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Trump calls Smollett case 'embarrassment,' announces review

 

FILE PHOTO: Actor Jussie Smollett leaves court after charges against him were dropped by state prosecutors in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. March 26, 2019. REUTERS/Kamil Krzaczynski/File Photo

 

(Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the Department of Justice will "review" the case of actor Jussie Smollett, who was charged with staging a fake hate crime in Chicago before prosecutors abruptly dropped the case this week.

 

Trump wrote in an early-morning Twitter message announcing the review that the case had embarrassed the nation.

 

Smollett, who is black and gay, said two men attacked him on the street at night in January, making homophobic and racist remarks, pouring a chemical on him and putting a noose around his neck while shouting support for Trump.

 

Investigators later charged Smollett with paying $3,500 to the two men to pretend to attack him in order to garner public sympathy for himself. Prosecutors dropped the charges on Tuesday, saying they stood by the accusation but that an agreement by Smollett to forfeit his $10,000 bond was a just outcome.

Smollett, 36, says he is innocent and did not stage the attack.

 

Tina Glandian, one of his defence lawyers, told NBC News on Thursday that she was not concerned by the review. "To my knowledge, nothing improper was done," she said in the interview.

 

She acknowledged that Smollett was friendly with the men he accused of attacking him, brothers Abimbola and Olabinjo Osundairo, and that he had spoken on the phone to one of them, who had been working as his fitness trainer, about an hour before the incident.

 

"He had a hard time believing his friend would be behind this," she said. Asked about Smollett telling police his attackers appeared to be white, Glandian speculated that the brothers, who are black, may have worn whiteface make-up.

 

The brothers have not spoken about the case since police said they confessed to being paid to stage the attack.

 

The county prosecutors' decision stunned the city's police chief, prompted the police union to demand a federal investigation, and enraged Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a Democrat, who called it a "whitewash" that made a fool of the city.

 

Trump, a Republican, echoed those remarks on Thursday.

 

"FBI & DOJ to review the outrageous Jussie Smollett case in Chicago," Trump wrote on Twitter, referring to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice. "It is an embarrassment to our Nation!"

 

The Department of Justice declined to comment or answer questions about the review.

 

The FBI has already had some involvement in the case, with agents investigating a threatening letter Smollett said he received prior to the attack, according to the Chicago Police Department.

 

The initial reports of two Trump supporters attacking a gay, black celebrity drew widespread sympathy for Smollett, particularly from Democrats. That faded quickly after the actor's arrest, and the case was seized on by some as an example of what Trump likes to deride as "fake news."

 

On Thursday, Mayor Emanuel said he would seek to have Smollett reimburse Chicago for the investigation costs, and rejected Trump's federal review, telling the president to "sit this one out."

 

Smollett is best known for playing a gay musician on the Fox drama "Empire." His lawyers said he hopes to move on with his career, but it remains unclear whether he will return to "Empire" after being written out of the last two episodes of the most recent season.

 

Chicago's chief prosecutor, Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx, has defended her office's decision as proportionate to what she described as relatively minor charges, saying that even if Smollett had been convicted he would likely not have faced prison time.

 

Foxx recused herself from the case after acknowledging she had discussed it with a relative of Smollett.

 

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Editing by Steve Orlofsky)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2019-03-29

[TopDeadSenter]

This case makes the US look like a banana republic. I can't see Foxx lasting another week in her job. But sadly it looks like Smollett clear got away with his hoax hate crime. Good luck to the Chicago police force getting their $130,000 back they wasted on the investigation. It looks like they did a thorough job. As for the credibility of the already shady Chicago justice system - well it's totally gone. And for what? 

 

 Thanks to Trump for not letting this horrific hoax pass without a full investigation.

[Puchaiyank]

While the left is crying "white priviledge"...the left has been and is still making a mockery of the rule of law and justice system...high profile lefties go unpunished...given a get-out-of-jail free card unavailable to the general public... 

[Thainesss]

This case perfectly exemplifies modern lefty corruption, hypocrisy, and privilege. 

 

Im sure there are a couple thousand young black men getting ready to go to jail for petty misdemeanors in Chicago right now saying "What the hell?" to themselves. 

 

 

[Thainesss]

One of Smolletts lawyers says that the Nigerian brothers might have been wearing "White-face" LOL you cant make this stuff up. 

 

https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1111295276361363456

 

 

[Thainesss]

Aaaaaaand, aside of it all, Jussie has been nominated for an NAACP award. 

 

Quote

“I hope he wins," Anderson added. "I’m happy for him that the system worked for him in his favor because the system isn’t always fair, especially for people of color. So I’m glad it worked out for him." 

 

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/03/28/jussie-smollett-up-naacp-award-host-anthony-anderson-hopes-he-wins/3298234002/

 

What a hero. So brave. Much honor. 

