- According to multiple news outlets on Monday, the FBI has opened a criminal probe into the collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge to investigate whether the crew of the Dali container ship was aware of any system errors before its departure. Forbes (LR: 3 CP: 5)
- Both the bureau and the Dept. of Justice (DOJ) confirmed that federal agents boarded the vessel to carry out a court-approved search, but no further information has been provided. Washington Post (LR: 2 CP: 5)
- This criminal investigation is separate from that of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which aims to determine possible safety failures in the lead-up to the collision. Daily Caller (LR: 5 CP: 4)
- An anonymous source familiar with the matter has told the AP that the cargo ship had experienced apparent electrical problems likely related to an inconsistent power supply while docked in Baltimore. Associated Press (LR: 3 CP: 5)
- Authorities confirmed on Monday that the body of a fourth victim in the March 26 incident has been positively identified. Eight construction workers were on the bridge when it collapsed — two were rescued, two bodies have been identified and the remainder are presumed dead. BBC News (LR: 3 CP: 5)
- On the same day, the city of Baltimore announced legal action against stakeholders of the ship. This comes as the ship's owner and manager filed a petition in federal court seeking to cap liability payouts at $43.6M under a maritime law from 1851. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
Democratic narrative:
- The fact that a federal search warrant has been signed off already indicates that the government has presented probable cause — or even evidence — that a crime took place in the lead-up to the bridge collapse. The Biden administration has pledged to hold accountable anyone responsible for this incident, and these moves go in the right direction.
BALTIMORE SUN
Republican narrative:
- This criminal investigation into whether the crew left the Port of Baltimore knowing that the vessel had problems with its systems is certainly needed — especially as the Biden administration has pledged to use taxpayers' dollars to build a new bridge. If criminal negligence is found to be responsible for the crash, then Congress is less likely to support that move.
PJ MEDIA (LR: 4 CP: 4)