Following today's indictment of former FBI Director James Comey by Donald Trump's Justice Department, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia put out this statement. I've had my differences with James Comey in the past, but I can spot trumped up charges a mile away. Trump said he'd go after him, then fired a superb, ethical prosecutor when he refused to bring frivolous charges against those whom Trump perceived to be his enemies.Now he has installed yet another one of his personal lawyers as the interim US ...

Legal Concerns - The speaker expresses concern that the president is ordering criminal charges against a political adversary, which could create grounds for dismissal [1] - The speaker highlights the importance of careful consideration when making charging decisions as a prosecutor [2] - The speaker suggests that Donald Trump's actions could create possible defenses in a criminal trial [2] - The speaker warns that people don't fully recover from criminal charges even if acquitted [3] Political Implications - The speaker believes the president is singling out someone he doesn't like [1] - The speaker suggests Donald Trump is populating the Department of Justice with lawyers who will do his bidding and pervert the rule of law [3] - The speaker expresses concern that the Department of Justice may single out people they don't like or who have offended them [3] - The speaker warns that the current situation with Comey could happen to anyone [3][4]

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted on two criminal counts by a grand jury in the Eastern District of Virginia. Two people familiar with the matter tell MSNBC one count is obstruction and the second count is false statements. Sources tell MSNBC that the grand jury rejected a third count, which is unknown at this point, but we will effort to get you that information. Donald Trump's Justice Department had been rushing to indict Comey before Tuesday because that's when the statute of limitations ...

Well, we believe the US attorney is pressing forward with this case and may be presenting to a grand jury as soon as today. And we're of course working to learn more. And this is coming after the developments last night where we learned that career prosecutors inside the office presented a memo uh to Lindseay Halligan, the newly installed US attorney, recommending that she not bring charges because they said that not only don't they believe that the office could win a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt in ...

Let's bring in MSNBC's Justice and Intelligence correspondent Kendallian, MSNBC political contributor and Atlantic staff writer Mark Lieovich, and MSNBC legal analyst and former Manhattan assistant DA Katherine Christian. Ken, are you hearing any push back or concerns from inside the DOJ. Well, yes, of course, Anna.And it's consistent with what I've been hearing from sources inside the building almost since the beginning of the Trump administration because again, I keep saying this, we've never been here be ...

From @WSJopinion: Brazil’s biased Supreme Court convicts the former president and gives him 27 years. Rule of law be damned, writes @MaryAnastasiaOG. https://t.co/gyGjsdVCJJ ...

RT Orbán Viktor (@PM_ViktorOrban)The abandonment of traditional values, the neglect of common sense, and weak governance have led to barbarism taking root in the home of one of Europe’s greatest nations. Criminal gangs are using underage girls as instruments of killing.The mission of the rule of law is to ensure the safety of our people. Where underage girls are systematically used for murder, the rule of law is dead.Sweden is our friend, and the Swedish people are a great and noble nation.We are worried fo ...

Democracy & Authoritarianism - The story of democracy is ongoing, lacking a clear beginning or end [1] - Democracy is fragile and requires constant nurturing and defense [2] - Brazil's Supreme Court convicted former President Bolsinaro of plotting a military coup, sentencing him to over 27 years in prison [3] - This marks the first time in Brazil's history that a coup leader will serve significant prison time [4] US Interference & Parallels - Trump's administration showed support to Bolsinaro, fearing Bolsinaro's conviction as a blueprint for holding strong men accountable [7] - The US government imposed tariffs and sanctions on Brazil for prosecuting Bolsinaro, including sanctions against Supreme Court Justice Alexandra De Morice [10][11] - Parallels exist between Trump and Bolsinaro, both rising on hard-right populism and claiming election rigging after defeat [13] Institutional Response & Lessons - Brazil's institutions acted swiftly and decisively to counter authoritarianism [8][13] - Brazil's government cracked down on disinformation and tackled falsehoods on social media [13] - Brazil's defiance demonstrates the power of standing firm against attacks on its sovereignty [13]

Constitutional Law & Civil Rights - The Supreme Court's decision allows federal agents to racially profile individuals during immigration sweeps in Los Angeles, potentially violating the Fourth Amendment [1][9] - The Fourth Amendment, designed to protect against unreasonable searches and seizures, is being undermined by the court's ruling, raising concerns about government overreach [2][7][10] - Justice Sotomayor dissented, arguing against a society where individuals are targeted based on ethnicity and appearance [12] - The ruling suggests that constitutional protections are conditional and can be disregarded based on perceived immigration status [13][18] - The Supreme Court's use of the "shadow docket" to issue the decision without oral arguments or explanation raises concerns about transparency and accountability [11][25] Societal Impact & Legal Precedent - The decision normalizes racial profiling and potentially creates a police state where constitutional rights are diminished [23][24] - The ruling could weaken constitutional protections for all individuals, not just specific groups [24] - The Supreme Court's actions are perceived as abandoning basic constitutional principles and granting the government excessive discretion [19] - The decision is seen as part of a series of rulings that approve actions violating the Constitution [22] - The ruling may damage the Supreme Court's legacy and undermine democracy for generations [27]

Political & Legal Analysis - Brazilian Supreme Court convicted former President Bolsonaro for conspiring against democracy and attempting a coup after his 2022 election defeat, sentencing him to 27 years in prison [1][2] - The conviction highlights a contrast with the US, where Donald Trump faced less accountability for similar actions [1] - Rubio criticized the Brazilian Supreme Court's actions as "political persecutions" and a "witch hunt," indicating support for Bolsonaro from some US political figures [5] - The US administration imposed 50% tariffs on Brazil, impacting the coffee industry, allegedly in response to actions against Bolsonaro [10] Geopolitical Implications - The events in Brazil are significant due to Brazil's status as a major global power, and they offer a comparison to the January 6th events in the US [8] - The US President has criticized accountability efforts in Brazil and has reportedly retaliated against those holding Bolsonaro accountable [9] Social & Ideological Factors - Former President Bolsonaro maintains significant support in Brazil, particularly among evangelicals and conservative individuals, indicating continued polarization [3] - The conviction is seen as sending a message of accountability, contrasting with a perceived lack of accountability in the US [7][11]