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President Biden Issued Last-Minute Pre-Emptive Pardons to TRUMP Enemies
President Biden Issues Federal Pardons For Simple Possession of Marijuana
President Joe Biden has pardoned all Americans who have been convicted at the national level of possessing small amounts of marijuana. BBC 7 OCT 2022. https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cp...1242649489.jpg Officials estimate about 6,500 people with federal convictions for simple possession of marijuana will benefit. No-one is currently in federal prison solely for possession of marijuana. Most convictions occur at state level. But the federal pardons will make it easier for people to get employment, housing, and education, Mr Biden said. As a presidential candidate, Mr Biden promised to decriminalise cannabis use, as well as expunging convictions. "Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit," Mr Biden said on Thursday. He added that non-white people were statistically far more likely to be jailed for cannabis. As a White House candidate, Mr Biden was criticised for writing a 1994 crime bill that stiffened penalties for drug crimes and led to more incarceration of minorities. The Democratic president said he would call upon all state governors to issue their own marijuana pardons. He is also directing the Department of Justice and the Department of Health to review how cannabis is classified under federal law. "We classify marijuana at the same level as heroin - and more serious than fentanyl," said Mr Biden. "It makes no sense." Recreational marijuana is already legal in 19 states and Washington DC. Medical use is legal in 37 states and three US territories. However, the drug remains illegal at the federal level, even in states where it can be legally bought and used, meaning people there could still be convicted for possession in certain circumstances. The pardons come a month before November's congressional mid-term elections, which will determine the power balance in Washington for the last two years of Mr Biden's term. Life for Pot, a website advocating for the release of non-violent marijuana offenders, noted that there are no known federal prisoners that will be affected by Mr Biden's measure, tweeting: "This is window dressing." Cannabis company shares jumped on the stock market by around 20% with news of Mr Biden's pardons. Mr Biden is not the first US president to pardon cannabis offenders. On his final day in office, Donald Trump pardoned 12 marijuana offenders, including some who had been jailed for life under the three-strikes rule created in 1994 crime bill. |
US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast
Terrorism Threat Level Raised in Northern Ireland
The terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland has been raised to SEVERE The move, based on a Security Service (MI5) intelligence assessment, follows a rise in dissident republican activity, including a gun attack last month on a senior police officer. BBC 28 MAR 2023 https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cp...ffcergunpa.jpg It sees the threat level raised from substantial to severe, meaning the risk of attack or attacks has gone from "likely" to "highly likely". It was announced by Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris. Tuesday's announcement reverses last year's downgrade which was the first change in Northern Ireland in 12 years. MI5 is believed to review the threat level every six months - the terrorism threat level remains substantial in the rest of the UK. Threat levels are designed to give an indication of the likelihood of a terrorist attack and there are five rankings ranging from low to critical: Severe is one level below critical. Vigilance urged In February Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was shot several times by two gunmen as he was putting footballs into his car boot having been coaching a youth training session. The 48-year-old father of one remains in a critical condition in hospital in Omagh. The attack was admitted by the main dissident group, the New IRA. https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cp...c5167d6d6f.jpg Det Ch Insp John Caldwell remains critically ill In a written statement to MPs, Mr Heaton-Harris said: "The public should remain vigilant, but not be alarmed, and continue to report any concerns they have to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI)." PSNI Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "We will relentlessly pursue those who seek to cause harm and terrorise our communities, and attack my officers and staff." Three months prior to February's attack on the police officer, the New IRA set off a roadside bomb in Strabane, County Tyrone, as a police car drove past, but neither of the two officers inside was injured. Both attacks showed that after a number of years on the back foot, the organisation remains dangerous. Two smaller dissident groups, the Continuity IRA and Arm na Poblachta (ANP), are also active. What are the threat levels? There are five: CRITICAL means an attack is expected imminently SEVERE means an attack is highly likely SUBSTANTIAL means an attack is a strong possibility MODERATE means an attack is possible, but not likely LOW means an attack is unlikely |
re: US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast
PSNI Chief Warns of Dissident Republican Disorder During Easter
The police have warned of the potential of public disorder linked to dissident republicans over the Easter period. BBC 7 APR 2023 https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cp...acility_14.jpg Chief Constable Simon Byrne has told a meeting of the Policing Board that the trouble could be an attempt to draw officers into gun or bomb attacks. MI5 recently raised Northern Ireland's terrorism threat level to severe, meaning an attack is highly likely. Events are being held to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. The deal ended 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland, known as the Troubles, which cost the lives of more than 3,500 people. Mr Byrne said the PSNI had made temporary changes to shifts to put more officers onto frontline duties. In February senior detective John Caldwell suffered life-changing injuries when he was shot multiple times at a sports complex in Omagh, County Tyrone. Police believe the dissident republican group the New IRA was behind the attack on the off-duty officer. Speaking after the Policing Board meeting, Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton said the PSNI had "very strong community intelligence" that attacks were being planned in Londonderry. He said officers had to "be prepared for that and we will be prepared for all eventualities on Monday". Det Ch Insp John Caldwell was off duty when he was shot several times by two gunmen on 22 February Speaking in Belfast later on Thursday, the Tanaiste (Irish deputy PM) Micheál Martin said the possibility of an attack on police represented "criminality in its worst form". "I think it's very evil people who are contemplating this," he said. Earlier Mr Byrne also said resources would be further challenged by the visit of US President Joe Biden next week in relation to the Good Friday Agreement anniversary, which actually falls on Monday. About 300 officers will be drafted in from other UK forces to help out. The cost of the security operation around the presidential visit, anniversary events and Easter has been put at £7m. The Good Friday Agreement: A Brief Guide |
