Category: Justice

Plaintiffs Confirm Appeal Following Judge’s Dismissal of Lawsuit Declaring Nashville Transit Referendum Illegal

Tom Pappert
Nashville transit

The head of the Committee to Stop an UnFair Tax that opposed Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s Choose How You Move transit referendum told The Tennessee Star on Monday that her group will appeal the Monday decision by Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Anne Martin to dismiss the group’s lawsuit.

Emily Evans, who led the committee and is a plaintiff in the lawsuit, told The Star that Martin’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit under grounds that it was not a proper election contest was “not really unexpected,” and “sort of the pattern that we’ve seen in recent years.”

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JD Vance Says That People Who Were ‘Prosecuted Unfairly’ over J6 ‘Should Be Pardoned’

Just the News
January Six Riot

Vice President-elect JD Vance said that people who “committed violence” on Jan. 6, 2021, during the Capitol riots, should “obviously” not be pardoned by President-elect Donald Trump. 

“I think it’s very simple, look, if you protested peacefully on Jan. 6, and you had Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice treat you like a gang member, you should be pardoned,” Vance said in an interview on “Fox News Sunday.”

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Immigration Expert: FBI Closes First Illegal Alien Terrorist Attack Without Providing Answers

Kaitlin Housler
Todd Bensman

Todd Bensman, a senior national security fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) quietly closed its case into the first known terrorist attack by a “border-crossing Muslim migrant” on a Jewish American victim last year without providing answers to questions still concerning the Jewish community impacted by the attack.

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Illegal Immigrant Arrested in Florida After Allegedly Sexually Assaulting 14-Year-Old Georgia Girl

Tom Pappert
Luis Mario Santizo-Mendez

A man is being held in Florida on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer after police charged him with sexual battery against a 14-year-old girl who he allegedly transported to the state from Georgia.

Public records reveal Luis Mario Santizo-Mendez, 18, was booked into the Miami Dade County jail on Tuesday, where he was charged with lewd or lascivious battery on a child, and is now precluded from release due to both an immigration hold and an out-of-state warrant that may pertain to alleged crimes he may have committed in Georgia. He was initially granted a $7,500 bond.

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Arizona GOP Chair: Trump New York Criminal Sentencing a ‘Desperate Attempt’ by the Left to ‘Silence the One Man Who Puts America First’

Kaitlin Housler

Chair of the Arizona Republican Party (AZGOP) Gina Swoboda released a statement on Friday reacting to President-elect Donald Trump’s sentencing in the New York City hush money trial, describing the entire case as a “desperate attempt” by the Democratic left to “silence” Trump.

In May 2024, Trump was found guilty by a New York jury of 34 counts of falsifying business records in the Stormy Daniels hush money case.

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Tom Zawistowski: President-Elect Donald Trump Must Pardon January 6 Political Prisoners

Kaitlin Housler
Donald Trump

Tom Zawistowski, president of the We the People Convention, is continuing his call on President-elect Donald Trump to issue a pardon to political prisoners who were convicted on charges related to the January 6, 2021, protest at the U.S. Capitol.

Trump has vowed to pardon individuals accused or convicted of charges relating to January 6, telling Time magazine in December 2024 that pardons will begin “in the first hour” of him being inaugurated later this month on January 20.

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New York’s Highest Court Won’t Stop Trump Sentencing

Zachery Schmidt
Donald Trump

The New York Court of Appeals rejected President-elect Donald Trump’s attempt to stop his sentencing in the state’s hush-money trial against him on Friday.

“Your proposed order to show cause was reviewed by Judge Rivera, who declined to sign the order. As a result of the Judge’s determination, no motion is pending in the above title at the Court of Appeals,” New York’s highest court sent to Trump’s lawyers in a letter.

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Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee Confirms Willingness to Authorize National Guard for Mass Deportations If Requested by Trump Admin

Tom Pappert

Governor Bill Lee on Wednesday confirmed that, if requested, he will activate the Tennessee National Guard to assist President-elect Donald Trump and his incoming administration with the mass deportation of illegal immigrants.

During a press conference about his Tennessee Education Freedom plan to offer 20,000 partial scholarships to Tennessee families to promote school choice, Lee was asked whether would activate the National Guard to assist with mass deportations by a reporter who noted Lee was among signatories on a letter from Republican governors who pledged to assist the president-elect with his immigration agenda.

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Five Men Arrested at Alleged Tennessee Brothel Are Venezuelan, Held on ICE Immigration Detainer

Tom Pappert
ICE Officer

Five men were arrested following the execution of a search warrant on Wednesday at a property in Antioch, Tennessee by state federal law enforcement agencies including the Metro Nashville Police Department, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), and the FBI.

