EFTA01655948

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL] - FBI Daily News Briefing - May 22, 2025 Date: Thu, 22 May 2025 10:15:10 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser go, Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal May 22, 2025 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 • Two Staff Members of Israeli Embassy Killed Outside of FBI Field Office in Washington, DC • Justice Department Seizes Domains Behind Major Information-Stealing Malware Operation • Continued Reporting: Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino Draw Scrutiny From Previous Supporters COUNTERTERRORISM • IVF Clinic Bombing Suspect Was Linked to Anti-Life' Ideology. Experts Fear Its Growing Influence • Washington State Man Who Livestreamed Threats is Convicted of Weapons and Other Charges • Honolulu-L.A. United Flight Turns Back After Bomb Threat In Lavatory • Suspect Facing Federal Charges After Bomb Hoax Shuts FBI Tampa Field Office • Continued Reporting: DNI Gabbard's Top Aide Pushed to Alter Intelligence Report So It Couldn't Be 'Used Against' Trump • FBI Breaks Down Timothy McVeigh Trial During Museum Talk • Opinion: Nihilistic Violent Extremism A Valuable Stride Forward In American Counterterrorism COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Analysis: Troubling Gaps in the Safekeeping of U.S. Nuclear Secrets CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Two More Arrested for Allegedly Aiding New Orleans Jailbreak Fugitives • FBI Wants Help Busting the Blue Glove Bandit Bankrobber • Texas Doctor Who Falsely Diagnosed Patients Sentenced to 10 Years' Imprisonment in Connection with $118M in Fraudulent Health Care Claims EFTA01655948 • Indian Man, Who Murdered Wife in 2015, Still on FBI's Most-Wanted List • Missouri Man Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Church Arson • Virginia FBI Agent Won't Face Charges in Fatal Shooting, Accused of Brandishing Weapon in Seperate Incidents • FBI Takes Over Oklahoma Deadly Shooting Investigation • Mobster Ralph Deleo Plotted to Kill Federal Officials Who Put Him Away, Court Docs Show • New York Man Offered Farmer Wild Turkey Bourbon to Let Him Feed Girlfriend's Ex to Hogs • Bryan Kohberger Case Leak Could Lead to Excluded Evidence, Idaho Attorney Warns • Suspects on the Loose After Killing a Man in Front of Children at an Elementary School Track Meet • FBI Atlanta Warns of Scam Targeting International Students • Human Remains Found by Hunter Belong to Missing Utah Woman Who Disappeared in 2023 • Former Arkansas Judge Sentenced to Prison for Falsifying Statements to FBI • FBI Visit to Rhode Island Fire Station Due to Maintenance, Says Chief • California Man Sentenced To 78 Months In Prison For Distribution Of Child Pornography CYBER DIVISION • 19-Year-Old Hacker Admits Guilt In Major Cyberattack of Massachusetts College • UK Exposes Russian Cyber Campaign Targeting Support For Ukraine • Why Telecoms May Never Purge Their Networks of Salt Typhoon • Cellcom CEO Confirms Cyberattack Behind Prolonged Outage, FBI Now Involved • Continued Reporting: FBI Warns Of Cyber Actors Exploiting Outdated Routers • Continued Reporting: FBI Warning to iPhone, Android Users INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • Fugitive Accused of Several Bank Robberies Extradited to U.S. After Years of Hiding in Ukraine OTHER FBI NEWS • Continued Reporting: James Comey Tells Colbert What Led to Him Posting Controversial '86 47' Instagram Post • Questions Ahead of the FBI's Russiagate and Jan. 6 Documents Release • GOP U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran Not Tossing Political Softballs at Director Patel, USDA Secretary • Private Sperm Bank Admits to Giving Sperm Samples to FBI Without Donors' Knowledge • Institute of Peace Reclaims Its Headquarters After Court Win Over Musk's Cost-Cutting Team • FBI Honors 102 Agents Who Died While Serving the Nation at Los Angeles Ceremony • What It Takes to Become an FBI Special Agent INTERNATIONAL NEWS • An Exhausted Israeli Public Turns Against War in Gaza • Trump Tells European Leaders in Private That Putin Isn't Ready to End War • The Fortress That China Built for Its Battle with America • North Korea's Kim Slams 'Serious Accident' at Warship Launch • 'Ignorant' to Call Taiwan a Country, China Says Responding to Taipei's Foreign Minister • Trump Confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa With False Claims of White Genocide • Hard-Right Candidate Who Lost Romania's Presidential Race Contests Results at Top Court EFTA01655949 • Mexico Will Elect New Judges on June 1 After a Contentious Process. A Look at Some of the Candidates • When the U.S. and Israel Bomb the Houthis, Civilians Pay the Highest Price • Putin Visits Kursk for First Time Since Russia Drove Out Ukrainian Forces OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Pentagon Accepts Luxury Jet From Qatar to Use as Air Force One • U.S. House Republicans Set Pre-Dawn Votes to Get Trump Tax Bill Over Finish Line • State Department Refugee Office to Assume USAID's Disaster Aid Role, Says Cable • Fire at Historic Black Church in Memphis Was Intentionally Set, Investigators Say • How Federal Consent Decrees Have Been Used in Police Reform Across the U.S. • ICE Agents Wait in Hallways of Immigration Court as Trump Seeks to Deliver on Mass Arrest Pledge • Judge Says Trump Administration Violated Court Order in Deporting Migrants to South Sudan • Columbia Graduation Marked by Protests, Absence of Mahmoud Khalil • Sparks Fly Between Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Dem Rep. Watson Coleman • Biden Health Revelations Could 'Be a Drag' on 2028 Democratic Field WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Two Staff Members of Israeli Embassy Killed Outside of FBI Field Office in Washington, DC The Associated Press (05/22, Sweedler) reported that two staff members of the Israeli embassy in Washington were shot and killed near a Jewish museum by a suspect who yelled "Free, free Palestine" after being arrested. The suspect, identified as Elias Rodriguez, 30, of Chicago, opened fire on a group of people leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. The incident has been condemned by Israeli and US officials, including Israeli President Isaac Herzog and President Donald Trump, as a despicable act of hatred and antisemitism. "These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!" President Donald Trump posted on social media early Thursday. "Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!" Reuters (05/22, Staff Writer) highlighted that Director Patel said he and his team had been briefed on the shooting. "While we're working with the Metropolitan Police Department to respond and learn more, in the immediate, please pray for the victims and their families," he wrote on X. Additional reporting on the story was provided by ABC News (05/21, Murphy), Axios (05/21, Falconer, Ravid), BBC (05/21, Staff Writer), CBS News (05/21, Frazier, Milton), CNN (05/22, Marquardt, Cohen, Lybrand), Daily Mail (05/22, Chain), Fox News (05/21, Prtichett), The Guardian (05/21, Gedeon), NBC News (05/21, Chinchilla), New York Times (05/21, Haberman, Thrush, Cameron), The Mirror (05/21, Jones), The Telegraph (05/22, Hamblin), Time (05/21, Jeyaretnam), USA Today (05/21, Nguyen), Wall Street Journal (05/22, Gurman, McGraw, Beavers), Washington Post (05/21, Jeong), WTOP (05/21, Wells), and WTTG (Fox-5) (05/21, Smith). Justice Department Seizes Domains Behind Major Information-Stealing Malware Operation CyberScoop (05/21, Kapko) and Reuters (05/21, Babu) reported that Lumma Stealer, a widely used infostealer malware, was dismantled through a globally coordinated operation led by Microsoft and involving law enforcement agencies such as the FBI and Europol. According to the articles, the operation seized Lumma Stealer's central command, malicious domains, and marketplaces, blocking around 2,300 malicious domains and disrupting the malware's infrastructure. The articles noted that the takedown effort, which also involved cybersecurity companies like ESET and Cloudflare, aims