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Trump Issues Pardons To 5 Former NFL Stars

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On Thursday evening, President Trump issued pardons to five former NFL players.

White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson announced this week that several former professional football players have been granted presidential pardons, underscoring what the administration described as the power of redemption and second chances.

Among those granted clemency were Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon.

โ€œAs football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,โ€ Johnson wrote in a post on X.

Johnson also said that Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones shared the news โ€œpersonallyโ€ with Newton, a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Cowboys during the teamโ€™s 1990s dynasty.

Klecko, a former New York Jets standout and Pro Football Hall of Famer, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury investigating an insurance fraud scheme.

Newton, a six-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro offensive lineman, pleaded guilty to a federal drug-trafficking charge in 2001 after authorities found $10,000 in cash in his pickup truck and 175 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle traveling with him.

Lewis, who won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2003, pleaded guilty in 2000 to using a cellphone to attempt to facilitate a drug deal shortly after being selected with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Henry, a Pro Bowl running back who played for the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Denver Broncos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine in connection with financing a drug ring that operated between Colorado and Montana.

Cannon, the 1959 Heisman Trophy winner at LSU who later starred for the Houston Oilers and Oakland Raiders, admitted in the mid-1980s to his role in a counterfeiting scheme. He died in 2018. His pardon was granted posthumously.

Presidential Pardons and Clemency

Under Article II of the U.S. Constitution, the president has broad authority to grant pardons and commutations for federal offenses. The power has long been used by presidents of both parties to extend mercy, correct perceived injustices, and offer individuals a second chance after they have served their sentences.

President Donald Trump made use of that authority throughout his first term, often highlighting cases he believed reflected excessive sentencing or personal rehabilitation. His clemency decisions ranged from high-profile political figures to criminal justice reform cases, including Alice Marie Johnson herself. Johnson, who had been serving a life sentence for a nonviolent drug offense, was granted clemency by Trump in 2018 after serving more than two decades in prison. Her case became a symbol for advocates of criminal justice reform and second chances.

Since then, Johnson has played a visible role in clemency advocacy, working with the administration to review cases and elevate stories of individuals seeking pardons.

GOP Congressman Floats Prospect Of Contempt Charges For Pam Bondi

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Image via Pixabay

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) suggested this week that holding Attorney General Pam Bondi in contempt remains an option as Congress presses the Justice Department over its handling of the long-awaited Epstein files.

Massie, who helped author legislation requiring the release of government records tied to convicted sex predator Jeffrey Epstein, said lawmakers are still not receiving full access to unredacted documents โ€” despite the deadline set by Congress.

Appearing Tuesday on CNNโ€™s The Source with Kaitlan Collins, Massie accused the Justice Department of failing to deliver what the law requires and raised concerns that redactions appear inconsistent and unjustified.

โ€œWe have not had access to totally unredacted files,โ€ Massie said, adding that names such as Epstein associate and former Victoriaโ€™s Secret CEO Leslie Wexner have been blacked out โ€œfor no apparent reason.โ€

Massie said the DOJโ€™s refusal to acknowledge gaps in its production makes it difficult for Congress โ€” and the public โ€” to trust that the full truth is being released.

โ€œIf theyโ€™ll admit that theyโ€™re making mistakes and that their document production is not done, I could trust them,โ€ Massie said. โ€œBut I canโ€™t trust them if they sayโ€ฆ this is it, thereโ€™s no more.โ€

The Kentucky Republican noted he would have limited time to question Bondi when she appeared Wednesday before the House Judiciary Committee, warning that stronger measures could follow if answers are not forthcoming.

Massie first raised the possibility of using Congressโ€™s โ€œinherent contemptโ€ powers against Bondi in a weekend interview, calling it the most direct way to force compliance.

โ€œThe quickest wayโ€ฆ to get justice for these victims is to bring inherent contempt against Pam Bondi,โ€ he said.

