Just one week after discovering the TSA’s Quiet Skies Program was targeting him, Congressman Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ-08) raised urgent questions about the extent of the Biden administration’s violations of Americans’ civil rights.
The latest disclosures, brought to light by FBI Director Kash Patel, expose that former Special Counsel Jack Smith and his “Arctic Frost” team, tasked with investigating January 6, allegedly tracked the private communications and phone calls of multiple Republican lawmakers.
According to Fox News Digital, the targeted individuals included Republican Senators Lindsey Graham (SC), Marsha Blackburn (TN), Ron Johnson (WI), Josh Hawley (MO), Cynthia Lummis (WY), Bill Hagerty (TN), Dan Sullivan (AK), Tommy Tuberville (AL), and Republican Representative Mike Kelly (PA).
“I am disappointed, but not at all surprised, to learn more about how the Joe Biden administration weaponized the federal government to violate citizens’ sacred civil rights,” stated Hamadeh. “This corrupt cabal went to great lengths to keep sunlight from illuminating the truth about the 2020 election of Biden, so it is no surprise at all that the calls they were tracking were likely in reference to the vote to certify the 2020 election.”
The Quiet Skies program, administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), is a domestic surveillance initiative designed to monitor travelers deemed potential security risks.
The program involves enhanced screening, observation by air marshals, and tracking of individuals’ movements through airports.
Congressman Hamadeh’s inclusion in this program, along with many Republican lawmakers and untold numbers of American citizens, has raised concerns about its misuse to target political figures without transparent justification.
Congressman Hamadeh condemned the actions as part of a broader pattern of overreach. “There is nothing radical leftists across all branches of government won’t do to maintain and expand their power,” Hamadeh said. “From our courtrooms to the ballot counting rooms, the Democrats have shown a blatant disregard for our democratic process and the rule of law.”
Expressing confidence in ongoing efforts to address these issues, Hamadeh added, “I have full confidence that FBI Director Patel will identify the layers of corruption left behind by the Biden Administration and tear them out root and branch. Nothing less will restore our Republic to one that honors our God-given rights and respects the voice of We the People.”
Ethan Faverino is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.
Attorney General Kris Mayes wants to hire the federal prosecutors behind former President Joe Biden’s January 6 investigations.
On Sunday, Mayes put out an offer to hire those prosecutors, as well as any other federal agents that may be terminated in the Trump administration’s newly-launched review of all involved in January 6 investigations.
“My message to all FBI agents and federal prosecutors who are being wrongfully fired by Trump: come see me about a job,” said Mayes. “We are hiring at the AZ Attorney General’s office and we actually support law enforcement.”
My message to all FBI agents and federal prosecutors who are being wrongfully fired by Trump: come see me about a job. We are hiring at the AZ Attorney General’s office and we actually support law enforcement. https://t.co/hGhRjusTWv
Last Friday, Department of Justice (DOJ) leadership sent a memo ordering the immediate firing of all federal prosecutors who oversaw the January 6 cases.
Emil Bove — the acting deputy attorney general — also ordered acting FBI director Brian Driscoll to hand over the names of all FBI employees involved in the January 6 cases.
“I do not believe that the current leadership of the Justice Department can trust these FBI employees to assist in implementing the President’s agenda faithfully,” explained Bove in his correspondence.
However, Driscoll refused perThe Washington Times. Driscoll said the request pertained to himself and “thousands” of other employees within the agency. Driscoll’s refusal occurred over the weekend as FBI agents involved in the case against Trump over the Mar-a-Lago classified documents were removed from field offices in New York, Miami, and Washington, D.C.
This wouldn’t be the first instance of Mayes’ office scouting of those ousted for their work in the Biden administration. Their offices are also considering law school graduates whose offers of employment from the Biden administration were rescinded by the Trump administration.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Daniel Barr announced Mayes’ interest in hiring those sought out by the prior Democrat-led administration on LinkedIn last week.
“Plenty of opportunities at the Arizona Attorney General’s Office for recent law school graduates whose job offers were recently rescinded by the Department of Justice,” said Barr. “We do vital and interesting work in protecting, and pursuing justice for, the state of Arizona and its people.”
Another key player caught up by the Democratic Party’s unsuccessful bid for a consecutive presidential term has already found a soft landing within Mayes’ office.
The attorney general’s office recently hired the Arizona communications director for Kamala Harris’ campaign, Delaney Corcoran; she is now serving in a similar deputy communications position.
Although Mayes has indicated an eagerness to hire those ousted by the Trump administration, she is also fighting to keep them within the federal government.
On Monday, Mayes joined 11 other Democratic attorneys general in urging the two million-plus federal employees tapped by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for a “deferred resignation program” to contact their unions for guidance.
The deferred resignation program would enable the tapped employees to receive their regular pay and benefits through the end of September — but only if they enter by voluntarily resigning ahead of the Thursday deadline. Otherwise, OPM warned, they may be part of the next administration purge and not be eligible for the extended pay and benefits period.
