House Republicans subpoenaed Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis Friday over her office's potential misuse of federal funds. The subpoena was delivered just prior to Willis' admission in a court filing that she has been involved in a relationship with a married man whom she ultimately appointed top prosecutor on former President Donald Trump's Georgia election interference case. The subpoena and the home-wrecking admission both come on the heels of the Georgia Senate taking "the first step towards impeaching and defunding this corrupt prosecutor" over Willis' various alleged improprieties. The likelihood that Trump's case — for which there is no trial date set — will proceed before the 2024 election is shrinking by the day. Meanwhile‚ the possibility of Willis facing significant professional consequences continues to grow. While the walls appear to be closing in on the Black Panther's daughter‚ insiders told CNN this week that Willis is not expected to recuse herself from the case to protect its integrity. Mounting allegations The Democratic DA has been accused of: tainting the case against Trump and his co-defendants‚ in part by fomenting "racial animus and prejudice against the defendants"; coordinating with elements of the Biden White House and Jan. 6 committee in a supposedly politically motivated effort to kneecap the Republican front-runner; terminating a whistleblower who called out possible misuse of federal grant money; appointing her lover‚ Nathan Wade‚ to lead the prosecution despite his dearth of relevant experience‚ his alleged bungling of a high-profile case concerning suspicious deaths in an Atlanta-area jail‚ and the obvious conflict of interest the working relationship would entail; giving Wade preferential treatment; allowing Wade to take her on luxurious vacations using Fulton County funds she approved — trips for which it appears there are receipts; and possibly running afoul of the federal racketeering statute. Weeks after lashing out at the wife of her lover‚ Willis finally came clean Friday regarding at least one of the allegations. A 176-page court filing obtained by the Washington Post acknowledges that Willis has been romantically involved with Wade but alleges there "was no personal relationship between them in November 2021 at the time of Special Prosecutor Wade's appointment." The filing claims further that the "personal relationship between Special Prosecutor Wade and District Attorney Willis has never involved direct or indirect financial benefit to District Attorney Willis" and that "Willis has no personal conflict of interest that justifies her disqualification personally or that of the Fulton County District Attorney' Office." In likely reference to Willis' racially charged commentary before an Atlanta church congregation last month and the corresponding complaint she had prejudiced potential jurors‚ the filing suggests that "Willis has made no public statements that warrant disqualification or judicial inquiry." The filing also contains an admission by Wade that he developed a "personal relationship" with Willis in 2022. Wade alleged in a deposition included in the filing that "no funds paid to me in compensation for my role as Special Prosecutor have been shared with or provided to District Attorney Willis." Willis called the damning allegations against her "meritless" and "salacious‚" reported the Post. Attorney and legal analyst Phil Holloway told Fox News that the allegations‚ both confirmed and outstanding‚ could possibly kill the Georgia election interference case against Trump. "If it can be proven she violated the constitution in the way of substitute due process claims‚ that she was fundamentally unfair in how she carried out her prosecutorial duties‚ then that could result in a dismissal [of the case]‚" said Holloway. "It would be a question if she gets recused‚ then her whole office has to be recused‚" continued the analyst. "If she's got a conflict of interest‚ everybody who works for her has that same conflict of interest. So the prosecuting attorney's counsel here in Georgia or the attorney general's office may have to sort out who in the state of Georgia‚ if anyone‚ wants this." Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee‚ who is overseeing The State v. Donald John Trump‚ has scheduled a Feb. 15 evidentiary hearing to take up the misconduct allegations. Georgia turns up the heat The Georgia Senate voted 30-19 on Jan. 26 to approve the formation of a committee to investigate possible wrongdoing on Willis' part. While the panel has the power to compel testimony and subpoena records‚ the New York Times indicated it is powerless to oust Willis from office. Following the vote‚ state Sen. Colton Moore (R) wrote on X‚ "Investigating Fani Willis is the first step towards impeaching and defunding this corrupt prosecutor. We cannot let up the pressure now... we must DOUBLE DOWN." "We are just getting started. We will save America‚" continued Moore. "But it will take enormous courage and participation from grassroots‚ blue-collar PATRIOTS from across the land of the free." State Sen. Greg Dolezal (R)‚ who reportedly introduced the legislation to establish the special committee‚ said in a statement‚ "The multitude of accusations surrounding Ms. Willis‚ spanning from allegations of prosecutorial misconduct to questions about the use of public funds and accusations of an unprofessional relationship‚ underscores the urgency for a thorough and impartial examination." The committee will comprise nine members‚ three of whom will be Democrats. Extra to the Georgia Senate's investigation‚ Fulton County Commissioner Bob Ellis‚ the county's audit committee chair‚ has requested that Willis provide various materials‚ including invoices for services‚ costs‚ and fees submitted for payment by special prosecutors that have been received by her office since 2021. Ellis also appears interested in details related to the relevant professional experiences of her appointees. Compounding potential difficulties for Willis‚ State Rep. Charlice Byrd (R) also introduced articles of impeachment against Willis last week‚ stating‚ "Fani Willis has a laundry list of potential conflicts that make her unworthy and unfit to be the District Attorney in Fulton County." "Someone elected to that office is expected to uphold the law and not weaponize their office for political gain‚" added Byrd. Republicans do not appear to have the requisite number of votes to get the impeachment through the state legislature. Congressional investigation The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Willis Friday for documents concerning a whistleblower's complaint. Blaze News previously reported that Willis has been accused of demoting then terminating Amanda Timpson after the woman cautioned her that another employee in the office intended to blow part of a $488‚000 federal grant on frivolous expenses such as computers‚ "swag‚" and "travel." — (@) Despite an apparent audio recording of the warning‚ Willis has called the allegation "false‚" writing it off as "baseless litigation filed by a holdover employee from the prior administration who was terminated for cause‚" reported NBC News. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Timpson has a lawsuit against Willis pending in Fulton County Superior Court. In his Friday letter to Willis‚ Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) noted that the Democratic DA has "failed to comply voluntarily" with previous requests for documents related to her office's "receipt and use of federal grant funds issued by the U.S. Department of Justice." The congressional subpoena requests all documents and communication pertaining to Willis' receipt and use of federal funds. The subpoena is part of a broader congressional investigation launched in August delving into whether Willis used federal funds when conducting her investigation into Trump. Willis has previously rebuked the Republican investigators‚ claiming there is "no justification in the Constitution for Congress to interfere with a state criminal matter." Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A California court hosted a "gender identity" training for judges and attorneys‚ the Daily Caller News Foundation reported Friday.According to an invitation posted by the Santa Cruz County Bar Association‚ the Superior Court of Santa Cruz County presented an event titled "Pride + Pronouns - Understanding Gender Identity in the Courtroom and Beyond" in May 2023 via video conference. "This program will help attorneys‚ judges‚ and others understand and address issues related to gender identity that may arise in the courtroom. Panelists will bring you up to speed on current understanding of gender identities and pronouns‚ explain why it's important to use appropriate pronouns‚ and provide tips on best practices related to gender identity issues. Dialogue is welcome as the panel discusses whether and how judges and attorneys should invite litigants to identify their pronouns‚ how to address individuals whose gender identity is unknown‚ what to do if an individual deliberately misgenders someone in the courtroom‚ and more‚" the event invitation stated.The presentation was hosted by Tristan E.H. Higgins‚ who was described as a "highly trained and internationally recognized speaker‚ consultant and coach on diversity‚ equity‚ and inclusion."Speakers at the virtual event also included Todd Brower‚ the judicial education director for the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation Law and Public at