Crime News
The Daily Signal reports on crime news with analysis and commentary on policies, crime rates, and policing debates.
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- News
Justice Department Knew of IRS Scandal 2 Years Before Congress but Did Nothing
Recently unearthed documents reveal that the FBI knew the IRS was unfairly targeting groups because of their conservative politics two years before Congress even heard about the agency’s misconduct. The revelation has already added fodder to the conservative case to impeach the current IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. Almost 300 pages of documents released Thursday and…Philip Wegmann -
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How Other Nations Stop US From Deporting Criminal Illegal Immigrants
Susanna Ruth Makinson can blame a lot of things for why her then-husband was shot dead eight years ago while patrolling the streets of Fort Myers, Florida, the first time since 1930 a police officer had been gunned down in the city. That’s because, in a distant way out of her—and his—control, Andrew Widman’s death…Josh Siegel -
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Journalist’s Murder, Kerry Trip to Moscow Among Events That Rattle Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine—Little more than two weeks ago, things were looking up for Ukraine. Fighting had tapered off in the ongoing war in eastern Ukraine and Kyiv had scored a series of diplomatic wins, including high-profile gestures of solidarity from NATO leaders at the Warsaw summit. But the good news quickly was overshadowed by events inside…Nolan Peterson -
- Opinion
Who Determines Computer Crimes? Court Says Congress. Congress Is Unclear.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has handed down its opinion in Facebook, Inc. v. Power Ventures, Inc., that seems to suggest, as George Washington University Law Prof. Orin Kerr writes, that “It’s a federal crime to visit a website after being told not to visit it.” Although this case arose in the civil context, violations…John-Michael Seibler -
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In Cleveland, GOP Governors Up Commitments to Criminal Justice Reform
CLEVELAND—Despite strong voices from conservative members of the Senate, a trio of Republican governors reaffirmed the Republican Party’s commitment to tackling criminal justice reform. On the second day of the Republican National Convention here, Govs. Matt Bevin of Kentucky, Nathan Deal of Georgia, and Mary Fallin of Oklahoma touted reforms passed in their states assisting…Melissa Quinn -
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‘Bribery and Kickback Schemes’ Plague Syrian Relief Program Funded With Tax Dollars
U.S. tax dollars are going to relief agencies in Syria that are engaging in “bid-rigging and multiple bribery and kickback schemes” and the federal government has taken inadequate steps to prevent it, according to a recent audit. The fraud makes an already difficult task even tougher in getting needed aid to Syrians in a country…Fred Lucas -
- Opinion
Is Sharing Netflix Passwords a Crime? Laws Are Unclear—and That’s a Problem
Sharing passwords from popular streaming services, like Netflix and HBO, could become a federal crime under a broad federal criminal statute. Last week, a divided panel of federal judges on the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, in an opinion written by Judge Margaret McKeown, affirmed the conviction of David Nosal under the Computer Fraud…John-Michael Seibler -
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House Conservatives Explain Latest IRS Chief Impeachment Push: ‘Leadership Has Been Too Timid to Go After Corruption’
The House Freedom Caucus has launched a pressure play against Republican leadership in an effort to force a vote on impeaching John Koskinen, commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. Before Congress skipped town Thursday for a seven-week recess, Reps. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., and John Fleming, R-La., filed a parliamentary measure known as a privileged resolution…Philip Wegmann -
- Opinion
Moldova Whistleblower Exposes ‘Bank Robbery of the Century,’ Raises IMF Questions
As the West develops its strategy to deal with a resurgent Russia, more must be done to focus on the so-called gray areas lying between the Euro-Atlantic community and Russia: Georgia, Ukraine, and Moldova. These countries, while not in NATO or the EU, strive to join these organizations someday. Russia is doing all it can…Luke Coffey -
- News
7 Key Takeaways From FBI Director’s Hearing on Clinton Email Use
FBI Director James Comey appeared before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Thursday to further detail the FBI’s yearlong investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server and handling of classified information while she was secretary of state. Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, hastily scheduled the hearing just…Melissa Quinn -
- Opinion
The Explanation Americans Deserve From FBI on Clinton’s Server Use
“I am confident that I never sent or received any information that was classified at the time it was sent and received.” That is what former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters last July. At least we now know that was not true. In announcing that the FBI would be recommending to the higher-ups…John G. Malcolm -
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FBI Flagged This Congressman as a Terrorist. Here’s Why He Opposes a New Gun Ban.
