1600 Daily

WATCH: When we say ‘Hire American,’ we mean everyone!    President Donald J. Trump joined the 2019 Second Step Presidential Justice Forum in South Carolina last Friday, where he accepted a prestigious honor for his part in advocating for and signing the groundbreaking First Step Act. “After years of waiting, we assembled a historic coalition . . . After all of the work and effort, we passed the bill and I proudly signed it into law — the most significant criminal justice reform in many generations.” Washington has a long track record of broken promises to the American people, but few are more significant than its collective failure to reform our criminal justice system. Unlike career politicians, however, President Trump likes taking action—not sitting around, playing the blame game, and merely hoping for a change someday. “My goal has been to give a voice to the voiceless and to make Washington see and hear those who have been made to feel silent and to feel invisible,” the President said. That vision includes ALL Americans, from struggling manufacturing workers in small towns to former prisoners who have been trapped in a cycle of unemployment and recidivism. Signed into law in 2018, the FIRST STEP Act brought common-sense reforms that delivered fairer sentencing rules and helped former inmates successfully return to society. How did it happen? Real presidential leadership, for one. “And we rallied activists, and faith leaders, and law enforcement, and lawmakers alike. We worked across party lines very strongly,” President Trump said. “The FIRST STEP Act proved that we can achieve amazing breakthroughs when we come together as a nation and we put the interests of our citizens before the interests of any political party.” What came next was equally important. The Trump Economy has delivered better opportunities for millions of American workers, and former prisoners who turned their lives around should be no exception. “My administration is working vigorously to remove barriers to re-entry and to encourage second-chance hiring,” the President said. “When we say ‘Hire American,’ we mean all Americans. Every single American.” The President is backing up those words with action across his Administration. The Department of Education is expanding an initiative that allows individuals in prison to receive Pell Grants to better prepare themselves for the workforce. The Department of Justice and Bureau of Prisons launched a new “Ready to Work” initiative to help connect employers directly with former prisoners, and the Labor Department awarded $2.2 million to states to expand bonds that support companies hiring former inmates. “After decades of bitter disappointments and betrayals from Washington . . . my Administration is making a decisive break with the failures of the past,” he said. “We’re keeping our promises. We’re solving problems, righting wrongs, and boldly confronting injustices—wherever and whenever we find them.” Unlike past leaders, President Trump delivered real justice reform. Read: The President’s full remarks at the Second Step forum

Nevada Sheriff Facing Recall over His Plans to Enforce Red Flag Law

The sheriff of Humbolt County, Nevada, is facing recall over his plans to implement the state’s red flag law.

The Nevada Independent reports that Sheriff Mike Allen says he opposes the law personally, yet will enforce it once it takes effect in 2020.

Allen was asked if he will send SWAT to homes to take away guns, and he responded in a way that convinced county residents he will come while they are not home. Allen said, “We do whatever we do to make it as safe as possible. And if what’s as safe as possible is to wait for that individual to leave the house, then that’s what we’ll do. Most of the time there will be other laws that we’ll be able to apply.”

Dawn Principe, the owner of Sage Hill Arms in Winnemucca, is leading Humboldt County 2nd Amendment Grassroots in an effort to recall Allen.

More

Maryland State Police Arrest Rape Suspect On Eastern Shore

(EASTON, MD) – Maryland State Police arrested a rape suspect this morning in connection with an alleged sexual assault that occurred earlier this month in Dorchester County, Maryland.

The suspect is identified as Jason Willis, 43, of Hurlock, Maryland. He was arrested on first-degree rape charges at his home and will be processed at the Easton Barrack. Investigators with the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Upper Shore Region have charged Willis with first-degree rape, second-degree rape, third-degree sex offense, fourth-degree sex offense, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, perverted practice, and reckless endangerment.

The investigation began when a female victim reported to state police that Willis, whom she was acquainted with, had forcibly raped her at his residence on Russell Road in Hurlock, Maryland. Subsequent investigation lead to the service of a search warrant today at the suspect’s residence. Willis was located at the residence and was arrested on a warrant without incident.

