EFTA Document EFTA01655731

From: FBI News Briefing To: "FBINewsBriefing Subject: [EXTERNAL EMAIL) - FBI Daily News Briefing - January 5, 2024 Date: Fri, 05 Jan 2024 11:10:02 +0000 Importance: Normal View in Browser Federal Bureau of Investigation Seal January 05, 2024 Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • Iowa School Shooting Leaves Sixth Grader Dead, Five Injured • Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Deadly Bomb Attack at Soleimani Memorial • Trump's Lawyers Want Special Counsel Jack Smith Held in Contempt in 2020 Election Interference Case COUNTERTERRORISM • State Government Buildings Face Bomb Threats for Second Consecutive Day • Man Who Allegedly Placed Fake Bomb on Harvard Campus to Plead Guilty • Former FBI Special Agent in Charge Talks Deadly Crash Outside Rochester's Kodak Center • San Bernardino Terrorist Attacker's Relatives Let Government Seize $275,000 Life Insurance Payout • Opinion: 'No Hurt Feelings' Is No Way to Engage With Our Enemies COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Marine Veteran Sues Justice Department for Denying Victim's Funds • How a Cuban Spy Operated Inside U.S. Intelligence and How She Was Caught • Ex-CIA Official Warns Intel Agencies Will Be Politically Active in 2024 Election CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • The Biggest Names from Jeffrey Epstein's Unsealed Court Documents • Florida Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell • Attempted Murder Indictment Handed Down In Shooting Of New York Cop • Online Threats Prompt Police Presence at Oregon School • A Colorado Funeral Homeowner Accused of Abandoning Dozens of Bodies EFTA01655731 • Man Sentenced to Prison After Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars From Casino • Indiana Serial Bank Robber Sentenced To 22.5 Years • Missing Teen Girl Found in Home of Man Who Abducted Her After Logging Into 'World of Warcraft' • Colorado Police Vow 'Justice' to Children Allegedly Killed by Mother Before She Fled to UK • Ex-Cop Who Stiffed Landlords Avoids Prison Time at Sentencing • Ex-Cop Who Allegedly Shot Wife Pleads Not Guilty • Suspect in Wife's Murder Arrested in Nevada • Chicago Man Charged in Road Rage Shooting • Oregon Police Releasing Few Details on Probe Into Alleged Deaths, Drug Thefts at Oregon Hospital • How the FBI Used a Camera Mounted to a Light Pole to Bring Down One of Florida's Biggest Suspected Drug Dealers • FBI Takes Over Investigation Into Aircraft Thefts • Missouri Cold Case: FBI Offers $10,000 Reward for Information on Stolen Truman Swords • FBI Offers $2,000 Reward For 'Pink Backpack Bandit' in New Mexico FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS • Prosecutors Pursue Affinity-Fraud Cases in Which Scammers Target Their Own • Two Indicted in $8.5 Million Airbnb, VRBO Scam CYBER DIVISION • Freight Giant Estes Confirms Data Breach, but Says It Won't Pay Ransom • Hospitals Sue LockBit, Ask Cloud Firm to Return Stolen Data • FBI Develops Decryption Tool to Combat Blackcat Ransomware • Additional Cyber Agents to Be Deployed by FBI • FBI Issues 'Cyber Kidnapping' Warning After a Utah Student Was Found CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS • Arrest Footage of Trump Co-Defendant Provides Glimpse Into Jack Smith Probe • DC Appeals Court to Review Jack Smith's 'Unconstitutional' Appointment in Trump Case • A Quarter of Americans Believe FBI Instigated Jan. 6, Post-UMD Poll Finds • What to Know About Trump's Immunity Claim in the 2020 Election Case • The Trump Campaign Embraces Jan. 6 Rioters With Money and Pardon Promises • Feds Boost Reward to $500K for Information on Capitol Pipe Bomber • Proud Boys Member Who Went on the Run After Conviction in the Jan. 6 Riot Gets 10 Years in Prison • Army Officer Alleges Reprisal for His Account of Capitol Riot Response • Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Police in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot • South Jersey Man Gets 60 Days in Prison for Jan. 6 Capitol Riot • Continued Reporting: Biden Campaign Previews Jan. 6-Focused Speech With New TV Ad OTHER FBI NEWS • Prosecutor on Jack Smith Team Discouraged FBI From Investigating Clinton Foundation INTERNATIONAL NEWS • Did Ukraine Miss an Early Chance to Negotiate Peace With Russia? EFTA01655732 • Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles • Exclusive: Russian Hackers Were Inside Ukraine Telecoms Giant for Months • Russia and Ukraine Exchange Long-Range Attacks as Their Front-Line Forces Remain Bogged Down • U.S. Killing of Militia Leader Marks Bid to Stop Attacks on Its Forces in Iraq • Tensions in the Middle East Are Rising Beyond Israel. Here's Where. • Houthis Launch Sea Drone to Attack Ships Hours After US, Allies Issue Final Warning • Neo-Nazi Podcasters Sent to Prison on Terror Charges for Targeting Prince Harry and His Young Son • North Korea: Kim Jong Un Daughter His Likely Successor, South's Spy Agency Says • Exclusive: Doomed Japan Plane on Third Quake Mission When Runway Disaster Hit OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS • No Top U.S. Government Official Has an Approval Rating Over 50% • Trump Businesses Received $5.5 Million from China While He Was President, House Democrats Find • White House Says Russia Used Missiles From North Korea to Strike Ukraine • Former CIA Director Optimistic US Has 'Good Intelligence' to Mitigate Houthi Dangers • U.S. Strike in Baghdad Raises Specter of Wider Regional War • New York City Sues Bus Companies That Brought 30,000 Migrants From Texas • Ambulance Workers in Texas Are Reeling Under the Border Surge • Conservatives Toppled Two College Presidents. They're Not Done Yet. • Blinken Heads Back to Middle East Amid Regional Escalation Fears • In Texas Case, Federal Appeals Panel Says Emergency Care Abortions Not Required by 1986 Law BIG PICTURE • New York Times • Wall Street Journal • Washington Post • Financial Times • ABC News • NBC News • CBS News • Fox News WASHINGTON SCHEDULE IN THE NEWS Iowa School Shooting Leaves Sixth Grader Dead, Five Injured The Associated Press (01/04, Riccardi, Fingerhut) and the Wall Street Journal (01/04, Avila) reported that on Thursday morning, a 17-year-old student shot and killed a sixth-grader and injured one school administrator and four students at a high school in Perry, Iowa. According to the articles, Dylan Butler, a student at Perry High School, was armed with a shotgun and a handgun when he opened fire at his school. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation stated that the suspect, a student at the school in Perry, died of what investigators believe was a self- inflicted gunshot wound. The reports mentioned that one of the victims is in critical condition but didn't have life- threatening injuries. Based on the information, Police received calls about an active shooter shortly after 7:30 a.m. Officers swept the school and found the shooter dead from a gunshot wound. They also found a rudimentary improvised explosive device and were able to defuse the device. The suspect's motive is currently being investigated, and authorities are looking into "several social media posts" he made around the time of the EFTA01655733 shooting, the reports added. Reuters (01/04, Morgan, Ax) noted that FBI agents from the Omaha-Des Moines office are assisting in the investigation and that U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland was briefed on the shooting. The story was also reported on by ABC News (01/04, Osborne, Margolin, Deliso), Axios (01/04, Ta), BBC (01/OS, Kim), CNN (01/04, Rose, Andone, Perez), Forbes (01/04, Farrell), Fox News (01/04, Stimson, Pandolfo), The Guardian (01/04, Luscombe), NBC News (01/04, Staff Writer), the New York Times (01/OS, Tumin, Mather, McBride), Politico (01/04, Bazail-Eimil, Perez), USA TODAY (01/04, Ullmann, Joens, Cann), and the Washington Post (01/04, Paquette). Islamic State Claims Responsibility for Deadly Bomb Attack at Soleimani Memorial The Associated Press (01/04, Gambrel!, Mroue) and the Wall Street Journal (01/04, Kalin, Eqbali) reported that Islamic State militants have claimed responsibility Thursday for a pair of bombings that killed dozens of people on Wednesday. According to the information, the Islamic State said that two of its operatives had detonated explosive belts at the public ceremony in the southeastern town of Kerman, where crowds were commemorating the death of Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' elite Quds Force, who was killed in January 2020 by a U.S. airstrike. According to Iranian authorities, officials are investigating the blasts and have stated that they will seek revenge. The Fars news agency, which is close to the country's security forces, cited an unnamed person who confirmed that the attack was carried out by two suicide attackers, comparing it to a 2022 assault claimed by Islamic State on a Shiite mosque in the southern city of Shiraz. The reports also stated that the American airstrike killed an Iran-backed militia leader on Thursday in Baghdad, raising concern that the Israel- Mamas conflict could spread to multiple fronts and pull the U.S. into more confrontation. The story was also reported on by BBC (01/04, Gardner, Gritten), Bloomberg (01/04, Martin), CBS News (01/04, Ott), CNN (01/04, Kourdi, Deaton), Forbes (01/04, Bohannon), Fox News (01/04, Nerozzi), The Guardian (01/04, Wintour), the New York Times (01/04, Yee, Saad, Schmitt), Reuters (01/04, Hafezi, Elwelly, Tanios), and the Washington Post (01/04, Taylor). Trump's Lawyers Want Special Counsel Jack Smith Held in Contempt in 2020 Election Interference Case The Associated Press (01/04, Tucker, Richer) reported that former President Donald Trump's lawyers accused special counsel Jack Smith's team of advancing the 2020 election interference case against Trump despite a court- ordered pause, and have filed a motion to hold Smith and his prosecutors in contempt. According to the article, the defense alleges that the prosecutors' actions, including turning over evidence and filing motions, are part of a strategy to spread political propaganda. The article noted that this contempt motion underscores the ongoing tension in the case, where Trump is charged with scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, and highlights the conflict between the prosecution's and Trump's legal team's approaches. CBS News (01/04, Legare, Quinn), The Hill (01/04, Beitsch), New York Times (01/04, Feuer), Axios (01/04, Doherty), Fox News (01/04, Singman), CNN (01/04, Lybrand), Bloomberg (01/04, Larson), Forbes (01/04, Durkee), Reuters (01/04, Goudsward), MSNBC (01/04, Rubin), Esquire (01/04, Pierce), New York Post (01/04, King), HuffPost (01/04, Blumenthal), Courthouse News Service (01/04, Knappenberger), Spectrum News (01/04, Tasolides), Yahoo News (01/04, Knowles), and ABC News (01/04, Faulders) also reported on the story. Back to Top COUNTERTERRORISM State Government Buildings Face Bomb Threats for Second Consecutive Day NBC News (01/04, Edelman) reported that government buildings in Mississippi and Arkansas, including state and local courthouses, faced bomb threats for the second consecutive day, leading to evacuations and deployment of bomb teams. According to the article, the FBI was aware of these hoax bomb threats and stated they had "no information to indicate a specific and credible threat" but would continue working with law enforcement partners. The article noted that this surge in threats, part of a larger trend of increased threats against public servants, also affected Florida, Massachusetts, and Maine, with similar evacuations reported in these states. The Associated Press (01/04, Goldberg), Michigan Advance (01/04, Demas, King), CNN (01/04, Smart, Simonson, Rabinowitz), Washington Post (01/04, Wang), Forbes (01/04, Farrell), New York Times (01/04, Vigdor), and The Hill (01/04, Irwin) also reported on the story. Man Who Allegedly Placed Fake Bomb on Harvard Campus to Plead Guilty The Boston Globe (01/04, Andersen) reported that William Giordani from New Hampshire is set to plead guilty to charges related to planting a fake bomb at Harvard University as part of an extortion plot demanding Bitcoin EFTA01655734 payment. According to the article, the hoax, involving a tool bag with fireworks and loose wiring, led to an evacuation but caused no injuries. The article noted that the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force was involved in the investigation, but an FBI spokesperson declined to comment as the case is pending, and it's unclear if Giordani was the mastermind or a pawn in the scheme. Former FBI Special Agent in Charge Talks Deadly Crash Outside Rochester's Kodak Center Spectrum Local News (01/04, Wright) and Daily Mail (01/04, Hammer) reported that former FBI Special Agent in Charge Peter Ahearn discussed the investigation into a deadly crash outside Rochester's Kodak Center on New Year's Day, emphasizing the importance of understanding motives in such incidents. The articles explained that the FBI, involved in the case, found no evidence of international or domestic terrorism, as stated by Agent Jeremy Bell. The article noted that the suspect, Michael Avery, died in the crash that killed two others and injured nine, with authorities still exploring domestic terrorism as a potential motive despite no clear evidence of political or social biases. San Bernardino Terrorist Attacker's Relatives Let Government Seize $275,000 Life Insurance Payout The SB Sun (01/04, Rokos) reported that the relatives of San Bernardino terrorist attacker Syed Rizwan Farook, who conspired with longtime friend Enrique Marquez in a 2015 mass shooting, relinquished their legal battle for two life insurance policies worth $275,000 that Farook had purchased before the 2015 attack. According to the article, the U.S. Attorney's Office sought to seize the proceeds, alleging they were derived from a crime of terrorism, and in December 2023, the court ordered the money be turned over to the U.S. government. "Many dedicated law enforcement personnel have worked around the clock and side by side with their Joint Terrorism Task Force partners to gather evidence and build a solid terrorism case against Mr. Marquez over the past two weeks," said Assistant Director in Charge David Bowdich of the FBI's Los Angeles Field Office in a press release from 2015. "As we will continue to investigate the facts surrounding the terrible shooting in San Bernardino, we will leave no stone unturned in an effort to deliver answers and justice to the murdered victims and the families they left behind." Opinion: 'No Hurt Feelings' Is No Way to Engage With Our Enemies An opinion piece from The Messenger (01/04, Israel) emphasized concerns about a growing tendency in U.S. foreign policy to prioritize not offending adversaries, even in the context of terrorism and aggressive acts by hostile nations. It specifically referenced the caution shown towards Iran's proxy attacks in the Red Sea and Hamas' actions against Israel, noting the U.S. government's reluctance to respond strongly for fear of escalating tensions or upsetting these groups. The author highlighted FBI Director Christopher Wray's warning about the heightened threat to homeland security from overseas terrorists, domestic extremists, and lone actors, indicating a need for a firmer stance in national security that doesn't compromise due to the feelings of aggressors. Back to Top COUNTERINTELLIGENCE Marine Veteran Sues Justice Department for Denying Victim's Funds Marine Corps Times (01/04, South) reported that a Marine veteran, Amir Hekmati, sued the Department of Justice for denying him $20 million from a fund for victims of state-sponsored terrorism, following FBI allegations that reversed an earlier decision awarding him the amount. The lawsuit emphasized that Hekmati's due process rights were violated, as he couldn't counter FBI claims that he offered classified information to Iranian officials, accusations he has consistently denied without ever being charged. The article noted that Hekmati's attorney, Emily Grim, criticized the government's actions as a breakdown of the rule of law, depriving Hekmati of due process by revoking his award based on "false, anonymous, hearsay allegations." How a Cuban Spy Operated Inside U.S. Intelligence and How She Was Caught The Washington Examiner (01/04, Durns) reported that Ana Montes, a highly respected Defense Intelligence Agency analyst, was revealed to have been a spy for Cuba, as detailed in the book "Queen of Cuba" by former FBI agent Peter J. Lapp and reporter Kelly Kennedy. According to the article, Montes, a "true believer" in Cuba's cause, provided critical information to Cuba for 17 years, including details of a highly classified special access program. The article explained that despite her successful evasion of detection, partly due to counterintelligence officials not suspecting a woman like her, Montes was eventually caught, with her capture aided by disillusioned Cuban intelligence operatives who defected to the U.S. EFTA01655735 Ex-CIA Official Warns Intel Agencies Will Be Politically Active in 2024 Election The Epoch Times (01/04, Phillips) reported that a former CIA analyst, Dr. John Gentry, warned that the U.S. intelligence community, including the CIA and FBI, has become politicized and may interfere in the 2024 election. He cited the Hunter Biden laptop story, alleging that former intelligence officers, including ex-FBI worker Asha Rangappa, downplayed it to aid the Biden campaign. According to the article, Gentry highlighted how former acting CIA Director Michael Morell's involvement in drafting a letter about the laptop story aimed to provide talking points for the Biden campaign, indicating a politicized agenda within these agencies. Back to Top CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS The Biggest Names from Jeffrey Epstein's Unsealed Court Documents The Associated Press (01/04, Neumeister, Sisak) reported that a new batch of unsealed documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse of teenage girls was released Thursday, adding several hundred pages to a trove of information detailing how the financier leveraged connections to the rich, powerful and famous to recruit his victims and cover up his crimes. According to the article, the documents so far were sprinkled with names of celebrities and politicians who socialized with Epstein or worked with him in the years before he was publicly accused nearly two decades ago of paying underage girls for sex. The Daily Mail (01/04, Smith) revealed that former FBI Director Louis Freeh was named in Epstein's list because he may have knowledge of former President Bill Clinton's travel. The article noted that former FBI Director Freeh served as FBI Director throughout Clinton's presidency from 1993-2001. The Daily Mail (01/04, Sexton) and Newsweek (01/04, Impel') reported that following Epstein's death, the FBI raided his Manhattan townhouse and found a cache of evidence from a safe including loose diamonds and large amounts of US currency. The articles noted that FBI agents did