EFTA Document EFTA01655668

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing" Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - FBI Daily News Briefing - March 4, 2025 Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:15:09 +0000 Importance: Normal ce. View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal March 04, 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 • Head of FBI New York Office Says He's Retired From the Bureau After Being Ordered to Do So • AG Pam Bondi Says FBI Delivered 'Truckload' of Epstein Files • Director Patel Disputes Whistleblower Revelation About FBI 'Honeypot' Agent Spying on Trump Campaign • Continued Reporting: Dan Bongino Named Deputy Director of the FBI COUNTERTERRORISM • Who Are Rafael Caro Quintero and the 28 Other Alleged Criminals Extradited to the U.S. From Mexico? • Border Patrol, FBI Leaders Who First Identified Tren de Aragua Recount Gang's Rise to Power • ICE, FBI Arrest International Gang Leader With Terrorist Affiliation Living In Maryland • Senate Democrats Warn of 'Brain Drain' in DOJ Immigration Focus • Editorial: America Must Confront Domestic Terrorism • Opinion: The U.S. Must Distance Itself From Iranian Terrorist Cult MEK CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • Highland Park Parade Shooting Suspect Changes Plea to Guilty on Day Trial Was Set to Begin • Search Underway for Missing Two-Year-Old Boy in Oregon • House Democrats Investigate DOJ's Decision to Drop Eric Adams Charges • EPA Calls for Watchdog to Probe $20 Billion Climate Fund • Suspect Shot, Killed During FBI Response in Northern Arizona • FBI Agent Testifies at Feeding Our Future Trial • Continued Reporting: Feds Subpoena Dolton, Illinois Records Tied to Ousted Mayor's Boyfriend • San Antonio Bookkeeper Arrested by FBI Again EFTA01655668 • Frontier Airlines Passenger Who Punched Window and Was Restrained by Crew and Other Fliers Is Charged • New York Cop Allegedly on Mafia Payroll 'Sold His Badge to the Bonanno Crime Family' • Continued Reporting: FBI Looking for More Victims of East Memphis Doctor • Trial of Music Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse Stirs Painful Memories • Old-Fashioned Train Heists Yield Modern-Day Loot: Nike Air Jordans CYBER DIVISION • Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Suspension of Pentagon's Offensive Cyberoperations Against Russia • Face Swap Attacks Surge 300%, FBI Warns INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS • France Mass Rape Case: New Charges Expected as Former Doctor Joel Le Scouarnec Admits Assaulting Granddaughter OTHER FBI NEWS • FBI Agent Rebuffed On Appeal in Basic Training Overtime Suit • FBI Scientist Who Led the COVID Lab Leak Investigation Speaks Out • Opinion: President Trump Should Not Be Afraid to Fire People at the FBI INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Trump Says Canada-Mexico Tariffs Will Take Effect, 'No Room Left' for Talks • U.S. Pauses All Military Aid to Ukraine • Car Plows Into Crowd in Germany, Leaving Two Dead • With Cease-Fire Shaky, Israel and Hamas Weigh Diplomatic and Military Options • Kim's Sister Threatens a Response to a U.S. Carrier's Deployment in South Korea • East Congo Rebels Abduct at Least 130 Hospital Patients • How Trump's History With Russia and Ukraine Set the Stage for a Blowup With Zelenskyy • A Thousand Snipers in the Sky: The New War in Ukraine OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • Democratic Governors Recruit Government Workers Laid off by Trump • Senate Confirms McMahon to Lead Education Department as Trump Pushes to Shut It Down • Bill to Ban Trans Athletes From Girls' and Women's Sports Teams Fails to Advance in Senate • Federal Workers Face Second Musk Deadline to Explain Their Work Last Week • Attorneys Are Suing to Keep 10 Migrants Out of Guantanamo Bay as Others Say They Were Abused There • U.S. Health Agency Says Employees Can Apply for Early Retirement • Trump Talks Hegseth's Role Pardoning Service Members Accused of War Crimes • In Speech to Congress, Trump Is Expected to Boast About DOGE Cuts and Ukraine • U.S. Congress Nowhere Close to Deal to Avert Shutdown Ahead of March 14 Deadline • U.S. Attorney Rebuffed by Justice Dept. in Push to Escalate Inquiry into Schumer • Justice Dept. to Review Election Tampering Conviction of Pro-Trump Clerk EFTA01655669 " Leaders of a Group Suspected of Smuggling 20,000 Immigrants Are Arrested in Los Angeles BIG PICTURE " Wall Street Journal • New York Times " Washington Post • Fox News " CNN " ABC News • NBC News " CBS News WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Head of FBI New York Office Says He's Retired From the Bureau After Being Ordered to Do So The Associated Press (03/03, Tucker) reported that James Dennehy, head of the FBI's New York field office, has retired from the FBI. Dennehy said in a message to colleagues that he was told late Friday to put in his retirement papers but was not given a reason. According to the article, Dennehy had resisted Justice Department efforts to scrutinize agents who participated in politically sensitive investigations, including a demand for a list of agents involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. "I've been told many times in my life, 'When you find yourself in a hole, sometimes it's best to quit digging.' Screw that," Dennehy wrote in the message informing colleagues that he had been forced out as leader of one of the FBI's busiest and most prestigious offices, a job he'd held for several months. "I will never stop defending this joint. I'll just do it willingly and proudly from outside the wire?' The article noted that in a top 10 list of things he said he would miss about the FBI, he wrote: "The independence. We will not bend. We will not falter. We will not sacrifice what is right for anything or anyone." Dennehy was put in charge of the New York field office last September by then-FBI Director Christopher Wray. He joined the FBI as a special agent working on counterintelligence in the New York field office in 2002. Additional reporting on the story was provided by CBS News (03/03, Milton, Triay, et al.), CNN (03/03, Campbell, Prokupecz), Daily Mail (03/03, Chain), Fox News (03/03, Wehner, Deppisch), Hindustan Times (03/04, Vaidyanathan), NBC News (03/03, Dilanian, Dienst, et al.), New York Daily News (03/03, Niemietz), New York Post (03/03, Marino, Nesi), New York Times (03/03, Goldman, Rashbaum, Barrett), Newsmax (03/03, Katz), Newsweek (03/03, Sheth, Whisnant), Raw Story (03/03, Burris), Reuters (03/03, Lynch), The Blaze (03/03, Staff Writer), The Daily Beast (03/03, Ornedo), WABC (ABC-7) (03/03, Staff Writer), Washington Examiner (03/03, Oliver), Washington Times (03/03, Picket), and WNYW (Fox-S) (03/03, Flanagan). NBC News (03/03, Video) and MSNBC (03/03, Video) also published broadcast coverage of the story. AG Pam Bondi Says FBI Delivered 'Truckload' of Epstein Files Fox News (03/03, Margolis) reported that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaking to Fox News host Sean Hannity on Tuesday night, confirmed that a "truckload" of Epstein files were delivered by the FBI after she gave the agency until 8 a.m. on Friday to deliver them. "I gave the FBI a deadline of Friday at 8 a.m. to get us everything," Bondi explained. "And