The Chicago Journal

Mike Pence joins Trump and Biden in holding documents

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on March 20, 2023

Image source: The Hill

Mike Pence: Over a dozen pieces of classified documents were discovered at the former vice president’s Indiana home last week by a lawyer working on his behalf.

People familiar with the matter claim that the attorney gave the FBI the papers.

Since then, the National Security Division of the Justice Department and the FBI have taken it upon themselves to review the information.

They are also looking into how the files ended up at Mike Pence’s house in Indiana.

The news

The classified papers were found at Pence’s Carmel, Indiana, residence.

It comes after the discovery of confidential documents in President Joe Biden’s residence and office.

Mike Pence argued strenuously that he possessed any classified data before the information was discovered.

The contents of the documents and their level of confidentiality are not yet disclosed.

When Pence’s staff heard about the documents on Tuesday night, they immediately informed the appropriate congressional leaders and committees.

Out of a sense of prudence, the former vice president requested that his lawyer, who was familiar with confidential information, visit his home.

Lawyer Matt Morgan allegedly found a few papers marked “classified” last week while going through four boxes at Pence’s house.

They advised the National Archives of their discoveries, who subsequently informed the Justice Department.

The pickup

When the FBI sought to relocate the records that evening, Mike Pence reportedly consented, according to his attorney.

On Monday, his legal team returned the boxes to Washington, DC, and gave them to the Archives for examination in accordance with the Presidential Records Act.

According to a letter by Greg Jacob, Mike Pence’s representative at the Archives, a small collection of documents were unintentionally packaged and shipped to Pence’s residence.

“Vice President Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence,” wrote Jacobs.

“Vice President Pence understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry.”

The boxes

According to sources, Pence’s temporary house in Virginia is where the packages holding the sensitive documents were held before being shipped to Indiana.

The boxes were taped, even though they weren’t kept in a safe place.

According to Pence’s attorney, there was no sign that the things had been opened.

The documents were kept in a safe inside the residence when they were discovered.

The former Vice President’s advocacy organization’s Washington, DC, headquarters, according to the lawyer, are the subject of an investigation.

However, no additional records could be found.

Read also: Kevin McCarthy still short of votes to become speaker

Biden and Trump

The investigation on Joe Biden and Donald Trump was the same that resulted in the revelation of Mike Pence’s possession of sensitive documents.

Rumors that he is getting ready to seek the Republican presidential nomination in 2024 coincide with the statement.

In August 2022, the FBI filed a search warrant and examined Trump’s Florida home.

Vice President Mike Pence asserted that he didn’t have any classified information at that time.

“No, not to my knowledge,” said Pence.

He was again questioned about whether or not he had carried any documents home in November.

He claimed not to have.

“Well, there’d be no reason to have classified documents, particularly if they were in an unprotected area,” Pence explained.

“But I will tell you that I believe there had to be many better ways to resolve that issue than executive a search warrant at the personal residence of a former president of the United States.”

VP residence and White House boxes

When Mike Pence declared his departure as vice president, the process was drawn out.

They went through every single Presidential Records Act-covered document, both classified and unclassified, and turned it in.

The procedure was avoided since the vast bulk of the papers and Pence’s personal files were located apart from his home.

He maintains a secure area at his home near the US Naval Observatory in Washington where he processes sensitive information.

As the Trump administration drew to a close, some boxes at the Indiana residence were packed from the vice president’s residence, while others arrived from the White House.

Effect on Biden situation

The documents discovered at Mike Pence’s residence mark the third instance of a president or vice president hoarding classified material inappropriately after leaving office.

The mishandling of classified documents by Biden and Trump is currently under investigation by special counsels.

A source claims that Pence’s most recent discoveries point to a structural issue with the Presidential Records Act and classified materials.

The FBI searched Biden’s Wilmington home on Friday in search of further important documents..

When Biden’s attorneys discovered classified info in his private office in November 2022, they conducted the search.

The defense team for Biden highlighted that they are working with the Justice Department and attempting to distinguish their client’s position from that of Trump.

The news from Tuesday is good for Biden’s allies and government officials.

“It turns down the temperature on this being a Biden-only story,” said one official.

They expressed anticipation that the Mike Pence records would show that Biden’s staffers weren’t the only ones to improperly pack sensitive information.

East Palestine is GOP’s next investigation

Claire Peterson Claire Peterson on February 27, 2023

East Palestine – A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed earlier this month in East Palestine, Ohio.

The train derailment caused a fire due to the toxic chemicals on board.

Also, because of the risk of an explosion, officials ordered an evacuation of the area within a mile of the incident, which occurred near James Street.