not have a valid warrant to remove the evidence, so instead, they photographed them. The articles highlighted that a few days later when they returned to obtain the evidence, it was gone. Time (01/04, Ewe, Burga) stated that Epstein was first investigated for sexual misconduct in 200S after a woman claimed that he had molested her teenage stepdaughter. The article continued that Palm Beach police eventually charged Epstein with counts of unlawful sex with a minor in May 2006, but then State Attorney Barry Krischer sent the case to a grand jury, which indicted him with one count of soliciting prostitution. The article cited that the charge was minor, leading to much criticism and causing the FBI to open a federal investigation against Epstein. USA Today (01/04, Bagchi, Jackson), Al Jazeera (01/04, Staff Writers), Financial Times (01/04, Chaffin, Miller), ABC News (01/04, Hill), Bloomberg (01/04, Benny-Morrison, Hurtado), the Independent (01/04, Ross, Dodds), CNN (01/04, Delouya, Winter, et. al.), The Guardian (01/04, Bekiempis), CNBC (01/04, Mangan), CBS News (01/04, Gibson), FOX News (01/04, Overhuitz), The Hill (01/04, Robertson), and the Washington Examiner (01/04, Deese) also reported the story. Florida Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell The Associated Press (01/04, Staff Writers) reported that a Florida man is charged with threatening to kill Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) and his children. According to the article, Michael Shapiro, 72, of Greenacres, Florida, was arrested Wednesday morning on a charge of transmitting a threatening communication. The article added that Shapiro also accused Rep. Swalwell of being a Chinese spy, despite multiple investigations revealing no evidence of such activity. The article stated that suspected spy, Christine Fang, came into contact with Rep. Swalwell's campaign as he was first running for Congress in 2012 and participated in fundraising for his 2014 campaign. The Hill (01/04, Nazzaro) added that Rep. Swalwell confirmed to the FBI that he was targeted by a Chinese intelligence operative but stressed he immediately cooperated with law enforcement and was never accused of wrongdoing. The article noted that several of Rep. Swalwell's political opponents used the unsubstantiated rumors to attack him and later cost Rep. Swalwell his seat on the House Intelligence Committee. KPIX (CBS-5) (01/04, Pehling), FOX News (01/04, Elkind, Spunt), MSNBC (01/04, Lim), AXIOS (01/04, Falconer), the New York Post (01/04, Farberov), the Daily Mail (01/04, Laco), and ABC News (01/04, Barr). Attempted Murder Indictment Handed Down In Shooting Of New York Cop Patch (01/04, Edwards) reported that Bryan Martinez was arraigned on an indictment charging him with attempted murder of the off-duty New York Police Department officer. According to the article, a Westchester County Grand Jury indicted the 30-year-old for attempted murder in the second degree, attempted assault in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, assault in the second degree, and reckless endangerment in EFTA01655736 the first degree. The article stated that Martinez was arraigned today in Westchester County Court, and bail remains at $500,000 cash, $750,000 bond, and $1 million partially secured bond. The article mentioned that the Yonkers Police Department arrested Martinez in Port Chester on Nov. 16, following an investigation with the assistance of the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, the Westchester County Real-Time Crime Center, the Port Chester Police Department, and the FBI's Westchester Safe Streets Task Force. Online Threats Prompt Police Presence at Oregon School KOIN (CBS-6) (01/04, Deml) and the Register-Guard (01/04, Kochanski) reported that a series of online threats has prompted a police presence at Churchill High School in Eugene this week, including on Thursday. The articles noted that three schools in the district went into a lockout Thursday morning over varying reports. The articles stated that the perpetrators were identified through collaboration between Eugene police and the FBI. The articles highlighted that the Eugene Police Department and the FBI are actively investigating the incident. A Colorado Funeral Homeowner Accused of Abandoning Dozens of Bodies The Associated Press (01/04, Slevin, Gruver) and CBS News (01/04, McRae) reported that an owner of a Colorado funeral home accused of abandoning nearly 200 bodies in a building for years was worried as far back as 2020 about getting caught. The articles noted that police arrested Hallford and his wife, Cade HaIlford, in Oklahoma after they allegedly fled Colorado to avoid prosecution. The articles stated that they are accused of abusing corpses, stealing, laundering money, and forging documents and were jailed on a $2 million bond. The articles highlighted that several people who hired Return to Nature to cremate loved ones have stated that the FBI confirmed that their remains were among the decaying bodies. Man Sentenced to Prison After Stealing Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars From Casino WWMT (CBS-3) (01/04, Forth) reported that from Sept. 2021 to Nov. 2022, Jordan Lewis Cook stole more than $100,000 from a casino, which is owned and operated by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians, while he was an employee. The article noted that he was sentenced to four months in prison and two years of supervised release for theft from a tribal organization. The article stated that this incident was handled by the Gun Lake Tribal Police Department and the FBI. Indiana Serial Bank Robber Sentenced To 22.5 Years WXIN (FOX-59) (01/04, Schroeder) reported that Gary Sistrunk, a 62-year-old Indianapolis man, has been sentenced to 22.5 years for charges of armed bank robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after pleading guilty. According to the article, court documents allege that in 2019, Sistrunk and an unknown male robbed the German American Bank in Columbus for over $10,000 in cash. The article quoted Zachary Myers, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, who said the following: "I commend the FBI and Fishers Police Department, and our federal prosecutor, for their work to quickly arrest the defendant and hold him accountable." Missing Teen Girl Found in Home of Man Who Abducted Her After Logging