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Another RINO bites the congressional dust, or is something more sinister going on?
American Thinker ^ | 24 Mar, 2024 | Andrea Widburg

Posted on 03/24/2024 5:12:42 AM PDT by MtnClimber

News broke today that Rep. Mike Gallagher (RINO-WI) is leaving the house well before his term ends. He’ll join former Representatives Kevin McCarthy and Ken Buck, both of whom bowed out before their terms ended. I can think of four reasons for a politician to bow out early: necessity, pique, changed alliances, and one other thing more sinister than the other three.

As of January 2023, Republicans had a very narrow majority in the House. After the rebellion against Kevin McCarthy, the latter, in a fit of pique, withdrew on October 3, 2023, long before finishing his term, diminishing the Republican majority.

Then, the Republicans, proving that they truly are the stupid party, decided to show their “moral superiority” by kicking out Rep. George Santos. Yes, Santos is an odd bird, but he wasn’t so bad that he needed to be tossed. Doing so shrank that slender majority still more.

Last week, Rep. Ken Buck, a RINO’s RINO from Colorado, withdrew from the House, announcing that he was leaving effective yesterday. That means that there’ll be a special election for his replacement at the end of June. In Colorado, that’s not a good thing and could well mean a Democrat goes to Congress in his place.

And then, just today, Charlie Kirk notified people via Twitter that Rep. Gallagher is heading out of Congress almost immediately, in the most damaging way possible for Republicans:

With Gallagher’s departure and a possible Democrat victory in Colorado, there’s a real likelihood that Democrats will soon control the House. That means that, between now and January (when I devoutly hope there really is a red wave), Democrats will control Congress. Packing the Supreme Court and Puerto Rican statehood will suddenly be back on the agenda while Biden’s trembling hand can still sign

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: conspiracy
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To: silverleaf

justice.gov

Congressman George Santos Charged With
<><> Conspiracy,
<><>Wire Fraud,
<><>Making False Statements,
<><>Falsification of Records,
<><>Aggravated Identity Theft,
<><>Credit Card Fraud

forbes.com

Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) was indicted on 10 new federal charges Tuesday after previously pleading not guilty to 13 charges in May, which collectively could send the freshman lawmaker to prison for decades, as prosecutors allege he orchestrated a wide-ranging fraudulent fundraising scheme.
George Santos

KEY FACTS
Conspiracy to Commit Offenses Against the U.S.: Santos was charged with one count of violating 18 U.S. Code § 371 for a scheme in which he allegedly made up false campaign contributions in order to obtain support from a national political committee, and stole donors’ personal information and credit card information, which he used to make unauthorized campaign contributions in other peoples’ names.

The statute prohibits at least two people from “conspir[ing] either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose,” and doing anything to take action on that conspiracy, and is punishable by a fine and/or up to five years in prison.

Wire Fraud: Santos was charged with nine counts of wire fraud, which is punishable by a fine and/or up to 20 years in prison, for wiring money as part of the fraudulent scheme, as well as for other schemes in which Santos solicited donations to a fake campaign company and then used those funds on personal expenses, and falsely claimed unemployment benefits despite having a job, according to the DOJ.

False Statements: Santos faces four counts for allegedly making false statements on campaign finance reports in 2021 and April 2022 and House disclosure reports in 2020 and 2022, which are punishable by a fine and/or up to five years in prison.

Falsification of a Record or Document: Santos has been charged with two counts of falsifying documents for making allegedly false entries in his 2021 year-end and April 2022 quarterly campaign finance reports, which is punishable by a fine and/or up to 20 years in prison.

Aggravated Identity Theft: Santos faces two counts of alleged aggravated identity theft, which occurs when someone “knowingly transfers, possesses, or uses, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person” as part of a felony violation, for allegedly falsely listing donors who did not actually donate to his campaign on campaign reports, and for the alleged scheme in which he used donors’ credit card information to make fraudulent charges.