a source had told me where the documents were being kept, Southern District of New York, shock. So we got them all by Friday at 8 a.m." She continued, "Thousands of pages of documents. I have the FBI going through them...and Director Patel is going to get us a detailed report as to why the FBI withheld all of those documents." The article noted that the highly-anticipated rollout of the Epstein files drew criticism across the country on Thursday, disappointing those who expected a "client list" or any significant new information about the disgraced Palm Beach-based sex trafficker. CNN (03/03, Rabinowitz, Reid) highlighted that while the initial release of the files themselves did not garner support, one part of the release did: a letter from Bondi to Director Patel alleging that a "source" within the bureau told her that thousands of pages of additional documents about the "investigation and indictment of Epstein" had been withheld by the FBI's New York field office. According to the EFTA01655670 article, the letter once again laid bare the tensions between the Trump administration and the FBI over the bureau's investigative actions during the previous administration. Director Patel, who started in the director job only days before, said in a statement that "there will be no cover-ups, no missing documents, and no stone left unturned — and anyone from the prior or current Bureau who undermines this will be swiftly pursued. If there are gaps, we will find them. If records have been hidden, we will uncover them." Additional reporting on the story was provided by New York Post (03/04, Nava), NY Sun (03/03, Rice), The Daily Beast (03/03, Martinez), The Hill (03/03, Crisp) (2), and The Independent (03/03, fLiddel). Fox News (03/03, Video) also published broadcast coverage of the story. Director Patel Disputes Whistieblower Revelation About FBI 'Honeypot' Agent Spying on -frump Campaign The Washington Times (03/03, Picket) reported that Director Patel is disputing a bureau whistleblower who identified a female undercover FBI agent as a "honeypot" who infiltrated President Trump's 2016 campaign. He took to social media to dispute that the female agent was not a honeypot. The article explained that a honeypot is an undercover operative who feigns sexual or romantic interest to obtain information from a target. "Just like when I exposed grotesque violations and fraud leading the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Crossfire Hurricane calling out corrupt actors; I will equally defend those attacked falsely," Director Patel said. "A female agent was falsely referenced in the media this week as part of an alleged whistleblower disclosure- she was NOT a honeypot." The article added that the agent's actions related to the Trump campaign were also reviewed by special counsel John Durham, who also found no evidence of wrongdoing by her, he said. "I will always be the first to push for accountability from within, my track record has established that, but we do not establish guilt by association in this FBI," Director Patel said. Opinion: Director Patel's Vendetta Against FBI Headquarters An opinion piece from the Washington Times (03/03, Kessler) reported that Director Patel wants to shut down the FBI headquarters and reopen it as a museum, citing past violations of President Trump's rights. According to the author, Director Patel's plan to focus on violent crime and disperse agents from headquarters to field offices may compromise the FBI's national security mission and hinder its ability to counter terrorism and espionage. This approach may replicate the pre-9/11 "wall" that prevented information sharing between agents, which could increase the risk of a foreign terrorist attack, according to author Ronald Kessler, a former investigative reporter and author of books on the FBI. Continued Reporting: Dan Bongino Named Deputy Director of the FBI NPR (03/03, Dreisbach, McMillan) reported that on his show, Deputy Director Bongino has previously embraced conspiracy theories about supposed complicity of the FBI in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack; called for investigating and imprisoning former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden; and discussed his own belief in the "spirit realm" and his view that some Democrats were infected with "demon energy." According to the article, Deputy Director Bongino is the first FBI director to win confirmation with the support of only one political party. However, Newsmax (03/03, Hall) reported that Deputy Director Bongino's background in law enforcement, public communication skills, commitment to accountability, understanding of national security issues, and conservative perspective make him a strong candidate for the role of Deputy Director. The article highlighted that Deputy Director Bongino wants the FBI to refocus back to its roots as the premiere law enforcement and investigative arm of the federal government. In the past, Bongino has sharply criticized the agency for focusing on so-called domestic terrorism, including targeting Jan. 6 protesters and pro-life activists. "These are threats to the United States?" Bongino asked his audience last year. "Grandma is in the gulag for a trespassing charge on Jan. 6." SLATE (03/03, Lithwick) posted an opinion piece on Deputy Director Bongino entitled: "Dan Bongino's Appointment Is a Slap in the Face to FBI Officers". Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM Who Are Rafael Caro Quintero and the 28 Other Alleged Criminals Extradited to the U.S. From Mexico? CNN (03/03, Saltman, Hauser, Jimenez) reported that Mexico extradited 29 alleged criminals to the U.S., including Rafael Caro Quintero — known as the "narco of narcos" — and numerous cartel members now labeled as foreign terrorists by the U.S. According to the article, many of the extradited individuals stand accused of murder, drug trafficking, and money laundering, and they hail from groups such as the Sinaloa Cartel, the Gulf Cartel, and Los EFTA01655671 Zetas. According to the article, the FBI added Caro Quintero to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives in 2018 because he allegedly resumed drug trafficking operations following his 2013 prison release, and he was further implicated in the killing of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena decades earlier. Several suspects were transported from Mexican prisons to the U.S. under an expulsion provision tied to national security, bypassing the standard extradition process, with the DOJ emphasizing that these are some of the most significant cartel figures captured in recent history. Border Patrol, FBI Leaders Who First Identified Tren de Aragua Recount Gang's Rise to Power Fox News (03/03, Taylor) reported that the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) was first identified in El Paso by Border Patrol and FBI leaders, who sounded alarms about the gang's rise to power. According to the article, the gang is involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, extortion, and modern slavery, and is considered a national security threat. The article explained that it took years for the public to become aware of TdA, but the Trump administration has now prioritized taking down the gang, with FBI