Clean Up on Aisle 45: January 6th, Redistricting, and Alex Jones's Downfall

January 6th Defendant Restitution Denied

• 🏛️ Another judge, US District Judge Royce Lamberth, has denied a January 6th defendant's request for reimbursement of restitution paid, marking the fifth such rejection.
• 📜 The precedent cited is the Supreme Court's 1877 decision in United States v. Noe, stating a pardon is an act of grace and does not restore rights or property vested in others due to conviction.
• ⚖️ Judges have consistently ruled that pardons do not erase the past or make amends for it, meaning funds paid were not erroneously received by the Treasury.
• 🚫 This ruling applies to multiple January 6th defendants, including Derek Kinson, who sought to recover $2,350 in restitution.

Louisiana Redistricting Victory for Black Voters

• 🗳️ An appeals court has delivered a major win for Black voters by upholding a lower court's ruling that struck down Louisiana's state legislative maps.
• ⚖️ The court found the maps violated the Voting Rights Act by packing and cracking Black communities, unlawfully diluting their voting power.
• 📜 The ruling affirms the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, rejecting Louisiana's challenge.
• 🗺️ Louisiana must now draw new maps that better represent its Black population.

Newsmax Settles Dominion Lawsuit

• 📰 Newsmax has agreed to pay a $67 million settlement to Dominion Voting Systems to resolve a defamation lawsuit over false claims about the 2020 election.
• 💸 The settlement includes $27 million paid immediately, with the remainder due by January 2027.
• 🚫 Newsmax did not admit wrongdoing but stated it was important for Americans to hear both sides of election disputes.
• ⚖️ This follows a $787 million settlement Dominion reached with Fox News over similar claims.

Alex Jones's Infowars Assets Seized

• 📉 Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is a step closer to losing his Infowars studio and brand as a Texas judge ordered Infowars's assets to be turned over to a state receiver.
• 💰 The receiver will sell these assets to pay the families of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims, to whom Jones owes $1.3 billion.
• 💔 The Sandy Hook families endured years of harassment from Jones's followers after he falsely claimed the shooting was a hoax.
• 🏢 The receiver has the power to seize cash, property, and control over websites, potentially ending Jones's control over the Infowars brand.

Harry Dunn's Keynote and Political Commentary

• 🎤 Former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn delivered a keynote speech at the Iowa Democratic Wing Ding, stating he is "still pissed off" about the January 6th attack.
• 🗣️ Dunn spoke candidly about his struggles and doubts, offering a path forward for Democrats and emphasizing the importance of showing up and fighting.
• 🇺🇸 He criticized the current political climate, stating these are not normal times and advocating for fighting fire with fire.
• 🏛️ Dunn expressed disappointment with institutions like Congress and the Supreme Court for failing to deliver accountability.
• 🗳️ He highlighted the 2024 election as an opportunity for accountability at the ballot box, criticizing the nation's embrace of authoritarianism and misogyny.
• 🗣️ Dunn also discussed the ongoing legal battles, including the denial of restitution for January 6th defendants and the importance of fighting for justice.