WHAT TO KNOW TODAY

Another alleged threat of political violence against Democrats. A New York man with a cache of firearms was arrested at his home on Tuesday and charged with making numerous violent comments on social media. Following the election, he allegedly said Democrats celebrating Biden’s win should be shot and that he would blow up an FBI building. Federal prosecutors say the man believed that the election results were fraudulent and that he harbored anti-Semitic, far-right, and pro-militia beliefs. “The Department of Justice will not stand idly by when people like the defendant allegedly threaten to kill elected officials, lawful protesters, and law enforcement simply because of animus towards the outcome of an election,” the acting U.S. attorney in Brooklyn said. Context: In recent weeks, prosecutors have charged several people for threatening to kill politicians or federal officials, including President-elect Joe Biden and a federal judge.

Feds ask judge to protect informants who helped stop alleged plot to kidnap Michigan governor. Informants and undercover agents were critical in building the federal case against six men who planned to kidnap Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat. Now, prosecutors are worried that the identities of the witnesses might get leaked without an order shielding evidence in the case. “Such premature identification might reasonably be expected to lead to witness tampering, intimidation and/or retaliation,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Nils Kessler wrote in a court filing. Eight other people with alleged ties to a militia are facing separate state terrorism charges.

With more than a month left in 2020, big cities are already breaking annual violence records. Even as most categories of crime have fallen since the pandemic, violent crime has exacted a heavy toll on many of the country’s largest cities. This week, a homicide in Milwaukee brought the total there to 169 — breaking the previous all-time record from 1991. Nonfatal shootings are also up 74 percent this year and at their highest level in at least 10 years. A few other cities have already reached similar milestones: Indianapolis broke its own homicide record nearly four weeks ago, as did Kansas City, Missouri.

Florida eyes Stand Your Ground expansion. Critics worry it would encourage vigilantism. The changes to the state self-defense statute are part of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis’ proposed “anti-mob” legislation that includes increased penalties for people involved in “violent or disorderly assemblies” and cuts state funding for localities that slash police budgets. Stand Your Ground laws eliminate a duty to retreat before someone uses fatal force if they claim self-defense. DeSantis’ proposal would add categories of felonies that would justify fatal force, including “interruption or impairment” of a business and looting. “It allows for vigilantes to justify their actions,” a former state prosecutor told The Miami Herald. “It also allows for death to be the punishment for a property crime.”

DATA POINT

520 — the number of complaints the Chicago Police Department received between May 29 and October 31 for the conduct of officers against demonstrators at racial justice protests. The complaints — so numerous that the civilian police oversight board created a special unit to process them — have led to eight officers being fired so far. [Block Club Chicago]