Willis was taken to the hospital due to a matter unrelated to the arrest. He will be taken before a District Court Commissioner upon his release from the hospital.

The incident is still under investigation and further charges may be forthcoming. Anyone with information about this or any other assault that may have involved this suspect is urged to contact lead investigator TFC K. Plutschak at (410) 819-4782.

The Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division, Upper Shore Region, is comprised of investigators assigned to the region. The region consists of Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline, and Dorchester Counties. Troopers assigned to the unit investigate the most serious and/or time consuming crimes while also providing investigative support to allied agencies in and throughout this area.

Delaware State Police Conducting Death Investigation-Harrington

Harrington- The Delaware State Police are conducting a death investigation after a body was discovered deceased in a ditch.

On October 29, 2019 at approximately 3:00 p.m., Troopers were dispatched to a farm located in the 8000 block of Vernon Road, Harrington, for a report of a victim that was discovered deceased in a ditch. Upon arrival, Troopers located an adult victim deceased.

The victim was turned over to the Delaware Division of Forensic Science where an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause and manner of death. The victim’s identity is unknown at this time.

The investigation is in its early stages with further information being released as it becomes available.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Grassi at 302-365-8441. Information may also be provided by calling Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or via the internet at http://delaware.crimestoppersweb.com

If you or someone you know is a victim or witness of crime or have lost a loved one to a sudden death and are in need of assistance, the Delaware State Police Victim Services Unit/Delaware Victim Center is available to offer you support and resources 24 hours a day through a toll free hotline 1800 VICTIM-1. (1800 842-8461). You may also email the unit Director at debra.reed@delaware.gov

Trump slams police chief over Chicago murder rates: ‘Afghanistan is a safe place by comparison'

President Trump bashed Chicago Police Chief Eddie Johnson after he decided to skip the president’s speech before the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

When Trump revealed that he would be speaking at the conference, Johnson announced he would be boycotting the event because the president doesn’t honor Chicago’s “core values as a city.”

This decision frustrated Trump, who condemned the chief for his “insulting” boycott.

“Here’s a man that could not bother to show up for a meeting of police chiefs, the most respected people in the country, in his hometown and with the president of the United States. And you know why?” Trump asked. “It’s because he's not doing his job.”

More

NOI 10/28/19 Wicomico Vehicle Fire Holly Street

NOTICE OF INVESTIGATION Date:  October 28, 2019 Time:  11:43 p.m. Location / Address:  206 Holly St., Fruitland, Wicomico Co. Type of Incident:  Fire Description of Structure / Property:  2013 Chevrolet Impala           Owner / Occupants: Debbie Cornish Injuries or Deaths:  None Estimated $ Loss: Structure:  $12,000                      Contents: $200 Smoke Alarm Status:  n/a Fire Alarm / Sprinkler Status: n/a Arrests(s):  None Primary Responding Fire Department:  Fruitland Fire Department # of Alarms:  1      # Of Firefighters:  6 Time to Control:  15 minutes Discovered By:  Owner Area of Origin:  Interior Preliminary Cause:  Under Investigation Additional Information:  Anyone with information is asked to call the Salisbury Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal at (410) 713-3780.