The search warrant and arrests were first announced on social media by MNPD on Monday, when the department confirmed the five arrests were part of “an ongoing human trafficking investigation,” and the residence “is a suspected brothel.”

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Commentary: Madoff’s Ponzi Beneficiaries Are Funding Climate Lawfare

The Daily Signal
Climate Change Rally

The Picower family is forcing shoddy electric appliances into every American home to assuage their guilty consciences.

As the single-largest beneficiaries of Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, the Picowers have plenty to feel awkward about. One way they’re excising the guilt is by financing climate change lawsuits and leftwing judicial influence schemes that will strip Americans of conveniences they take for granted – say hot showers or efficient dishwashers.

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Judge to Rule on Legality of Nashville Transit Referendum by February 1

Tom Pappert
Anne Martin

Davidson County Chancery Court Chancellor Anne Martin reportedly said on Wednesday that she intends to release a ruling in the lawsuit brought against Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, the Metro Nashville government, and the Davidson County Election Commission by February 1 over the successful Choose How You Move transit referendum, noting the plan is set to take effect on February 1 after voters approved it in November.

The lawsuit was filed in November by Emily Evans and her Committee to Stop an UnFair Tax, a group created to oppose the transit referendum, who claim the transit plan illegally uses the 2017 IMPROVE Act to raise Nashville’s sales tax to fund items not covered by the 2017 legislation, including sidewalks and traffic signals.

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Rep. Tim Burchett Says Drones over East Coast Likely ‘Test’ from China ‘Failed’ by Biden Administration

Tom Pappert

U.S. Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN-02), who launched and remains co-chair of the Congressional Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Caucus, said on Wednesday that the unidentified drones spotted in December flying over New Jersey, Virginia and other states along the eastern seaboard, are likely a “test” from China, dismissing claims the drones are part of an American program to find radioactive materials.

Burchett made the remarks during his appearance on the Wednesday episode of the “What’s The Biggs Idea” podcast hosted by Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05), telling his colleague the drones likely originated in China, and that the United States likely “failed” whatever test the foreign government posed.

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Davidson County Sheriff’s Office Sent October Illegal Immigration Data as Tennessee Star Highlighted Late Reports

Tom Pappert

The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) on Tuesday told The Tennessee Star that it submitted data to the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC), who in turn confirmed to The Star that it received data covering the month of October 2024 from DCSO after The Star first contacted the agency seeking information about which Tennessee law enforcement agencies had submitted data in compliance with a Tennessee state law.

“We provided a spreadsheet of data, as required by statute, to the TNDAGC of those booked into Davidson County jails,” said Jonathan Adams, the director of communications for DCSO.

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Sold-Out Crowd Attends Launch of Documentary About Lawfare Against John Eastman with Trump at Mar-a-Lago

Rachel Alexander
Eastman film

Hundreds of attendees who paid $1,000 to $50,000 each filled up a sold-out event at Mar-a-Lago Saturday evening, where they watched a screening of a new documentary about the lawfare against Donald Trump’s former attorney and constitutional legal scholar John Eastman. Madison Media Fund, launched by film producer Gary DePew to support “freedom focused filmmakers,” deliberately timed The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice for release on January 6. Incoming-President Donald Trump stopped by to watch the movie, flanked by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL). 

The evening included a panel discussion with Eastman and others in Trump’s circle who were targeted by lawfare; Rudy Giuliani, Alan Dershowitz, General Michael Flynn, Jeffrey Clark, and Peter Navarro. 

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Ohio Meat-Packing Company Pays Fine for Stealing American Citizens’ Identities and Giving Them to Illegal Immigrants to Work

Zachery Schmidt
Meat Packing Plant

The Department of Justice fined an Ohio meat-packing company last week almost $4 million after a hiring manager stole the identities of American citizens and gave them to illegal immigrants who were not eligible to work in America.

Fresh Mark, Inc., entered into a Non-prosecution Agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio after Yelwin Omar Munoz-Solis’ “involvement in an identity theft scheme and subsequent obstruction of justice.”

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Tom Pappert: FBI’s Handling of New Orleans Terrorist Attack ‘Bizarre’ and ‘Embarrassing’

Kaitlin Housler

Tom Pappert, lead reporter at The Tennessee Star, described the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) handling of the New Year’s Day terrorist attack that killed 14 and injured dozens more in New Orleans as “nothing short of appalling.”

After authorities said ISIS-inspired terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar drove a vehicle through a crowd of revelers early on New Year’s Day before engaging in gunfire with law enforcement, the FBI has circulated conflicting information about the attack and suspect on multiple occasions, Pappert explained.

