EFTA00160901.pdf

From: FBI News Briefin To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - FBI Daily News Briefing - November 29, 2021 Date: Mon, 29 Nov 2021 11:20:08 +0000 Importance: Normal :1 ce. View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal November 29, 2021 Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Mobile version and searchable archives available at https://fbi.barbaricumanalytics.com Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • Attorney General Instructs U.S. Attorneys to Prioritize Unruly Airplane Passenger Prosecution • More Omicron Cases Pop Up As World Rushes to Learn More • New York Declares State of Emergency to Combat Omicron Variant • Supreme Court Set to Take Up All-Or-Nothing Abortion Fight CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS • Oath Keeper Charged in U.S. Capitol Riot • Schiff Says Mark Meadows Contempt Decision Imminent • Stop the Steal' Rally Organizer Will Comply With Congressional Subpoena • Bannon Wants Contempt Case Documents to be Publicly Released • FBI Solicits Thanksgiving Dinner Tips for Capitol Riot Suspects • Un-Remorseful Texas Real Estate Agent Prepping for Jail With YouTube Videos • Indiana Man Gets Probation for Entering Capitol on Jan. 6 • Multiple Jan. 6 Defendants Request Permission To Travel Over Thanksgiving • Jan. 6 Rally-Goers Describe Intimidating Visits From the FBI • Analysis: Four Months Into The Jan. 6 Probe, Here's Where Things Stand • Jan. 6 Organizers Used Burner Phones to Communicate With White House • 'Sedition Hunters' Seek to Identify Participants on Jan. 6 Capitol Attack • Prosecutors Slam 6th Try for Release From Riot Defendant Who Said The People Who Stormed the Capitol Were Like 'Disney World Crowds' • North Hills Man Charged with Taking Part in Capitol Riot • Trump Gives Former NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik the Nod to Testify Before Jan. 6 Committee • Jan. 6 Panel Faces Double-Edged Sword with Alex Jones, Roger Stone • Opinion: The One Obvious Statute the DOJ Could Use to Prosecute Trump for Jan. 6 EFTA00160901 • Potential Biden Supreme Court Pick Joins Fray Over Trump Jan. 6 Subpoena • NJ Mom Charged In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Spared Prison • What is the 1st Amendment Praetorian, the Obscure Far-Right Group Subpoenaed by the January 6 Committee? • Two New York Men Arrested in Capitol Riot COUNTERTERRORISM • Lawyers For Accused 9/11 Plotters Say Government Withheld Public Information • Opinion: Unite the Right Verdict Sends an Urgent Message COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • FBI Declares 'Havana Syndrome' a 'Top Priority • Digital Technology Poses New Obstacle for U.S. Spies • He Leaked U.S. Missile Secrets. It Turned Into 'a Dark Comedy of Errors.' CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Prosecutor Acknowledged Suspect's 'Inappropriately Low' Bail Before Waukesha Parade Tragedy • FBI Investigates Possible Lead on Jimmy Hoffa Case • Lawyer, Police Kept Knowledge of Laundrie Family's Missing Gun From Public • FBI Arrests Suspect Accused of Making Bomb Threats to Schools and Hospitals in Oregon • Zoom-Bomb' Attackers Not Associated with Gonzaga University • Joliet Financial Advisor Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges • Former Sorority Executive Stole $228,000 From Organization • Police Say Man Suspected in Denver Slaying Arrested in LA • Federal Officials Are Finally Acting on the Crisis of Missing Indigenous People in America • Indiana Mom Kidnaps Woman in Search for Witness in Her Son's Criminal Trial, Feds Say • Ohio Man Accused of Kidnapping 5-Year-Old Wanted to 'Run Away With Her • Massachusetts Man Found Hiding Under Porch Facing More Than 20 Charges, Including Kidnapping • Ex-Youth Football Coach Gets 45 Years For Recording His Sexual Abuse of Three Minors • FBI Investigating Child Rape Allegations That Went Ignored for a Decade • Former Missouri Middle School Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Illicit Sex With Her Student • Cortland County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Child Exploitation • More Than 80 Stolen Cars Recovered by Connecticut Task Force • FBI Agents Investigating Recent Car Thefts and Larcenies in Missouri • Driver Wanted by FBI for Armed Bank Robbery Flees to Ohio, Escaping Police • $25,000 in Luxury Purses Stolen in Latest 'Grab and Go' Theft in California CYBER DIVISION • FBI Warns Industries of Cyberattacks Over the Holidays • Opinion: Iranian Hackers Indictment Shows Vulnerability of Online Voter Registration LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES • Police Association Asks Public to 'Stop Filming and Start Helping' When Officers Are Attacked EFTA00160902 • FBI Investigating May Police Shooting Death of Louisiana Infant • Statewide Violence Demands Coordinated Police Response in MD, Says Former FBI Agent • With Federal Oversight in Short Supply, State AGs Step into Probe Troubled Police INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • CCP Internal Police Leader Elected to Interpol Executive Committee Despite International Outcry OTHER FBI NEWS • Roger Stone Says FBI is Acting Like Biden's 'Personal Gestapo' • Could These Epstein Insiders Bring Down Ghislaine Maxwell? • Despite Biden Vow, Afghanistan Evacuees Admitted to U.S. Underwent Almost No Vetting • Arbery, Rittenhouse Cases Spotlight Self-Defense, and Vigilantism • Judge Vacates Death Sentences of Man Who Was to be Executed for a Crime He Says He Didn't Commit • Opinion: Military, Justice, FBI — Half the Country Has Lost Faith in Pillars of U.S. Civilization • Cuomo's Early Book Dealings Outrage Officials Tasked With Pandemic Response • Longtime Erie FBI Agent Targets Relationship Building in New Role as Supervisory Senior Agent • Commentary: Did the FBI Order Malcolm X's Murder? New Revelations Raise an Old Question INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Taiwan Sends Jets After 27 Chinese Planes Enter Buffer Zone • Taiwan, Europe Must Defend Democracy Together, President Says • As China Speeds Up Nuclear Arms Race, the U.S. Wants to Talk • China Carried Out 'Combat Readiness Patrol' as U.S. Lawmakers Visited Taipei • Baltic Lawmakers Meet Taiwan's Tsai, Stepping Up Cooperation • Asian Leaders at Economic Summit Vow to Help Afghanistan • Ukraine Leader Alleges Russia-Backed Coup Planned Next Week • UK, Israel to Work Together to Stop Iran Gaining Nuclear Weapons OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Biden's Nearly $2 Trillion Social Spending and Climate Bill Is a Boon for Unions • Local News Outlets Could Reap $1.7 Billion in Build Back Better Aid • Biden's Economic Plans Collide With Inflation Reality • Biden to Nominate Shalanda Young as Budget Director • Biden to Nominate Shalanda Young as Budget Director • Biden Leads Democratic Push to Block New Abortion Restrictions After Shifting Stance in Campaign • Interior Dept. Report on Drilling Is Mostly Silent on Climate Change • Former Defense Chief Mark Esper Sues Pentagon Over Book Redactions BIG PICTURE • Wall Street Journal • New York Times • Washington Post • Financial Times EFTA00160903 . ABC News • CBS News . NBC News . Fox News WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Attorney General Instructs U.S. Attorneys to Prioritize Unruly Airplane Passenger Prosecution The Associated Press (11/24, Balsamo) reported that Attorney General Merrick Garland has directed U.S. attorneys across the country to swiftly prioritize the prosecution of federal crimes that happen on commercial flights as federal officials face a historic number of investigations into passenger behavior. Garland's memo, issued Wednesday, emphasizes that the Justice Department is committed to aggressively prosecuting violent passengers who assault crew members or endanger the safety of other passengers. The article noted that federal law prohibits interfering with a flight crew, including assaulting, intimidating, or threatening crew members. According to CNN (11/24, Perez), Garland's memo cites dozens of cases referred by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to the FBI for investigations of violent air travel incidents. The referrals are the result of an information-sharing system in place between the agencies. Reuters (11/24, Shepardson) noted that U.S. airlines have reported a record number of disruptive and sometimes violent incidents this year, and the FAA has pledged a "zero-tolerance" approach. Through Nov. 23, there have been 5,338 reports of unruly passenger incidents, including 3,856 related to pandemic face-covering regulations. ABC News (11/26, Barr), NBC News (11/24, Williams), CNBC (11/24, Constantino), The Epoch Times (11/26, Hung), the New York Post (11/25, Patteson), the Washington Examiner (11/24, Severi), the Independent (11/24, Woodward), and Newsweek (11/24, McDade) also reported on the story. More Omicron Cases Pop Up As World Rushes to Learn More The Associated Press (11/28, Corder, Moulson, Collins) and the New York Times (11/28, Breeden, Moses, Chutel) reported that multiple nations are reimposing restrictions as detected cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant increased over the weekend. Non-African countries that have detected the variant among their populations now include Australia, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Israel, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Coverage quoted Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), who appeared on several Sunday morning talk shows saying that while the variant has yet to be detected in the United States, "maintaining vigilance and safeguarding public health through inoculations, masking indoors and distancing, remains critical." Coverage also quoted Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), who said that it is "inevitable" that the variant will reach the United States, and that its impending arrival is another reason to get vaccinated or get a booster. On a related note, the Washington Post (11/28, Abutaleb, Nirappil, Roubein, Pannett) reported that the Biden administration is focusing on booster shots as a "key weapon" in the effort to protect Americans from the Omicron variant. Coverage from the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal (11/28, Lieber) noted that there is still little known about the severity of illness caused by the variant and the rate of hospitalization and that in a week "researchers could have a better indication of how well vaccines protect against the new variant." Additionally, the Wall Street Journal (11/28, Cutter, Kang) reported on the private sector's response to the news of the Omicron variant, noting that companies' heads are approaching the news with "concern and confusion," and that many companies "cautioned that they would hold off in making changes to operations until more is known?' Many outlets worldwide reported on the emergence of the Omicron variant, including CBS News (11/28, Quinn), Forbes (11/28, Drake), The Hill (11/28, Oshin), Politico (11/28, Bice), Fox News (11/28, Blitzer), CNBC (11/28, Bursztynsky), Business Insider (11/28, Staff Writer), HuffPast (11/28, Golgowsky), United Press International (11/28, Uria), New York Post (11/28, Salo), Axios (11/28, Reyes) and Newsweek (11/28, Zhao). New York Declares State of Emergency to Combat Omicron Variant The Associated Press (11/26, Staff Writer) and the Wall Street Journal (11/27, Randazzo) reported that New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency on Friday in advance of a potential surge in COVID-19 cases in the state due to the emergence of the Omicron variant in Africa, Europe, and Australia. Coverage noted that the EFTA00160904 emergency declaration intends to boost hospital capacity, address staffing shortages and limit non-essential surgeries. The New York Times (11/28, Delkic, Heyward) reported on the responses and measures being taken to prepare for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant by governors across the country. The story was also reported on by the Washington Post (11/27, Jeong), Fox News (11/26, Sabes), Bloomberg (11/27, Banjo), The Hill (11/27, Lonas), Newsweek (11/27, Villarreal), Epoch Times (11/26, Ly), Axios (11/27, Doherty), The Guardian (11/27, Helmore), The Independent (11/27, Dodds) and HuffPost (11/27, Papenfuss). Supreme Court Set