West Wing Reads

Why Legacy Media Are Freaking Out Over Baghdadi “It takes effort to try to spin the unalloyed good news of the Trump administration’s success [against ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi] as a net negative, but corporate media were up for the challenge,” Mollie Hemingway writes for The Federalist. There are 3 big reasons that publishers such as The Washington Post quickly tried to change the story, according to Hemingway: Positive News Coverage Hurts Media Efforts To Destroy Trump   ISIS Founder’s Death Complicates Media’s Syria Narrative   Trump Foreign Policy Successes Undermine Media Impeachment Drive “It’s understandable some in the media want to destroy their political opponent, but they could do a better job of hiding their anger at achievements that are undoubtedly good for America and make the country safer.” Click here to read more. With Washington’s compulsive habit of leaking, President Trump made the right call in keeping the mission against Baghdadi a closely held secret, Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) writes for Fox News. “Previous attempts to get al-Baghdadi have been foiled by leaks. In 2017, Gen. Tony Thomas explained how a leak to the New York Times foiled good intelligence that could have led to al-Baghdadi’s kill or capture.” “The S&P 500 closed at a record high Monday for the first time since July”—likely lifted by optimism about President Trump’s initial stage one trade deal with China, Melissa Quinn reports for the Washington Examiner. “This is a big win for jobs, 401-K’s, and, frankly, EVERYONE! Our Country is doing great,” President Trump tweeted. It’s been a long week—already—for Jeff Bezos and The Washington Post. After being heavily criticized for showing sympathy toward ISIS terrorist leader al-Baghdadi, now "a federal judge in Kentucky has reopened the $250 million defamation case filed [against The Washington Post] by a Covington Catholic student," Valerie Richardson reports for The Washington Times.

ISIS spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, potential al-Baghdadi successor, also killed in Syria, official says

Islamic State spokesman Abu Hassan al-Muhajir, considered a potential successor to terror leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, also was killed in Syria in a separate attack by U.S. forces, a senior State Department official confirmed to Fox News on Monday.

Al-Muhajir had been considered a “number two” to al-Baghdadi, according to the official.

The second U.S. military operation took place in Turkish-held Jarabulus in northern Syria, a 3-hour drive from where al-Baghdadi was killed near another border town with Turkey, Fox News has learned.

More

https://www.foxnews.com/world/isis-spokesman-abu-hassan-al-muhajir-considered-potential-al-baghdadi-successor-also-killed-in-syria-official-says

Bernie Sanders to Black Student: ‘Respect’ Cops ‘So that You Don’t Get Shot in the Back of the Head’

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) participated in a criminal justice forum at Benedict College on Saturday and told a black male student — who asked for advice on how to handle an interaction with a police officer — to “respect what they [police officers] are doing so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”

Sanders participated in the Second Step Presidential Justice Forum at the historically black college on Saturday and took a question from an audience member, who asked, “If I was your son, what advice would you give me the next time I would be pulled over by a police officer?”

The presidential hopeful told the student that he would suggest politely asking for the officer’s name and stressed respecting what the officer is doing “so that you don’t get shot in the back of the head.”

More

Troopers Among Those Honored For Efforts To Combat Impaired Driving

(OCEAN CITY, MD) — A trooper with the Maryland State Police Princess Anne Barrack was among those recognized on Sunday during an awards ceremony for their work to combat impaired driving in the state.

Trooper First Class Daniel J. Townsend, was awarded the Officer Noah Leotta Memorial Award during the 18th annual Impaired Driving Law Enforcement Awards ceremony held in Ocean City, Maryland. TFC Townsend is the fourth recipient of this special award, named after Officer Noah Leotta of the Montgomery County Police Department. Officer Leotta was struck and killed by a drunk driver in December 2015. Officer Leotta had been working a special DUI assignment the night of the crash.

The annual Impaired Driving Law Enforcement Awards, a joint effort of the MDOT Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MDOT MVA) Highway Safety Office (MHSO) and the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, honored officers dedicated to eliminating impaired driving crashes, injuries and deaths. The awards ceremony recognized officers for DUI enforcement – including seven who made more than 100 arrests last year – and also thanked those who serve as a Drug Recognition Expert. In all, 131 law enforcement officers were honored at the ceremony.

Governor Hogan Announces Landmark Agreement with Exelon on Conowingo Dam

Proposed settlement to provide more than $200 million toward Chesapeake Bay restoration and environmental projects

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today announced a comprehensive agreement between the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Exelon Generation Company, LLC, which requires Exelon to invest more than $200 million in environmental projects and operational enhancements to improve water quality in the Lower Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay.

