Let’s just take a moment to realize this - we’re talking about the US Executive Branch, and probably at least some of the Legislative Branch, being investigated under RICO statutes, and we’re not even blinking.
Even six years ago, would you have believed that possible? A RICO investigation into the US government would have been the stuff of conspiracy theories and nonsense.
Yeah, you’re right, it is bonkers. That being said, good thing we have the RICO statutes to get to the bottom of this.
I’ve been blinking in abject horror almost continuously for the past nearly 7 years.
But I can understand why people are reluctant to accept the true state of things. It’s a lot to take onboard, that half your government wants to become a Viktor Orban clone of fascism.
And even here on the SDMB, I often see evidence of Fox “News” and social media propaganda working its black magic, with posters uncritically posting their talking points.
The damage has seeped in everywhere.
You mean they couldn’t have investigated Watergate as RICO?
Well, that would have been poetic justice…
It was enacted as Title IX of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970, and signed into law by US President Richard M. Nixon.
But in that case, it wasn’t nearly as extensive as what we see with Trump et al.
There’s nothing magical about RICO. In fact, virtually all criminal investigations are run working from the bottom up, including Watergate.
What RICO does is allow federal investigators to reach through jurisdictional challenges and tie a far-ranging criminal event – such as attempting to overthrow the results of a lawful election – into one large criminal act. As we know, parts of this criminal act occurred in Washington DC, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, etc. But it is all part of the same criminal enterprise – and that’s where RICO becomes a necessity in this type of investigation.
RICO is usually used in mob prosecutions. And still is, I think it can be fairly said.
ms hutchinson has testified for at least 20 hours. since switching lawyers she has giving the committee more information.
here we go!
I won’t be able to watch much of it today, so I’ll be relying on the Dope to keep me up-to-date.
As an aside, I just noticed that Fox is carrying the hearing live today.
My feelings, in anticipation (four seconds):
Thompson didn’t bang his gavel to start the hearing!
Good. This means the hearings don’t fall under admiralty law.
i thought i heard the gavel.
Liz Cheney said in her opening statement that the scope of today’s proceeding is to begin testimony about first-hand observations of Trump and his staff members on January 6th.
So, to put this in The West Wing terms…Cassidy Hutchison = Josh Lyman?
Apparently Meadows insisted she be present for all his meetings.
Meadows (paraphrased): “Things are gonna get real, real bad on January 6th.”
I understand why she does it, but I feel her testimony would sound stronger if she didn’t keep using the phrase “he used words to that effect” when recounting conversations.
Video clips documenting guns at the Trump rally and near the Elipse, including AR-15s and Glock pistols.
When informed of this by Hutchinson and Tony Ornato (Secret Service assistant director), Meadows’ response was to not even look up from his phone. Then said, “Anything else? Have you informed the president?”
Why would the Secret Service not react to this at a place the POTUS was attending?
The president argued, “They’re not here to hurt me.”