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Report: FBI Raids Home Of Larry Hogan’s Ex-Chief Of Staff

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
Image via Pixabay images

The manhunt for former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s ex-chief of staff is escalating.

The FBI has raided the Florida home of Roy McGrath, just two days after the former chief of staff failed to appear in Baltimore on Monday for the start of his criminal trial.

Joseph Murtha, McGrath’s attorney, confirmed the search in a phone interview with The Associated Press Wednesday afternoon. An FBI spokesperson confirmed to the outlet that agents “conducted court-authorized activity at that residence” but declined to elaborate.

“I haven’t a clue. I didn’t see this coming,” he said. “This behavior is so out of the ordinary for him. Obviously, his personal safety is a concern.”

The U.S. Marshals Service released a wanted poster for McGrath on Tuesday after U.S. District Court Judge Deborah Boardman issued an arrest warrant

https://twitter.com/officer_Lew/status/1635712508752441346

Earlier this week, McGrath’s attorney said he had no reason to believe his client would skip out on court, noting he had a substantive conversation about the case Sunday evening. (RELATED: Federal Judge Issues Arrest Warrant For Former GOP Governor’s Ex-Chief Of Staff)

“I looked forward to seeing him at 8:45 this morning,” Murtha said on the day of McGrath’s scheduled appearance. “Most importantly, I’m concerned. I’m hoping he’s safe. These situations are very stressful, the uncertainty of going to trial can cause people to do things many people don’t think are appropriate. We hope that he’s safe.”

McGrath is facing an eight-count federal indictment stemming from a criminal corruption investigation. Charges include wire fraud, including securing a $233,648 severance payment equal to one year of salary as the head of Maryland Environmental Service. He also faces fraud and embezzlement charges connected to roughly $170,000 in expenses. McGrath has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

McGrath resigned from Hogan’s office a few months after the six-figure payment was reported.

According to Fox News, McGrath gave up his passport in October 2021 as part of terms set in his pretrial release.

Authorities have yet to locate McGrath.

This is a breaking news story. Click refresh for the latest updates.

Report: Former Governor Will Make Final White House Decision in Next 60 Days

By
Madeleine Jackson
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Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Is the Republican primary field about to gain another contender?

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R) said that he will decide on whether to make another bid for the presidency in the next 45 to 60 days.

“I think running for president of the United States is an intensely personal decision. And that’s one that anybody who’s considering it should have the right to make on their own regardless of anybody else’s thoughts on it,” Christine told the Washington Examiner.

Christie, who ran for the Republican nomination in 2016, told the Examiner that the GOP should have a “robust primary” given the losses the party suffered over the last four years. He noted that former President Trump is “weaker” now than he was leading up to the 2020 election.

“With Donald Trump at the top of the ticket, you can be sure of the fact that we’ll have another four years of Joe Biden, and that to me is not acceptable for this country,” he said.

Christie, who is a regular political commentator on ABC, has previously criticized Trump even after working on his 2016 and 2020 campaigns, saying earlier this month that “he’s not what he used to be.”

Christie is scheduled to speak at an event in New Hampshire later this month, marking the latest Republican to travel to early primary states. Last week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis traveled to Iowa, sparking fresh 2024 speculation.

Amanda Head: Leftist Censorship is Now Targeting Talk Radio!

By
Amanda Head
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7
Image from Pixabay free images

Nothing is off limits to the radical left…

Electric vehicle producers are contemplating removing AM radio from future models citing safety concerns…but there’s more to it.

Watch Amanda explain the controversy below:

Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.

Freedom Caucus Congressman Preemptivley Endorses Ron DeSantis for President

By
Madeleine Jackson
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9

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has seemingly scored his first Congressional endorsement and he hasn’t even launched his campaign.

On Wednesday, Texas Rep. Chip Roy preemptively endorsed the Florida Governor for president

“The next President of the United States must be a vibrant and energetic leader with the faith, vision, and courage to chart a new course,” Roy said in an email to supporters from his campaign account on Wednesday.