Still, Massie acknowledged the challenge of pursuing contempt charges against the nationโ€™s top law enforcement official, noting that referrals often run through the same department under scrutiny.

โ€œYou know, itโ€™s hard to refer a contempt chargeโ€ฆ on an attorney general to the attorney general,โ€ Massie said. โ€œThis is the problem that you run into.โ€

Instead, he suggested Congress may need to compel testimony from individuals named in the documents, similar to efforts already underway by the House Oversight Committee.

Bondiโ€™s appearance on Wednesday quickly turned tense as Democrats confronted her over the Justice Departmentโ€™s redaction process โ€” particularly allegations that some victimsโ€™ identities were improperly exposed while other information, including references to powerful individuals, was withheld.

Watch:

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) pressed Bondi to apologize directly to Epstein survivors seated in the hearing room, accusing the DOJ of mishandling sensitive records.

Bondi declined to issue a direct apology for the departmentโ€™s release process, offering general sympathy for victims but defending the DOJโ€™s actions. The exchange escalated into a sharp back-and-forth, with Bondi accusing Jayapal of engaging in โ€œtheatrics.โ€

Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) struggled to bring the room back to order as lawmakers debated whether the Justice Department has been transparent โ€” or selective โ€” in what it has released.

War Department Takes Out Cartel-Owned Drone

By Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America - Pete Hegseth, CC BY-SA 2.0

On Wednesday morning, the White House confirmed drone activity from Mexican drug cartels caused the sudden closure of U.S. airspace over El Paso, Texas.

In a statement toย Newsweekย the White House said: “Mexican cartel drones breached US airspace. The Department of War took action to disable the drones.

“The FAA and DOW have determined there is no threat to commercial travel.”

A Trump administration official told Fox News that the initial lockdown came in response to “Mexican cartel drones” that breached U.S. airspace. The FAA had announced Wednesday morning that all flights to and from El Paso were being grounded, including commercial, cargo and general aviation. The restriction was initially set to be effective from February 10 at 11:30 p.m. MST to February 20 at 11:30 p.m. MST.

“Mexican cartel drones breached US airspace. The Department of War took action to disable the drones. The FAA and DOW have determined there is no threat to commercial travel,” the official told Fox News.

Restrictions set earlier by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have been lifted and authorities say there remains no threat to commercial air travel.

“The temporary closure of airspace over El Paso has been lifted. There is no threat to commercial aviation. All flights will resume as normal,” the FAA said on its X account.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

GOP Congressman Wildly Says โ€˜a Lot of Congressmen Probably Should Be in Jailโ€™

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Image via Pixabay

Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) raised eyebrows this week after making blunt remarks about corruption in Washington and the lingering unanswered questions surrounding the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

During a Monday appearance on Newsmax, Burchett argued that the Epstein scandal remains one of the clearest examples of how Americaโ€™s political and elite class often operates under a different set of rules than everyday citizens.

Burchettโ€™s comments came as discussion continues about potential upcoming depositions tied to the Epstein investigation, including speculation about former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

By Ralph Alswang, White House photographer – https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/clinton-epstein-maxwell/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143417695

When asked about the possibility of questioning the Clintons, Burchett did not hold back, calling them an โ€œevil pairโ€ and suggesting they have long avoided accountability because of their political skill and influence.

โ€œThereโ€™s a reason that theyโ€™re not in prison and a reason that he was in the White House for two terms and she was secretary of state, because theyโ€™re very slippery and theyโ€™re very smart and I think theyโ€™re an evil pair,โ€ Burchett said.

He went on to argue that while many Americans want answers โ€” particularly given Epsteinโ€™s high-profile connections โ€” he doubts the Clintons or others in their circle will ever face serious consequences.