The agreement settles Exelon’s legal challenges to the water quality certification issued in 2018 by Maryland under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, removing the prospect of years of costly litigation and delay and, instead, setting the stage for immediate and lasting water quality benefits.

“Our administration has committed an historic $5 billion toward wide-ranging bay initiatives and taken bold and aggressive steps to address the challenges posed by pollution, sediment, and debris at the Conowingo Dam,” said Governor Hogan. “This settlement is a significant and positive step in the right direction, and with the cooperation of Exelon and upstream states, we can continue making progress in our efforts to preserve and protect this great national treasure.”

Berlin man found dead in ditch behind Rite Aid

A 41-year-old man was found dead this past Friday afternoon on Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin, the Berlin Police Department said Tuesday.

Jonathan Michael Driessen, of Berlin, was found in a ditch on Oct. 25 behind Rite Aid on 10119 Old Ocean City Blvd., according to police.

Police answered a call around 3:18 p.m. from a person who said he discovered Driessen’s body while he was walking his dog.

More

Catholic church in South Carolina denies Biden Holy Communion over abortion position

A Catholic church denied 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden Holy Communion during the service due to his support for abortion.

While on the campaign trail, Biden tried to attend a private mass at Saint Anthony Catholic Church in Florence, South Carolina. The service was led by Father Robert E. Morey, who confirmed on Monday that he did not allow the former vice president to participate in Holy Communion during the Sunday service.

“Sadly, this past Sunday, I had to refuse Holy Communion to former Vice President Joe Biden,” Morey said.

Morey explained that Biden’s support for abortion access in the United States is not in line with the church’s teachings.

More

Bill Maher: Hey! Ho! The Clintons Have Got to Go

On Friday night, HBO host and liberal commentator Bill Maher, once again, said something most Americans can get behind: the Clintons need to "go away" and by go away, we mean they should step away from politics and enjoy the retired life.

"It seems like every few months Hillary Clinton bubbles up again. And people like 'She’s thinking about running again' or she says something crazy," Maher said. "You know, last Friday there was a news dump. They exonerated her again about the emails. You know, I’m not - it’s not about that but the Clintons, they gotta go away."

According to the late night host, both Hillary and Bill need to also avoid the Democratic National Convention. In his mind, it's dangerous for the Democrats to be associated with the Clintons. If Hillary, in particular, stays prevalent, then she is a "Donald Trump asset."

More

Nats fan holding 2 beers takes home run ball off his stomach, becomes an American hero

WASHINGTON — One Washington Nationals fan was faced with a truly impossible decision Sunday night: Catch a home run ball at the World Series, or keep both beers he was holding onto in each hand.

He chose both. Sort of.

The fan out in center field was in the position so many baseball fans have dreamed about: Staring down a home run ball headed right at you. The only problem? He was double fisting, and he wasn't going to give those beers up.

So, a moment of true inspiration, he moved into position and caught the ball the only way he could - right off his stomach.

More/Video

JUST IN: House Democrats unveil impeachment resolution — live updates

Washington -- House Democrats released the text of the resolution they plan to bring to a floor vote laying out the next steps in the impeachment inquiry.

The measure directs "certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes."

The House Rules Committee will "mark up" the bill on Wednesday, and Democratic leaders say they plan to bring it to a full House vote on Thursday.

More

President Trump and First Lady Melania: Halloween the White House.

Donald Trump Jr. rips Romney: Conservative 'in name only’

Donald Trump Jr., beginning an anticipated busy tour to promote his upcoming book, Triggered, is urging supporters to send copies to top Democratic critics of the White House and GOP Sen. Mitt Romney to help “educate them” about the campaign to undermine his father, President Trump.

To draw attention to his effort, he unveiled a new website that plays on the title of his book, Triggered: How the Left Thrives on Hate and Wants to Silence Us, called “Trigger a Liberal.”

On it, he lists several lawmakers and their addresses he wants supporters to send a copy of the book to: Romney, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, and Reps. Ilhan Omar, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Adam Schiff.