[ShortTimed]

This case makes the US look like a banana republic. I can't see Foxx lasting another week in her job. But sadly it looks like Smollett clear got away with his hoax hate crime. Good luck to the Chicago police force getting their $130,000 back they wasted on the investigation. It looks like they did a thorough job. As for the credibility of the already shady Chicago justice system - well it's totally gone. And for what? 

 

 Thanks to Trump for not letting this horrific hoax pass without a full investigation.

 

Yep. Banana Republic.

 

Foxx will be awarded with a high paying position within the same same Political Machine whose interests she was serving. The same Machine that unites Obamas, Smullett family, Jessie Jackson family, etc.

 

The sad thing is this case of obvious criminality and racism has now become politicized as all things that happen in America.

 

Originally, the black community believed this ugly unfolding destroyed black history month and made it hard for real victims of racism to be believed.

 

The narrative has just successfully been turned into poor black man is victim of police. This supports the endemic victim mentality of the black mindset.

 

Smollett is now seen as a fighter of injustice when the truth is obvious to even the most feeble minded if only they used that mind instead of emotion.

[TopDeadSenter]

Full case files have been accidentally released by CPD although they were supposed to be sealed. Worth grabbing them before they get taken down. Redacted but lots to see still.

 

https://abc7chicago.com/jussie-smollett-update-police-investigative-files-on-empire-actor-released/5219838/

[ShortTimed]

Aaaaaaand, aside of it all, Jussie has been nominated for an NAACP award. 
 

“I hope he wins," Anderson added. "I’m happy for him that the system worked for him in his favor because the system isn’t always fair, especially for people of color. So I’m glad it worked out for him." 

 
https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2019/03/28/jussie-smollett-up-naacp-award-host-anthony-anderson-hopes-he-wins/3298234002/
 
What a hero. So brave. Much honor. 


That award ought to go to the Chicago police Supt Eddie Johnson for so aggressively pursuing the investigation of what was originally thought a violent hate crime against a person of color.

One would think that is more in line with the purpose of the NAACP.

One would have thought.....

[lannarebirth]

1 hour ago, Thainesss said:

One of Smolletts lawyers says that the Nigerian brothers might have been wearing "White-face" LOL you cant make this stuff up. 

 

https://twitter.com/JackPosobiec/status/1111295276361363456

 

 

 

Man, that is hysterical. 

[ShortTimed]

is it possible that the Smollett show got higher ratings than the Trump show this week?  

Americans can turn anything into politics today.

But then I guess staging an event founded and intended to play into the prejudice that liberals have against Trump shows this case was political from the start.

Even criminal behavior is excused.

[Paul Henry]

Trump is an expert on "EMBARRASMENT AND AVOIDING CRIMINAL CHARGES" so we have to agree with him in this case. Guess he woke up this morning looked in the mirror saw himself and got pissed off with Smollet copying the Trump hymn book so decided to call the "evil lying" FBI to investigate

[joecoolfrog]

Regardless of what Trump does , it is a poor show when justice is so obviously tampered with. It wasn't the crime of the century but I have no doubt he was guilty . Nobody should get a free pass because of wealth , sexuality , ethnicity or any other such consideration. 

Whoever made this decision is utterly misquided and pretty short sighted , it will not help disadvantaged minorities at all , quite the opposite in fact.

[mogandave]

This case perfectly exemplifies modern lefty corruption, hypocrisy, and privilege. 
 
Im sure there are a couple thousand young black men getting ready to go to jail for petty misdemeanors in Chicago right now saying "What the hell?" to themselves. 
 
 

No one in Chicago is going to jail for “petty misdemeanors” unless they have plead down.

[usviphotography]

I'm not big on conspiracy theories but this one probably warrants looking in to. Smollett campaigned for and was friends with Kamala Harris. Harris happened to have a big "Anti-Lynching" bill in the US Senate whose primary obstacle to passage was that lynchings haven't existed in America for nearly a century. All the sudden her actor friend and associate is involved in a high profile "attack" in which a noose is put around his neck. That is suspicious on its own, but I would have chalked it up to Smollett just getting the idea to stage a "lynching" from hanging around her and reading her platform and then using it for his own ends. But then Michelle Obama (who is almost certainly backing Harris for President even if her husband still hasn't decided on a candidate) mysterious get involved in the case and then in a move that was blatant and obviously corrupt even by Chicago standards, the charges get tossed. Why would this high level political machine get involved just for the sake of a C-list Actor? Are these people just that stupid and that corrupt? Possibly. Michelle is no genius and the State's Attorney doesn't qualified to drive a bus let alone practice law. But it certainly warrants a second look. 

Edited March 29, 2019 by usviphotography

[Thainesss]

47 minutes ago, mogandave said:

No one in Chicago is going to jail for “petty misdemeanors” unless they have plead down.

 

 

So what happens when someone gets busted with a bag and they can’t pay restitution/court costs/ticket fines?