to slow down cybercrime attacks and hinder the illicit profits of threat actors, including the primary developer "Shamel," based in Russia. The articles added that the U.S. Department of Justice said on Wednesday that it has seized five internet domains used by malicious cyber actors to operate the LummaC2 information-stealing malware service. The FBI's Dallas Field Office is investigating the case. "The FBI is committed to disrupting the key services that cyber criminals rely on," said Assistant Director Bryan Vorndran of the FBI's Cyber EFTA01655950 Division in the press release. "That's why, with our partners, we took action against the most popular infostealer service available in online criminal markets, which is responsible for millions of attacks against victims. Thanks to partnerships with the private sector, we were able to disrupt the LummaC2 infrastructure and seize user panels. Together we are making it harder and more painful for cyber criminals to operate." Additional reporting on the story was provided by Bleeping Computer (05/21, Gatlan), CNBC (05/21, Vanian), Microsoft (05/21, Staff Writer), Nextgov (05/21, Dimolfetta), The Register (05/21, Lyons), United Press International (05/21, Heuer), USA Today (05/21, Palmer), and Wired (05/21, Neman, Burgess). Continued Reporting: Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino Draw Scrutiny From Previous Supporters The Hill (05/21, Samuels) reported that Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino sat for a joint interview with Maria Bartiromo on Fox News's "Sunday Morning Futures7 According to the article, FBI leadership is facing scrutiny from the MAGA world due to their past statements and the reality of running a law enforcement agency. During the interview, Director Patel spoke about how his predecessors "intentionally failed the American public" and pledged that declassifying documents related to the investigation into his 2016 campaign's potential ties to Russia would help "restore the trust that was lost to the American public when it comes to the FBI." The article added that Director Patel and Deputy Director Bongino plainly stated that notorious financier Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide in prison. "I was asked about some of the details surrounding the Jeffrey Epstein case. I have reviewed the case. Jeffrey Epstein killed himself. There's no evidence in the case file indicating otherwise," Deputy Director Bongino posted on the social platform X after the interview. "I'm not asking you to believe me, or not. I'm telling you what exists and what doesn't. If new evidence surfaces, I'm happy to reevaluate." The article noted that the FBI has racked up some notable wins in Director Patel's early months at the helm. "You're about to see a wave of transparency," Director Patel told Bartiromo. "What do you mean?" Bartiromo asked. "Just give us about a week or two," he responded. Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM IVF Clinic Bombing Suspect Was Linked to 'Anti-Life' Ideology. Experts Fear Its Growing Influence WIRED (05/21, Krishman) reported that the suspect in the IVF clinic bombing, Guy Bartkus, was linked to antinatalism, the belief that life is a form of suffering imposed without consent. According to the article, Bartkus' online presence revealed nihilistic ideations and a desire to minimize suffering, with statements indicating he was "anti-life" and opposed to IVF as a "pro-life ideology". The article explained that the bombing is believed to have been motivated by promortalism, a distinct ideology that seeks to reduce human suffering by preventing new life, according to experts like Katherine Keneally, director of threat analysis and prevention at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD). "The subject had nihilistic ideations and this was a targeted attack," Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, said in a press conference. Bartkus was attempting to live stream the attack, Davis added. Fox News (05/21, Rumpf-Whitten) added that a newly released video shows the moment the car bomb detonated outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs. The article stated that the incident is being treated as an act of domestic terrorism. Bomb technicians scoured the blast site over the weekend as part of the ongoing investigation, which was led by the Joint Terrorism Task Force. The article noted that despite significant damage to the clinic, all embryos and reproductive materials were preserved, and the facility has since resumed operations. Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Guardian (05/21, Visser), Hi-Desert Star (05/21, Moore), and Telegraph (05/21, Smith, Henderson). Washington State Man Who Livestreamed Threats is Convicted of Weapons and Other Charges The Associated Press (05/21, Kunzelman) reported that Taylor Taranto, a military veteran, was convicted of illegally possessing guns and ammunition in his van when he was arrested near President Barack Obama's home. He was also convicted of making a hoax bomb threat. On June 28, 2023, Taranto broadcast a livestream of himself as he sat behind the wheel of his van. He stated that he had been "working on a detonator" and indicated to his audience that he would drive a car bomb into the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The press release stated that the FBI's Washington Field Office and the Joint Terrorism Task Force mobilized immediately to find Taranto, alerting regional law enforcement agencies of the potential bomb threat. The following day, the FBI discovered Taranto's location when he broadcast another livestream that showed him driving around D.C.'s Kalorama EFTA01655951 neighborhood. Law enforcement officers arrested Taranto at Kalorama and discovered that the bomb threat was a hoax. Additional reporting on the story was provided by Chronline (05/21, McCoy) and Law & Crime (05/21, Perez). Honolulu-LA. United Flight Turns Back After Bomb Threat In Lavatory Fox News (05/21, Koch) reported that a United Airlines flight (Flight 1169) from Honolulu to Los Angeles returned to Hawaii due to a "potential security concern" found written on a bathroom mirror. The Boeing 777 plane, carrying 339 passengers and 10 crew members, landed safely back in Honolulu, where law enforcement met the aircraft and conducted a security sweep. The article stated that the FBI is investigating the incident, but has not confirmed any arrests or the nature of the security concern. Additional reporting on the story was provided by The Guardian (05/21, Neff), Hawaii News Now (HNN/CBS-5) (05/21, Staff Writer), KNBC (NBC-4) (05/21, Lloyd), KTLA (CW-5) (05/21, Conybeare), and the Star-Advertiser (05/21, Boylan). Suspect Facing Federal Charges After Bomb Hoax Shuts FBI Tampa Field Office The Independent (05/21, Rohrlich) reported that Nicki Wayne Goodman, 49, is facing charges for conveying false information to perpetuate a hoax after a suspicious backpack was left outside the FBI's Tampa field office. According to the article, the backpack, which contained no explosive material, was accompanied by a cardboard sign with a threatening message, including the phrase "Trump you need me" and hate speech. The article explained that a photo included in the affidavit shows the crudely lettered sign opened with, "Don't move[,) I [sic] be back," after which it displayed a YouTube handle, listed the names of several FBI agents from the bureau's Birmingham, Alabama field office, and went on to state: "My name is Nicki Goodman. Abolish government. Trump you need me. Together we the people. Kill all [n-wordsl." The Tampa Police Department's bomb squad and patrol units were deployed to the scene, as well as Tampa Fire Rescue engines and ambulances, an FBI bomb technician, Task Force officers, and special agents, the affidavit goes on. Continued Reporting: DNI Gabbard's Top Aide Pushed to Alter Intelligence Report So It Couldn't Be 'Used Against' Trump People (05/21, Kile) reported that leaked emails show that Tulsi Gabbard's top aide, Joe Kent, urged intelligence officials to alter a report on Venezuelan