So...

Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) says he was denied a prison visit to Peter Navarro.. and it’s now sparking a review of the US Bureau of Prisons by Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee

(MORE) GOP-led Judicary Cmte has asked director of Bureau of Prisons to testify at public hearing next month, to question decision to deny recent interview/meeting between Navarro & Rep. Gaetz

Navarro is serving 4-month prison sentence at fed prison in Miami for contempt of Congress

Justice Dept seeks a *140 months* prison in Capitol riot case of Leo Bozell, son of a prominent conservative media activist

That'd be one of the longest prison sentences issued in any Jan 6 case so far.. and the feds' argument is lengthy and striking

(MORE) Justice Dept argues Bozell's case qualifies for a terrorism enhancement at sentencing, which swells the potential sentencing guidelines

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco…

FLASH: Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) & his wife have been indicted

Justice Dept alleges they accepted at least $598,000 in bribes from two foreign entities:

1) oil & gas company wholly owned & controlled by Government of Azerbaijan

2) a bank headquartered in Mexico City" Justice Dept charging document against Rep. Henry Cuellar (more): "Cuellar promised to use the power and prestige of his office to advance Azerbaijan’s and Foreign Bank-1’s interests in the United States"

Judge sentences Capitol riot defendant Ryan Nichols to 5 years prison and a whopping $200,000 fine

Feds argued he was equipped w/ ballistic plate & crowbar.. "proclaimed on Facebook that “we’re bringing the wrath of God, and there’s not a F**ING thing you can do to stop it,” “If Pence doesn’t do the right thing, WE FIGHT" Feds argued Nichols was "featured in video of the so-called choir of January 6 defendants, although it is unclear if the defendant has received any funds from his participation because organizers stated the Choir’s 'proceeds do not benefit families of people who assaulted a police officer”

Some interesting exchanges at House Subcommittee on Weaponization of Federal Govt hearing just now .. into Biden Administration efforts to combat COVID misinformation and conspiracy theories...

At outset of hearing, one House Democrat called for the disbanding of the committee, "It is safe to say this effort is not even in the same league as the January 6th Committee"

(MORE) House Republicans, led by Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH) accused the Biden Administration of using "bias" seeking to kick people off of Facebook and "censorship" as Admin. countered COVID claims on social media

(MORE)

Scorching criticisms of Supreme Court handling of Trump "presidential immunity" argument from Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), a Jan 6 Select Cmte member, on MSNBC

"Rather than decide the case before them, they are going off on tangents that will lead to further delay"

(MORE) Rep. Lofgren (D-CA): "It can't be in our system that a president who tried to overturn the government to stay in power will not be tried before the next election. This is really outrageous."

STAND BY: I'll be in studio for our @CBSNews special coverage of the Supreme Court arguments on Trump's claim of "presidential immunity" in the 2020 election conspiracy case

Watch here soon after 10am:

cbsnews.com/live/ It's worth noting: "Presidential Immunity" is just one of the claims Trump made to disrupt the Special Counsel's prosecution for election subversion and Trump's ties to the Jan 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol

(more)

HEADS UP: Sentencing is beginning now in high-level Capitol riot case of Andrew Taake

He was accused of brandishing metal whip against police… and of assaulting police with chemical spray and causing injuries

(More) Judge Carl Nichols has just read an excerpt from a police officer’s victim impact statement. Officer said he/she was “immediately blinded” by the chem spray… and that it felt “like living death”.. and officer struck head on scaffolding after being sprayed

Ahead of today's sentencing of Jan 6 misdemeanor defendant Kimberly Dragoo, feds note post-arrest statements:

"Once Kimberly’s federal charges were unsealed and reported on by a local news organization, she reposted the news alert and commented that “No charges have been filed!!!"

They say she also wrote to local school board to say she was "innocent until proven guilty"... two months *after* she pleaded guilty Hoo boy. This hearing didn't go quietly. A set of arguments and proclamations unlike I've heard in other Jan 6 cases

Stand by

"They loaded up a van with weapons and traveled across the country with the single-minded purpose to obstruct the certification of the Electoral College results"

Feds seek 8-years prison for Jan 6 defendants linked to 3-%ers, found guilty of conspiracy

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.usco… MORE: Justice Dept seeks 8-years prison for Erik Warner, Derek Kinnison & Ronald Mele

78 months prison for Felipe Martinez

"On Jan 6.. wearing tactical gear & carrying weapons, they knowingly, voluntarily & enthusiastically joined forces with others in forming a mob that accomplished their goal—for a time"

The US House Rules Committee takes up the following bills next week ("messaging bills" that will not become law)

"Stop Unaffordable Dishwasher Standards Act"
"Affordable Air Conditioning Act"
"Refrigerator Freedom Act"
"Clothes Dryers Reliability Act"
"Liberty in Laundry Act"
"Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act" Democrats plan some amendments on these appliance-related bills, including one that'd require the House debate and pass Ukraine aid

