- This week: Alex Jones in the stands, asked to pay
- Black voters concerned about violence, intimidation at the polls
- The judge refused to postpone the trial date of the Oath-keeper
I defend extremism at USA TODAY. The beat can take me dark corners of the Internet, trial courts January 6 riots or street protests anywhere in the United States.
Every week, we’re learning about new developments and revelations that paint a clearer picture of extremist groups and mindsets influencing life in America. And every week there are new pieces of extreme news that need attention.
For registrants:How a network of researchers is looking for the next attack on hate
This week, the world’s eyes have been on the high profile legal case against conspiracy theory broadcaster Alex Jones. We are also following the trial of Oath Keeper Stewart Rhodes. And a research group on extremism has new data on how these ideas can stymie voters.
Alex Jones Test
Alex Jones in the stands, asked to pay: Founder of Infowars and conspirators stand firm in one defamation trial in Austin, Texas, with often explosive results. Jones, who was accused of defaming the family of a boy killed in Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, was sentenced many times by the judge. “This is not your show,” she told him.
- On Thursday, Jones was ordered by jury to paid more than 4 million dollars in compensatory damages, it is likely that millions of others will be punished.
- A real bomb happened on Wednesday when an attorney explicitly told Jones that he was shocked the lawyer accidentally sent he’s “an entire digital copy of your entire cell phone, with every text message you’ve sent in the last two years.” The 6th of January Committee, interviewed Jones, almost immediately requested those messages.
- A lesson: Infowars’ parent company declare bankruptcy during the trial, but the attorneys presented evidence that the site was making $800,000 a day in 2018. The fight will soon turn. How to ask Jones to pay.
Threats at the ballot box
Poll: Voters of color concerned about violence, intimidation at polls: According to a new vote published Thursday by the Global Project on Hate and Extremism.
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The poll shows only 28% of Black voters and 37% of Hispanic voters feel safe at polling or polling places. Black and Hispanic respondents also expressed concern about extremist groups, terrorism and mass shootings. Read the full study here.
- One way to think about this poll: Much has been written about the impact of threats of violence election workers. We had little idea of how these threats might chill voters.
Oath Keepers founder is trying it out
Judge refuses to postpone trial Oath-keeper: Stewart Rhodes, founder of the radical militia group Oath keeperalong with 10 other Oath-Keepers, faces 17 counts, including ambitious conspiracy charges related to the January 6 riots. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. .
- The trial of the case will begin next month, but defense attorneys have sought to delay the trial date. On Monday, US District Court Judge Amit Mehta ruled trial date will not be changed and will continue as planned.
- Attention: Rhodes also sought to move the trial out of Washington, D.C. The judge also said no to that.
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