Outside the Beltway

A preliminary report from Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan found at least 500 Catholic Priests whose abuse of children had been covered up by Church officials.

A Federal Judge has ruled that neither the Sheriff’s Office nor the School Board had a specific duty to protect individual students during the shooting last February in Parkland, Florida.

The Senate overwhelmingly passed major reforms in Federal sentencing and related laws. As the name of the bill implies, it’s a first step, but a good first step.

The President’s former lawyer and “fixer” Michael Cohen has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in assisting the President in various scandals and cover-ups.

Senator Mitch McConnell and others are blocking a criminal justice reform bill currently pending in the Senate.

The white supremacist charged with killing a counter-protester during last year’s events in Charlottesville has been convicted of first-degree murder.

Lies and possible evidence of obstruction of justice make up the bulk of Robert Mueller’s new case against former Trump campaign director Paul Manafort.

Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the U.S, Attorney for the Southern District of New York have filed sentencing memos that directly implicate the President in a series of felonies.

Citing substantial cooperation, Special Counsel Robert Mueller is recommending no jail time for former Trump associate Michael Flynn.

The Supreme Court appears ready to impose at least some limits on civil asset forfeiture at the state level.

A federal judge has found the practice outside the scope of Congress’ authority.

A filing in an unrelated case has apparently revealed the existence of a sealed indictment against Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

New reports indicate that Donald Trump was closely involved in the efforts to buy the silence of a Playboy model and a former adult film star.

Thirteen people, including eleven civilians, a Sheriff’s Deputy, and the gunman, are dead after a shooting at a bar in California.

For Chris Collins and Duncan Hunter, Jr. being indicted didn’t stop them from being re-elected.

Florida voters approved an amendment to the state’s Constitution that will restore the voting rights of as many as 1.2 million ex-felons and make it easier for future released felons to get their civil rights back.

The man responsible for the deaths of eleven people in a Pittsburgh synagogue has been indicted on 44 counts by a Federal Grand Jury.

The vise is tightening on the Catholic Church.

Charges have been filed against the man responsible for the massacre in Pittsburgh in both Federal and State court.

America’s tradition of unlimited free expression increases the danger of violence.

At least eight people are dead in a mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue.

Authorities have arrested a Florida man named Cesar Sayoc, a 56-year-old Trump supporter, in connection with the wave of bombing attempts directed at critics of the President.

More outrageous behavior by the President of the United States.

Two more potential explosive devices, addressed to New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, have been discovered by law enforcement.

More explosive devices sent to prominent Trump critics, including Robert DeNiro and Joe Biden, have been located.

Four suspicious packages addressed to prominent political and media figures have been intercepted in the past three days.

Another landmark decision from the Washington State Supreme Court.

The Catholic Church’s problems may have just gotten a lot more serious.

Another drug war example.

The Russians are interfering in our electoral system again, and they’re using our own hyperpartisanship to accomplish their goals.

Another example of just how imperfect our system of justice can be.

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of the Archbishop of Washington, D.C this week, but his letter reveals that he still has a blind spot when it comes to the Catholic abuse scandal.

Fifty years ago, a young college student who would become one of the most influential women in Washington was sexually assaulted by a Senator. She didn’t come forward with her story for more than fifty years, and the reasons why strike close to what we’ve been talking about for three weeks now.

Nearly four years after the fact, a Chicago Police Officer has been found guilty of murder in the shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

Elon Musk has apparently come to his senses. At least for now.

Amber Guyger has been fired by the Dallas Police Department, now it’s up to the justice system to hold her accountable for her actions.

After forty years, a sexual predator finally gets at least some of what he deserves.

Why a much-cited analogy in the Brett Kavanaugh controversy is problematic.

The shooting of Botham Jean by off-duty Dallas Police Officer Amber Guyger earlier this month seems like a clear cut murder. So why is she only charged with manslaughter?

Another day, another plea agreement in the Mueller investigation. This one could prove to be problematic for the President.

With a new trial set to start in Washington at the end of the month, reports are circulating that President Trump’s former campaign manager is looking to cut a plea deal.

Several states are opening new investigations of the Catholic Church abuse scandal. It’s about time.

Former Trump campaign aide George Papadopoulos received a very generous sentence in return for his guilty plea.

A top Vatican official is alleging that Pope Francis and Pope Benedict XVI were both aware of previously unknown allegations of sexual abuse and chose to allow them to be covered up rather than bringing them to light.

Recently indicted Congressman Duncan Hunter Jr. is blaming his apparently estranged wife and the so-called “Deep State” for the fact that he’s charged with embezzling a quarter million dollars from his campaign.

California Republican Duncan Hunter Jr, who was an early backer of President Trump’s campaign, has been indicted on charges he used massive amounts of campaign funds to pay for personal expenses.

It’s not obvious that two more felons in the Trump inner circle will have any immediate impact.

Robert Mueller and his legal team get their first victories in court.

The latest reports about the circumstances surrounding the payoff to Stormy Daniels could pose big problems for Michael Cohen and his client.

A Pennsylvania Grand Jury report reveals decades of abuse by some 300 Catholic Priests impacting more than 1,000 children and 26 of the state’s Roman Catholic Diocese.