“America needs a leader who will truly defend her and empower the people against the destructive force of unrestrained government and corporate excess, profligate spending, and woke cultural indoctrination.”

“That leader is Florida Governor Ron DeSantis,” Roy said.

The Texas lawmaker has become one of the most vocal hardline Republicans in the House, and his decision to endorse DeSantis is a notable rejection of former President Trump.

Rep. Roy broke with Trump ahead of and on Jan. 6, 2021, criticizing his move to pressure Republicans to reject the 2020 presidential election results.

The Texas congressman praised DeSantis’s “faith in god” and his being a “dedicated husband and father.”

DeSantis’s “non-politically correct” stances and rejection of “woke corporate America and higher education,” Roy argued, are also reason to support him.

The House Freedom Caucus member did not directly mention Trump but pointed to disappointing 2022 midterm election losses that were widely attributed to Trump-boosted candidates falling short.

“[DeSantis] has also proven his ability to win at the ballot box time and time again. When other Republicans were faltering in key races, Governor DeSantis provided a positive vision for the future with prudent, conservative action. The result was crystal clear: Republicans enjoyed sweeping, historic performances statewide,” Roy said.

Roy appears to be DeSantis’s first official Congressional endorsement for president. Several other Republicans have endorsed Trump, while Rep. Ralph Norman endorsed former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.

Ron DeSantis Hit With Ethics Complaint From Trump Super PAC

By
Madeleine Jackson
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Ron DeSantis via Gage Skidmore Flickr

A political action committee supporting former President Donald Trump has filed an ethics complaint against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis ahead of his expected 2024 announcement.

Make America Great Again Inc. claims the Sunshine State governor has violated state ethics and election laws with his “shadow presidential campaign.” 

On Wednesday, the group filed the complaint with the state’s Commission on Ethics, a majority of which are DeSantis appointees.

NBC News first reported the complaint alleges that DeSantis has already checked all the boxes for someone considering a run for the White House, including making stops in early primary states; writing a book; raising tens of millions of dollars to go into a state-level committee that could be transferred to a federal super PAC; and watching a constellation of supporter-led super PACs and an outside nonprofit group pop up, some with the stated intention of getting DeSantis to run for president.

The pro-Trump super PAC says the combination of those steps violates a handful of Florida laws about officeholders’ accepting illegal gifts.

“This letter provides ample evidence to support a finding of probable cause by the Florida Commission on Ethics that Governor DeSantis, in concert with certain associated political committees, political consultants and a 501(c)(4) organization, has solicited and received millions of dollars’ worth of illegal gifts in violation of Florida State ethics laws and the Florida Constitution,” the draft complaint reads. 

While the group undoubtedly faces an uphill battle against DeSantis, if the governor did face penalties, they could include fines, public censure, ballot disqualification, removal from office or impeachment.

The governor has brushed off the lawsuit.

“Adding this to the list of frivolous and politically motivated attacks — it’s inappropriate to use state ethics for partisan purposes,” said Taryn Fenske, DeSantis’ communications director.

Read a copy of the formal complaint below:

It is addressed to chairman of the Ethics Commission, Glenton Gilzean, whom DeSantis appointed.  

Trump-Super-PAC-v.-DeSantisDownload

Super PACs, known as independent expenditure-only committees, are legally allowed to raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, unions, associations and individuals, and to spend unlimited sums to support or oppose political candidates. Unlike traditional PACs, they are prohibited under long-standing federal rules from either coordinating or contributing directly to a candidate or candidate’s campaign. 

Ex-Project Veritas Boss Reveals ‘Big Announcement’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC via Wikimedia Commons

    What will James O’Keefe do next?

    The recently ousted boss of investigative journalism operation Project Veritas has just launched a new business venture.

    On Twitter, O’Keefe had hinted he planned to reveal his latest venture on Wednesday.

    “The Ides of March have come. We launch today.” O’Keefe tweeted.

