Bits n’ pieces from east, west and beyond – The Western News
East, west or beyond, sooner or later events elsewhere may have a local impact.
A recent sampling:
-Swedish manufacturer Modvion is making wind turbines out of wood. Their first prototype was 100 feet tall; theyre now working on a 300-foot model. Components include laminated veneer lumber. By not using steel
the lumber is expected to slash production of carbon emissions by 90%. The laminated boards are said to be better able to withstand high humidity, the Optimist Daily reported.
-A sketch of the third Jan. 6, 2021, House Committee hearing held June 16: an emphasis was laid on people in the U.S. have the right to choose their leaders; it is not made by just one person. Judge Michael Luttig, highly regarded in conservative legal circles, stated that Donald Trumps plan was to destroy democracy and overturn rule of law, and that danger has not passed.
Again, significant testimony came from within the ranks of those at elevated positions in Trumps administration. It revealed that instead of following the 1887 Electoral Count Act, Trump wanted Vice President Mike Pence to toss out votes for Joe Biden, under a plan developed by law professor John Eastman, [Eastman is a former clerk for Justice Clarence Thomas, the only Justice to support Trumps effort to withhold documents from the Jan. 6 committee; his wife has been asked to testify about her role in attempting to undo election results. The committee has an email between Ginni Thomas and Eastman].
Eastman himself called his own plan illegal (in October 2020), and told Trump it was (along with telling numerous others). A judge testified that the vice president did not have any right to throw state votes out by calling them disputed, and there was no historical or legal precedent that the vice president could instead certify any proposed alternative electoral slates.
Nonetheless, testimony revealed continuation of efforts to create a second slate of pro-Trump electors, despite numerous White House players calling Eastman crazy and his plan legally indefensible. A Trump attorney testified that Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani agreed the Eastman plan could not stand up in court.
Giuliani later told the crowd at the Capitol that the Eastman theory was correct, then falsely claimed Thomas Jefferson had even used it.
Trump pressured Pence to play along, Pence refused, then Trump tweeted that he and Pence were in total agreement about changing the election outcome, an effort to corner Pence. Trump continued to badger Pence, to which Pence responded that his oath to support and defend the constitution prevented him from determining which electoral votes should be counted and which should not. After violence broke out at the Capitol, Trump tweeted that Pence did not have the courage to do what needed to be done, and the violence increased. Pence and his family were evacuated.
A Proud Boy member testified that, had Pence been found, he would have been killed (a mob was chanting hang Mike Pence); they missed finding him by 40 feet. Eastman persisted with his election-altering plan even after Jan. 6, and was advised that he would need a great effing criminal defense attorney, at which time Eastman put it into writing that he wanted a pardon.
In front of the House committee he took the Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination over 100 times. The next day a member of the House Select Committee said new evidence is breaking every single day now. Suddenly, a lot of people want to tell the truth.
Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos says in her upcoming book that she and other Cabinet members talked about invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office, MSN reported. She resigned Jan. 7, stating Trumps rhetoric was at fault for the Jan. 6 riot that resulted in nine deaths.
-Ukraine-Russia headlines: US sending $1 billion more military aid to outgunned Ukraine; Russian journalist sells Nobel Prize for Ukrainian children; Kremlin claims captured American vets not protected by rules of war [which may mean the death penalty for firing at our military guys.]
-Blast from the past: 50 years ago this month a taped-open door led to the discovery of burglars in the
Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate building in Washington, D.C. The burglars were called plumbers, as in those who stop leaks; they were planning to install wiretaps. Then-President Richard Nixon was concerned about leaks. The plumbers were part of a crew who sought to control the political conversation by sabotaging opponents (such as planting fake letters in newspapers, placing spies in Democrats campaigns and wiretapping). It was pre-election, and the story gained no traction. Nixon won re-election.
But the story shifted when one of the burglars wrote to a judge that hed been pressured to protect government officials, and therefore lied. The judge made the letter public, White House counsel began cooperating with prosecutors, and by April three of Nixons top advisors resigned. Nationally televised hearings began, and it was revealed that, contrary to Nixons denial of involvement, he had discussed the burglary over 30 times.
