Latest news with #StoptheSteal
Politico
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Politico
How Elon Musk's X is fueling the MAGA-Trump split
Members of these movements had long tried to evade Twitter's moderators. Donovan, who was closely watching the online groups at the time, said that many 'de-identified as QAnon' and then attached themselves to Stop the Steal, the election-conspiracy campaign that was slightly more mainstream, at least until it culminated in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, riot. Given Twitter's somewhat inhospitable conditions, the far right's more fantastical narratives tended to flourish on alternative sites such as 4chan, its offshoot 8kun, Rumble and Gab. That all changed when Musk took over Twitter, later renaming it X, and promised to create a digital public square that welcomed content and influential accounts that had previously been banned. Their audiences came along, and X is now the main hub for crackpot beliefs. 'These alternative platforms still exist,' said Jared Holt, a specialist in online extremism at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. 'But the cultural capital they hold in the Trump movement has been almost entirely displaced by X.' Toxic conspiracy theories used to gestate on alternative platforms and then spread to bigger sites. The anonymous leader of QAnon, who claimed to be a senior federal official, would post messages on 8kun that followers would then take to Facebook and Twitter. This content no longer has to cross-pollinate, as users have been emboldened to post it directly on X. The big tent that X provides allows fringe users to directly confront prominent allies of the president, particularly in the comments of their posts. Their streams and posts often land on X's Discover feed, giving the content extra visibility among the mainstream and more center-right media. 'As far as they're concerned, it is activism to be posting on social media,' Renée DiResta, a Georgetown University professor who researches online conspiracy theories, told POLITICO. 'Particularly for the right, they're not wrong that … posting achieves results.' According to Donovan, somewhat more mainstream figures like Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens have been able to harness this anger on X. She says Carlson in particular has 'managed to move from the mainstream to the fringes, and then bring some people from the fringes back towards the MAGA right.'
02-07-2025
- Politics
Ex-FBI agent charged in Capitol riot now works on Justice Department's 'weaponization' task force
WASHINGTON -- A former FBI agent who was charged with joining a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol and cheering on rioters is now working as an adviser to the Justice Department official overseeing its 'weaponization working group,' which is examining President Donald Trump's claims of anti-conservative bias inside the department. The former FBI supervisory agent, Jared Lane Wise, is serving as a counselor to Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr., who also serves as director of the working group, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss a personnel matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. A department spokesperson declined to comment. The New York Times was first to report on Wise's appointment. When Trump returned to the White House in January, he picked Martin to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. But the president pulled his nomination to keep the job on a more permanent basis two days after a key Republican senator said he could not support Martin for the job due to his defense of Capitol rioters. Martin was a leading figure in Trump's 'Stop the Steal' movement. He spoke at a rally in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. He represented three Jan. 6 defendants and served on the board of the nonprofit Patriot Freedom Project, which reports raising over $2.5 million to support riot defendants. Attorney General Pam Bondi called for creating the 'weaponization' group in February to investigate claims by Trump and Republican allies that the Justice Department unfairly targeted conservatives during President Joe Biden's administration. The group's review includes the work of former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two federal prosecutions of Trump that were ultimately abandoned after Trump was elected to a second term. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro replaced Martin as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, but Martin immediately moved over to his current Justice Department position. Wise, who worked as a special agent or supervisory special agent for the FBI from 2004 through 2017, was arrested in Oregon on Capitol riot-related misdemeanor charges in May 2023. Wise repeatedly shouted, 'Kill 'em!' as he watched rioters assaulting officers outside the Capitol, according to an FBI agent's affidavit. Wise clapped his hands and raised his arms 'in triumph' after he entered the building through the Senate wing door, the affidavit says. He left the building about nine minutes after entering. Police body camera footage showed Wise berating police officers outside the Capitol and repeatedly shouting, 'Shame on you!' 'I'm former law enforcement," he told them." You're disgusting. You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo. You can't see it.' Wise was on trial in Washington when Trump returned to the White House in January and immediately pardoned, commuted prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of cases for all of the nearly 1,600 people charged in the attack. The case against Wise was dismissed before the jury reached a verdict.
