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USA Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Donald Trump's Jan. 6 pardons cast a long shadow over justice six months later
President Donald Trump has done more than pardon J6 rioters. He's also targeting the FBI investigators as he weaponized the Department of Justice. On this, the six-month anniversary of President Donald Trump's sweeping pardons for more than 1,500 people accused or convicted of invading and ransacking the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, let's check in on some of the people arrested for that riot and how the president's team is rewriting history to make the FBI and Department of Justice the bad guys. People Trump pardoned for Jan. 6 crimes have since been arrested for soliciting a minor for sex, for commercial burglary and for home invasion. And the FBI agents and federal prosecutors who worked on those Jan. 6 cases have been demonized by Trump as his administration ends their careers for the offense of doing their jobs. One J6er tried to use Trump's pardon to beat child porn charges Kyle Travis Colton, a California man arrested and accused in December 2023 for using a flagpole to assault a police officer at the Capitol on Jan. 6, pleaded guilty in October 2024. Trump pardoned him three and a half months later. But Colton had more trouble with the law. An FBI search when he was arrested found Colton's computer held "copious images and videos depicting graphic sexual abuse of young children." Colton's attorney argued that Trump's pardon applied to his child porn, too, because it was discovered as part of the Jan. 6 investigation. A federal judge didn't buy that, and a jury in California convicted Colton on July 15. He faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison when sentenced on Oct. 27. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a good government nonprofit known as CREW, tracks pardoned insurrectionists accused of other crimes before or after the Jan. 6 riot. Matthew Huttle, an Indiana man sentenced to six months in prison for crimes he committed on Jan. 6, pulled a gun and struggled with a sheriff's deputy during a traffic stop six days after Trump pardoned him. The deputy shot and killed him. Edward Kelley of Tennessee was convicted in November 2024 for assaulting police officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Trump pardoned him before he was sentenced. But Kelley was also convicted in November 2024 on charges that he conspired to kill the FBI agents who investigated him. His lawyers had argued that Trump's pardon should also apply to the murder plot. He was sentenced to life in prison earlier this month. What's the messaging on election results going forward? Noah Bookbinder, CREW's president, told me he expects more people pardoned for Jan. 6 crimes will be re-arrested. And he worries that federal investigators and prosecutors now know they face retaliation if their work runs counter to what Trump wants. "These are people who showed their lawlessness and who feel empowered," Bookbinder said. "And so there's a very specific danger there, on the flip side of that, at the Department of Justice, that attorneys who work at the department and agents who work at the FBI feel very uncertain in their roles, uncertain that they can do their jobs without facing consequences if the president and the administration see anything that these Justice Department personnel do as adverse to their interests." The Jan. 6 insurrection was a failed bid to overturn the free and fair 2020 election, egged on by Trump, who continues to routinely lie about how American elections are run. So what happens if Trump doesn't like the results of next year's midterm elections, when control of Congress is up for grabs? "I think we have to assume, going forward, that a lot of people in this country are going to feel like they don't have to accept the results of elections if they don't like those results, particularly if those results are seen as going against Donald Trump," Bookbinder said, "and that using force to get to the election results they want is OK and is even encouraged." Republicans have made it clear they want to target law enforcement Just look at the DOJ team Trump has assembled and ask yourself if they prioritize justice or pleasing the president. Emil Bove, a senior DOJ official who privately represented Trump when he was convicted of 34 felonies in a 2024 business fraud criminal case, saw his appointment for a lifetime seat on a federal appeals court advance on a party-line vote in a Senate committee on July 17. This happened despite a letter sent to the Senate from more than 900 former DOJ employees, accusing Bove of being a "leader in the assault" on the careers of prosecutors and FBI agents who did their jobs investigating Jan. 6 to hold rioters accountable. Trump, who sparked the Jan. 6 riot, campaigned on retribution. Bove is his retribution delivery boy. The DOJ alumni noted Bove's "breathtaking act of hypocrisy," since he had previously overseen parts of the Jan. 6 investigation as an assistant U.S. Attorney in New York before pivoting to target his colleagues for the same thing. Then there's Jared Wise, a former FBI supervisory special agent from Oregon who was accused of rooting for rioters to attack police officers at the Capitol on Jan. 6 and was indicted for that in May 2023. He was standing trial on Jan. 20 when Trump was sworn in for a second term and included Wise in his sweeping pardons. The DOJ dropped his case that day. Wise got more than a reprieve from responsibility. Trump gave him a job. At the DOJ. In the so-called "Weaponization Working Group," which grew out of Trump's Jan. 20 executive order – the same day Wise got his pardon – which whined that the DOJ had "ruthlessly prosecuted more than 1,500 individuals" for crimes committed on Jan. 6. Read between the lines, and what you really see is that Trump knew Jan. 6 was a stain on our democracy and was directly his fault. So he wants to rewrite that history, to make himself the victim of the calamity he caused. And he's building a team to do just that. So the next time a MAGA crowd decides to storm a government building, beating police officers, smashing windows, stealing computers and smearing their feces on the walls, ask yourself if Team Trumpers like Wise will root for rioters while searching for ways to blame Trump's perceived enemies. Will Bove, if a full Senate vote gives him a lifetime federal judgeship, consider cases according to the strictures of the U.S. Constitution – or just focus on whatever result Trump wants? Trump has twisted and transformed the Republican Party in many ways. The GOP used to tout "law and order" as a bedrock of democracy. Justice is now a team sport, where accountability for action can be canceled with adulation for authority. Follow USA TODAY columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Translating Politics, here.