gang activity to align with President Trump's statements on immigration. In his emails, Kent — who is currently awaiting the Senate's approval to lead the National Counterterrorism Center — encouraged intelligence officials including Michael Collins, then the acting head of the National Intelligence Council, to emphasize the claim that the Venezuelan government was orchestrating immigration to the United States, whether or not those immigrants were gang members. This was disputed in the intelligence assessment, which ultimately claimed that Venezuelan immigrants leave their own country "voluntarily, often at great personal risk, to flee political instability and near-collapse of Venezuela's economy." According to the article, the report, which contradicted Trump's claim that the Venezuelan government was working with the gang, was not changed, but two top intelligence officials were later fired by Gabbard. The article noted that the firings were criticized by Rep. Jim Hines, who accused Gabbard's office of retaliation for producing an analysis that did not align with the President's political agenda. FBI Breaks Down Timothy McVeigh Trial During Museum Talk KOCO (ABC-5) (05/21, Thomas) reported that the FBI broke down the Timothy McVeigh trial during a museum talk at the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum, 30 years after the Oklahoma City bombing. According to the article, lead agents Jon Hersley and Larry Tongate, who led the investigation, discussed the key pieces of evidence that pointed to McVeigh and Terry Nichols, including a card and earplugs found in McVeigh's possession. The article noted that the investigation, which was the largest in FBI history at the time, involved over 1 million hours of examining evidence and led to the conviction of McVeigh for the domestic terrorism attack that killed 168 people, including 19 children. "As a country, we never experienced anything like that. Especially not from our own home- grown people who grew up in the U.S.," said Jon Hersley, an FBI case agent on the Oklahoma City bombing. "It's the 30-year anniversary, of course, and people here remember it like it was yesterday," said Larry Tongate, an FBI case agent on the Oklahoma City bombing. Opinion: Nihilistic Violent Extremism A Valuable Stride Forward In American Counterterrorism An opinion piece published by Just Security (05/21, Ware) reported that the FBI has introduced a new term, "Nihilistic Violent Extremist" (NVE), to describe individuals who engage in violent acts driven by a hatred of society and a desire to bring about its collapse. According to the article, NVEs are characterized by their lack of a broader political aim or platform, with their primary motivation being destruction for its own sake, as noted by scholar EFTA01655952 Marc-Andre Argentino. The article stated that the introduction of this term aims to address the growing trend of online extremism, where individuals are radicalized into violent nihilism, often without a clear ideological motivation, and may complement or replace existing classifications such as racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (RMVE). Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Analysis: Troubling Gaps in the Safekeeping of U.S. Nuclear Secrets An analysis published by Nuclear Network (05/21, Pelletier) reported that the PRC conducted a successful espionage campaign against the U.S. nuclear enterprise in the 1980s and 90s, obtaining sensitive information about U.S. nuclear warheads. According to the article, the U.S. has experienced several breaches of nuclear secrecy, including cases involving Peter Lee, Wenho Lee, Allen Ho, and Jonathan Toebbe, who were all accused of mishandling or transferring restricted nuclear data. The U.S. government's approach to nuclear security has been criticized, with concerns raised about the effectiveness of investigations and prosecutions, as well as the vulnerability of nuclear secrets to internal threats, including those from high-level officials. The article added that China has been seeking to obtain U.S. nuclear secrets through espionage, and recent cases, including the Toebbe case, reveal ongoing security lapses within the DoD. The author assessed that to address these security weaknesses, the administration should implement stronger security measures at nuclear facilities, establish strict internal oversight policies, and enforce laws related to restricted data, including the AEA, to prevent future breaches and protect US national security. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Two More Arrested for Allegedly Aiding New Orleans Jailbreak Fugitives Fox News (05/21, D'Abrosca, Foy, Sabes) reported that two people were arrested Wednesday for allegedly helping fugitives who escaped in Friday's New Orleans jailbreak, police said. The article stated that according to the Louisiana State Police (ISP), 32-year-old Cortnie Harris of New Orleans and 38-year-old Corvanntay Baptiste of Slidell were arrested for assisting the fugitives. They have been charged with one felony count each of accessory after the fact and were transported to the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center. "The initial investigation revealed that before the escape Cortnie Harris was in contact via phone with an escapee who remains at large. Furthermore, investigators determined that Harris transported two escapees, who remain at large, to multiple locations in New Orleans," ISP said. "Investigators also determined that Corvanntay Baptiste was in contact via phone and social media with escapee Corey Boyd (captured) and helped facilitate getting him food while he was hiding in a residence." WDSU (NBC-6) (05/21, Lowrey), WVUE (Fox-8) (05/21, Daley, Kerth), USA TODAY (05/21, Bacon, Ortiz, Bragg), New York Times (05/21, Kwai), WWL (CBS-4) (05/21, McDaniel), Associated Press (05/21, Staff Writer), NBC News (05/21, Burke), Newsnation (05/21, Menezes), and CNN (05/21, Park, Quednow) also reported on the story. FBI Wants Help Busting the Blue Glove Bandit Bankrobber KGTV (ABC-10) (05/21, Ong) reported that a man the FBI San Diego has dubbed the "Blue Glove Bandit" is being sought in connection with a 2024 bank robbery in El Cajon during which he used a customer as a hostage. According to officials, the robbery occurred on Sept. 4, at around 10:30 a.m., at the Wells Fargo Bank branch. The article noted that in a news release, FBI officials stated: "During the robbery, the suspect entered the bank, approached the counter, and grabbed a customer, using him as a hostage. The suspect then demanded the teller give him money. Employees complied out of fear the suspect would hurt the customer. The suspect fled on foot with approximately $547, heading northbound towards the intersection of Chase Avenue and Avocado Avenue. The suspect did not display any weapon but implied he had a firearm with him. No one was physically hurt during the robbery." FBI officials described the Blue Glove Bandit as a 6-foot-tall white man weighing about 200 pounds, with an average/thin build. The FBI San Diego's Violent Crime Task Force is investigating the robbery. KFMB (CBS-8) (05/21, Duren), KUSI (Fox-5) (05/21, Robles), Times of San Diego (05/21, Binkowski), and Patch (05/21, Houck) also reported on the story. EFTA01655953 Texas Doctor Who Falsely Diagnosed Patients Sentenced to 10 Years' Imprisonment in Connection with $118M in Fraudulent Health Care Claims KPRC (NBC-2) (05/21, Taylor) reported that a Texas doctor who falsely diagnosed his patients with chronic illnesses in a $118 million scheme has been sentenced to prison. The rheumatologist, Jorge Zamora-Quezada, M.D., 68, of Mission, was sentenced to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release. The article noted that he was convicted of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, seven counts of health care fraud, and one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice. In addition to his prison term, Zamora-Quezada was ordered to forfeit $28,245,454, including 13 real estate properties, along with a jet and a Maserati