Into 'World of Warcraft' The New York Post (01/04, Propper) reported that Thomas Ebersole was taken into custody and the missing teen girl was found inside his house after investigators discovered the young victim signed into her "World of Warcraft" account Wednesday at the suspect's Florida home. According to the article, the local investigation began earlier that day when the FBI contacted the sheriff's office about the missing girl, who was from Ohio. The article highlighted that Ebersole was charged with traveling to meet a minor to engage in sexual activity, interfering with child custody, and sheltering an unmarried minor. He remains in Marion County jail without bond. Colorado Police Vow 'Justice' to Children Allegedly Killed by Mother Before She Fled to UK The New York Times Post (01/04, Staff Writers) reported that Singler, 35, is currently charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of child abuse, and one count of assault after she allegedly killed her 9-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son and injured her 11-year-old daughter. U.K. authorities took Singler into custody on Dec. 30. The article noted that the extradition of U.S. citizens from the U.K. is controlled by a treaty between the United States and the United Kingdom that was signed in 2003. Ex-Cop Who Stiffed Landlords Avoids Prison Time at Sentencing WBTS (NBC-10) (01/04, Kath) reported that a former Stoneham, Massachusetts, police detective with a history of evictions and unpaid civil judgments has avoided prison time after pleading guilty to wire fraud in federal court. According to the article, at a hearing in Boston Thursday morning, Judge Denise Casper imposed a sentence of two EFTA01655737 years of probation with 90 days of home confinement and location monitoring for Robert Kennedy, whose career of more than 20 years with the Stoneham Police Department came to an abrupt end once the pattern of behavior was exposed. The article noted that in exchange for the guilty plea to two wire fraud counts, federal prosecutors stipulated they would not pursue identity theft charges related to Kennedy's alleged use of a family member's Social Security number to obtain a clean credit report during the rental application process. Ex-Cop Who Allegedly Shot Wife Pleads Not Guilty KPIX (CBS-5) (01/04, Staff Writers) and Mercury News (01/04, Hurd) reported that the mother of a former Pittsburg police detective who held police, SWAT, and FBI members at bay and shut down a Pleasant Hill neighborhood during two tense standoffs last month thanked police Thursday for saving her son's life. The articles quoted Saechao's mother, Mueyhaw Saelee, who said the following: "I can't tell you how grateful I am to law enforcement ... Pleasant Hill police, Concord police, Pittsburg police, and the FBI, for saving my son's life. I cannot thank you enough for what you did." The article noted that Saechao entered a plea of not guilty at the arraignment Thursday and that he continues to be held without bail. Suspect in Wife's Murder Arrested in Nevada Las Vegas Review-Journal (01/04, Lane) reported that a Pennsylvania man was arrested at a Las Vegas hotel being charged with homicide in his home state. According to the article, Arthur Guty was arrested at the Embassy Suites by the FBI Criminal Apprehension Team. The article noted that Guty's wife, Franyerlys Nicold "Nicole" Zambrano Briceno, was found dead on New Year's Day in Uniontown. The article cited that Guty was arrested without incident. Chicago Man Charged in Road Rage Shooting WFLD (FOX-32) (01/04, Staff Writers) and WBBM (CBS-2) (01/04, Bizzle) reported that a Chicago man was extradited from Florida to face charges in connection with a road-rage shooting on the Dan Ryan Expressway. According to the articles, the FBI Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force found 32-year-old Darrius D. Wilson in Ruskin, Florida on Dec. 16. The articles noted that he was extradited by the Cook County Sheriffs Police Department to Chicago where he is being held prior to his pre-trial detention hearing. Oregon Police Releasing Few Details on Probe Into Alleged Deaths, Drug Thefts at Oregon Hospital Oregon Public Broadcasting (01/04, Battaglia, Higginbottom) reported that the Medford Oregon Police Department confirmed its investigation into the alleged theft of controlled substances at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center. According to the article, the police department has provided few details of the investigation, including the number of patients who allegedly became sick or died when their medications were replaced with tap water, resulting in infections. The article revealed that a nurse is suspected of removing the painkiller fentanyl from patient's IV bags and replacing it with tap water starting in late 2022. The article mentioned that the FBI has also confirmed it's aware of the incident. How the FBI Used a Camera Mounted to a Light Pole to Bring Down One of Florida's Biggest Suspected Drug Dealers WFOX (FOX-30) (01/04, Gibson) reported that on a September evening in Jacksonville, an FBI agent sat behind a computer and watched Paul Anderson Jr. walk out of a Jacksonville condo carrying a black satchel across his chest. According to the article, for months, FBI agents and members of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office gang units watched Anderson, either by camping out in a car outside the condo or on the pole camera. The article noted that all of the video surveillance and evidence were used to get a search warrant, and Anderson's suspected drug empire came crumbling down. The article stated that Anderson's arrest was part of a long-term narcotics investigation dubbed "Operation Players Club." FBI Takes Over Investigation Into Aircraft Thefts KVVU (FOX-5) (01/04, Lee) reported that North Las Vegas police have confirmed that the FBI is taking over the case involving the man accused of burglarizing aircraft and stealing a plane at the North Las Vegas airport in late December. According to the article, Damian Zukaitis allegedly stole an 80,000 dollar plane at the airport and then took it for a joyride into California where Zukaitis made a crash landing near Barstow. The article highlighted that the FBI will now take over the suspect's extradition back to southern Nevada and determine any federal charges he