USA Today
13-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colorado football lands commitment from top class of 2026 linebacker
Colorado football and head coach Deion Sanders picked up a commitment from top-ranked class of 2026 linebacker Rodney Colton Jr. on Saturday night. Colton, a coveted four-star linebacker, immediately becomes the highest-rated recruit to commit to Sanders' class of 2026 cohort. The 6-foot-1, 220-pound defensive playmaker chose the Buffaloes over his other finalists, Florida State and Ole Miss. The Newnan, Georgia, native visited Boulder on June 20, and the Buffs seemed like the favorites ever since. Colton also took official visits to Ole Miss, Florida State, Penn State, UCLA and SMU, which indicates the number of big-time programs in the running for his signature. 247Sports Composite ranks Colton as the No. 303 player in the nation, No. 21 linebacker and the No. 36 player from his home state of Georgia. Colorado's class of 2026 now rises to nine commitments as Deion Sanders and staff continue a hot start to the month. Five commitments have joined the class since July 1, as it is now ranked No. 79 nationally. Colton is the program's second blue-chip recruit, with four-star cornerback Preston Ashley being the other. Despite CU's class still ranking last in the Big 12, Colton's commitment, arguably the most significant of the current cycle, adds to the recruiting momentum that has been with the Buffs since late June. Follow Charlie Strella on X, Threads and Instagram. Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Shock moment idiot influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles deadly CROC & calls it a ‘little b***h' as wild stunt sparks fury
THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc, sparking widespread outrage. Alarming footage shows the 27-year-old pulling the Advertisement 5 This is the shocking moment an influencer handles a wild croc Credit: YouTube 5 The video sparked widespread outrage with many calling him a 'moron' Credit: YouTube 5 The stunt was filmed for the influencer's millions of followers Credit: Instagram The dangerous stunt was filmed in Australia earlier this year and amassed almost half a million views before it was deleted. An unnerving video captures the shirtless The Speaking in a voiceover, Colton said: "Hey guys, I'm in Australia right now, and we just yoinked a freshwater croc,' Macaulay explained in a voiceover. Advertisement "I don't think he was happy about it because he started making these sounds like a chainsaw. Or maybe that's the sound they make when they decide to cry like a little b***h.' The bizarre video, captioned "catching crocodiles in Australia", has since received a barrage of criticism. One concerned viewer said: "How stupid are you?" While others condemned the act as "thoughtless", calling the influencer "stupid" and a "moron". Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Meanwhile, World Animal Protection Australia director Ben Pearson slammed the handling of the croc as "unacceptable", calling it "cruelty for the sake of content". He told the American influencer sparks outrage in Australia after taking baby wombat from its mom- heads to follow "Crocodiles are not a photo prop or plaything, and they should be treated with respect. "Just a quick look at this influencer's account and you can see multiple videos where they're interfering with Aussie wildlife in their homes , from cassowaries to wobbegong sharks . Advertisement "Our iconic Australian animals, like all wildlife, are best loved from a distance." Freshwater crocodiles are native to northern Australia and whilst not considered dangerous they can bite if they feel threatened. A permit is required to handle them. Colton's shocking video comes just months after an Advertisement Sam Jones, who claims to be a "wildlife biologist and environmental scientist" posted the now deleted video on Instagram capturing the moment she picked up the animal and ran with it as it dangled around in the air. After racing across the road with the startled wombat, Jones held it up to the camera and said: "I caught a baby wombat!" Meanwhile, the Read more on the Irish Sun This was noticed by the man filming the video who said: "Look at the mother, it's chasing after her." Advertisement Jones said: 'OK mama's right there and she is p***ed, let's let him go." 5 Freshwater crocodiles are native to northern Australia Credit: YouTube 5 'This is cruelty for the sake of content,' said World Animal Protection director Ben Pearson Credit: YouTube
