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From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing_Draft" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - DRAFT: FBI Daily News Briefing - July 2, 2024 Date: Tue, 02 Jul 2024 09:05:02 +0000 Importance: Normal View In Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal July 02, 2024 Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • U.S. Supreme Court Finds Trump Has Broad Immunity From Prosecution • Trump Ally Steve Bannon Surrenders to Federal Prison to Serve 4-Month Sentence on Contempt Charges • FBI Emphasizes Role of Community and Behavioral Indicators in Preventing Surge of 4th of July Mass Shootings • U.S. Marshals Rescue 200 Missing Children Over Six Weeks • Continued Reporting: Eight Floridians Accused in Nationwide Health Care Fraud Scheme COUNTERTERRORISM • U.S. Military Says European Forces Vigilant Amid Reports of Terror Alert • Analysis: Terrorists Slipping Across the U.S. Border and What the Evidence Shows COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Satellite Images Show Expansion of Suspected Chinese Spy Bases in Cuba • Former U.S. Air Force Member Faces Charges for Leaking Classified Defense Secrets CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • House Republicans Sue Attorney General Garland Over Access to Biden Special Counsel Interview Audio • Florida Prosecutors Knew Epstein Raped Teenage Girls Two Years Before Cutting Deal, Transcript Shows • The Karen Read Murder Case Ends in a Mistrial. Prosecutors Say They Will Try Again • MS-13 Gang Member Wanted for Murder in El Salvador Arrested in NYC After Entering U.S. Illegally EFTA01655846 • Bob Menendez's Sister Said Cash Kept in House Is a 'Cuban Thing' • FBI Investigating After 176 Gravestones Were Vandalized at Jewish Cemetery in Cincinnati • Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Armorer Requests Prison Release Days Before Actor's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial • Texas Juvenile Arrested, Accused of More Than 100 Bomb Threats in Several States • FBI Arrests New Texas Man Accused of Plotting School Shooting • Collectible Coin Scam on the Rise, FBI Warns • FBI Raids in Oakland: A Timeline of Key Events and Relationships • FBI Opens Investigation Into Potential Surrogate Escrow Scam • FBI, Police Looking For Older, Female Suspect in Colorado Bank Robbery • FBI Locates Individual Sought in Sexual Exploitation Investigation CYBER DIVISION • Alleged FBI Server Details and Login Pages Shared on Hacking Forum • HHS, FBI Warn Healthcare Sector of Social Engineering Scheme INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • Treasury Sanctions Mexico and China-Based Money Launderers Linked to the Sinaloa Cartel CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS • Tennessee Man Sentenced for Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach • Virginia School Board Member Sentenced for Role in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot • Florida Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach OTHER FBI NEWS • Continued Reporting: Plea Deal Offered to Boeing in Connection With Two Plane Crashes • Flash Flooding After New Mexico Wildfires Highlights Climate Risks • New Sherri Papini Documentary Will Showcase Infamous Kidnapping Hoax 'In Her Own Words' • Opinion: The Weaponization of Security Clearances • Opinion: I Deeply Respect the FBI. It's in That Spirit That I Say They're Getting This Very Wrong INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Robberies, Revenge Killings Send Gaza Deeper Into Chaos • Divide Over Antisemitism in France Weakens Unity Against Far Right • Hurricane Beryl Strengthens on Way to Jamaica, Threatens Catastrophe • Ukraine Says It Foiled Another Russian Plot to Topple the Government • Palestinian Fighters in West Bank Seek to Emulate Hamas in Gaza • As Iran Faces a Rare Runoff Presidential Election, Disenchanted Voters Are Staying Away • North Korea Says It Tested Ballistic Missile Capable of Carrying Super-Large Warhead • NATO to Establish Kyiv Post, and Seeks to 'Trump-Proof' Ukraine Aid • Ahead of Election, Venezuela's Maduro Says He Has Agreed to Resume Negotiations With United States • Ukrainian Air Base Under Fire as Russia Aims at F-16 Arrivals EFTA01655847 OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Federal Court Blocks Biden's Pause on Approving Gas Export Projects • Supreme Court Orders Second Look at Texas and Florida Social Media Laws • Supreme Court Opens Door to 'Tsunami' of Regulatory Challenges • Court Orders White Nationalists to Pay $2M More for Charlottesville Unite the Right Violence • Why Kamala Harris Would Be Biden's Likeliest Replacement • Next Attack on Federal Agency Power Is Already Before the U.S. Supreme Court • Stand-off Between Feds and Oklahoma as New Migrant Ban Blocked • ACLU Says It Won't Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Voting Rights Case • Arkansas Groups Not Asking US Supreme Court to Review Ruling Limiting Scope of Voting Rights Act • Atlanta City Council Approves Settlement of $2M for Students Pulled From Car During 2020 Protests BIG PICTURE • New York Times WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS U.S. Supreme Court Finds Trump Has Broad Immunity From Prosecution Reuters (07/01, Kruzel, Chung) and the Associated Press (07/01, Richer, Tucker, Kunzelman) reported that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of granting former President Donald Trump broad immunity from prosecution for actions undertaken during his presidency. The 6-3 decision, written by Chief Justice John Roberts, emphasized that constitutional powers provide a former president with absolute immunity for core responsibilities and presumptive immunity for actions within the outer perimeter of official duties. This decision overturned a lower court's ruling that had denied Trump's claim of immunity regarding federal criminal charges tied to his efforts to contest the 2020 election outcome. According to the articles, President Biden criticized the ruling, arguing that it establishes a dangerous precedent that weakens the legal constraints on presidential power, potentially allowing future presidents to act above the law. On the other hand, Trump hailed the decision as a significant victory for the Constitution and democracy, asserting it was crucial for the presidency to function without fear of unwarranted legal repercussions. The articles explained that Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing a strongly worded dissent joined by the other liberal justices, claimed the ruling effectively creates a "law-free zone" around the president. She warned of a scenario where the president could misuse his official powers without fear of criminal prosecution, dramatically altering the balance of power within the U.S. government. Additional reporting on the story was provided by the Wall Street Journal (07/01, Bravin), New York Times (07/01, Liptak), Washington Post (07/01, Marimow, Barrett), CNN (07/01, Fritze), Fox News (07/01, Singman, Herlihy), ABC News (07/01, Dwyer, Hutzler), NBC News (07/01, Hurley), CBS News (07/01, Quinn, Legare), CNBC (07/01, Breuninger), Washington Times (07/01, Dinan, Wilson), Washington Examiner (07/01, Hillyer), Politico (07/01, Gerstein, Cheney), BBC (07/01, Debusmann), USA Today (07/01, Groppe, Jansen), NewsNation Now (07/01, Whiteside), Deadline (07/01, Johnson), The Independent (07/01, O'Connell, Sommerlad), The Verge (07/01, Feiner, Valle), Voice of America (07/01, Bredemeier), Los Angeles Times (07/01, Savage), Time (07/01, Popli), Business Insider (07/01, Griffiths), Rolling Stone (07/01, Ramirez, Suebsaeng), Bloomberg (07/01, Stohr), Axios (07/01, Doherty, Saric), Al Jazeera (07/01, Staff Writer), The Guardian (07/01, Lowell), NPR (07/01, Totenberg), MSNBC (07/01, Rubin), New York Post (07/01, King), Vanity Fair (07/01, Lutz), NY]. (07/01, Tasolides), and People (07/01, Alford). Trump Ally Steve Bannon Surrenders to Federal Prison to Serve 4-Month Sentence on Contempt Charges The Associated Press (07/01, Whitehurst, Haigh) and Reuters (07/01, Lynch) reported that Steve Bannon, a longtime ally of former President Donald Trump, surrendered at a federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut, to begin a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress charges related to the investigation into the Capitol attack on EFTA01655848 January 6. According to the articles, Bannon, who declared himself a "political prisoner," expressed pride in going to prison as a stand against what he termed the "corrupt D01" under Attorney General Merrick Garland. He had remained free for nearly two years while appealing his conviction, but an appeals court upheld his conviction and the Supreme Court declined his last-minute appeal. At the prison, Bannon was met by a mix of supporters and protesters, with supporters cheering and some protesters shouting accusations. The articles also mentioned that Bannon faces additional charges in New York related to allegedly defrauding donors for a U.S.-Mexico border wall project, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Additional reporting on the story was provided by the New York Times (07/01, McKinley, Gupta), Wall Street Journal (07/01, Salama), CNN (07/01, Murray, Polantz, Cole), Fox News (07/01, Wallace), Washington Examiner (07/01, Sirle), ABC News (07/01, Katersky, Charalambous, Shalvey), CBS News (07/01, Watson), NBC News (07/01, Hillyard, Gallo, Lebowitz), CNBC (07/01, Rozzelle), MSNBC (07/01, Benen), USA Today (07/01, Jansen, Waddick), The Guardian (07/01, Yang, Herman), Newsweek (07/01, Venegas), Deadline (07/01, Johnson), The Hill (07/01, Sforza), Axios (07/01, Saricd), New York Post (07/01, Christenson), and Rolling Stone (07/01, Ramirez). FBI Emphasizes Role of Community and Behavioral Indicators in Preventing Surge of 4th of July Mass Shootings ABC News (07/01, Barr) reported that there has been an increase in mass shootings during the 4th of July holiday over the past three years, with a total of 80 incidents occurring between July 1-7 since 2021, as noted by Mark Bryant, the executive director of the Gun Violence Archive. In 2021, there were 25 mass shootings during this week, followed by 27 in 2022, and 28 in 2023. According to the article, the increase in violence during these celebrations is attributed to factors such as larger gatherings, high temperatures, alcohol consumption, and easy access to weapons during holiday events. The article explained that in mass shooting incidents, there are indicators and warning signs that the FBI is trying to be proactive about before something happens, according to the head of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). "We know that these offenders that go on to commit these mass attacks follow, a lot of times a very specific pathway, a very specific trajectory," Dr. Karie Gibson, the unit chief of the MU, told ABC News. The article noted that the FBI has a website that was launched in May that is aimed at preventing mass shootings and alerting of indicators that someone could be headed down the pathway to violence. Certain indicators, according to the FBI, are concerning jokes or comments, an interest in previous mass shootings, and troublesome interactions with others. "There has to be involvement before somebody has broken the law or before a crime has been committed. And so with this campaign, it's really highlighting the importance of the bystanders and how important it is for them to come forward, the significant role that they have," Gibson said. The article stated that the FBI urges people to contact their local field office and that sometimes an arrest or law enforcement action is not necessary. "Many people don't realize that law enforcement has a proactive prevention arm to deal with individuals that are on that pathway to violence, to deal with mitigating this targeted violence that we face," Gibson said. FBI Reminds Utahns to Look Out for Signs of Potential Mass Attacks KSL (NBC-5) (07/01, Houck) reported that the FBI launched its "Prevent Mass Violence" campaign, which is focused on educating the public about the behavioral signs that might indicate someone is on a pathway to committing violence. Special Agent Shohini Sinha of the FBI Salt Lake City Field Office emphasized, "Active shooters, mass shooters, do not just 'snap," explaining that these individuals "consider, they plan, and they prepare for their attacks over time. Sometimes as long as years." According to the article, the campaign encourages vigilance among the public to recognize concerning behaviors, such as violent comments or jokes, increasing isolation, and an obsessive interest in prior attacks. Sinha advised, "So, if you notice anybody doing any of these things, it's important you talk to somebody you trust," urging the public to reach out to authorities without feeling the need to have all the answers. The article noted that this initiative comes in response to the FBI's findings of a significant increase in active shooter incidents in the U.S. since 2019. KTVX (ABC-4) (07/01, Video) provided video reporting on the story. U.S. Marshals Rescue 200 Missing Children Over Six Weeks Fox News (07/01, Wehner) reported that the U.S. Marshals Service successfully recovered 200 missing children across the United States during "Operation We Will Find You 2," a six-week national sting that ended last week. The article explained that the operation, which was the second of its kind, was conducted in various U.S. locations and led to the recovery of 123 children from dangerous situations like sex trafficking and exploitation, with the remainder found in safer circumstances. "There are no words to describe the terror felt by missing children, their EFTA01655849 families, and their communities," Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said. "I am grateful to the dedicated professionals of the U.S. Marshals Service and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children who worked to find 200 critically missing children during this six-week operation, and who work every day to keep children safe." News Nation Now (07/01, Lambert) noted that there were over 375,000 children reported missing across the country according to the FBI National Crime Information Center in 2023. UPI (07/01, Cone) added that approximately 460,000 children are reported missing each year, according to the FBI, with 99.8 percent eventually coming home alive and well. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (07/01, Barr), Daily Caller (07/01, Angela), WWMT (CBS-3) (07/01, Forth), KIVU (FOX-2) (07/01, Staff Writer), KIRO (CBS-7) (07/01, Garrett), KFOR (NBC-4) (07/01, Hudson), KSAZ (FOX-30) (07/01, Ragas), KOLD (CBS-13) (07/01, Staff Writer), and Tampa FP (07/01, Grissom). Continued Reporting: Eight Floridians Accused in Nationwide Health Care Fraud Scheme WESH (NBC-2) (07/01, Rodriguez) and WGCU (PBS-30) (07/01, Staff Writer) reported that eight Floridians and one Ohio man have been implicated in a nationwide health care fraud scheme that involved nearly 200 people, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. These individuals are part of a larger group accused of generating over $2.75 billion in false billings through various schemes, including Medicare fraud and the illegal distribution of opioids. According to the article, notable charges include fraudulent collection of Medicare funds, illegal sale and prescription of Adderall, and tampering with and theft of fentanyl. The Department of Justice's 2024 National Health Care Fraud Enforcement Action highlighted these charges, with cases being prosecuted by multiple U.S. Attorneys' Offices and assistance from several federal agencies including the FBI, IRS, and Homeland Security. The article noted that this enforcement action also led to the seizure of over $231 million in assets, including cash, luxury vehicles, and gold. The article quoted a statement from Attorney General Merrick B. Garland: "The Justice Department will bring to justice criminals who defraud Americans, steal from taxpayer-funded programs, and put people in danger for the sake of profits." Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM U.S. Military Says European Forces Vigilant Amid Reports of Terror Alert The Epoch Times (07/01, Phillips) reported that the U.S. military's European command has increased its vigilance amid reports of a potential terrorist threat against U.S. bases in Europe, raising the alert to Force Protection Condition "Charlie." According to the article, this heightened alert is based on credible intelligence of a possible attack within the next week, although specific details were not disclosed. The article noted that the U.S. Department of Defense has emphasized its ongoing assessment and precautionary measures to ensure the safety of service members and their families in Europe, urging them to remain vigilant and alert at all times. The article added that in the United States, Director Wray has, on multiple occasions, issued multiple warnings about the possibility of a terrorist attack inside the United States. "Foreign terrorists, including ISIS, al-Qaeda, and their adherents, have renewed calls for attacks against Jewish communities here in the United States and across the West in statements and propaganda," Director Wray said in April. "The foreign terrorist threat and the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, like the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russia Concert Hall a couple of weeks ago, is now increasingly concerning. Oct. 7 and the conflict that's followed will feed a pipeline of radicalization and mobilization for years to come;' he stated, making reference to a terrorist attack claimed by ISIS in Moscow, Russia, that left more than 140 people dead in April and the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel by the Hamas terrorist group. Analysis: Terrorists Slipping Across the U.S. Border and What the Evidence Shows An analysis from The Christian Science Monitor (07/01, Bryant) reported that Director Wray highlighted the elevated threat of foreign terrorist organizations attacking the U.S., noting the potential for these groups to exploit entry points such as the southwest border. He stated, "Looking back over my career in law enforcement, I'd be hard-pressed to think of a time when so many different threats to our public safety and national security were so elevated all at once." Director Wray also emphasized the significance of the threat following the Hamas cross- border raid on Israel, saying, "Obviously, their ability to exploit any point of entry, including our southwest border, is a source of concern." The article addressed the increased number of individuals on the terrorist watch list encountered at U.S. borders, with a notable rise in such incidents under the current administration, intensifying concerns about the potential for terrorist infiltrations. EFTA01655850 Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Satellite Images Show Expansion of Suspected Chinese Spy Bases in Cuba The Wall Street Journal (07/02, Strobel) reported that satellite images have revealed the expansion of electronic eavesdropping stations in Cuba, suspected to be linked to China, including a new site near the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay. This expansion was detailed in a report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which identified four significant sites, suggesting that China may be using these facilities to intercept sensitive communications from the southeastern U.S., including military and commercial signals. According to the article, the most recent site, still under construction near Santiago de Cuba, could potentially monitor communications from Guantanamo. In its annual threat assessment released in February, the U.S. intelligence community said publicly for the first time that China is pursuing military facilities in Cuba, without providing details. The article added that Chinese officials stress that the U.S. has a vast global network of military bases and listening posts. "The U.S. is no doubt the leading power in terms of eavesdropping and does not even spare its Allies," Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China's embassy in Washington, wrote in a statement. "The U.S. side has repeatedly hyped up China's establishment of spy bases or conducting surveillance activities in Cuba." The article explained that the concern about the stations, former officials and analysts say, is that China is using Cuba's geographical proximity to the southeastern U.S. to scoop up sensitive electronic communications from American military bases, space-launch facilities, and military and commercial shipping. Chinese facilities on the island "could also bolster China's use of telecommunications networks to spy on U.S. citizens," said Leland Lazarus, an expert on China-Latin America relations at Florida International University. The article does not contain a direct FBI mention. Former U.S. Air Force Member Faces Charges for Leaking Classified Defense Secrets Clearance Jobs (07/01, Suciu) reported that Paul Freeman, a former U.S. Air Force member from Niceville, FL, has been charged with leaking classified national defense information about U.S. Air Force aircraft and weapons systems between November 2020 and March 2021. According to the article, the FBI, along with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations, is handling the investigation, although details of the recipients of the leaked information or their potential connections to foreign governments have not been disclosed. In addition to Freeman's case, the article mentioned several other recent espionage-related incidents within the U.S. military. Chief Petty Officer Bryce Pedicini was convicted of attempted espionage for providing classified documents to a foreign government employee. This took place between November 2022 and May 2023, and he faced multiple charges, resulting in a conviction that included failure to obey a lawful order and violation of a lawful general order. Furthermore, two U.S. Navy sailors, Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao (also known as Thomas Zhao) and Jinchao Wei, were arrested in separate cases for their attempts to pass military secrets to Chinese intelligence. Zhao was sentenced to over two years in federal prison after accepting nearly $15,000 in bribes in exchange for sensitive information, including video recordings and documents related to U.S. radar and military exercises in the Indo- Pacific Region. Wei, on the other hand, is facing life in prison after allegedly revealing sensitive information about U.S. Navy ships and has pleaded not guilty. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS House Republicans Sue Attorney General Garland Over Access to Biden Special Counsel Interview Audio The Associated Press (07/01, Amiri) reported that House Republicans on Monday filed a lawsuit against Attorney General Merrick Garland for the audio recording of President Joe Biden's interview with a special counsel in his classified documents case, asking the courts to enforce their subpoena and reject the White House's effort to withhold the materials from Congress. The article added that the lawsuit filed by the House Judiciary Committee marks Republicans' latest broadside against the Justice Department as partisan conflict over the rule of law animates the 2024 presidential campaign. The legal action comes weeks after the White House blocked Garland from releasing the audio recording to Congress by asserting executive privilege. The article stated that Republicans in the House responded by voting to make Garland the third attorney general in U.S. history to be held in contempt of Congress. But the Justice Department refused to take up the contempt referral, citing the agency's "longstanding position and uniform practice" to not prosecute officials who don't comply with subpoenas because of a EFTA01655851 president's claim of executive privilege. Politico (07/01, Carney), New York Times (07/01, Broadwater), CBS News (07/01, Yilek), the Hill (07/01, Brooks, Beitsch), Axios (07/01, Solender), National Review (07/01, Lynch), Roll Call (07/01, Tarinelli), CNN (07/01, Grayer), UPI (07/01, Benson), Huffington Post (07/01, Delaney), Washington Examiner (07/01, Schilke), New York Post (07/01, Nelson), and the Daily Wire (07/01, Mahieu) also reported on the story. Florida Prosecutors Knew Epstein Raped Teenage Girls Two Years Before Cutting Deal, Transcript Shows The Associated Press (07/01, Spencer) reported that Florida prosecutors knew the late millionaire and financier Jeffrey Epstein sexually assaulted teenage girls two years before they cut a plea deal that has long been criticized as too lenient and a missed opportunity to imprison him a decade earlier, according to transcripts released Monday. The article added that the 2006 grand jury investigation was the first of many by law enforcement over the past two decades into Epstein's rape and sex trafficking of teenagers — and how his ties to the rich and the powerful seem to have allowed him to avoid prison or a serious jail term for over a decade. The article noted that Circuit Judge Luis Delgado's release of approximately 150 pages on Monday came as a surprise since there was a scheduled hearing next week over unsealing the graphic testimony. Gov. Ron DeSantis had signed a bill in February allowing the release on Monday or any time thereafter that Delgado ordered. Florida grand jury transcripts are usually kept secret forever, but the bill created an exemption for cases like Epstein's. The article mentioned that the transcripts show that the grand jury heard testimony that Epstein, who was then in his 40s, had raped teenage girls as young as 14 at his Palm Beach mansion, often paying them so he could commit statutory rape or assault. The teenagers testified and told detectives they were also paid cash or rented cars if they found him more girls. Fox News (07/01, Vacchiano, Ruiz), the Times (07/01, Hurley, Pavia), New York Post (07/01, Reyes), BBC (07/01, Matza), USA TODAY (07/01, Baltz, Phillips), Washington Post (07/01, Rozsa), ABC News (07/01, Hill), Newsweek (07/01, Lewis), and the New York Daily News (07/01, Wilkinson) also reported on the story. The Karen Read Murder Case Ends in a Mistrial. Prosecutors Say They Will Try Again The Associated Press (07/01, Casey) reported that a judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the polarizing and much-watched case of Karen Read, a woman accused of striking her Boston police officer boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm. The article stated that prosecutors say they intend to retry the case in which the defense asserted that Read had been framed by police. On the fifth day of deliberation, jurors sent Judge Beverly Cannone a note saying they remained at an impasse in the case involving the January 2022 death of John O'Keefe. According to the article, Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, faced second-degree murder and other charges in the death of O'Keefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police who was found outside a Canton home of another Boston police officer. An autopsy found O'Keefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma. Prosecutors said Read and O'Keefe had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away. The article noted that the defense sought to portray Read as the victim, saying O'Keefe was actually killed inside Albert's home and then dragged outside. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a "convenient outsider" who saved them from having to consider other suspects, including Albert and other law enforcement officers at the party. The Washington Post (07/01, Bellware, Sunman) reported that the defense was bolstered by reports from an FBI probe into O'Keefe's death that said his injuries did not appear to be from a vehicle strike, and by damaging testimony from Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, a lead investigator in the case. The Guardian (07/01, Oladipo), Fox News (07/01, Eberhart), Boston Globe (07/01, Cotter), CBS News (07/01, Schooley, Rex), NBC News (07/01, Stelloh), CNN (07/01, Casarez, Levenson, et al.), New York Magazine (07/01, Stieb), New York Times (07/01, Russell), New York Post (07/01, DeGregory, Vago), USA TODAY (07/01, Osterman), Axios (07/01, Deehan, Solis), Time (07/01, Schneid, Lee), WWLP (NBC-22) (07/01, D'Amours), and WCVB (ABC-5) (07/01, Bienick) also reported on the story. MS-13 Gang Member Wanted for Murder in El Salvador Arrested in NYC After Entering U.S. Illegally Fox News (07/01, Price) reported that an MS-13 gang member wanted for murder in El Salvador was apprehended by New York City U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents after entering the U.S. illegally as a gotaway, according to authorities. The article noted that on June 20, NYC-based ICE deportation officers arrested 27-year-old Melvin Orlando Hernandez Villanueva. According to authorities, Hernandez Villanueva is a Salvadoran MS-13 gang member with an Interpol Red Notice for two counts of aggravated homicide in El Salvador. He was arrested in Queens and had marijuana and a loaded handgun on him, authorities said. The article mentioned that Salvadoran authorities issued an arrest warrant for Hernandez Villanueva on March 28, 2019. On Oct. 12, EFTA01655852 2023, the FBI provided ERO New York City's Long Island officers with information pertaining to Hernandez Villanueva's Interpol Red Notice. The article quoted FBI New York Field Office acting Assistant Director in Charge Christie M. Curtis, who said, "One cannot get away with murder, even when attempting to flee and hide in another country, Melvin Orlando Hernandez Villanueva, an MS-13 gang member, allegedly illegally lived in our city to evade El Salvadorian authorities and avoid facing retribution for his alleged murder charges. With the assistance of our law enforcement partners. This arrest reflects the FBI's commitment to capturing fugitives and removing dangerous criminals from our neighborhoods." Bob Menendez's Sister Said Cash Kept in House Is a 'Cuban Thing' The New York Times (07/01, Tully, Weiser) reported that Senator Robert Menendez's sister testified on Monday about their parents' journey from Cuba and the family's practice of storing cash at home, offering justification for a habit he has said explains at least some of the roughly $480,000 FBI agents seized during a search of his New Jersey home. The article stated that the sister, Caridad Gonzalez, was 8 years old when her parents fled Cuba in 1951, three years before Menendez was born in New York City. She told jurors that their father, a tie manufacturer, stored money in a false bottom of a grandfather clock in their home in Havana. The article stated that it was a habit, she said, that Menendez, 70, adopted after hearing tales of a visit by police officers who pressured their father to shut down a manufacturing facility he had operated in the back of their home. When she was working as Menendez's legal secretary in the 1980s, Gonzalez said her brother once asked her to retrieve $500 in cash he kept stored in a box in his family's apartment in Union City, N.J. The article added that Gonzalez was the first witness called Monday