(KRON) — Former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao is now facing criminal charges, according to a San Francisco Chronicle report published Thursday. The Chronicle, citing anonymous sources, reports Thao has been criminally indicted by a federal grand jury.
The indictment comes after last year's FBI raid of Thao's Oakland home. Thao was recalled in November's election after serving two years as Oakland's mayor. Thao's final day in office was in December.
Since the FBI raid back in June, Thao has repeatedly claimed her innocence and said she is not the target of the investigation. In her exit interview as mayor last month, Thao told KRON4, "I'm innocent. I've done nothing wrong."
------------------ Toward the end of her mayorship, her spokesman and her lawyer quit. This may have to do with some bounced checks that were to pay for direct mail attack fliers. The FBI will be making some kind of announcement on this on 17 January or shortly thereafter
[White House] Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice. With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.
Today’s clemency action provides relief for individuals who received lengthy sentences based on discredited distinctions between crack and powder cocaine, as well as outdated sentencing enhancements for drug crimes. As Congress recognized through the Fair Sentencing Act and the First Step Act, it is time that we equalize these sentencing disparities. This action is an important step toward righting historic wrongs, correcting sentencing disparities, and providing deserving individuals the opportunity to return to their families and communities after spending far too much time behind bars. I am proud of my record on clemency and will continue to review additional commutations and pardons.
#2
Good move by Sloppy Joe. People rotting in prison for non-violent drug "offenses" is a crime in itself. Commuting the sentences is better than nothing, but I'll give Sloppy Joe credit on this one.
#3
Kinda side with JB on this one.
A typical day in prison costs the taxpayers between $150 and $500 depending on the state.
Yes! many are so loosely guarded that they also get drugs inside.
A person abusing their own body and not others, due to their addiction, should be treated 1st time. Treatment is a matter of around 90 days and costs the Taxpayers FAR LESS overall.
Also, shouldn't at least 50% of the 10's of Millions of $$$$ seized in drug busts be used for treatment, instead of letting the Politicians waste it?
Dealers of serious addicted drugs should be executed.
#5
A person abusing their own body and not others, due to their addiction, should be treated 1st time.
Should. But the sad reality is that nobody seems able to find money for it, so they just go on being untreated. And many turn to crime to support their habit, while others make the lives of those around them considerably more difficult — just like an alcoholic in the bosom of their family.
#6
a lot of these non violent drug offenses were the result of plea bargaining where charges included theft, robbery, assault, etc.
Posted by: Lord Garth ||
01/17/2025 10:34 Comments ||
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#7
^ THIS! Nicely done, LG
Posted by: Frank G ||
01/17/2025 11:05 Comments ||
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#8
The Biden cash register remains open for cash only sales.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/17/2025 13:54 Comments ||
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#9
Drug dealing Fentanyl is a non-violent drug offence per the president. It's actually attempted murder, or flat out murder, but lets feel sorry for them, make them look like victims, and let them out. All those that support this can explain to the families of those they kill with drugs how its non-violent.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
01/17/2025 14:31 Comments ||
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#10
Thot I saw 80,000 dead from opioid ODs in US last year. Im not agreeing this is non violent.
[FoxBusinessNews] Supporters say provisions in existing trade agreements give US businesses too much power to interfere with foreign governments' policies
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is calling on the Biden administration’s trade representative, Katherine Tai, to cease what they have described as "secret negotiations" with foreign trade partners.
In a letter Wednesday led by Sen. Mike Crapo, R–Idaho, the Senate Finance Committee chair, and signed by 18 of his Senate colleagues, the group accused Tai and the Biden administration of circumventing Congress and failing to consider adequate input from business leaders in their push to "rush" changes to two of the country’s major free trade agreements with Mexico, Canada and Columbia.
The changes would serve to amend the interpretation of investor protection provisions for U.S. businesses embedded in the government’s trade deals with these countries.
"Unfortunately, USTR is pursuing substantive changes to congressionally approved trade agreements on an abbreviated timeline, out of the view of the public, and without meaningful congressional consultation," the senators' letter asserted. "Robust consultations with Congress and stakeholders are critical to ensuring that affected companies and their workers understand what is being proposed and how it may impact operations at home and abroad."
The negotiations taking place are tied to interpretations of investor protection provisions in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.
