LIVE: Judiciary Committee Hearing on the Rise of Organized Retail Crime and the Threat to Public Safety
Jean-Pierre: This evening [Biden is giving] a historic 'Juneteenth' celebration concert on the South Lawn.
[six days before the date?]
Jean-Pierre: We don't put stock in Russia's public assessment. [of Ukraine suffering large losses]
Jean-Pierre making excuses for her apparent violation of the Hatch Act, by her comments about 'MAGA Republicans'.
Reporter: Can you say categorically that [Biden] was not involved, or influenced at all any of the decisions [in audible] indicting President Trump?
Jean-Pierre: Not at all. He was not involved. [Biden] has been very clear. The Department of Justice is independent. He wants to restore that independence of the Department of Justice.
Jean-Pierre: I'm not going to get ahead of what the outcome of this might be [her Hatch Act violation]. The White House Council is reviewing the opinion and will have a routine conversation with OSC…this is going to be an ongoing process.
Reporter: There is reporting right now that the CIA warned the Ukrainian government not to attack the Nord Stream gas pipelines, after obtaining detailed information about a Ukrainian plot to destroy that main pipeline between Russia and Europe…has [Biden] ever communicated to Zelynskyy that he expected Ukrainians at no time to target anything with any weapons inside Russian geographic territory?
Jean-Pierre: I can't confirm anything about the pipeline…I would refer you to them [CIA].
Reporter: The flag placement, the pride flag, violating the US Flag Code, did anybody notice that, or what it an intentional statement?
Jean-Pierre: The administration was proud to display the pride flag. It was a historic event at the White House. It centered around the love and family. We're not going to let anyone distract us from that…I'm certainly not going to get into protocols from here.
Reporter: Is the White House aware of any recordings in which [Biden] might be on tape speaking to a Burisma executive?
Jean-Pierre: I'm going to quote [Biden], and say it's malarkey.
Reporter: Does the White House worry about the physical safety of females directly competing against males in sports?
Jean-Pierre: There are a wide range of views…the Department of Education proposed a rule that gives schools the flexibility to establish their own athletic policies…this is a proposed rule….what you are eluding to is that transgender kids are dangerous…you're laying out a broad example of what could potentially happen. That is dangerous. That is a dangerous thing to say…it is irresponsible.
Chairman Biggs: A CVS executive recently testified that organized retail crime events are reported in CVS pharmacy stores every three minutes. In just two minutes, the average professional thief targeting CVS steals two thousands dollars worth of goods…Walmart is losing three billion dollars per year due to theft, and is considering closing stores and increasing prices due to the severity of theft across the country.
Chairman Biggs: While I assert that this is largely a state and local issue, it is important for us to understand that these ORC [Organized Retail Crime] Cartels are crossing state lines. Federal laws that can be used in the prosecution of these include, 18USC 2314: Interstate Transport of Stolen Property, 18USC 96 RICO, and 18USC 1956.
Flynn [District Attorney, Erie County, NY]: In my county, we see mainly three categories [ORC]. First are the organized crime syndicates- Russian crime syndicates, the mafia, the Mexican Cartels, and other highly-sophisticated gangs and other trans-national rings. The second group I would characterize as loosely affiliated group affiliations. Individuals, groups of four to five individuals that get together and steal merchandise. The third category I would call just the random individuals. This category often involves a single individual who is suffering from a substance abuse disorder, is homeless, or has economic challenges…we are seeing the cast majority of activity…in the second and third category of defendants, however, it's important to note that the first group of defendants very much exist.
Tiffany: There is a serial retail thief, stolen thousands in power tools, fourteen times from various Home Depot stores throughout the area, yet the Milwaukee County district attorney has not charged any of those instances.