as the senator's lawyers began to present a defense against charges that Menendez accepted gold bars, hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash, and a Mercedes-Benz in exchange for political favors. Politico (07/01, Rivard), CBS News (07/01, Yilek), New York Post (07/01, Fierick, Kochman), and the Washington Examiner (07/01, Chakraborty) also reported on the story. FBI Investigating After 176 Gravestones Were Vandalized at Jewish Cemetery in Cincinnati WLWT (NBC-5) (07/01, Stone) reported that hundreds of gravestones vandalized at a Jewish cemetery in Cincinnati have gotten attention from the FBI, which is trying to find the person or people responsible for the antisemitic acts. Jewish leaders around the region said they were brought to tears after 176 gravestones were toppled over across two sections of the Covedale Cemetery Complex. The article noted that Sue Susskind, the executive director of Jewish Cemeteries of Greater Cincinnati, said she spent Monday morning alongside law enforcement as the FBI investigation begins. The article quoted Susskind, who said, "When a crime takes place on a religious ground like our cemeteries are, that is a federal crime, and that's why the FBI was called in to look into it as well." WXIX (Fox- 19) (07/01, Williams) also reported on the story. Alec Baldwin's 'Rust' Armorer Requests Prison Release Days Before Actor's Involuntary Manslaughter Trial Fox News (07/01, Overhultz) reported that Hannah Gutierrez Reed is requesting immediate release from prison as the "Rust" armorer prepares to seek a new trial. The article stated that Gutierrez Reed's lawyer accused the prosecution of withholding "bombshell exculpatory evidence," which would have led to a "fundamentally different trial and likely a different outcome," according to court documents filed June 27. According to the article, the armorer's team claimed the state did not disclose a report that found "unexplained toolmarks on critical surfaces of the trigger and sear" of the Pietta 45 Colt revolver replica used on the Western film set. Gutierrez Reed's attorney, Jason Bowles, pointed out that the marks were not "the result of the damage incurred during the FBI's impact testing." The marks also "do not appear to be original manufacturing marks or use and abuse toolmarks based on [their) irregular orientation," according to the report. The state "buried this information" and it was "never disclosed" to Gutierrez Reed or her legal team, Bowles wrote. The article added that Gutierrez Reed's trial, which began Feb. 21, saw testimony from weapons experts, FBI and Santa Fe County authorities, and crew members who witnessed the fatal shooting. The prosecution largely focused on Gutierrez Reed's behavior as an armorer, alleging she didn't do her job correctly. Texas Juvenile Arrested, Accused of More Than 100 Bomb Threats in Several States CBS News (07/01, Palacios) reported that a Texas juvenile has been arrested after the Collin County Sheriffs Office, Tyler Police Department, Smith County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI executed a search warrant in Smith County on Saturday, June 29. The article stated that investigators say the juvenile was actively trying to stay hidden from law enforcement using "sophisticated techniques" before authorities uncovered their identity through "persistent online investigative efforts." In a press release, the Collin County Sheriff's Office said the operation "successfully identified a juvenile suspect responsible for numerous bomb threats and swatting hoaxes across multiple states." EFTA01655853 The article mentioned that the multi-agency investigation began in May 2024 when the suspect called and initiated a swatting incident at a residence in St. Paul, Texas. The investigation has linked the suspect to bomb threats at various Brookshire grocery stores, including in North Texas as well as schools in the Tyler area, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, and Mission ISD. The article added that investigators say the juvenile's activities spanned across not only Texas, but also Arkansas, Louisiana, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, identifying over 100 locations targeted by the "dangerous hoaxes." FBI Arrests New Texas Man Accused of Plotting School Shooting San Antonio Express-News (07/01, Contreras) reported that a Texas man has been indicted on gun charges after someone told the FBI that he could be plotting a mass shooting. The tipster reported that Cameron Peterson, 19, "has severe emotional issues, idolizes violence and school shootings and that he may emulate infamous prior mass shooters," according to a criminal complaint affidavit. The article stated that the tipster reportedly based the warning on secondhand information relayed by someone close to Peterson. That person told the tipster that Peterson discussed plans to commit mass shootings and kept journals in which he detailed fantasies and plans for school shootings. The article added that the FBI followed-up on the tip and found that Peterson had tried to buy a shotgun from a New Braunfels pawn shop in January, but the shop did not sell it to him because of his age and the type of gun he was trying to buy. The article noted that the FBI interviewed Peterson on May 21 at a home in New Braunfels. During that interview, he allegedly said he smoked marijuana daily. The FBI did not arrest him that day but added him to a list of people in the National Instant Background Check System who are prohibited from buying guns. Ten days later, Peterson tried to buy another shotgun at a pawn shop using an old address and did not report that he used drugs, according to the affidavit. The shop did not sell him the weapon after seeing his name was flagged in the NICS system. The FBI arrested Peterson in early June, and a federal grand jury last week indicted him on a count of attempted purchase of a firearm, "knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm would be used to commit a felony, that is premeditated, intentional murder." Peterson was also indicted on a separate charge of making false statements on a firearm-purchase application for allegedly lying about his address and his use of marijuana on the firearm form. KENS (CBS-5) (07/01, Lynch) also reported on the story. Collectible Coin Scam on the Rise, FBI Warns WPXI (NBC-11) (07/01, Miller) reported that the FBI is warning the public about scammers falsely promising victims, many of whom are older Americans, a significant profit on purchases or sales of collectible coins. The scams have impacted over 1O0 victims across at least 30 states, causing over $9 million in losses, the FBI says. The article noted that scammers cold call victims to try to market their collectible coin business. If the victims already have collectible coins, the scammers promise a high rate of return for selling them. In some instances, scammers travel to victims' homes and offer to take victims' coin collections to have them appraised or to sell them. FBI Raids in Oakland: A Timeline of Key Events and Relationships The Oaklandside (07/01, Staff Writer) reported that on June 20, the FBI raided the homes of Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and David and Andy Duong, owners of California Waste Solutions, the city's curbside recycling contractor. The article stated that the connection between Oakland's embattled mayor and the Duongs—a family that has been under investigation for years for suspected campaign finance violations—has led to a torrent of speculation and investigative reporting. To help the public understand and keep track of this story, the article's authors compiled a brief timeline of known and notable related events. While the history of the Duongs and California Waste Solutions in Oakland begins earlier, the timeline starts in 2012, when the company