Dams stopped the flow of tainted water while the EPA community cleared floating garbage and monitored the air.

Despite the fact that people have returned, some have claimed health problems such as:

  • Breathing troubles
  • Nausea
  • Rashes

The company in charge of the hazardous material, Norfolk Southern, has actively participated in the monitoring by supplying bottled water to East Palestine locals.

Yet, some passengers have launched a class action suit against Norfolk Southern.

In addition, Republican senators have proposed an investigation into the train catastrophe.

The news

Several House Republican committees plan to examine the event in East Palestine, Ohio, according to committee chairmen.

Republican senators have pledged to examine the Biden administration’s “flawed” reaction to the tragedy.

On February 3, a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed, threatening East Palestine inhabitants’ access to city air and public water.

Republicans, according to authorities, have left the door open for hearings, including calling Michael Regan and Pete Buttigieg to appear publicly.

Buttigieg is the Transportation Secretary, while Regan is the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Sadly, no decisions have been made.

A fresh sense of urgency

The Republican Party is putting more focus on surveillance after multiple senators blasted President Joseph Biden for failing to visit East Palestine.

Biden stated last week that he had no intentions to visit the site, citing his administration’s stance.

“You know, we were there two hours after the train went down – two hours,” said the president.

“I’ve spoken with every single major figure in both Pennsylvania and in Ohia, and so the idea that we’re not engaged is just simply not there.”

“And initially, there was not a request for me to go out even before I was heading over to Kyiv, so I’m keeping very close tabs on it. We’re doing all we can.”

A committee has been formed to investigate what happened and hold the Biden administration and the railroad industry responsible for the catastrophe.

The committee consists of:

  • The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
  • The House Committee on Energy and Commerce
  • The House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Furthermore, some GOP committee members are considering holding a field hearing in East Palestine.

According to people participating in the discussions, formal arrangements have yet to be completed.

Read also: Joe Biden goes the extra mile in act of commitment to Ukraine

Reaching out

The Energy and Commerce Committee requested that the EPA appear before the panel’s Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee.

According to a committee staffer, the subcommittee is chaired by GOP Rep. Bill Johnson, who represents East Palestine.

Cathy McMorris Rodgers, the Energy and Commerce Committee Chair and a Republican from Washington state, joins Johnson.

On February 17, they tried to launch the investigation by writing to Regan and requesting information on the circumstances leading up to the train catastrophe.

They also asked for the following:

  • A list of the chemicals on the train
  • Materials relating to the EPA’s and local agencies’ response
  • Other information regarding the derailment

Johnson and McMorris Rodgers’ request must be responded to by March 3.

Meanwhile, the Energy and Commerce Committee asked EPA officials for an all-members briefing and a hearing date.

Insiders said they are still waiting for a response.

Close tabs

According to Transportation and Infrastructure Committee spokesperson Justin Harclerode, the committee intends to keep members updated as new information becomes available.

The committee is also closely monitoring the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.

“The important thing is to learn exactly what happened, what factors played a role in the accident, and what factors did not,” said Harclerode.

“The Committee is staying engaged on this issue, but no one should jump to any conclusions or act without all the facts. Which is exactly what the NTSB is working to provide through their investigation.”

House Oversight Chairman James Comer wrote to Pete Buttigieg on Friday, calling the situation an environmental and public health calamity affecting Citizens.

Comer asked Buttigieg to give over papers related to the incident, such as what the administration learned about the disaster and correspondence concerning the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s handling of the derailment paperwork.

“At this time, Chairman Comer is focused on acquiring the documents and information requested in his February 24 letter to Secretary Buttigieg,” said Austin Hacker, a spokesman for Comer.

Image source: King 5 News

Itaewon police offices raided following Halloween crowd crush

Jason Robinson Jason Robinson on November 7, 2022

Image source: Indy 100

Itaewon experienced one of the biggest tragedies recently on Halloween when a stampede killed over a hundred people in South Korea.

Investigators are now working on the case of the crowd crush with 156 dead.

The investigations

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, investigators raided eight offices to seize internal reports and documents.

The documents in question refer to public notifications to the emergency hotline number 112.

One of the offices searched was the Yongsan District Police Station, which oversees Itaewon’s nightlife.

Crowd crush took place in Itaewon.

Raids and investigations are ongoing as Korean authorities face public pressure and protests.

Witnesses say there was little to no crowd control during the crush in Itaewon.

Reports indicate that police received advanced warnings.

The crush

The Itaewon tragedy in Seoul happened on Saturday.

