Latest news with #U.S.Marshals
USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Threats against judges nearly doubled under Trump. Republicans blame the victim.
Threats against judges nearly doubled under Trump. Republicans blame the victim. | Opinion President just keeps turning up the heat as judges hold him accountable to the law. And his allies in the House shrug off the danger, while echoing his attacks. Show Caption Hide Caption Protests break out over judge's arrest as politicians weigh in Protesters demanded the release of Judge Hannah Dugan after the FBI arrested her for allegedly helping an immigrant escape arrest. Former federal Judge Kathleen O'Malley and others are advocating for increased funding for federal judicial security due to a rise in threats. This push comes as some House Republicans, including those critical of judges holding Trump accountable, resist the funding increase. The judiciary's budget request includes a substantial increase for security, citing a concerning threat environment. Despite testimony from judges about the escalating threats, some Republicans deflect blame onto the judges themselves. Kathleen O'Malley spent nearly three decades as a federal judge and knows what it feels like when the U.S. Marshals and FBI come calling with warnings about threats of harm. A jailhouse informant once revealed that another inmate was plotting to have her killed. O'Malley, who returned to private practice in 2022 after 16 years as a district judge in Ohio and 12 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals, told me she always knew during her time on the bench that the U.S. Department of Justice "had my back" when threats came up. She felt a shift during President Donald Trump's first administration, a confluence of his aggressive attacks on judges who made him follow the law and the amplifying impact of his criticism through social media. The point of all that, O'Malley told me, is to intimidate judges, to prevent them from ruling against a president willing to target them just for doing their jobs. Americans want the Trump administration to follow the law O'Malley, who once sat on a judicial committee tasked with making courthouses safe and secure, spoke to me this week because I am tracking an effort to increase funding for federal judicial security. That push comes after funding has been flat in the past two federal fiscal years, despite a growing number of threats against judges. The call for more funding has drawn predictable pushback from some Republicans in the U.S. House, including some who have vilified judges for holding Trump accountable when he was out of office and for making his administration obey the U.S. Constitution now that he has returned to the White House. Judges don't come to this on a level playing field, O'Malley pointed out. The president is the commander in chief of our military. Congress controls spending. Judges? All they have is "the ability to persuade," she said. That should be enough. An NBC News poll released June 16 found that 81% of Americans said Trump should obey a federal court order if a judge rules his actions are illegal. That number drops to just 50% among Trump supporters. Opinion: The most 'beautiful' part of Trump's bill is it helps him defy federal courts Republicans keep blaming judges So Trump just keeps turning up the heat as judges hold him accountable to the law. And his allies in the House shrug off the danger, while echoing his attacks. U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, the Ohio Republican who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, told Punchbowl News on June 13 that he sees few members "excited" to increase judicial security funding, in his reaction to a report that noted that threats against judges have nearly doubled since Trump took office. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican who also sits on the Judiciary Committee, played the blame-the-victim game when asked about security for federal judges. 'Maybe they should stop screwing everything up,' Roy told Punchbowl News. Trump allies like Jordan and Roy offer cheap, empty rhetoric. The federal judiciary comes prepared with cold, hard math. Judges are telling Congress there is a problem. They're being ignored. The federal judiciary's $9.4 billion budget request for fiscal year 2026, which starts on Oct. 1, includes $892 million for security, a 19% increase of $142 million after no increases in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Judge Amy St. Eve, who was elevated by Trump's appointment in 2018 to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, testified to Congress in May in support of the increase for security funding, telling the House members, "The threat environment facing judges and the judiciary as a whole right now is particularly dynamic and worrisome." Judge Robert Conrad Jr., appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush 20 years ago, was named in 2024 by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts as director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. He testified to Congress about the budget request with St. Eve and singled out threats of judicial impeachment being made by Trump and his allies. 