โ€œI think she is probably the brains behind the operation, but I donโ€™t think weโ€™ll get much on them,โ€ he continued. โ€œI know a lot of people want us to get them, and itโ€™d be great clickbait, Iโ€™m sure, but I think when it comes down to it theyโ€™ll either bail or they wonโ€™t answer very many questions and be very evasive and be very smugโ€ฆโ€

Burchett also expressed frustration with what he described as a two-tiered justice system, where powerful political figures often escape scrutiny while ordinary Americans are held to stricter standards.

โ€œโ€ฆbecause in this world there are two forms of justice โ€“ those like the Clintons and for the rest of us,โ€ he said.

While some commentators have speculated about dramatic legal consequences for high-profile individuals connected to Epstein, Burchett emphasized that Congress itself cannot directly jail anyone.

โ€œEverybody says weโ€™ll put them in handcuffs, all this stuff. All thatโ€™s talk,โ€ he explained. โ€œThe lawโ€™s gotta back you up on it and, you know, we gotta define what those laws were that they broke, and Congress cannot send somebody to jail.โ€

In one of his most striking statements, Burchett suggested that Washingtonโ€™s problems extend far beyond one scandal.

He concluded, โ€œOddly enough, a lot of congressmen probably should be in jail, but the truth is that weโ€™re not gonna. I donโ€™t think itโ€™ll boil down to anything, and thatโ€™s gonna make a lot of people mad, but I believe thatโ€™s the truth.โ€

The Tennessee congressman also weighed in on Epsteinโ€™s longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a prison sentence for her role in Epsteinโ€™s sex trafficking operation.

Burchett predicted that if Maxwell were ever released early, her fate could mirror the suspicious circumstances many Americans still associate with Epsteinโ€™s death.

โ€œI see maybe she gets out early on good behavior and does a humongous book deal and probably ends up committing suicide by getting shot in the back of the head five times because this thing goes very deep and the people involved in it are very powerful,โ€ he said.

Burchett also repeated a belief shared by many skeptics across the country โ€” that Epsteinโ€™s death in federal custody left far too many unanswered questions.

โ€œAnd Iโ€™m still one of those that believe Epstein didnโ€™t kill himself, maโ€™am. I just donโ€™t think he did.โ€

Dan Bongino Returns To Fox News Following Time In Trump Admin

Dan Bongino is officially back at Fox News.

After nearly a year as deputy director of the FBI under President Donald Trump, Bongino has returned to Fox as a contributor, according to a Monday afternoon report from The New York Times media reporter Michael Grynbaum.

His comeback was announced during the Monday night episode of Sean Hannityโ€™s show at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Dan Bongino via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Grynbaum noted that Bongino has expressed regret at times about stepping away from his former life in media. Just weeks into the FBI role, he admitted on Fox & Friends that he missed what he left behind.

โ€œI gave up everything for this,โ€ Bongino said at the time.

First Appearance Back Focuses on High-Profile Disappearance

Bonginoโ€™s first major appearance after returning centered on the disappearance of Nancy Guthrie, the mother of NBC Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.

Speaking on Hannity Monday night, Bongino outlined three troubling possibilities in the case, emphasizing that investigators are still operating with very limited evidence.

โ€œThe first [possibility] would be, obviously, it’s a kidnapping. That was an intended kidnapping for a ransom paymentโ€ฆโ€ he said.

He then explained a second scenario โ€” that the situation may have spiraled out of another crime entirely.

โ€œThe second possibility would be this was just a crime that went awry. Someone was at the house, maybe it was a burglary, maybe something went bad, and you’ve got some bad actors committing another crime unrelated โ€” in other words, requesting a ransom for something you didn’t do just to take advantage of a situation like this.โ€

Bonginoโ€™s third possibility raised an even more unsettling idea: that the disappearance may not involve a kidnapping at all.

The third possibility, he said, is that Guthrieโ€™s disappearance could have resulted from a medical emergency or another non-criminal event that was later misunderstood or misrepresented.