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Shock moment idiot influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles deadly CROC & calls it a ‘little b***h' as wild stunt sparks fury
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment influencer Colton Macaulay wrestles a deadly croc, sparking widespread outrage. Alarming footage shows the 27-year-old pulling the exotic animal out of the water before parading it and calling it a "little b****" to his 15 million followers online. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 This is the shocking moment an influencer handles a wild croc Credit: YouTube 5 The video sparked widespread outrage with many calling him a 'moron' Credit: YouTube 5 The stunt was filmed for the influencer's millions of followers Credit: Instagram The dangerous stunt was filmed in Australia earlier this year and amassed almost half a million views before it was deleted. An unnerving video captures the shirtless influencer standing barefoot in the water before forcefully plucking the animal from the creek. The creature appears distressed as he flails his tail, while being gripped firmly around the neck. Speaking in a voiceover, Colton said: "Hey guys, I'm in Australia right now, and we just yoinked a freshwater croc,' Macaulay explained in a voiceover. "I don't think he was happy about it because he started making these sounds like a chainsaw. Or maybe that's the sound they make when they decide to cry like a little b***h.' The bizarre video, captioned "catching crocodiles in Australia", has since received a barrage of criticism. One concerned viewer said: "How stupid are you?" While others condemned the act as "thoughtless", calling the influencer "stupid" and a "moron". Meanwhile, World Animal Protection Australia director Ben Pearson slammed the handling of the croc as "unacceptable", calling it "cruelty for the sake of content". He told the Mail Online: "This is cruelty for the sake of content, and we know the general public would agree handling freshwater crocs in this way is unacceptable. American influencer sparks outrage in Australia after taking baby wombat from its mom- heads to follow "Crocodiles are not a photo prop or plaything, and they should be treated with respect. "Just a quick look at this influencer's account and you can see multiple videos where they're interfering with Aussie wildlife in their homes, from cassowaries to wobbegong sharks. "Our iconic Australian animals, like all wildlife, are best loved from a distance." Freshwater crocodiles are native to northern Australia and whilst not considered dangerous they can bite if they feel threatened. A permit is required to handle them. Colton's shocking video comes just months after an American hunting influencer sparked outrage after she filmed a video of herself snatching a baby wombat from its mother. Sam Jones, who claims to be a "wildlife biologist and environmental scientist" posted the now deleted video on Instagram capturing the moment she picked up the animal and ran with it as it dangled around in the air. After racing across the road with the startled wombat, Jones held it up to the camera and said: "I caught a baby wombat!" Meanwhile, the baby wombat's mother chased after Jones, appearing extremely distressed. This was noticed by the man filming the video who said: "Look at the mother, it's chasing after her." Jones said: 'OK mama's right there and she is p***ed, let's let him go." 5 Freshwater crocodiles are native to northern Australia Credit: YouTube
Irish Examiner
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Tyrone pip Kerry to minor crown to keep treble bid on track
Electric Ireland All-Ireland MFC final: Tyrone 1-16 (1-1-14) Kerry 1-15 (1-2-11) The Tyrone treble remains in play - on both fronts. Kerry's suffering at the Red Hand remains unbroken. A pulsating All-Ireland minor football decider ended with a Ben Kelliher challenge not earning a Kerry free and Tyrone holding out for a one-point triumph. Added to U20 All-Ireland glory in late May, the Tyrone clean sweep of minor, U20, and senior success still has a pulse and a chance. Added to the county's All-Ireland U20 semi-final win over Kerry, the clean sweep of minor, U20, and senior knockout championship victories over the green and gold still has a pulse and a chance. The senior semi-final clash to decide one treble and keep another alive throws-in in six days time. Kerry will question if Kelliher should have been awarded a free past the allotted four minutes of second-half injury-time. Tyrone, in reply, can point to the fact that they should have had red ribbons attached to the silverware long before that late, late non-call. Trailing 1-13 to 0-12 on 47 minutes, the final quarter was theirs. It was a final quarter where they threatened to kick the title straight into Kerry hands. After 1-2 in three minutes to seize a 1-14 to 1-13 lead - the goal a Peter Colton penalty following a foul on influential sub Matthew F Daly - the wides and misses flowed. Ben Kelliher of Kerry in action against Padraig Goodman of Tyrone during the Electric Ireland GAA Football All-Ireland Minor Championship final match between Kerry and Tyrone at Cedral St Conleth's Park in Newbridge, Kildare. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile Elliott Kerr was off target, then Colton, then Thomas Meenan. Colton hit the post, James Mulgrew's effort was short. Daly added to the wides collection spiralling out of control. In between this flood of not taken opportunities, Kerry pair Danny Murphy and Kelliher, the latter a superb point considering the attention of three white shirts in right corner, snuck the Kingdom back in front 13 seconds shy of the hour. Colton brought stalemate for the ninth time with a free brought forward for Kerry dissent. There'd been an earlier second half breach of the new rules that also cost them a white flag. The 63rd-minute winner was almost no winner at all. Colton again rattled the post. Diarmuid Martin gathered the breaking ball and brought Tyrone to nine on the All-Ireland minor roll of honour. An eight-year gap bridged without the presence of West Ham's Joel Kerr, a multi-code talent who contributed 2-13 on the road to Newbridge. Operating into a not insignificant breeze in the opening half, Kerry boss Wayne Quillinan and his young crew wouldn't have sniffed at the three-point deficit facing them on 25 minutes pertaining to the break. After five times level, Tyrone had built momentum and a lead of such size that had not existed up to then. James Mulgrew landed the sole two-pointer of the half on 23 minutes. There followed a Kerry attack being turned over, a foul on Pearse McDonald, and an Eoin Long converted free for an 0-8 to 0-5 lead. No greater did the lead extend, though. It went, in fact, in the opposite direction. 1-2 without reply. A five-point swing. A two-point Kerry half-time lead. The burst began with a Ben Kelliher foul and Gearóid White converting. Kerry's Mark O'Carroll claimed the resultant kickout, Danny Murphy claiming the point. The minimum between them. And, then on 29 minutes, the lead. Kelliher had charged in along the endline earlier in the half only to be called for overcarrying. There was no calling or catching him here. Kelliher again charged along the endline in the final play of the game. Nothing came from it. More Ulster-inflicted misery. In four of the last six minor campaigns, Kerry have been knocked out or beaten in the decider by Ulster opposition. In their last two U20 campaigns, Tyrone bettered them at the semi-final and final stage. In the last two Hogan Cups, Ulster opposition bettered Mercy Mounthawk of Tralee at the semi-final and final stage. Need we say any more. The upper hand is the Red Hand. SCORERS FOR TYRONE: P Colton (1-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1 free); E Long (0-5, 0-3 frees); J Mulgrew (tp), D Martin (0-3 each); A Quinn, D McAnespie (free), MF Daly (0-1 each). SCORERS FOR KERRY: B Kelliher (1-2); G White (0-4, tp, 0-1 free); K Griffin (0-3, tp, 0-1 '45); D Murphy, T O'Connell (0-2 each); J Curtin, A Tuohy (0-1 each). TYRONE: R Donnelly (Eglish); E Kerr (Errigal Ciaran), P Goodman (Fintona Pearses), C McCrystal (Loughmacrory); T Meenan (Killyclogher), J Daly (Eglish), A Quinn (Errigal Ciaran); J Mulgrew (Kildress Wolfe Tones), P Donaghy (Carrickmore St Colmcille's); C Farley (Beragh Red Knights), P Colton (Fintona Pearses), D McAnespie (Aghaloo O'Neill's); D Martin (Fintona Pearses), P McDonald (Loughmacrory), E Long (Cookstown). SUBS: MF Daly (Eglish) for McAnespie (44); V Gormely (Carrickmore St Colmcille's) for McDonald (48); M Kennedy (Glenelly St Joseph's) for Long (59). KERRY: R Kennedy (Kerins O'Rahillys); R Sheridan (Duagh), E Joy (Ballymacelligott), T Ó Slatara (Churchill); D Murphy (Listry), D Sargent (John Mitchels), M Clifford (Firies); M Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht), J Curtin (Ballyduff); M O'Carroll (Dr Crokes), G White (John Mitchels), A Tuohy (Austin Stacks); B Kelliher (Dr Crokes), K Griffin (St Michael's Foilmore), T O'Connell (Tarbert). SUBS: N Lacey (Kerins O'Rahilly's) for O'Connell (44); J Kissane (Moyvane) for Ó Sé (52); P Ó Mainnín (Lios Póil) for O'Carroll (54). REFEREE: T Murphy (Galway).
