US NATIONAL NEWS
District attorney in Georgia election case against Trump and others seeks protections for jurors
Published
1 year agoon

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia prosecutor who has brought charges accusing former President Donald Trump and others of illegally trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election in the state is asking the judge in the case to take steps to protect jurors.
The preemptory step by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis comes after the grand jurors who returned the 41-count indictment against Trump and 18 others were subjected to harassment when their information was posted online. It’s a reflection of the highly polarized feelings surrounding the criminal cases against the former president.
Willis wrote in a motion filed Wednesday that the grand jurors’ information was posted “with the intent to harass and intimidate them.” Additionally, the motion said, the personal information of Willis, a Black woman, and that of her family and staff have been posted online ”intertwined with derogatory and racist remarks.”
News cameras are frequently allowed in the courtroom for trial proceedings in Georgia, but video and still photographers are regularly instructed not to show images of the jury. During the jury selection process, the prospective jurors are typically referred to by number rather than by name.
Willis is asking Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to prohibit defendants, the news media or anyone else from creating or publishing images — including video, photos and drawings — of jurors or prospective jurors. She is also asking that the judge prohibit the publication of any information that would help identify them, “specifically physical descriptions, telephone numbers, addresses, employer names and membership affiliations.”
Legal experts have said it’s standard for indictments in Georgia to include the names of the grand jurors, in part because it provides defendants the opportunity to challenge the composition of the grand jury. So the names of the 23 grand jurors who heard the district attorney’s evidence and voted to approve charges were included on the indictment. They immediately became the victims of “doxxing,” which is short for “dropping dox” or documents, and refers to the online posting of information about someone, generally in an attempt to harass, threaten, shame or exact revenge.
It is “clearly foreseeable” that that would happen to trial jurors if their names were made public, and that could jeopardize their “ability to decide the issues before them impartially and without outside influence,” affecting the defendants’ right to a fair and impartial jury, Willis argued.
Attached to Willis’ motion were sworn statements from Atlanta Police Chief Darin Schierbaum and an investigator in Willis’ office.
Schierbaum said that listings of the grand jurors’ information “called for harassment and violence against the grand jurors” and that his department worked with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies to ensure safety measures were put in place to protect them. Those efforts “require a significant devotion of our capacity and represent a strain on law enforcement resources to allow them to complete their civic duty without being subjected to unnecessary danger.”
Information about Willis and the grand jurors was posted on the dark web, a part of the internet hosted within an encrypted network and accessible only through specialized tools that provide anonymity, district attorney’s investigator Gerald Walsh wrote.
The site where the information was posted is hosted in Russia and is known by federal authorities to be “uncooperative with law enforcement.” Users who post on that site have made similar posts about other prosecutors, judges, federal employees and their families in other states as well, Walsh wrote.
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US NATIONAL NEWS
“Rep. Maxwell Frost Condemns Trump for Shutting Down White House Gun Violence Prevention Office”
Published
3 weeks agoon
January 21, 2025By
Willie David
WASHINGTON (FNN) – Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) expressed outrage as President Donald Trump’s administration swiftly dismantled the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) within 24 hours of taking office. The OGVP, established by the Biden-Harris Administration in 2023 after significant advocacy by Frost, was a critical initiative aimed at addressing America’s gun violence crisis.
The OGVP provided federal leadership in responding to mass shootings, connecting municipalities with vital resources for victims, and implementing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The office’s accomplishments included distributing millions in federal grants, such as $1.5 million to the City of Orlando’s Community Violence Intervention Program. Frost criticized Trump’s decision as a significant step backward in the fight to protect communities from gun violence.
In his statement, Frost emphasized the bipartisan need for gun reform:
“Donald Trump’s reckless decision to close the Office of Gun Violence Prevention is a betrayal of the American people. This office was saving lives, not playing politics. We need leaders on both sides of the aisle to prioritize the safety of our communities. The fight for common-sense gun reform is far from over.”
Impact of Ending the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention:
The closure of OGVP signals a troubling shift in federal priorities. Without a central office to coordinate responses to mass shootings and gun violence, victims and communities may face delays in accessing critical resources. Federal grants for community violence intervention programs could be slashed, stalling progress in violence prevention efforts. The decision also halts federal oversight of initiatives such as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, leaving a gap in addressing the growing epidemic of gun violence.
What’s Next?
Congressman Maxwell Frost has vowed to lead the charge in reestablishing the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. He plans to work with advocacy groups, local governments, and bipartisan leaders to pass new legislation ensuring a federal response to gun violence remains a priority. Frost urges Americans to contact their representatives to demand action and support initiatives aimed at protecting communities from gun-related tragedies.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com
US NATIONAL NEWS
President Trump Declares New “Golden Age” for America with Sweeping Executive Orders
Published
3 weeks agoon
January 21, 2025By
Willie David
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – On the historic day of his second inauguration, President Donald J. Trump wasted no time delivering on his promises to the American people. Declaring the beginning of a new “Golden Age,” the 47th President signed a series of sweeping executive orders aimed at transforming energy, immigration, government accountability, and national security policies.
President Trump Ushers in a New Era of American Greatness with Day One Executive Orders
Day One: A Legacy of Action
President Trump emphasized his commitment to reversing policies from the previous administration and implementing bold reforms to restore America’s global standing and economic prosperity.
Energy Independence Revived
President Trump fulfilled key campaign promises by launching a national energy emergency, lifting restrictive regulations, and reopening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for energy development. He also ended the Biden administration’s electric vehicle mandate and paused offshore wind projects, declaring these actions necessary to unlock America’s full energy potential.
“With today’s actions, we’re bringing energy costs down for hardworking families and restoring our nation’s energy independence,” President Trump announced during his speech.
Securing America’s Borders
Trump made border security a cornerstone of his campaign and wasted no time in addressing immigration policies. His executive orders reinstated the “Remain in Mexico” policy, resumed border wall construction, and designated international cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. Additionally, he halted refugee admissions and closed loopholes to end “birth tourism” and catch-and-release policies.
“America’s borders will no longer be wide open,” Trump asserted. “We will protect our citizens, prioritize safety, and ensure that immigration laws serve the interests of our country.”
Draining the Swamp
In an aggressive push to reform government, President Trump created the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to cut waste and streamline operations. He also reinstated merit-based hiring practices and signed an order to root out corruption by making it easier to fire underperforming federal employees.
“Today, we begin the process of taking back control of our government and holding it accountable to the American people,” Trump declared.
Restoring American Values and Sovereignty
Key executive orders targeted cultural and foreign policy shifts. President Trump reinstated the death penalty for drug dealers and human traffickers, declared the United States would officially recognize only two genders, and renamed the Gulf of Mexico as the “Gulf of America.”
On foreign policy, he renewed his America First trade agenda and redirected foreign aid to align with U.S. interests and values.
“Our policies will always put America first,” President Trump said, reiterating his focus on prioritizing the welfare of American citizens.
President Trump’s Executive Orders Kickstart a Bold Vision for America’s Future
The sweeping reforms enacted by President Trump on his first day in office signal a dramatic shift in national priorities. His decisive actions aim to bolster the economy, secure the border, restore traditional values, and dismantle bureaucracy.
As President Trump stated, “This is just the beginning. Together, we will bring about an era of unmatched greatness for our nation.”
____________________________________________________________________________
J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Nerwork
news@FloridaNationalNews.com
US NATIONAL NEWS
NASA’s Day of Remembrance Honors Fallen Heroes of Exploration
Published
3 weeks agoon
January 17, 2025
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