She bears the tremendous responsibility to demonstrate that the charges are warranted and not the product of a political vendetta.
The public was left with little background, however, following the announced charges. Nessel’s office should have been much more transparent on such a major charging decision.
The charges against Snyder seek to hold him criminally responsible for policymaking that went bad. He faces two charges of willful neglect of duty for neglecting “his mandatory legal duties under the Michigan constitution and the Emergency Management Act, thereby failing to protect the health and safety of Flint’s residents.”
Unfortunately, as we’ve seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, not every decision made by government during the heat of a crisis turns out as well as intended.
Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images
State capitals across the US are preparing for possible attacks on their legislatures in the coming days similar to the insurrection at the US Capitol last week, hoping a larger law enforcement presence and extra security measures will stave off the worst.
The FBI sent an internal memo on Sunday warning all 50 states that “armed protests” at their capitals are being planned by far-right extremists, potentially leading to a repeat of what happened January 6 in Washington, DC. As a result, state capitol buildings are on “high alert,” with local law enforcement and, in some cases, state National Guard troops mobilizing into action.
MSP increases Trooper patrols, protective measures in Lansing ahead of expected protests
MSP working alongside local county law enforcement, Michigan National Guard, FBI to keep Lansing safe
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LANSING, Mich. – Officials in Lansing are on high alert as new precautions are being taken ahead of expected protests Saturday and Sunday.
“I assure you that we take our responsibility for safeguarding the capitol very seriously,” said MSP Col. Joe Gasper. “Together with our law enforcement partners, we are prepared for the worst but we remain hopeful that those who choose to demonstrate at our Capitol do so peacefully and without violence or destruction of property.”