UCLA School of Law‚ and Jodi Cleesattle‚ the supervising deputy attorney general in the Employment and Administrative Mandate Section of the California Department of Justice.The 17-slide presentation‚ obtained by the DCNF‚ broke down the so-called differences between "gender expression‚" "gender identity‚" "sex assigned at birth‚" and "attraction‚" which it noted are "independent of each other." According to Higgins' slide deck‚ doctors and "sometimes parents" assign a newborn's sex at birth. The terms "biological sex" and "anatomical sex" are described as "disfavored" and "problematic."Participants were presented with a list of "some types of gender‚" including "nonbinary‚" "transgender‚" "third sex‚" "gender fluid‚" "agender‚" "two-spirit‚" "gender neutrois‚" and "masculine" and "feminine of center." It used color theory graphics‚ such as blue and yellow combined to make green‚ to illustrate the so-called pronoun and gender spectrum.Judges and attorneys were encouraged to address individuals by titles‚ including "plaintiff‚ witness‚ party‚ counsel‚ litigant‚ juror‚" instead of honorifics like "Ms.‚ Mr.‚ or Mx."Higgins‚ who describes herself as a "gender-nonconforming lesbian‚" told the DCNF that several legal organizations and another California court have previously hired her to host similar trainings."I have worked with the San Diego and Santa Cruz courthouses‚" Higgins stated. "I have taught at the National Judicial College and the National Association of Women Judges‚ which included a cross-section of judicial officers from all over the country. I have trained district attorneys‚ city attorneys‚ U.S. Attorneys‚ and the U.S. Department of Labor. Wherever there is a need‚ I will fill it."The court told the news outlet that the decision to host Higgins' presentation "came out of the Court's Prevention of Bias Committee."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

A retired New York teacher is accused of molesting 56 children over several decades.Thomas Bernagozzi‚ 76‚ was arrested on Dec. 21 and charged with two counts of sodomy and sexual conduct against a child involving two students. Bernagozzi – from the Long Island town of Babylon – faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted on both charges‚ according to Newsday. One of the alleged victims was purportedly abused between 1997 and 2000 and the other between 1989 and 1991‚ according to the criminal complaint.On Wednesday‚ Bernagozzi pleaded not guilty to sexually abusing two former students in Suffolk County. However‚ there have been 45 civil lawsuits filed against Bernagozzi and the school district under the New York State Child Victims Act. The New York State Child Victims Act – signed into law in 2019 – allows an alleged victim of child sex abuse to file a civil action up until that individual turns 55 years of age.Since his arrest‚ 11 more alleged victims have come forward with allegations of child sex abuse against Bernagozzi. The alleged victims range in age from 4 to 8 years old.Due to New York’s statute of limitations‚ only the recent cases involving the two alleged victims could be criminally prosecuted.On Wednesday‚ prosecutors said in court that the Bay Shore School District knew about the child sex abuse accusations and "turned a blind eye‚" according to KABC-TV.Steven Maloney – the superintendent of the Bay Shore School District – said on Tuesday‚ "Due to pending and ongoing litigation‚ the Bay Shore School District is unable to comment regarding this matter. The District remains committed to ensuring the safety‚ health‚ and wellbeing of all students."The 56 alleged victims were children attending schools where Bernagozzi taught. Bernagozzi was employed as a third-grade teacher at the Mary G. Clarkson Elementary School and Gardiner Manor Elementary School between 1970 and 2000. He retired in 2003 after working for the Bay Shore School District.The New York Post reported‚ "While working for the district‚ Bernagozzi directed school plays and coached after-school sports. Outside work hours‚ he would take groups of children — mostly boys — to 'local beaches‚ pools‚ gym‚ Broadway shows and sporting events‚' prosecutors said."The Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said Bernagozzi was "allegedly revered by both fellow teachers and staff‚ as well as parents residing in the district who would specifically request that their children be placed in Bernagozzi’s class."Prosecutors noted that his classes were "allegedly comprised predominantly of male children."Robert Hubbard – one of the alleged victims who filed a civil lawsuit against Bernagozzi – said he was a student in 1976 and that his teacher would fondle him in the classroom and at baseball games."The sheer magnitude of what this defendant is alleged to have committed