Welcome to Monday, April 19th, cash and charge...

Closing arguments are set for today in the trial of former Minneapolis Police officer Derek Chauvin, who is charged with murder for the death of George Floyd. 

Judge Peter Cahill told the 14 members of the jury that they should return to court at 9 a.m. CDT (10 a.m. ET) Monday where the prosecution and defense will summarize the respective evidence and witness testimony.

The sequestered jury will then hold deliberations as to whether the evidence is sufficient to convict Chauvin of murder, manslaughter, or neither.

Minneapolis and other U.S. cities have increased their security ahead of the verdict. National Guard troops have been deployed in parts of downtown Minneapolis.

Watch and comment live beginning at 10 a.m. ET here.

What's your verdict? Is Chauvin guilty for the murder of George Floyd?

Biden to Lift Refugee Cap After Facing Backlash From Democrats

The Biden administration on Friday announced its plan to keep the U.S. refugee admission cap for fiscal year 2021 at 15,000 refugees ― the level set by the Trump administration ― but backtracked later in the day and pledged to raise the cap next month following pushback from Democrats.

Biden’s announcement of the 15,000 refugee cap said the level “remains justified by humanitarian concerns and is otherwise in the national interest.” That sparked criticism from Democrats, including Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) who said:

“This cruel policy is no more acceptable now than it was during the Trump administration. TO be clear: the asylum process at the southern border and the refugee process are completely separate immigration systems. Conflating the two constitutes caving to the politics of fear.”

Refugee admissions dropped during the Trump administration from 53,691 in 2017 to 22,405 in 2018 and 29,916 in 2019.

Do you support or oppose raising the refugee admission cap above 15,000 for FY2021?

Oath Keepers Member 1st to Plead Guilty in Capitol Riot

Jon Schaffer, lead guitarist for the heavy metal band Iced Earth, and founding member of the right-wing paramilitary group the Oath Keepers, pleaded guilty on Friday to charges related to the Capitol riot.

This marks the first conviction in the massive probe of the events of Jan. 6.

Schaffer - who originally faced six counts - pleaded guilty to two charges: obstructing an official proceeding and entering restricted grounds with a dangerous weapon.

At Friday's hearing, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta walked Schaffer through the charges and his plea agreement to provide information to investigators and potentially testify on behalf of the government.

How do you feel about the Capitol riot investigation so far?

All The Memes Fit To Post
 

And, In The End...

Stretch those legs, it's Boston Marathon Day.

On this date in 1897, the first 26.2-mile event was held.

Enjoy your run, I'll be here celebrating National Garlic Day by carb-loading some pasta,

—Josh Herman

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