January 1, National Guard Suppresses Kenosha Protests

This Day in History | 2005

Hurricane Katrina makes landfall near New Orleans as a Category 4 hurricane. Katrina was among the worst natural disasters in the history of the United States.

Good morning Middle Americans, 

President Trump went straight out onto the campaign trail Friday after his RNC acceptance speech at the White House Thursday night. Trump opened his New Hampshire rally on Friday by attacking demonstrators who harassed Sen. Rand Paul and his wife, along with others who left the White House following the conclusion of the RNC – some of whom needed police escorts. It marked his latest attempt to frame the general election as a dire choice between two futures for the nation — a theme he was expected to amplify on the campaign trail. Do you think it’s working? Meanwhile, A 17-year-old charged in two shooting deaths amid a chaotic demonstration in Kenosha, Wis., earlier this week feared for his life after being attacked by rioters who chased and beat him, his attorney said Friday. The House will vote on legislation next month to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and erase some marijuana criminal records. MGM Resorts International said Friday it is sending separation letters to 18,000 U.S. employees who were furloughed during the coronavirus pandemic, making their job cuts permanent for now. And finally, A dozen Texas Senate members are reupping their request for a congressional investigation into the Fort Hood military base after a soldier was found dead earlier this week, becoming at least the ninth person stationed at the Killeen post to have been found dead this year, according to officials and media reports.

Read all about it. 

-Fraser Dixon

Trump Says ‘That’s the Way It Works’ After National Guard Suppresses Kenosha Protests

(Newsweek) – President Donald Trump has said federal agents have quelled tensions in Kenosha, and suggested that their deployment could also ease unrest in Portland.

The Wisconsin city became the latest flashpoint in protests over police brutality and racism following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in front of his three children on Sunday, with widespread looting and arson taking place.

While an initial offer of federal help was rejected, Democratic governor Tony Evers accepted the assistance following the shooting deaths of two protesters. Kyle Rittenhouse, 17, has been charged with their murders.

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Accused Kenosha Shooter’s Lawyer Claims Self-Defense Amid New Video

(Fox News) – A 17-year-old charged in two shooting deaths amid a chaotic demonstration in Kenosha, Wis., earlier this week feared for his life after being attacked by rioters who chased and beat him, his attorney said Friday.

In a lengthy statement, the lawyer for Kyle Rittenhouse, John Pierce, said prosecutors rushed to judgment in charging his client to appease “divisive” and “destructive” forces without analyzing Tuesday’s events.

“This was not a serious investigation,” Pierce said. “Rather, after learning Kyle may have had conservative political viewpoints, they immediately saw him as a convenient target who they could use as a scapegoat to distract from the Jacob Blake shooting and the government’s abject failure to ensure basic law and order to citizens.”

The shootings were recorded via cellphone and circulated online.

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House to Vote on Removing Cannabis from List of Controlled Substances

(The Hill) – The House will vote on legislation next month to remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and erase some marijuana criminal records. 

The bill would not legalize the drug, which would be left up to states, but the vote will still be a historic step in the effort to reduce legal penalties related to the drug. House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) said in an email to members that the vote will take place during the September work period.

Marijuana is already legal in 11 states.

The vote would be the first taken by either chamber of Congress to take marijuana off the Controlled Substances Act.

Cannabis is currently listed as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning there’s a high chance for abuse and no medical benefits. Removing it under the act would eliminate the federal prohibition on the drug but leave in place state laws making it illegal.

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MGM Resorts Lays off 18,000 Previously Furloughed Employees

(CNBC) – MGM Resorts International said Friday it is sending separation letters to 18,000 U.S. employees who were furloughed during the coronavirus pandemic, making their job cuts permanent for now.

MGM’s Empire City remains closed in New York state, as does its Park MGM in Las Vegas. Casinos in Las Vegas, where MGM has an outsized presence on the Strip, continue to be especially affected by declines in tourism and travel, restrictions on capacity, the lack of fans at sports events, and negligible conference and group business. 

At the start of this year, the company employed 70,000 workers in the U.S.

“Nothing pains me more than delivering news like this,” CEO Bill Hornbuckle wrote in the separation letter to employees. “The heart of this company is our employees and the world-class service you provide. Please know that your leadership team is working around the clock to find ways to grow our business and welcome back more of our colleagues.”

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Nine Fort Hood soldiers Have Been Found Dead in 12 Months 

Texas Senators Want an Investigation

(Texas Tribune) – A dozen Texas Senate members are reupping their request for a congressional investigation into the Fort Hood military base after a soldier was found dead earlier this week, becoming at least the ninth person stationed at the Killeen post to have been found dead this year, according to officials and media reports.

The body of Sgt. Elder Fernandes was found Tuesday in Temple, about 30 miles from the base, roughly a week after he was reported missing. Temple law enforcement officials said foul play was not suspected.

In May, Fernandes reported he had been a victim of sexual assault. Army officials said Wednesday that an investigation determined the inquiry was unsubstantiated and that Fernandes was made aware of the results, according to The Washington Post. But an attorney for the Fernandes family said Thursday that Fernandes, who was transferred to a new unit after reporting his assault, was harassed and bullied over it before his death.

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