GS = king
HRC = queen
Release of intel and public knowledge leads to queen moving to protect king.
BHO = castle/rook
Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Regarding Section 201 of the Voting Rights Act
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
The Department of Justice filed a Statement of Interest Monday in an Alabama federal court to promote the proper and uniform interpretation of the Voting Rights Act. The Statement of Interest is part of the Department of Justice’s continuing efforts around the country to enforce our nation’s federal voting rights laws.
The lawsuit in question, brought by private plaintiffs, includes constitutional and statutory challenges to Alabama’s witness requirement for absentee ballots. Although certain of private plaintiffs’ claims relate to the COVID-19 pandemic, plaintiffs have also asked the court to enjoin Alabama’s witness requirement permanently as a violation of Section 201 of the Voting Rights Act.
The Statement of Interest explains that Section 201 prohibits denial of the right to vote to citizens who fail to prove their qualifications by the voucher of registered voters or members of any other class. Alabama’s absentee witness requirement, however, does not violate Section 201. The Statement of Interest does not take a position on any of the private plaintiffs’ other claims.
“The Voting Rights Act outlaws certain practices that deprive Americans of the right to vote because of race and other protected traits. The Voting Rights Act does not outlaw all voting-related requirements enacted by the States,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division. “Congress has entrusted the U.S. Department of Justice with enforcement of the Voting Rights Act and the other federal voting rights laws. These laws protect the right of Americans to vote for their preferred candidates. We will continue to enforce them fairly, including by explaining to courts the legal framework that governs challenges to the voting laws enacted by the States.”
Section 201 of the Voting Rights Act is a permanent, nationwide prohibition on the use of tests and devices in our elections. These unlawful procedures include literacy tests, educational achievement or knowledge tests, good moral character requirements, and voucher requirements.
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-files-statement-interest-regarding-section-201-voting-rights-act-0
Pentagon inspector general removed by Trump resigns
A watchdog who was yanked from his role by President Trump just before he was about to begin oversight on coronavirus spending resigned from the Pentagon.
Glenn Fine, the principal deputy inspector general of the Department of Defense, stepped down from his position in the Pentagon on Tuesday. In a statement announcing his resignation, Fine said it was time for someone else to take his place.
"The time has come for me to step down and allow others to perform this vital role,” he said. "It has been an honor to serve in the inspector general community, both as the inspector general of the Department of Justice and the DOD acting inspector general and principal deputy inspector general performing the duties of the DOD inspector general."
"The role of inspectors general is a strength of our system of government. They provide independent oversight to help improve government operations in a transparent way," he added. "They are a vital component of our system of checks and balances, and I am grateful to have been part of that system.”
Fine was working as acting inspector general for the Defense Department before Trump entered office. He was selected by a group of inspectors general to oversee the implementation of the $2.2 trillion coronavirus economic relief package known as the CARES Act.
The watchdog would have been the chairman of a new Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, but Trump fired him from his role as acting inspector general just before the committee convened. Because he was no longer an inspector general, he could not serve on the committee.
The president temporarily replaced Fine with an inspector general at the Environmental Protection Agency. Fine is one of several inspectors general to be removed by Trump in recent months.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/pentagon-inspector-general-removed-by-trump-resigns
when playing chess, the king & queen are 'pawns' for the 'player'. All pieces are pawns in that sense.
>GS/HRC are but pawns…
so I agree but from a different angle.