'The independence of the judicial branch is jeopardized when judges are threatened with harm or impeachment for their rulings," Conrad warned. "Our constitutional system depends on judges who can make decisions free from threats and intimidation." Opinion: Trump's military show of force in LA and DC camouflage his failing presidency That echoes what Roberts wrote in his 2024 report on the federal judiciary, in which he said threats of impeaching judges for how they rule are "inappropriate and should be vigorously opposed." Roberts noted that the U.S. Marshals Service said "hostile threats" against judges have "more than tripled over the past decade." U.S. Rep. Michael Cloud, a Texas Republican, took offense during the testimony by St. Eve and Conrad, but not about the threats aimed at judges. No, Cloud said, the real danger came from judges like St. Eve, Conrad and Roberts linking the politically motivated calls for impeachment to the increase in threats to judges across the country. As with his colleagues, Jordan and Roy, Cloud wants us to blame the targets of those threats, federal judges, and not focus on anything politicians say that might help fuel those threats. The three of them, with their rhetoric, are all the evidence we need to demonstrate that an increase in security funding for federal judges is well worth it and long overdue. They, along with Trump, show no signs of stopping their attacks. We, as Americans, must provide for the safety of judges so they can uphold our laws. Follow USA TODAY columnist Chris Brennan on X, formerly known as Twitter: @ByChrisBrennan. Sign up for his weekly newsletter, Translating Politics, here.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann Forced by U.S. Marshals To Move Out of Mansion — Report
When Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann's mansion in Atlanta went into foreclosure last December, we foolishly assumed that would be the end of their home drama. We were wrong because apparently, the Real Housewives of Atlanta alums continued to occupy the house for months after the foreclosure. It actually took a team of U.S. Marshals to get them out of there. Kim and Kroy's mansion went up for auction on December 3, 2024 after the couple spent months and months trying to find a buyer. They couldn't afford the house, and it turns out that selling a gently used 15,000-square-foot mansion is easier said than done. In the days leading up to the foreclosure, moving trucks were spotted outside of the house. Insiders said that both parties moved to separate rental properties. However, a new report from The Sun explained how the new owners of the mansion have been going through a lengthy legal process to get Kim and Kroy to leave. On December 21, the new owners filed legal paperwork to officially kick Kim and Kroy out of the home. They said that the estranged couple were holding the premises 'over and beyond the term' they agreed. According to the court docs, this went on for months. When they failed to get out of the house, the new owners had to enlist the help of the U.S. Marshals. Four marshals showed up at the McMansion on April 8, 2025, around 3:30 pm. Three hours later, the marshals confirmed that the RHOA alums were 'ejected' from the residence. Throughout Kim and Kroy's messy divorce, they repeatedly dialed 911 to have the police help them settle their arguments. Now that the marshals have given them the boot, we can confidently say we've reached the end of this saga. The Real Housewives of Atlanta streams on Bravo and Hayu in the UK and Ireland. TELL US – ARE YOU SURPRISED THAT KIM AND KROY CONTINUED TO OCCUPY THEIR MANSION AFTER THE FORECLOSURE? The post Kim Zolciak and Kroy Biermann Forced by U.S. Marshals To Move Out of Mansion — Report appeared first on Reality Tea.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
‘Unwavering dedication': Kaysville officer passes away after battle with brain cancer
KAYSVILLE, Utah () — A Kaysville Police officer has passed away. He was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer in September 2024. In a on Tuesday, they shared the news that Sergeant Jared Jensen had passed away. 'It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Sergeant Jared Jensen. Sgt. Jensen served our department and community with unwavering dedication, integrity, and honor. His contributions and character left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working alongside him,' the police department shared. Sgt. Jensen has been recognized or awarded seven times during his time as a police officer. He also survived a near-deadly shooting when an 'assailant fired eight rounds' into his police car, according to the U.S. Marshals. Community cornerstone and owner of Grove Market and Deli passes away Starting in 2012, Sgt. Jensen worked with the Clinton City Police Department, the Sunset Police Department, a police academy instructor, and finally with the Kaysville Police Department and U.S. Marshals. Sgt. Jensen earned a bachelor's degree from Weber State University in criminal justice and is originally from Davis County. He is survived by his wife, Camille Jensen, and their two young children. Sgt. Jensen was assigned as a member of the U.S. Marshal's Service Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team (VFAST). In September, his VFAST team visited him at a surgery rehabilitation center to offer their support. 