Bongino Highlights Lack of Evidence

Bongino pointed to the complete absence of digital and forensic indicators โ€” no DNA, no license plate hits, no cellphone activity, and no surveillance leads โ€” as a major reason investigators are struggling.

He explained that when authorities cannot locate someone within the first few days, it can suggest either extremely sophisticated perpetrators or something else entirely.

โ€œThe story youโ€™ve been told, or you may have believed may not be the story,โ€ he said.

While Bongino declined to push one theory more strongly than the others, he emphasized that the lack of proof-of-life communication is unusual for legitimate ransom kidnappings.

He also referenced commentary from veteran FBI Special Agent Lance Leising, noting that real ransom cases typically involve rapid contact and early confirmation that the victim is alive โ€” patterns missing here.

Multi-Agency Search Continues

Nancy Guthrie vanished from her Arizona home earlier this month, triggering a multi-agency investigation that now includes the FBI.

As the search intensified, Savannah Guthrie issued an emotional public plea, describing the situation as an โ€œhour of desperation.โ€

Authorities are also investigating an alleged ransom note tied to the disappearance, though the deadline referenced in the note passed Monday night without proof of life or resolution.

Back to Media โ€” and Still on Rumble

Bongino will continue hosting his podcast on Rumble, which he recently rebooted after leaving the FBI in December.

Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham said at the time she wasnโ€™t surprised by Bonginoโ€™s departure, noting that he โ€œloved his lucrative media lifeโ€ and wanted to โ€œget back to it.โ€

President Trump joined Bonginoโ€™s first show back on Rumble.

The president made headlines during his appearance when he saidย Republicansย should โ€œnationalizeโ€ the voting processย in order to block โ€œcrookedโ€ Democrat-led states from allowing illegal immigrants to vote.

โ€œThese people were brought to our country to vote, and they vote illegally,โ€ Trump said. โ€œAnd itโ€™s amazing the Republicans arenโ€™t tougher on it. The Republicans should say, โ€˜We want to take over, we should take over the voting in at least 15 places.โ€™โ€

The White House initially sought to soften Trumpโ€™s remarks, but the president doubled down on Tuesday, arguing that federal intervention could be warranted if states fail to administer elections fairly.

โ€œIf states canโ€™t count the votes legally and honestly, then somebody else should take over,โ€ Trump said. โ€œThe federal government should get involved.โ€

Trump framed his argument as a response to what he described as โ€œcorruptionโ€ at the state and local level, particularly in more than a dozen states he has criticized in recent months.

In response, Sen. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) said he plans to introduce a Senate resolution on Monday denouncing any effort by a president to โ€œnationalizeโ€ or โ€œtake overโ€ state-run election systems ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Democrat Senator Warns Trump Planning a โ€˜Coordinated Effort to Try to Interfereโ€™ in the Midterms

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Missvain, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, is raising concerns about what he claims could be an effort by President Donald Trump and his allies to influence the 2026 midterm elections.

Speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill Thursday, Warner suggested that Trumpโ€™s recent comments about Republicans needing to โ€œtake overโ€ elections from the states could signal broader plans to challenge state-run election systems.

โ€œIt appears there may be a coordinated effort to try to interfere in the โ€˜26 midterms,โ€ Warner said. He added that he is concerned, โ€œThey may even start to interfere in the primaries.โ€

Watch:

Trump and many Republicans have argued for years that election administration should be strengthened through tighter oversight and more uniform standards, particularly after disputes over voting procedures in 2020. Democrats, however, have increasingly framed these efforts as threats to democracy.

Warner Criticizes Tulsi Gabbardโ€™s Role in Georgia Investigation

Warner also expressed anger over Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbardโ€™s reported involvement in a federal raid in Fulton County, Georgia, where officials seized ballots and voter information as part of an investigation.

While details surrounding the raid remain unclear, Warner compared the situation to Watergate-era abuses of power โ€” an analogy Democrats have frequently used in recent years when criticizing Trump.

