Crime News
The Daily Signal reports on crime news with analysis and commentary on policies, crime rates, and policing debates.
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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… -
news
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
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… -
news
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… -
news
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… -
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… -
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… -
news
Is It Time for Criminal Justice Reform? 2 Law Enforcement Groups Are at Odds
While the unusual coalition of President Barack Obama and conservative groups hold out hope for the chance at what they call the most meaningful reform to criminal sentencing laws in a generation, frontline law enforcement officials are debating what the changes would mean for their communities. Steven Cook, whose organization represents more than 5,500 assistant… -
opinion
USAID Worker’s Murder Highlights Bangladesh’s Descent Into Extremism
Bangladesh has become a hotbed for Islamic extremists, and a recent spree of murders demonstrate a move away from democracy and freedom of speech in the South Asian nation. Six men posing as couriers broke into the apartment of Xulhaz Mannan, an employee of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and hacked Mannan and his friend, Tanay Mojumdar,… -
news
In 2015, 19,000 Criminal Illegal Immigrants Were Released From Custody
More than 19,000 criminal illegal immigrants were released from custody in 2015, according to new figures disclosed by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency. The 19,723 criminal releases—as the government refers to them—represent a 35 percent decrease from fiscal year 2014. The phrase “criminal releases” can apply to a wide range of crimes, including… -
opinion
Guy Benson: The Assault on Free Speech Marches On
The political season has brought a fresh wave of free speech debates on America’s college campuses. Some students claim they need to be “protected” from even seeing the names of presidential candidates they don’t like. Fox News commentator Guy Benson, also the co-author of “End of Discussion,” sat down with The Daily Signal to discuss… -
opinion
South Africa Is Losing the War Against Corruption
Once a model for emerging African democracies, South Africa is now mired in corruption that undermines its economy, provokes social unrest, and betrays the dreams and trust of millions of South Africans. South African President Jacob Zuma easily survived an April 5 impeachment vote in parliament, thanks to the large majority party he heads, the… -
opinion
Senate Bill Would Impose 10 Years in Federal Prison for Local Crime
Say you rush into a busy airport and are late for a flight that you cannot miss. Maybe your bag has a hole in it, stuff is falling out, it’s bedlam. You get to the check-in counter and the customer service agent says “flight’s cancelled.” You’re upset. Maybe the agent snickers at you and says… -
news
Corruption Charges in Detroit Schools Spur Calls for Education Reform
Officials are calling for education reform after bribery indictments against Detroit public school officials and a supplier alleged $2.7 million in fraudulent spending, even as Michigan’s governor signed off on nearly $50 million in emergency spending. “Principals are in positions of public trust and have an obligation to act in the best interest of their schools… -
opinion
Justice Department Kept Public in Dark About Iranian Hackers Until After Obama’s Nuclear Deal
On March 24, the Department of Justice indicted seven Iranian hackers for two cyber-crimes. The charges result from the individuals’ attacks on U.S. bank websites and the breach of a New York dam’s control systems. If the Justice Department truly desires to make its point known on cyber-hacking, it should shine a light on Iran’s… -
opinion
Corruption and Lack of Economic Freedom Common Themes in Panama Papers
As The Atlantic has reported, “[d]isclosures from the Panama Papers are rocking the global political elite.” Although not all of the activities alleged in the papers may ultimately be determined to be unethical or illegal, it is instructive to look at the connections between many of the people named in the papers and the scores of their… -
opinion
More Guns Does Not Mean More Murders
According to proponents of gun control, more guns in America equals more murders and a more lawless society. Every time there is a mass killing involving guns, liberal politicians rush to call for more restrictions on guns. Those in favor of disarming the citizenry claim that fewer guns will mean less gun crime. This assertion…