and Border Patrol agents finally feeling heard and enabled to do their jobs to the fullest extent, according to leaders like Walter Slosar, Tim Sullivan, Britton Boyd, and John Morales. "Tren de Aragua has a whole different network of how they work, how they extort, and how they exploit the people that are around them," El Paso FBI Special Agent in Charge Morales said. "There are similarities and people may conflate one with the other, but they're a completely different animal." ICE, FBI Arrest International Gang Leader With Terrorist Affiliation Living In Maryland Daily Voice (03/03, Failla) reported that David Alejandro Orellana-Aleman, a 27-year-old high-ranking MS-13 leader, was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland, in a joint operation between ICE and the FBI. According to the article, Orellana-Aleman was wanted in El Salvador for crimes including firearm possession, extortion, and terrorist affiliation, and controlled MS-13 operations in the US, Mexico, and Europe. The article noted that he remains in ICE custody after his arrest, which authorities say has made Maryland safer and dealt a significant blow to the MS-13 organization. "Maryland is immediately safer because of this arrest," added FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William J. DelBagno. "Working together, we took custody of one of the highest-ranking gang members in the United States." Senate Democrats Warn of 'Brain Drain' in DOJ Immigration Focus Bloomberg (03/03, Monyak) reported that Senate Democrats raised concerns to Attorney General Pam Bondi that the Justice Department's effort to prioritize immigration enforcement will disrupt other prosecutions and threaten security. Reassignments and firings of career leaders with national security expertise at the DOJ and FBI "have diminished the country's ability to respond to national security or public safety threats," Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats wrote in a Monday letter. "The sweeping changes to personnel assignments and resource allocation across Dal will lead to widespread disruption and delay in prosecutions, investigations, and sensitive operations," the letter said. According to the article, the senators' letter comes as the Trump administration has moved to focus enforcement efforts away from traditional priorities, like white collar crime. Department leaders have signaled plans to reassign prosecutors to border districts. "Personnel at DOJ, the FBI, and other component agencies are now limited in their ability to combat threats to public safety and national security, and a dedicated and talented workforce is facing a crisis of morale," the letter said. Editorial: America Must Confront Domestic Terrorism Penn Live (03/03, Pittman) reported that domestic terrorism in the United States remains inconsistently classified. According to the article, the FBI's 2020 updated definition of domestic terrorism emphasizes both the act and the intent: it must involve violence dangerous to human life and appear intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population, influence government policy, or affect government conduct through mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping, yet this definition is unevenly applied. The article explained that several 2022 incidents—including the mass shooting at Club Q, a Colorado Springs club serving the LGBTQ+ community, and a shooting at a Taiwanese church in Southern California—met the FBI's criteria based on motives like racial, ethnic, or political hatred, though neither incident was officially charged as domestic terrorism. The article noted that the 2024 New Year's attacks, such as the incident in New Orleans where a pickup truck bearing an ISIS flag caused 14 fatalities, followed by a Tesla Cybertruck explosion in Las Vegas, underscore the ongoing challenges and hesitancy in uniformly applying domestic terrorism labels. Initially, the FBI was hesitant to classify the attack as domestic terrorism due to the lack of an apparent motive. This hesitation drew significant criticism because of the act's extreme violence. The author assessed that to bolster national security and public trust, the U.S. must adopt a more rigorous and consistent EFTA01655672 approach to classifying domestic terrorism by strictly enforcing the FBI's definitions and ensuring that legal charges accurately reflect the true nature of these violent acts. Opinion: The U.S. Must Distance Itself From Iranian Terrorist Cult MEK Jerusalem Post (03/04, Panahi) reported that a CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) event was marred by the disturbing presence of the Iranian terrorist cult MEK (Mujahedin-e Khalq, also known as the National Council of Resistance of Iran)—a group with a notorious history that includes 1970s assassinations of U.S. military personnel and cheering the 1979 hostage crisis—aggressively lobbying to infiltrate Washington. According to the article, the FBI's 2004 investigative report concluded that the MEK remained actively engaged in terrorism, citing evidence of plots planned at its headquarters in France, even as the group rebranded itself as a pro-democracy force after being removed from the U.S. terrorist list in 2012. The article noted that some Republicans have become entangled with the MEK due to its vast financial resources and deceptive influence operations, which undermine U.S. national security and jeopardize support for Israel. The author assessed that the U.S. must decisively sever ties with the MEK by enacting stringent legislative measures to end its political influence and prevent irreversible damage to American values and security. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS Highland Park Parade Shooting Suspect Changes Plea to Guilty on Day Trial Was Set to Begin The Associated Press (03/03, Tareen) reported that an Illinois man pleaded guilty Monday to killing seven people and injuring dozens more when he opened fire on a 2022 Independence Day parade in a Chicago suburb, a stunning development moments before opening statements in his trial on murder and attempted murder charges. Appearing in a Lake County circuit courtroom, Robert E. Crimo III, 24, withdrew his earlier not-guilty plea in the Highland Park shooting. According to the article, prosecutors initially charged him with 21 counts of first-degree murder — three counts for each person killed — as well as 48 counts of attempted murder. Prosecutors dropped 48 less serious counts of aggravated battery before jury selection last week. On Monday, Judge Victoria Rossetti read the charges to Crimo and asked questions to be sure he understood before accepting the plea. The judge said with the plea change, there would be no trial or further motions. The legal proceedings have moved slowly, partly due to Crimo's unpredictable behavior. Last year, Crimo was expected to accept a plea deal and give victims and relatives a chance to address him publicly, but changed his mind at the last minute, shocking even his attorneys. The New York Times (03/03, Bosman), ABC News (03/03, Shapiro), Washington Post (03/03, Berger), USA TODAY (03/03, Cann), the Guardian (03/03, Dunbar), Washington Examiner (03/03, Rosciglione), Independent (03/03, Cavallier), BBC (03/03, Yousif), WLS (ABC-7) (03/03, Piekos, Garcia, Baichwal), WGN (CW-9) (03/03, Lutz, Dortch, Crews), WFLD (Fox-32) (03/03, Staff Writer), People (03/03, Baker), and the Chicago Sun-Times (03/03, Struett) also reported on the story. Search Underway for Missing Two-Year-Old Boy in Oregon ABC News (03/03, Forrester) reported that a massive search is underway for an Oregon toddler who was reported missing on Saturday afternoon, according to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Department. Dane Paulsen was reported missing at approximately 4:25 p.m. Saturday and was last seen playing in the front yard of his family's Siletz, Oregon, home, "out of sight of his parents," the sheriff's department said in a statement on Sunday. According to the article, by the end of the day on Monday, authorities had searched 682 acres and 311 miles, but Paulsen has still not been found, authorities said. The child is "friendly and fearless, and is comfortable around strangers and water, but cannot swim" and is "known to love water and vehicles," authorities said. The Lincoln County Major Crime Team and the FBI are also assisting with the investigation and any new leads, authorities said. The FBI's Victim Service Division is also providing resources to Paulsen's family, officials said. Fox News (03/03, Sorace), Independent (03/03, Graziosi), KGW (NBC-8) (03/03, Caballero, Pierre), KOIN (CBS-6) (03/03, Salk), Newsnation (03/03, Whiteside), USA TODAY (03/03, Ardrey), UPI (03/03, Cone), People (03/03, Caplan), and the Oregonian (03/03, Edge) also reported on the story. House Democrats Investigate DOJ's Decision to Drop Eric Adams Charges CBS News (03/03, Yilek) reported that two top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have launched an investigation into the DOJ for seeking to dismiss charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi on Sunday, Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Jasmine Crockett of Texas accused the EFTA01655673 DOJ of attempting to cover up an alleged quid pro quo to drop the corruption charges against Adams if he assisted the Trump administration in carrying out its immigration policies. According to the article, in their letter to the DOJ, Raskin and Crockett said the department "has strayed far from its principles of equal justice under the law by dismissing a serious criminal public corruption matter in exchange for assistance with the White House's immigration priorities." The lawmakers have requested that the Dal turn over notes related to a Jan. 31 meeting between federal prosecutors and Adams' lawyers, and asked whether any of the documents have been destroyed. They also requested the White House and DOJ communications related to the investigation into Adams. The New York Times (03/03, Stack), and MSNBC (03/03, Rubin) also reported on the story. EPA Calls for Watchdog to Probe $20 Billion Climate Fund Politico (03/03, Colman) reported that Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin on Monday requested an inspector general probe of the management of a $20 billion climate fund held by Citibank that has become embroiled in the Trump administration's efforts to claw back Biden-era spending. The fund is at the center of a fight between the Trump administration and environmental groups seeking access to the funds that Congress approved under its massive climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act — and which Republicans are seeking to gut to help pay for trillions of dollars in tax cuts. According to the article, Zeldin wants the agency watchdog to investigate possible conflicts of interest, waste and fraud linked to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Zeldin has been increasingly vocal in television appearances that the program was rife with malfeasance, though he has not provided evidence of illegal activity or wrongdoing. The new administrator has homed in on the program after an undercover video recording released by a conservative group in December showed a person identified as an EPA adviser comparing the Biden administration's effort to spend climate money before Trump's inauguration to "throwing gold bars" off the Titanic. The article mentioned that in a statement, EPA said the Dal and FBI are conducting "concurrent investigations" of the fund, which is held at Citibank under an arrangement with the federal government. Suspect Shot, Killed During FBI Response in Northern Arizona Arizona's Family (03/03, Koch) reported that a suspect was shot and killed Monday morning as FBI agents served a warrant on the Hopi reservation in northern Arizona. The incident happened just before 7:30 a.m. when FBI agents executed the warrant in the Moenkopi village near Tuba City. The Navajo Police Department said a suspect pulled out a weapon on the agents, leading to the suspect being shot. FBI agents administered first aid before the suspect was taken to Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation for treatment. According to the article, the suspect was later pronounced dead, according to FBI Phoenix. Police did not say what the warrant was for, and the suspect has not been identified. No agents or officers were injured in this shooting. The scene is now secured with FBI agents, and the FBI is monitoring the suspect at the hospital, according to police. The Arizona Republic (03/03, Bartunek), KNXV (ABC-15) (03/03, Staff Writer), Navajo-Hopi Observer (03/03, Staff Writer), KAAF News (03/03, Zorn), KSAZ (Fox-10) (03/03, Wong), KTAR News (03/03, Stone), and KPNX (NBC-12) (03/03, Reagan) also reported on the story. FBI Agent Testifies at Feeding Our Future Trial The Minnesota Star-Tribune (03/03, Meitrodt) reported that Aimee Bock compared her nonprofit, Feeding Our Future, to the "mob" in text messages to her business associates and continued to pay fraudulent food distribution operators even when her employees raised questions about their legitimacy, an FBI agent testified Monday. According to the article, as the federal trial of Bock and co-defendant Salim Said entered the fifth week, FBI agent Travis Wilmer took the witness stand to testify about the agency's investigation into the massive $250 million fraud scheme centered around federally funded programs to feed low-income kids during the summer and after school. Wilmer said Bock's associates began informing her of their concerns in early 2021, but instead of conducting an internal investigation, Bock took steps to shut up her critics. The article stated that Feeding Our Future went from receiving about $3 million in federal funds in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021. Prosecutors have alleged throughout the case that meal counts were grossly inflated with fake attendance rosters and invoices to rake in millions of dollars from the U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, which participants used to buy luxury cars and houses, not feed kids. Several former food site operators who have pleaded guilty in the case have also testified about kickbacks and bribes between associates in the pay-to-play scheme. MPR News (03/03, Sepic), and KMSP (Fox-9) (03/03, Olson) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: Feds Subpoena Dolton, Illinois Records Tied to Ousted Mayor's Boyfriend EFTA01655674 Fox News (03/03, Whitten) reported that a federal subpoena has been issued requesting records from self- proclaimed "super mayor" Tiffany Henyard and others as authorities pursue a criminal investigation tied to the ousted mayor. According to the article, the subpoena was signed on Feb. 25, the day Henyard, a Democrat, lost the mayoral primary in Dolton, Illinois, by a landslide. The subpoena is tied to a development project involving land once reportedly owned by Henyard's boyfriend. The summons demanded a number of documents from 2014 until now, including copies of citations, code violations, emails, phone calls and text messages between property owners, tenants and village personnel. It also requested correspondence between property owners, tenants and village of Dolton personnel. The personnel included Henyard's boyfriend, Kamal Woods. The subpoena is the latest development in an ongoing federal probe into the activities of Henyard while she was serving as village mayor and township supervisor. San Antonio Bookkeeper Arrested by FBI Again The San Antonio Express-News (03/03, Danner) reported that the FBI has arrested a San Antonio bookkeeper for the second time on suspicion that she committed another scheme to steal from companies she was working for in recent months. According to the article, Monica Marie Padilla, 47, who was arrested on 30 criminal charges in 2023 and had been free on a $20,000 unsecured bond, saw her bond revoked Monday during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Elizabeth "Betsy" Chestney. Chestney cited evidence of Padilla's "dishonest, deceptive and illegal behavior" while on bond in ruling that she should remain locked up pending her trial. Frontier Airlines Passenger Who Punched Window and Was Restrained by Crew and Other Fliers Is Charged Business Insider (03/03, Syme) reported that a Frontier Airlines passenger could be given a prison sentence after being restrained midflight by other travelers last month. Raul Ramos Tamayo, 31, was on Frontier flight 4856 from Denver to Houston, per an affidavit from an FBI special agent. About 30 minutes after takeoff, he started punching the seat in front of him, witnesses are said to have told the FBI. After crew members approached him, Tamayo is alleged to have started punching a window, resulting in damage. According to the article, the affidavit stated that the cabin crew then asked for help from any law enforcement officers or able-bodied passengers, several of whom helped restrain Tamayo with flex cuffs around his wrists and ankles. Tamayo was then put back into a seat and surrounded by the passengers who subdued him for the rest of the 2Y2-hour flight, it added. Officers from the Houston Police Department met the flight at the gate at George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Tamayo was charged with destruction of aircraft or aircraft facilities. If convicted, he could face a lengthy prison sentence and a fine of up to $250,000. The FBI affidavit cited an internal airline report that said the damage included a cracked window, broken window shade, and broken outer lining of the window. The total cost of the damage was estimated at $1,546. New York Cop Allegedly on Mafia Payroll 'Sold His Badge to the Bonanno Crime Family' The New York Post (03/03, Schnitzer, Janoski) reported that ex-Nassau County cop Hector Rosario "sold his badge" to the mob — then helped his associates evade the law "time and time again," federal prosecutors said Monday. Assistant US Attorney Sean Sherman told a federal jury during closing arguments at Rosario's trial that the allegedly dirty cop took $1,500 per month from the Bonanno crime family, then "lied to cover it up." "He lied to hide information about illegal gambling and organized crime," Sherman said, adding that Rosario was a "cop in name only" and lied to the FBI more than 30 times when the feds interviewed him about his illicit activities in January 2020. According to the article, Rosario, 51, has been charged with obstructing a grand jury probe into racketeering and lying to the FBI as he allegedly conspired to target rival Genovese and Gambino mafiosos during a feud that erupted after a profit-sharing scheme between the families went south. Continued Reporting: FBI Looking for More Victims of East Memphis Doctor WREG (CBS-3) (03/03, Arthur) reported that the FBI is looking for more potential victims of Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, who they say were patients at the Poplar Avenue Clinic. On Friday, Kumar was indicted on 23 counts of allegedly coercing people into sexual acts, healthcare fraud, and reusing single-use devices on patients. Investigators believe he targeted patients between September 2019 and April 2024. The FBI says the doctor who owns the clinic specializes in oncology and gynecology. The article mentioned that allegations against Kumar are laid out in a 28- page indictment. One allegation said, "Kumar reused hysteroscope medical devices marked as 'single use' on his patients without properly cleaning, disinfecting, and/or sterilizing." These devices were not cleared by the FDA to be reprocessed or reused. This practice saved the doctor money, as investigators allege. "Kumar increased his profits by not replacing the single-use devices after every use," said another allegation. EFTA01655675 Trial of Music Teacher Accused of Sexual Abuse Stirs Painful Memories The New York Times (03/03, Wilson) reported that the criminal trial of Paul Geer, a former music teacher, played out in federal court in Albany, N.Y., last week. But testimony and photographic evidence transported everyone back to the 1990s and early 2000s to a town 125 miles away, Hancock, and to the Family Foundation School's secluded campus in the woods. The reform school is long closed and has settled several lawsuits by former students accusing Geer of sexual abuse over decades. But the trial brought the place back into the public spotlight. The article stated that Geer, who taught at the school from the early '90s until it closed in 2014, was the "father" of Family Six. He openly described himself to students as a sex addict who hit rock bottom while driving one day and nearly crashing as he masturbated, former students testified. "This constant, returning story; Steve Zahoroiko, 43, a former student and, later, a marine, testified. "That was the shining moment in his life, when he turned everything around." The article noted that defense lawyers have raised inconsistencies in the students' versions of events over the years, in FBI interviews and elsewhere. Elizabeth lanelli, a former student and an organizer of the earliest public attacks against the school, wrote a memoir of her time there, "I See You, Survivor," published in 2023. But she was called as a witness for the defense on Wednesday, and lawyers raised contradictions between what she had written and what she testified. Old-Fashioned Train Heists Yield Modern-Day Loot: Nike Air Jordans The New York Times (03/03, Levenson) reported that in recent months, well-organized bandits have jumped on trains rolling through the Mojave Desert in Arizona and stolen their cargo. But these robbers were not stealing gold bullion and pocket watches. They were taking Nike Air Jordans, wireless gaming headsets and other