Then the existence of White House tapes was discovered, which Nixon refused to share. Heads rolled, as in firings and resignations, but eventually the tapes were released.
Articles of impeachment were passed in late July of 1974 and in early August 1974 Nixon resigned. Gerald Ford became president and granted Nixon a pardon. Roger Stone, a Nixon operative and political advisor to Trump, has a portrait of Nixon tattooed on his back.
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Bits n' pieces from east, west and beyond - The Western News
- Fauci's decision to invoke the Fifth Amendment tees up a legal debate and a contempt vote - Dayton Daily News - August 31st, 2026 [August 31st, 2026]
- Prichard police detectives bag of money, Fifth Amendment invocation form basis of new trial demand in homicide - fox10tv.com - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- Fauci refuses Senate appearance after invoking Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in COVID probe - New York Post - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- Letter to the Editor: Trump and the Fifth Amendment double standard - courierherald.com - August 22nd, 2026 [August 22nd, 2026]
- Fauci refuses Senate appearance after invoking Fifth Amendment more than 100 times in COVID probe - Fox News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Trump sued on First and Fifth Amendment grounds over paid Truth Social access - Scripps News - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment over 100 times at Senate hearing - newuniversity.org - August 16th, 2026 [August 16th, 2026]
- Fauci walks away when pressed on Fifth Amendment, pandemic regrets - New York Post - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Pat McAfee pokes fun at Anthony Fauci pleading the Fifth Amendment live on ESPN - Fox News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Here's how many times Trump invoked Fifth Amendment in civil fraud trial, according to a judge - Snopes - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment at Senate hearing on COVID-19 pandemic origins - Scripps News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- What It Means to Plead the Fifth Amendment - Time Magazine - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Aaron Rodgers calls Fauci coward, criminal for invoking the Fifth Amendment - WJTV - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment More Than 100 Times in Bitter Senate Hearing - The New York Times - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- In the News: Mark Osler on Anthony Faucis Fifth Amendment Claim - Newsroom | University of St. Thomas - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Dr. Fauci invokes his Fifth Amendment right not to testify at Senate hearing - NBC News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment and declines to testify in Republican-led COVID-19 Senate hearing - Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - Live 5 News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- CBS News | Legal Analysis on Whether Dr. Anthony Fauci Can Be Punished for Invoking Fifth Amendment - Loyola Marymount University - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- The scope of Faucis Fifth Amendment invocation may have to be settled in court - MS NOW - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Hawley trolls Fauci's blanket Fifth Amendment claims exposing 'contempt for this body' - Fox News - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WDAM-TV - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes fifth amendment and declines to testify in Senate Covid hearing - The Guardian - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WTVM.com - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Dr. Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in heated COVID-19 hearing - WTAE - August 4th, 2026 [August 4th, 2026]
- Faucis legal protection from pardon, Fifth Amendment is an open question - The Hill - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Anthony Fauci Invokes Fifth Amendment in Rand Paul Senate Hearing NPR - Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WBKO - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Washington Post. . Anthony Fauci repeatedly invoked the Fifth Amendment during a Senate hearing Wednesday where Republicans pressed the retired... - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Dr. Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment at Senate hearing on COVID pandemic - CBS News - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - fox8live.com - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WCTV - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - KEYC News Now - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WEEK | 25 News Now - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci Threatened With Contempt Of Congress After Invoking Fifth Amendment - Forbes - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - Cleveland 19 News - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - ABC7 WWSB - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WSAW - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WCAX - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WSFA - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Anthony Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment at fiery Senate hearing on Covid-19 - Financial Times - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WTHI-TV - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - KOLN | Nebraska Local News, Weather, Sports | Lincoln, NE - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes the Fifth Amendment over 100 times - CNN - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WPTA | 21Alive | Fort Wayne, IN - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - WVLT - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - wflx.com - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Fauci invokes Fifth Amendment in Senate hearing about COVID-19 pandemic - KOLD - July 30th, 2026 [July 30th, 2026]