to Take Up All-Or-Nothing Abortion Fight The Associated Press (11/28, Sherman) reported that on Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in a potential landmark case concerning reproductive rights. According to the article, the case comes from Mississippi, where a 2018 law "would ban abortions after 1S weeks of pregnancy, well before viability. The Supreme Court has never allowed states to ban abortion before the point at roughly 24 weeks when a fetus can survive outside the womb." The article also noted that the outcome of the case could reaffirm the constitutional right to an abortion, as was decided in Roe v. Wade, overrule Roe v. Wade, or uphold the Mississippi law without explicitly overruling Roe v. Wade. The Wall Street Journal (11/28, Lucey) reported that President Biden is leading Democratic efforts to block new restrictions on abortion and that his administration is currently challenging a Texas law that effectively bans abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The article noted that the controversial nature of the issue has not eluded Biden, a Catholic, as several Catholic bishops have criticized the president for supporting a woman's right to choose. The story was also covered by Politico (11/28, Rice), CNN (11/28, Biskupic), NBC News (11/28, Atkins), Insider (11/28, Dawson), and Newsweek (11/28, Landen). Back to Top CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS Oath Keeper Charged in U.S. Capitol Riot CNN (11/24, Lybrand, Rabinowitz) reported that James Beeks, a Florida man, and an actor playing Judas in the musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" has joined the list of Oath Keepers charged for participating in the US Capitol riot on January 6. According to the article, Reeks approached the group of Oath Keepers as they walked to the Capitol and said he was a member. Prosecutors later discovered that Reeks had paid dues to the Oath Keepers organization two weeks before the attack. The article noted that, unlike other Oath Keepers who came to the Capitol clad in body armor, Reeks was photographed wearing a Michael Jackson BAD world tour jacket. Reeks regularly performs as a Michael Jackson impersonator, FBI agents noted in court documents. His YouTube page describes him as "one of the Top Michael Jackson Tribute artists in the US." The Washington Post (11/24, Bella), NBC News (11/24, Fieldstadt), Business Insider (11/24, Rostock), and The Hill (11/24, Rai) also reported on the story. Schiff Says Mark Meadows Contempt Decision Imminent The Guardian (11/28, Pengelly) reported that the House select committee investigating the Capitol attack is likely to decide this week whether to charge Mark Meadows, Donald Trump's final White House chief of staff, with criminal contempt of Congress, a key panel member said. "I think we will probably make a decision this week on our course of conduct with that particular witness and maybe others," Adam Schiff, a California Democrat and chair of the House intelligence committee, told CNN's State of the Union. The article also noted that Schiff said he was concerned about the Department of Justice, for a perceived lack of interest in investigating Trump's actions, including asking officials in Georgia to "find" votes which would overturn his defeat by Joe Biden. "I am concerned that there does not appear to be an investigation unless it's being done very quietly by the justice department of ... the former president on the phone with the Georgia secretary of state, asking him to find, really demanding he finds 11,780 votes that don't exist, the precise number he would need to overturn Joe Riden's victory in that state. I think if you or I were on that call and reported we'd be under investigation or indictment by now for a criminal effort to defraud the people in Georgia and the people in the country." Reuters (11/28, Gallagher) and CNN (11/28, Video) also reported on the story. Stop the Steal' Rally Organizer Will Comply With Congressional Subpoena Business Insider (11/28, Dzhanova) reported that Ali Alexander, the organizer behind the "Stop the Steal" rally in Washington, DC, said he will comply with a congressional subpoena over his role in the Capitol riot on January 6. "The only reason I'm going is that I don't want to go to jail," he said. "So under the threat of imprisonment and spending tens and tens and tens of thousands of dollars on lawyers, I will be privately deposed before this EFTA00160905 committee in December." The article noted that so far, at least 702 people have been charged in relation to the riot. The Daily Beast (11/27, Petrizzo) also reported on the story Bannon Wants Contempt Case Documents to be Publicly Released The Independent (11/26, Woodward) reported that Donald Trump's former White House adviser Steve Bannon wants documents from his contempt-of-Congress case to be made public, as his lawyers filed a motion to oppose a protective order that prohibits both sides of the case from publicly releasing such evidence. According to the article, Bannon surrendered himself to the FBI three days after a District of Columbia grand jury indicted him on two counts of criminal contempt of Congress after he defied a subpoena commanding him to give evidence before a select House of Representatives committee investigating the 6 January attack on the US Capitol. He has pleaded not guilty. "The Government offered no reason why it wanted to limit Bannon's attorneys in their use of the documents to prepare a defense," according to a statement from Bannon's team provided to the Washington Post (11/25, Alemany). CBS News (11/26, Watson) and The Hill (11/26, Mastrangelo) also reported on the story. FBI Solicits Thanksgiving Dinner Tips for Capitol Riot Suspects The Washington Examiner (11/25, Chaitin) reported that the FBI is asking for extra help this Thanksgiving in tracking down people who were involved in the Capitol riot. According to the article, the bureau's Chicago field office sent a tweet Thursday requesting members of the public consider reporting fellow holiday dinner goers if they look like someone who may have been involved in the unlawful entry and violence that took place in the nation's capital on Jan. 6. The article noted that the FBI tweeted links to a database of videos and photos of individuals who federal investigators are still trying to identify more than 10 months later. Un-Remorseful Texas Real Estate Agent Prepping for Jail With YouTube Videos The Independent (11/25, Graziosi) reported that Jenna Ryan is preparing for her prison stay by watching YouTube videos about prison life. She said she plans to do "a lot of yoga" while incarcerated, as she "has already written a book." The article noted that unfortunately for Ryan, her book, a self-help read, was dropped by her publisher. According to the article, Ryan not only posted a video on social media saying "We're gonna go down and storm the Capitol," but she later posted another, longer video in which she shows her face to the camera and says her full name while advertising her company, and the fact that she is going to break federal law by participating in an attempted insurrection. "We are going to f***ing go in here. Life or death, it doesn't matter. Here we go." she said, according to court documents. "Y'all know who to hire for your Realtor, Jenna Ryan for your Realtor." Indiana Man Gets Probation for Entering Capitol on Jan. 6 The Associated Press (11/25, Staff Writer) reported that Jonathan Sanders has been sentenced to three years' probation for his part in the Jan. 6 riot during which the crowd stormed the U.S. Capitol. The Indianapolis Star (11/24, Nelson) reported that video footage showed Sanders in the Capitol that day. According to the article, the FBI investigation in Sanders' activities began after it received a tip that Sanders was in a Vincennes bakery bragging about being within 70 feet of protester Ashli Babbitt when Capitol police fatally shot her. The article noted that the 61-year-old Sanders told investigators he drove to Washington, D.C. on Jan. 5 with two friends to attend the "Stop the Steal" rally to support President Donald Trump, who lost re-election the previous November. He said he followed a crowd into the Capitol and "also heard that a lady was shot" Multiple Jan. 6 Defendants Request Permission To Travel Over Thanksgiving Newsweek (11/24, Palmer) reported that in the days leading up to the November 25 celebrations, several suspects accused of taking part in the January 6 attack who are not being held in custody have made formal court requests to make Thanksgiving travel plans without violating their pretrial release conditions. The article noted that despite the seriousness of some of the charges against the defendants, courts tend to allow predetermined requests for short travel for suspects ahead of their trials. "Courts tend not to restrict travel any more than they have to before a case has been closed," NBC4's Scott MacFarlane said, citing a conversation with a former federal prosecutor. Jan. 6 Rally-Goers Describe Intimidating Visits From the FBI The Epoch Times (11/24, Brelje) reported that while many have been arrested for participation in the Jan. 6, 2021 rally in support of President Donald Trump, many others have been questioned by the FBI about their presence there that day. Those who have been questioned say a visit from the FBI is intimidating and made them think twice about speaking their mind politically in the future. "The investigation into the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 is ongoing, led by our Washington Field Office. FBI Philadelphia, like field offices across the country, has provided EFTA00160906 and will continue to provide any assistance requested by Washington Field Office in this matter," said FBI spokeswoman Carrie Adamowski. Analysis: Four Months Into The Jan. 6 Probe, Here's Where Things Stand The Washington Post (11/24, Alemany, Meyer) reported that the select committee of nine lawmakers and its team of investigators hasn't been satisfied with the FBI's response: the committee "has been pressing the FBI to turn over additional documents related to the bureau's handling of Jan. 6, frustrated that it has not yet received more material, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to do so publicly." The article noted that another area of focus for the panel is "the FBI's reluctance to formally investigate outspoken Trump supporters after classifying many online discussions about Jan. 6 violence as First Amendment-protected speech." Jan. 6 Organizers Used Burner Phones to Communicate With White House The Hill (11/24, Choi) reported that organizers of the "Stop the Steal" rally that preceded the deadly Capitol attack on Jan. 6 allegedly communicated with members of former President Trump's family and administration. According to the article, multiple sources told Rolling Stone that Kylie Kremer, an organizer for the rally that took place at D.C.'s Ellipse park, had an aide buy three burner phones a few days before Jan. 6. The article noted that the phones were used to communicate with high-ranking members of Trump's inner circle, including his son Eric Trump, daughter-in-law and former campaign official Lara Trump, former White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, and former Trump surrogate Katrina Pierson. 