modern-day loot, according to federal prosecutors. The article added that in many cases, the robbers used electric saws, bolt- cutters and other tools to break open the locks on containers holding pricey merchandise. Then they cut the air hoses on the brakes, which caused the trains to come to a sudden stop and put them at risk of derailing, prosecutors said. Trains in the region often travel at 70 m.p.h. Once the trains were stopped, the robbers took cases of Air Jordans, electronics and other goods off the trains and hid them in fields and brush by the side of the tracks. Then they contacted associates who came to pick up the goods and hauled them away in box trucks, prosecutors said. The train heists, previously reported by The Los Angeles Times, have increased in frequency over the past two years, as more transnational gangs have been targeting high-value shipments. The article noted that at least 12 defendants — most of them Mexican citizens who were in the United States illegally — have been charged in federal courts since last year, according to court documents that describe at least seven train robberies since June 8, 2023. Law enforcement agents have seized about $3 million in merchandise believed to have been stolen from BNSF trains. Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Defense Secretary Hegseth Orders Suspension of Pentagon's Offensive Cyberoperations Against Russia The Associated Press (03/03, Baldor, Klepper) reported that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the suspension of the Pentagon's offensive cyberoperations against Russia. According to the article, the decision does not affect cyberoperations conducted by other agencies, such as the CIA and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, but the Trump administration also has rolled back other efforts at the FBI and other agencies related to countering digital and cyber threats. Additionally, Attorney General Pam Bondi has disbanded an FBI task force focused on foreign influence campaigns, like those Russia used to target U.S. elections in the past. The article noted that the move has been criticized by national security experts, who argue that the U.S. should expand its cyber capabilities to counter threats from Russia and other adversaries. Fox News (03/03, Miller) reported that Hegseth responded to an attack from Hillary Clinton with a photo of her holding a "reset" button with Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov in 2009. The photo was seen over 2 million times and was praised by conservatives on social media, with many saying Clinton got "owned" by Hegseth's response. The article explained that Clinton had initially criticized Hegseth over a report that he ordered Cyber Command to "stand down" on all Russia operations, prompting Hegseth's retaliatory post. Additional reporting on the story was provided by BBC (03/03, FitzGerald), CBS News (03/03, LaPorta, D'Agata, et al.), The National Desk (03/03, Denean), Axios (03/03, Lotz), MSNBC (03/03, Benen), Newsweek (03/03, Cole), Politico (03/03, Miller, Roussi), and Telegraph (03/03, Millward, Makoli). EFTA01655676 Face Swap Attacks Surge 300%, FBI Warns Forbes (03/03, Winder) reported that face-swapping attacks have surged by 300% over the last 12 months, according to the iProov Threat Intelligence Report. According to the article, the use of deepfake technology, including face swaps and native virtual camera attacks, poses a significant threat to organizations and individuals, as stated by Dr. Andrew Newell, chief scientific officer at iProov. Only 0.1% of consumers can accurately spot a deepfake, highlighting the need for alternative means of authentication. The article noted that the FBI has warned that phishing should be mitigated with two-factor authentication. Back to Tap INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS France Mass Rape Case: New Charges Expected as Former Doctor Joel Le Scouarnec Admits Assaulting Granddaughter CBS News (03/03, Cobbe) reported that there was shock in the courtroom in western France on Friday as farmer doctor Joel Le Scouarnec admitted without any solicitation that he had sexually abused his own granddaughter. Le Scouarnec, 74, had been on trial for about a week by Friday, accused of raping or sexually assaulting 299 children, but his granddaughter is not among the alleged victims in the case — all of whom were his patients at the time. The former surgeon stood up and addressed the court just after his eldest son, whose name has not been used in the trial, gave evidence. "This is possibly, almost certainly, the last time I will see my son, because I heard his anger and his distress," Le Scouarnec told the court in the town of Vannes, Brittany. "I respect that anger, it is well- founded. Yes, I admit to having abused my granddaughter, his daughter." He then turned to his son and said, "forgive me." The trial was adjourned immediately after he made the statement. Later Friday evening, regional prosecutors confirmed that new charges would be brought against Le Scouarnec in relation to his courtroom confession. The article mentioned that in 2005, he was convicted of possession of child sexual abuse images after an FBI investigation into an international network. He was given a four-year suspended sentence for those crimes. The court did not order any psychological follow up, however, or any restrictions on his work. During his career, Le Scouarnec worked in several hospitals across the Brittany region. Victims' associations have asked how he could have carried out so many alleged assaults without any alarms being raised. Back to Tap OTHER FBI NEWS FBI Agent Rebuffed On Appeal in Basic Training Overtime Suit Bloomberg (03/03, Vilensky) reported that the DOJ prevailed Monday in an FBI agent's lawsuit seeking overtime pay for basic training that allegedly took place outside normal work hours. The Federal Circuit vacated a lower court finding that a US Office of Personnel Management regulation barring federal workers from earning premium pay for entry-level training is invalid. The article mentioned that while the regulations differ from corresponding US Department of Labor regulations, those variances may be justified by OPM's need to implement policies specific to federal employees, Judge Kimberly A. Moore said. FBI Scientist Who Led the COVID Lab Leak Investigation Speaks Out The Daily Mail (03/03, Andrews) reported that an FBI scientist who led the investigation into the Covid lab leak theory has revealed why he is confident China was behind the pandemic. The FBI, CIA and Energy Department all say it is most likely that the virus emerged at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, but only the former says it has 'moderate confidence' this was the case. According to the article, Dr. Jason Bannan is speaking out to counter the claim that the lab leak theory is a right wing conspiracy. The article mentioned that Bannan said his team found Shi Zhengli, a lead coronavirus researcher at the WIV dubbed the "bat lady", and her team were performing risky experiments on SARS-CoV-2's closest known relatives for at least three years before the pandemic. They also found the WIV had "thousands" of samples of coronaviruses, many of which were not disclosed, and that