re: US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast
Petrol Bombs Thrown at Police Van Ahead of Visit by Joe Biden to Northern Ireland
A police van is seen being pelted by petrol bombs as it is parked at a road junction in social media footage ahead of the visit of Joe Biden to Northern Ireland Twenty five years ago today, the Good Friday Agreement was signed - bringing an end, on paper at least, to the Troubles in Northern Ireland, which had cost thousands of lives over decades. BBC 11 APR 2023 https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incomin...g111-1_309.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incomin...0-Apr-2023.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incomin...ter-Monday.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incomin...g118-0_785.jpg https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incomin...nniversary.jpg Horrifying footage shows a gang in hoods throwing “petrol bombs” at a police van in Derry ahead of Joe Biden ’s visit to Northern Ireland. A Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) van is shown in a social media clip being pelted by missiles and catching fire as it is parked at a street corner. Several people in hoods are seen lobbing the bottles at the van while one person could also be seen hitting the front of the vehicle with a stick. Behind them are a larger group arriving before the 30 second clip shared on Twitter cuts out. The tweet is captioned: “Petrol bombs thrown at the PSNI during Easter Rising parade in Derry @irish_news #easter #1916.” More footage then shows the police van being driven away and a republican parade marching down the street. Meanwhile, police have appealed for calm after officers were attacked with petrol bombs in Londonderry. A PSNI tweet said: "Our officers have come under attack in Creggan with petrol bombs and other objects thrown at their vehicle while in attendance at an un-notified Easter parade. "No injuries have been reported at this time. "We would appeal for calm." It comes with a dissident republican Easter commemoration parade being held in the city. The parade, which travelled to the City Cemetery, was led by a number of people in paramilitary-style dress. |
re: US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Arrive in Belfast
US President Joe Biden & UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast to Mark 25th Anniversary of Good Friday Agreement
US President Joe Biden has joined UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Belfast at the start of an historic four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic. BBC 12 APR 2023 https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cp...c49b1e625a.jpg US President Joe Biden is greeted by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Belfast International Airport on Tuesday night US President Joe Biden has landed in Belfast at the start of an historic four-day visit to Northern Ireland and the Republic. Mr Biden was greeted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as he stepped off Air Force One at Belfast International Airport. His visit marks the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement - a peace deal which helped end 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland. The White House hailed the "tremendous progress" since it was signed in 1998. But Mr Biden's trip is overshadowed by the fact that Northern Ireland's power-sharing government is not functioning. It collapsed last year when the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) - one of the biggest parties at Stormont - pulled out as part of a protest against post-Brexit trade rules for Northern Ireland. Mr Biden arrived in Belfast city centre at about 22:20 BST after making the journey from the airport in his presidential motorcade. A huge security operation has been in place for most of Tuesday, with many city centre streets closed ahead of the visit. Ahead of his arrival, Mr Biden said he was looking forward to marking the anniversary in Belfast and "underscoring the US commitment to preserving peace and encouraging prosperity". His trip to Belfast will be the first leg of a four-day stay in Ireland, during which he will also discuss his Irish roots and meet Irish relatives. His sister Valerie and his son Hunter are also accompanying the US president on the visit. |
President Biden Issued Last-Minute Pre-Emptive Pardons to TRUMP Enemies
President Biden Issued Last-Minute Pre-Emptive Pardons to TRUMP Enemies
President Joe Biden issued preemptive pardons to a number of individuals who Donald Trump seemed likely to target for prosecution once he returns to the White House. AP 20 JAN 2025 https://www.rawstory.com/media-libra...200&height=800 The outgoing president announced the pardons of members of the House select committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection Also well police officers who testified during that probe, and the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the head of Trumps response team during the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. That is why I am exercising my authority under the Constitution to pardon General Mark A. Milley, Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the Members of Congress and staff who served on the Select Committee, and the U.S. Capitol and D.C. Metropolitan police officers who testified before the Select Committee, Biden said in a statement. The issuance of these pardons should not be mistaken as an acknowledgment that any individual engaged in any wrongdoing, nor should acceptance be misconstrued as an admission of guilt for any offense. Our nation owes these public servants a debt of gratitude for their tireless commitment to our country. Trump campaigned for re-election on a theme of retribution, and his nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, has published an enemies list that includes many of the individuals who received the preemptive pardons. |
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