Witnesses said the crush happened on a narrow stretch of street where huge crowds were gathering on a 13ft wide street.

They said that crowd members could not move or breathe.

Public members reportedly called the police about the overcrowding hours before reports of the first deaths emerged.

Read also: Indonesian soccer derby loss leads to stampede and 174 people dead, nearly 200 injured

The Wednesday raid

A special investigation unit carried out the raids on Wednesday.

The National Police Services Agency (NPA) formed the unit the day before.

It is now responsible for investigating the disaster.

According to the NPA, they suspended the head of the Yongsan Police Station, one of the closest police stations.

“Chief Lee Im-jae cannot carry out his normal duties given the situation,” the NPA announced.

They also noted that they would find his successor later that day.

The calls

According to the NPA, the police received at least 11 calls from people in the Itaewon area.

The phone calls raised concerns of a possible crowd crush just four hours before it happened.

The first call came at 6:34 pm from a caller who said: “It looks really dangerous. I fear people might get crushed.”

Less than two hours later, another called and said people were crowding in the narrow street of Itaewon.

The caller said people were falling and getting hurt.

NPA statement

On Tuesday, NPA chief Yoon Hee-keun confessed that police made mistakes in their response.

“There were a number of reports on the police emergency hotline indicating the seriousness of the (situation) just before the accident occurred,” said Hee-keun.

“According to reports, a large crowd gathered before the accident, and police emergency hotline reports were (informed of the danger).”

Chief Yoon Hee-keun described the police response as “inadequate.”

He also said he felt a heavy responsibility as the head of the agency

During Tuesday’s press conference, Chief Yoon Hee-keun announced the creation of the special investigation unit.

He vowed that the unit would be transparent and share the truth with the people.

Read also: Instagram locks out thousands of accounts

Other notes

Meanwhile, other government bodies admit they were ill-prepared.

The Interior Ministry admitted on Monday that it had no guidelines for crowd management because it was not caused by a single event with a single organizer.

“One of the reasons (for the disaster) was a lack of deep institutional knowledge and consideration for crowd management,” said Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

The prime minister says it still wouldn’t have been effective had there been more police in the area.

“We don’t have a crowd management system.”

Reference:

Halloween crush investigators raid police stations across Seoul

Ron DeSantis under investigation by Treasury Department for his migrant flights

Leah Cooper Leah Cooper on October 31, 2022

Image source: CNET

Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey wrote a letter stating that the Treasury Department Inspector General was investigating Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ flights to Martha’s Vineyard.

The September flights brought the migrants to the vineyard.

The investigation also examines whether Florida has used Covid funds to transfer migrants.

Investigation

In September, DeSantis took responsibility for two flights carrying migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard.

Markey and six other Massachusetts lawmakers wrote a letter to the Treasury Department two days after the flights.

They called for an investigation into the funds used to transport the migrants.

Richard Delmar, the department’s assistant inspector general, confirmed that the regulator’s office is planning an audit of the state’s use of state and local bailout funds.

The letter

The letter that written on October 7 reads:

“We will review the allowability of SLFRF funds related to immigration generally, and will specifically confirm whether interest earned on SLFRF funds was utilized by Florida related to immigration activities, and if so, what conditions and limitations apply to such use.”

The Democratic senator welcomed the department’s decision and released a statement saying:

“For the sake of the migrants who were lured onto charter planes under false pretenses, and for the commendable Commonwealth residents who rallied together to offer support, I hope that this investigation sheds light on whether Gover DeSantis misused funds that were intended for Covid relief for Floridians.”

State program

Previous reports indicate that the flights may have exceeded the original scope of Florida’s undocumented plan.

In the months leading up to the flights, Florida drafted a tougher order for a controversial new state program to transport migrants to other states.

According to a request from contractors and program guidelines, the ultimate goal was to get foreigners who are not legally resident in the United States out of Florida.

However, the plan never materialized.

The flight

On September 14, two planes loaded 48 migrants in San Antonio, not Florida, before landing at Martha’s Vineyard.

The Vineyard is an island off the coast of Massachusetts where wealthy vacationers often spend their summers.

DeSantis’ decision to deploy the flights was part of his criticism of the federal government’s immigration and border security policies.

Meanwhile, lawyers for the migrants have filed a class action lawsuit, claiming they were tricked into boarding the flights.

Migrants were told they would arrive with housing, work and assistance in the immigration process.

However, local officials said no one at Martha’s Vineyard knew they were coming.

Reference:

Treasury Department watchdog is examining DeSantis’ flights carrying migrants to Martha’s Vineyard