Some tense moments just now at sentencing of Jan 6 defendant Antony Vo

Defense tried to get sentencing delayed & took issue with Feds & court’s handling of plea agreement rejected before trial

But defense & delay were firmly rejected by the judge… It’s Judge Tanya Chutkan

https://twitter.com/macfarlanenews/status/1778062377478426681

Defense is challenging the inclusion of quotes by Antony Vo in the pre-sentencing report .. including messages by Vo in which he acknowledged entering Capitol with his mom on Jan 6… and in which he took partial credit for stopping electoral vote count

(More)

Feds to seek 11+ years prison in Capitol riot case of Zachary Alam, who is accused of being part of mob that overran police outside House Speaker's Lobby

They allege "Alam and other rioters surged forward towards the House Main Door in an attempt to enter the House chamber" MORE: Justice Dept argues "Alam intentionally put himself at the front of the mob, where he threatened the USCP officers, yelling “I’m going to fu**k you up!” in their faces. Alam pushed against the officers, creating an opening so he could punch the glass panes of the doors"

ALERT: Judge Royce Lamberth sentences Jan 6 defendant Taylor Johnatakis to 87 months prison …. saying, among other things, Johnatakis showed contrition at trial, but changed his story later.. “based on his audience”

https://twitter.com/macfarlanenews/status/1774816237736058972

Judge says Johnatakis was brazen and flouted jail rules while in custody ahead of sentencing.. circumventing policy to call into a podcast in Jan 2024… during which Johnatakis allegedly claimed “we did nothing… we touched a gate” and claimed Jan 6 was “overblown”

Two Jan 6 defendants accused of being inside Senate Chamber, Joseph Irwin & John Richter, requested permission to appear by video link for verdict in their bench trial

Rather than travel back to DC

Feds have uncorked a blistering argument asking judge to deny request

(more) Feds argue "Defendants’ stated basis for this request is simple: they wish to avoid the expense & time associated with appearing in-person for the court’s verdict.. that will determine whether they committed the felony crimes"

DOJ emphasizes both men traveled to DC on Jan 6

DC federal judge Reggie Walton, who has overseen some Jan 6 cases, told CNN tonight:

“It’s very troubling” that judges & their families are being threatened…. In reference to Trump social media attacks on NY judge and judge’s daughter

Walton says he’s previously faced threats DC federal judge Reggie Walton is asked about Trump social media posts and responds: “it’s very important for people in authority to be circumspect … in what they say”

I’m in the chamber for tonight’s State of the Union for @CBSNews — to share what you might not be able to see on TV

For starters, 80 minutes before Pres Biden arrives, former Rep. George Santos is sitting in a seat on center aisle

Santos fraud trial is set for late this year Santos is all smiles. Talking with Rep Matt Gaetz

FYI… Earlier this month, a judge set the sentencing for Santos’s co-defendant (former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks) for November

NOW: GOP-led House Subcommitte on Weaponization of Fed. Govt begins hearing on "Big government' surveillance of "private financial data"

Minutes into hearing, topic pivots to Jan 6

Michael Fanone is a witness called by Democrats. Fanone says he'll rebut Jan 6 false claims The top Democrat on panel, Del. S. Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands) lauds officer Fanone... and says GOP "is still seeking shelter from the truth"... "they want to protect not just themselves, but their political careers.. their jobs.. they're hiding behind lies"

Per multiple sources, House Judiciary Committee's GOP-led "subcommittee on weaponization of the federal government" stages hearing Thursday into the federal probe of January 6th

Officer Michael Fanone is expected to be a "rebuttal witness" against any claims Jan 6 was peaceful Per House GOP: this hearing will focus on “how big government has colluded with big banks to surveil Americans’ private financial data….”

Not about Jan 6

Officer Michael Fanone says he was called to be part of hearing to talk about Jan 6.

THIS MORNING: Feds to seek 27-months prison in jan 6 case of Clifford Mackrell

They'll argue "Mackrell successfully struck and yanked at an officer’s gas mask. Mackrell also assaulted (officer) & grabbed at his face"

Feds included these messages in sentencing memo to court ==> Retired Capitol Police Sgt Aguilino Gonell makes argument at sentencing of Jan 6 defendant Cliff Mackrell:

“Officers like me risked our lives… and stopped people” from attacking elected officials

NEXT HOUR: Sentencing in Capitol riot case of Michael Foy. Justice Dept seeks approx. 8-years prison. Their argument to court includes images of Foy trying to "stab at police with his long gnarled stick" and "throwing a sharpened metal pole"

Asst US Attorney has run thru a series of arguments seeking 97-months prison for Michael Foy in Jan 6 case.. saying:

“Foy was amongst the most violent actors”… in “anti-democratic violence” .. comparing it to “medieval siege”