is astounding‚" said Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney. "This defendant allegedly betrayed the trust of his students‚ their families‚ and the community. I urge anyone who has been abused to come forward to law enforcement no matter how long ago that abuse occurred. We will investigate thoroughly and seek to hold those responsible accountable for their conduct."At Bernagozzi's arraignment‚ the Suffolk County DA requested that the former teacher be held on $1 million cash bail. However‚ Judge Edward J. Hennessey ordered him placed on supervised release with GPS conditions. After 11 more alleged victims came forward this week‚ Judge Karen Wilutis set Bernagozzi’s bond at $300‚000 cash and $600‚000 bond.Anyone with information about Bernagozzi is urged to contact the Suffolk County Police Department's Special Victims Section at 631-275-2302.Like Blaze News? Circumvent the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here! Retired teacher accused of sexually abusing students for decades www.youtube.com

UFC President Dana White continued his defense of First Amendment principles‚ insisting that fighters can present any political or personal views they wish‚ without any pressure from the company.White discussed company politics‚ business‚ and more with former Republican nominee Vivek Ramaswamy on "The Truth Podcast." Ramaswamy asked the fight promoter about his hiring practices in relation to beliefs.White quickly went in-depth on Tyron Woodley‚ a former UFC welterweight champion who was a staunch supporter of Black Lives Matter."We had a guy early on when the COVID thing started‚ Tyron Woodley. He came out in Black Lives Matter everything. I think he had Black Lives Matter socks on‚ covered head to toe in Black Lives Matter‚" White explained."At the press conference leading up to his fight‚ they would ask him a question and he would say‚ ‘Black Lives Matter.’ They’d ask him another one – ‘Black Lives Matter.' I didn’t say s*** to him‚ knock yourself out‚" he added. UFC fighter Tyron Woodley REALLY wants to let you know that BLACK LIVES MATTER! \ud83d\ude02\ud83d\ude02 — (@) White also spoke about fighter Colby Covington‚ a Trump supporter who once took a call from the president after a victory‚ as well as Sean Strickland‚ another UFC champion who made international headlines after a spat with a Canadian reporter about Strickland's remarks on transgender people."This is America. Everybody can have their own opinion. I’m not telling anybody what to do‚ what to say‚ what to think‚ how to feel. We’re human beings in America‚ do your thing‚ knock yourself out‚ I’ve got the platform‚" White went on. "People get pissed off‚ people get offended‚ people get this and that. We just had it happen with Sean Strickland." Idk who this guy is and I don't care but you're not a man... But you'd take that as a compliment..... — (@) In addition to letting fighters express their preferred political views without reprisal‚ White explained that the UFC doesn't even inject impartial political matters into the workplace."I have the best team in the world and we're all aligned no matter what our political views‚" the company president said. "Nothing ever goes out here like 'hey the elections are coming up‚ get out there and vote!' ... You're all grown men and women‚ you know the election's coming up. If you want to vote‚ vote. If you don't‚ don't."White later offered advice he would give an up-and-coming professional or even his younger self and said "don't listen to anyone.""The hardest thing in life is figuring out who you are and what you want to do for the rest of your life. ... Once you figure that out‚ you wake up every day and work toward it."Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors‚ sign up for our newsletters‚ and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

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Finally‚ Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is out of early access and the full‚ ultraviolent‚ unadulterated version of the epic superhero game is here. The title comes packed with a load of cool Easter eggs that fans of DC Comics and the DCEU are going to love‚ but one fan has found the most satisfying surprise of them all‚ and all it takes to find it is a little patience once you complete the game. Continue reading Someone has found the best Suicide Squad Easter egg‚ and you can too MORE FROM PCGAMESN: Kill the Justice League system requirements‚ Kill the Justice League release date‚ Best PC games

In a second term‚ Trump wouldn’t be constrained by the conventional conservatives responsible for the biggest policy successes of his first term.

Buttigieg’s allies at Win the Era Fund appear to be preserving his political apparatus in case the right opportunity arises.