India Today
02-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Ex-FBI agent charged in Capitol riot gets key role in Trump task force
A former FBI agent who was charged with joining a mob's attack on the US Capitol and cheering on rioters is now working as an adviser to the Justice Department official overseeing its 'weaponisation working group,' which is examining President Donald Trump's claims of anti-conservative bias inside the former FBI supervisory agent, Jared Lane Wise, is serving as a counsellor to Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr, who also serves as director of the working group, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorised to publicly discuss a personnel matter and spoke on condition of department spokesperson declined to comment. The New York Times was first to report on Wise's appointment. When Trump returned to the White House in January, he picked Martin to serve as interim US Attorney for the District of Columbia. But the president pulled his nomination to keep the job on a more permanent basis two days after a key Republican senator said he could not support Martin for the job due to his defence of Capitol was a leading figure in Trump's 'Stop the Steal' movement. He spoke at a rally in Washington on the eve of the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. He represented three January 6 defendants and served on the board of the nonprofit Patriot Freedom Project, which reports raising over USD 2.5 million to support riot was a leading figure in Trump's 'Stop the Steal' movement. He spoke at a rally in Washington on the eve of the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. He represented three January 6 defendants and served on the board of the nonprofit Patriot Freedom Project, which reports raising over USD 2.5 million to support riot General Pam Bondi called for creating the 'weaponization' group in February to investigate claims by Trump and Republican allies that the Justice Department unfairly targeted conservatives during President Joe Biden's administration. The group's review includes the work of former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two federal prosecutions of Trump that were ultimately abandoned after Trump was elected to a second News host Jeanine Pirro replaced Martin as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, but Martin immediately moved over to his current Justice Department who worked as a special agent or supervisory special agent for the FBI from 2004 through 2017, was arrested in Oregon on Capitol riot-related misdemeanour charges in May repeatedly shouted, 'Kill 'em!' as he watched rioters assaulting officers outside the Capitol, according to an FBI agent's affidavit. Wise clapped his hands and raised his arms 'in triumph' after he entered the building through the Senate wing door, the affidavit says. He left the building about nine minutes after body camera footage showed Wise berating police officers outside the Capitol and repeatedly shouting, 'Shame on you!''I'm former law enforcement,' he told them. "You're disgusting. You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo. You can't see it.'Wise was on trial in Washington when Trump returned to the White House in January and immediately pardoned, commuted prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of cases for all of the nearly 1,600 people charged in the attack. The case against Wise was dismissed before the jury reached a verdict.- Ends
Hamilton Spectator
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Ex-FBI agent charged in Capitol riot now works on Justice Department's ‘weaponization' task force
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI agent who was charged with joining a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol and cheering on rioters is now working as an adviser to the Justice Department official overseeing its 'weaponization working group,' which is examining President Donald Trump's claims of anti-conservative bias inside the department. The former FBI supervisory agent, Jared Lane Wise, is serving as a counselor to Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr., who also serves as director of the working group, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss a personnel matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. A department spokesperson declined to comment. The New York Times was first to report on Wise's appointment. When Trump returned to the White House in January, he picked Martin to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. But the president pulled his nomination to keep the job on a more permanent basis two days after a key Republican senator said he could not support Martin for the job due to his defense of Capitol rioters. Martin was a leading figure in Trump's 'Stop the Steal' movement. He spoke at a rally in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. He represented three Jan. 6 defendants and served on the board of the nonprofit Patriot Freedom Project, which reports raising over $2.5 million to support riot defendants. Attorney General Pam Bondi called for creating the 'weaponization' group in February to investigate claims by Trump and Republican allies that the Justice Department unfairly targeted conservatives during President Joe Biden's administration. The group's review includes the work of former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two federal prosecutions of Trump that were ultimately abandoned after Trump was elected to a second term. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro replaced Martin as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, but Martin immediately moved over to his current Justice Department position. Wise, who worked as a special agent or supervisory special agent for the FBI from 2004 through 2017, was arrested in Oregon on Capitol riot-related misdemeanor charges in May 2023. Wise repeatedly shouted, 'Kill 'em!' as he watched rioters assaulting officers outside the Capitol, according to an FBI agent's affidavit. Wise clapped his hands and raised his arms 'in triumph' after he entered the building through the Senate wing door, the affidavit says. He left the building about nine minutes after entering. Police body camera footage showed Wise berating police officers outside the Capitol and repeatedly shouting, 'Shame on you!' 'I'm former law enforcement,' he told them.' You're disgusting. You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo. You can't see it.' Wise was on trial in Washington when Trump returned to the White House in January and immediately pardoned, commuted prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of cases for all of the nearly 1,600 people charged in the attack. The case against Wise was dismissed before the jury reached a verdict. ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Winnipeg Free Press
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ex-FBI agent charged in Capitol riot now works on Justice Department's ‘weaponization' task force
WASHINGTON (AP) — A former FBI agent who was charged with joining a mob's attack on the U.S. Capitol and cheering on rioters is now working as an adviser to the Justice Department official overseeing its 'weaponization working group,' which is examining President Donald Trump's claims of anti-conservative bias inside the department. The former FBI supervisory agent, Jared Lane Wise, is serving as a counselor to Justice Department pardon attorney Ed Martin Jr., who also serves as director of the working group, according to a person familiar with the matter. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss a personnel matter and spoke on condition of anonymity. A department spokesperson declined to comment. The New York Times was first to report on Wise's appointment. When Trump returned to the White House in January, he picked Martin to serve as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. But the president pulled his nomination to keep the job on a more permanent basis two days after a key Republican senator said he could not support Martin for the job due to his defense of Capitol rioters. Martin was a leading figure in Trump's 'Stop the Steal' movement. He spoke at a rally in Washington on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol. He represented three Jan. 6 defendants and served on the board of the nonprofit Patriot Freedom Project, which reports raising over $2.5 million to support riot defendants. Attorney General Pam Bondi called for creating the 'weaponization' group in February to investigate claims by Trump and Republican allies that the Justice Department unfairly targeted conservatives during President Joe Biden's administration. The group's review includes the work of former special counsel Jack Smith, who led two federal prosecutions of Trump that were ultimately abandoned after Trump was elected to a second term. Fox News host Jeanine Pirro replaced Martin as the top federal prosecutor in Washington, but Martin immediately moved over to his current Justice Department position. Wise, who worked as a special agent or supervisory special agent for the FBI from 2004 through 2017, was arrested in Oregon on Capitol riot-related misdemeanor charges in May 2023. Wise repeatedly shouted, 'Kill 'em!' as he watched rioters assaulting officers outside the Capitol, according to an FBI agent's affidavit. Wise clapped his hands and raised his arms 'in triumph' after he entered the building through the Senate wing door, the affidavit says. He left the building about nine minutes after entering. Police body camera footage showed Wise berating police officers outside the Capitol and repeatedly shouting, 'Shame on you!' 'I'm former law enforcement,' he told them.' You're disgusting. You are the Nazi. You are the Gestapo. You can't see it.' Wise was on trial in Washington when Trump returned to the White House in January and immediately pardoned, commuted prison sentences or ordered the dismissal of cases for all of the nearly 1,600 people charged in the attack. The case against Wise was dismissed before the jury reached a verdict. ___ Associated Press writer Alanna Durkin Richer contributed to this report.
