Politics

AP Sources: Intel Shows Extremists to Attend Capitol Rally

Published

4 years ago

September 2, 2021

FILE - In this April 2, 2021, file photo, the U.S. Capitol is seen behind security fencing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Far right extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are planning to attend a rally in September at the U.S. Capitol that is designed to demand “justice” for the hundreds of people who have been charged in connection with January’s insurrection, according to three people familiar with intelligence gathered by federal officials. As a result, U.S. Capitol Police have been discussing in recent weeks whether the large perimeter fence that was erected outside of the Capitol after January’s riot will need to be put back up, the people said. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Far right extremist groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers are planning to attend a rally later this month at the U.S. Capitol that is designed to demand “justice” for the hundreds of people who have been charged in connection with January’s insurrection, according to three people familiar with intelligence gathered by federal officials.

As a result, U.S. Capitol Police have been discussing in recent weeks whether the large perimeter fence that was erected outside the Capitol after January’s riot will need to be put back up, the people said.

The officials have been discussing security plans that involve reconstructing the fence as well as another plan that does not involve a fence, the people said. They were not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

The planned Sept. 18 rally at the Capitol comes as a jittery Washington has seen a series of troubling one-off incidents — including, most recently, a man who parked a pickup truck near the Library of Congress and said he had a bomb and detonator. Among the most concerning events: A series of unexploded pipe bombs placed around the U.S. Capitol ahead of the Jan. 6 insurrection remain unexplained and no suspect has been charged.

On Capitol Hill, the politics around fencing in the iconic building and its grounds were extremely difficult for lawmakers after the Jan. 6 insurrection. Many said they disliked closing off access, even as they acknowledged the increased level of security it provided.

The decision on whether or not to erect the fence again will likely be considered by the Capitol Police Board, according to a House aide familiar with the matter and granted anonymity to discuss it. No decisions have been made. The board consists of the Sergeant at Arms of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the U.S. Senate, and the Architect of the Capitol.

The deadly riot overwhelmed the police force that was left badly prepared by intelligence failures and has resulted in internal reviews about why law enforcement agencies weren’t better equippped. More than 100 police officers were injured and the rioters did more than $1 million in damage.

The planned presence of the extremist groups is concerning because, while members and associates of Oath Keepers and Proud Boys make up just a fraction of the nearly 600 people who have been charged so far in the riot, they are facing some of the most serious charges brought so far.

Those charges include allegations that they conspired to block the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory. Several Oath Keepers have pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and are cooperating with investigators in the case against their fellow extremists, who authorities say came to Washington ready for violence and willing to do whatever it took to stop the certification of the Electoral College vote.

As officials prepare for this month’s rally, Yogananda Pittman, the Capitol Police official who led intelligence operations for the agency when the rioters descended on the building, has been put back in charge of intelligence.

In a statement to the AP, Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said the department was “closely monitoring September 18 and we are planning accordingly.”

“After January 6, we made Department-wide changes to the way we gather and share intelligence internally and externally. I am confident the work we are doing now will make sure our officers have what they need to keep everyone safe,” Manger said.

Still, law enforcement officials are increasingly concerned about the rally and the potential for violence. The Metropolitan Police Department will activate its entire force for that day and has put specialized riot officers on standby, law enforcement officials said.

But for federal officials, the person who planted the pipe bombs also remains a serious concern. Many of the leads in the investigation have come up dry and investigators working on the case haven’t even been able to figure out whether the suspect is a man or a woman, people familiar with the case said.

The FBI has released grainy surveillance video of the person they believe left the bombs and have said the person wore a gray hooded sweatshirt and a face mask and had a backpack and distinct Nike Air Max Speed Turf sneakers in yellow, black and gray.

The FBI had asked Nike for information about the shoes and sought to analyze information from purchasers, according to law enforcement documents obtained by The Associated Press. Agents also looked into a tip that someone had placed an ad on Facebook Marketplace with someone selling nearly identical shoes, the documents said.

