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Pennsylvania Sheriff Flips From Democrat Party to Republican Party

Justice Department Watchdog Probing Handling of Stone Sentencing

The Justice Department has launched an internal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the handling of the criminal case of Roger Stone, former political adviser to President Donald Trump. The probe by the department’s inspector general will reportedly look into Attorney General William Barr’s February decision to override a sentencing recommendation for Stone made by rank-and-file prosecutors. The prosecutors recommended a sentence of seven to nine years in prison for Stone, but the department later filed another recommendation asking for a lighter sentence. The DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General would not “confirm or deny the existence of any ongoing investigation” to The Epoch Times. Meanwhile, DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec told media outlets that they “welcome the review.” She did not immediately respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment. The revelation…

Pennsylvania Sheriff Flips From Democrat Party to Republican Party

A sheriff in Pennsylvania says he’s switched to the Republican Party after becoming alienated from Democrats.

“It was a really difficult decision and I’ve thought long and hard about it, but I feel I stand for the ideals of the Republican Party platform more than the Democrats today,” Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert told the Tribune-Review.

Albert, 70, became sheriff last year.

He said he is against abortion, for the Second Amendment, and a lifelong member of the National Rifle Association.

“Today, I feel my ideals are closer to the Republican Party than Democrats,” he said.

The reaction to looting and rioting across the country in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minnesota helped lead to the party change.

“I was saddened and enraged by the murder of David Dorn, a 77-year-old African American retired police captain, who was shot by a pawn shop looter during a protest in St. Louis,” Albert said. “These outrageous, lawless acts have been met with silence, acquiescence and, in some instances, outright support from the local, state, and national leadership of the Democratic Party.”

The Pennsylvania Democratic Party did not respond to a request for comment.

Pennsylvania Sheriff Flips From Democrat Party to Republican Party Westmoreland County Sheriff James Albert. (Westmoreland County Sheriff’s Office)

Westmoreland County is located in southwest Pennsylvania. It went for Donald Trump in 2016.

Party changes aren’t unheard of, with a number happening in recent years. Several federal lawmakers switched affiliations this year or the last, including one from the Democrat Party to the GOP and another from the GOP to the Libertarian Party.

Another Democrat-to-Republican switch took place in Indiana this month.

Vanderburgh County Sheriff Dave Wedding reportedly told a crowd he was “tired of seeing fires set in our streets.”

“I’m tired of people defying God, our church, our police, our government, and everything we stand for,” he added.

Wedding added to WFIE: “Watching the daily burning of American flags, failing to be able to use the word God in any sentence at most Democrat-led functions, denouncing law enforcement as if we’re the evil people. I am very proud of my profession in law enforcement and when people attack us, it’s pretty insulting.”

The Democratic Party of Vanderburgh County accused Wedding of being opportunistic.

“His move to the Republican Party after benefiting from years of Democratic support make his political opportunism all the more distasteful,” the party said.

Follow Zachary on Twitter: @zackstieber

Focus News: Pennsylvania Sheriff Flips From Democrat Party to Republican Party

Daimler to Pay $2.2 Billion in Diesel Emissions Cheating Settlements

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