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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration’s newest try and go after Democratic lawmakers is falling flat.
What occurred? On Tuesday night, we realized {that a} Washington, DC, grand jury had rejected prices sought by the Justice Division in opposition to six Democratic lawmakers — Sens. Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Reps. Jason Crow, Maggie Goodlander, Chrissy Houlahan, and Chris Deluzio. Their alleged crime? Filming a video reminding troopers that they’ll refuse illegal orders.
Why does this matter? We don’t know what prices Jeanine Pirro, the US legal professional for DC, tried to deliver, however the resolution to take action, and the failure to take action efficiently, are each exceptional.
Whereas Trump described the video as “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” in a social media put up shortly after it was launched, it’s not clear what sort of legal statute lawmakers might have violated. That mentioned, till just lately, it was additionally extremely uncommon for a grand jury to reject prices introduced by a prosecutor.
The DOJ’s twin failures are a pointed reminder that the division, which is historically nonpartisan, has change into extremely politicized — and markedly incompetent.
What’s the context? The Trump administration has additionally tried to punish Kelly, a retired Navy captain, for the video by means of the navy justice system, together with threatening a court-martial; presently, it’s attempting to scale back his rank and pay.
And Kelly and the opposite Democrats aren’t alone in being focused by Trump’s DOJ. Final yr, indictments in opposition to each former FBI director James Comey and New York state Legal professional Basic Letitia James had been dismissed after a decide concluded the US legal professional who introduced them was improperly appointed to her position.
What’s the large image? Trump has large ambitions for punishing his enemies, and a distinctly flustered Capitol Hill efficiency by Legal professional Basic Pam Bondi on Wednesday means that the strain could be very a lot nonetheless on. However thus far, they hold failing — and that, as my colleague Zack Beauchamp wrote final yr, is a cheering prospect.
And with that, it’s time to sign off…
There’s no scarcity of nice Olympics tales on the market proper now, however let’s go along with determine skating for right now, the place American Ilia Malinin is doing unimaginable issues on the ice. Probably the most exceptional, although, is only for kicks: Malinin’s breathtaking full backflip is value no factors. He’s doing it anyway, and he’s effectively on his option to a person gold medal.
As at all times, thanks for studying, have an incredible night, and we’ll see you tomorrow!