    “The Ides of March” is a reference to the death of ancient Roman dictator Julius Cesar, who was assassinated on the Ides of March in 44 BC by political allies. O’Keefe was ousted last month by Project Veritas’ board of directors over claims of employer abuse.

    American Liberty News previously reported that O’Keefe’s allies revealed that he read his resignation letter in front of his former team and board members at Project Veritas’ Mamaroneck, New York headquarters. (RELATED: James O’Keefe Gone as Head of Project Veritas)

    Earlier this week, O’Keefe called on his supporters to “enlist in his army,” instructing individuals to purchase hidden cameras and send a message to a protected email account.

    Project Veritas regularly uses tactics like hidden cameras during sting investigations.

    During a recent appearance at CPAC, O’Keefe strongly hinted that he may set up another investigative journalism group. (RELATED: James O’Keefe Reemerges at CPAC, Hints at Next Steps)

    “Courage is the virtue that sustains all others, and without that you really can’t do journalism,” he said. “I’m not stopping or giving up.”

    On Wednesday, O’Keefe announced the launch of O’Keefe Media Group

    This story is breaking. Click refresh for the latest updates.

    DOJ Prosecutors Ask Judge to Reject White House Adviser’s Executive Privilege Claims

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0

    The Justice Department is urging a judge to reject at trial former Trump Administration security adviser Peter Navarro‘s claims of executive privilege.

    On Tuesday, the DOJ filed a last-minute response after Navarro successfully delayed the trial after forwarding a January letter from former President Trump’s attorney shortly before arguments were scheduled to begin.

    According to The Hill, the DOJ argues the letter does not change the case, as the jury “should be charged with deciding only the essential elements of the charged offense, that is: whether the Defendant knew he had been subpoenaed by the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol…to produce documents and appear for a deposition, and nonetheless made a deliberate decision not to do either.”

    Navarro was subpoenaed by the now-disbanded committee in February of last year as lawmakers sought to speak to the trade and coronavirus adviser about the Navarro Report, a three-part series he compiled claiming to “provide a demonstration that President Trump had a good faith belief that the November 3, 2020 Presidential election results, were, indeed, the poisonous fruit of widespread fraud and election irregularities.” 

    At the time, Navarro claimed executive privilege, however, it took nearly a year for Trump to make such an assertion through his lawyer.

    Numerous Trump officials have claimed executive privilege as the DOJ has sought to compel their testimony.

    The House voted to hold Navarro in contempt of Congress last April.

    But the filing also argues that such a privilege cannot be used as a blanket excuse to avoid all questions, noting the committee largely wished to speak with Navarro about “matters undertaken in his personal capacity with persons outside the government” rather than any conversations he may have had with Trump.

    “Because the Defendant failed to raise an immunity claim with the committee, he should not now be allowed to invoke testimonial immunity after the fact to foreclose prosecution,” DOJ wrote. 

    Analysis: Corporate America Has Donated $82 Billion To BLM-Related Causes

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    0
    A protester holds up a Black Lives Matter sign outside the Hennepin County Government Center.

    A new analysis is revealing the price tag of corporate America’s woke donations.

    According to the latest reports from the Claremont Institute shows corporations have donated over $82 billion to Black Lives Matter-related causes.

    According to The Daily Wire, the BLM Funding Database is a part of Claremont’s American Way of Life project.

    In a column announcing the new tool, Claremont stated that the $82.9 billion given so far “includes more than $123 million to the BLM parent organizations directly. These figures, while shocking, likely underrepresent the true magnitude of the shakedown as some companies failed to make known their contributions, and many BLM organizations remain unknown.”

    In the aftermath of the 2020 George Floyd riots, numerous American corporations lined up to direct funds towards BLM-related causes, as well as cut ties with Republicans. For example, BlackRock has pledged $810 million to BLM-related groups in the future.

    “Blackrock instituted a $10M action plan, including $5M to organizations supporting racial equity, $5M fund to elevate Black and Latinx social entrepreneurs, and a doubling of its employee charitable gift matching program from $5K to $10K per donation,” the database claims. “It also established an $800M Impact Opportunities Fund to back businesses or projects serving BIPOC communities. About $80M of the fund deployed as of May, 2022.”