The bombs — each about a foot long with end caps and wiring that appeared to be attached to a timer — had contained components that were unique and specific enough that agents reached out to companies like Walmart and other vendors and asked to review information about recent purchases, the documents said.

The explosive devices were placed outside the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees between 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Jan. 5, the night before the riot. But they were not located by law enforcement until the next day, shortly before thousands of pro-Trump rioters stormed into the Capitol.

It is not clear whether that means the pipe bombs were unrelated to the next day’s riot or were part of the riot planning. Both buildings are within a few blocks of the Capitol.

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Associated Press Writers Alanna Durkin Richer and Nomaan Merchant contributed to this report.

Politics

Jason Pizzo Quits as Florida Senate Democratic Leader, Declares Party ‘Dead’

Published

4 days ago

April 24, 2025

Willie David

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — In a stunning development Thursday, Senator Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) abruptly resigned as Florida Senate Democratic Leader, declaring the Democratic Party in Florida “dead” and announcing his switch to No Party Affiliation.

The unexpected move followed months of speculation that Pizzo was eyeing a run for governor in 2026, when Gov. Ron DeSantis will be term-limited.

Pizzo blindsided his Democratic colleagues with a 4-minute floor speech after the day’s legislative session, where he not only announced his resignation but also revealed that he had already FedExed his voter registration form to leave the Democratic Party.

“The Democratic Party in Florida is dead,” Pizzo said. “There are good people that can resuscitate it, but they don’t want it to be me.”

Senator Pizzo is the third Florida state lawmaker to abandon the Florida Democratic Party

Pizzo becomes the third sitting Florida lawmaker to abandon the Democratic Party in the past six months, following State Reps. Susan Valdes of Tampa and Hillary Cassel of Dania Beach, who both switched to the Republican Party.

The announcement sent immediate ripples through the Capitol, with Senate Democrats scrambling to hold a caucus meeting to elect a new leader. In the emergency session, Senator Lori Berman (D-Boca Raton) was chosen as the new Senate Democratic Leader, with Senator Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville) remaining as Leader Pro Tempore.

Senate President Ben Albritton confirmed that Pizzo had notified him of the move shortly before his public remarks.

In a scathing response, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a blistering statement condemning Pizzo as “one of the most ineffective and unpopular Democratic leaders in recent memory.”

“Jason Pizzo’s resignation is one of the best things to happen to the party in years,” Fried stated. “His legacy includes disparaging the party base, fighting with members, and chasing personal ambition over Democratic values.”

In 2022, Democrats once hailed Senator Jason Pizzo as a party powerhouse, valuing both his endorsement and his pledge of $500,000 to support Democratic candidates and unseat incumbents. He became known for his blunt, unfiltered remarks — including famously referring to then-Democratic incumbent James Bush as the “Governor’s little b**ch.” Despite the controversy, it appears that both the Florida Democratic Party and Democratic state lawmakers largely gave Pizzo a pass for his comments.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Alan Grayson Shakes Up Senate District 15 Race, Targeting ‘Family Feud’ Candidates, an Attorney, and a GOP Hopeful

Published

5 days ago

April 23, 2025

Willie David

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — The race to fill the late Senator Geraldine Thompson’s Senate District 15 seat has officially turned into one of Central Florida’s most dramatic political battles of the year. Former U.S. Congressman Alan Grayson has officially entered the race, joining Democratic attorney Coretta Anthony-Smith, State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, former State Senator Randolph Bracy III, and Republican Willie J. Montague in a highly anticipated special election.

Governor Ron DeSantis called for a Special Election last week following Thompson’s unexpected passing in February. The Special Primary is scheduled for June 24, 2025, with the Special Election set for September 2, 2025.