Mayes called the program “completely unreliable” and possibly “unenforceable” in a press release.
“My office will do everything in our power to protect Arizona workers and we urge you to follow your union’s guidance,” said Mayes. “This so-called buyout offer is yet another attack that will cripple the critical federal services Arizonans rely on.”
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Arizona’s infamous instigator involved in the January 6 Capitol invasion, Ray Epps, was sentenced to a year-long probation and a $500 fine.
Epps appeared for sentencing virtually on Tuesday before Chief Judge James Boasberg. The judge expressed hope that the sentencing would allow Epps, a former Oath Keepers Arizona president, to move past the incident.
“[You were] vilified in a matter unique to January 6 defendants,” said Boasberg. “[You were] the only one who suffered for what you didn’t do.”
Contrary to allegations based on video evidence of Epps’ actions preceding and during the Capitol invasion, both Epps and the federal government have repeatedly denied that Epps has ever served as a federal employee, agent, or source.
“Mr. Epps […] was not before, during, or after [January 6, 2021] a confidential source or undercover agent working on behalf of the government, the FBI, or any law enforcement agency,” stated prosecutor Michael Gordon in a September plea hearing.
In a response to the government’s sentencing memo, issued on Sunday, Epps denied that he assisted in the breach of the capitol in any manner. Epps characterized himself as “stuck” in the crowd of protestors pushing against the fence line.
“[Epps] is the victim of a conspiracy theory, not the propagator of one,” stated the response.
Various video evidence of Epps shows him urging and directing protestors to breach the Capitol the day before and day of the invasion, as well as entering the Capitol grounds after the fence barrier was pushed over.
In one video, Epps said something in the ear of another protestor, Ryan Samsel; seconds later, Samsel led the charge to destroy the first set of Capitol barricades and breach the restricted grounds. The rioters then toppled a second set of barricades to further breach the restricted grounds. Epps followed behind the rioters in both breachings.
Samsel told the FBI that Epps told him to “relax” and that law enforcement was “doing their job.”
The government’s statement of offense, issued last September, documented Epps’ actions as well. That statement also revealed that Epps claimed in a text to a family member that he “orchestrated” the breaching.
Two days after the Capitol riot, Epps called the FBI tip line to turn himself in after seeing his face on a Most Wanted list. Several days after that, the Arizona Republic interviewed Epps; he told the outlet that he was advised by an attorney not to speak about the incident and that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
Federal agents didn’t arrest Epps despite his admission to them and media outlets of his involvement: instead, they conducted a second interview with him that March. Several months later, in July, the FBI removed Epps from their Most Wanted list.
Prosecutors then waited over two years to charge Epps for his role in the Capitol invasion. He was charged with disorderly or disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds (Title 18 U.S. Code Section 1752(a)(2)). Epps pleaded guilty.
Epps told reporters in the summer of 2022 that he avoided arrest because he reached out to the FBI so quickly.
BREAKING: Ray Epps, the only January 6 protester who actually told people to go into the Capitol, has been officially sentenced to one year probation, $500 restitution, and 100 hours community service.
As of this report, Epps’ name wasn’t included in the D.C. Attorney’s Office list of the over 1,100 Capitol breach cases. Over 750 others have been sentenced so far.
11 other breachers arrested in Arizona were included on the list:
Nathan Entrekin, sentenced to 45 days in prison, three years of probation, 60 hours of community service, and $500 fine;
Andrew Hatley, sentenced to three years of probation and a $500 fine;
Joshua Knowles, not yet sentenced;
James McGrew, sentenced to six years and six months in prison, three years of supervised release, and $7,000 in fines;
Felicia Konold, not yet sentenced;
Edward Vallejo, sentenced to three years in prison, three years of supervised release, and one year of house arrest;
Micajah Jackson, sentenced to three years of probation and $1,500 in fines;
Jacob Anthony Chansley, sentenced to three years and five months in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $2,000 fine;
Jacob Zerkle, not yet sentenced;
Cory Konold, not yet sentenced; and
Israel Mark Matson, not yet sentenced.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ-05) said that the January 6, 2021 footage in its entirety was “embarrassing” for mainstream media and the Democrat-led January 6 Committee.
Key discoveries in the newly-released footage provided substantiation to claims that police officers didn’t treat activists who intruded the Capitol as criminals on that fateful day. In numerous videos, Capitol Police Officers were seen giving handshakes and fist bumps to the intruders, uncuffing intruders, leading intruders through the building, and holding doors open for the intruders.
“Quite embarrassing for the MSM and J6 Committee,” said Biggs. “How anyone could compare this day to 9/11 or the Attack on Pearl Harbor is beyond me. Shameful.”
Quite embarrassing for the MSM and J6 Committee.