In a clip posted to social media, Warner said:

โ€œThe Nixon era is back. What do I mean? Richard Nixon is most infamously known for Watergate, where he intervened in a domestic political effort under the guise of the Watergate break-in. He knew what was going on before the fact. Well, it appears the same is true.โ€

Warner claimed testimony suggested Gabbard traveled to Atlanta because Trump personally asked her to.

โ€œIt appears the same is true. We got testimony yesterday that Tulsi Gabbard was down in Atlanta for that crazy raid on the voting machines because Trump asked her to go.โ€

Warner then questioned how Trump would have known about the investigation ahead of time:

โ€œWell, how the hell did Trump know there was about to be a warrant issued in a lame criminal investigation before the act took place? How did he let Gabbard know to go there?โ€

He also criticized reports that Trump spoke directly with FBI agents involved in the case:

โ€œThis is not how American justice should work. When, when, when will any of my Republican colleagues find a spine?โ€

Democrats Claim Raid May Have Been Improper

In another clip posted Wednesday, Warner suggested the FBI raid itself may have been unlawful, pointing to leadership changes under FBI Director Kash Patel.

โ€œWe have seen Kash Patel basically decimate the leadership of the FBI to the point that that raidโ€ฆ the FBI agent in charge of that office got fired because I donโ€™t believe he felt this was legal.โ€

Warner also argued that Gabbard, as DNI, should not have been involved in what he called a โ€œdomestic criminal investigation.โ€

โ€œThe director of national intelligence, who showed up at that domestic criminal investigation where she had no right to be thereโ€ฆโ€

He continued by questioning whether anyone in the administration attempted to stop Trump from contacting agents directly:

โ€œI know Trump doesnโ€™t know the law, but wasnโ€™t there anybody in the White House Counsel that said, โ€˜Mr. President, you shouldnโ€™t be talking to FBI agentsโ€ฆโ€™โ€

Warner concluded with a sharp personal attack on Gabbard:

โ€œThis is a guy thatโ€™s being enhanced by a rogue DNI whoโ€™s way over her skis in terms of knowledge or competency.โ€

Political Stakes Rising as 2026 Approaches

Warnerโ€™s comments come as Democrats increasingly warn of authoritarianism and election manipulation, themes expected to dominate campaign messaging heading into 2026.

Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that ensuring election integrity โ€” including investigating irregularities and enforcing stricter standards โ€” is a legitimate government responsibility, not โ€œinterference.โ€

Suspect Arrested In Attempted Murder Plot Targeting OMB Director Russell Vought

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A Maryland man has been accused of attempting to murder Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, according to NewsNation.

Court records from Arlington General District Court show that Colin Demarco was arrested on Jan. 22 and arraigned the following day. Records indicate he faces multiple charges, including first-degree attempted murder, first-degree solicitation to commit murder, wearing a mask in certain places, and carrying a concealed firearm, a misdemeanor.

Demarco is accused of plotting to kill Vought, a law enforcement source briefed on the case told NewsNation.

Police say they were called to a Virginia residence on Aug. 10 after a witness reported that a man wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves appeared to be standing on Voughtโ€™s porch while possibly concealing a firearm under his shirt.

According to authorities, the suspect approached the witness and asked about Vought before leaving the scene.

Investigators later identified Demarco as the man described and executed search warrants that reportedly uncovered evidence tying him to the alleged plot. NewsNation reported that authorities found Demarco had obtained directions to the budget directorโ€™s home, had posted online about the victim, and had engaged in online discussions that appeared to solicit others to murder Vought.

Demarco is currently being held without bond. He is scheduled to appear in court again on Feb. 23 for a preliminary hearing. Court records list him as being represented by a public defender.

The case comes amid heightened concern nationwide over threats directed at public officials. In recent years, federal authorities have warned of an increase in violent rhetoric and plots targeting government figures across the political spectrum, including presidents, members of Congress, and senior administration officials.

