News and Headlines: In The News, Politics, World News, Commentary/Opinion.
In The News:
UPDATE: Suspect Arrested In Oakland Chinatown Elderly Assaults
Just minutes after being sworn in as Oakland’s new top cop, Armstrong appeared at a news conference in Chinatown to announce the arrest of Muslim for the assault of a 91-year old man caught on video. He is also accused of assaulting two other elderly individuals the same day.
Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley said her office is investigating whether the attacks were racially motivated, which could add a hate crime to the charges.
Facing steep budget cuts, Oakland police say the department is devoting what resources it can including locating a mobile command vehicle in the shopping district.
But the community isn’t waiting for help. They’ve formed citizen patrols and a GoFundMe effort has raised more than $50,000 to employ armed security guards.
A Capitol rioter told the FBI that officers ‘helped us’ and did not stop him from entering
Benjamin Torre was arrested on February 9 in Georgia and charged with one count of knowingly entering or remaining in any restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and one count of violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds.
When questioned by the FBI, Torre said he entered the Capitol by crawling through a broken window on the western wing of the building, according to a statement of facts from a redacted special agent of the FBI. He told investigators he saw multiple officers standing around inside the building and that the officers “helped us in the Capitol” and failed to stop rioters from entering.
Torre answered most of the FBI’s questions, but prosecutors allege that he refused to identify a person he took a photo with inside of the Capitol.
Deported Sex Offender Found Hiding in 138-Migrant Group at Border Checkpoint
Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent Matthew Hudak tweeted photos taken of the two human smuggling attempts that were disrupted by Border Patrol agents at interior immigration checkpoints.
The incidents occurred over the weekend as agents continued their interdiction efforts.
The photos show the 138 migrants crammed into the trailers in unsafe conditions. Despite being packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the trailer with little air ventilation, none of the migrants can be seen wearing masks or any other PPE to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
During processing, the agents identified one of the migrants as a previously deported sex offender.
Oregonians will have to pay for their federal stimulus money this tax season
The Oregon Legislative Revenue Office reports a couple with two children who received a stimulus of $3,400 would see that money added back to their taxable state income at a rate of 8.75%. They would owe about $298.
As another example, a single Oregonian who pocketed $1,800 in stimulus last year would owe the state about $157.50 when they file their taxes.
An Oregonian who normally sees a refund of $200 will get $42.50 back this year. Someone who normally sees a $100 refund may have to pay $57.50 back.
Oregon is one of six states – which include Alabama, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, and Montana – to offer such a tax provision.
Judge denies preliminary injunction in challenge to Newsom’s orders Appeals Court ruling looms
While the ruling was frustrating, Kiley said, “There’s a silver lining: the Fresno Court is acknowledging that our victory over Newsom, if upheld on appeal, is potentially a precedent for ending the lockdowns throughout California.”
The delayed ruling by the Court of Appeals in the legislators’ case may be a good sign, he adds. If the court were going to dismiss the case on a technicality, as Newsom requested, the opinion might have already been written.
But if the “court were to issue the first precedent-setting decision in California history restraining a governor’s emergency powers, that would be a longer and carefully worded opinion,” Kiley notes. “If the Court of Appeal were to go a step further, and strike down the entire Emergency Services Act, that opinion would likely be written with even greater care.”
Man Charged in Capitol Riot Worked for FBI and Had Security Clearance, Attorney Says
“He has been vetted and found numerous times as a person worthy of the trust and confidence of the United States government, as indicated by granting him Top Secret clearances,” Plofchan wrote in a motion.
His lawyer, according to court documents, said Caldwell, 66, denies he ever went to the Capitol and has “physical limitations” that prevent him from breaching a building.
“Moving, sitting for extended periods of time, lifting, carrying, and other physical activities are extremely painful and Caldwell is limited in his ability to engage in them,” the motion added.
“Caldwell is not a member of the organization, nor has he ever been a member of the organization, and if he were, such membership would be protected activity under the First Amendment,” wrote Plofchan, who added that the government hasn’t provided a photo or video that shows Caldwell in the Capitol building on Jan. 6.
Entrepreneur Launches New Internet Browser to Promote Free Speech
The browser, called “The New Internet,” allows people to comment on any website without being censored or de-platformed, Elizabeth Heng, CEO of The New Internet, said in a recent interview on The Epoch Times’ “Crossroads.”
If someone’s account is censored or banned on a social media platform people can view the banned page on The New Internet, write comments on the top of the page, and share their opinions on it, Heng explained.
Every user of the New Internet platform is able to post comments on any page even if they disagree with the content, she added.