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Arizona Court of Appeals Rules Criminal Charges May Proceed Against Cochise County Supervisor Who Voted to Delay Canvassing 2022 Election Results

Rachel Alexander

A panel on the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled last Wednesday that Attorney General Kris Mayes’ prosecution of Cochise County Supervisor Tom Crosby for delaying canvassing of the 2022 election may proceed. Crosby, along with Cochise County Supervisor Peggy Judd, was indicted for felonies by a grand jury in November 2023 for briefly delaying canvassing of the 2022 election in order to investigate concerns with the voting machine tabulators. Judd accepted a plea agreement two months ago for a misdemeanor charge of failing to perform her duty as an election officer and was sentenced to probation.

State Senate President Warren Petersen (R-Mesa) and Speaker of the House Ben Toma (R-Peoria) filed an Amicus Curiae brief opposing the prosecution last March.

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DOJ Considers Charging 200 More People Related to January 6 as Trump’s Second Term Nears

Just the News
January Six Riot

Federal prosecutors are considering filing charges against up to 200 more individuals in connection to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol, according to the latest data from the U.S. Justice Department released on Monday.

The 200 figure includes about 60 individuals who allegedly assaulted or resisted law enforcement officers during the Capitol riot.

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President Biden, A.G. Garland Honor Police Who Responded to Covenant School Shooting Nearly Two Years After Attack

Tom Pappert
MNPD White House

President Joe Biden last week honored Metro Nashville Police (MNPD) Chief John Drake and the Nashville police officers who responded to the Covenant School shooting by awarding them the Medal of Valor, while the department reported that Attorney General Merrick Garland met with the Nashville police in the White House.

In posts to the social media platform X, the MNPD wrote, “Our Covenant School heroes, accompanied by Chief Drake, are at the White House & have just received our nation’s Medal of Valor from President Biden in the Oval Office. Attorney General Merrick Garland met with the team in the Roosevelt Room.”

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New Orleans Mayor Asks Biden White House for Security Help as Terrorist Victim’s Family Blames City, ‘Gross Negligence’ Lawsuit Looms

Tom Pappert
Mayor LaToya Cantrell

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell confirmed on Sunday that she is seeking support from the White House to improve the city’s security ahead of the Super Bowl in February, and its famous Mardi Gras celebrations in March.

In a Sunday press conference, Cantrell stated, “I have specifically requested through the White House that the City of New Orleans be assisted with getting a tactical expert in our city this week to map our city for target hardening measures.”

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Democrat A.G. Says ‘Hate and Bigotry’ After Sen. Marsha Blackburn Demands FBI Explain DEI Policies Following Terrorist Attack

Tom Pappert
Raoul and Blackburn

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul issued a statement after Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) sent a letter to outgoing FBI Director Chris Wray demanding answers about the federal law enforcement agency’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in the wake of New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, accusing the senator of engaging in “hate and bigotry.”

The attorney general, a Democrat whose official biography states he is the son of Haitian immigrants with “a vast background in public service,” accused Blackburn and Republicans who support President-elect Donald Trump of launching, “unfounded attacks on immigration and diversity, equity and inclusion – even undermining the FBI as the agency’s dedicated public servants investigate the attack on their fellow Americans ringing in the New Year.”

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New York Judge Finds Rudy Giuliani in Contempt over Georgia Defamation Case

Just the News

A federal judge in New York on Monday found former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in contempt of court for not complying with court orders regarding financial information and assets in the defamation case of two Georgia election workers.  Lawyers for former Georgia election workers Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss argued last week that Giuliani should be held in contempt for not complying with orders to forfeit certain assets like his World Series rings to help pay the $146 million defamation judgment that was levied against him.

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New Orleans Faces Lawsuit Claiming Terrorist Attack ‘Foreseeable and Preventable,’ Shamsud Din Jabbar Exploited ‘Gross Negligence’

Tom Pappert
Shamsud Din Jabbar

A law firm announced on Sunday it will file a lawsuit against the City of New Orleans and New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) on Wednesday over alleged “gross negligence” that purportedly allowed terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar to drive a vehicle through a crowd of revelers early on New Year’s Day, killing 14 and injuring dozens.

The New Orleans-based Maples and Connick law firm stated in a press release that it will file its lawsuit against the city and police department on Wednesday morning, arguing, “their failure to implement basic safety precautions for citizens and visitors,” amounted to “negligence” that ultimately “paved the way for the tragic events that unfolded in the early morning hours of January 1, 2025.”

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Some Tennessee Law Enforcement Is Not Providing Data About Illegal Immigrants for Annual Report Due January 31

Tom Pappert
ICE Arrest

A spokesman for The Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (TNDAGC) told The Tennessee Star the conference is currently preparing its first report to the governor and state legislators to establish the cost incurred to Tennessee taxpayers as a result of illegal immigrants who are processed through the criminal justice system, to fulfill its obligations under a law signed last year to bill the federal government for the results of President Joe Biden’s immigration policy.