Aggravated identity theft is punishable by two years in prison, and the statute notes that the sentence typically cannot be served concurrently with any other prison sentence or shortened because of other sentences, and violations are not eligible for parole.

Access Device Fraud: Prosecutors claim Santos violated 18 U.S. Code § 1029 through his credit card fraud scheme, which prohibits people from knowingly using an access device issued to someone else—like a credit card or account number—with intent to defraud in order to receive payments of at least $1,000, and is punishable by a fine and/or up to 15 years in prison.

Unlawful Monetary Transactions Over $10,000: Santos was charged with three violations of 18 U.S. Code § 1957 for allegedly transferring campaign contributions to his personal bank account, which prohibits knowingly engaging in monetary transactions of more than $10,000 that’s derived from unlawful activity, and is punishable by a fine and/or up to 10 years in prison.

Theft of Public Money: Santos was charged with stealing public money from the U.S. Treasury, which is punishable by a fine and/or up to 10 years in prison, for his alleged unemployment scheme, in which the now-lawmaker fraudulently received nearly $25,000 between June 2020 and April 2021, according to the DOJ.

snip


21 posted on 03/24/2024 5:36:44 AM PDT by Liz (This then is how we should pray: Our Father wIho art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. )
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To: MtnClimber

Blackmailed? No, Buck is a Cheney follower. Gallagher was USMC Intel and went to the national intelligence university for a masters. These guys don’t need to be blackmailed. They hate MAGA and Trump more than they like America.


22 posted on 03/24/2024 5:37:04 AM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Arthur Wildfire! March; Berosus; Bockscar; BraveMan; cardinal4; ...

23 posted on 03/24/2024 5:39:40 AM PDT by SunkenCiv (Putin should skip ahead to where he kills himself in the bunker.)
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To: IncPen

And oriental women can’t drive on a good day sober.
Drunk at night? Lol


24 posted on 03/24/2024 5:39:53 AM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: MtnClimber
"Another RINO bites the congressional dust, or is something more sinister going on?"

Those Assistant Democrats are dong what their Democrat leaders are deciding for them to do. Clear the playing field, for a final "push" against Trump.

25 posted on 03/24/2024 5:44:35 AM PDT by Worldtraveler once upon a time (Degrow government)
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To: iontheball

“Then when Trump gets elected they will ignore the Electoral College...”

That is all nonsense by Bongino. It is the next Congress that certifies the electors, not this one. The democrats have to secure control of the House this November for that to take place.


26 posted on 03/24/2024 5:48:35 AM PDT by odawg
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To: odawg; iontheball

You’re correct that it’s the next Congress that certifies the electors, but turning the current Congress over to the Democrats would allow them to pass a resolution declaring Trump an insurrectionist. That would give the blue states cover to throw Trump off the ballot. It might be harder for the Supreme Court to reverse that outcome as the 14th Amendment gives Congress the power to enforce the provisions of the amendment.


27 posted on 03/24/2024 5:59:32 AM PDT by Salohcin
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To: MtnClimber

Something more sinister is going on.

Putting off resigning for a few weeks is a big help to democrats. I’m betting ‘blackmailed by CIA information ‘leaked’ to democrats. Just a guess...


28 posted on 03/24/2024 6:02:14 AM PDT by GOPJ
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To: IncPen

Remember the plausible story they told us about TWA flight 800? Remember how they intimidated witnesses? SOP for this rotten bunch.


29 posted on 03/24/2024 6:02:24 AM PDT by ryderann
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To: EEGator

sinister

Bump


30 posted on 03/24/2024 6:05:03 AM PDT by Texas Fossil (Texas is not about where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind and Attitude.)
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To: IncPen

” and drove into a lake”

In an Electric Car.

Boat Anchor deluxe.