'They're some of the best guys to work with. And, seeing them here to support me, I really feel it, feel their support, feel their love,' Sgt. Jensen told ABC4 during the visit. Remarkable Utah woman leads charge to find cure for cancer According to a press release from VFAST, Sgt. Jensen was diagnosed with stage four brain cancer, Glioblastoma, in September 2024. He visited the doctor in August after experiencing frequent headaches, and an MRI revealed a mass in his brain. Multiple tumors and lesions were located, and he was taken in for surgery at the end of August. 'We extend our deepest condolences to Sgt. Jensen's family, friends, and fellow officers… Rest in peace, Sergeant. We will carry your memory with us always,' the Kaysville Police Department said in their post. A set up for Sgt. Jensen's medical journey is still accepting donations that support the family and help pay medical bills. Four measles cases now reported in Arizona, first of this year Orem man sentenced to federal prison for creating and possessing CSAM Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' gets boost from LA immigration protests 'Unwavering dedication': Kaysville officer passes away after battle with brain cancer Huntsman SportsFest is back to make a difference in the fight against cancer Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Former jail employee and girlfriend of escaped New Orleans inmate arrested in connection with case
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the U.S. Marshals have announced the arrest of a woman in connection to the May breakout at the Orleans Parish jail in New Orleans. U.S. Marshals officials said Darriana Burton, 28, was arrested in New Orleans on Monday, June 9. She had been wanted on a warrant for conspiracy to commit simple escape, a felony, from the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. Burton is a former jail employee and the girlfriend of Derrick Groves, one of two inmates who is still at large after the escape, the Associated Press reported. The other at-large escapee has been identified as Antoine Massey. Escaped inmate known as 'Devil in the Ozarks' found a 'short distance' from prison: sheriff Groves, Massey, and eight other inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Prison on May 16 by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole, and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours when a lone guard left to get food. Two days before the escape, Groves made a FaceTime video call to Burton using a jail-issued iPad, authorities said. During that call, she helped him speak with a man whom police did not identify. The conversation was 'intentionally vague' and appeared to coordinate communication on other, unmonitored lines, according to a police affidavit for Burton's arrest. The exchange showed Burton's direct role in helping with Groves' escape, police said in the arrest affidavit. Burton and Groves 'were in an on-again, off-again relationship for three years,' dating back to the time when she was still working in the jail, authorities said. Burton began working at the jail in 2022, but was fired after being 'arrested and charged for bringing contraband into the jail and malfeasance in office in 2023,' the attorney general's office explained. The attorney general's office reported that the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges in 2024. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
10-06-2025
- The Hill
Former jail employee and girlfriend of escaped New Orleans inmate arrested in connection with case
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Officials with the U.S. Marshals have announced the arrest of a woman in connection to the May breakout at the Orleans Parish jail in New Orleans. U.S. Marshals officials said Darriana Burton, 28, was arrested in New Orleans on Monday, June 9. She had been wanted on a warrant for conspiracy to commit simple escape, a felony, from the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. Burton is a former jail employee and the girlfriend of Derrick Groves, one of two inmates who is still at large after the escape, the Associated Press reported. The other at-large escapee has been identified as Antoine Massey. Groves, Massey, and eight other inmates escaped from the Orleans Parish Prison on May 16 by yanking open a faulty cell door, removing a toilet, crawling through a hole, and scaling a barbed wire fence in the early morning hours when a lone guard left to get food. Two days before the escape, Groves made a FaceTime video call to Burton using a jail-issued iPad, authorities said. During that call, she helped him speak with a man whom police did not identify. The conversation was 'intentionally vague' and appeared to coordinate communication on other, unmonitored lines, according to a police affidavit for Burton's arrest. The exchange showed Burton's direct role in helping with Groves' escape, police said in the arrest affidavit. Burton and Groves 'were in an on-again, off-again relationship for three years,' dating back to the time when she was still working in the jail, authorities said. Burton began working at the jail in 2022, but was fired after being 'arrested and charged for bringing contraband into the jail and malfeasance in office in 2023,' the attorney general's office explained. The attorney general's office reported that the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office refused the charges in 2024. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