much of the research was carried out in labs that had improper safety precautions for coronaviruses, raising the risk of an escape. Bannan revealed to Vanity Fair: "To me, there is enough scientific evidence to say it is likely this was a lab incident." The article added that Bannan spent more than 20 years as an FBI scientist, winning the FBI Director's Award in 2009 for outstanding scientific advancement for his work on the anthrax investigation. He spent 11 of EFTA01655677 those years serving as the senior scientist on the FBI's forensic response section within the lab division, where he also investigated Covid's origins. He retired in 2022, and has now spoken up as a private citizen to counter what he called inaccurate claims that Covid emerged naturally. The article noted that an FBI spokesperson said in a statement: "The FBI has long assessed that the origin of the Covid pandemic was likely a laboratory incident in Wuhan. Led by the FBI's Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate, work began in early 2020 when FBI experts in such fields as virology, immunology, microbiology, biochemistry, and forensics began examining this issue. FBI agents and analysts studied intelligence and conducted over 200 interviews of more than 80 people since the beginning of the pandemic." Opinion: President Trump Should Not Be Afraid to Fire People at the FBI An opinion piece by the Washington Examiner (03/03, Papillon) stated that when a new president takes office, he gets to determine who will head the departments in and around the executive branch. However, people within the departments are often holdovers from previous administrations and may be hostile to the current president's agenda. The author noted that Elon Musk summed it up in a Feb. 28 post on X. The author quoted Elon, who said, "Imagine if you were suddenly appointed AG or head of the FBI. You were just thrown on a ship with a hostile crew. Until you appoint some new crew members and figure out the ropes, you can't steer the ship effectively. It's literally impossible." The author added that a president needs to have his Cabinet on his side if he wants to be effective. The author mentioned that in light of the recent disappointment regarding the release of the Jeffery Epstein files, Attorney General Pam Bondi called on Director Patel to release the entirety of the files. According to the author, it is likely not AG Bondi or Director Patel's fault that there were delays in releasing the files. Assuming AG Bondi and Director Patel are genuine in their attempts to release the files, those within their departments should take the blame. The author claimed that it is time for AG Bondi and Director Patel to take a deep look at the DOJ and the FBI and examine if anyone is involved in delaying the files' release. The author claimed that FBI agents can't be fired without just cause, but defying orders likely would qualify as such a cause. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS Trump Says Canada-Mexico Tariffs Will Take Effect, 'No Room Left' for Talks Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Associated Press, New York Times U.S. Pauses All Military Aid to Ukraine Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, Reuters, Associated Press Car Plows Into Crowd in Germany, Leaving Two Dead Wall Street Journal, BBC, ABC News, CNN With Cease-Fire Shaky, Israel and Hamas Weigh Diplomatic and Military Options New York Times, Associated Press Kim's Sister Threatens a Response to a U.S. Carrier's Deployment in South Korea Associated Press, Washington Post, Reuters East Congo Rebels Abduct at Least 130 Hospital Patients Reuters, Associated Press How Trump's History With Russia and Ukraine Set the Stage for a Blowup With Zelenskyy Associated Press A Thousand Snipers in the Sky: The New War in Ukraine New York Times Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS Democratic Governors Recruit Government Workers Laid off by Trump Reuters, Fox News, NTD, Washington Examiner, The Epoch Times EFTA01655678 Senate Confirms McMahon to Lead Education Department as Trump Pushes to Shut It Down Associated Press, NPR, USA TODAY, New York Times, Fox News Bill to Ban Trans Athletes From Girls' and Women's Sports Teams Fails to Advance in Senate Associated Press, Washington Post, CNN, The Hill, CBS News Federal Workers Face Second Musk Deadline to Explain Their Work Last Week New York Post, Associated Press Attorneys Are Suing to Keep 10 Migrants Out of Guantanamo Bay as Others Say They Were Abused There Associated Press, Reuters U.S. Health Agency Says Employees Can Apply for Early Retirement Reuters Trump Talks Hegseth's Role Pardoning Service Members Accused of War Crimes Fox News In Speech to Congress, Trump Is Expected to Boast About DOGE Cuts and Ukraine New York Times U.S. Congress Nowhere Close to Deal to Avert Shutdown Ahead of March 14 Deadline Reuters U.S. Attorney Rebuffed by Justice Dept. in Push to Escalate Inquiry into Schumer New York Times Justice Dept. to Review Election Tampering Conviction of Pro-Trump Clerk New York Times Leaders of a Group Suspected of Smuggling 20,000 Immigrants Are Arrested in Los Angeles Associated Press Back to Top BIG PICTURE Wall Street Journal • Trump's Canada-Mexico Tariffs Take Effect • Canada and Mexico Gambled on a Free Trade Future. The Bet Is Turning Sour. • Trump Tariffs Usher in New Era of Protectionism • U.S. Pauses All Military Aid to Ukraine • Trump's Embrace of Russia Rocks NATO Alliance New York Times • Biden's Envoy to Fight Antisemitism Says She Saw Surge of Hate After Oct. 7 • U.S. Attorney Rebuffed by Justice Dept. in Push to Escalate Inquiry into Schumer • In Speech to Congress, Trump Is Expected to Boast About DOGE Cuts and Ukraine • Is It Time to Transfer Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine? Calls Grow Louder. • Trump Suspends Military Aid to Ukraine After Oval Office Blowup Washington Post • Trump Administration to Pause Future Deliveries of Military Aid to Ukraine • China Says It Will Retaliate After Trump Announces Tariffs Will Double • Senate Blocks Ban on Transgender Athletes, as Trump Pushes Forward • U.S. Attorney Vows Gun Crime Crackdown in Bid to 'Make D.C. Safe Again' • The L.A. Fire Recovery Effort: Colliding Egos, Ambitions and Financing EFTA01655679 Fox News • Trump's Tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico Take Effect; Vice President JD Vance Reveals Where Things 'Broke Apart' During Trump-Zelenskyy Blowup; Trump Pauses Aid to Ukraine After Fiery Meeting With Zelenskyy. CNN • U.S. Tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China Take Effect; Trump Pauses Military Aid to Ukraine After Oval Office Argument With Zelensky; Trump's Speech to Congress Will Be an Explanation of His Fast-Paced First Days in Office. ABC News • WWE Co-founder Linda McMahon Confirmed as Secretary of Education; Some Republican Lawmakers Increase Calls Against Gay Marriage SCOTUS Ruling; Biggest Moments From the 97th Academy Awards. NBC News • Trump Says 25% Tariffs on Mexico and Canada Will Go Into Effect; Trump Says Minerals Deal Not Dead, but Zelenskyy Should Be 'More Appreciative' of U.S. Aid; Democrats Target Musk's Comments About the Finances of Social Security. CBS News • Mexico and Canada Tariffs Will Go Into Effect as Planned, Trump Says; Ex-USAID Worker Talks About Emotional Toll of Firings, Impact on Family. Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Trump • 9:00 AM: In-Town Pool Call Time • 8:30 PM: The President and The First Lady depart The White House en route The Capitol • 8:40 PM: The President and The First Lady arrive The Capitol • 9:10 PM: The President delivers his Joint Address to Congress • 11:20 PM: The President and The First Lady depart The Capitol en route The White House • 11:30 PM: The President and The First Lady arrive The White House Vice President Vance • No official presidential schedule released or announced. US Senate • Hearings to examine the nomination of Elbridge Colby of the District of Columbia to be Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. — 9:30 AM — Host: Armed Services • Hearings to examine the nominations of Christopher Landau of Maryland to be Deputy Secretary Michael Rigas of Virginia to be Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources and Matthew Whitaker of Iowa to be United States Permanent Representative on the Council of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization with the rank and status of Ambassador all of the Department of State. — 10:00 AM — Host: Foreign Relations EFTA01655680 • Joint hearings with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs to examine the legislative presentation of The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and multi VSOs: Paralyzed Veterans of America Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Student Veterans of America Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors The Elizabeth Dole Foundation and National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. — 10:00 AM — Host: Veterans' Affairs US House of Representatives • Business Meeting: H.J. Res. 42 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5 United States Code of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program for Appliance Standards: Certification Requirements Labeling Requirements and Enforcement Provisions for Certain Consumer Products and Commercial Equipment": H.J. Res. 61 Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title S United States Code of the rule submitted by the Environmental. — 4:00 PM — Host: Committee on Rules Cabinet Members • Secretary of State Rubio meets with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjart6 at the Department of State at 11:00 AM. • Secretary of State Rubio delivers keynote remarks at the 63rd Annual U.S. Senate Youth Program Luncheon at the Department of State at 12:45 PM. Visitors • No events scheduled. General Events • Heritage: Dads on Duty: A Father's Role in Shaping Society — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 12:00 PM. It is impossible not to notice the decline of family values and the plummeting birthrate in America and across the world today. Both of these phenomena have wide-ranging economic, social, and political implications. Fundamental parts of our culture are lost due to the decreasing number of children and lack of emphasis on the importance of family. • CSIS: The Impossible State Live Podcast: When Will the Korean Impeachment Crisis End? — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. Please join the Impossible State podcast for a discussion on South Korea's ongoing political crisis. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Victor Cha and features Mr. Eunjoong Kim, Washington correspondent of the Chosun Ilbo, and Ms. Yoojin Kim, Washington correspondent of the Kyunghyang Daily News. • CSIS: The Impossible State Live Podcast: When Will the Korean Impeachment Crisis End? — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. Please join the Impossible State podcast for a discussion on South Korea's ongoing political crisis. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Victor Cha and features Mr. Eunjoong Kim, Washington correspondent of the Chosun Ilbo, and Ms. Yoojin Kim, Washington correspondent of the Kyunghyang Daily News. • CATO Institute: Saving Academia: A Conversation with Rep. Burgess Owens — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: CATO Institute, 11:00 AM. Higher education is at a crossroads. American universities are facing important questions about accountability and viability, including concerns about ideological influences, rising administrative costs, shifting academic expectations, and the growing challenge of student loan debt. But what are the underlying causes of these challenges, and how can we address them? • CSIS: The Impossible State Live Podcast: When Will the Korean Impeachment Crisis End? — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 11:00 AM. Please join the Impossible State podcast for a discussion on South Korea's ongoing political crisis. The conversation will be moderated by Dr. Victor Cha and features Mr. Eunjoong Kim, Washington correspondent of the Chosun Ilbo, and Ms. Yoojin Kim, Washington correspondent of the Kyunghyang Daily News. EFTA01655681 • AEI: Like Silicon from Clay: A Book Event with Michael M. Rosen — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: AEI Auditorium, 4:00 PM. In Like Silicon from Clay: What Ancient Jewish Wisdom Can Teach Us About AI, AEI Nonresident Senior Fellow Michael M. Rosen explores the intersection of ancient mythology and modern technology. As Al sparks fierce debate among policymakers, technologists, and philosophers, Mr. Rosen turns to centuries-old Jewish legends of golems, dybbuks, and maggids—creations that once symbolized human ingenuity and the dangers of unchecked power. By examining these myths, he reveals essential insights into our evolving relationship with machines and the need for ethical guardrails. He offers compelling recommendations on how to harness Al's creative potential while managing its risks. • Hudson Institute: How US Maritime Industries Can Help Deter China — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 8:00 AM. China's commercial maritime dominance is unprecedented in modern history. Its shipbuilding industry is more than 200 times larger than that of the United States. Last year, it won three- quarters of the world's shipbuilding orders and delivered three ships to the Chinese navy for each ship American shipbuilders completed for the US Navy. China's commercial fleet is about 10 times larger than that of the US, and China has ownership interests in more than 100 ports outside of China, including at every maritime chokepoint. This maritime dominance gives China extraordinary power to manipulate vital supply chains. • Hudson Institute: The Maduro Menace: A Conversation with Maria Corina Machado — Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Location: Online event, 10:00 AM. Since Venezuela's July 28, 2024, presidential election, which opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia won decisively, Nicolas Maduro's regime has defied the will of the people and intensified its campaign of repression and terror. Over 1,600 political prisoners remain behind bars, while opposition leaders have been forced into hiding or exile. Despite international condemnation, Maduro had himself inaugurated for a third term in January. Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. EFTA01655682