'Sedition Hunters' Seek to Identify Participants on Jan. 6 Capitol Attack WMAQ (NBC-5) (11/24, Rogers) reported that a loose network of self-styled internet detectives, "sedition hunters", have continued to scour the internet in their free time and of their own accord, trying to put names with the digital videos and images from the uprising. According to the article, the FBI, which maintains its site of suspects in the attack on the Capitol, said the agency welcomes the sedition hunters' assistance. "The FBI encourages the public to continue to send tips," the FBI said in a statement. "The FBI continues to work diligently to identify and arrest those who participated in the violence at the U.S. Capitol." Prosecutors Slam 6th Try for Release From Riot Defendant Who Said The People Who Stormed the Capitol Were Like 'Disney World Crowds' Business Insider (11/26, Niemeyer) reported that prosecutors slammed a Capitol riot defendant's sixth request for pre-trial release in which he said he entered the Rotunda "peacefully" to take photos and that the crowd around him "looked like Disney World crowds." According to the article, Judge Amit Mehta denied Kenneth Harrelson's latest try at release, saying his request was "rife with outlandish arguments." In a previous plea for release that Mehta denied, Harrelson cited COVID-19 conspiracy theories as a reason that he should be released from custody before his trial. The article noted that prosecutors shut down Harrelson's "ludicrous claim" that crowds entered the Capitol peacefully, citing a video he took inside the building showing "his co-conspirators (and possibly Harrelson himself)" chanting "Treason!" as they forced their way inside. North Hills Man Charged with Taking Part in Capitol Riot The OC Register (11/24, Emery) reported that Edward Badalian and Daniel Rodriguez, who was previously accused of using an electroshock weapon against an officer during the Capitol insurrection, are facing a variety of federal charges, including conspiracy, obstruction, entering a restricted building and theft and destruction of government property, according to a superseding indictment filed in federal court on Nov. 17. According to the article, Badalian and Rodriguez reportedly created a group chat on the Telegram app, called "Patriots 45 MAGA Gang," that prosecutors allege was used as a platform to "advocate violence against certain groups and individuals" who "supported" the results of the 2020 presidential election. The article noted that Badalian, Rodriguez, and a third defendant, whose name is currently redacted in court documents, encouraged others to attend the Jan. 6 "Stop the Steal" rally that proceeded the riot and collected "weapons and tactical gear" that included "a taser, pepper spray, a baseball bat, gas masks and walkie talkies." The article also noted that the men allegedly entered the Capitol through a window other rioters had broken. According to the indictment, the three opened bags in lawmakers' offices, rifled through papers on desks, and took emergency escape hoods. After leaving the building, Rodriguez allegedly posted in the "Patriots 45" chat "OMG I did so much (expletives) and got away," adding "Tazzzzzed the (expletive) out of the blue." Trump Gives Former NYPD Commissioner Bernie Kerik the Nod to Testify Before Jan. 6 Committee EFTA00160907 The New York Daily News (11/24, Goldiner) reported that former President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he's given the former NYPD commissioner Bernie Kerik the green light to comply with a subpoena for testimony issued by the congressional select committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. According to the article, Kerik may use the demand for information as a publicity stunt. The article noted that the twice impeached president said the recently pardoned Trump loyalist is eager to answer the committee's questions about their campaign to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Jan. 6 Committee Makes False Accusation Against Giuliani Investigator The Washington Examiner (11/24, King) reported that the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot reportedly made a false accusation against a witness, Bernard Kerik, who worked for former President Donald Trump's attorney Rudy Giuliani to investigate the 2020 election. According to the article, the committee accused Kerik in a subpoena of attending a meeting in Washington, D.C., to discuss possible ways of overturning the 2020 presidential election. However, tollbooth records contradict this claim and show that he was in New York City at the time of the alleged meeting. Jan. 6 Panel Faces Double-Edged Sword with Alex Jones, Roger Stone The Hill (11/26, Beitsch) reported that the House committee investigating the attack on the Capitol faces both risk and reward by turning to two Trump allies with a history of lying as it seeks to map out the planning and financing of the Jan. 6 rallies. According to the article, the select panel on Monday subpoenaed known conspiracy theorist and radio host Alex Jones as well as Roger Stone, a longtime confidant of former President Trump, whom he pardoned a conviction on five counts of lying to Congress during the Mueller investigation. "They've clearly demonstrated a willingness if not a propensity to lie. Roger Stone was convicted of lying to Congress, and of course, Alex Jones is a Sandy Hook conspiracy theorist and 9/11 denier. So there is concern about their willingness, to tell the truth, and there is also a strong risk that, as such public and ardent supporters of Donald Trump, there could be two more people that flout the subpoena powers of Congress, leaving the committee to decide whether to pursue a criminal referral for contempt of Congress," said Barbara McQuade, who served as a U.S. attorney during the Obama administration. Opinion: The One Obvious Statute the DOJ Could Use to Prosecute Trump for Jan. 6 Slate (11/24, Purcell Jr.) reported that numerous investigations and reports have produced substantial evidence of probable cause that Trump and his operatives violated at least one criminal statute, 18 U.S.C. Section 241. That statute makes it a federal crime for "two or more persons" to conspire to prevent anyone from exercising or enjoying any right or privilege secured by the Constitution or laws of the U.S., and it makes such crime punishable by fine, or imprisonment up to ten years. The article opined that the broad language of Section 241 clearly encompasses the actions of those involved in Trump's coup attempt, and the Court's precedents support that conclusion. Evidence currently available shows that the conspirators agreed to a common scheme to overthrow the results of the 2020 presidential election, took innumerable acts designed to accomplish that goal, and intended thereby to effectively deprive millions of voters in half a dozen states, and the rest of the 81 million Americans who voted for Joe Biden, of their right to vote and have their votes properly counted. The article also opined that a Dal investigation is the only governmental option capable of surely and effectively countering the delay tactics being used against the Jan. 6 committee. Potential Biden Supreme Court Pick Joins Fray Over Trump Jan. 6 Subpoena The Hill (11/28, Kruzel) reported that Ketanji Jackson, seen by Democrats as a top contender for a future Supreme Court vacancy, is one of three judges assigned the weighty task of reviewing former President Trump's bid to block a congressional subpoena for records related to the Jan. 6 attack. "Judge Jackson's role in the executive privilege fight will no doubt play a prominent spot in a nomination hearing if, as anticipated, she is ultimately selected as the next nominee for the Supreme Court by President Biden," said Bradley Moss, a national security law expert, and partner in the Law Office of Mark S. Zaid. NJ Mom Charged In Jan. 6 Capitol Riot Spared Prison Patch (11/24, Gaskins) reported that Rasha Abual-Ragheb, an Essex County mother who proudly posed for photos on Jan. 6 during the Capitol Riot and declared that "the civil war was coming" in the days after, has avoided prison time. Abual-Ragheb will spend two months in home detention followed by 36 months of probation. According to the article, the judge, who admitted her social media posts were troubling, reasoned that the single mother of two "showed up in a tutu" on Jan. 6, and not military gear like so many others. The article noted that on Jan. 7th, a EFTA00160908 witness reported to the FBI Philadelphia Division that Rasha Abual-Ragheb's Facebook page was seen showing Abual-Ragheb at the protest in Washington, DC. What is the 1st Amendment Praetorian, the Obscure Far-Right Group Subpoenaed by the January 6 Committee? CNN (11/24, Cohen) reported that an obscure far-right paramilitary group is in the spotlight this week after getting subpoenaed by the House select committee investigating the January 6 insurrection. According to the article, the committee subpoenaed the 1st Amendment Praetorian, a group founded in 2020 that recruits military veterans and former police officers to provide security at right-wing events. Lawmakers also subpoenaed the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, extremist organizations with dozens of members who are facing criminal charges in connection with January 6. The panel said these subpoenas could shed light on how pro-Trump groups planned for violence that day. The article noted that the group provided security at pro-Trump rallies in November and December 2020 that were followed by violence and arrests on the streets of DC. They were also present at a rally on January 5 that featured incendiary speeches from far-right provocateurs like Alexander and Roger Stone, and conspiracy theorists like Alex Jones. Two New York Men Arrested in Capitol Riot The Highlands Current (11/26, Rowe) reported that Gregory Purdy Jr. and Matthew Purdy were arrested on Nov. 10 and charged with federal crimes related to the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol. According to the article, the brothers surrendered to the FBI in New Windsor. According to the article, Purdy Jr. and Matthew Purdy entered the Capitol through a door that had been kicked in and remained inside for about 15 minutes. The article noted that according to the FBI, "the crowd then appeared to push forward against the officers and Purdy-Schwartz can be seen making contact with an officer. Purdy Jr. made contact with an officer, as well." Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Lawyers For Accused 9/11 Plotters Say Government Withheld Public Information The Intercept (11/28, Williams) reported that defense lawyers for the men accused of planning and carrying out the September 11 attacks, including one representing accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, told a war court in Guantanamo Bay this month that the sanitized summaries of CIA cables provided to defense attorneys for the five alleged attackers do not contain critical details such as dates and which torture techniques were used. The article noted that meanwhile, journalists for The Intercept and other publications, as well as the American Civil Liberties Union, have received fuller access to the cables by requesting them directly from the CIA under the Freedom of Information Act. "We have a distinct difference between what's available to the defendants in this capital case in discovery on the one hand and to the general public under FOIA in another," David Nevin, an attorney for Mohammed, told the court. "And apparently there are situations in which security-cleared lawyers defending people in this capital case on trial for their life are entitled to less information than is available to the general public." Opinion: Unite the Right Verdict Sends an Urgent Message CNN (11/24, Ghitis) opined that for those growing increasingly worried about the prospect of more deadly political violence in the United States, Tuesday's verdict by a Charlottesville jury, which held extreme far-right leaders and groups that organized and participated in the violent 2017 rally liable for more than $26 million in damages, came as very welcome news. According to the article, the threats posed by extremist rhetoric and violence have not vanished, but in an environment like the one we're living in, the Charlottesville victory was important. "Coming just before Thanksgiving, it gives one more reason to celebrate, however cautiously, during these perilous times." Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE FBI Declares 'Havana Syndrome' a 'Top Priority Reuters (11/24, Hosenball) reported that the FBI said on Wednesday that dealing with the issue of "anomalous health incidents", widely known as Havana Syndrome, is a top priority and that it will keep investigating the cause EFTA00160909 and how to protect staff. About 200 U.S. diplomats, officials, and family members overseas are believed to have been struck by the mysterious ailment - with symptoms including migraines, nausea, memory lapses, and dizziness. It was first reported among U.S. officials in the Cuban capital in 2016. "The issue of anomalous health incidents is a top priority for the FBI, as the protection, health, and well-being of our employees and colleagues across the federal government is paramount," the agency said in a statement. NBC News (11/24, Dilanian) added that the statement amounted to the FBI's first formal acknowledgment that some of its current or former employees could have symptoms of Havana Syndrome, which got its name after a group of diplomats and CIA officers reported symptoms in 2016 at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba. Fox News (11/26, Aitken), The Guardian (11/25, Staff Writer), and the New York Post (11/24, Crane) also reported on the story. Additionally, NBC News (11/24, Video) reported on the story via video. CIA Chief Warns Russians of Consequences if They Caused 'Havana Syndrome' The Washington Post (11/24, Hudson) reported that CIA Director William J. Burns delivered a confidential warning to Russia's top intelligence services that they will face "consequences" if they are behind the string of mysterious health incidents known as "Havana Syndrome" afflicting U.S. diplomats and spies around the world, according to U.S. officials familiar with the exchange. According to the article, Bums raised the issue with the leadership of Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, and the country's Foreign Intelligence Service, the SVR. He told them that causing U.S. personnel and their family members to suffer severe brain damage and other debilitating ailments would go beyond the bounds of acceptable behavior for a "professional intelligence service," said the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss highly sensitive conversations. NBC News (11/24, Dilanian, Mitchell) also reported on the story. Digital Technology Poses New Obstacle for U.S. Spies The Wall Street Journal (11/27, Strobel) reported that a trained CIA case officer could once cross borders with a wallet full of aliases or confidently travel through foreign cities undetected to meet agents. Now, he or she faces digital obstacles that are the hallmarks of modern life: omnipresent surveillance cameras and biometric border controls, not to mention smartphones, watches, and automobiles that constantly ping out their location. Then there is "digital dust," the personal record almost everyone leaves across the Internet. According to the article, combined with advances in artificial intelligence that allow rapid sifting of this data, the technologies are fast becoming powerful tools for foreign adversaries to root out spies, according to current and former U.S. and Western intelligence officials. "It's really bad," a former top U.S. counterintelligence official said of the impact on U.S. espionage operations. "It really challenges the fundamental assumptions and approach of how you do business." The article noted that "ubiquitous technical surveillance," as it is known, is now a pervasive concern at the CIA, forcing it to devise new, often more resource-intensive ways of recruiting agents and stealing secrets, the officials said. He Leaked U.S. Missile Secrets. It Turned Into 'a Dark Comedy of Errors. The Daily Beast (11/24, Rohrlich) reported that a former Raytheon missile defense engineer who recently pleaded guilty to leaking U.S. military secrets claims he did so only because his desperate attempts to correct a potentially deadly software error he accidentally made went completely unheeded by authorities. "My approach and code were not adequately reviewed," James Schweitzer said in his first public comments since his arrest. "I was told to ignore the anomaly that I introduced." According to the article, Schweitzer was arrested and charged in December 2020 with malicious mischief and destruction of government property for sharing "national defense information" regarding U.S. missile sensors. Prosecutors said Schweitzer knew some of what he exposed "could result in American casualties abroad or in the United States," which Schweitzer freely admits, insisting that's why he was so eager to sound the alarm. The article noted that Schweitzer claims he reported the alleged software bug to the DoD hotline, the Army, the FBI, and every single member of Congress to no avail. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Prosecutor Acknowledged Suspect's 'Inappropriately Low' Bail Before Waukesha Parade Tragedy CNN (11/26, Nickeas) reported that Darrell Brooks now faces murder charges after he killed six people and wounded more than 60 others by driving through the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Sunday. Brooks was out on bail for two separate allegations of violence, including one where he is accused of using a car to run over a woman EFTA00160910 less than three weeks earlier. Milwaukee prosecutor John Chisholm released a statement Monday morning, saying his office made a mistake in seeking bail of $1,000 in the most recent case involving violent allegations against Brooks. Brooks posted bail about a week after he was charged and was released from custody. According to the article, Chrisholm stated, "The State's bail recommendation, in this case, was inappropriately low in light of the nature of the recent charges and the pending charges against Mr. Brooks, ...The bail recommendation, in this case, is not consistent with the approach of the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office toward matters involving violent crime, nor was it consistent with the risk assessment of the defendant before setting bail." Julie Rendelman, the former prosecutor of homicides who is now a defense attorney, mentioned prosecutors often have a cheat sheet they use to determine their bail requests, and it was unlikely that any bail request guide would suggest $1,000 was appropriate to request considering the allegations of both violence and not showing up for court. Rendleman also said, "This case seems different because he has a lengthy history, has indications that he's not going to come back to court, and the case being brought against him, the allegations are extremely violent." According to the article, During a congressional hearing in late June, Senator Lindsey Graham suggested reforms eliminating cash bail could partially be to blame for the summer violence increase. Graham asked FBI Director Christopher Wray if he believed "one of the reasons crime is on the rise is that certain jurisdictions have basically eliminated bail?" The article also noted that prosecutors have wide discretion in arguing for high or low bail amounts for defendants facing trial, though it's usually up to a judge to decide. Prosecutors also make those choices locally, prosecutors in one county might not prosecute a low-level drug offense while prosecutors two counties away seek years of jail time for the same allegation. White House Stands By Push to End Cash Bail in Wake of Waukesha Parade Attack Fox News (11/24, Singman) reported that the White House is standing by its push to end cash bail, saying the decision to hold defendants should be based on the threat they pose to society, not their ability to pay bail. The article mentioned that the topic of cash bail policies has come into the spotlight this week after Darrell Brooks plowed through a crowd of innocent people attending a Christmas parade in Wisconsin, killing six people, and injuring others. According to the article, Brooks had an extensive criminal history dating back to 1999, including multiple felonies. A convicted sex offender, Brooks posted bail twice in Wisconsin this year, despite having an active warrant for jumping bail on a sex crime charge in Nevada. Earlier this month, Milwaukee prosecutors requested just $1,000 bail for Brooks after he was arrested and charged for punching his girlfriend in the face and then running her over with his car in a gas station parking lot. Prosecutors now admit that bail was too low. The article also noted that the calls to end cash bail come as FBI data shows an unprecedented rise in violent crime, with numbers of murders in the U.S. rising by nearly 30% in 2020, representing the largest single-year increase recorded since the FBI began tracking the statistic. FBI Investigates Possible Lead on Jimmy Hoffa Case Fox News (11/2S, Lee) reported that the FBI confirmed last week they are looking at a spot near a landfill in New Jersey that could be the burial site of former Teamsters boss Jimmy Hoffa. According to the article, the burial site was reported by Fox Nation and hired a ground-penetrating-radar company, Ground Penetrating Radar Systems, in March 2020 to conduct an underground survey of the location, with a technician describing large pieces of round metal that could be a SS-gallon drum Hoffa was said to have been buried in. FBI obtained a search warrant to examine the site. CNN (11/26, Video) also reported on this article. Lawyer, Police Kept Knowledge of Laundrie Family's Missing Gun From Public CNN (11/26, Romine, Andone) reported that Brian Laundrie's parents discovered a handgun was missing when they voluntarily surrendered their firearms to law enforcement the same day they informed authorities that their son was missing. Laundrie was the subject of a manhunt following the disappearance of his fiancée Gabby Petito, who died by suicide from a gunshot wound to the head and his remains were found in a Florida nature reserve last month. Laundrie's attorney, Steven Bertolino, mentioned that Chris and Roberta Laundrie were surrendering their guns to law enforcement on September 17, the same day they reported their son missing when they discovered one handgun was not in its case. The FBI and North Port police were present at the time of the discovery. Bertolino did not feel it was best for this information to go public because he said, "Imagine, with the frenzied atmosphere at the time, if the public thought Brian had a gun. I cannot speak to why (law enforcement) did not reveal the info but we spoke about it at the time and I believe they felt as I did." According to the article, the circumstances that led to Petito's death remain a mystery. The FBI described her fiancé as a "person of interest" in her murder, but he did not face charges in her death. A federal grand jury had indicted him for allegedly using two accounts that belonged to EFTA00160911 someone else in the days after Petito died. The Epoch Times (11/28, Phillips) and The Independent (11/25, Naughtie) reported on this article. Gabby Petito's Family Attorney Hints at Charges for 'Additional Individuals' in Connection With Her Slaying Newsweek (11/26, Cole) reported that the lawyer representing the family of Gabby Petito, Richard Stafford, has referred to the possibility that "other individuals" may be charged in connection with her death in Wyoming. Petito's partner, Brian Laundrie, was a person of interest in the death of Petito and the discovery of his body on October 19 in the Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park near his parents' home in Florida followed a month- long search by law enforcement. Laundrie died by suicide from a gunshot wound to the head and his remains were found in a Florida nature reserve last month. According to the article, there had been speculation over whether any charges would be brought against Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie. The article also mentioned that Laundrie returned to his parent's home in the van the couple had been traveling in 10 days before she was reported missing. Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani said if the couple helped Brian Laundrie escape law enforcement "by giving him a head start, they can be charged with being accessories after the fact to murder." Stafford said that Gabby Petito's family "has been aware of the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the sole suspect in Gabby's murder." and has also added that her family had been asked to not comment and to let the FBI continue their investigation "and allow the United States Attorney's Office decide on whether any additional individuals will be charged." The Charlotte Observer (11/26, Price) also reported on this article. Laundrie Family Lawyer Says 'No Reason to Think They Will be Charged in Connection with Gabby Petito's Killing Insider (11/24, Musumeci, Niemeyer) reported Steven Bertolino, a lawyer for Brian Laundrie's family, said that he has "no reason" to think the dead man's parents will be charged in connection with Gabby Petito's killing. According to the article, following the medical examiner's ruling, Richard Stafford, an attorney representing Petito's family, claimed that they are considering whether to charge "additional individuals" in the FBI-led case. Laundrie was a person of interest in the death of Petito which resulted in a month-long search by law enforcement. Laundrie died by suicide from a gunshot wound to the head and his remains were found in a Florida nature reserve last month. According to the article, there had been speculation over whether any charges would be brought against Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie since there was speculation that they gave their son a headstart. Laundrie was never charged in connection with Petito's killing. However, Neama Rahmani, the president and co-founder of the personal injury firm West Coast Trial Lawyers, believes that prosecutors would need evidence that Laundrie's parents "knew or should have known" that their son killed Petito to charge them with accessory after the fact. Rahmani also speculated about the possibility of Laundrie's parents being charged with making false statements to the FBI: "If they did lie to law enforcement, lead them on a wild goose chase to get their son a head start, that's a problem." FBI Arrests Suspect Accused of Making Bomb Threats to Schools and Hospitals in Oregon KATU (ABC-2) (11/24, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI arrested a suspect in Missouri who is accused of making bomb threats at several schools and hospitals across Marion, Washington, and Yamhill counties. Sherwood Police reported someone made a bomb threat involving the Sherwood School District earlier this month and the same suspect also allegedly made similar threats in the following weeks to schools and hospitals in the surrounding area. According to the article, Sherwood Police School Resource Officer (SRO) Wolfer worked with their detectives and the Newberg-Dundee Police Department to identify the person behind the threats and learned that he was living in St. Louis, Missouri. Wolfer reached out to the FBI Tuesday to pass along what they learned in the local investigation, and FBI agents quickly found and arrested the suspect. Zoom-Bomb' Attackers Not Associated with Gonzaga University KREM (CBS-2) (11/24, Henkels) reported that authorities have uncovered new leads in the ongoing investigation of the racist and homophobic attack that targeted Gonzaga University's Black Student Union during a Zoom meeting which occurred on November 8 of last year. The people responsible for the slurs are not affiliated with the school or state according to an e-mail release, the people responsible also live outside the United States. According to the article, the Spokane Police Department's Criminal Investigation Unit is assigned to this case along with the FBI. Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh said in an update shortly following the incident. Initial analysis shows that the IP addresses of the attackers are both domestic and international. McCulloh mentioned, "We are aware that other universities and organizations around the nation have been targeted with similar attacks in recent months, and we are learning from their experiences. We are committed to doing everything possible to identify those responsible EFTA00160912 and hold them accountable." The FBI has notified Gonzaga University that the perpetrators most likely responsible for the November 8, 2020 attack on BSU reside outside the U.S. and have no apparent ties to GU. Joliet Financial Advisor Indicted on Federal Fraud Charges ENews Park Forest (11/24, Staff Writer) reported that Ronald Mob, has been charged in an indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Chicago with six counts of wire fraud. Molo has been indicted on federal fraud charges for allegedly swindling several clients out of nearly $800,000. According to the article, Molo worked as a licensed financial advisor in the Joliet branch of a national financial services firm. From 2018 to earlier this year, Molo falsely represented to clients that their investments with him would be income-producing and tax-free and that they would receive regular, periodic interest payments. In reality, Molo did not intend to invest client funds and instead misappropriated their money to pay for personal expenses, including Cadillac XT5 and GMC Yukon sport-utility vehicles, mortgage payments for himself and family members, home remodeling and construction costs, lottery tickets, travel, and shopping expenses, and cash payments to family members. The article also noted that FBI Special Agent Emmerson Buie and other agencies assisted in this indictment. Former Sorority Executive Stole $228,000 From Organization Newsweek (11/24, Klawans) reported that Jeanine Arnett pleaded guilty in April 2021 to bank fraud charges stemming from the stolen funds. Arnett's husband, Diello Arnett also pleaded guilty and will serve 12 months and one day in prison. Jeanine admitted to misappropriating the $228,000 over nearly two years, from October 2017 to September 2019, while Diello acted as an accomplice. Jeanine admitted to using a wide variety of tactics to embezzle the funds. This includes fraudulent ACH money transfers and credit card transactions. Many of these charges were used for personal purchases and expenses, the Dal said. This included significant transactions at places like T-Mobile, Coach, Avis, and more. Delta Sigma Theta fired Jeanine in August 2019. It is unknown if the termination was related to financial issues, but the sorority reportedly discovered the bank fraud one month after she was let go. Jeanine and Diello must also pay $228,357, and will be placed on five years supervised release upon the end of their federal custody. The investigation was led by the U.S. Attorney's Office and the FBI. Police Say Man Suspected in Denver Slaying Arrested in LA The Associated Press (11/24, Staff Writer) reported that Brian Murray, suspected of killing a Denver resident a day after being released from jail, was arrested Tuesday in Los Angeles. Murray was being held for investigation of first- degree murder in the death of William Hoebel. According to the article, Murray had repeated contact with police in Colorado, in the days before Hoebel was killed. After Murray allegedly told dispatchers he was armed and wanted police to shoot him, Louisville police took him to the hospital on November 14 to have him put on a mental health hold. However, no one was available to evaluate him and he was able to leave. The article noted that police took him to the hospital again after getting a court order for an evaluation on November 16 but ended up arresting him after he said had been given a gun but tossed it. He was jailed on suspicion of obstructing government operations and attempting to influence a public servant. On November 17, after finding the gun, police planned to arrest Murray on additional charges but learned he had been released without having to pay any money. Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty said his office opposed releasing Murray and stated, "Brian Murray is an absolute danger to our community and a serious flight risk. Over the past week, the Louisville Police Department has been working incredibly hard to deal with the risks to public safety presented by this man, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney's Office." Federal Officials Are Finally Acting on the Crisis of Missing Indigenous People in America CNN (11/25, Chavez) reported that Mary Johnson was on her way to a friend's home in Washington, the day before Thanksgiving, but she never made it. A year later, her disappearance remains a mystery. Johnson was last seen on the Tulalip Tribes reservation on November 25, 2020. According to the article, family members have posted flyers, put up a billboard on a local interstate, and a reward for information was offered by the FBI, Johnson, like many other missing Indigenous women in the United States, have not been found. For years, families and activists have demanded that authorities direct more attention and resources to cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous women, arguing their cases are often overlooked or dismissed. Federal and state officials have recently publicly acknowledged that there is a "crisis of violence" against Native Americans, and have launched efforts to address it, but advocates say their response is not enough. Last week, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies, including the departments of Justice, Interior, and Homeland Security, to create a strategy within 240 days to address this "crisis of violence" against Native Americans. The article also noted that nearly 5,300 American Indian and Alaska Native girls and women were reported missing last year, data from the EFTA00160913 National Crime Information Center shows. Of those cases, 578 were reported "active" at the end of the year. The Department of Justice said on Tuesday it will be allocating $800,000 to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), to provide outreach, investigative support, and forensic services to cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indiana Mom Kidnaps Woman in Search for Witness in Her Son's Criminal Trial, Feds Say The Charlotte Observer (11/24, Alanis) reported that Patricia Carrington, a woman accused of helping her son kidnap and beat a woman who was then shot and "left for dead", pleaded guilty to kidnapping. Carrington was one of three people involved in the kidnapping of a woman walking home from work near a cemetery in Indiana, on April 14, 2019. The victim knew Carrington and her son for about five years. A driver in a gray car cut the victim off, when a male passenger stepped out, hit the woman in the back of her head with a handgun, and forced her inside. Carrington helped stop the woman from fleeing and took her cell phone. The man duct-taped the woman's hands and Carrington covered her eyes with a sock before wrapping more duct tape around her head. Carrington was involved in asking the victim questions about how to find the victim's sister-in-law. The sister-in-law was scheduled to testify as a victim in a case involving Carrington's son the next day. The Victim was removed from the vehicle, where she "pleaded for her life because the ground was very wet and she thought they were leading her into a body of water to drown her," and was then shot in the face before she fell to the ground. About five more shots were fired as the victim did not move. One of the bullets "grazed her arm," and others hit the ground around her head. After hearing the car drive away, the victim stayed on the ground for about 20 minutes while until she eventually moved behind abandoned houses and tried to find help in case the suspects were still nearby. The victim was eventually treated at a hospital and released. The FBI and police officials discovered a doorbell camera surveillance video that showed the woman "banging on the door screaming for help, bleeding from her face and mouth with duct tape around her neck and wrists." Two days later, she was able to identify Carrington and the male suspect from photos presented by authorities. Carrington was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison and three years of supervised release following the completion of her prison sentence. The man has also pleaded guilty in connection to the case and had not received a sentence yet. Ohio Man Accused of Kidnapping 5-Year-Old Wanted to 'Run Away With Her True Crime Daily (11/24, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI took Jonathan Stinnett into custody and charged him with kidnapping. Stinnett and his fiancée were babysitting a girl and took her to a local park and McDonald's on Nov. 11. According to the article, the girl's mother reportedly told Stinnett and his fiancée to have the girl home by 7 p.m. The mother phoned Stinnett because her daughter was not home yet and it was past 7, but he did not reply to calls or text messages. She repeatedly tried again and no results. The mother reported her daughter missing to the Jackson Township Police Department. Stinnett and his fiancée were believed to be traveling in a silver 1991 Ford Aerostar minivan. The FBI got a call from McLean County Sheriff's Office Illinois about a "suspicious vehicle parked in the area." Deputies checked the