Texas Judge Blocks Biden’s Deportation Freeze for Two More Weeks
U.S. District Court Judge Drew Tipton in the Southern District of Texas on Tuesday ruled that the federal government cannot make immigration enforcement changes without consulting Texas.
As a result, he extended the temporary restraining order by another 14 days, asserting that the state of Texas would face more harm than the federal government if the extension wasn’t granted.
”The irreparable harm that would accrue to Texas if an extension of the [temporary restraining order] is not granted before consideration of its motion for a preliminary injunction is more substantial than any harm incurred by the defendants,” wrote Tipton in his ruling,
At least 5 wounded in shooting at Minnesota clinic
A male suspect was taken into custody after surrendering to authorities.
Some early accounts put the total number of injured as high as 15. It was unclear whether anyone was killed in the shooting.
The Star Tribune was the first to report that a bomb had exploded at the clinic.
A bomb threat was also reported at a nearby Super 8 Motel.
Politics:
I just spoke to Trump | Dick Morris
IMPEACHMENT: After reportedly denying an opportunity to testify on his own behalf, and since he is still being effectively silenced on social media, how is former president Trump handling and reacting the impeachment proceedings?
Longtime political advisor Dick Morris, a confidant of The Donald, just spoke with the former president and shares with Newsmax TV what he heard.
Democrats Demand Parler Reveal Its Investors and Creditors
While Maloney targets Parler, however, she appears to take no interest in other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, which protesters also used to organize and discuss their plans ahead of the Capitol Hill riot — according to FBI affidavits.
“Nothing will stop us….they can try and try and try but the storm is here and it is descending upon DC in less than 24 hours….dark to light!” wrote Ashli Babbitt on Twitter, one day before she was fatally shot by a police officer inside the Capitol Building.
And as for John Sullivan — the left-wing activist who was arrested and charged in connection to the Capitol Hill riot — he also had a Twitter account, and still has a YouTube account, which he used to post videos in which he can be heard encouraging protesters on Capitol Hill.
Sen. Hawley Grills OMB-nominee Tanden Over Big Donors
Hawley outlined donations Tanden’s organization had received, including $2.5 million from the United Arab Emirates; $1 million from the managing partner of Bain Capital, and $665,000 from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, reports The National Review.
“You solicited tens of millions of dollars in donations from Wall Street and Silicon Valley companies as president of the Center for American Progress, including very large contributions from Mark Zuckerberg,” Hawley told Tanden, quoting media reports.
“Given this record, how can you assure us that you’ll work to see that these Silicon Valley and Wall Street firms don’t exercise undue influence . . . in the making of government policy?” Hawley asked.
14 AGs Reviewing Legal Options on Biden Canceling Keystone Pipeline
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen is calling on President Joe Biden to reconsider his revocation of a key permit for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline and said he and 14 other attorneys general are reviewing available legal options to “protect our residents and sovereign interests.”
Knudsen in a letter to Biden said the decision will “result in devastating damage to many of our states and local communities. … Your decision will eliminate thousands of well-paying jobs, many of them union jobs.”
Montana, he said, stands to lose $58 million in annual tax revenue, which means less money for schools and public services.
Hemingway: Democrats Can Always Count On Weak Conservatives To Do Media’s Bidding With Impeachment
Commentary/Opinion:
“Joe Biden won and, yes, Democrats took the Senate, but the Republican Party has never had so many voters and so many new and different types of voters as they did in 2020, and that’s a big threat to the Democratic agenda, so they’re trying to see who are those weak Republicans who they can peel off to use against their own party.
And, of course, there are always some weak Republicans and weak media outlets that do, in fact, cater to whatever leftist media and Democrats tell them to do,” Hemingway said.
This second round of impeachment, Hemingway noted, isn’t just about the Democrats trying to pin the blame for the Capitol riot on Trump, but it’s also the left’s scapegoat for their own party’s failures and a way to bring Republicans down with them.
Oregon lawmakers look to redraw the thin blue line on officer immunity from riot policing
The first of the bills aiming to change this status quo is House Bill 3059, which would repeal the state statute requiring law enforcement to disperse illegal public gatherings and make arrests.
Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner echoed concerns from other members of law enforcement, testifying Monday that the bill ignores good faith efforts Oregon police have been making to distinguish criminals from demonstrators.
“One of the things that we’ve tried really hard to do is to not paint the crowd with a broad brush,” Skinner said. “We don’t assume everybody is there with criminal intent, and understand that the vast majority of individuals that are assembling are there peacefully and lawfully and just want to be heard.”
Colorado Democrats want to censure Hickenlooper for vote to deny COVID checks to illegal immigrants
Hickenlooper was one of eight Senate Democrats to join Republicans in favor of the non-binding amendment.