GranTurismo. According to the evidence presented at trial, Zamora-Quezada falsely diagnosed his patients with rheumatoid arthritis and administered toxic medications in order to defraud Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. A DOJ press release quoted Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office, who said, "The FBI is dedicated to working with all of our partners to address health care fraud. This case was not only a concern to us because of the financial loss — the physical and emotional harm suffered by the patients and their families was alarming and profound. We hope this significant sentence will help bring closure to the many victims in this case?' Fox News (05/21, Deppisch) also reported on the story. Indian Man, Who Murdered Wife in 2015, Still on FBI's Most-Wanted List The Hindustan Times (05/21, Staff Writer) reported that a Gujarati man was accused of killing his wife in Maryland in 2015. Ten years after committing the crime, Bhadreshkumar Chetanbhai Patel remains on the run and has made his way to the FBI's ten most-wanted fugitive list. 35-year-old Patel has been on the run since 2015 after he allegedly killed his wife by striking her multiple times while working at a donut shop. According to the article, as per the official statement from the FBI, Patel has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first- degree assault, second-degree assault, and possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure. One night on April 12, 2015, Patel lashed out at his wife and struck her with an object multiple times, killing her. After the murder, Patel fled and has been on the run since then. On April 20, 2015, eight days after Palak's murder, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Patel. Patel's last known location was Newark, New Jersey area. However, officials suspect that he may have fled back to India. The article noted that in a 2017 statement, Special Agent Jonathan Shaffer from the FBI's Baltimore Division stated that Patel may be staying with distant relatives in the US. "Or he could have travelled through Canada back to India," Shaffer added. Missouri Man Sentenced to Over Nine Years in Prison for Church Arson The Associated Press (05/21, Staff Writer) reported that a man who admitted in federal court to setting the fire that destroyed an eastern Missouri church has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison and ordered to pay the church nearly $7 million. According to the article, the sentence for Christopher Scott Pritchard, 49, was imposed Tuesday by U.S. District Judge Matthew T. Schelp over the April 2021 fire at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints building in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, about 115 miles (185 kilometers) southeast of St. Louis. Pritchard pleaded guilty in December to one felony count of arson and another felony count of arson to a building used in interstate commerce. Authorities have said that two days before the fire, Pritchard threatened to assault a bishop and "burn the church down." Officers found more than $1,000 in items belonging to the church in Pritchard's backpack, including a laptop, tools and 21 apples, and he smelled like smoke, police said. A DOJ press release noted that the FBI St. Louis Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Cape Girardeau County Sheriff's Office and the Missouri State Fire Marshal's Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Hahn for the Eastern District of Missouri prosecuted the case, with assistance from the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section. KFVS (CBS-12) (05/21, Ruch) also reported on the story. Virginia FBI Agent Won't Face Charges in Fatal Shooting, Accused of Brandishing Weapon in Seperate Incidents DC News Now (05/21, Chen) reported that an FBI agent who fatally shot a man in Stafford County will not face criminal charges, according to the Stafford County Sheriff's Office. However, since the incident, victims have come forward, saying he previously brandished his firearm in separate encounters. The shooting happened on Feb. 28 when deputies responded to Stratford Place for a disturbance. Deputies say they received reports of an off-road motorcyclist recklessly driving in the area. According to the article, an off-duty FBI agent had confronted the motorcyclist, who fled the scene but returned shortly after with family members. Deputies conducted a traffic stop, and the family members refused to listen to the deputies' demands. A physical altercation broke out between the family members, deputies, and the off-duty FBI agent who was still there. A resident who saw what was happening EFTA01655954 came to help the deputies. During the altercation, the off-duty FBI agent discharged his gun, and it hit the resident in the chest. The resident, Harold Chamberlain, Jr., 61, was taken to the hospital, where he later died. SCSO said there wasn't enough evidence to proceed with criminal charges against the off-duty FBI agent, identified as Benjamin Spinale, 43, for fatally shooting Chamberlain. However, while the investigation was going on, several victims came forward and said Spinale had allegedly brandished his firearm at them recently while he was off-duty in the neighborhood. The article mentioned that as a result, Spinale was charged with four counts of brandishing a firearm. Potomac Local News (05/21, Staff Writer), and WUSA (CBS-9) (05/21, Pusatory) also reported on the story. FBI Takes Over Oklahoma Deadly Shooting Investigation KSWO (ABC-7) (05/21, Allison) reported that the investigation into a deadly shooting in Atoka County is now being handled by the FBI. Alva Fortenberry was found dead on May 4, in a woman's yard. According to the article, one person had been initially taken into custody in connection to the death but they were not identified, and no charges have been released. The case has now been turned over to the FBI, though the Atoka County Sheriff's Office says they have been in contact with and assisting agents on the field. Mobster Ralph Deleo Plotted to Kill Federal Officials Who Put Him Away, Court Docs Show WPM (CW-12) (05/21, Sherman, White) reported that FBI agents allege Ralph DeLeo, a former reputed street boss of the Colombo crime family, was arrested this month for plotting to kill at least three people who helped put him behind bars in 2012, according to newly filed court documents. The article noted that the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney's Office revealed in the court documents that federal agents "received a tip from a confidential source reporting that DeLeo is actively planning to kill two current and one former federal official." The federal officials were all involved in DeLeo's conviction more than a decade ago, according to court documents. The article mentioned that DeLeo, 82, was arrested on May 15, but federal officials didn't publicly release details about his arrest until filing the new court documents on Tuesday night. DeLeo's criminal history dates back decades and the FBI alleged he served in the 1970s as an associate of the Patriarca crime family, which operated out of Providence. In 2012, DeLeo was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for racketeering, among other crimes. He got out of prison under supervised release in May 2024, and federal agents alleged he's recently been planning to kill the people who put him away. New York Man Offered Farmer Wild Turkey Bourbon to Let Him Feed Girlfriend's Ex to Hogs The New York Post (05/21, Khan) reported that an upstate New York man tried to hire a hitman to murder his girlfriend's ex — then offered a farmer $1,000 and a bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon to feed the victim to his hogs, authorities said. According to the article, the entire thing was a set-up, and both the hitman and the farmer were working for the feds, according to a criminal complaint. Jeal Sutherland, 57, pleaded guilty last week to the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire after the hitman he hired turned out to be an informant