Michigan Republican Candidate Gets Red-Flagged

 

The Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan who was arrested by the FBI on misdemeanor charges of petitioning his Government for a redress of grievances attending the January 6th protest has been stripped of his firearms at the order of a federal judge.

Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley, who was arrested by the FBI last week, has been ordered by a federal judge to surrender his firearms.

According to a criminal complaint, Kelly is charged with four misdemeanors, including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct, knowingly engaging in an act of physical violence against a person or property, and willfully injuring property.

I suppose it isn’t technically a red flag in the sense that Senate Republicans are contemplating, but let’s be clear on what it is. A member of the opposition party, running against one of the ruling party’s favorites, is arrested by the same state security apparatus that previously instigated a phony kidnapping plot centered around the very same party favorite. (No idea why the FBI has such a crush on Gretchen Whitmer; maybe it’s the unbridled authoritarianism.) Then, without any adjudication of the misdemeanor charges, the opponent of the ruling party has been relieved of his constitutional rights indefinitely.

One might also note that the aforementioned kidnapping plot also happens to align with the ruling party’s propaganda about the “dangers” of domestic insurgency and the need to expand the state security apparatus with particular focus on opponents of the regime.

And that isn’t even a paranoid description of what’s happening.

To be fair, the red flag laws currently being worked in the Senate, and already passed in some states, are actually worse than this. They don’t even require a misdemeanor indictment, just a snitch. Red flag laws invert due process; the Government presumes your guilt and you must prove your innocence to have your rights restored. With enough costly legal representation and months of persistent effort, those red-flagged may (or may not) have their rights restored. But the case above represents the potential for the political abuse of those laws against those who dissent.

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  1. DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Victor Tango Kilo: But the case above represents the potential for the political abuse of those laws against those who dissent.

    I’d say more than “represents the potential” for political abuse of the law.

    It is political abuse of the law.

    And the Party Machine will be okay with that because this guy was just too Trumpy to be allowed on any ballot.

     

    • #1
  2. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    Just when I think things can’t get any creepier…

    • #2
  3. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic … (View Comment):

    I’d say more than “represents the potential” for political abuse of the law.

    It is political abuse of the law.

    It literally is. There couldn’t be a better illustration than a Republican losing his Constitutional Rights for alleged misdemeanor involvement in a political protest while Hunter Biden escapes any consequences for lying on his Federal Firearms form. Or that people charged with misdemeanors relating to January 6th were held for months in jail; while Democrats who breached the Capitol to prevent Justice Kavanaugh’s approval to the Supreme Court or were part of Stephen Colbert’s staff are released almost immediately with charges dropped or, at worst, $50 fines.

    The guy who was arrested outside Kavanaugh’s home had more weapons on him than the entire group that entered the Capitol on January 6th. Some insurrection.

     

     

    • #3
  4. I Walton Member
    I Walton
    @IWalton

     Folks in the US have never had to deal with radical leftists with dominant power.  What we’re seeing is standard behavior of the far left.  Even most democrats, including those with power don’t understand it, and some Republicans with power don’t either.  We have to be prepared to pull out states run by Republicans and pieces of Democrat run states and form a new Republic.  If we are knowingly prepared to act in this direction,  some Democrats will wake up and others will go crazy, but they’ll have to back off a bit or go radical so fast even the naive will come to understand.   If they successfully steal the next election, it’s over and we have no choice.    Sounds crazy but if we let them steal the next election that is our choice.   Even if the Chinese were not in control of key Democrats they would behave this way and with the Chinese it’s obviously terminal. 

    • #4
  5. Douglas Pratt Coolidge
    Douglas Pratt
    @DouglasPratt

    The process is the punishment.

    • #5
  6. ctlaw Coolidge
    ctlaw
    @ctlaw

    Notably, after the arrest in MI, the judge in the Western District of MI placed close to the absolute minimum restrictions on Kelley.

    https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.miwd.105032/gov.uscourts.miwd.105032.4.0.pdf

    Yet he still showed up for the hearing before the DC judge.

    https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/63379230/united-states-v-kelley/?filed_after=&filed_before=&entry_gte=&entry_lte=&order_by=desc

    • #6
  7. Postmodern Hoplite Coolidge
    Postmodern Hoplite
    @PostmodernHoplite

    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Given the current direction of the country, and the evident willingness of the administrative state to abuse the institutional power of law enforcement to protect the favored political party, I am an ever more adamant 2A absolutist.

    • #7
  8. Bishop Wash Member
    Bishop Wash
    @BishopWash

    Victor Tango Kilo: No idea why the FBI has such a crush on Gretchen Whitmer; maybe it’s the unbridled authoritarianism.

    Maybe she falls on a different part of the crazy/hot chart for them? She has potential to be attractive but has the crazy eyes.

    • #8
  9. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Bishop Wash (View Comment):
    Maybe she falls on a different part of the crazy/hot chart for them? She has potential to be attractive but has the crazy eyes.

    There’s an NPC in ESO that’s a dead ringer.