Currently, U.S. businesses operating internationally can enlist third-party tribunals to mediate disputes over business practices with other countries. The current investor protections that permit third-party mediation in these trade agreements have resulted in large damage claims against governments, according to Reuters.
A group of nearly 40 Democrats in the House of Representatives last month said in a different letter, spearheaded by Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Texas, that they were happy to hear reports about the potential updates to the investor protection sections, arguing the process of using a third-party mediator serves to give businesses too much power to interfere with legitimate government actions.
The letter called the action a "wise move," arguing the investor protection mechanisms allow "foreign corporations" to weaponize international tribunals to circumvent a nation's domestic policies and prioritize business interests at the expense of those countries' workers, consumers, small businesses and the environment.
"We strongly encourage you to act urgently to eliminate or drastically reduce the ability of multinational corporations to use Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) tribunals as a tool to attack legitimate government actions and extract unlimited sums from countries’ taxpayers over the laws, actions, or court rulings of sovereign nations that the corporations claim conflict with their special ISDS rights and privileges," the letter stated.
In an op-ed for The Washington Times, GOP senators Bill Hagerty of Tennessee, Katie Britt of Alabama and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama raised an example of a U.S. construction company, Vulcan Materials, that for decades built infrastructure to source limestone in the Yucatán. But it has recently faced a campaign by politicians in Mexico to seize its property. The campaign resulted after the country's government declared in September the land Vulcan was using to source its limestone was part of a protected nature reserve that belonged to Mexico.
[FoxNews] In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024," the agency told Fox News Digital on Thursday.
The agency didn't specify why it had closed the office, although many Republicans have been critical of it prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion, saying that had overshadowed national security.
Earlier this month, Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray claiming that "radical" DEI practices had "endangered" Americans following the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans.
I am deeply concerned that—under your leadership—the Bureau has prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives over its core mission of protecting the American people," Balckburn wrote in the Jan. 3 letter after referencing the attack.
After the announcement, Blackburn said in a post on X: "The question is why were they allowed to be focused on DEI in the first place? The FBI should be focused on catching criminals, not winning participation trophies."
President-elect Trump also commented on its closure, writing on Truth Social: "We demand that the FBI preserve and retain all records, documents, and information on the now closing DEI Office—Never should have been opened and, if it was, should have closed long ago. Why is it that they’re closing one day before the Inauguration of a new Administration? The reason is, CORRUPTION!"
The FBI page on diversity and inclusion – that was still on its website as of Thursday – says the agency is "committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. In 2015, the FBI added diversity as one of the organization's core values.
It continued: "We believe that differences in thought and belief, in race and religion, in orientation, and in ability contribute to more effective decision making, drive innovation, and enhance the employee experience. We know that a more diverse workforce allows us to connect with and maintain the trust of the American people. We also understand we have work to do. We stand committed, as today’s FBI, to fostering a culture of inclusivity and diversity."
Former FBI special agent and Fox News contributor Nicole Parker told Fox News Digital: "I appreciate all forms of diversity. Make no mistake of that. What I do not appreciate is when there is a constant push for social justice weaponization at the FBI whose top priorities are to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution."
She added that FBI Director Christopher Wray has made it clear that threats across and against the nation are "at an all-time high. ‘Flashing red lights,’ as he has stated in congressional testimony. There is no time for clubs, groups, or social agendas that divert time, attention and resources away from the mission of the FBI to protect the American people."
"DEI is a dangerous distraction," she continued. "I have no issue in celebrating whatever you would like regarding your heritage or gender or religion. But that should be done on your own time and not with the U.S. taxpayers' dollars while on official Bureau time."
Parker added, "The FBI needs to focus on hiring the best and brightest based solely on meritocracy. Americans deserve the best. I have never been on an operation or heard of a civilian calling into the FBI and requesting an individual of a certain race or gender provide them with assistance in solving their problem or stopping a crime they've fallen victim to. Americans simply want to be safe."
"The FBI should be focused on being one in fighting crime, not various groups and divisions that divide," she said.
Parker also noted that there are numerous other groups within the FBI aside from the DEI office, including the American Indian and Alaska Native Advisory Committee, Asian Pacific American Advisory Committee, Black Affairs Diversity Committee, Bureau Equality, Hispanic Advisory Board, Near and Middle East Advisory Committee, Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, and the Women's Advisory Committee.
