Tired of ads? Want to support our progressive journalism? Click to learn more.LEARN MORE
Enjoy good journalism?
… then let us make a small request. The COVID crisis has slashed advertising rates, and we need your help. Like you, we here at Raw Story believe in the power of progressive journalism. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and legal efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. And unlike other news outlets, we’ve decided to make our original content free. But we need your support to do what we do.
Raw Story is independent. Unhinged from corporate overlords, we fight to ensure no one is forgotten.
We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click to donate by check.
Value Raw Story?
… then let us make a small request. The COVID crisis has slashed advertising rates, and we need your help. Like you, we believe in the power of progressive journalism — and we’re investing in investigative reporting as other publications give it the ax. Raw Story readers power David Cay Johnston’s DCReport, which we've expanded to keep watch in Washington. We’ve exposed billionaire tax evasion and uncovered White House efforts to poison our water. We’ve revealed financial scams that prey on veterans, and efforts to harm workers exploited by abusive bosses. We need your support to do what we do.
Raw Story is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Invest with us in the future. Make a one-time contribution to Raw Story Investigates, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.
  |  |
Report typos and corrections to: corrections@rawstory.com.
'Blood is on your hands': GOP lawmaker slammed by longtime friend for inciting Capitol violence
January 15, 2021
In an open letter to Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL), who is facing censure calls for helping Donald Trump incite a riot at the U.S, Capitol building on January 6th, a now-former friend of the embattled lawmaker said he will have nothing to do -- ever again -- with his former colleague.
At a "Stop the Steal " rally on Jan.6th, Brooks shouted to the crowd, "Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass" before they later stormed the halls of Congress, menaced lawmakers and left five dead including a Capitol police officer who was reportedly bludgeoned to death.
<p>Writing to AL.com, attorney Jerry Barclay of Huntsville -- who claimed he and Brooks have known each other for decades -- served notice to the congressman that their friendship is over.</p><p>"You and I have known one another, personally and professionally, for four decades," Barclay wrote in his open letter. "We later worked together for common goals when you were a member of the county commission. We've dealt with one another since you were elected to Congress. Although we've disagreed on some political issues, we were able to maintain respect and cordiality."</p><p>"No more. And never again," he then declared.</p><p>Citing Brooks' attempt to throw out Electoral College votes affirming former Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, followed by the congressman appearing at the rally that culminated in the violent assault on the U.S. government, the attorney lambasted Brooks for attempting to undermine democracy and inciting a mob -- calling it a "betrayal" of the people at home who voted for him.</p><p>"We now have come to a point at which you have betrayed my respect and our friendship, Barclay accused. "You know full well that Mr. Trump's rhetoric, and more to the point, you own rhetoric, fomented the violence which resulted in the breach of the Capitol, the destruction of property, and, most importantly, the murder of a law enforcement officer. His blood is on your hands, and you can never wash that stain from your soul."</p><p>He then added, "I have reached the regretful conclusion that, you, Mo Brooks, have no moral compass. That you have no sense of honor. That you have no genuine understanding of the rule of law or the values promoted by our founding fathers," before concluding, "You have violated your oath to protect and defend the United States Constitution, and although you still – for now – hold the office of congressman, rest assured that you do not represent the people, or the values, of the Fifth Congressional District of Alabama."</p><p>You can read the <a href="https://www.al.com/opinion/2021/01/dear-mo-an-open-letter-to-alabamas-controversial-congressman.html" target="_blank">whole open letter here</a>.</p>
CONTINUE READING
Show less
'They want Rome to fall': Right-wing Boogaloo bois planning armed conflicts at state capitals
January 15, 2021
The National Guard and law enforcement will be deployed at state capitals across the country ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration in response to the violent assault on the U.S. Capitol.
The FBI office in Minneapolis issued a memo late last month warning of credible threats Jan. 17 at state capitals in Michigan and Minnesota, where followers of the right-wing Boogaloo boi movement had scouted out police sniper locations and other tactical advantages in expectation of a violent clash, reported Forbes.
<p>"Remember what happened today," <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com./politics/archive/2021/01/boogaloo-prepare-civil-war/617683/" target="_blank">read a Jan. 6 tweet from a Boogaloo-linked account</a>, referring to the Capitol siege. "Learn from it, bring the same energy."</p><p>That account warned "the largest armed protest to ever take place on American soil" at every state capital, and law enforcement has stepped up patrols at statehouses to watch for suspicious activity.</p><p>At least two people were arrested at the state Capitol in Washington after entering areas where lawmakers were beginning their session, and state patrol SWAT teams patrolled the Georgia Capitol as more than 200 protested the coronavirus mask mandates.</p><p>The pandemic had already prompted many states to limit crowds for legislative sessions, but security has been ramped up after anti-government groups and supporters of President Donald Trump have stormed into statehouses and the U.S. Capitol to pressure lawmakers to do what they want.</p><p>"They want Rome to fall," said J.J. MacNab, a researcher at George Washington University who studies right-wing extremist groups. "They want chaos to bring it down."</p>
CONTINUE READING
Show less
Sacramento GOP leader forced to resign after bragging on video about breaking into Pelosi’s office
January 15, 2021
A man from Sacramento, California, has resigned his position in the California Republican Assembly (CRA) after he was discovered to have participated in the storming of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, ABC10 reports.
The CRA confirmed to ABC10 that Jorge Riley was the Corresponding Secretary for the State Board of the California Republican Assembly and President of the Sacramento Chapter. Riley was forced to resign both positions after he posted images and video on his Facebook page showing him taking part in the riot. In one video, Riley can be seen explaining his actions inside the Capitol.
<p><br/></p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><blockquote class="reddit-card" data-card-created="1610722559"><a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/CapitolConsequences/comments/kx22a1/video_of_man_describing_in_detail_breaking_into/">Video of man describing in detail breaking into the Capitol Building</a> from <a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/CapitolConsequences">r/CapitolConsequences</a></blockquote><script async="" charset="UTF-8" src="//embed.redditmedia.com/widgets/platform.js"></script></div><p><br/></p><p>"We breached over there I think. We broke windows. We went into the door. We pushed our way in," he said, adding that he pushed his way into Nancy Pelosi's office.<br/></p><p>The CRA released a statement condemning Riley's actions, and said the organization played no part in the riot. </p><p>"Specifically, we denounce the lawlessness that took place at our nation's capital on January 6, 2021. The perpetrators should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. CRA was not involved with the event and any participation by individual CRA members was in their capacity as private citizens," the statement read.</p><p>Watch ABC10's report on the story below:</p><p><br/></p><div class="rm-embed embed-media"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" height="360" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="https://abc10.com/embeds/video/103-9d82a029-ec4d-4267-a112-32bf169652b8/iframe" style="border:1px solid #e6e6e6" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="640"></iframe></div>
CONTINUE READING
Show less
Trending
Latest
Videos
Copyright © 2021 Raw Story Media, Inc. PO Box 21050, Washington, D.C. 20009 | Masthead | Privacy Policy | For corrections or concerns, please email corrections@rawstory.com.