Stephen Alford, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is accused in a plan that offered to shut down a high-profile, criminal sex-trafficking investigation into the lawmaker.A Florida developer and fraud convict was arrested Tuesday on a charge that he tried to extort $25 million from the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). | (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)A Florida developer and fraud convict was arrested Tuesday on a charge that he tried to extort $25 million from the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz in exchange for a presidential pardon that would shut down a high-profile, criminal sex-trafficking...…Stephen Alford, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., is accused in a plan that offered to shut down a high-profile, criminal sex-trafficking investigation into the lawmaker.A Florida developer and fraud convict was arrested Tuesday on a charge that he tried to extort $25 million from the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.). | (Patrick Semansky/AP Photo)A Florida developer and fraud convict was arrested Tuesday on a charge that he tried to extort $25 million from the father of Rep. Matt Gaetz in exchange for a presidential pardon that would shut down a high-profile, criminal sex-trafficking...WW…

“Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is cruel and psychologically damaging,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said.Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people storm the Capitol on Jan. 6. | Brent Stirton/Getty ImagesSen. Elizabeth Warren fled the Capitol on Jan. 6 from a mob she later called domestic terrorists. Now she and another Senate Democratic leader are standing up for their attackers’ rights as criminal defendants.Most of the 300-plus people charged with participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot have been released while they await trial, but dozens of those...…“Solitary confinement is a form of punishment that is cruel and psychologically damaging,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren said.Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as people storm the Capitol on Jan. 6. | Brent Stirton/Getty ImagesSen. Elizabeth Warren fled the Capitol on Jan. 6 from a mob she later called domestic terrorists. Now she and another Senate Democratic leader are standing up for their attackers’ rights as criminal defendants.Most of the 300-plus people charged with participating in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot have been released while they await trial, but dozens of those...WW…

The cases could embarrass the Biden administration, which has portrayed the Jan. 6 siege as a dire threat to democracy.Supporters of President Donald Trump are seen inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. | Brent Stirton/Getty ImagesAmericans outraged by the storming of Capitol Hill are in for a jarring reality check: Many of those who invaded the halls of Congress on Jan. 6 are likely to get little or no jail time.While public and media attention in recent weeks has been focused on high-profile conspiracy cases against right-wing, paramilitary groups like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, the...…The cases could embarrass the Biden administration, which has portrayed the Jan. 6 siege as a dire threat to democracy.Supporters of President Donald Trump are seen inside the Capitol on Jan. 6. | Brent Stirton/Getty ImagesAmericans outraged by the storming of Capitol Hill are in for a jarring reality check: Many of those who invaded the halls of Congress on Jan. 6 are likely to get little or no jail time.While public and media attention in recent weeks has been focused on high-profile conspiracy cases against right-wing, paramilitary groups like the Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys, the...WW…

A pact signed by former Hispanic outreach director Jessica Denson is too broad and vague to enforce, a judge says.In this Nov. 5, 2016, file photo, Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally in Tampa, Fla. | Chris O'Meara, File/APA federal judge ruled Tuesday that a broad non-disclosure agreement that Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign required employees to sign is unenforceable.U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gardephe’s ruling generally steered clear of the constitutional issues presented by such agreements in the context of political campaigns. Instead, the judge — an appointee...…A pact signed by former Hispanic outreach director Jessica Denson is too broad and vague to enforce, a judge says.In this Nov. 5, 2016, file photo, Donald Trump gestures during a campaign rally in Tampa, Fla. | Chris O'Meara, File/APA federal judge ruled Tuesday that a broad non-disclosure agreement that Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign required employees to sign is unenforceable.U.S. District Court Judge Paul Gardephe’s ruling generally steered clear of the constitutional issues presented by such agreements in the context of political campaigns. Instead, the judge — an appointee...WW…

Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, was picked up Thursday on charges stemming from the Jan. 6 takeover of Congress.Rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. | John Minchillo, File/APThe FBI on Thursday arrested Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, on charges related to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, marking the first known instance of an appointee of President Donald Trump facing criminal prosecution in connection with the attempt to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s victory.Klein, 42, was taken into...…Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, was picked up Thursday on charges stemming from the Jan. 6 takeover of Congress.Rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. | John Minchillo, File/APThe FBI on Thursday arrested Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, on charges related to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, marking the first known instance of an appointee of President Donald Trump facing criminal prosecution in connection with the attempt to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s victory.Klein, 42, was taken into...WW…

Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, was picked up Thursday on charges stemming from the Jan. 6 takeover of Congress.Rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. | John Minchillo, File/APThe FBI on Thursday arrested Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, on charges related to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, marking the first known instance of an appointee of President Donald Trump facing criminal prosecution in connection with the attempt to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s victory.Klein, 42, was taken into...…Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, was picked up Thursday on charges stemming from the Jan. 6 takeover of Congress.Rioters try to break through a police barrier at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. | John Minchillo, File/APThe FBI on Thursday arrested Federico Klein, a former State Department aide, on charges related to the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, marking the first known instance of an appointee of President Donald Trump facing criminal prosecution in connection with the attempt to block Congress from certifying President Joe Biden’s victory.Klein, 42, was taken into...WW…

The Jan. 6 siege of the Capitol also dominated the first day of his hearing.Judge Merrick Garland, nominee to be Attorney General, testifies at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. | Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via APPresident Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Justice Department, D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland, appears to be coasting towards easy confirmation after a relatively low-key outing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.Republicans did use the opportunity to gingerly push Garland to commit to allowing federal prosecutors to press on...…The Jan. 6 siege of the Capitol also dominated the first day of his hearing.Judge Merrick Garland, nominee to be Attorney General, testifies at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. | Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via APPresident Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Justice Department, D.C. Circuit Judge Merrick Garland, appears to be coasting towards easy confirmation after a relatively low-key outing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday.Republicans did use the opportunity to gingerly push Garland to commit to allowing federal prosecutors to press on...WW…

The case sought $435 million over a report that then-chair of House Intelligence Committee dug for Ukraine dirt on Biden.Rep. Devin Nunes wears a protective mask while walking through the Cannon Tunnel. | Stefani Reynolds/Getty ImagesA federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit Rep. Devin Nunes filed in 2019 claiming he was libeled by CNN in reports alleging he was involved in an effort to dig up Ukraine-related dirt on Joe Biden.In a ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain granted the news network’s motion to dismiss the suit, which sought a whopping $435 million in...…The case sought $435 million over a report that then-chair of House Intelligence Committee dug for Ukraine dirt on Biden.Rep. Devin Nunes wears a protective mask while walking through the Cannon Tunnel. | Stefani Reynolds/Getty ImagesA federal judge has thrown out a lawsuit Rep. Devin Nunes filed in 2019 claiming he was libeled by CNN in reports alleging he was involved in an effort to dig up Ukraine-related dirt on Joe Biden.In a ruling Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain granted the news network’s motion to dismiss the suit, which sought a whopping $435 million in...WW…

David Correia is first to plead guilty; No charges against former New York mayor.David Correia, pictured leaving a New York federal court in 2019, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. | Craig Ruttle/AP PhotoA Florida businessman was sentenced Monday to just over a year in prison for swindling investors out of $2.3 million and obscuring the source of political donations in a case closely tied to Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and high-profile attorney for President Donald Trump.Forty-five-year-old David Correia was . U.S. District Court Judge Paul Oetken, who is based in...…David Correia is first to plead guilty; No charges against former New York mayor.David Correia, pictured leaving a New York federal court in 2019, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. | Craig Ruttle/AP PhotoA Florida businessman was sentenced Monday to just over a year in prison for swindling investors out of $2.3 million and obscuring the source of political donations in a case closely tied to Rudy Giuliani, the former New York mayor and high-profile attorney for President Donald Trump.Forty-five-year-old David Correia was . U.S. District Court Judge Paul Oetken, who is based in...WW…

“Defendant Chansley’s now-famous criminal acts have made him the public face of the Capitol riot,” prosecutors said.On Jan. 6, 2021, supporters of President Donald Trump, including Jacob Chansley (right with fur hat) are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol. | AP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaJacob Chansley — the QAnon adherent who infamously stormed the Senate chamber shirtless and wearing horns on Jan. 6 — should go to prison for 51 months, prosecutors said Tuesday in a late-night sentencing memo carrying their stiffest recommendation yet in...…“Defendant Chansley’s now-famous criminal acts have made him the public face of the Capitol riot,” prosecutors said.On Jan. 6, 2021, supporters of President Donald Trump, including Jacob Chansley (right with fur hat) are confronted by U.S. Capitol Police officers outside the Senate Chamber inside the Capitol. | AP Photo/Manuel Balce CenetaJacob Chansley — the QAnon adherent who infamously stormed the Senate chamber shirtless and wearing horns on Jan. 6 — should go to prison for 51 months, prosecutors said Tuesday in a late-night sentencing memo carrying their stiffest recommendation yet in...WW…