license plate and saw it was connected to the missing 5-year-old. McLean County deputies approached the minivan and spoke with Stinnett, who had outstanding warrants. Deputies spotted the girl inside the car and said she "appeared frightened." Stinnett told the FBI the girl was his "friend." He was taken into custody in Mclean County and allegedly admitted he wanted to "escape" and "runaway" with the little girl. Stinnett also mentioned to the FBI his intentions for kidnapping the girl were allegedly "for his sexual gratification." The article noted that the girl was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. The article also noted that Stinnett was extradited from Illinois and is back in Ohio, where he was booked into the Stark County Jail and his fiancée has not been charged Massachusetts Man Found Hiding Under Porch Facing More Than 20 Charges, Including Kidnapping Mass Live (11/24, Katcher) reported that a multi-agency police chase, involving drones, helicopters, K-9 units, and an FBI database, concluded Wednesday, which resulted in Christopher Martelle in custody facing over 20 charges, including kidnapping. Martelle was wanted for running away after an altercation with East Brookfield police officers. They began a search for Martelle with assistance from a host of other departments and agencies, including a Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit, a state police helicopter, a police drone, a Spencer police K-9 unit, and officers from the Brookfield, North Brookfield, and Sturbridge police departments. Martelle was eventually located under the porch of a nearby home. He gave officers an alias which resulted in the help of an FBI fingerprint database to identify him. Ex-Youth Football Coach Gets 45 Years For Recording His Sexual Abuse of Three Minors EFTA00160914 The Associated Press (11/24, Staff Writer) reported that Derek Sheehan was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in July to three counts of sexual exploitation of children. Sheehan was a former youth football coach from Massachusetts who was filmed sexually abusing 11 and 12-year-old children and has been sentenced to 45 years in prison. The investigation started in June 2018 when a minor went to local police to report sexual abuse by Sheehan. A court-authorized search of his home in August 2018 resulted in the seizure of electronic devices that contained child pornography. FBI Special Agent, Joseph Bona, said, "Adults who use their access to children for their sexual gratification, like former football coach Derek Sheehan did, are both a danger and a disgrace. What Derek Sheehan did is absolutely horrific, and the impact on his victims is immeasurable." Newsweek (11/24, Korpar) also reported on the story. FBI Investigating Child Rape Allegations That Went Ignored for a Decade WBRZ (ABC-2) (11/24, Nakamoto) reported that John Mack is accused of raping a teen and is being held without bond in Louisiana. Mack was arrested earlier this year in Jefferson Parish on sexual battery charges. Latoyia Porter, the guardian of the teen, said that the teen tried to get help for nearly a decade. During that time, the teen went through multiple forensic interviews as law enforcement entities investigated. However, Porter mentioned that nothing was done. Last week, Louisiana State Senator Katrina Jackson called for an investigation into the Department of Children and Family Services. Jackson mentioned, "Someone needs to be investigating the agencies that failed to report this." Porter said nothing happened until she partnered with Eugene Collins with the Baton Rouge NAACP. That's when Mack was finally arrested. Collins said, "This child has been failed time and time again, and everyone is running away from taking fault for it." Knowing the FBI is actively investigating now, some are hoping those who dropped the ball, in the beginning, are held accountable as pressure mounts. Collins also mentioned that "They should go to jail, If they did not accept the report, we have to make the assumption they were actively involved in the cover-up and relationship that did not promote them following this along. We can't do that to children." The article noted that Mack is related to a state representative and a Livingston Parish councilman. The Attorney General's Office is now handling the prosecution of Mack after District Attorney Scott Perrilloux's office recused itself. Former Missouri Middle School Teacher Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Illicit Sex With Her Student KTTN-FM (11/24, Staff Writer) reported that Amanda Schweitzer was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Ketchmark to 20 years in federal prison without parole and 15 years of supervised release following incarceration. Schweitzer was sentenced in federal court for charges related to enticing one of her students to engage in illicit sex. Schweitzer was a teacher at North Middle School in Joplin at the time of the offense. The 13-year-old victim, who was a student of Schweitzer's, reported Schweitzer sent nude photos of herself to the victim, with whom she primarily communicated via Instagram, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the victim on at least two occasions in March 2017. The victim reported that he also sent a nude image of himself to Schweitzer. The FBI along with other agencies assisted with the case. Cortland County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Child Exploitation The Courtland Voice (11/24, Smith) reported that Lawrence Berry admitted that he conspired with Brittany Berry, who has pled guilty to her role in the offense and is scheduled to be sentenced in December, to sexually exploit a 3- year-old minor child in August and September of 2018. Berry said he directed Brittany to sexually exploit the child on five different occasions to create and send images and videos of the sexual abuse to him over the internet. Judge Hurd sentenced Lawrence to 25 years of supervised release after imprisonment. Upon release from prison, Lawrence also will be required to register as a sex offender in any state where he lives, is employed, or is a student. The FBI and other agencies assisted with this case. More Than 80 Stolen Cars Recovered by Connecticut Task Force ctpost (11/24, Eng) reported that a collaboration between local police departments has led to the recovery of 84 stolen vehicles over a two-month period, with 11 of those recovered while being used in the commission of another crime. According to the article, Newtown Chief James Viadero shared the statistic with the police chiefs from Bridgeport, Fairfield, Westport, Monroe, Trumbull, and Stratford at the Newtown Police Department in which they touted the achievements of Operation Wingspan, a $5 million collaboration between the city, the suburban towns and the FBI. FBI Agents Investigating Recent Car Thefts and Larcenies in Missouri EFTA00160915 KTVI (FOX-2) (11/28, Held) reported that according to Evita Caldwell, a spokeswoman for the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, authorities from city and county police departments, as well as FBI agents, have been investigating a recent spate of car thefts and larcenies in the region. The article noted that on Nov. 20, police and federal agents executed a search warrant at a home in the Patch neighborhood and located several stolen items, including key fobs tied to recent vehicle thefts. Three people were taken into custody. Caldwell said police are still looking for additional suspects. Driver Wanted by FBI for Armed Bank Robbery Flees to Ohio, Escaping Police The Detroit News (11/24, Harding) reported that Michigan State Police troopers Tuesday chased a driver more than 30 miles on Interstate 75, officials said, before the vehicle ultimately evaded officials in Ohio. The article noted that units were requested by the FBI's violent crimes task force for a person wanted in connection with an armed robbery of a bank "and numerous other charges." The search ended "when officers lost visual contact with the pursued vehicle," the report said. Officer Andrew Dlugosielski said he wasn't sure if Toledo police were working with the FBI as of Wednesday morning. $25,000 in Luxury Purses Stolen in Latest 'Grab and Go' Theft in California USA Today (11/26, Fernando) reported that five people rushed into a Nordstrom store in Southern California the night before Thanksgiving and fled with several purses, the latest incident in a string of grab-and-go thefts and organized robberies plaguing luxury stores. According to the article, these incidents, which have been dubbed "grab and go" or "smash and go" thefts, involve people taking expensive items and running off, rather than traditional shoplifters who snag items here and there while shopping around. The article noted that some of these thefts are also considered organized retail crime, which refers to professional shoplifting rings. They have cost U.S. retail stores and companies as much as $30 billion a year, according to the FBI. Back to Top CYBER DIVISION FBI Warns Industries of Cyberattacks Over the Holidays ABC News (11/24, Barr) reported that ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, CISA and the FBI are urging vigilance to ward off ransomware attacks, asking companies to implement multi-factor authentication and employees not to click on suspicious emails. "While we are not currently aware of a specific threat, we know that threat actors don't take holidays," said CISA Director Jen Easterly in a statement. "We will continue to provide timely and actionable information to help our industry and government partners stay secure and resilient during the holiday season. We urge all organizations to remain vigilant and report any cyber incidents to CISA or FBI." The New York Post (11/24, Patteson), Politico (11/24, Pawlyk), and CBS News (11/24, Gualtieri) also reported on the story. ABC News (11/25, Video) and CNBC (11/24, Video) also reported on the story via video. Opinion: Iranian Hackers Indictment Shows Vulnerability of Online Voter Registration The Washington Times (11/25, Spakovsky) reported that last week, the Justice Department unsealed a federal indictment of two Iranian hackers that shows how the system provides cyber-criminals — and foreign governments — a vulnerable pathway into state databases and our election systems. The article opined that in the past Americans did not have any problems registering to vote using traditional registration methods. "What could be easier than simply filling out the one-page voter registration form that all states use and mailing it in or hand-delivering it? Or registering when you get your driver's license? That system avoids the security problems inherent in providing an Internet gateway, that can be compromised, into a state's election systems. According to the article, "It also highlights the other problem inherent on the Internet that we all experience every day as we are bombarded with false, fraudulent, and fake emails and social media postings. If that is the only place where you are getting your information on politics, you are making a big mistake." Back to Top LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES Police Association Asks Public to 'Stop Filming and Start Helping' When Officers Are Attacked The Independent (11/26, Hurley) reported that the National Police Association is calling on bystanders to step in and help if they see an officer being assaulted rather than filming on mobile phones "in the pursuit of likes and EFTA00160916 attention". According to the article, thousands of officers are being assaulted on the job each month, and police are growing increasingly frustrated with witnesses pulling out their phones rather than lending a hand. "This year over 50,000 law enforcement officers have been assaulted while on duty," a clip released by the association states. "The vast number of these attacks were filmed and uploaded to social media in the pursuit of likes and attention," the video claims. The article noted that according to figures released last month by the FBI, 60,105 law enforcement officers were assaulted while performing their duties in 2020, an increase of more than 6 percent from 2019. FBI Investigating May Police Shooting Death of Louisiana Infant The Sun Herald (11/26, Baker) reported that the FBI Crime Lab is analyzing