More

Retailers, not consumers, facing the brunt of trade war tariffs: Study

The tariffs imposed by President Trump as part of his trade war with China are mainly cutting into retailers' profits rather than raising costs for consumers, according to a new study.

The finding, published in a paper circulated by the National Bureau of Economic Research on Monday, runs counter to the narratives advanced by both critics and defenders of the tariffs. Trump has repeatedly insisted that the tariffs are a net gain for the United States because they are paid by the Chinese and result in additional Treasury Department revenue. Critics of Trump's tariffs, especially in the business community, have argued that they amount to taxes on businesses and, especially, consumers, to whom the increased costs are usually passed along.

The study indicated that while businesses are being hurt, consumers haven't felt much pain so far. It found that a 20% tariff on a product was associated with an increase of only about 1% in the product's retail price. Those increases are not likely to have much impact on consumers, it noted.

More

California Regulator To Probe Utilities’ Mass Power Outages Aimed At Preventing Fires

(Reuters) – California regulators said on Monday they will open a formal probe of whether utilities violated any rules by cutting power to millions of residents for days as a precaution during recent periods of high winds and heightened wildfire risks.

The announcement did not single out any utilities by name, but the bulk of “public safety power shut-offs” under scrutiny were implemented by Pacific Gas and Electric Co, a unit of PG&E Corp <PCG.N>, California’s largest investor-owned utility.

PG&E filed for bankruptcy in January, citing $30 billion in civil liability from major wildfires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018, including last year’s Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and incinerated most of the Northern California town of Paradise. That fire ranks as the state’s deadliest on record.

More

Badge Of Honor?

Report: House Democrats to Vote on Impeachment Procedures Thursday

House Democrats will vote on Thursday to establish the procedures for their ongoing impeachment investigation against President Donald Trump, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced Monday afternoon.

Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), chairman of House Rules Committee, said he will introduce the resolution’s text for approval on Tuesday and the panel will move to mark it up by Wednesday.

“As committees continue to gather evidence and prepare to present their findings, I will be introducing a resolution to ensure transparency and provide a clear path forward,” McGovern said in a statement. “This is the right thing to do for the institution and the American people.”

More

WaPo Obituary Reframes Killed ISIS Leader al-Baghdadi As ‘Austere Religious Scholar’

A Washington Post obituary Sunday reframed the late leader of the ISIS terror group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as an “austere religious scholar.”

“Austere religious scholar at helm of Islamic State dies at 48,” the full headline read.

The opening paragraphs of the obituary went on to list al-Baghdadi’s “achievements” in bringing a brutal terror organization onto the global stage:

More

President Trump awarded 'Bipartisan Justice Award' — Kamala Harris responds with boycott

President Donald Trump was awarded the "Bipartisan Justice Award" by a group of black leaders Friday night for his work in passing criminal justice reform.

Trump was presented the award during a ceremony at Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, hosted by 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center, a bipartisan group of black leaders — 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats — founded in 2015.

The group presented Trump the award for signing into law the First Step Act, which implemented numerous federal prison reforms.

Numerous Democrats were slated to attend event festivities, including top presidential contenders Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, and Cory Booker.

But Harris, a California senator who voted for the First Step Act, announced Friday that she would boycott the event's weekend festivities because of Trump.

More

DNC Vice Chair Owes at Least $25K in Back Taxes

The vice chair of the Democrat National Committee (DNC) reportedly owes about $25,000 in back taxes to the state of New York.

Bronx Assemblyman Michael Blake, 36, who has called for the release of President Trump’s tax returns in the past, uncovered his tax debts in a federal financial disclosure report he filed in May as a Congressional candidate, according to the New York Post.

The former Obama White House aide is looking to take 76-year-old José E. Serrano’s (D-NY) seat for the 15th district of New York in 2020.

On July 3, Blake said Americans deserved to know what President Trump was allegedly hiding from them when it came to his tax returns.

