Good morning, and welcome to the Epoch Times News Brief for Saturday, March 30, 2024. I’m Bill Thomas.
We’ve got a lineup that’s as diverse as it is compelling, from the courtroom to Capitol Hill, from media controversies to environmental debates. Let’s get right into the heart of what’s happening across our country.
Judge Issues Rare Jan. 6 Ruling in Rebuke of DOJ
Kevin Seefried, a Jan. 6 defendant, was granted release from prison pending appeal this week.This decision comes from the District Court in Washington. Judge Trevor McFadden approved it despite warnings from the Justice Department regarding its implications.
Mr. Seefried, convicted for his role in the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, is allowed out of prison while he appeals his conviction.
Mr. Seefried had been sentenced to three years for obstructing an official proceeding among other charges, facing a potential maximum sentence of 23 years.
After his conviction, he appealed and requested release pending appeal.
His appeal gained attention after the Supreme Court decided to review a similar case, Fischer v. United States. The result of that case might change Mr. Seefried’s situation.
Judge McFadden chose to release Mr. Seefried due to the ongoing debate about the law used to convict him. The judge outlined two reasons for the release. One is that a defendant is not likely to flee or pose a danger to the community if released. And the second reason is that the appeal raises an important question that could lead to a much shorter sentence or a complete reversal.
The Justice Department was worried about his release, especially with upcoming elections.
Judge McFadden said that the government did not provide any evidence of similar events recurring or of Mr. Seefried participating in such events.
Also, the decision reflects on the procedural aspects and standards for release pending appeal, challenging the Justice Department’s arguments against Mr. Seefried’s release.
Mr. Seefried is set to be released by May 31.
Calls for Impeachment After Federal Judge Appears on CNN, Criticizes Trump
U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia Reggie Walton criticized former President Donald Trump for making comments toward another judge and that judge’s daughter.President Trump was responding to a gag order issued by New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. He wrote on Truth Social that Mr. Merchan “is suffering from an acute case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
Judge Walton said on CNN that President Trump’s comments were a “form of a threat,” claiming that it’s important for judges to do their jobs “without the threat of physical harm.”
His public comments triggered criticism.
Julie Kelly, who works as an independent reporter, and Josh Hammer, a conservative columnist, both called for Judge Walton’s impeachment.
Mike Davis, founder of The Article III Project, said that Judge Walton’s actions were “highly prejudicial” and “extremely inappropriate.”
He wrote on X: “Is this a (bad) joke? This is a sitting federal judge. And he’s commenting on a pending criminal case? Against the leading presidential candidate? During the height of the election season?”
He announced his plan to file a judicial misconduct complaint against Judge Walton.
According to the code of conduct for federal judges, they “should not make public comment on the merits of a matter pending or impending in any court.”
Judge Walton was appointed by President George W. Bush. He has sentenced a number of people over the Jan. 6 Capitol breach. During sentencing hearings, Judge Walton has said that President Trump will not accept defeat if he loses the 2024 election.
Judge Walton also mentioned that he and his daughter have received threats.
He said that “it is an attack on the rule of law, when judges are threatened and particularly when their family is threatened. And it’s something that’s wrong and should not happen.”
Former Hunter Biden Associate Tony Bobulinski Sues Fox News’ Jessica Tarlov for Defamation
Tony Bobulinski, a former business associate of Hunter Biden, has filed a lawsuit against Fox News host Jessica Tarlov.Mr. Bobulinski is currently a witness in President Joe Biden’s impeachment inquiry. He is seeking $30 million with the lawsuit filed in March.
The lawsuit accuses Ms. Tarlov of making false statements on television. She claimed a Trump Super PAC paid for Mr. Bobulinski’s legal fees. The lawsuit also names Stefan Passantino, an attorney who worked in President Trump’s Office of White House Counsel and was hired by the Trump Organization. He has represented Mr. Bobulinski on legal matters.
The lawsuit stated that Ms. Tarlov’s claims were “unequivocally false and defamatory” and that she “lied to achieve media headlines and ratings and to serve her political agenda.”
Ms. Tarlov attempted to retract her statements the next day. However, the lawsuit claims her retraction and apology were insufficient.
