Tired of ads? Want to support our progressive journalism? Click to learn more.
JOIN FOR $1
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.
Capitol rioter busted by ex-girlfriend he called a 'moron' in text sent from Jan. 6 insurrection
February 25, 2021
A Pennsylvania man was identified as a U.S. Capitol rioter by his ex-girlfriend after he called her a "moron" in a text message sent from the violent assault.
Richard Michetti sent text messages Jan. 6 describing the crowd surging into the Capitol, according to investigators, and his ex-girlfriend said he'd taken a train to Washington, D.C., the day before because he believed the election had been stolen from former president Donald Trump, reported The Morning Call.
<p>"If you can't see the election was stolen, you're a moron," <a href="https://www.inquirer.com/news/capitol-arrests-richard-michetti-rachel-genco-philadelphia-insurrection-20210225.html" target="_blank">Michetti texted</a> his ex-girlfriend, according to court filings. "This is tyranny. They … told us 'We rigged the election and there's nuthin [sic] you can do about it' What do you think should be done?"</p><p>Photo and video evidence shows Michetti milling around the Capitol Rotunda and checking his phone in a crowd outside.</p><p>"Gotta stop the vote it's fraud this is our country," Michetti wrote in another message. "All's we wanted was an investigation that's it. And they couldn't investigate the biggest presidential race in history with mail-in ballots who everyone knows is easy to fraud."</p><p>The Ridley Park man was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building, violent entry and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds and obstruction of Congress, and he was released on unsecured bail with electronic monitoring pending an appearance in federal court next week.</p>
CONTINUE READING
Show less
Frank Luntz gets zero pushback on MSNBC after stating on live TV there's no 'voter suppression'
February 25, 2021
MSNBC hosts on Thursday allowed conservative pollster Frank Luntz to repeat the false claim that there was no "voter suppression" in 2020, while also asserting that there was "voter fraud."
Luntz made the remarks on MSNBC's Morning Joe after co-host Willie Geist presented him with polling data that showed 71% of Democrats believe that voter suppression is a bigger concern than voter fraud.
<p>
"Just look at the polling data that you are viewers are looking at right now," Luntz replied. "Democrats blame voter suppression and there wasn't any. We had the highest turnout in modern times. Everybody could vote."
</p><p>
"Republicans blame voter fraud and, yes, hundreds of votes were miscast," he added. "Not thousands or tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands. So both parties see a difference, even in the problems, even in why we are so divided."
</p><p>
Geist and co-host Joe Scarborough offered zero pushback on Luntz's assertion despite the fact that the ACLU <a href="https://www.aclu.org/news/civil-liberties/block-the-vote-voter-suppression-in-2020/">documented widespread voter suppression in 2020</a>.
</p><p>
"Suppression efforts range from the seemingly unobstructive, like voter ID laws and cuts to early voting, to mass purges of voter rolls and systemic disenfranchisement," an ACLU report said last year. "And long before election cycles even begin, legislators can redraw district lines that determine the weight of your vote. Certain communities are particularly susceptible to suppression and in some cases, outright targeted — people of color, students, the elderly, and people with disabilities."
</p><p>
Watch the video below from MSNBC.
</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NsJpcYt_7TQ" width="560"></iframe>
CONTINUE READING
Show less
On Thursday, The Daily Beast profiled Thomas Webster, a retired New York City police officer who guarded Ground Zero after 9/11 — and is now accused of savagely beating a Capitol Police officer and tearing at his mask so aggressively he's known as the "eye gouger."
"In the 2006 civil action, Webster was one of a large number of plaintiffs suing a host of parties connected to the World Trade Center. He sought compensation for effects on his physical and mental health that he claimed to have suffered during 20 days between Dec. 13, 2001, and April 5, 2002, when he was assigned to provide security at the 'WTC site,'" reported Michael Daly. "A fill-in-the-blanks complaint dated Sept. 18, 2006, says Webster was exposed to toxic fumes and substances that caused him a host of woes. Each is accompanied by a notation reading, 'Onset 6/1/2003,' or more than a year after his 20 days of duty. He specifically cites 'asthma, cough, respiratory problems, shortness of breath' as well as 'fear of cancer' and 'sleep problems.'"
<p>He and his fellow plaintiffs received an undisclosed settlement, and he retired from the NYPD with enough service to receive a full pension, said the report.</p><p>"Whatever lasting effect his 20 days in the environs of Ground Zero may have had, he was able to start Semper Fi Landscaping company upon his retirement. He was given to wearing a Marine Corps T-shirt," said the report. "A hint of his political orientation came in a Facebook picture of him holding a decorated cake with one of his three children. 'TRUMP 2016,' the icing read."</p><p>The criminal complaint against Webster says that just before the beating began, he was yelling at a Capitol Police officer, "You f*cking piece of sh*t. You f*cking Commie motherf*ckers, man ... Come on, take your sh*t off. Take your sh*t off." Webster has turned himself into authorities, but intends to plead not guilty and argue the Capitol Police officer struck him first.</p><p>The Capitol riot left five people dead, including Capitol Police officer <a href="https://www.rawstory.com/brian-sicknick/" target="_blank">Brian Sicknick</a>. President Donald Trump was impeached and tried in the Senate for his role in inciting insurrection, for which he was <a href="https://www.rawstory.com/dershowitz/" target="_blank">narrowly acquitted</a> with over a half dozen Republicans breaking off to rule him guilty.</p><p>You can read more <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/ex-nypd-cop-thomas-websters-road-from-terror-victim-to-capitol-rioter" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
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.
Thanks for your support!
Did you enjoy Raw Story this year? Join us! We're offering RawStory ad-free for 15% off - just $2 per week. From now until March 15th.