landed its first big contract with the city. FBI Opens Investigation Into Potential Surrogate Escrow Scam WTVT (Fox-13) (07/01, Axelbank) reported that the FBI has opened up an investigation into a woman from Texas who has potentially stolen thousands of dollars from several families in Florida. The article stated that the FBI's Houston office now confirms an open investigation into Surrogacy Escrow Account Management, or SEAM, and posted a form potential victims can fill out, including the total amount wired to SEAM and how much is owed. According to the article, Dominique Side, the owner, is being sued by a creditor for almost $1 million. FBI, Police Looking For Older, Female Suspect in Colorado Bank Robbery KDVR (Fox-21) (07/01, Rhodes) reported that police are looking fora female suspect allegedly involved in a Colorado bank robbery on Tuesday. According to an X post from Denver Metro Crime Stoppers, the robbery took place at a FirstBank in Lakewood. The article noted that the suspect allegedly verbally demanded money and EFTA01655854 threatened a weapon. The FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Street Task Force and the Lakewood Police Department are looking for the suspect and provided photos. FBI Locates Individual Sought in Sexual Exploitation Investigation WVN (07/01, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI has located an individual sought in connection with a sexual exploitation investigation. The FBI asked for the public's assistance Wednesday in locating the individual, at the time known only as John Doe 48. Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Alleged FBI Server Details and Login Pages Shared on Hacking Forum Cyber Daily (07/02, Hollingworth) reported that a member of a popular clear web hacking forum has posted the alleged details of nine FBI servers, complete with hosting ISP, IP addresses, and even what appear to be links to network login pages. The article added that a user by the name of un3xpectedbandit made the post on 30 June, with the details showing up on the tracking platform Falcon Feeds not long after. The article quoted Falcon Feeds, who said, "The threat actor claims to have leaked information on several servers associated with the FBI's back-end systems, including their IPs, server locations, organizations, and operating systems. The list includes servers located in various countries such as Turkey, Iceland, United States, Australia, Netherlands, Russia, etc.," The article stated that a spokesperson for the FBI's National Press Office said that the agency declined to comment on the post and its claims. HHS, FBI Warn Healthcare Sector of Social Engineering Scheme Health IT Security (07/01, McKeon) reported that HHS and the FBI released a joint cybersecurity advisory (CSA) to disseminate indicators of compromise related to a social engineering campaign targeting healthcare and public health entities. The article added that the CSA warned that threat actors have been using phishing schemes to steal login credentials for initial access and divert automated clearinghouse (ACH) payments to U.S.-controlled bank accounts. In this scheme, threat actors often call an organization's IT help desk and impersonate employees to trigger a password reset for the targeted employee's account. The FBI and HHS described healthcare organizations as "attractive targets" due to their technological dependence, access to sensitive information, size, and patient care impacts. The CSA warned that after gaining access via social engineering, the threat actors often use living off the land (LOTL) techniques to blend in with typical network behavior. The article mentioned that the CSA contains detailed indicators of compromise and known phone numbers affiliated with phishing schemes that network defenders can use to fend off these attacks. Additionally, HHS and the FBI recommended training IT help desk employees on this vulnerability and implementing MFA for every account. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Treasury Sanctions Mexico and China-Based Money Launderers Linked to the Sinaloa Cartel The Epoch Times (07/01, Morgan) reported that the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned one Mexican resident and two Chinese residents suspected of laundering drug trafficking proceeds for the Sinaloa Cartel. The Treasury Department, on July 1, named Mexico-based Diego Acosta Ovalle and China-based Tong Peiji and He Jiaxuan as suspected Cartel moneymen. The Treasury Department sanctioned the trio, in accordance with a December 2021 executive order, authorizing sanctions on suspected participants in the global illicit drug trade. The article mentioned that according to the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control, Ovalle helped the Sinaloa Cartel collect and hide their drug trafficking profits, and moved those proceeds along to cartel associates. The Treasury Department alleged the cartel associates worked with the two Chinese nationals, who were members of a U.S.-based Chinese Money Laundering Organization (CMLO). The article stated that the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California investigated the underlying trafficking allegations, along with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigations, Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, and various local police departments in California. VOA News (07/01, Staff Writer) also reported on the story. EFTA01655855 Back to Top CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS Tennessee Man Sentenced for Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach WBIR (NBC-10) (07/01, Staff Writer) reported that Devin McNulty, 28, from Loudon, was sentenced to a year in prison after pleading guilty to assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers during the Jan. 6 Insurrection. According to the article, the FBI played a key role in identifying McNulty by comparing images from the riot with other sources, ultimately charging him with multiple offenses, though some were later dropped. The FBI said as part of the investigation, they also identified a phone number for McNulty and said calls from it originated on Jan. 5 from Knoxville. The following morning, calls came from Harrisonburg, Virginia, and then from Washington D.C. The article mentioned that McNulty was notably aggressive during the insurrection, where he was seen pushing against a police officer's riot shield, an action remembered distinctly by the officer for its violence and persistence. WATE (ABC-6) (07/01, Moore) also reported on the story. Virginia School Board Member Sentenced for Role in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot DC News Now (07/01, Farrell) reported that Miles Brandon Adkins, a school board member from Frederick County, Virginia, was sentenced to 24 months of probation with 12 days of intermittent confinement for his role in the January 6 Capitol riot. According to the article, the FBI found that Adkins had bragged on social media about drinking a Coors Light inside the U.S. Capitol during the riot. The article noted that according to the FBI, Adkins waved other rioters into the building and assisted one person in climbing through a broken window, after which he exited and suggested grabbing a beer. WUSA (CBS-9) (07/01, Fischer) also reported on the story. Florida Man Arrested for Assaulting Law Enforcement and Other Charges During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach Patch (07/01, Razzano) reported that Michael Jerrett Amos, from Naples, Florida, was arrested and faces multiple charges for his actions during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol, as announced by the U.S. Department of Justice. According to the article, Amos is accused of assaulting a law enforcement officer and engaging in violent acts, including using a flagpole and a canister of pepper spray against officers as they attempted to maintain control over the crowd at the Capitol's West Plaza. The article noted that during the riot, Amos was prominently positioned at the front of the mob, pushing against police lines and encouraging others to advance, contributing to the eventual breach of police defenses. Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Continued Reporting: Plea Deal Offered to Boeing in Connection With Two Plane Crashes The Associated Press (07/01, Kenig) reported that federal prosecutors and victims' families are waiting for Boeing to decide whether to accept a plea deal that would settle a criminal fraud charge accusing the aerospace giant of misleading regulators who approved the 737 Max jetliner before two of the planes crashed. The article added that relatives of some of the 346 people who died in the October 2018 and March 2019 crashes are furious about the plea offer, which Justice Department prosecutors spelled out in an online meeting with the families and their lawyers on Sunday. The families want to put Boeing on trial. The article noted that the Dal first charged Boeing with fraud in January 2021 but agreed not to prosecute if the company paid a fine and followed other terms for three years. Then, seven weeks ago, the department said Boeing had violated the deferred prosecution agreement by failing to make changes to detect and prevent future violations of anti-fraud laws. Prosecutors have not publicly disclosed the alleged violations. Reuters (07/01, Prentice, Spector), Bloomberg (07/01, Black), and the Washington Examiner (07/01, Poff) also reported on the story. Flash Flooding After New Mexico Wildfires Highlights Climate Risks The New York Times (07/01, Gaffney) reported that after two weeks of wildfires, a deluge in New Mexico caused severe flash flooding and debris flows near Ruidoso over the weekend. Dark floodwaters, blackened with soot and ash from the South Fork and Salt fires, rushed down mountain canyons and into town, turning Highway 70 into a river and pushing over a fuel tanker, according to videos posted to social media. Homes and businesses suffered damage, and emergency services reported 77 water rescues. The article mentioned that while the South Fork and Salt fires killed two people and burned more than 25,000 acres last month, the burn scars left behind could put EFTA01655856 residents at even greater risk than the wildfires themselves. The article stated that the official cause of the fires is still under investigation. The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible for starting the fire. New Sherri Papini Documentary Will Showcase Infamous Kidnapping Hoax 'In Her Own Words' USA TODAY (07/01, Limehouse) reported that Sherri Papini will now tell her side of the story during a multi-part documentary airing on the Investigation Discovery (ID) channel, concerning her arrest in 2022 for an apparent kidnapping hoax. The article mentioned that Papini disappeared on Nov. 2, 2016, while running in her Mountain Gate, California neighborhood. Following an exhaustive three-week search by authorities and Papini's family, the then-34-year-old was found on the side of a Yolo County, California road, bruised, chained up, and with a brand on her right shoulder. Once found, Papini told police that she was kidnapped at gunpoint by two Hispanic women and held against her will. Investigators determined Papini's claims were fabricated, and authorities believed she was staying with a former boyfriend in Costa Mesa, California, and harmed herself to make her fake kidnapping look real. According to the article, despite an FBI special agent and a detective with the Shasta County Sheriff's Office telling Papini on Aug. 13, 2020, that it was a crime to lie to federal agents, she continued to claim she was kidnapped, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Papini was even told by the agent and detective that they had DNA and telephone evidence showing that she was with her former boyfriend, but she continued to lie. The article added that in addition to Papini being sentenced to prison, she was ordered to pay $309,902 in restitution for losses incurred by the California Victim Compensation Board, the Social Security Administration, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office, and the FBI. The Rolling Stone (07/01, Richardson), UPI (07/01, Inman), and People (07/01, Cesaric) also reported on the story. Opinion: The Weaponization of Security Clearances An opinion piece by the Washington Times (07/01, Moyar) stated that twenty-seven months ago, the FBI suspended the security clearance of employee Marcus Allen after he questioned the agency's handling of the Jan. 6 investigations. When congressional Republicans questioned the official who signed the clearance suspension, Jennifer Leigh Moore, she testified that the FBI "does not use a suspension as a punitive measure ever." Moore returned to Capitol Hill a short time later to say that the DOJ had revoked Allen's clearance because he had "expressed sympathy" for people who sought to obstruct the government by illegal means. According to the author, Allen's fate would have been sealed had his advocates not persuaded the department's inspector general to look into the case. The DOJ has yet to release the investigation report, but it is believed to have vindicated Allen, for it led the DOJ to reinstate his security clearance and compensate him for lost pay. The author provided the opinion that, with Allen, the FBI had used the security clearance system in a punitive manner, and on false pretenses. The author added that Allen's case extends a larger pattern of the weaponization of the security clearance system against political opponents and that it also provides further evidence of two-tiered justice, whereby supporters of former President Donald Trump are punished on dubious or unsubstantiated charges while Democrats go unpunished. Opinion: I Deeply Respect the FBI. It's in That Spirit That I Say They're Getting This Very Wrong CNN (07/01, Zandt) published an opinion piece where the author stated that they support law enforcement and are grateful for the excellent job the FBI does in keeping the U.S. safe every day. The author called on Director Wray to right a wrong by reversing his opposition to the potential parole of Native American activist Leonard Peltier. The author quoted Director Wray, who said, "Peltier is a ruthless murderer who has shown an utter lack of remorse for his many crimes. His release would strike a serious blow to the rule of law." The author claimed that the Director's words do not reflect the full story, and added that the historical context for this incident was the war that former FBI director J. Edgar Hoover was waging against anyone and everyone that he perceived as a threat. The author added that Director Wray's outreach in opposition to Peltier's release seeks to deny a 79-year- old man on a walker not just parole, but compassionate release. The author asked why Director Wray would feel the need to defend Hoover's FBI by condemning Peltier to die in prison when he has been an integral part of making the contemporary FBI into the law-abiding organization in the righteous defense of the American people it is today. The author noted that it is their hope that Director Wray will do as much due diligence as he possibly can on this case and consider writing new letters, explaining that with additional light on the subject, and in the interest of American justice, Leonard Peltier should be released from prison immediately. Back to Top EFTA01655857 INTERNATIONAL NEWS Robberies, Revenge Killings Send Gaza Deeper Into Chaos Wall Street Journal, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Associated Press Divide Over Antisemitism in France Weakens Unity Against Far