Nation
Dems fall for unverified Capitol Police letter
An alleged letter from the Capitol Police started making the rounds among Democrat politicians Wednesday night, expressing “profound disappointment” that some Republicans saw no need for a Jan. 6th commission. But, turns out, the letter may have been fake.
The letter used the USCP letterhead, but it wasn’t signed by the Chief of Police, or any named officers. Instead it was signed by “proud members of the United States Capitol Police.” It was allegedly anonymous for a reason. “Unfortunately, this letter comes to you anonymously because as US Capitol Police Officers, we are expected to remain neutral and do our jobs with honor and integrity,” the letter reads.
These “anonymous officers” wanted to “express [their] profound disappointment with the recent comments from both chambers’ minority leaders expressing no need for a Jan 6th commission.” They blast members for downplaying what happened during those Capitol riots. “It is a privileged assumption for Members to have the point of view that it ‘wasn’t that bad’. [sic]” they write. “That privilege exists because of the brave men and women of the USCP protected you, the Members.”
Then, it was tweeted out by huge Democratic figures like former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). This letter became fuel to rally support for the commission.
But, the USCP made a statement to clear the air. “This is NOT an official USCP statement,” the statement read. “The Department has no way of confirming it was even authored by USCP personnel.” Finally the truth was out. “The U.S. Capitol Police does NOT take positions on legislation.”
Still, there were many unanswered questions. For one, people questioned how whoever wrote this letter got ahold of the official letterhead. Another problem was how the letter began circulating in the first place.
The letter is traced back to Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD). He published the letter in a press release on his site. It is still unknown why the “anonymous officers” came to him. Raskin is a huge proponent for the commission. In the press release he wrote: “I want to salute all the brave Capitol Police officers who defended us on January 6th and thank the ones who penned a powerful anonymous letter about the trauma and anguish they faced while protecting Members of Congress, our staff, our Capitol, and our democracy on January 6th.”
Later, Raskin spoke to reporter Rebecca Kaplan saying: “I have no doubt that this is coming from real capitol officers.”
You can follow Jenny Goldsberry on Twitter @jennyjournalism
China
Chinese Communist Party gives funding and tax rebates to fentanyl producers
A 64-page report released Tuesday by the House Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) states China has been subsidizing the manufacturing and exporting of illicit fentanyl precursor chemicals and other synthetic narcotics through tax rebates and other means.
“Many of these substances are illegal under the PRC’s own laws and have no known legal use worldwide,” the 64-page report states. “Like its export tax rebates for legitimate goods, the CCP’s subsidizing of illegal drugs incentivizes international synthetic drug sales from the PRC. The CCP has never disclosed this program.”
The bipartisan investigation was led by Chairman Mike Gallagher (R., Wis.) and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D., Ill.). Additional details were uncovered as to the extent of China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl epidemic, including that the CCP-run government gives monetary grants and awards to companies that illegally traffic fentanyl and other drugs.
National Review summarizes the report which also found that the CCP holds ownership interest in several Chinese companies tied to drug trafficking, impedes U.S.-led investigations into manufacturers producing fentanyl and precursors, allows the open sale of drugs on the Chinese internet, and fails to censor online content on narcotics set to be exported. Notably, the Chinese government censors content about domestic drug sales but not exported ones.
“These actions and omissions are abhorrent, violate the laws of nations, and have led to profound human suffering in the United States and around the world,” the report reads. “They also, as a factual matter, further the PRC’s strategic and economic interests.”
In his prepared opening remarks Tuesday morning, former U.S. attorney general Bill Barr called the months-long investigation and subsequent report “groundbreaking” as he testified before the congressional panel. “The Committee’s work has uncovered persuasive evidence that the PRC and CCP are not just bystanders; they are the prime movers,” Barr said. “They are knee deep in actively sponsoring, encouraging, and facilitating the production and export of fentanyl and fentanyl precursors for distribution in the United States.”
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