for the Department of Justice and the farmer he bribed turned out to be an FBI agent. Sutherland wanted his girlfriend's ex murdered and his body disposed of as soon as the would-be victim was released from state prison at the end of January, according to a federal criminal complaint. The plot was foiled by the FBI and now Sutherland faces between seven and nine years in prison, however U.S. District Court Judge Mae D'Agostino can impose a shorter prison term at Sutherland's sentencing in September. "Mr. Sutherland's diabolical plot intended to violently end a man's life and intimidate his family," FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli said. "Thanks to the swift actions taken by FBI Albany and our law enforcement partners, that plan never came to fruition." Bryan Kohberger Case Leak Could Lead to Excluded Evidence, Idaho Attorney Warns Fox News (05/21, Sabes, Ruiz) reported that an Idaho-based lawyer said she thinks Judge Steven Nippier will "absolutely" hold prosecutors and law enforcement accountable after sensitive information about the Bryan Kohberger quadruple murder case was leaked. According to the article, a TV episode about the murders of four University of Idaho students was aired on May 9 and featured new cellphone records, surveillance video, search records and more. Kohberger is accused of killing Xana Kernodle, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, and Ethan Chapin, 20. New information about the murders was shared during the May 9 NBC "Dateline" program, which included surveillance video from a nearby house. The surveillance video showed a car similar to Kohberger's that was in the area of the King Road house several times just before the four students were killed. The article stated that the program also claimed that FBI cellphone tower data showed that Kohberger's cellphone pinged nearly a dozen times to a tower that provides coverage to an area within 100 feet of 1122 King Road, where he allegedly killed the four students. Edwina Elcox, a criminal defense attorney in Boise, Idaho, told Fox News Digital she thinks Hippler is taking the leak very seriously. Elcox said she "absolutely" thinks it's possible for evidence EFTA01655955 presented during the TV episode to be excluded in court. Hippler said Thursday in an order that the court's gag order was "likely" violated by someone who, at one point, was associated with either law enforcement or the prosecution team. Suspects on the Loose After Killing a Man in Front of Children at an Elementary School Track Meet The Independent (05/21, Keller) reported that a man was fatally shot in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, just steps away from an elementary school track meet, sending dozens of children and parents scrambling for safety and prompting an urgent manhunt for the suspects. According to the article, police say the shooting happened around 2 p.m. near the former Spingarn High School, where the District of Columbia Interscholastic Athletic Association was hosting its elementary school track and field championships. The suspects left the area in a car, which was later found burned in the Fort Lincoln neighborhood. As of Wednesday afternoon, no arrests have been made in this case. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives are assisting in the investigation. FBI Atlanta Warns of Scam Targeting International Students WABE (05/21, FeIto, Murry) reported that the FBI's Atlanta office is warning of a scam targeting international students who are legally in the United States. This comes as Immigration and Customs Enforcement canceled — and then said it would restore — hundreds of student visas across the country. According to a May 13 FBI release, the scammers impersonate agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) as a way to build credibility. From there, the perpetrators tell the students that they are in violation of their student visas. Victims are then threatened with prosecution or deportation if they do not pay a fine that the scammers claim is used to process immigration paperwork, pay university registration fees or pay a legal fee. Human Remains Found by Hunter Belong to Missing Utah Woman Who Disappeared in 2023 USA TODAY (05/21, Alund) reported that remains found along a Utah mountain range have been identified as belonging to Courtney Lynne Townsend, a local woman reported missing nearly two years ago. According to the article, on May 8, a hunter discovered human remains on Cedar Mountain, and after alerting authorities about the finding, law enforcement responded to the area and retrieved them, the Kane County Sheriff's Office reported this week. The mountain is in Tooele County, about 160 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. According to a May 19 sheriffs office release, authorities transported the remains to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office, where they were positively identified as belonging to Townsend. According to a fundraiser created by her sister, Dallas Jimenez, her family continues to seek answers in her disappearance and death. "Please help us with solving her case," Jimenez wrote on the page, which as of May 21, had raised more than $5,000 to help hire a private investigator. "Courtney's death remains mysterious and suspicious despite the involvement of authorities, including the FBI. While they claim to have exhausted all resources, we still have no answers - and the family deserves justice." Former Arkansas Judge Sentenced to Prison for Falsifying Statements to FBI THV (CBS-11) (05/21, Godinez) reported that an Arkansas man who has previously served as a judge, prosecutor, and defense attorney has now been sentenced to prison for making false statements to the FBI. According to reports, 64-year-old Thomas David Carruth served as an elected Monroe County district court judge and presided over both criminal and civil matters. The article added that reports say that in April 2022, Carruth allegedly met with the girlfriend of a defendant in a criminal case, and she sought his help in getting her boyfriend's case dismissed. The girlfriend recorded video evidence where Carruth reportedly solicited sex and a lingerie show from her in exchange for him helping out her boyfriend. A jury later uncovered that when he was questioned by the FBI, Carruth lied to agents about the incident and falsely stated that he did not "request," "ask," "offer", make "overture] about", "insinuate," or "even [think) about," sex with the girlfriend. Ultimately, the jury convicted him of one count of making false statements. Carruth was acquitted of charges of honest services fraud, bribery, and violations of the travel act. Carruth will now spend the next 24 months in federal prison for making false statements to the FBI. FBI Visit to Rhode Island Fire Station Due to Maintenance, Says Chief The Valley Breeze (05/21, Martinez) reported that North Providence Fire Chief John Horan confirmed to The Breeze this afternoon that last week's FBI visit to the Fruit Hill Ave. fire station was not related to North Providence Fire Department operations. Horan said that agents had some questions for the officer at the station about some concrete work that was completed at the station three or four years ago. "It appears to be related to building maintenance, and we do not handle that," Horan added. EFTA01655956 California Man Sentenced To 78 Months In Prison For Distribution Of Child Pornography WHP (CBS-21) (05/21, Embry) reported that a California man has been sentenced to over six years in prison following a "campaign of retaliation" involving a bomb threat and the distribution of child pornography in 2023. Nathan DeLeon, 20, of Tulare, California was sentenced to 78 months in prison on multiple charges including risking catastrophe, terroristic threats, stalking and harassment following organized attacks against a minor in Cumberland County. According to the article, the Dal states that DeLeon had been in an online relationship with the 16-year-old victim via the gaming platform, Roblox. Once the relationship ended, officials