election results and later, many of the protesters assaulted the U.S. Capitol. Five people died as a result of the violence at the Capitol.

Also on Monday, acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf resigned, becoming the third member of Trump's Cabinet to resign since the Capitol rioting.

In April 2017, Belichick and the Patriots team went to the White House for a celebration following their Super Bowl victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Belichick gave the president a Patriots jersey and a helmet at that celebration.

The Patriots fared far worse in the 2020 NFL season, having missed the playoffs for the first time in over a decade.

Here's more about Trump offering the medal to Belichick:

Report: President Trump To Award Bill Belichick The Medal Of Freedomwww.youtube.com