    • #9
  10. DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax)
    @DonG

    Bishop Wash (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo: No idea why the FBI has such a crush on Gretchen Whitmer; maybe it’s the unbridled authoritarianism.

    Maybe she falls on a different part of the crazy/hot chart for them? She has potential to be attractive but has the crazy eyes.

    The Dems need a candidate in 2024.  Perhaps the deep state is positioning their candidate.   She lacks charisma, but she can read a speech decently.

     

    • #10
  11. Postmodern Hoplite Coolidge
    Postmodern Hoplite
    @PostmodernHoplite

    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) (View Comment):

    Bishop Wash (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo: No idea why the FBI has such a crush on Gretchen Whitmer; maybe it’s the unbridled authoritarianism.

    Maybe she falls on a different part of the crazy/hot chart for them? She has potential to be attractive but has the crazy eyes.

    The Dems need a candidate in 2024. Perhaps the deep state is positioning their candidate. She lacks charisma, but she can read a speech decently.

     

    I hadn’t thought of this…interesting idea! This certainly suggests a reason why the FBI and DoJ are taking such an active and particular interest in her. Maybe we’ve entered a new period of competing agencies within the Administrative State promoting and advancing competing candidates for the presidency?

    • #11
  12. Full Size Tabby Member
    Full Size Tabby
    @FullSizeTabby

    The Daily Wire report says that the judge justified the confiscation of firearms on concerns about “the safety of pre-trial services officials who will need to visit Kelley’s home.” For an arrest that does not involve any allegation of violence against persons, and a defendant who (as far as I know) has no reported history of violence against persons. That standard would mean any person charged with any type of crime – misdemeanor, felony, whether or not violent – could be deprived of their firearms his right to self-defense. I believe while criminal charges are pending, government officials have broad abilities to visit the defendant’s home, so the judge’s expressed standard leads to widespread confiscation of firearms. 

    Republicans and members of Ricochet are asserting here that only in fever swamp bubbles do people think the process of confiscating firearms will be abused. Maybe I’m in a fever swamp bubble, but episodes like this do not provide comfort that we can safely give up our rights with the expectation that officials will be “reasonable.”

    • #12
  13. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    So-called “red flag” laws are obviously an invitation to abuse by the powers that be.

    • #13
  14. CarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill Coolidge
    CarolJoy, Not So Easy To Kill
    @CarolJoy

    Yes this is one of the major meanings of the focus on Jan 6th.

    That one party can decide what is and what is not insurrection should burn away so much at anyone not of their persuasion that a flood of citizens should now  go forward to shut down the government.

    So far it it has only been the truckers that have been this honorable.

     

    • #14
  15. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):
    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Red Flag Laws might work in a Utopia where there are no bitter ex-girlfriends, no Karens looking for self-aggrandizement, no judges with political agendas, and where law enforcement is held to the highest standards of professional conduct.

    But not in the Real World.

    • #15
  16. Brian Clendinen Inactive
    Brian Clendinen
    @BrianClendinen

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Given the current direction of the country, and the evident willingness of the administrative state to abuse the institutional power of law enforcement to protect the favored political party, I am an ever more adamant 2A absolutist.

    It only works if there are Criminal penalties at the same level if the law is abused. The reason there can not be reasonable restrictions on any Natural right is there are zero consequences when the law is abused and broken. Aka Sovigen immunity. The only reason radicals can get away with what they can is Republicans are worthless and make laws that have zero consciences to breaking them, especially for Judges. Whenever every single Municapilaty and County can put you in jail for violating their local laws yet Republicans don’t bother to do that at the national and state level to protect basic human rights. They are just virtue singling when they pass these laws.

    As long as Judges and Burricrates suffer zero personal consequences for their actions when abusing these laws they should never be on the books.

    • #16
  17. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    So, does that mean Mr. Kelley didn’t lose his guns in an unfortunate boating accident?

    • #17
  18. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Victor Tango Kilo:

    The Republican gubernatorial candidate in Michigan who was arrested by the FBI on misdemeanor charges of petitioning his Government for a redress of grievances attending the January 6th protest has been stripped of his firearms at the order of a federal judge.

    Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley, who was arrested by the FBI last week, has been ordered by a federal judge to surrender his firearms.

    According to a criminal complaint, Kelly is charged with four misdemeanors, including entering or remaining in a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct, knowingly engaging in an act of physical violence against a person or property, and willfully injuring property.

    I suppose it isn’t technically a red flag in the sense that Senate Republicans are contemplating, but let’s be clear on what it is. A member of the opposition party, running against one of the ruling party’s favorites, is arrested by the same state security apparatus that previously instigated a phony kidnapping plot centered around the very same party favorite. (No idea why the FBI has such a crush on Gretchen Whitmer; maybe it’s the unbridled authoritarianism.) Then, without any adjudication of the misdemeanor charges, the opponent of the ruling party has been relieved of his constitutional rights indefinitely.

    One might also note that the aforementioned kidnapping plot also happens to align with the ruling party’s propaganda about the “dangers” of domestic insurgency and the need to expand the state security apparatus with particular focus on opponents of the regime.