Despite the legal requirement for law enforcement to provide data about illegal immigrants who are arrested in Tennessee, the agency told The Star that neither the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), nor the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, have provided data to the conference.

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Pro-Life Christian Detained for Preaching Gospel, Offering to Adopt Babies at Abortion Clinic

The Daily Signal
Zack Knotts

Police detained a pro-life father and husband outside an Ohio abortion clinic for sharing the Gospel and offering to adopt abortion-minded women’s babies. Still, he plans to return to the clinic this weekend.

Zack and Lindsay Knotts have spent the past three Saturdays outside Northeast Ohio Women’s Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, an hour drive from their home in Youngstown. The Christian couple takes turns using amplified sound to preach the Gospel, plead with mothers to choose life, and offer women free resources. They even volunteer to adopt the women’s babies themselves.

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FBI Agent Who Initially Denied Terrorism Behind New Orleans Attack Appears Connected to Authors of ‘Legacy Tokens’ Memo

Tom Pappert
FBI Assistant Special Agent Alethea Duncan

Althea Duncan, the FBI Special Agent leading the agency’s investigation into the January 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans, wore a jacket emblazoned with the logo of the agency’s Critical Incident Response Group – Behavioral Analysis Unit (CRIG-BAU) during the same press conference when she denied the attack, which killed 14, was tied to terrorism.

“This is not a terrorist event, what is right now, is they’re improvised explosive devices that was found, and we are working on confirming if it is a viable device or not,” Duncan controversially said in a clip of the Wednesday press conference that accrued more than 10 million views on the social media platform X.

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Texas Supreme Court Ends Texas State Bar’s ‘Witch Hunt’ Against AG Ken Paxton’s Top Deputy over His Efforts to Secure Elections

Rachel Alexander

The Texas Supreme Court issued a ruling on Wednesday dismissing the State Bar of Texas’s (SBT) four-year-long attempt to discipline Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s First Assistant Attorney General Brent Webster, calling it an “egregious invasion of the attorney general’s authority.” Webster assisted Paxton with combating election wrongdoing in the 2020 election, which included filing the lawsuit Texas v. Pennsylvania over the election irregularities in four states in 2020, which was joined by 21 other states.

Paxton, who is facing similar charges from the SBT, posted on X, “After four years of lawfare and political retaliation, the Texas Supreme Court has ended this witch hunt against the leadership of my office. The Texas State Bar attempted to punish us for fighting to secure our national elections, but we did not and will not ever back down from doing what is right. We have seen this playbook used against President Trump and other effective fighters for the American people and I am pleased that this attempt to stop our work has been defeated.”

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Tennessee State Sen. Brent Taylor Celebrates Following Resignation of Judge Who ‘Detests’ State Bail System

Tom Pappert
State Senator Brent Taylor, Judge Bill Anderson

Tennessee State Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) celebrated on Thursday after Shelby County General Session Court Bill Anderson announced his resignation, confirming he will leave the judicial bench on March 1.

Anderson was previously the subject of complaints by Taylor to the Tennessee Board of Judicial Conduct (BJC), initially for declaring his “detest” for the Volunteer State’s bond and bail system, and more recently for releasing a man from jail despite the defendant being accused of firing a gun at a Memphis FedEx facility, citing the defendant’s ability to pay bail, despite Tennessee legislation that specifically prohibits judges from considering the financial circumstances of a suspect.

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New Orleans Police Chief Admits She ‘Didn’t Know’ City Had Barriers to Stop Vehicles Driving on Sidewalks Before Terrorist Attack

Tom Pappert
NOLA Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick

New Orleans Police Chief Anne Kirkpatrick said in a brief Thursday press conference that she was unaware New Orleans had “yellow archer” obstacles designed to prevent vehicles from driving on sidewalks.

Kirkpatrick’s remarks come after video was posted to the social media platform X showing the white Ford truck authorities say was used by terrorist Shasmud Din Jabbar to kill 14 people was able to evade a police vehicle and commit the attack after driving on the sidewalk.

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FBI Silent on Whether Videos Recorded by Terrorist Shamsud Din Jabbar Before New Orleans Attack are ‘Legacy Tokens’ Unfit for Release

Tom Pappert
Shamsud Din Jabbar

The FBI did not immediately respond to a Thursday press inquiry from The Tennessee Star asking whether the agency will release the videos allegedly recorded by Shamsud Din Jabbar, who authorities say committed the January 1 terrorist attack in New Orleans that claimed the lives of at least 14 people.

According to CNN, with the outlet citing law enforcement sources, Jabbar recorded and posted to Facebook a series of videos during his drive from his modular home community the outskirts of Houston, Texas to New Orleans.

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