“Budget resolution amendments are non-binding and lead to exactly the kind of circus that makes Washington so famously dysfunctional,” a Hickenlooper spokesperson told the news outlet.
“Instead of playing political games, John is laser-focused on getting us through the pandemic, rebuilding the economy and finding a long-term solution to fix our broken immigration system.”
California judge issues injunction against Soros-backed district attorney’s policies after his deputies sued him
With respect to cases that have already been filed, Judge Chalfant agreed, issuing a preliminary injunction preventing those policies from being implemented.
The judge also faulted Gascón’s policies for failing to take into account the effect they would have on victims of crime, as required under California law. As Chalfant noted, “There is not a single reference to a concern for victims in the sentencing process” under Gascón’s policies.
Moreover, the judge ruled, Gascón’s policies should not have been a “surprise” since he explicitly ran on implementing them.
It is unclear from Chalfant’s decision how Gascón’s victory in his local election is legally relevant to the interpretation of the plain text of California state law.
CBO estimates $15 federal minimum wage would cause loss of 1.4M jobs, expand federal deficit
The Congressional Budget Office released a report outlining the dangers of a $15 an hour federal minimum wage.
One America’s Greta Wall has more on those findings.
Tucker: Biden immigration policy designed to punish Americans
Commentary/Opinion:
Tucker Carlson explains the motive behind not COVID testing people coming across the border.
Texas sheriff claims Biden has ‘defunded ICE by memorandum’
Jackson County Sheriff A.J. Louderback warns of border policy’s dangerous consequences on ‘Tucker Carlson Tonight’.
World News:
Hong Kong police say ‘bloody attack’ foiled after two men arrested for possessing explosive materials
Hong Kong police said on Tuesday they have foiled a “bloody attack” after arresting two men for possessing explosive substances and weapons allegedly intended for protest-related lone wolf attacks before the Lunar New Year.
A 42-year-old computer programmer and a 62-year-old renovation worker were arrested on Monday in Fanling for possessing 23.5 kilogrammes of explosive raw materials such as firecrackers, fireworks and sulphur.
Police said they also found a large number of gas masks, 300 filters and protective gear as well as a bow and arrow, two suspected electroshock weapons and eight telescopic sticks.
Israel-Greece ties bolster; US rejects Iran prerequisite for JCPOA compliance- TV7 Israel News 09.02
1) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hosts his Greek Counterpart Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Jerusalem – as the strategic-partnership between Jerusalem and Athens grows’ stronger.
2) The Biden Administration defends its decision to remove the Iranian-backed Houthi Militia from its list of terror organizations.
3) Iran warns it will not return into compliance under the 2015 nuclear deal – unless the United States lifts its sanctions; a demand rejected by Washington.
Pics: 2 US carrier groups in South China Sea launch security ops in message to China
Two U.S. Navy aircraft carrier groups entered the South China Sea on Tuesday to conduct security operations near Chinese-controlled islands in an apparent message to China.
The two carrier strike groups “conducted a multitude of exercises aimed at increasing interoperability between assets as well as command and control capabilities,” the Navy said in a statement to Reuters.
The combined carrier operation is the first dual carrier operation in the South China Sea since July of 2020, when the
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) joined the USS Nimitz for sea operations there.
Japan: Submarine crew phone for help after crash
Nobuo Kishi said the Soryu was on a training exercise when the incident occurred. The submarine saw the vessel through its periscope but was unable to move in time.
The Soryu is a diesel-electric submarine that has been in service since 2009.
The 84-metre (275ft) long submarine was still able to continue sailing as the damage was not major, officials said.
Bradley Martin, a former US navy captain disputed the claims. He told CNN: “I wouldn’t call the damage ‘minor’. The submarine can’t dive and can’t communicate.”
Commentary/Opinion:
How the Left is using Critical Race Theory to DIVIDE students
Lori Meyers, teacher and co-founder of Educators for Excellence in Ethnic Studies, is sounding the alarm on Critical Race Theory in K-12 schools.
She explains how its incorporation into public school ethnic studies curriculum — something being pushed by the Left — is causing students to divide from their classmates:
“It literally pits students against each other.”
Ep. 1453 The Must See Video That Destroys the Impeachment Hoax – The Dan Bongino Show
In this episode, I discuss the devastating video that decimates this ridiculous impeachment hoax.
I also address the liberal’s indefensible push for a fifteen dollar an hour minimum wage.
Sephora Terminates Influencer Over Her Conservative Views
Have you heard about this? Utter insanity!
Amanda Ensing courageously stands up to the cancel culture mob.
In The News Feed. 