Waiting on a routine flight from Sacramento back to Santa Barbara, Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., discovered he was a terrorist. Or at least that’s what the FBI thought. McClintock was clearly more of a frequent flyer than radical extremist. But a classic case of mistaken identity, not ties to terrorism, landed him on the FBI’s…Philip Wegmann -
- Opinion
Number of Victims Rescued From Human Trafficking Almost Doubled in 2016
According to the newly released Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report, the number of human trafficking victims rescued and traffickers prosecuted nearly doubled in 2016. The statistics offer hope that greater emphasis is being placed on rule of law solutions to fight human trafficking. The report, conducted by the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in…Olivia Enos -
- Opinion
Why the Supreme Court’s Decision on a Governor’s Corruption Conviction Matters
On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States issued its ruling in the case involving former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, who—with his wife Maureen—had been convicted of public corruption charges. Whether the government chooses to retry the McDonnells remains to be seen, but it seems doubtful. The Supreme Court, in a unanimous opinion written…John G. Malcolm -
- Opinion
Supreme Court Federalizes ‘Any Robbery,’ Shows Old Statute Is Ready for Change
Robbery is a crime in every state, and no one argues that it should not be. But should any local robbery also be a federal crime? Although the Supreme Court’s opinion in Taylor v. United States says that now it is, significant constitutional and policy considerations beg to differ. Taylor v. United States David Taylor…John-Michael Seibler -
- News
FBI Terrorist Watch List Can Have Little Impact, Experts Say
Being on the FBI’s terrorist watch list doesn’t necessarily have a direct impact on an individual, experts say. This is why the Islamist-inspired gunman who murdered 49 people in Orlando was still able to purchase a firearm and work for one of the nation’s largest security firms. The FBI twice investigated Omar Mateen, the Orlando…Fred Lucas -
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Senators Ready Bill to Stop DOJ From Bankrolling Liberal Groups
The Senate may take steps to end a Justice Department slush fund that has channeled millions of dollars in banking settlements to outside organizations, including left-wing groups such as La Raza and NeighborWorks America. Four Republican senators—James Lankford of Oklahoma, Ted Cruz of Texas, and Utah’s Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee—said they would introduce legislation…Philip Wegmann -
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1 Year After Steinle Death, San Francisco Unveils Immigration Policy Keeping ‘Sanctuary’ Protections
Nearly one year after Kate Steinle was killed in San Francisco allegedly by a man living in the U.S. illegally, the city has approved a new policy restricting the circumstances under which it will cooperate with immigration requests from the federal government. San Francisco’s new sheriff, Vicki Hennessy, and the city’s board of supervisors reached…Josh Siegel -
- Opinion
DOJ Wants to Hide the Names of Illegal Aliens Granted Amnesty
The Justice Department is resisting a judge’s order to provide ethics training for its lawyers and is objecting to turning over to the court the names of illegal aliens who were granted what amounts to administrative amnesty (“deferrals”) in stark violation of an injunction issued by the court. On May 19, Judge Andrew Hanen of…Hans von Spakovsky -
- Opinion
Ticketing Children for Selling Lemonade Highlights Overcriminalization Problem
Some Louisianan children recently opened a lemonade stand and were ticketed for operating a business without an occupational license or paying taxes on their earnings. This not only highlights the absurdity of criminalizing children who were too young to obtain an occupational license or to even pay taxes—but also illustrates how unpredictable enforcement of arcane…John-Michael Seibler