could face. Missouri Cold Case: FBI Offers $10,000 Reward for Information on Stolen Truman Swords EFTA01655738 KTVI (FOX-2) (01/04, Dowell) reported that the FBI is still searching for Harry S. Truman's swords, which were stolen over 37 years ago from Independence, Missouri. According to the article, in 1987, the Truman Presidential Library was broken into, and several items were stolen, including three ceremonial swords and two daggers given to President Truman by the Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Saud and the Shah of Iran. The article highlighted that the search is still ongoing, and the FBI is now offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the recovery of the items. FBI Offers $2,000 Reward For 'Pink Backpack Bandit' in New Mexico KRQE (FOX-13) (01/04, Davis) reported that the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department are asking the public for help finding an Albuquerque bank robber, dubbed the "Pink Backpack Bandit." The article noted that the suspect robbed the Bank of Albuquerque on Jan. 2. The article stated that the FBI said the suspect came into the bank and brandished a silver handgun, asked for money, and then left the bank, heading north with the stolen money. The article highlighted that the FBI is offering up to $2,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Back to Top FINANCIAL CRIME & CORPORATE SCANDALS Prosecutors Pursue Affinity-Fraud Cases in Which Scammers Target Their Own The Wall Street Journal (01/04, Ramey, Fanelli) reported that the case of stockbroker Mina Tadrus, who has pleaded not guilty, is part of a push by U.S. Attorney Breon Peace in Brooklyn and other law-enforcement officials to focus on financial scams, called affinity frauds, that target close-knit communities, often built on bonds of ethnicity, nationality or religion. The article noted that the FBI has seen a range of affinity frauds tied to current events ranging from natural disasters to armed conflicts. The article stated that Assistant Special Agent in Charge Paul Roberts, who leads the complex financial crimes branch in the FBI's New York office, said the bureau was on the lookout for fraudulent charity schemes targeting Jewish communities that seek to leverage the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Two Indicted in $8.5 Million Airbnb, VRBO Scam CBS News (01/04, Tabachnick) reported that two men were indicted by a federal grand jury as the masterminds behind a vast online rental properties scam that raked in more than $8.5 million and was linked to 10,000 reservations across 10 states. According to the article, Shray Goel, of Miami, and Shaunik Raheja, of Denver, operated a short-term house rental business used to defraud Airbnb, Vrbo, and guests renting properties through those platforms. The article quoted Donald Alway, the assistant director in charge of the FBI's Los Angeles field office, who said the following: "The conspiracy charge alleging that the defendants discriminated against potential renters based on their skin color is a reprehensible abuse which must not be tolerated in the United States." Back to Top CYBER DIVISION Freight Giant Estes Confirms Data Breach, but Says It Won't Pay Ransom Techosmo (01/04, Staff Writers) and Tech Radar (01/04, Fadilpasic) reported that the October 2023 cyberattack against Estes Express Lines was indeed ransomware, but the company has paid no ransom demand as yet. The article noted that in accordance with the standard recommendation of the FBI and financial regulators, Estes did not pay the ransom. According to the article, since the attack, Estes notified the police and other law enforcement agencies and managed to completely restore its system capabilities. The article mentioned that the FBI is currently investigating the matter. Hospitals Sue LockBit, Ask Cloud Firm to Return Stolen Data Fraud Today (01/04, McGee) reported that a healthcare alliance of two upstate New York hospitals and an orthopedic group has filed a lawsuit against unknown members of the LockBit group. According to the article, the suit is a legal maneuver aimed at forcing a Massachusetts-based cloud services vendor to turn over patient data the ransomware gang stole from the hospitals and allegedly stored on the tech firm's servers. The article noted that experts said the legal case filed by the hospital group brings up important considerations for other technology firms, especially if their services or infrastructures end up being used by cybercriminals for data storage or other EFTA01655739 illicit activities. The article stated that the FBI has been using tools to scan the internet for stolen records, and when a domestic service provider is found to be housing such information, a lawsuit seems to be the logical step if the company is at all either intransigent about removal or feels that the request would put that company in a position of liability. FBI Develops Decryption Tool to Combat Blackcat Ransomware 1DSupra (01/04, Staff Writers) reported that on December 19, 2023, the Justice Department announced a disruption campaign against the Blackcat ransomware group and stated that the FBI had developed a decryption tool to combat ALPHV/Blackcat's ransomware variant. According to the article, the decryption tool has allowed the FBI to work with hundreds of impacted victims to restore their systems without making a ransom payment. The article highlighted that the FBI estimates the tool has saved victims nearly $70 million. Additional Cyber Agents to Be Deployed by FBI SC Media (01/04, Staff Writers) reported that the FBI has added six new cyber assistant legal attaches to be sent to U.S. embassies in Brasilia, New Delhi, Rome, and others, representing an almost 40% increase in cyber-focused FBI agents in embassies abroad. According to the article, such cyber-focused attaches have proven valuable in the dismantling of major stolen credentials marketplace Genesis Market, and that the cyber agents were key in coordinating law enforcement agencies to ensure the success of the operation. The article quoted Ottawa-based FBI Cyber ALAI Brian Abellara, who said the following: "There's no way that the FBI alone can ever have the resources, expertise, or reach to maximally impose risk and consequences on adversaries without our international partners. We need them, and that's why this program is of paramount