She said the bureau also has numerous resource groups, including Blacks in Government, FBI African American Millennials, FBI Family, FBI Jewish Americans, FBI Latinos for Empowerment Advancement and Development, FBI Pride, Federal Asian Pacific American Counsel, Federally Employed Women, From Boots to Suits and the Toastmasters Club.
Wray announced in December that he planned to resign with nearly three years left in his term, citing Trump's desire for a change in leadership at the agency.
This is President Biden's last week in office. President-elect Trump will take office on Monday.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI, for comment.
The FBI’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion was created in 2012 during the Obama administration with its goal to provide "guidance and implement programs that promote a diverse and inclusive workplace that allows all employees to succeed and advance."
In 2021, after Biden took office, Scott McMillion became the FBI’s first chief diversity officer, saying that he planned to spearhead a "cultural shift" at the agency.
Continued on Page 47
BREAKING: Georgia State Senator Colton Moore was pushed to the ground and arrested while trying to attend the State of the State session
"Senator Colton Moore, who exposed and defeated corrupt District Attorney Fani Willis last year, has been arrested by the Anti-Trump Speaker… pic.twitter.com/X0Bb0G82Pi
This story was updated at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, with additional reaction to Moore’s arrest.
[GeorgiaRecorder] A right-wing Republican state senator was arrested Thursday morning while attempting to enter the House chambers to attend the State of the State address by GOP Gov. Brian Kemp.
Controversial Trenton politician Colton Moore was handcuffed and removed from the Capitol by state police following an altercation with staff members and law enforcement as Moore made several attempts to enter the House chamber floor for the annual governor’s address.
Moore was banned from entering the House chamber last year by GOP House Speaker Jon Burns after speaking ill of the late House Speaker David Ralston while the Blue Ridge Republican was being posthumously honored in the Senate. Moore took to the well and spoke about allegations that Ralston had used his position as speaker to benefit his law firm.
Calling the comments "some of the vilest that you can make about a good man," current speaker Burns instructed the House doorkeeper not to allow Moore to set foot in the chamber.
The doorkeeper made good on that Thursday when Moore tried to enter the chamber along with his Senate colleagues for a joint session to hear from the governor.
The doorkeeper asked Moore to step aside and watch the governor’s speech from outside the chamber.
Moore tried to push his way in, but was stopped by the doorkeeper and other staff.
Moore insisted he was legally and constitutionally entitled to enter the chamber, but the doorkeeper disagreed, and so did the multiple Capitol coppers stationed outside the House awaiting Moore’s arrival. Moore had announced on social media earlier his intention to challenge the ban.
After several minutes of pushing and shoving, Moore fell to the ground. After more arguing, officers told Moore he was under arrest, cuffed him and led him away to a squad car.
The Georgia State Patrol released a statement Thursday afternoon that said Moore was arrested on an initial charge of misdemeanor obstruction of law enforcement officers after Moore created a public disturbance prior to the State of the State address. Moore was booked into the Fulton County jail before being released Thursday afternoon.
According to the state police, Moore ignored several warnings after troopers at the Capitol tried to calm him down as he "persisted in his attempts to disrupt official proceedings" inside the chamber.
"The disturbance escalated further when Senator Moore pushed into troopers multiple times," the statement said. "The Georgia State Patrol, in an effort to maintain peace and ensure the safety of everyone involved, arrested Sen. Moore without further incident,"
Several hours after his arrest Moore posted a video on X inside Emory Midtown Hospital, where he said was being treated for injuries that included a swollen left hand.
He thanked the people across Georgia who supported his commitment to his legislative duties and said he would return to the Capitol for Friday’s session.
"I appreciate all of your support, all of the warm comments from all over the country, all over the state of Georgia," Moore said. "I’m proud to represent the people from Northwest Georgia today. They took my freedom and liberty away as I was fighting for your liberty and freedom. But I tell you what, I still have a constitutional obligation to do work. I’ll still be in that legislature come tomorrow morning."
Moore has been a controversial figure in the Senate. He was previously booted from the GOP caucus after politicians said he posted contact information for colleagues to social media and urged people to call them to urge a special session to target Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis for arresting former president, now President-elect Donald Trump ...His ancestors didn't own any slaves... Moore is the vice-chair of the right wing Georgia Freedom Caucus, one of several state caucuses formed in 2024 as an extension of the U.S. Congress House Freedom Caucus.