say that DeLeon "swatted" the victim's Cumberland County home address multiple times between June and November of 2023. DeLeon pleaded guilty on Dec. 18, 2024, to making a bomb threat hoax and the distribution of child pornography due to him sending a "sexually explicit" video of the 16-year-old to someone on two separate occasions. A DOJ press release noted that the case was investigated by the FBI and the Pennsylvania State Police. Back to Top CYBER DIVISION 19-Year-Old Hacker Admits Guilt In Major Cyberattack of Massachusetts College gbhackers (05/21, Kathir) reported that Matthew D. Lane, a 19-year-old Massachusetts college student, has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges related to a cyberattack on PowerSchool. According to the article, the attack resulted in the theft of confidential data from millions of students and teachers, with Lane threatening to publish the records unless he received a ransom payment in Bitcoin. Lane faces charges including cyber extortion, unauthorized access to protected computers, and aggravated identity theft, which carry significant prison time and financial penalties. The article highlighted that the FBI, which led the investigation, reiterated its commitment to pursuing cyber offenders, regardless of age or motivation, signaling the government's resolve in confronting digital threats against critical infrastructure and private data. The Associated Press (05/21, Staff Writer) quoted Kimberly Milka, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division: "Matthew Lane apparently thought he found a way to get rich quick, but this 19-year-old now stands accused of hiding behind his keyboard to gain unauthorized access to an education software provider to obtain sensitive data which was used in an attempt to extort millions of dollars." UK Exposes Russian Cyber Campaign Targeting Support For Ukraine The BBC (05/21, Rahman-Jones, Valiance) reported that the UK has exposed a Russian cyber campaign targeting organisations involved in delivering foreign assistance to Ukraine, including those supplying defence and logistics support. According to the article, the campaign, attributed to the Russian military unit GRU Unit 26165 (also known as Fancy Bear), has been ongoing since 2022 and has targeted organisations in multiple countries. The article explained that the hackers used various techniques, including password guessing and spearphishing, to gain access to networks, including internet-connected cameras monitoring aid shipments into Ukraine. The article published a photo of the FBI's takedown of the Fancy Bear website in 2018. Why Telecoms May Never Purge Their Networks of Salt Typhoon CyberScoop (05/21, Johnson) reported that the Chinese hacking group Salt Typhoon has penetrated multiple U.S. telecommunications networks, and experts believe it may never be fully purged due to the complexity and size of modern telecom networks. According to the article, the group's ability to hide and reenter networks is facilitated by the industry's history of consolidation, which has left many telecoms with a patchwork of different equipment, technologies, and architectures, making it difficult to manage identity solutions and detect malicious activity. The article noted that experts warn that the lack of granular indicators of compromise and the difficulty in managing identity solutions make it challenging to track and remove Salt Typhoon from telecom networks. Cellcom CEO Confirms Cyberattack Behind Prolonged Outage, FBI Now Involved Wausau Pilot & Review (05/21, Siewert) reported that Cellcom CEO Brighid Riordan confirmed that a cyberattack caused the prolonged outage affecting thousands of Wisconsin customers. According to the article, the FBI is now involved in the investigation, and customer data, including financial information, appears to be unaffected. Cellcom plans to compensate customers for their lost service time and expects to have the rest of the service restored by the end of the week. Continued Reporting: FBI Warns Of Cyber Actors Exploiting Outdated Routers EFTA01655957 SDAHO (05/21, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI warned of cyber actors exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated routers, particularly those from 2010 or earlier that no longer receive software updates. According to the article, the FBI has received reports of breaches using TheMoon malware, which can infect routers without a password and allow cyber actors to conduct crimes anonymously. The article noted that users are advised to maintain and update their home routers, with Scott Gee recommending that hospital IT teams pay attention to remote workers' home equipment to prevent threats. Continued Reporting: FBI Warning to iPhone, Android Users AL.com (05/21, Gore) reported that the FBI is warning iPhone and Android users about a scam where "malicious actors" impersonate senior U.S. officials via text and voice messages. According to the article, the scam involves sending targeted individuals a malicious link to trick them into providing personal financial information, and may use AI-generated voice mails or text messages. The article noted that to protect yourself, the FBI advises verifying the identity of the person contacting you, carefully examining email addresses and phone numbers, and never sharing sensitive information or clicking on suspicious links. MLive (05/21, Durr) also reported on the story. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS Fugitive Accused of Several Bank Robberies Extradited to U.S. After Years of Hiding in Ukraine Fox News (05/21, Schmidbauer) reported that an international fugitive wanted for multiple bank robberies has been extradited from Ukraine after nearly three years on the run, according to authorities. Edward Deveaux of Berlin Township, New Jersey, was returned to the U.S. on Friday, wrote the Camden County Prosecutor's Office in a press release. Deveaux, 30, was taken into custody Feb. 25 in Lviv by the National Guard of Ukraine. Nearly three months later, he was taken to the Polish border and turned over to U.S. Marshals and Polish authorities. The article mentioned that his arrest is a "testament to what we can accomplish when law enforcement at all levels works together," Camden County Prosecutor Grace MacAulay said, according to the release. "We are grateful for the efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service, FBI, and our international colleagues." Deveaux was wanted in connection with three bank robberies in southern New Jersey, all of which took place between Sept. 22 and Sept. 28, 2022. He stands accused of robbing a Truist Bank in Waterford, a TD Bank in Willingboro and a Republic Bank in Winslow. During their investigation into the matter, authorities determined that Deveaux had flown to multiple European countries before finally settling in Ukraine in the days following the final robbery in Winslow. The article stated that additional information led them to Lviv, where the suspect was ultimately tracked down. Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Continued Reporting: James Comey Tells Colbert What Led to Him Posting Controversial '86 47 Instagram Post Fox News (05/21, Tamasco) reported that former FBI Director James Comey explained what led to his controversial "86 47" Instagram post directed at President Donald Trump during an appearance on "The Late Show" Tuesday night. Comey claimed that he and his wife, Patrice, saw the "clever political message" while walking on the beach when his wife suggested that he take a picture of the shells and post it online. The ex-FBI director posted an Instagram photo of seashells arranged to show the numbers "86 47," a message White House officials swiftly condemned as an attempt to put out a "hit" against the 47th president. According to the article, Comey told host Stephen Colbert that his wife initially questioned why someone would "put their address in the sand," before coming up with a second theory behind the message. Comey later deleted the post after online backlash from government officials, lawmakers and Trump's son. Trump has faced two assassination attempts in the past year, one of which resulted in him being wounded and a bystander being killed. The Washington Examiner (05/21, Goldsberry), the Independent (05/21, Sherratt), and the Daily Caller (05/21, Hart) also reported on the story. Questions Ahead of the FBI's Russiagate and Jan. 6 Documents Release The Washington Examiner (05/21, Deese, Green) reported that the public may soon know more about unanswered questions surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, an unexplained pipe bomb threat that day, and the state-backed effort to surveil President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. According to the article, Director Patel and Deputy EFTA01655958 Director Bongino said this week the agency is set to release batches of documents to bring about "accountability." The pair promised there would be a "truckload" of long-withheld internal files during their pretaped appearance on Sunday Morning Futures. According to the article, Congressional Republicans and legal experts say critical questions remain unresolved, particularly those involving accountability for surveillance abuses, informant usage, and what role senior Obama-era officials may have played in politicized investigations. Pressure and hope are escalating over whether the Bureau's latest trove of records releases can clear up those outstanding inquiries. GOP U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran Not Tossing Political Softballs at Director Patel, USDA Secretary The Kansas Reflector (05/21, Carpenter) reported that Republican U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran pressed Trump administration officials on federal budget and personnel decisions by framing inquiries in terms of potential threats to the farm economy and public safety in Kansas. Director Patel and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins were on the receiving end of Moran's questions during recent Senate hearings. According to the article, Moran inquired during an appropriations subcommittee hearing about implications of a recommended $545 million cut in expenditures that could eliminate 1,300 FBI jobs. The GOP senator said lawmakers were told reductions would be accomplished by ending duplicative intelligence gathering, initiatives tied to diversity, equity and inclusion, and projects championed by Democratic President Joe Biden. "Is that accurate?" Moran said. "Is that capable of being done? We can find this in what I suppose most people around here call waste, fraud and abuse? Or, does it have real consequences to the level of personnel and the capabilities of meeting the mission of the FBI?" The article added that Director Patel said the objective of reorganization at the FBI was to "make the mission work on whatever budget we're given." Moran said an overall force reduction at the federal law enforcement agency could weaken public safety in Kansas. "Fewer FBI special agents, intelligence analysts and professional staff could hinder the bureau in executing the president's commitment to making our communities safe," Moran said. "Our law enforcement, whether state, local or federal, keep our nation safe and carry out justice." Private Sperm Bank Admits to Giving Sperm Samples to FBI Without Donors' Knowledge LGBTQ Nation (OS/21, Sprayregen) reported that a representative of Seattle Sperm Bank admitted to selling unused sperm vials to the FBI during an industry conference, purportedly for the agency to research splat patterns. According to the article, the sources say the admission came from the representative — who one source identified as Seattle Sperm Bank General Supervisor Angelo Allard — during an October 2022 meeting at the California Cryobank campus in Los Angeles. A fertility expert who was also present in the room confirmed the story, saying they are "not sure what precipitated it" but that a "gentleman who was involved at a sperm bank raised his hand and basically said they sent sperm to the FBI at the request of the FBI for training purposes." The article stated that the outlet reached out to the National FBI office and received the following response from Seattle Field Office public affairs specialist Steven Bernd: "Our policy prohibits us, except in rare circumstances, from disclosing investigative techniques of an FBI investigation. However, I can plainly state that I did not find any information to suggest that the FBI has been purchasing sperm from a sperm bank." institute of Peace Reclaims Its Headquarters After Court Win Over Musk's Cost-Cutting Team The Associated Press (05/21, Fields) reported that the U.S. Institute of Peace retook control of its headquarters Wednesday, two days after a federal judge said the firing of its board and employees by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency was illegal. According to the article, the institute's acting president, George Moose, entered the organization's headquarters with private security and the institute's outside attorney for the first time since being escorted off the premises during the DOGE takeover. Moose and most of the institute's board were fired in March, part of the mass slashing of the federal workforce spearheaded by Musk. The institute and many of its board members filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration soon after, seeking to prevent their removal and stop DOGE from taking over its operations. U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howell's opinion on Monday reversed DOGE's actions. The saga began when Trump issued an executive order in February that targeted the institute and three other agencies for closure in an effort to deliver on campaign promises to shrink the size of the government. The first attempt by DOGE to take over the headquarters led to a standoff. Members of Musk's DOGE group returned days later with the FBI and District of Columbia Metropolitan Police to help them gain entry. FBI Honors 102 Agents Who Died While Serving the Nation at Los Angeles Ceremony The Los Angeles Daily News (05/21, Staff Writer) reported that the FBI honored its own on Tuesday, May 20, in reverent ceremonies at the federal agency's Los Angeles field office on Wilshire Boulevard. The FBI's assistant director in charge in Los Angeles, Akil Davis, hosted the solemn memorial service to honor its agents and employees who lost their lives in the line of duty. LAPD Police Chief Jim McDonnell also helped to pay tribute to the EFTA01655959 fallen agents, delivering the keynote address at Tuesday's services. Davis and McDonnell joined to lay a wreath in honor of the agents. FBI employees and family members held pictures of agents who died; some laid roses at the memorial site. According to the article, more than 102 FBI agents have died in the line of duty nationwide, according to agency officials. The agents are memorialized on the FBI's Wall of Honor. The original memorial resides at the FBI's Headquarters in Washington DC and smaller memorials are maintained at field offices across the country "so that their ultimate sacrifice will always be remembered," according to the law-enforcement organization's website. What It Takes to Become an FBI Special Agent KGW (NBC-8) (05/21, Gordon) reported that the FBI office in Oregon is reaching out to prospective job seekers as it looks to fill a wide range of positions, and during a visit to the office ahead of an FBI Career Expo on Thursday. According to the article, KGW's Tim Gordon visited the FBI's Portland field office to learn more about job opportunities at the FBI, and got some special agent training in the process. Gordon joined Special Agent Ryan Phillips at the FBI office's gym to try portions of the physical fitness test required of new agents "It benefits us, and I think the public, for us to have a certain level of fitness and to be in shape," Phillips said. "Sometimes you gotta chase bad guys." The article quoted Doug Olson, special agent in charge for Oregon, who said, "When we look at a problem, we recognize the benefit of having a multidisciplinary approach and different ways of looking at that problem and coming up with the best solution." Olson oversees the FBI's work across the state, including high- profile collaborations with local law enforcement. Those efforts have included investigations into ballot box arsons and large drug busts involving fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics. While a hiring freeze is in place for most positions, special agent roles remain open. And Olson encouraged anyone interested in an FBI career to stay engaged. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS An Exhausted Israeli Public Turns Against War in Gaza Wall Street Journal Trump Tells European Leaders in Private That Putin Isn't Ready to End War Wall Street Journal The Fortress That China Built for Its Battle with America Wall Street Journal North Korea's Kim Slams 'Serious Accident' at Warship Launch BBC 'Ignorant' to Call Taiwan a Country, China Says Responding to Taipei's Foreign Minister Reuters Trump Confronts South Africa's Ramaphosa With False Claims of White Genocide Reuters Hard-Right Candidate Who Lost Romania's Presidential Race Contests Results at Top Court Associated Press Mexico Will Elect New Judges on June 1 After a Contentious Process. A Look at Some of the Candidates Associated Press When the U.S. and Israel Bomb the Houthis, Civilians Pay the Highest Price New York Times Putin Visits Kursk for First Time Since Russia Drove Out Ukrainian Forces New York Times Back to Top EFTA01655960 OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Pentagon Accepts Luxury Jet From Qatar to Use as Air Force One ABC News, Reuters, Washington Post, NBC News, New York Times U.S. House Republicans Set Pre-Dawn Votes to Get Trump Tax Bill Over Finish Line Reuters, Fox News, Washington Post, Politico, NPR State Department Refugee Office to Assume USAID's Disaster Aid Role, Says Cable Reuters Fire at Historic Black Church in Memphis Was Intentionally Set, Investigators Say Associated Press How Federal Consent Decrees Have Been Used in Police Reform Across the U.S. Associated Press ICE Agents Wait in Hallways of Immigration Court as Trump Seeks to Deliver on Mass Arrest Pledge Associated Press Judge Says Trump Administration Violated Court Order in Deporting Migrants to South Sudan Wall Street Journal Columbia Graduation Marked by Protests, Absence of Mahmoud Khalil Wall Street Journal Sparks Fly Between Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Dem Rep. Watson Coleman Fox News Biden Health Revelations Could 'Be a Drag' on 2028 Democratic Field Washington Examiner Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Trump • 9:00 AM In-Town Pool Call Time • 11:00 AM: The President receives his Intelligence Briefing • 12:30 PM: The President has lunch with The Vice President • 1:00 PM: Press Briefing by the White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt • 3:45 PM: The President participates in a MAHA Commission Event • 6:40 PM: The President departs The White House en route Trump National Golf Club • 6:55 PM: The President arrives Trump National Golf Club • 7:00 PM: The President attends a Private Dinner • 8:25 PM: The President departs Trump National Golf Club en route The White House • 8:40 PM: The President arrives The White House Vice President Vance • No official presidential schedule released or announced. EFTA01655961 US Senate • Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Department of Labor. — 10:00 AM — Host: Appropriations • Hearings to examine securing America focusing on key authorities under the Defense Production Act. — 9:15 AM — Host: Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs • Business meeting to consider the nominations of Terrance Cole of Virginia to be Administrator of Drug Enforcement Gadyaces Serralta of Florida to be Director of the United States Marshals Service and David Charles Waterman to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa all of the Department of Justice. — 10:15 AM — Host: Judiciary • Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the Food and Drug Administration. — 10:30 AM — Host: Appropriations • Hearings to examine proposed budget estimates for fiscal year 2026 for the National Guard and Reserves Forces. — 10:30 AM — Host: Appropriations US House of Representatives • Hearing: Assessing the Terror Threat Landscape in South and Central Asia and Examining Opportunities for Cooperation. — 9:00 AM — Host: Committee on Foreign Affairs • Hearing: A Dire Crisis in Sudan: A Global Call to Action — 10:00 AM — Host: Committee on Foreign Affairs Cabinet Members • Secretary of Defense Hegseth is traveling to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for All-American Week. • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares at the Department of State at 2:15 PM. Visitors • No events scheduled. General Events • CSIS: South Korean Presidential Election I The Capital Cable #113 — Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:30 AM. The official campaign season for the 2025 South Korean presidential election started on May 12. What to expect from the three major candidates, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea, Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party and Lee Jun-seok of the Reform Party? What are some of the major issues confronting the candidates as they make their case for the people's vote on June 3? • AEI: Why Did America Get Pandemic Schooling So Wrong? — Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 2:00 PM. Five years later, many agree that America's education system failed during the pandemic. Prolonged school closures and subpar remote learning led to devastating academic losses, rising chronic absenteeism, and a breakdown in parents' trust in the education system. But why did schools remain closed for so long? Why did so many embrace what some have called "COVID theater"—implementing masking mandates and other ineffective measures? • Aspen Institute: How Employers Are Tackling Mobility Blockers in Public Benefit Programs — Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 1:00 PM. Employers provide both wages and benefits essential for worker financial well-being. For millions of workers also receiving public benefits, rules within those programs determine whether these employer-provided resources carry reward or risk. Policies, for example, like asset limits penalize saving, while benefit cliffs create a precipitous loss of benefits when wages increase, blocking workers' financial mobility. EFTA01655962 • Atlantic Council: Africa Day 2025: Navigating aid trade and policy shifts — Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:30 AM. The Africa Center, in partnership with the Policy Center for the New South, brings together experts from across the Washington think tank sector for a timely and forward-looking conversation to discuss the first 25 years of the "African Century" and US-African relations in the second Trump administration. • Atlantic Council: The Dayton dialogue at the 2025 NATO Parliamentary Assembly— Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 10:30 AM. From May 22 to 25, the Dayton Dialogue Forum will convene US and European officials to reflect on thirty years of peace in the Western Balkans and to talk about the value of NATO for US citizens. • RAND: Policy Lab: Protecting Schools Protecting Students— Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 12:00 PM. Violence in America's K-12 schools has been on the rise in recent years—from student fights and bullying to less-frequent but higher-profile incidents such as school shootings. • Hudson Instiute: US-China Rivalry in the Middle East Conference— Thursday, May 22, 2025. Location: Online event, 9:00 AM. China is expanding its strategic footprint across the Middle East through infrastructure, technology, and energy diplomacy. Amid Beijing's global competition with the United States, shifting power dynamics and growing economic and technological entanglements are putting longstanding US alliances to the test in this crucial region. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. EFTA01655963