31 posted on 03/24/2024 6:09:07 AM PDT by Texas Fossil (Texas is not about where you were born, but a Free State of Heart, Mind and Attitude.)
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To: GOPJ

He went to Princeton, he was an officer in the Marine Corps in the intelligence field, he went to the national intelligence university to get a masters degree. Married to a Broadway actress. Why would anybody think he needs to be blackmailed? Opposing Maga, opposing Trump, and supporting the intelligence community in deep speed is what he enjoys. Nobody thinks Liz Cheney had to be bribed or threatened.

I can’t understand why people are shocked when a Republican stabs them in the back. We look for causes, blackmail, bribery, Epstein island. The bottom line is, they support Washington DC and all its structures, they do not support America.


32 posted on 03/24/2024 6:10:34 AM PDT by DesertRhino (2016 Star Wars, 2020 The Empire Strikes Back, 2024... RETURN OF THE JEDI. )
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To: MtnClimber

No way they allow President Trump to win a legitimate election. If somehow President Trump does manage to win, he needs to destroy all involved in this true insurrection being waged by the democrats, RINOs and the deep state…..it’s time to bring back the rule of law and punish with extreme prejudice all of those guilty.


33 posted on 03/24/2024 6:19:26 AM PDT by Envisioning (Carry safe, always carry, everyday, everywhere.)
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To: Liz

“Santos has quit the Republican Party-———shows how “loyal” he planned to be.”

Didn’t his fellow Republican Party representatives kick him out of Congress. What loyalty does he owe the party if for whatever reason they removed him from office?

Many Republicans left the party over the last 20 years, particularly after the Republican establishment dissed the Tea Party and openly worked to undermine President Trump.

Corporate America suffers today from employees having no loyalty to their employer. Thirty years of layoffs, outsourcing of jobs, and termination of benefits destroyed any emotional bond between worker and employee.

Loyalty is a two way street. If one party treats the other poorly, the other party owes the first party nothing.


34 posted on 03/24/2024 6:23:13 AM PDT by Soul of the South (The past is gone and cannot be changed. Tomorrow can be a better day if we work on it n)
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To: MtnClimber

GOP caucus is deliberately sabotaging the country ahead of the election, fearing a Trump victory. Rather transparent collusion with the rest of the Deep State.


35 posted on 03/24/2024 6:25:13 AM PDT by hinckley buzzard ( Resist the narrative. )
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To: MtnClimber

They obviously have dirt on them.


36 posted on 03/24/2024 7:22:29 AM PDT by Mlheureux
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To: Salohcin

“Democrats would allow them to pass a resolution declaring Trump an insurrectionist.”

Resolution has no legal binding and would not give blue states cover to remove Trump from ballot.


37 posted on 03/24/2024 7:34:11 AM PDT by odawg
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To: IncPen
She went to a girls weekend, got drunk and drove into a lake. Not much to conspiracy on that one…

Lesson, don't drive ev's

38 posted on 03/24/2024 7:40:01 AM PDT by tlozo ( Better to Die on Your Feet than Live on Your Knees )
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To: MtnClimber

Could be the GOPee wants to stop Trump, and gradually leaving Congress to throw the House to the Democrats would allow a Democrat-controlled house to throw out Trump’s candidacy on Amendment XIV, Section 3 grounds, given that SCOTUS ruled that individual states could not do that.

In that way, the cowardly GOPee could stop Trump without openly siding with Democrats on legislation to stop Trump.


39 posted on 03/24/2024 7:49:26 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (FBI out of Florida!)
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To: iontheball
Then when Trump gets elected they will ignore the Electoral College tally for Trump on the grounds he is an insurrectionist and unfit to assume office and then seat Biden instead.

This assumes that the Dumbs then keep the House in November 2024. A new Congress will preside over the electoral count. My bet is that the coming current Democrat Congress will simply legislate against Trump running. A sympathetic Senate will concur, and Joetato will sign the bill.

40 posted on 03/24/2024 7:55:33 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (FBI out of Florida!)
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