State Freedom Caucus Network President Andrew Roth sent an email blast Thursday claiming Moore was wrongfully arrested for trying to attend the governor’s speech.
"This move to arrest Colton was unconstitutional and wholly unnecessary and unconstitutional, but expected. Swampy Georgia Republicans dislike Colton because he continually exposes them for supporting bloated budgets and big government programs," Roth wrote in the fundraising email.
Several other legal experts and political figures have raised questions regarding the legality of Moore’s arrest, as well as the ethical reasoning for blocking Moore from entering the House chamber.
Georgia law prohibits politicians from being arrested during the General Assembly session, with the exceptions of felony offenses, breach of peace, and treason.
Burns released a statement calling the situation unfortunate while he defended the decision to ban Moore for breaking the rules of House decorum.
Burns also praised state representatives for standing firm Thursday by honoring the legacy of Ralston.
Burns’ counterpart in the Senate disagreed with the decision to arrest Moore. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, a Butts County Republican, said politicians have the right to attend an official Legislative session matter.
"There is real work to be done this session, and the focus should be on delivering for the people of Georgia instead of personal grievances and egos," Jones said in a statement.
Majority Leader Chuck Efstration told news hounds after the speech that Burns did his duty to maintain order in the House chamber.
"The senator caused a very dangerous situation today with law enforcement, doorkeepers, staff and other individuals that were present," he said. "I think House members that were standing behind the doors in the chamber were focused on the governor’s State of the State address and the important work to be done this legislative session, and that’s where the focus should be."
Democrats ...every time you hear the phrase white people, white supremacy,white anything but paint, you're listening to a Democrat. Ask him/her/it to reimagine something for you; they do that a lot, though not well. They can hear a dog whistle a mile or two away. They invented the spoils system and Tammany Hall, and inspired the addition of the word (Thomas) Nasty to the English language. They want to stop continental drift and repeal the law of unintended side effects... have been content to watch the intraparty feuding from the sidelines.
"When elephants are fighting, get out of the way," House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, a Columbus Democrat, told news hounds afterwards.
Moore is the third Georgia politician arrested inside the Capitol in the last few years.
U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, an Atlanta Democrat, was among a group of people arrested in 2018 while protesting the ballot counting in the 2018 governor’s race.
In 2021, state Rep. Park Cannon, an Atlanta Democrat, was arrested on the same charges as Williams for knocking on Kemp’s office doors during the signing of controversial election law overhaul Senate Bill 202.
The charges against Williams and Cannon were dropped by prosecutors later. However,
women are made to be loved, not understood... their attorneys argued at a Georgia Supreme Court hearing in May that the laws that were used to arrest them are vague, overly broad, and violate their constitutional rights as free individuals.
In November, the state Supreme Court found the arrests of Cannon and Williams were legal, but advised the Legislature to clarify the types of disruptions that are prohibited under law.
Gerald Griggs, the president of the Georgia NAACP and Atlanta lawyer, posted a thread on X citing the Georgia Constitution which protects politicians from arrest during sessions except in very limited circumstances. Griggs was Cannon’s lawyer when Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis decided not to pursue criminal charges against Cannon for the incident that occurred a few weeks prior.
Griggs posted Thursday that Moore’s arrest wasn’t the "first time people tend to ignore the law." Griggs said that while disorderly conduct is the usual criminal charge connected to a breach of peace, Georgia law protects elected politicians from being arrested for trying to attend meetings and legislative floor sessions inside the chambers.
He also said that the Georgia Constitution holds more legal weight than House rules like the ones used to justify blocking Moore from entering the House chamber.
The Georgia Legislature’s new-two year session started Monday.
"Wouldn’t an elected official have the right to be in a joint session of the legislature? At what point was his right taken away by an order of the court or the will of the people."
[FoxNews] 'There's a little bit of a concern that this might be setting the stage for something worse,' a US official told Reuters
President-elect Trump’s transition team has reportedly asked three senior career diplomats to step down from their roles, according to Reuters.
Dereck Hogan, Marcia Bernicat and Alaina Teplitz, the career diplomats who were allegedly asked to leave their roles, oversee the State Department’s workforce and internal coordination. This request could signal the Trump team’s desire to implement major changes within the department.
