Latest news with #U.S.CapitolPolice
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Romanian man pleads guilty to leading ‘swatting' of U.S. officials
June 2 (UPI) -- A Romanian man on Monday pleaded guilty as the ringleader of a group making bomb threats and triggering "swatting" attacks against 75 U.S. public officials, including members of Congress, four religious institutions and journalists, the Justice Department said. Thomasz Szabo, 26, was extradited from Romania to the District of Columbia in November, DOJ said in a news release. Szabo and his co-conspirators reported false emergencies at government buildings, houses of worship, and private residences, including the homes of senior government officials, prosecutors said. Nemanja Radovanovic, 21, of Serbia, was charged with Szabo in August 2024 on one count of conspiracy, 29 counts of threats and false information regarding explosives, and four counts of transmitting threats in interstate and foreign commerce. Szabo, who is also known as Plank, Jonah and Cypher, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy and one count of threats involving explosives. He faces up to 15 years in prison for the two counts. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 23. "This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy, deliberately threatening dozens of government officials with violent hoaxes and targeting our nation's security infrastructure from behind a screen overseas," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. In late 2020, Szabo founded an online community that falsely reported threats at the addresses for the purpose of provoking a police response there, DOJ said. He was the moderator of chat groups. The false reports included a threat in December 2020 to commit a mass shooting at New York City synagogues, and one in January 2021 to detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and kill President-elect Joe Biden. Szabo publicized "swatting" activity to his followers and encouraged them to engage in behavior like that. From Dec. 24, 2023, to early January 2024, DOJ said members of Szabo's group committed swatting and bomb threats that included at least 25 members of U.S. Congress or family members, at least six current or former senior U.S. Executive Branch officials, at least 13 current or former senior federal law enforcement officials, multiple members of the federal judiciary and at least 27 current or former state government officials or family members of officials. Also targeted were religious institutions and remembers of the media. "I did 25+ swattings today," one subordinate bragged to Sazabi, and "creating massive havoc in America. $500,000+ in taxpayers wasted in just two days." Investigating the cases were the U.S. Secret Service Washington Field Office and Criminal Investigative Division, the FBI's Washington and Minneapolis Field Offices, and the U.S. Capitol Police. In December, U.S. Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger testified before the Senate Rules and Administration Committee about the need for more officers as the number of threats against members of Congress escalates. Other agencies assisting were in Bucharest, Romania; south Florida, central Florida; Syracuse, N.Y.; western Washington State; South Dakota; southern Illinois; and northern New York. "Today, Szabo pleaded guilty to a years-long conspiracy that targeted victims with swatting and bomb threats, including to government buildings, houses of worship and homes of government officials," FBI Director Kash Patel said. "Swatting endangers lives and will not be tolerated by the FBI. We are fully committed to working with our partners." "Anyone who hijacks police resources for senseless crimes like these will have to answer for their actions," interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro in the District of Columbia said. Szabo was born in Egypt and lived in Kuwait for 17 years.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gov. Mills signs law designating Jan. 6 as 'day to remember'
Jun. 2—AUGUSTA — Gov. Janet Mills has signed a new law creating an annual "day to remember" honoring democracy on the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol. The law, signed Thursday, will require the governor to issue a proclamation each year on the date "honoring the resilience of democracy" and encouraging people to use the day to reflect "on the values of democracy, civic responsibility and the importance of protecting constitutional governance." The annual proclamation would also encourage educational institutions and libraries to observe the day with discussions, events and programming to educate people about the importance of civic engagement and the rule of law. Mills condemned the Jan. 6 attacks at the time, saying that leaders across the country should denounce the violence and defend democracy, and that all Americans should work to restore honor and decency. Ben Goodman, a spokesperson for Mills, said Monday that she signed the new law "to honor the courage and sacrifice of law enforcement — particularly the Capitol Police, some of whom lost their lives due to the events of that day — and to remind Maine people that American democracy and the rule of law — which she strongly champions — is fragile and must be protected." Brian Sicknick, a U.S. Capitol Police officer, died after being assaulted and collapsing during the attacks. Four other police officers who responded to the attacks died by suicide in the following weeks. The law was sponsored by Rep. Rafael Macias, D-Topsham, who said last month that he brought it forward as a way of preserving