    The now infamous Silicon Valley Bank, which critics have said failed due in part to its focus on woke causes, gave more than $73 million BLM and related groups.

    However, Claremont reports that very little of the money featured in the database actually goes to helping poor black Americans. Instead, a majority of funds have been directed towards promoting controversial ideologies such as critical race theory and gender theory. Critics have also accused BLM leaders of profiting from the donations.

    Last year,  Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation leader Shalomyah Bowers was accused of stealing more than $10 million from the organization for personal use. (RELATED: Black Lives Matter Official Stole Millions From Organization)

    Bowers was hired by Marxist Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors in 2020 to help raise money. In the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, Bowers was described as a “rogue administrator, a middle man turned usurper” who siphoned contributions to the nonprofit activist group to use as a “personal piggy bank.”

    Treasury Department To Hand Over Suspicious Activity Reports Related To Hunter Biden Probe To GOP-Led Committee

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      President Joe Biden hugs his family during the 59th Presidential Inauguration ceremony in Washington, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol. (DOD Photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Carlos M. Vazquez II)

      The Department of Treasury has finally agreed to hand over suspicious activity reports (SARs) related to Hunter Biden’s foreign business deals to the House Oversight Committee.

      Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) initially requested information about the Biden family and their associates’ business transactions flagged by U.S. banks in January.

      Under federal law, when banks suspect suspicious overseas activity by an account holder, it submits a “suspicious activity report” or “SAR” to the Treasury Department. 

      However, the Department’s delay in responding to the requests triggered an investigation into the matter and prompted Comer to hold a March 10 hearing to examine the Treasury Department’s sudden refusal.(RELATED: Why Did Treasury Cover Up Suspicious Activity By Biden Family? Congress Is Now Investigating)

      “Biden’s Treasury Department continues to make excuses for its failure to provide the suspicious activity reports that are critical to our investigation of the Biden family’s business schemes,” said Comer in a statement last week.

      On Tuesday, the Kentucky Congressman announced the sudden change according to Fox News.

      “After two months of dragging their feet, the Treasury Department is finally providing us with access to the suspicious activity reports for the Biden family and their associates’ business transactions,” Comer said. “It should never have taken us threatening to hold a hearing and conduct a transcribed interview with an official under the penalty of perjury for Treasury to finally accommodate part of our request.”

      Hunter Biden is faced federal investigations into his finances since 2018.

      Earlier this month, Comer called on Treasury Department official Jonathan Davidson, who serves as assistant secretary for legislative affairs, to appear for a transcribed interview “to explain why “the agency had not provided the requested information.”

      However, Davidson’s interview has now been postponed because the Department has fulfilled the request.

      Earlier this month, Davidson responded to Comer’s letter explaining the Treasury Department’s process to ensure that the “law enforcement sensitive material is identified and handled appropriately,” but said the process was “well underway” to respond to the committee’s request. 

      “The Department has been working to complete all necessary review, including consultation with law enforcement agencies,” Davidson wrote in the March 3 letter to Comer. “These processes ensure that sensitive material extraneous to the Committee’s inquiry is not inadvertently disclosed and that law enforcement sensitive material is identified and handled appropriately.” 

      Davidson explained that “review of law enforcement sensitive materials is a standard aspect of the process of providing Congress with access to BSA-protected information.” 

      “All of these processes—which are designed to ensure proper protection of potential or ongoing investigations and other law enforcement interests—are already well underway for your request, but they take time,” Davidson wrote. “The Department is working to complete these processes as soon as possible and consistent with the timeframes for processing similar requests in the past, including requests received from committee chairs in the prior Congress that took months to complete.” 

      Amanda Head: Vax Pusher Bruce Springsteen Cancels 3rd Concert This Week Over Illness

      By
      Amanda Head
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      0

      His fans have had enough…

      Watch Amanda explain the latest controversy below:

      Opinions expressed by contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of Great America News Desk.

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