Isn’t this an interesting turn of events? Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) is the subject of a criminal probe by the Department of Justice over mishandling of federal security money. What’s more, it comes after the Office of Congressional Ethics *cough* dismissed such charges last year.
https://twitter.com/JakeSherman/status/1752354747137368083?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1752354747137368083%7Ctwgr%5E21fc34c6133a1b8e42a3b383d0c68784522d2ea3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fredstate.com%2Fbonchie%2F2024%2F01%2F30%2Fconfirmed-house-democrat-being-criminally-investigated-is-squad-member-cori-bush-n2169406
You’ll recall that in 2021, Bush, a member of the “Squad,” was vocal about defunding the police, but made sure that she had security to defend her sorry … well, you know:
I’m going to make sure I have security because I know I have had attempts on my life and I have too much work to do. So, suck it up, defunding the police has to happen. We need to defund the police and put that money into social safety nets because we’re trying to save lives.
Yes, suck it up, peasants. Security for me, but no police for thee.
However, it appears that Cori Bush may have misused campaign funds in order to pay for her security. For example, in 2022 she had hired Courtney Merritt, her then-boyfriend, now husband, for $60K to be her muscle. But he didn’t even have a license to provide security services in Missouri.
As Fox News reported:
Fox News Digital filed a public records request with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department on Monday morning seeking information regarding Merritts’ private security license. In response, a Sunshine Law administrator said there are “no responsive records” relative to the request, and Merritts does not have a current license.
Furthermore, Merritt’s last security license expired in 2012.
On top of all that, in 2022 Bush’s campaign also spent over $225,000 to PEACE Security and another $50,000 to security guard Nathaniel Davis. In total, she has spent more than $500,000 of campaign money for her security.
But suck it up, peasants. Girlfriend needs her security.
On Tuesday, Bush defended herself in the face of the charges, claiming that she has “endured relentless threats to my physical safety and life.”
Like no one else in Congress ever gets threats.
She went on to ‘splain why she used campaign funds:
As a rank-and-file member of Congress I am not entitled to personal protection by the House, and instead have used campaign funds as permissible to retain security services. I have not used any federal tax dollars for personal security services.
And … it’s those damned right-wingers!
In recent months, right-wing organizations have lodged baseless complaints against me, peddling notions that I have misused campaign funds to pay for personal security services. That is simply not true. I have complied with all applicable laws and House rules — and will continue to prioritize the rules that govern us as federal elected officials.
As for why she used her husband for security:
I retained my husband as part of my security team to provide security services because he has had extensive experience in this area, and is able to provide the necessary services at or below a fair market rate.
Even though he doesn’t hold current licensure to provide security services. Sounds legit.
But it’s still early in the investigation. Waiting for Cori Bush to pull out her well-worn race card.
It’s Washington DC, and you know that nothing starts there that doesn’t have some political motive behind it. Cori Bush presents the best means by which the Biden DOJ can say, See? We’re impartial! We go after Democrats, too!
So don’t go doing your happy dance just yet.
What a few weeks for The Squad:
Cori Bush under federal investigation.
Jamaal Bowman exposed as a 9/11 truther and has J-Street withdraw endorsement.
Ilhan Omar leaked Somali first speech.
AOC defends UNRWA after they are exposed for terrorist ties.
— AG (@AGHamilton29) January 30, 2024
Cori Bush is a loud-mouthed, racist, and ignorant member of Congress, but she’s also one of the most expendable. Her hackneyed bromide of defunding the police for racial justice turned out to be a flop. Cities have endured crime wave after crime wave as disgruntled, unappreciated police have left for greater acceptance in the suburbs or small towns.
But while Squad members Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib have worn their antisemitism like a fan wears a football jersey, the Biden DOJ dare not throw them off the bus. Tlaib represents the 12th Congressional District of Michigan, a state which has become critical for Joe Biden’s re-election bid. Muslim and Arab-American voters are particularly angry at his support for Israel, so the DOJ dare not investigate Tlaib’s seeming support for Hamas.
On the other hand, Ilhan Omar, who recently gave a speech in which she placed the interests of her native Somalia over that of the United States, is facing a challenge from Dalia al-Aqidi, an Iraqi-born Republican. Al-Aqidi wrote in the New York Post:
I took my oath of U.S. citizenship seriously, which also meant becoming part of America’s rich cultural fabric and giving back to the country I am lucky to call home.
What a contrast to Ilhan Omar. Omar’s Congressional seat, however, must be protected from an insurgent Republican Iraqi. Especially now since Ron DeSantis and other Republicans are calling for Omar’s ouster from Congress.
But Cori Bush? Eh, she can be the scapegoat. No serious person wants to defund the police anymore, and the hypocrisy of “security for me, but not for thee” hasn’t aged well.
Featured image: “Rep. Cori Bush” by Miki J. is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Cropped.
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