the truth about what happened during the attacks perpetuated by Donald Trump's supporters after he lost the 2020 presidential election. "Jan. 6, 2021, is a day I will never forget," Macias said during a floor debate in the House of Representatives. "I'm so glad it will be remembered for what it was — a rebuffed coup attempt that was completed four years later. We should write down how it really happened, otherwise it will be remembered how (rioters) want our descendants to believe it. This bill puts that day on the record." The bill generated heated debate in the House before being approved 74-65. Republicans argued the proposal was only fueling division and presenting a one-sided narrative around the events of Jan. 6 while Democrats said the day of remembrance is important for documenting history. It later received final approval by a 19-14 margin in the Senate. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Virginia man sentenced for setting car on fire at US Capitol
WASHINGTON () — A Lorton, Va. man was sentenced Friday after he set his car ablaze at the U.S. Capitol as former President Jimmy Carter lay in state. According to court documents, the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) began investigating a vehicle fire on the U.S. Capitol grounds at around 5 p.m. on Jan. 8. At the time, Carter was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda, and numerous government officials were visiting. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: US Capitol Police arrest man for trying to light car on fire Adrian J. Hinton, 36, had driven his car from Virginia to Washington, D.C. earlier that day, parking near the memorial to Ulysses S. Grant. He then removed a bottle, dumped liquid on the top of his car and ignited it, setting the vehicle on fire. Hinton told responding USCP officers that the liquid was gasoline and Crisco. He was taken into custody quickly after the fire started and apologised for inconveniencing the USCP, according to court documents. He reportedly said he was not trying to set himself on fire, but only set his car ablaze to protest the recent presidential election. The fire department was able to safely extinguish the fire and other officials, including bomb technicians, rendered the scene safe. Woodbridge woman charged after driving while intoxicated with young children, police say He pleaded guilty to destruction of government property on Jan. 31, just weeks after the incident. On May 23, Hinton was sentenced to one year of supervised release, plus 125 hours of community service. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump administration planning to pay $5 million to the family of a rioter killed on Jan. 6
It was a few weeks ago when Justice Department lawyers indicated in a court hearing that they'd reached a settlement with the family of Ashli Babbitt, the Jan. 6 rioter who was fatally shot by a police officer during the attack on the U.S. Capitol. At the time, however, there were no public indications as to the scope of the settlement. As The New York Times reported, those details are now coming into view. The Justice Department is discussing giving the relatives of Ashli Babbitt, an Air Force veteran killed by the police during the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, about $5 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit they brought against the government last year, according to two people familiar with the matter. Different news organizations have come to different conclusions about the specifics of the legal process — some have said the settlement agreement is complete, for example — but NBC News is on the same page as the Times, which noted that the details of the negotiations are still being finalized. Nevertheless, the pointed reactions to the developments have been notable. For example, Thomas Manger, the outgoing chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, does not usually issue public statements, but as Politico reported, in this instance, he made an exception. 'I am extremely disappointed and disagree with this settlement,' Manger said, noting that a prior Justice Department investigation found no wrongdoing by police. 'This settlement sends a chilling message to law enforcement nationwide, especially to those with a protective mission like ours.' On Capitol Hill, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer had a similar reaction. 'Awarding the family of an insurrectionist $5 million is an insult to first responders — those who are in the Capitol and those everywhere,' the New York Democrat said on the Senate floor. 'It sends a sickening message to police and all other first responders throughout the country: When it matters most, Donald Trump will turn his back on you.' For those who might need a refresher, let's revisit our earlier coverage and review how we arrived at this point. During the Jan. 6 attack, a group of rioters reached a doorway that led to a House chamber hallway. That hallway was an escape route for lawmakers who could see the attackers through glass windows. As regular readers know, when rioters smashed through those windows, one of the insurrectionists, Babbitt, tried to break through to enter the hallway where members of Congress were being evacuated to safety. Officers asked her to stand down. She refused. A police officer eventually fired a single shot, and the rioter later died at a local hospital. Then-Rep. Markwayne Mullin, a year before the Oklahoma Republican's election to the Senate, was a witness to the developments and conceded publicly that the officer 'did what he had to do' and 'didn't have a