 

it gets forgotten about?

[foxboy]

He chose to make this 'alleged assault' public and to amplify the media attention surrounding it. His intentions were clear, to use racism and homophobia to exalt his status as the poor victim of alt-right hatred. What a dirty trick! This crime is not on the same comparative level as those suggested by Foxx, and should rather be treated according to the magnitude of the potential impact had his ruse succeeded. Dropping charges allows him to maintain his innocence, and I dare say many will continue to support his ridiculous claims

[atyclb]

10 hours ago, Thainesss said:

This case perfectly exemplifies modern lefty corruption, hypocrisy, and privilege. 

 

Im sure there are a couple thousand young black men getting ready to go to jail for petty misdemeanors in Chicago right now saying "What the hell?" to themselves. 

 

 

 

[Peasandmash]

lynch some white high school kids, not a problem.. give justice to a homosexual American negro just isn't doable in Chicago. I hope the justice department buries this sick douche bag.

[mogandave]

 
So what happens when someone gets busted with a bag and they can’t pay restitution/court costs/ticket fines?
 
it gets forgotten about?

For the most part yes.

[mogandave]

I'm not big on conspiracy theories but this one probably warrants looking in to. Smollett campaigned for and was friends with Kamala Harris. Harris happened to have a big "Anti-Lynching" bill in the US Senate whose primary obstacle to passage was that lynchings haven't existed in America for nearly a century. All the sudden her actor friend and associate is involved in a high profile "attack" in which a noose is put around his neck. That is suspicious on its own, but I would have chalked it up to Smollett just getting the idea to stage a "lynching" from hanging around her and reading her platform and then using it for his own ends. But then Michelle Obama (who is almost certainly backing Harris for President even if her husband still hasn't decided on a candidate) mysterious get involved in the case and then in a move that was blatant and obviously corrupt even by Chicago standards, the charges get tossed. Why would this high level political machine get involved just for the sake of a C-list Actor? Are these people just that stupid and that corrupt? Possibly. Michelle is no genius and the State's Attorney doesn't qualified to drive a bus let alone practice law. But it certainly warrants a second look. 

I don’t buy the conspiracy bit, had Kamala been involved, it would likely not been such a bone-head operation.

But to be clear, they can’t be really punish him much, as that might serve to dissuade others from taking similar actions.

[allen303]

He was already under the eye of the FBI for a letter someone supposedly sent to him, federal felony using the mail. Foxx stated she recused herself but actually did not, her second in CMD supposedly took over. If Foxx had recused herself (also includes everyone in her office), by law a Special Prosecuted would have been appointed over the case.

 

The police department was pissed and released a lot of their investigation to the public, THEN Foxx had the case sealed and his record wiped clean. Foxx then stated, on it was an accident and we don’t know how the records got sealed. He was indicted by a grand jury on 16 federal charges. Foxx can’t make that go away.

 

He has not been to trial and found not guilty so the state can still appoint a prosecutor and take the case. Plus, not only the FBI can go after him for sending the letter to himself, he is stating the attack still happened. That can fall under the FBI to investigate as a federal hate crime. The Feds can do that even if he was found not guilty on the state charges, not double jeopardy.

 

Foxx got busted corresponding with 1^st lady Obama's chief of staff who was interfering in the case. Numerous pictures of him and the Obamas together as good friends.

[mogandave]

He was already under the eye of the FBI for a letter someone supposedly sent to him, federal felony using the mail. Foxx stated she recused herself but actually did not, her second in CMD supposedly took over. If Foxx had recused herself (also includes everyone in her office), by law a Special Prosecuted would have been appointed over the case.
 
The police department was pissed and released a lot of their investigation to the public, THEN Foxx had the case sealed and his record wiped clean. Foxx then stated, on it was an accident and we don’t know how the records got sealed. He was indicted by a grand jury on 16 federal charges. Foxx can’t make that go away.
 
He has not been to trial and found not guilty so the state can still appoint a prosecutor and take the case. Plus, not only the FBI can go after him for sending the letter to himself, he is stating the attack still happened. That can fall under the FBI to investigate as a federal hate crime. The Feds can do that even if he was found not guilty on the state charges, not double jeopardy.
 
Foxx got busted corresponding with 1^st lady Obama's chief of staff who was interfering in the case. Numerous pictures of him and the Obamas together as good friends.

No one is going after him, this will blow over and he will be a hero a year from now.

[from the home of CC]

corruption comes in many modes..

[IAMHERE]

It'll all blow over; anybody remember Tawana Brawley Hoax ?

[Thainesss]

3 hours ago, mogandave said:

For the most part yes.

 

 

[Tug]

Uhhhh Donald I think you have more pressing problems than this little side show....oh wait that’s right you can further devide us and make it easyer to do whatever it is you do I get it now

[spidermike007]

Trump talking about someone misbehaving and being an embarrassment is very rich indeed.