Justice Reform Archives - Thunder Report

The Records They Wouldn’t Release — and the Mother They Jailed

October 5, 2025October 6, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The case of Giselle Smiel highlights significant issues of transparency and jurisdictional failures in California’s justice system. After a May 2025 incident involving alleged child abduction, Smiel faced six felony charges despite having no criminal history. Denied access to public records and effective legal representation, she remains in jail, raising concerns over systemic accountability and due process.

Accountability / bias / Citizens Services / Citizens Services / Civil Rights / Civil Rights / Corruption / Court Corruption / Fraud / Government Corruption / Housing / Maryland / Misconduct / Montgomery County / The Corruption Series / Veterans / Veterans

Rockville’s “Wild Wild West”: Veterans Betrayed, Vouchers Misused, and Montgomery County’s Culture of Corruption

September 7, 2025September 6, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Lydia D. York, a veteran and whistleblower, exposes corruption in Montgomery County, accusing leaders of enabling illegal eviction and homelessness of veterans. Allegations include misappropriated HUD-VASH vouchers and bureaucratic indifference. Amid rising homelessness, rather than assisting veterans, county officials seem focused on more glamorous projects, highlighting systemic failures and a lack of accountability.

Advocacy / Cannabis / Crime & Violence / Crime Violence / Criminal / Government / Legal Reform / Legislation / Politics

Mike Tyson’s Knockout Case for Cannabis Reform: A Perspective on Freedom, Safety, and American Prosperity

July 22, 2025July 20, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Mike Tyson is advocating for cannabis policy reform by calling for its reclassification to Schedule III, emphasizing its medicinal value and the need to protect public safety. He highlights the hypocrisy of incarcerating non-violent marijuana offenders while arguing for regulation to combat cartels and promote free markets, aligning his stance with conservative principles.

California / Donald Trump / Federal / Federal Funding / Government / Government / Law Enforcement / Policy / Politics / Public Safety

Alcatraz Reawakens: Why Trump’s Bold Prison Revival Is More Than a Symbol

July 17, 2025July 17, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Trump’s proposal to reopen Alcatraz aims to address America’s growing crime issues by providing a secure facility for the most violent offenders. Critics dismiss it as impractical, yet the initiative serves as a rallying call for law and order, challenging the current justice system’s leniency and prompting vital national discussions on accountability.

Accountability / Ada Accommodations / Child Custody / Child Custody / Corruption / Court Corruption / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Fraud / Government Corruption / Law Enforcement / New York / New York Watch / The Corruption Series / The Fishman Files

When Police Lie on Reports: What Happened to Marc Fishman Could Happen to You

July 15, 2025July 14, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Marc Fishman’s life was devastated after a police officer falsely reported a violation of a protective order during a supervised visit with his son. Despite having evidence and supervision, Fishman was arrested, leading to unjust legal repercussions and estrangement from his children. This case highlights the dangers of reliance on flawed police narratives.

Citizens Services / Civil Rights / Crime Violence / democrats / Policy / Reichert v. the System / voter outreach

Democrats Outraged Over One Arrest — But Where Was Their Outrage for the Rest of Us?

June 13, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The arrest of Senator Alex Padilla during a protest has sparked outrage among Democrats, with Representative Jamie Raskin condemning it as authoritarian. However, Maryland veteran Jeff Reichert highlights hypocrisy, recalling his own wrongful arrests amid silence from the party. He emphasizes that justice should apply universally, not just for political gain.

After the Uniform: It’s Time to Count the Days That Really Matter

May 31, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The article highlights the emotional turmoil faced by veteran parents dealing with family court injustices, emphasizing their grief over separation from children. It advocates for specific policy reforms, including prioritizing parenting time for veterans, establishing oversight in family court decisions, and tracking parental separation days to better support military families and acknowledge their struggles.

Back in the Game: Why New Jersey’s Decision to Reinstate Disbarred Lawyers Should Outrage Every American

May 30, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The New Jersey Supreme Court’s recent ruling allows disbarred lawyers, including those convicted of theft and fraud, to seek reinstatement after five years. This decision underscores a justice system that favors professionals while punishing ordinary citizens for minor errors. Advocates call for accountability and transparency in legal reinstatements.

Broken Bench Series 1: The Silent Crisis of Judicial Appointments

May 12, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

The judicial reappointment hearings in Virginia present a facade of public accountability, allowing only three minutes for citizens to speak, with their testimonies largely ignored. Despite personal stories of judicial misconduct, the process operates as a formality, contributing to a loss of trust in the judicial system and necessitating comprehensive reforms for genuine accountability.