    And that isn’t even a paranoid description of what’s happening.

    To be fair, the red flag laws currently being worked in the Senate, and already passed in some states, are actually worse than this. They don’t even require a misdemeanor indictment, just a snitch. Red flag laws invert due process; the Government presumes your guilt and you must prove your innocence to have your rights restored. With enough costly legal representation and months of persistent effort, those red-flagged may (or may not) have their rights restored. But the case above represents the potential for the political abuse of those laws against those who dissent.

    Yep.  Red flag laws are already being used for political purposes . . .

    • #18
  19. Stina Inactive
    Stina
    @CM

    I notice DA is conspicuously absent from this thread.

    • #19
  20. DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax)
    @DonG

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):
    Red Flag Laws might work in a Utopia where there are no bitter ex-girlfriends, no Karens looking for self-aggrandizement, no judges with political agendas, and where law enforcement is held to the highest standards of professional conduct.

    Do you remember that time Sen. Rand Paul’s neighbor assaulted him.  Is there any doubt that guy would have initiated a red-flag process on Paul?   

    Just yesterday, the head of Missouri’s assembly called the state police on Senate candidate Eric Greitens, because he had guns in his ad and another person sent him a scary tweet. 

    • #20
  21. DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):
    Red Flag Laws might work in a Utopia where there are no bitter ex-girlfriends, no Karens looking for self-aggrandizement, no judges with political agendas, and where law enforcement is held to the highest standards of professional conduct.

    Do you remember that time Sen. Rand Paul’s neighbor assaulted him. Is there any doubt that guy would have initiated a red-flag process on Paul?

    Just yesterday, the head of Missouri’s assembly called the state police on Senate candidate Eric Greitens, because he had guns in his ad and another person sent him a scary tweet.

    The Deep State will use this to get Republicans removed from ballots or otherwise forbid them from running. There should be ZERO support for red flag laws on the right. 

    Sadly, we have so-called “conservatives” endorsing them.

    • #21
  22. Dr. Bastiat Member
    Dr. Bastiat
    @drbastiat

    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) (View Comment):
    Do you remember that time Sen. Rand Paul’s neighbor assaulted him. 

    Whatever happened to his neighbor?  Did he serve time for assault?

    • #22
  23. DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    Dr. Bastiat (View Comment):

    DonG (CAGW is a Hoax) (View Comment):
    Do you remember that time Sen. Rand Paul’s neighbor assaulted him.

    Whatever happened to his neighbor? Did he serve time for assault?

    I think Democrats awarded him with a medal of honor. Probably now a political analyst on MSNBC. 

    • #23
  24. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    Haven’t read the comments yet, but not to worry.  Some of Ricochet’s lawyers say that the process works and it’s just a week’s inconvenience.

    • #24
  25. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Given the current direction of the country, and the evident willingness of the administrative state to abuse the institutional power of law enforcement to protect the favored political party, I am an ever more adamant 2A absolutist.

    But that’s because you’re not a politician or a lawyer (no disrespect to lawyers, it’s just how they think).

    • #25
  26. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Cassandro (View Comment):

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Given the current direction of the country, and the evident willingness of the administrative state to abuse the institutional power of law enforcement to protect the favored political party, I am an ever more adamant 2A absolutist.

    But that’s because you’re not a politician or a lawyer (no disrespect to lawyers, it’s just how they think).

    Maybe lawyers shouldn’t be disrespected, but they should often be ignored.

    • #26
  27. Cassandro Coolidge
    Cassandro
    @Flicker

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Cassandro (View Comment):

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Given the current direction of the country, and the evident willingness of the administrative state to abuse the institutional power of law enforcement to protect the favored political party, I am an ever more adamant 2A absolutist.

    But that’s because you’re not a politician or a lawyer (no disrespect to lawyers, it’s just how they think).

    Maybe lawyers shouldn’t be disrespected, but they should often be ignored.

    NEVER ignore a lawyer.

    • #27
  28. kedavis Coolidge
    kedavis
    @kedavis

    Cassandro (View Comment):

    kedavis (View Comment):

    Cassandro (View Comment):

    Postmodern Hoplite (View Comment):

    Every time I start to consider “sensible gun control” such as “red-flag laws,” examples such as this one immediately reaffirm my revulsion for such statist authoritarian actions.

    Given the current direction of the country, and the evident willingness of the administrative state to abuse the institutional power of law enforcement to protect the favored political party, I am an ever more adamant 2A absolutist.

    But that’s because you’re not a politician or a lawyer (no disrespect to lawyers, it’s just how they think).

    Maybe lawyers shouldn’t be disrespected, but they should often be ignored.

    NEVER ignore a lawyer.

    If we didn’t ignore lawyers, nobody would ever change a light bulb, or take a shower, or climb a ladder…

    Or use a bucket…

    • #28
  29. DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf Member
    DrewInWisconsin, Unapologetic Oaf
    @DrewInWisconsin

    They did it. We’re screwed.

    • #29
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