importance." FBI Issues 'Cyber Kidnapping' Warning After a Utah Student Was Found NBC News (01/04, Collier, Wang) reported that the FBI is warning of an extreme scam hitting the U.S. where criminals coerce a victim to stage their kidnapping and film it, providing blackmail material against their own families. According to the article, the warning follows numerous similar messages issued by Chinese and Australian officials throughout 2023 and comes after the first well-documented "cyber kidnapping" case of this severity in the U.S. The article stated that online scammers can be difficult for the FBI to stop, as the criminals behind them may obscure their identity or live in countries where the U.S. has no jurisdiction. Back to Top CAPITOL VIOLENCE NEWS Arrest Footage of Trump Co-Defendant Provides Glimpse Into Jack Smith Probe Politico (01/04, Gerstein, Cheney) described an incident where Harrison Floyd, a former Trump campaign aide and director of Black Voices for Trump, confronted FBI agents. According to the article, these agents, sent by special counsel Jack Smith, were trying to serve Floyd with a grand jury subpoena as part of an investigation into Donald Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 election. During the confrontation, captured on bodycam footage obtained by POLITICO, Floyd considered seizing one of the agent's guns. The subpoena, visible in the footage, demanded records of Floyd's interactions with Trump and documents related to Georgia election workers implicated in Trump's conspiracy theories. The article also detailed Floyd's other legal issues, including charges in a separate Georgia investigation over election interference and a federal assault charge for allegedly charging into an FBI agent during the confrontation. The article noted that FBI agent Walter Giardina, who was involved in the incident, had previously worked on high-profile cases like special counsel Robert Mueller's probe and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot investigation. DC Appeals Court to Review Jack Smith's 'Unconstitutional' Appointment in Trump Case Fox News (01/04, Herlihy) reported that the DC appeals court is set to review the constitutionality of Jack Smith's appointment as special counsel in the case against former President Donald Trump. According to the article, Ed Meese, former attorney general under President Reagan, filed a brief arguing that Smith's appointment by Attorney General Merrick Garland, as a private citizen, violates the Constitution's Appointments Clause. The brief claims Smith, appointed to investigate actions related to the 2020 presidential election and the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, lacks proper authority to represent the U.S. in court. The article noted that the court has directed both parties' counsel to prepare for questions about the issues raised in the amicus briefs. The article explained that Meese, along with other legal scholars, contends that Smith cannot legally conduct the prosecution, as he was not properly appointed EFTA01655740 as a federal officer. They argue the Special Counsel role requires a presidential appointment and senatorial confirmation, which Smith did not receive, thus challenging the legality of his actions in the ongoing investigation. A Quarter of Americans Believe FBI Instigated Jan. 6, Post-UMD Poll Finds The Washington Post (01/04, Jackman, Clement, et al.) and Business insider (01/04, Griffiths) reported that a Washington Post-University of Maryland poll found that 25% of Americans, including more than three in ten Republicans, believe the false claim that the FBI instigated the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. According to the article, despite over 725 federal prosecutions of Jan. 6 participants and no evidence of FBI involvement, this conspiracy theory persists, particularly among those who cite right-wing media sources. The article explained that Director Wray has categorically denied these allegations. "This notion that somehow the violence at the Capitol on January 6 was part of some operation orchestrated by FBI sources and agents is ludicrous," Director Wray said during a House hearing in July, "and is a disservice to our brave, hard-working, dedicated men and women." The poll highlighted the widespread misinformation about the Capitol riot, with 39% of Fox News viewers and 44% of Trump voters believing in FBI instigation, compared to lower percentages among viewers of other news networks. The results come amid ongoing legal proceedings against Jan. 6 defendants, and as President Biden addresses Jan. 6 revisionism, emphasizing the fragility of democracy. What to Know About Trump's Immunity Claim in the 2020 Election Case Axios (01/04, Knutson) reported that lawyers for former President Trump have claimed he should receive "absolute immunity" from charges related to his alleged plot to overturn the 2020 election, citing the 1982 Nixon v. Fitzgerald case. This case, which granted presidents immunity from civil damages but not criminal charges, is being used to argue that Trump's actions, including those around the Jan. 6 riot, fall within his official capacity, thus barring criminal charges. The article explained that constitutional lawyers and former government officials have labeled this argument as "absurd," stating it could undermine the rule of law. The article added that Special Counsel Jack Smith, leading the federal election interference case, has challenged this defense, suggesting it could allow a president to commit egregious acts without fear of prosecution. The Trump Campaign Embraces Jan. 6 Rioters With Money and Pardon Promises NPR (01/04, Dreisbach, Caldwell) reported that three years after the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, former President Donald Trump's campaign is supporting the rioters with promises of pardons and financial aid, challenging the extensive investigation led by the FBI under Director Wray. According to the article, Trump's stance, including potential pardons for those arrested, has been welcomed by the rioters and their families but has raised concerns among law enforcement and extremism experts. The article noted that Metropolitan Police Department officer Daniel Hodges, assaulted during the riot, fears that such pardons could embolden criminal behavior and further validate the violence