More

Grandfather charged with negligent homicide in cruise ship death of 2-year-old girl

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) -- A South Bend man who police say dropped his young granddaughter from the 11th floor of a cruise ship docked in Puerto Rico faces charges there.

A judge ordered the arrest of Salvatore Anello after prosecutors submitted evidence saying 2-year-old Chloe Wiegand fell out of the ship when Anello raised her to an open window back in July. He faces a charge of negligent homicide.

Anello blames Royal Carribean Cruises for leaving the window open.

He works for St. Joseph County, and the child's father is Officer Alan Wiegand with the South Bend Police Department.

More

A not-so happy Halloween for Maryland’s struggling bat population

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — Halloween is known as one of the spookiest times of the year, filled with witches, ghosts, and scattering bats.

But Maryland’s flapping, black creatures may be less prevalent this year, like years in the recent past.

From cold-loving fungus to high-powered wind turbines, Maryland’s bats are getting annihilated.

The decline of the Maryland bat population

Maryland’s bat population has been decimated by white-nose syndrome since its first documentation in Allegany County in 2010.

More

Frosh Finally Gets With the Program

We’ve been covering the partisan hackery of Brian Frosh for some time now. We’ve talked extensively about Frosh’s obsession, in particular, about suing the Trump Administration for basically everything under the stun. It’s even something I’ve written about for The Capital.

This is why what Brian Frosh is doing now is so galling:

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh asked Gov. Larry Hogan Monday for a slew of new resources to fight violent crime in Baltimore, including 20 prosecutors to target gangs and drugs.

In a letter to Hogan, Frosh responded to the governor’s order that he prosecute more violent crime in the city by saying he would need about 30 more staff members to have an impact on the persistent violence.

More

Judge reopens Covington Catholic teen's $250 million lawsuit against Washington Post

A federal judge in Kentucky has reopened the $250 million defamation case filed by a Covington Catholic student against the Washington Post after dismissing it in July, allowing the lawsuit to proceed but narrowing its focus.

U.S. District Court Judge William Bertelsman agreed to permit discovery on three of 33 allegedly libelous statements in the Post’s coverage of the Jan. 18 incident pertaining to teenager Nicholas Sandmann. The Post has insisted that its reporting was fair and accurate.

All three flagged statements from the newspaper’s coverage refer to Omaha Nation elder Nathan Phillips being blocked or impeded by Nicholas, a student at Covington Catholic High School, during their viral encounter at the Lincoln Memorial stairs.

“The Court will adhere to its previous rulings as they pertain to these statements except Statements 10, 11, and 33, to the extent that these three statements state that plaintiff ‘blocked’ Nathan Phillips and ‘would not allow him to retreat,’” said Judge Bertelsman in his Monday order.

More

NEW SMOKING GUN Docs Show Liberal Media Collusion to Target President Trump

Judicial Watch recently released two productions of heavily redacted FBI documents – 28 pages and 38 pages – about an April 11, 2017, “off-the-record” meeting set up by then-Chief of the Justice Department’s Criminal Fraud Section Andrew Weissmann, between the DOJ, the FBI and the Associated Press in which AP reporters provided information on former Trump Campaign Director Paul Manafort, including the numeric code to Manafort’s storage locker.

Two months later, in early June, Weissmann was hired to work on Robert Mueller’s special counsel operation against President Trump. Weissman then reportedly spearheaded the subsequent investigation and prosecution of Manafort.

Included among the new documents are two typed write-ups of the meeting’s proceedings and handwritten notes taken during the meeting by two FBI special agents.

According to a June 11, 2017, FBI write-up:

The purpose of the meeting, as it was explained to SSA [supervisory special agent, redacted] was to obtain documents from the AP reporters that were related to their investigative reports on Paul Manafort.

No such documents were included in the documents released to Judicial Watch.

During the meeting, the AP reporters provided the FBI information about a storage locker of Manafort (the Mueller special counsel operation raided the locker on May 26, 2017):

More

Political Memes

 

Tuesday Morning Funnies