"There's a little bit of a concern that this might be setting the stage for something worse," a U.S. official familiar with the matter told Reuters. "Worse" as defined by whom?
All three of the career diplomats named in the report have worked under Democratic and Republican administrations, Reuters noted. Unlike political appointees, diplomats do not typically resign when a president leaves office.
Throughout his political career, Trump has gone after the "deep state," and this move could be seen as part of his efforts to fundamentally change the government on a bureaucratic level.
"It is entirely appropriate for the transition to seek officials who share President Trump's vision for putting our nation and America's working men and women first. We have a lot of failures to fix and that requires a committed team focused on the same goals," Trump’s team told Reuters in response to a request for comment.
#1
This is concerning. Dems regularly just fire GIVERnment officials who do not align with their vision and the media does not even write a story. The notion of asking someone to resign instead of just firing them is somehow concerning.
My concern is that the number (3) asked to resign was so low. It should be in the 1000s
#7
It sounds like those three positions are the ones that control staffing assignments. The positions not the people are needed for the proposed house cleaning. If they are Plum Book positions, those people will be fired if they refuse to move laterally.
Posted by: Super Hose ||
01/17/2025 13:37 Comments ||
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[X] Bernie Sanders also thinks Stalin was one of the good guys.
BREAKING: Senator Bernie Sanders just proclaimed President Biden as one of the most successful Democratic Presidents since FDR. He’s right. pic.twitter.com/MyJFER3YqT
[NYPOST] Former House Speaker Nancy San Fran Nan Pelosi Congresswoman-for-Life from the San Francisco Bay Area, born into a family of professional politicians. On-again-off-again Speaker of the House. It's not her fault when they lose, but it's her accomplishment when they win. Noted for her heavily botoxed grimace and occasional senior... uhhh... moments... plans to skip President-elect Donald Trump ...The cad! Twice caught beating wimmin!... 's inauguration next week, while former Presidents Bill Clinton ...former Democratic president of the U.S. Bill was the second U.S. president to be impeached, the first to deny that oral sex was sex, the first to have difficulty with the definition of the word is... , George W. Bush and Barack Obama How much damage could he do in four years?... Eight, then... are not expected to attend the post-swearing-in luncheon at the US Capitol.
Pelosi (D-Calif.), 84, an ardent foe of Trump who is recovering from hip replacement surgery, had attended the 45th president's inauguration in 2017.
Her spokesperson confirmed the decision, first reported by ABC News, to multiple outlets and did not provide an explanation.
Pelosi joins a handful of House Democrats ...every time you hear the phrase white people, white supremacy,white anything but paint, you're listening to a Democrat. Ask him/her/it to reimagine something for you; they do that a lot, though not well. They can hear a dog whistle a mile or two away. They invented the spoils system and Tammany Hall, and inspired the addition of the word (Thomas) Nasty to the English language. They want to stop continental drift and repeal the law of unintended side effects... , including Bronx and Queens Rep. Alexandria Boom Boom Ocasio-Cortez Dem Congressgirl from da Bronx in Noo Yawk and leader of the Mean Girl Caucus in Congress. One of the Great Minds of the 21st Century, she is known as much for her innaleck as for her dance moves. She is all in favor of socialism, even though she's fuzzy on the details. She was the inventor of the Green New Deal, though she doesn't talk about it much anymore , who will give the Jan. 20 festivities a miss.
Continued on Page 47
Posted by: Fred ||
01/17/2025 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[11151 views]
Top|| File under:
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[White House] Today, I am commuting the sentences of nearly 2,500 people convicted of non-violent drug offenses who are serving disproportionately long sentences compared to the sentences they would receive today under current law, policy, and practice. With this action, I have now issued more individual pardons and commutations than any president in U.S. history.
In a letter Wednesday led by Sen. Mike Crapo, R–Idaho, the Senate Finance Committee chair, and signed by 18 of his Senate colleagues, the group accused Tai and the Biden administration of circumventing Congress and failing to consider adequate input from business leaders in their push to "rush" changes to two of the country’s major free trade agreements with Mexico, Canada and Columbia. 
[FoxNews] In recent weeks, the FBI took steps to close the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), effective by December 2024," the agency told Fox News Digital on Thursday. 
...every time you hear the phrase 
President-elect Trump’s transition team has reportedly asked three senior career diplomats to step down from their roles, according to Reuters. 
...every time you hear the phrase 