Earlier this week, Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years over his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course.

Prosecutors argued that Routh, 60, should get a life sentence after a jury last year convicted him on five counts for allegedly plotting โ€œpainstakingly to kill President Trump, and [taking] significant steps toward making that happen.โ€ 

โ€œRouthโ€™s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence โ€” he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims,โ€ prosecutors argued in a court filing. 

During the September trial, a jury quickly found Routh guilty on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer. 

Routh allegedly hid in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle towards Trump and a Secret Service agent. 

Man Who Falsely Claimed To shoot Charlie Kirk Sentenced To Prison

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Image via Pixabay

In a strikingly bizarre footnote to the tragic assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a Utah man who falsely claimed responsibility for the fatal shooting has now been sentenced and faces up to 15 years in prison.

Seventy-one-year-old George Hodgson Zinn โ€” who dramatically approached law enforcement at Utah Valley University, yelling โ€œI shot him โ€” now shoot meโ€ moments after Kirk was gunned down โ€” has now pleaded no contest to obstruction of justice and guilty to two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, according to court records.

While Zinnโ€™s initial false confession drew headlines and confusion during the chaotic aftermath of the shooting โ€” leading some to believe he was the shooter โ€” investigators quickly ruled him out as a suspect in Kirkโ€™s assassination.

During questioning at a hospital after the incident, Zinn shocked authorities by admitting he had child sexual abuse material on his phone. A warrant later uncovered more than 20 images depicting abused minors, and prosecutors charged him accordingly.

In Salt Lake County district court, Zinn was sentenced to zero to five years for obstruction and one to 15 years for each exploitation count, with the judge ordering the terms to run concurrently. The exact amount of time he will serve will be decided by the Utah parole board.


Remembering Charlie Kirk: A Conservative Voice Silenced

The backdrop to this strange prosecution is one of the most shocking episodes of political violence in recent U.S. history. On Sept. 10, 2025, Charlie Kirk โ€” founder and executive director of the conservative youth advocacy group Turning Point USA and a leading voice in the MAGA movement โ€” was assassinated by a sniper while speaking at an outdoor event on the Utah Valley University campus.

Kirk, just 31 years old, had become one of the most recognizable young conservative figures in America. He built Turning Point USA from a student organization into a powerful grassroots force shaping Republican campaigns, energizing young voters, and challenging campus liberal orthodoxy across the country.

Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

His death prompted an outpouring of grief and outrage from Republican leaders and conservative grassroots activists, who saw the attack as not just a crime but part of a broader pattern of hostility toward conservatives. Thousands attended memorial events, and his legacy has become a rallying point in debates over political violence and free speech on college campuses and beyond.

The suspect in the shooting โ€” 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson โ€” was later arrested and charged with aggravated murder. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty, underscoring the gravity of the crime and the national attention still focused on the case.


What This Means Going Forward

Zinnโ€™s sentencing closes one strange chapter in the unfolding story of the Kirk assassination, but it also highlights the turmoil that followed one of the most prominent conservative leaders of his generation. A man who tried โ€” for reasons still unclear โ€” to throw law enforcement off the trail of the real shooter now faces prison time for his own criminal behavior.

Attempted Trump Assassination Suspect Sentenced In Court

Just in…

On Wednesday, Ryan Routh was sentenced to life in prison plus seven years over his attempt to assassinate Donald Trump on a Florida golf course.

Prosecutors argued that Routh, 60, should get a life sentence after a jury last yearย convicted him on five countsย for allegedly plotting โ€œpainstakingly to kill President Trump, and [taking] significant steps toward making that happen.โ€ย 

โ€œRouthโ€™s crimes undeniably warrant a life sentence — he took steps over the course of months to assassinate a major presidential candidate, demonstrated the will to kill anybody in the way, and has since expressed neither regret nor remorse to his victims,โ€ prosecutors argued in a court filing. 

