Isaac Thomas, a Michigan resident and January 6 defendant, shared his reaction to being pardoned by President Donald Trump during an interview on Sunday. According to Thomas, Trump signed pardon documents live on television, extending clemency to nearly all January 6 defendants.
“A little over an hour ago, my attorney in my January 6 federal case received a call from President Trump’s team, letting him know that my name was added to the pardon list,” Thomas said. “Just about less than 10 minutes ago, President Trump on live TV signed the pardon documents.”
Thomas described his experience surrounding the January 6 Capitol incident and the subsequent charges he faced. “I’ve been accused of a lot of stuff as well as other January 6 defendants,” Thomas said. “The mainstream media has really dragged our name through the dirt. They’ve accused us of insurrection, despite nobody being charged with insurrection.”
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Thomas denied the accusations of violence, including claims that he assaulted an officer with a flagpole. “There is still, to this day, no officer that has come forward and said that I assaulted them,” he said. “There’s not a single one listed. My attorney hasn’t been able to figure it out either.”
Thomas, who spent seven months in jail—including four months in solitary confinement—has yet to stand trial for the charges brought against him. He said he turned down multiple plea deals, citing faith and hope for exoneration. “I still have not been given my day in court,” he noted.
Reflecting on the events of January 6, Thomas claimed that the crowd’s actions were in reaction to police conduct. “The Capitol Police, without warning, launched smoke bombs and rubber bullets and mace into the crowd,” he said. “That caused people to fight back. Throughout them launching those attacks, they murdered four protesters.”
Thomas pointed to his faith as a source of strength throughout the ordeal. “God has used this to make me stronger and to bring me closer to Him than I’ve ever been,” he said. “I wouldn’t change a single thing. I would do it all over again a million times.”
He also expressed gratitude toward Trump. “We stood by your side and stood up for you, and today you kept your promise,” Thomas said. “I’m very grateful for that.”
When asked if he had regrets, Thomas maintained his stance, saying he was proud to have exercised his First Amendment rights. “I do not condone any sort of violence,” he said. “But I am very proud that I exercised my First Amendment right to peacefully protest.”
Thomas concluded the interview by encouraging others to speak their truth. “Be bold and brave,” he said. “Go out here and speak the truth. Don’t worry about being called names.”
The legal battle between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary has come to an end. with all charges dismissed against the couple who run the operation.
Matthew and Teresa Lyson, founders of the Salem Township sanctuary, had faced six criminal charges each after state officials accused them of keeping and caring for waterfowl without proper permits. This week, the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the cases in their entirety, following months of public scrutiny and growing political pressure.
“This is great news,” Lyson told Keeping It Real. “All charges against me and Teresa are 100 percent gone. It’s a done deal, and we get to start new.”
Background of the Case
The Michigan Duck Rescue and Sanctuary has operated for nearly two decades, caring for injured or abandoned ducks, geese, and other waterfowl — many of which suffer from “angel wing,” a deformity often caused by people feeding them improper food. The Lysons say their work ...
Grocery stores urging people to stop using pennies.
ALPENA, Mich. — A new rule banning applause and other displays of emotion at Alpena Public Schools board meetings has sparked pushback from community members who say the policy infringes on their free speech rights.
The board recently adopted a policy prohibiting clapping, cheering, booing, or any demonstrations from audience members during meetings. Board President Eric Lawson said the restriction is meant to prevent disruptions and maintain order.
“We’re doing our best to show respect to you all and make sure you have adequate time for your comments,” Lawson said during a recent meeting. “Please show the board a little respect as well.”
Not everyone in attendance agreed. Several residents voiced frustration, including one woman who argued that clapping constitutes symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment.
“Clapping is a universal symbolic action that typically expresses approval,” she said. “Up until one week ago, clapping was a regular occurrence at these ...
BREAKING: The Supreme Court will decide whether President Trump's birthright citizenship order violates the Constitution.
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$2B a Year In Food Stamp Trafficking Fraud in U.S.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Foundation for Government Accountability just released a report that says $2 billion a year is lost in food stamp trafficking fraud nationwide.
Trafficking is defined as exchanging cash for food stamp benefits at a discount.
