Just read through Rep Mo Brooks (R-AL) legal filing today defending himself in lawsuit filed by Rep Eric Swalwell (D-CA) alleging Brooks helped incite the US Capitol insurrection with "start taking down names and kicking ass" speech
It's quite something
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Rep Brooks specifies he was called by the White House on Jan 5 and invited to give the speech at Ellipse on Jan 6. And only did so because the White House invited him
He also says, at last minute, organizers tried to reduce the time he was allotted for speech
Rep Brooks' court filing includes the vote tally in his District for Trump and Biden
Arguing he was "representing the will" of the Alabama 5th District that day
About those words we've heard in video clips so many times since Jan 6: "Start taking down names and kicking ass"...
Rep Brooks argues the words "as such" at the start of the sentence were important modifiers or softeners of the language
Rep Brooks added this nugget on info in his legal filing:
He believes the evidence is "overwhelming" that Nov 3 elections suffered from voter fraud, that Donald Trump won the electoral college and should be serving his 2nd term as President
Rep Brooks' court filing acknowledges he and other Members of Congress met at White House with Rudy Giuliani after the election for a briefing... but that he "did not use anything of substance" said by Giuliani
(Note: Giuliani is a co-defendant in civil suit)
Rep Brooks specifies on multiple occasions in his legal filings that he was working within the scope of his employment in challenging the electoral college submissions
Rep. Brooks asks judge to dismiss him as defendant in Rep Swalwell's civil suit
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NEW: Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston, former "Bob's Burgers" actor, asks for leniency at sentencing Monday
Defense says feds "persistently overstated Johnston’s participation at the Capitol..because he is an acclaimed Hollywood actor. government is using his status to make a point to the public"
(MORE)
MORE: Some interesting phrasing in Jan 6 defendant Jay Johnston's defense memo to court
"..Amid the chaos, Mr. Johnston soon found himself by the Tunnel leading into the Capitol Building on the Lower West Terrace.."
Defense: "Mr. Johnston found great success in Hollywood as an actor, writer, and producer including accolades for his role as the voice actor for Jimmy Pesto, Sr. in the animated series 'Bob’s Burgers' and as Officer Taylor in 'Arrested Development"
NOTE One of the plaintiffs, Yusef Salaam, attended the Sept 10 debate venue in-person The suit alleges Salaam and Trump had this exchange after the debate
ALERT: Judge Tanya Chutkan has just allowed the unsealing of approx. 1900 pages of Jack Smith records in the Trump 2020 election conspiracy case.
Heavy, heavy redactions. Lots to go through.
But note that the records include Mike Pence's announcement on Jan 6, 2021 that he would not overturn results
The first batch (720+) pages includes heavy redactions, but also has transcripts of depositions/interviews between Trump aides/allies and the House Jan 6 Select Committee.. including questions about the "substitute" batches of electoral votes
NOW: Justice Dept asks for 27 months prison in Jan 6 case of Dana Bell, arguing “history cannot repeat itself” after the 2024 elections. Prosecutor tells judge “deterrence” is critical
Bell is accused being “agitated, angry & violent” as she accosted police & media on Jan 6
Prosecutor argues Bell engaged in “prolonged, abusive and violent” behavior. Prosecutor says Bell grabbed police officer’s baton, as police tried to clear mob away after Ashli Babbitt was shot
Prosecutor says Bell uncorked a “verbal barrage” toward officer Jeff Smith, who died days later by suicide
Prosecutor says Bell is heard telling Smith “get a real job”, “no one supports you”
IN COURT JUST NOW: Justice Dept prosecutor tells judge that the Bureau of Prisons "confirmed there was an error" ... mistakenly releasing Jan 6 defendant Leo Kelly from its prison facility in Rochester, MN
Leo Kelly was sentenced to 30 months prison in August 2023, accused of breaching the Parliamentarian's office while amid the mob.. and of facing off against "an outnumbered line of officers"
Prosecutors say prison bureau "misread" or miscalucuated filing about Kelly prison term
Leo Kelly appeared for the court hearing by zoom.. and he's asked the court to allow him to remain free (on release conditions) pending a "re-sentencing hearing"
Prosecutors want Kelly remanded back to the Bureau of Prisons pending re-sentencing hearing