- Opinion | Why I will use my Fifth Amendment rights before Congress today - The Washington Post - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue C.E.O. Invokes Fifth Amendment Repeatedly in Testimony to Congress - The New York Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue CEO invokes Fifth Amendment repeatedly in testimony to Congress - The Seattle Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue CEO Will Invoke Fifth Amendment At Congressional Hearing - Campaigns & Elections - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- ActBlue CEO invokes Fifth Amendment in House hearing over illegal foreign donations - Fox Business - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- 'Okay, wow, didn't expect that one': Rep. Loudermilk stunned by ActBlue CEO's Fifth Amendment answer - The Economic Times - June 12th, 2026 [June 12th, 2026]
- Urban Outfitters Inc Enters Into Fifth Amendment To Credit Agreement On May 19, 2026 - TradingView - May 27th, 2026 [May 27th, 2026]
- Principals who invoked their Fifth Amendment rights during CRCT investigation identified - Albany Herald - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- User Clip: Clip: Use of the Fifth Amendment - C-SPAN - May 22nd, 2026 [May 22nd, 2026]
- Is the Twenty-fifth Amendment Really an Option? - The New Yorker - May 7th, 2026 [May 7th, 2026]
- Does the Fifth Amendment Protect You From Turning Over Documents (with Tiffany H. Eggers) - Dykema - May 1st, 2026 [May 1st, 2026]
- We have the Twenty-Fifth Amendment. Now is the time to use it. - lawdork.com - April 12th, 2026 [April 12th, 2026]
- Herald Tribune Events - The Fifth Amendment - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - March 26th, 2026 [March 26th, 2026]
- A full and perfect equivalent : Just Compensation and the Fifth Amendment - Pacific Legal Foundation - February 22nd, 2026 [February 22nd, 2026]
- Jeffrey Epstein's accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, pleaded the Fifth Amendment during the House Oversight Committee's deposition. - Facebook - February 14th, 2026 [February 14th, 2026]
- Elie Honig Explains How Maxwell May Have Inadvertently Waived Her Fifth Amendment Protection - AOL.com - February 14th, 2026 [February 14th, 2026]
- Epstein invoked the Fifth Amendment for nearly every question during his depositions. If he had nothing to hide, why stay silent? He used the same... - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Jeffrey Epstein Associate: Why is Ghislaine Maxwell Invoking the Fifth Amendment in a Congressional Probe? - The Sunday Guardian - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Maxwell invokes the Fifth Amendment at closed virtual House Oversight deposition - Rural Radio Network - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Ghislaine Maxwell expected to invoke Fifth Amendment in congressional deposition - Washington Examiner - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell cowardly pleads the Fifth Amendment during deposition - Sky News Australia - February 11th, 2026 [February 11th, 2026]
- Fifth Amendment to Agreement for Browns Mills Shopping Center Redevelopment OKd, Enabling Parties to Pursue Closing of Tract - Pine Barrens Tribune - February 7th, 2026 [February 7th, 2026]
- More Historical Evidence Showing that the Public Use Clause of the Fifth Amendment Does Not Allow Takings that Transfer Property to Private Parties -... - January 30th, 2026 [January 30th, 2026]
- Government Notifies CGST (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2025; Inserts Rule 31D on Retail Sale PriceBased Valuation and Adds New Clause (f) in Rule 86B,... - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- The fifth amendment: A path back to the people? - The Jakarta Post - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Evertec Inc - On Nov 25, Enters Into Fifth Amendment To Credit Agreement - SEC Filing - TradingView - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Brooklyn mom of missing 11-year-old autistic boy invokes Fifth Amendment in Family Court - New York Daily News - December 7th, 2025 [December 7th, 2025]
- Stepmother Cites Fifth Amendment, Says FBI Probe Could Target Minor in Teen Cruise Ship Mystery Death - LAmag - November 24th, 2025 [November 24th, 2025]
- Officer invokes Fifth Amendment in trial of former SAPD officers - WOAI - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- BREAKING: Appellate Court finds one of Patrick Tate Adamiaks convictions violated Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment - Second Amendment... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Ligado and the Fifth Amendment Fight Over Spectrum Rights - The National Interest - October 11th, 2025 [October 11th, 2025]
- Key witness invoked the Fifth Amendment in Akron murder trial. Should he have testified? - Akron Beacon Journal - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]