During the September trial, a jury quickly found Routh guilty on five felony counts, including attempted assassination of a major presidential candidate and assaulting a federal officer.ย 

Routh allegedly hid in the bushes of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach and pointed a military-grade SKS rifle towards Trump and a Secret Service agent. 

โ€œRouthโ€™s crimes of conviction reflect careful plotting, extensive premeditation, and a cowardly disregard for human life,โ€ prosecutors wrote. โ€œRouthโ€™s motive for his crimes was unconscionable โ€“ preventing the American people from electing the candidate of their choice for President. Routhโ€™s gloss on his crimes has always been that anything he may have done was justified by events in Ukraine or American domestic politics.โ€

Since his conviction, Routh was appointed an attorney and has requested a 27-year sentence that would allow him to โ€œexperience freedom again as opposed to dying in prison.โ€ His lawyer argued that Routh could not have a fair trial because he represented himself, even though Routh made that decision after repeated warnings about the potential consequences.ย 

Routh represented himself at trial and attempted to argue that he never intended to harm Trump or the Secret Service agent, claiming his actions were a form of protest

Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump-appointed judge, dismissed the criminal case against the president in 2024ย related to his handling of classified documents.ย Routh unsuccessfully attempted to have Cannon removed from the case by arguing her appointment by Trump is a conflict of interest.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

House Panel Uncovers ‘Substantial Evidence’ In Fraud Probe Into Florida Democrat

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The House Ethics Committee has found โ€œsubstantial reason to believeโ€ that Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) violated multiple federal laws, House rules, and ethical standards, according to a report released Thursday.

The bipartisan panel said its investigative subcommittee is formally โ€œbringing the chargesโ€ against Cherfilus-McCormick, citing potential violations of campaign finance laws and regulations, criminal statutes tied to campaign finance misconduct, the Ethics in Government Act, the Code of Ethics for Government Service, and several House rules.

The findings come as Cherfilus-McCormick already faces serious legal trouble. In November, a federal grand jury indicted the congresswoman on charges that she stole $5 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds and used a portion of that money to bankroll her political campaign.

Prosecutors allege that in July 2021, Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother received a $5 million overpayment from FEMA while their health care company was working under a FEMA-funded staffing contract related to COVID-19 vaccinations. At the time, Cherfilus-McCormick was serving as the companyโ€™s CEO.

Rather than returning the money, federal authorities claim the congresswoman and her brother conspired to keep it, routing the funds through multiple bank accounts in an effort to โ€œdisguiseโ€ their source.

According to the Ethics Committee report, investigators uncovered evidence that aligns closely with the criminal indictmentโ€”and, in some cases, points to broader misconduct.

โ€œThe ISCโ€™s [Investigative Subcommittee] investigation has revealed substantial evidence of conduct consistent with the allegations in the indictment, as well as more extensive misconduct as laid out in the following Statement of Facts in Support of Alleged Violations related to violations of federal laws and regulations, as well as ethical standards,โ€ the report said.

Cherfilus-McCormick forcefully denied wrongdoing and criticized the committeeโ€™s process.

โ€œTodayโ€™s action was taken without giving me a fair opportunity to rebut or defend myself due to the constraints of an ongoing legal process,โ€ she said. โ€œI reject these allegations and remain confident the full facts will make clear I did nothing wrong. Until then, my focus remains where it belongs: delivering for my constituents and continuing the work they sent me to Washington to do.โ€

The investigative subcommittee detailed the scope of its work, noting it reviewed more than 33,000 documents, conducted 28 witness interviews, sent 30 requests for information, issued 59 subpoenas, and met 12 times across the 118th and 119th Congresses.

The report also highlighted Cherfilus-McCormickโ€™s lack of cooperation in the later stages of the investigation. While she initially produced some records, the congresswoman ultimately invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination after being subpoenaed for documents and testimony.