A Family Feud Headlines the Democratic Primary

The Democratic side of the ballot will see a rare and highly personal showdown as State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis faces her brother, former State Senator Randolph Bracy III, for the seat. Bracy previously held the Senate District 15 seat. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for Congress and later attempted to reclaim his Senate seat but lost to Thompson in the 2024 primary.

Bracy Davis announced her candidacy, confirming her resignation from the Florida House effective September 1, a day before the final vote in Senate District 15. Florida election law requires candidates to resign from their current seat to run for another office.

Randolph Bracy publicly expressed disappointment at his sister’s decision to enter the race against him, stating:

“This is a sad day for the Bracy name. My sister choosing to run against me dishonors our father’s legacy in every way possible. I will not disparage our father, who believed in this family, by debating my sister in any format.”

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Alan Grayson on a Return Mission

In a statement to Florida Politics, Alan Grayson criticized the current state of the Democratic candidates and elected officials, declaring:

“I’m seeing a pervasive failure on the part of Democratic candidates and elected officials to accomplish anything meaningful.”

Grayson, known for his bold rhetoric and progressive record during his time in Congress, hopes to claim a seat in state politics and offer voters a non-family feud, policy-driven option in the crowded Democratic primary.

Republican Challenger and New Faces

On the Republican side, Willie J. Montague, a faith-based nonprofit founder, will contest for the seat. Democrat Coretta Anthony-Smith, a personal injury attorney, has also filed to run, further diversifying the field.

What’s Next for Senate District 15?

The political landscape in Senate District 15, which covers parts of Orange County, is heating up fast:

Special Primary Election: June 24, 2025
Special General Election: September 2, 2025
LaVon Bracy Davis will officially resign from the Florida House on September 1, 2025, to meet election requirements.
Expect a highly publicized and contentious Democratic Primary as the Bracy siblings square off while Alan Grayson and Coretta Anthony-Smith work to capture the party base.
Republican Willie J. Montague aims to rally the GOP vote for a potential upset in a traditionally Democratic-leaning district.

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J Willie David, III
News@FloridaNationalNews.com

Politics

Florida Legislature Unanimously Passes “Gage’s Law” to Combat Fentanyl Crisis

Published

2 weeks ago

April 17, 2025

FNN NEWS

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Florida Legislature has taken decisive action against the deadly fentanyl epidemic. On Monday, HB 1195/SB 1346 – Fentanyl Testing, also known as “Gage’s Law”, passed unanimously in both the Florida House and Senate, marking a major bipartisan step in the state’s fight to save lives. The bill now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk for signature.

“Gage’s Law”, sponsored by Senator Tina Polsky (D-Boca Raton) and Representative Rita Harris (D-Orlando), is named in memory of Gage Austin Taylor, a bright and promising young man who died in 2022 after unknowingly ingesting a substance laced with fentanyl.

Key Provisions of the Legislation

Hospitals and campus emergency departments will be required to test for fentanyl in all suspected overdose or poisoning cases.
Mandatory follow-up testing when initial test results are positive.
All fentanyl test results must be preserved in the patient’s official clinical record.

“Fentanyl tears apart communities by claiming lives too soon,” said Senator Tina Polsky. “I’ve been honored to work with Representative Harris, Gage’s mother Gretchin, and countless advocates to pass Gage’s Law, which is a powerful step in fighting the ongoing fentanyl crisis.”

Florida’s Fentanyl Crisis

Florida ranks second in the nation for fentanyl-related deaths.
Nearly 5,000 Floridians died in 2022 due to fentanyl overdoses.
“Gage’s Law” is designed to ensure rapid detection and response, giving medical staff and law enforcement critical tools to combat the epidemic.

“This policy will equip hospitals with the guidance they need to treat fentanyl overdoses while giving law enforcement the tools to hold traffickers accountable, all in honor of those we’ve lost,” added Representative Rita Harris.

What’s Next?

If signed by Governor DeSantis, “Gage’s Law” will take effect on July 1, 2025, becoming one of the most impactful fentanyl-related measures in Florida’s legislative history.