evidence from the May 3 shooting death of an infant boy from Louisiana killed when police opened fire on a car driven by the baby's father, a double murder suspect. "We needed an independent source to analyze the evidence and then it will be turned over to us," Biloxi Police Chief John Miller said. According to the article, the state crime lab typically analyzes evidence from state investigations, but Miller said he got the FBI Crime Lab involved since MHP and the state crime lab are entities that operate under the umbrella of the Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Statewide Violence Demands Coordinated Police Response in MD, Says Former FBI Agent WBFF (FOX-45) (11/24, Orman) reported that this year is now officially the deadliest year in Baltimore County's history. According to the article, the number of murders isn't just up in the county, but the state of Maryland as well. "People are suffering. People are scared. People are dying. There are far too many funerals. Looking at the crime statistics across the state, no one is without blame. The reality of the matter is that blame has never solved the problem," Former FBI agent Dr. Tyrone Powers said. With Federal Oversight in Short Supply, State AGs Step into Probe Troubled Police The Washington Post (11/24, Kindy) reported that frustrated by the inability to enact wide-scale changes in police departments with long histories of brutality claims, the Colorado General Assembly passed a bill last year giving the state attorney general a power traditionally wielded by the U.S. Department of Justice: to conduct investigations into the "pattern or practice" of civil rights abuses by police departments. According to the article, it was one of four such laws passed by state legislatures across the country after the death of George Floyd. These states are among about 10 that have explicitly given their attorneys general this authority but, except for California, most have only acquired this power in recent years. The article noted that with the Justice Department pattern or practice investigations started under the Biden administration, the Louisville department has about 1,060 officers, Minneapolis has about 800 sworn officers and Phoenix has about 2,700 officers. "Oftentimes with smaller departments," Herring, the state attorney general in Virginia said, "they may not have the breath to provide this oversight." The article added that that can be a problem in a country where 26 percent of local police departments have fewer than five sworn officers and less than 1 percent have 1,000 or more officers, according to the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS CCP Internal Police Leader Elected to Interpol Executive Committee Despite International Outcry The Washington Examiner (11/25, Dunleavy) reported that Hu Binchen, a key Chinese Communist Party police leader, was elected to serve on Interpol's executive committee on Thursday despite opposition from an alliance of international legislators, including Republicans in Congress as well as a host of exiled activists, all of whom warned China would abuse the position. The article noted that Binchen, the deputy director-general for the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, was elected to fill one of two Asian delegate slots during Interpol's General Assembly meeting in Turkey, and the Chinese police officer will serve a three-year term on the international policing organization's 13-member Executive Committee. According to the article, Interpol, with its 194 members, controls a vast quantity of law enforcement data and legal databases that are shared with its membership, including China, which has long been accused of abusing the organization to go after Chinese dissidents and others who criticize the Chinese Communist Party. The article also noted that the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a group comprising legislators from around the world who advocate standing up to the CCP, condemned the selection of the Ministry of Public Security official. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security also runs a global extrajudicial repatriation effort dubbed "Operation Fox Hunt." The article added that FBI Director Christopher Wray has repeatedly warned about Operation Fox Hunt, which is run out of Hu's ministry. EFTA00160917 Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Roger Stone Says FBI is Acting Like Biden's 'Personal Gestapo' The New York Post (11/28, Moore) reported that Roger Stone, a longtime political adviser to former President Donald Trump, accused the FBI of becoming President Biden's "personal Gestapo," and described the subpoena he received from the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill riot as "harassment." Stone, who was pardoned by Trump after being convicted of lying to lawmakers about Russian election interference, slammed the FBI. "We have a group of politicized thugs at the top of the FBI who are using the FBI ... as Joe Biden's personal Gestapo." The Washington Examiner (11/26, Dunleavy) also reported on the story. Could These Epstein Insiders Bring Down Ghislaine Maxwell? The Daily Beast (11/28, Briquelet) reported that British heiress Ghislaine Maxwell will stand trial Monday on charges she procured girls for Jeffrey Epstein's underage sex ring, more than a year after her arrest at a luxury hideout in New Hampshire, and two years after the financier killed himself in a Manhattan jail. According to the article, the 59-year-old socialite is the only member of Epstein's inner circle thus far to face a criminal indictment in the wake of his death despite allegations from victims who say she wasn't alone in facilitating his rampant sexual abuse. She faces eight total counts including sex trafficking of children and sex-trafficking conspiracy. Two perjury charges will be tried separately. If convicted, she could get a maximum sentence of 80 years behind bars. The article noted that one of the pilots on Epstein's payroll cooperated with the FBI and other agencies. Despite Biden Vow, Afghanistan Evacuees Admitted to U.S. Underwent Almost No Vetting Fox News (11/27, Stimson) reported that only a small number of the Afghanistan evacuees who came to the U.S. following President Biden's decision earlier this year to withdraw U.S. troops from the country were vetted in addition to being screened, according to a memo drafted by Senate Republicans. According to the article, while the Biden administration screened the more than 82,000 refugees through terrorist and criminal databases, officials failed to use information gathered from interviews and around 75% of those allowed in the U.S. weren't American citizens, visa holders, applicants, or green cardholders. The New York Post (11/25, Reilly) and Washington Examiner (11/24, Giaritelli) also reported on the story. Arbery, Rittenhouse Cases Spotlight Self-Defense and Vigilantism ABC News (11/26, Alfonseca) reported that the verdicts in favor of Kyle Rittenhouse and against the men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery have shone a renewed spotlight on vigilantism and self-defense in America. According to the article, FBI data shows that the number of rulings of justifiable homicides by private citizens has been on the rise over the past several years. And the rise of vigilantism was the subject of concern voiced by a group of mayors in a letter last September to then-President Donald Trump, who was seen by some as encouraging vigilantism. "The verdict in the Rittenhouse trial gives a green light to people throughout the country who want to bring weapons to protests," said Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., in a statement. "It emboldens vigilantism. Where this jury had an opportunity to address this danger and hold a person who killed two people accountable for his actions, it failed." Judge Vacates Death Sentences of Man Who Was to be Executed for a Crime He Says He Didn't Commit CNN (11/27, Andone) reported that a Tennessee judge this week vacated the death sentences of Pervis Payne, who has spent more than three decades on death row for two murders he says he did not commit, due to the inmate's intellectual disability. As a result, Payne now faces two life sentences, though it remains to be decided whether he will serve them concurrently or consecutively. According to the article, a judge ruled last year that evidence in the case be DNA tested, and according to statements from Payne's attorneys, the results show male DNA from an unknown third party was found on the murder weapon. However, the DNA is "too degraded to identify an alternate suspect via the FBI's database," according to his attorneys. As a result, it was not enough to exonerate Payne. Payne's attorneys have been unable to obtain other evidence like fingernail scrapings from the victim for DNA testing. Opinion: Military, Justice, FBI — Half the Country Has Lost Faith in Pillars of U.S. Civilization The New York Post (11/25, Hanson) reported that for the first time in memory, conservatives now connect the FBI hierarchy with bureaucratic bloat, political bias, and even illegality. In the last five years, the FBI was mostly in the news for the checkered careers of James Comey, Andrew McCabe, Robert Mueller, Lisa Page, and Peter Strzok. Add in the criminality of convicted FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith. The colossal FBI-driven "Russian collusion" hoax was EFTA00160918 marked by the leaking of confidential FBI memos, forged documents, improper surveillance, and serial disinformation. Cuomo's Early Book Dealings Outrage Officials Tasked With Pandemic Response The New York Post (11/24, Campanile, Hogan) reported that officials who worked around the clock on the state's early response to the coronavirus pandemic were livid after hearing that ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo's plot to publish a "leadership" book began before the worst of the outbreak even hit New York. "We were not even at the height of the pandemic in March 2020," said one source who participated in the response to evidence unearthed in the Assembly Judiciary Committee's impeachment probe report on Cuomo. The article noted that the FBI and federal prosecutors in Brooklyn's Eastern District also have made inquiries about the book. Longtime Erie FBI Agent Targets Relationship Building in New Role as Supervisory Senior Agent Erie Times-News (11/26, Hahn) reported that FBI agent Jason T. Crouse, who has spent his 19-year career working in Erie, is now heading the agency's local office which covers seven counties in northwestern Pennsylvania. "Law enforcement was always in the back of my mind, something I always wanted to do," he said. "As I progressed through college and law school, I always viewed the FBI as the pinnacle of law enforcement, so that's what I set my sights on." Commentary: Did the FBI Order Malcolm X's Murder? New Revelations Raise an Old Question Salon (11/27, Hennelly) reported that just a few days before the City of New York removed the oversized statue of Thomas Jefferson from the City Council chamber, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance asked a state court judge to vacate the convictions of two men who were wrongfully convicted for the murder of civil rights visionary Malcolm X in 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem. According to the article, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance noted that "we have obtained now in this reinvestigation, are numerous materials that my office tragically did not have in 1965 and thus did not turn over to the defense," Vance told the court. "Most critically, we have obtained dozens and dozens of reports, from the FBI and the NYPD's Bureau of Special Services and Investigations. ... And, significantly, we now have reports revealing that, on orders from Director J. Edgar Hoover himself, the FBI ordered multiple witnesses not to tell police or prosecutors that they were, in fact, FBI informants." Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS Taiwan Sends Jets After 27 Chinese Planes Enter Buffer Zone • The Associated Press: Taiwan Sends Jets After 27 Chinese Planes Enter Buffer Zone • Reuters: Taiwan Scrambles to See Off Chinese Air Force as Xi Meets Top Brass Taiwan, Europe Must Defend Democracy Together, President Says • Reuters: Taiwan, Europe Must Defend Democracy Together, President Says As China Speeds Up Nuclear Arms Race, the U.S. Wants to Talk • New York Times: As China Speeds Up Nuclear Arms Race, the U.S. Wants to Talk China Carried Out 'Combat Readiness Patrol' as U.S. Lawmakers Visited Taipei • Reuters: China Carried Out 'Combat Readiness Patrol' as U.S. Lawmakers Visited Taipei Baltic Lawmakers Meet Taiwan's Tsai, Stepping Up Cooperation • Associated Press: Baltic Lawmakers Meet Taiwan's Tsai, Stepping Up Cooperation Asian Leaders at Economic Summit Vow to Help Afghanistan • Associated Press: Asian Leaders at Economic Summit Vow to Help Afghanistan Ukraine Leader Alleges Russia-Backed Coup Planned Next Week EFTA00160919 • Associated Press: Ukraine Leader Alleges Russia-Backed Coup Planned Next Week • Associated Press: NATO Chief Warns Russia of 'Costs' if it Moves on Ukraine • Wall Street Journal: U.S. Looks to NATO to Deter Russian Aggression as Ukraine Warns of Possible Coup UK, Israel to Work Together to Stop Iran Gaining Nuclear Weapons • Reuters: UK, Israel to Work Together to Stop Iran Gaining Nuclear Weapons • Wall Street Journal: Iran's Nuclear Advances Weigh on Renewed Talks Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Biden's Nearly $2 Trillion Social Spending and Climate Bill Is a Boon for Unions • Wall Street Journal: Biden's Nearly $2 Trillion Social Spending and Climate Bill Is a Boon for Unions Local News Outlets Could Reap $1.7 Billion in Build Back Better Aid • New York Times: Local News Outlets Could Reap $1.7 Billion in Build Back Better Aid Biden's Economic Plans Collide With Inflation Reality • Wall Street Journal: Biden's Economic Plans Collide With Inflation Reality • Washington Post: Democratic Allies Press the White House to Focus More — and Say More — on Inflation Worries Biden to Nominate Shalanda Young as Budget Director • New York Times: Biden to Nominate Shalanda Young as Budget Director Biden to Nominate Shalanda Young as Budget Director • New York Times: Biden to Nominate Shalanda Young as Budget Director Biden Leads Democratic Push to Block New Abortion Restrictions After Shifting Stance in Campaign • Wall Street Journal: Biden Leads Democratic Push to Block New Abortion Restrictions After Shifting Stance in Campaign • New York Times: Fetal Viability, Long an Abortion Dividing Line, Faces a Supreme Court Test Interior Dept. Report on Drilling Is Mostly Silent on Climate Change • New York Times: Interior Dept. Report on Drilling Is Mostly Silent on Climate Change Former Defense Chief Mark Esper Sues Pentagon Over Book Redactions • Wall Street Journal: Former Defense Chief Mark Esper Sues Pentagon Over Book Redactions • New York Times: Esper Claims Defense Dept. Is Improperly Blocking Parts of His Memoir Back to Top BIG PICTURE Wall Street Journal • Nations Tighten Controls To Stem Variant • Rout Exposes Perils of Margin • Holiday Shoppers Return to Stores EFTA00160920 New York limes • Racing to Assess How Shots Work Vs. New Variant • Biden Explores Talks as China Builds Arsenal • A Tear-Streaked Face and a Scramble to Help in Maine Washington Post • Chronicling snowfall, alone at 10,000 feet • Biden focuses on boosters to protect against omicron • International travel hit fast by virus disruptions Financial Times • Shoppers spend heavily on Black Friday despite early-purchase trend • Glass bottle shortage leaves US distillers high and dry • 'Tax giveaways to millionaires': Democrats"Salt' plans divide party ABC News • Countries worldwide race to understand new COVID-19 variant; Shoppers and police on high alert over rise in smash-and-grab robberies; Will supply chain issues affect Cyber Monday? CBS News • U.S. to impose new travel restrictions on southern African countries; "Soul Train" marks the 50th anniversary. NBC News • U.S. braces for Omicron variant with new travel restrictions, travel chaos as countries prepare for Omicron variant, and answering your questions about the Omicron variant. Fox News • Biden imposes new COVID rules as new variant emerges out of South Africa, Rittenhouse and Arbery: A tale of two trials, and Holiday shopping season kicks off amid rising inflation and omicron variant woes. Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE Washington Schedule White House President Biden • 10:00 AM: The President and The Vice President receive the President's Daily Brief • 10:45 AM: The President and The Vice President receive a briefing from members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team on the latest developments related to the Omicron variant • 11:45 AM: The President delivers remarks to provide an update on the Omicron variant • 1:00 PM: Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jen Psaki • 2:00 PM: The President meets with the CEOs of companies in a variety of sectors to discuss the holiday shopping season and his Administration's work to move goods to shelves EFTA00160921 • 3:45 PM: The President delivers remarks on his Administration's work to strengthen the nation's supply chains, lower everyday costs for families, and ensure that shelves are well-stocked this holiday season Vice President Harris • 10:00 AM: The President and The Vice President receive the President's Daily Brief • 10:45 AM: The President and The Vice President receive a briefing from members of the White House COVID-19 Response Team on the latest developments related to the Omicron variant US Senate • No events are scheduled. US House of Representatives • No events are scheduled. Cabinet Members • No events are scheduled. Visitors • No events are scheduled. General Events • Brookings Institution: The state of Africa's free trade agreement and strategies for greater integration— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: Virtual Event, 10:00 AM. While the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the implementation of the promising African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), the need for such regional unity and economic integration has never been more important. Indeed, an Africa with more open boundaries will enhance the economic prospects of its people and facilitate access to goods and services to make its citizens healthier and more prosperous. While some studies have found that the AfCFTA can boost combined consumer and business spending in the region to over $6.7 trillion by 2030, perhaps more importantly, the AfCFTA could increase real income gains by 7 percent, boost African exports by $560 billion, and lift 30 million Africans from extreme poverty as soon as 2035. • Center for Strategic and International Studies: Exploring the Black Box of North Korea in a Globalized Context— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: Virtual Event, 9:00 AM. Please join the CSIS Korea Chair for a discussion on the results of a multi-year project dedicated to unpacking the multifaceted layers of the North Korean state and its regional relationships. Members of the Washington Research Consortium on Korea will gather to discuss different methodological approaches to exploring understudied issues related to North Korean society, markets, and ideology. The Consortium's multidisciplinary research and methodology involve the fields of social history; diplomatic history; strategy and national security studies; data collection and analysis; postmodern concepts of statehood and methods of state control; evolving concepts of citizenship and identity; domestic politics; and the impacts of markets, transnational networks, and new sources of information on society. • Center for Strategic and International Studies: Unpacking China's Sixth Plenum— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: Virtual Event, 3:00 PM. The recently concluded 6th Plenum of the 19th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party marked the further consolidation of power by Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The meeting strongly signaled that Xi will remain in power beyond next year's 20th Party Congress, but it also sent important signals on the future direction of domestic and foreign policy. To unpack the significance of the 6th Plenum, please join the CSIS Freeman Chair in China Studies, China Power Project, and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics for a discussion on the key takeaways and implications of this year's plenary session. The discussion will feature discussants Chris Buckley, Chief China Correspondent at the New EFTA00160922 York Times; Phillip C. Saunders, Director of the Center for the Study of Chinese Military Affairs at National Defense University; Patricia Thornton, Associate Professor of Chinese Politics at the University of Oxford; and Scott Kennedy, senior adviser and Trustee Chair in Chinese Business and Economics at CSIS. The discussion will be moderated by Jude Blanchette, Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS, and Bonny Lin, senior fellow for Asian security and director of the China Power Project at CSIS. . Atlantic Council: Future Foreign Policy series: Reinvigorating US diplomacy— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: Virtual Event, 11:00 AM. Please join the New American Engagement Initiative on Monday, November 29, at 11 a.m. EST for a virtual discussion featuring Amb. David Miller and Amb. Deborah McCarthy. The two will speak about their ideas for reinvigorating US foreign policy. They will each cover topics that represent new, innovative directions for US diplomacy, including the use of big data by the State Department, aligning commercial interests with diplomatic approaches, and better communicating foreign policy goals and methods to the American people. There is a growing gap between what Americans say their foreign policy priorities are and what US policy pursues. The Biden administration's "Foreign Policy for the Middle Class" attempts to connect US actions abroad with the lived experiences of the American people. This Future Foreign Policy event will explore how US foreign policy can deliver tangible outcomes for Americans by changing how the United States engages with the rest of the world and what issues it prioritizes. • Wilson Center: After One Hundred Winters: In Search of Reconciliation on America's Stolen Lands— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: Virtual Event, 4:00 PM. In After One Hundred Winters, award-winning settler historian Margaret Jacobs confronts, from both a personal and academic standpoint, the harsh truth that the United States was founded on the violent dispossession of Indigenous peoples. She reveals how elusive reconciliation has been, past and present, in the U.S. and other settler-colonial nations, but also documents promising grassroots efforts to heal historical wounds and make redress for our nation's haunted past. • Hudson Institute: Understanding Wolf Warrior Diplomacy with Peter Martin— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: Virtual Event, 12:00 PM. In recent years, Chinese diplomats have adopted an increasingly aggressive posture toward the United States and its democratic partners, known as "wolf warrior diplomacy." However, as Bloomberg journalist and China expert Peter Martin discusses in his new book, "China's Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy," neither this style of diplomacy nor the strategic considerations behind it are new to China's approach to foreign policy. Join Senior Fellow Nury Turkel for a discussion with Peter Martin on the motivations behind China's escalation of aggressive diplomatic tactics and its implications for U.S.-China relations. • Military Communications Conference— Monday, November 29, 2021. Location: San Diego, California. For more than 35 years the MILCOM conference has served as the pre-eminent forum for sharing research related to the unique challenges of military communications. The contributions from and collaborations across academia, industry, and government have been a hallmark of the conferences since their inception. IEEE Communications Society (ComSoc) and AFCEA International (AFCEA) are proud to jointly sponsor this conference and remain strongly committed to the event due to the increasing criticality of communications and networking to future military operations. Mobile version and searchable archives available at https://fbi.barbaricumanalytics.com EFTA00160923