choice.' What's more, the U.S. Capitol Police cleared the lieutenant who fired the shot, and the Justice Department officials who examined the matter determined that charges against the officer were not warranted. In the months that immediately followed the attack on the Capitol, most leading Republicans, including Trump, expressed little interest in Babbitt. Her death was of great interest to the far-right fringe, but at least initially, Trump did not see her story as worthy of attention, and he also didn't see the need to lash out at the police officer who had protected dozens of lawmakers and their aides. But in June 2021, the Republican said that he saw Babbitt as an ally who was on his 'side.' A month later, he said the rioter was 'innocent.' A month after that, he accused the officer who shot her of 'murder.' In 2023, Trump condemned the cop as a 'thug' and a 'coward' who deserves to be vilified, and earlier this year, the president inexplicably claimed that Babbitt was 'shot for no reason whatsoever.' This rhetoric is notable because it helps explain the apparent settlement. In theory, given the facts of the case, there's no reason for the administration to settle with the Babbitt family, whose civil suit was likely to fail. But in practice, the president and his team want to use American taxpayers' money to reward Jan. 6 rioters, so it's not the least bit surprising that the Trump administration also wants to direct $5 million to the Babbitt family, the weakness of their case notwithstanding. This article was originally published on
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Ben Cohen: I Was Arrested at Senate Hearing Because I Protested for Justice
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. On Wednesday, I was arrested at the U.S. Capitol while protesting an issue that affects every American, whether they know it or not. There are so many terrible things going on in the world that it's hard to take them all in, much less respond to them all. But there are some things that, for one reason or another, affect each of us more deeply. For me, there are two such attacks on justice, common decency, and what I had thought was the American way that are especially troubling. The first injustice is local. It's an attack on the health of children living in the poorest communities in our country. I was shaken 10 years ago when I first learned about the lead crisis in Flint, Michigan, and read that more than 100,000 people—many of them children—were being poisoned by the city's water supply. Now we're hearing about it in Milwaukee. Lead poisoning is a pervasive problem in our country. And it is continuing. We know how to eliminate it—it's pretty simple. Replace lead pipes. Remove lead paint. But our country refuses to commit the resources to do so. WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry's, is detained by U.S. Capitol Police for disrupting proceedings during a hearing with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy... WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 14: Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry's, is detained by U.S. Capitol Police for disrupting proceedings during a hearing with U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on Capitol Hill on May 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. More Samuel Corum The second injustice is global. It's our government-funded destruction and slaughter of families living in Gaza. Not only is our government funding genocide; it defends that genocide by attacking the basic American value of free speech. Our government is criminalizing the courageous students who have nonviolently protested this inhumanity, which is being done in our name and with our money. These two things—lead pipes and Gaza—are connected. Every day, our government chooses to buy more bombs instead of replacing lead pipes in America. It would cost $45 billion to end lead poisoning in the United States and prevent lifelong, irreversible brain damage to children. Some studies show that the cost to solve the problem is far less than the cost of dealing with the long-term effects it will cause. I know that $45 billion sounds like a lot of money. But it's less than 5 percent of what we spend on the Pentagon every year. And when you realize that we've spent more than $22 billion over the last two years to provide bombs that are being used to slaughter and displace an entire population, it starts to sound like a pretty reasonable trade-off. But that's not all our government spends money on. We're currently spending $1.5 trillion on a whole new generation of nuclear weapons (that's in addition to our current nuclear arsenal, which already has 50,000 times the explosive power of the Hiroshima bomb). Clearly, we can afford to replace lead pipes. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has been exposed as nothing more than a sham. It worked to destroy many relatively small departments that serve the needs of the American people for a better life—like getting rid of lead pipes that are poisoning communities' drinking water—while increasing the budget for the biggest, most wasteful, most corrupt department in our government, one that accounts for over half of the entire discretionary budget: the Pentagon, formerly known, more correctly, as the Department of War. I can't witness such extraordinary violence and injustice, call myself an American, and not put my body on the line. Ben Cohen co-founded Ben & Jerry's Homemade Holdings and recently launched the "DOGE vs. Blob" contest to expose wasteful Pentagon spending. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