In 2013, authorities in Michigan disrupted a ring of food stamp trafficking that total millions of dollars in transactions in a single year. It involved “runners” who got Bridge cards and sold the benefits at a discount to various Detroit businesses.
In Michigan, Bridge cards must not be used to purchase lottery tickets, alcohol, or tobacco, or for gambling, or illegal activities. There are designated fast food restaurants around Michigan that take Bridge cards. Click here to read more.
USDA to Halt Federal Funding to States Not Sharing SNAP Data
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that the U.S Department of Agriculture would halt federal funding to states that refuse to share their data on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to root out fraud.
During a cabinet meeting of the Trump administration, Rollins highlighted the accomplishments of the USDA and spoke about the fraud the agency had discovered within SNAP. Rollins also shared that in February, states were asked to “turn over their data to the federal government to let the USDA partner with them to root out” fraud, and that only 29 states had shared their data. Click here to read more.
Conservative professor slams 0 grade for Oklahoma student’s biblical essay as punitive: ‘very inappropriate’
A conservative professor in the University of Wisconsin system weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Samantha Fulnecky, a University of Oklahoma student who received a zero out of 25 on an essay assignment after invoking the Bible.
“To give a zero on an assignment like this, especially the way that the assignment was worded, I think really, unless there’s something I’m missing ... I feel like it has to be punitive,” said UW-River Falls professor Trevor Tomesh.
Tomesh, who made it clear that he speaks for himself, and not on behalf of his university or the University of Wisconsin system, said that in his classroom, to give a student a zero requires outright cheating on behalf of the student, or simply not turning in the assignment. Click here to read more.
Lawmaker Seeks to Prevent Colleges From Discriminating Against Homeschoolers
Rep. Mark Harris, R-N.C., has introduced a bill to ensure homeschoolers aren’t discriminated against in college admissions.
“No student should ever face discrimination or disadvantage during the college admissions process simply because they were homeschooled,” Harris said. “Yet, many universities still treat homeschoolers as second-class applicants by requiring excessive documentation and additional testing.”
The Higher Education Act currently defines an “institution of higher education” as one that admits students with a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. However, the law refers to homeschoolers as “Students Who Are Not High School Graduates.” Click here to read more.
Private companies have raised millions to block the sun. What could go wrong?
For as little as $1, you can dim the sun — just a tiny bit — to save the world from climate change.
At least, that’s the promise sold by a California start-up called Make Sunsets. Your dollar will pay for founder Luke Iseman to drive a Winnebago RV into the hills half an hour outside Saratoga, California, to release a balloon loaded with sulfur dioxide, an air pollutant normally spewed by volcanic eruptions. He and his 1,000 paying customers hope the balloon will burst in the stratosphere, releasing particles that will block sunlight and cool the planet.
Iseman’s sun-blocking activities — which aren’t officially approved by any government on Earth, but aren’t illegal under California law — are an example of a controversial tactic called “solar geoengineering.” It has been the subject of many science fiction stories and conspirach theories and at least one U.S spy report warning that it could spark real-world wars. Click here to read more.
WEXFORD COUNTY, Mich. — The biological mother and stepfather of Rebecca Park were arraigned Tuesday on a series of felony charges tied to Park’s death, which investigators say occurred while she was near full-term pregnancy.
Cortney Bartholomew, 40, and her husband, Brad Bartholomew, 47 each face eight counts, including first-degree premeditated murder, felony murder, torture, assault of a pregnant individual, conspiracy, unlawful imprisonment and removing a body without the medical examiner’s permission. Both were ordered held without bond.
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Their initial court appearance was scheduled for Monday in 84th District Court but was postponed. Prosecutors cited the seriousness of the charges and concerns the couple may flee if released.
RELATED LINK: Fiancé of Missing Pregnant Wexford County Woman and Her Sister Are In Custody After Body Found in Manistee National Forest
Authorities launched a search for Park on Nov. 21 after she was reported missing. Four days later, investigators discovered her body in a remote section of the Manistee National Forest in Wexford County. An autopsy later confirmed the remains were Park’s. The baby she was reportedly carrying was not found with her.
The Michigan State Police and the Wexford County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the circumstances of Park’s death. The cause of death has not yet been released, and the search for the infant is ongoing.
