FLASH: Law firm Jenner and Block sues Trump Administration over executive order targeting the firm

They allege order is unlawful and a violation of first amendment Jenner and Block:

“Order threatens not only Jenner, but also its clients and the legal system itself. Our Constitution, top to bottom, forbids attempts by the government to punish citizens and lawyers based on the clients they represent, the positions they advocate, the opinions they voice, and the people with whom they associate.”

FLASH: Hearing begins in the courtroom of Chief Judge James Boasberg.. in ongoing legal case over last weekend's deportations of Venezuelan nationals Boasberg welcomes the parties

Drew Ensign... a deputy inside the DOJ is appearing along with a handful of others on behalf of United States

The standoff escalates

Chief Judge James Boasberg says the Justice Dept was late and evasive with its filing today, answering his questions about last weekend's deportation flight of alleged Venezuelan gang members

New deadlines set... *and* there's a hearing TOMORROW at 230pm According to Judge Boasberg's order moments ago: The Dept of Justice had an acting ICE field officer argue "I understand that Cabinet Secretaries are currently actively considering whether to invoke the state secrets privilege over the other facts requested by the Court’s order. Doing so is a serious matter that requires careful consideration of national security and foreign relations, and it cannot properly be undertaken in just 24 hours.”

Trump speaks at 3p Great Hall of US Justice Dept HQ

This is a space unaccustomed to being the site of political speeches

There are packets of drugs next to podium and signs about “fighting fentanyl”

And they’re cranking Guns N Roses.. like they did at Trump campaign rallies Feels like we’re listening to large chunks of the Trump campaign rally music playlist here at Justice Dept headquarters

“November Rain”
“Gloria”
“Nothing Compares 2U”

Waiting to see if “YMCA” surfaces

FLASH!!

President Biden issues pre-emptive pardons to "General Mark A. Milley, Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee"

(MORE) President Biden statement: "The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country"

Notable excerpts from Special Counsel Jack Smith’s letter to Justice Dept accompanying final report on Trump 2020 election conspiracy case:

“While we were not able to bring the cases we charged to trial, I believe the fact that our team stood up for the rule of law matters. I believe the example our team set for others to fight for justice without regard for the personal costs matters. The facts, as we uncovered them in our investigation and as set forth in my Report, matter. Experienced prosecutors know that you cannot control outcomes, you can only do your job the right way for the right reasons. I conclude our work confident that we have done so, and that we have met fully our obligations to the Department and to our country” Jack Smith letter (more):

“And to all who know me well, the claim from Mr. Trump that my decisions as a prosecutor were influenced or directed by the Biden administration or other political actors is, in a word, laughable”

In a 52-page sentencing memo submitted to a federal judge, former Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) has asked a judge for leniency at sentencing. Menendez’s filing specifically asks that “the Court should impose a sentence that relies heavily on alternatives to incarceration

(MORE) In perhaps the most striking passage in this submission, Menendez’s attorneys argue: “Senator Menendez is not the typical defendant. His public office and the accompanying attention it draws distinguish him. And of course the charges of conviction in this case arise from his position, and the actions he took as a United States Senator, a position he resigned in worldwide disgrace after his conviction.”

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.."

ALERT: "Central Park 5" file defamation suit against Donald Trump

They allege Trump engaged in defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress w/ statements at Sept 10 Presidential debate in Philadelphia
Here's the 18-page civil complaint against Trump

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

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

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

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

Heavy police presence and wide perimeter here in Valdosta, Ga — where Trump is planning campaign stop in front of this damage

Power is out for days in this community. Businesses closed

One restaurant owner told me: They’re ambivalent about “dignitary visits right now” Traffic lights are out regionwide. Trees down. Billboard toppled. Roofs ripped apart.

Valdosta businesses that have generators are serving food on sidewalks to those who need it.

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

(MORE)

https://twitter.com/MacFarlaneNews/status/1838335016977215509

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

The Justice Dept says the FBI located a semiautomatic rifle w/ scope near where Routh was hiding near Trump golf course

Feds: "The rifle was loaded with a total of 11 rounds and had a round in the chamber. The serial number on the rifle was obliterated and unreadable" Justice Dept court filing includes image of gun. And a backpack containing plates capable of "stopping small arms fire"

Justice Department says it WILL seek pretrial detention in the new criminal case of Sean "Diddy" Combs Justice Dept filing seeking court order to jail Sean Combs:

"The defendant poses an ongoing and significant danger to the community, has repeatedly engaged in obstructive conduct, and presents a serious risk of flight. The government respectfully submits that the defendant cannot meet his burden of overcoming the statutory presumption in favor of detention. There are no conditions of bail that would assure the appearance and compliance of the defendant, or the safety of others. Accordingly, any application for bail should be denied"

Initial appearance is complete for Ryan Routh in Florida

Charges include weapons possession. (So far)

He is qualified for public defender.

Government seeks pretrial detention

Per my teammates in courthouse In newly unsealed charging documents, prosecutors allege Ryan Routh was using a stolen license plate on his vehicle and ... when he was stopped by police... he was asked "if he knew why he was being stopped"

"He responded in the affirmative"

En route to the courthouse ... and courtroom 9

Updates begin at 10am REMINDER: Trump has waived his right to attend the hearing. Judge approved him doing so

Trump has instructed his defense attorneys to enter a NOT GUILTY plea, on his behalf, to the charges in the superseding indictment

We’re at Justice Dept HQ, where Atty General Merrick Garland is announcing case against Russian figures who have sought to interfere with 2024 elections. RT broadcasts included “RT and its employees” executed scheme to disseminate Russian propaganda…and to utilize social media influencers to do the same, says Atty Gen Garland

To shift opinion on war against Ukraine

Striking statements just now from federal prosecutor at a Jan 6 sentencing hearing for former Virginia police officer Thomas Robertson

Without explicitly mentioning upcoming election, she argues:

“The need for deterrence is at an all-time high”

(More) Prosecutor: Jan 6 was a “crime of historic magnitude”

“The damage done must be reflected in the (defendants) sentences”

(More)

JUST NOW IN COURT: Standing in orange jail jumpsuit & facing judge, Jan 6 defendant Joseph Hutchison read this letter. He's serving as his own lawyer & asked for his case to be dismissed, citing delays in getting access to filings in jail and noting "230 days" in pretrial jail Hutchison is charged w/ multiple felonies and accused of physical confrontations with police (below)

But .. there's a twist to his case

(MORE)

STAND BY: Justice Dept is about to ask for 57 months prison in Jan 6 case of Michael Sparks, arguing he was the very first rioter to enter the Capitol while fully aware of Congress's role that day. They say he wrote: "I believe in the constitution so I’ll die f[o]r it. Trump is my president.” Prosecutors will argue that Sparks was among the group ahead of the mob that confronted lone Capitol Officer Eugene Goodman, as Senators attempted to flee