In a letter, Mr. Bobulinski and Mr. Passantino criticized the network. They described Ms. Tarlov’s retraction as “half-hearted, incomplete, and unacceptable.” They argue that Ms. Tarlov’s remarks were aimed at defaming President Trump’s supporters and critics of the Biden family.
Additionally, the lawsuit states Mr. Bobulinski paid more than $500,000 for his legal fees from his own funds. It clarifies that neither President Trump nor his affiliates covered these costs.
FTX Founder Sam Bankman-Fried Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Fraud
On March 28, a federal judge sentenced Sam Bankman-Fried to 25 years in prison for defrauding investors of $8 billion.Mr. Bankman-Fried, founder of FTX, claimed that FTX customers did not actually lose money.
U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected Mr. Bankman-Fried’s claim and accused him of lying during his trial testimony. In November 2023, jurors convicted Mr. Bankman-Fried of all seven counts of conspiracy and fraud that he was charged with by government lawyers.
The judge ordered Mr. Bankman-Fried to forfeit $11.2 billion, but he did not order restitution. He said that it would be “impractical” because there are too many victims. He particularly criticized Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lack of remorse.
Mr. Bankman-Fried and his lawyers argued that he didn’t intentionally do anything wrong. They claimed that he deserves no more than 6 1/2 years in jail.
Prosecutors disagreed. They said he stole over $8 billion. They recommended at least 50 years in prison. They charged him with several crimes, including wire fraud, money laundering, campaign finance violations, and fraud against the Federal Election Commission.
Mr. Bankman-Fried plans to appeal his conviction and sentencing.
FTX collapsed a year ago and it lost $9 billion in customer funds through the commingling of funds and Mr. Bankman-Fried’s lavish spending.
Biden’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rule for Vehicles Struck Down by Texas Judge
A Texas judge has overturned a rule from the Biden administration, which required states to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles on national highways.The rule was issued in 2023 by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration. It was part of President Biden’s plan to reduce carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030.
It required state transportation departments to track and set goals for lowering emissions on the U.S. highway system, and to report biennially on their progress in meeting the declining targets.
Texas challenged the rule in court, arguing that the Transportation Department overstepped its authority and that the rule violated the Administrative Procedure Act. Judge James Hendrix of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas sided with the state. He said the administration didn’t have the power to impose this emissions performance measure. Another lawsuit was filed in Kentucky in December by 21 other states, and it is still pending.
Republicans welcomed the judge’s decision. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman, Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), and the Highways and Transit Subcommittee chairman, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), praised the ruling in a joint statement on March 28.
They wrote: “we commend the Court for its ruling that a ‘federal administrative agency cannot act without congressional authorization.’” They also said that they rejected the rule because it was “an unlawful attempt to circumvent Congress and force this one-size-fits-all burden upon every state and community across the country.”
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg had argued the rule would provide states with a “clear and consistent framework to track carbon pollution and the flexibility to set their own climate targets.” The Transportation Department is now reviewing the judge’s decision and is deciding on its next steps.
That’s our final story on the News Brief weekend edition, but before we sign off, we always take a moment out of each morning to celebrate folks who are one year older today.
TV personality Peter Marshall is 98 years old and you’ll recall him well as the “original” host of TV’s “The Hollywood Squares.”
Actor Warren Beatty (Bonnie & Clyde & Bugsy) is 87.
Legendary musician Eric Clapton, a guitar genius, is 79.
And if you’re even remotely curious as to what time it is right now, it’s Hammer Time! MC Hammer is 62.
We can’t get to everyone who’s written in, but briefly, we did hear from “The Walkers,” who say: “Thank you for the work you do. True journalism has taken a beating. Epoch Times remains true to the art of journalism.”
Roger checked in with a much appreciated, “Keep up the good work.”
Tina from California tells us that she enjoys listening to our program. “Your voice is welcoming and sounds clear to me. Being able to hear the news each day is an important part of my life.”
Thanks again for tuning in and for all of us here at the Epoch Times News Brief, I’m Bill Thomas. Have a great weekend, Happy Easter, and we’ll see you back next time.