Right Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Associated Press, Reuters Hurricane Beryl Strengthens on Way to Jamaica, Threatens Catastrophe Reuters, Associated Press, New York Times, Washington Post Ukraine Says It Foiled Another Russian Plot to Topple the Government New York Times, Fox News Palestinian Fighters in West Bank Seek to Emulate Hamas in Gaza New York Times, Reuters As Iran Faces a Rare Runoff Presidential Election, Disenchanted Voters Are Staying Away Associated Press, CNBC North Korea Says It Tested Ballistic Missile Capable of Carrying Super-Large Warhead Reuters, Associated Press NATO to Establish Kyiv Post, and Seeks to 'Trump-Proof' Ukraine Aid Wall Street Journal Ahead of Election, Venezuela's Maduro Says He Has Agreed to Resume Negotiations With United States Associated Press Ukrainian Air Base Under Fire as Russia Aims at F-16 Arrivals Reuters Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Federal Court Blocks Biden's Pause on Approving Gas Export Projects Washington Post, Associated Press, Politico, Reuters, Fox News Supreme Court Orders Second Look at Texas and Florida Social Media Laws Washington Post, NPR, Associated Press, CBS News, Reuters Supreme Court Opens Door to 'Tsunami' of Regulatory Challenges Politico, Associated Press, New York Times Court Orders White Nationalists to Pay $2M More for Charlottesville Unite the Right Violence Associated Press, Washington Post Why Kamala Harris Would Be Biden's Likeliest Replacement Wall Street Journal Next Attack on Federal Agency Power Is Already Before the U.S. Supreme Court Reuters Stand-off Between Feds and Oklahoma as New Migrant Ban Blocked Newsweek ACLU Says It Won't Ask U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Voting Rights Case Reuters Arkansas Groups Not Asking US Supreme Court to Review Ruling Limiting Scope of Voting Rights Act Associated Press EFTA01655858 Atlanta City Council Approves Settlement of $2M for Students Pulled From Car During 2020 Protests Associated Press Back to Top BIG PICTURE New York limes • Supreme Court Says Trump Has Some Immunity in Election Case • Jan. 6 Trial Delayed, but Chance for a Revealing Hearing Is Set • Fighters in Refugee Camps Are Switching to Hard-Line Factions • Macron Risked It All, and Now He's Marooned • How Democrats Let Biden's Run Build Into Crisis Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Biden • The President's schedule was not available at the time of the report's compilation. Vice President Harris • No events scheduled. US Senate • No events scheduled. US House of Representatives • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members • Secretary of Defense Austin hosts an enhanced honor cordon and meeting welcoming Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to the Pentagon at 10:00 AM EDT on the steps of the River Entrance. • Secretary of State Blinken meets with Ukrainian Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak at the Department of State at 9:00 AM. • Secretary Blinken meets with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy at the Department of State at 2:00 PM. Visitors • Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov meets with Secretary Austin at the Pentagon. • Ukrainian Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak meets with Secretary Blinken at the Department of State. • Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy meet with Secretary Blinken at the Department of State. General Events EFTA01655859 • Brookings Institution: Force Design: A conversation with General Eric Smith 39th commandant of the US Marine Corps — Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Location: The Brookings Institution, 10:00 AM. Force Design 2030 launched a transformational initiative to ensure that the U.S. Marine Corps can continue to respond effectively in contested environments to ever-evolving global threats. Six years into implementation, the Marine Corps continues its modernization effort—improving plans through experimentation and learning— to address the pacing threats outlined in the National Defense Strategy. On July 2, the Strobe Talbott Center for Security, Strategy, and Technology at Brookings will host Commandant of the Marine Corps General Eric Smith to discuss the progress made to date, including how the Marines continue to refine Force Design 2030 while balancing modernization with the Corps' crisis response mission and renewing focus on quality of life issues for all Marines. • The Heritage Foundation: The 2024 B.C. Lee Lecture featuring Matt Pottinger — Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Location: The Heritage Foundation, 8:00 AM. The Heritage Foundation is honored to host Matt Pottinger, former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor (2019-2021), for our signature lecture on U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific. This year's B.C. Lee Lecture will focus on the growing importance of Taiwan and the need for a robust strategy to counter the looming threat posed by the People's Republic of China - not only to Taiwan's vibrant democracy, but to the security and prosperity of everyday Americans and indeed the entire Indo- Pacific. Heritage's B.C. Lee Lecture on international affairs was endowed by the Samsung Group in honor of its founder, the late B.C. Lee, to focus on the U.S. relationship with the Indo-Pacific. • CATO Institute: Internship Insights: Matching Experience with Opportunities — Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Location: Online Event, 4:00 PM. Are you eager to secure that dream internship opportunity? Do you want to stand out from the competition? Do you want to learn how you can match your experience on campus with the right opportunities at Cato? If so, join us for an informative and interactive session with current interns and application reviewers. • Atlantic Council: A conversation with Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco Ryad Mezzour— Tuesday, July 2, 2024. Location: Atlantic Council, 2:00 PM. On Tuesday, July 2nd, at 2:00 p.m. ET, the Atlantic Council is hosting an exclusive conversation with the Minister of Industry and Trade of Morocco Ryad Mezzour to discuss strengthening US-Moroccan trade and industry partnerships, and, more generally, what other developing and emerging economies can learn from the Moroccan experience in reforming its economy and boosting its manufacturing production and exports. Morocco is a major hub for international investments, representing one of Africa's largest economies. Strategically located at the intersection between major waterways, Morocco prides itself on being the "gateway to Africa" for international investments. In June 2019, Morocco opened an extension of the Tangier-Med commercial shipping port, making it the largest in Africa and the Mediterranean; the government is developing a third phase for the port which will increase capacity to five million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). Morocco boasts seventy-two bilateral investment treaties with countries across the globe, and sixty-two economic agreements, plus is the only African country to have a Free Trade Agreement with the United States, which was signed in 2004. Since the treaty has entered into force, trade between the two countries has increased five-fold with the United States becoming Morocco's top foreign direct investor overtaking France in 2021. How have investments and trade grown over time? What benefits have these brought to the United States and Morocco? Will both countries continue to benefit from the Free Trade Agreement signed twenty years ago? How can other African and MENA countries learn from the Moroccan model? These questions will be discussed at the Atlantic Council headquarters during a public debate with Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available EFTA01655860