How anyone could compare this day to 9/11 or the Attack on Pearl Harbor is beyond me.
Comparisons of the January 6 rioting to major terrorist attacks has been common rhetoric among Democratic leaders.
In Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress in April 2021, he declared that January’s incident was the worst attack since the Civil War.
“[I] inherited a nation — we all did — that was in crisis,” said Biden. “The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War.”
Vice President Kamala Harris compared January 6 to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor during her speech last January commemorating the Capitol riot. Harris accused the January 6 activists of attempted murder in addition to insurrection.
“Certain dates echo throughout history, including dates that instantly remind all who have lived through them where they were and what they were doing when our democracy came under assault, dates that occupy not only a place on our calendars but a place in our collective memory,” said Harris. “What the extremists who roamed these halls targeted was not only the lives of those elected leaders, what they sought to degrade and destroy was not only a building, hallowed as it is, what they were assaulting were the institutions, the values, the ideals that generations of Americans have marched, picketed, and shed blood to establish and defend.”
That same day, Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) also declared in a Senate floor speech that January 6 was comparable to Pearl Harbor and 9/11.
“We did not look away after the attack on Pearl Harbor. We did not look away after the attacks on 9/11,” said Schumer. “They may have been from foreign powers, but we still, just because it was Americans who did this, we cannot look away after the attack of January 6th.”
Last December, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre issued similar remarks in defense of the January 6 Committee actions against Republican leaders, including Biggs.
“What we saw on January 6 was the worst attack on democracy since the Civil War,” said Jean-Pierre.
Karine Jean-Pierre says January 6 was the worst attack on American democracy since the Civil War. pic.twitter.com/9uz8HP7sNU
Part of what Jean-Pierre defended was the ethics probe into Biggs after he refused to comply with their subpoena.
Last Friday, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA-04) released all January 6 footage in its entirety. All footage may be accessed here.
Follow the link below to view the January 6th tapes for yourself.
To restore America’s trust and faith in their Government we must have transparency. This is another step towards keeping the promises I made when I was elected to be your Speaker.
Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ-09) said that “a better society” would hang General Mark Milley for his role in the Jan. 6 invasion of the Capitol.
Gosar issued the remarks in a newsletter over the weekend. The congressman pointed out that Milley delayed the deployment of the National Guard, criticizing Milley as a “homosexual-promoting-BLM-activist.”
“In a better society, quislings like the strange sodomy-promoting General Milley would be hung,” stated Gosar. “How this traitor remains in office is a question we need answered.”
Gosar also condemned Milley for his secretive 2020 calls to the Chinese government assuring that then-President Donald Trump wouldn’t launch a nuclear strike.
Although multiple media outlets reported on Gosar’s latest comments as novel, Gosar has called for Milley’s hanging before. In 2021, Gosar said that Milley’s collaboration with the Chinese government constituted “a hanging offense in most civilized societies.”
Add: Gen. Milley collaborated with Chinese military to undermine commander in chief. A hanging offense in most civilized societies.
Over 2 million illegal aliens, 10% Covid infected, prancing into the country.
The Gen. “I’m such a silly” Milley promised to give China the inside information. He may not be true to the US but he keeps his word to China. #AmericaLasthttps://t.co/KkTcaKjxDZ
Earlier this year, a day after the two-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 invasion, Gosar called for an investigation into Milley as well as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11). Gosar declared Milley a traitor, and accused the pair of attempting a coup.
“Milley’s treasonous sellout to China will be investigated,” said Gosar. “Pelosi not warning members about intel of impending violence will be exposed.”
Remember – we will conduct a real investigation into J6. The effort to attempt a coup between traitor Gen. Mark Milley and Pelosi will be reviewed and exposed. https://t.co/miu5SZaZCo
Milley’s spokesman at the time, Dave Butler, said in a statement that the calls were routine practices vital to national security interests.
“The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs regularly communicates with Chiefs of Defense across the world, including with China and Russia,” said Butler. “His calls with the Chinese and others in October and January were in keeping with these duties.”
Yet, Trump and other Republicans have repeatedly argued that warning adversaries of an attack without executive approval constituted treason. This past week, Trump called for Milley to be tried for treason.
“This is an act so egregious that, in times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!” said Trump. “A war between China and the United States could have been the result of this treasonous act”
In August, the Capitol Police Chief on Jan. 6, Steven Sund, told Tucker Carlson that there was a coordinated effort of intentional neglect by federal intelligence, Congress, and military leadership to properly secure the Capitol.
Sund shared that he never received any requests concerning permit revocation or a citywide lockdown as reportedly discussed ahead of the invasion by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley and Acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller.
Instead, Miller issued a memo restricting the National Guard from carrying various weapons or civil disobedience equipment.
Sund also shared that Pelosi was the ultimate authority in a chain of command that stalled the provision of additional military assistance.
Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.