of Jan. 6. Feds Boost Reward to $500K for Information on Capitol Pipe Bomber NBC News (01/04, Reilly) reported that the FBI has increased the reward to $500,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for placing two pipe bombs near the Capitol on Jan. 5, 2021, the day before the Capitol riot. According to the article, despite extensive efforts, including 1,000 interviews, reviewing over 39,000 video files, and assessing nearly 500 tips, the identity of the individual remains unknown. The article explained that the FBI, in collaboration with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Washington police, continues to work relentlessly on this case, which is part of the broader investigation into the Jan. 6 attack that has led to approximately 900 arrests. Proud Boys Member Who Went on the Run After Conviction in the Jan. 6 Riot Gets 10 Years in Prison The Associated Press (01/04, Whitehurst) reported that Christopher Worrell, a member of the Proud Boys extremist group, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, where he was convicted of assaulting police with pepper spray. According to the article, after fleeing house arrest and faking a drug overdose, which involved significant resources including FBI agents and sheriffs deputies, Worrell was recaptured and faced prosecutors' request for a 14-year sentence. The article explained that this case is part of the larger Jan. 6 investigation, in which more than 1,200 people have been charged, and over 700 sentenced, reflecting the ongoing legal repercussions of the Capitol riot. The Hill (01/04, Lee) also reported on the story. Army Officer Alleges Reprisal for His Account of Capitol Riot Response The Washington Post (01/04, Lamothe) reported that Earl Matthews, a key figure in the Jan. 6 investigation and a colonel in the Army Reserve, alleges that the Army is blocking his promotion due to his criticism of the Pentagon's EFTA01655741 response to the Capitol riot. According to the article, in a memorandum to Congress, Matthews accused senior Army officers, Gen. Charles Flynn and Lt. Gen. Walter Piatt, of being slow to act during the riot and labeled them as liars, leading to his complaint of professional reprisal to the Defense Department inspector general. The article explained that this dispute highlights tensions between the Army and the D.C. National Guard leaders, who have expressed frustration with the Pentagon's hesitance to dispatch military personnel during the Capitol breach. Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Police in Jan. 6 Capitol Riot El Paso Times (01/04, Borunda) reported that David Rene Arredondo from El Paso has pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers and other crimes during the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. According to the article, Arredondo was arrested as part of a national multi-agency investigation, including the FBI, for his involvement in the riot. The article noted that the FBI agents in El Paso and the West Texas Joint Terrorism Task Force, along with other agencies, were instrumental in the investigation, which used video evidence and geolocation information linking Arredondo to the scene of the riot. Spectrum News (01/04, Finnerty) also reported on the story. South Jersey Man Gets 60 Days in Prison for Jan. 6 Capitol Riot The New York Daily News (01/04, Wilkinson) reported that Ezekiel "Zeke" Stecher from New Jersey has been sentenced to 60 days in prison and 24 months of supervised release for his participation in the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot. According to the article, videos showed Stecher engaged in combat with police officers outside the Capitol, as he joined the crowd attempting to stop the certification of Joe Biden's presidential election victory. The article noted that federal prosecutors highlighted Stecher's active role in assaulting officers and attempting to forcefully enter the Capitol, leading to his conviction on a felony charge of civil disorder. Cherry Hill Courier-Post (01/04, Walsh) also reported on the story. Continued Reporting: Biden Campaign Previews Jan. 6-Focused Speech With New TV Ad NBC News (01/04, Memoli) reported that President Joe Biden's campaign has released a new 60-second TV ad focused on the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, highlighting the threat of MAGA extremism to American democracy. According to the article, this ad, a departure from the campaign's previous focus on Biden's economic vision, comes ahead of Biden's major re-election speech marking the third anniversary of the Capitol riot. The article noted that the ad features Biden's past speeches and is part of a strategy to underscore the high stakes for democracy in the upcoming election, with the campaign expecting former President Donald Trump to be the Republican nominee. Back to Top OTHER FBI NEWS Prosecutor on Jack Smith Team Discouraged FBI From Investigating Clinton Foundation FOX News (01/04, Singman) reported that a top prosecutor on Special Counsel Jack Smith's team discouraged the FBI from pursuing an investigation into the Clinton Foundation in 2016 due to what he viewed as negligible evidence, despite multiple Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) related to hundreds of thousands of dollars in foreign transactions. According to the article, three different FBI field offices, the New York Field Office, the Washington Field Office, and the Little Rock Field Office, opened investigations into possible criminal activity involving the Clinton Foundation. The article noted that the investigation was opened as a preliminary investigation, because the case agent wanted to determine if he could develop additional information to corroborate allegations in a recently published book, 'Clinton Cash' by Peter Schweizer, before seeking to convert the matter to a full investigation. Back to Top INTERNATIONAL NEWS Did Ukraine Miss an Early Chance to Negotiate Peace With Russia? • Wall Street Journal: Did Ukraine Miss an Early Chance to Negotiate Peace With Russia? Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles • Wall Street Journal: Russia Moves Forward With Plans to Buy Iranian Ballistic Missiles EFTA01655742 Exclusive: Russian Hackers Were Inside Ukraine Telecoms Giant for Months • Reuters: Exclusive: Russian Hackers Were Inside Ukraine Telecoms Giant for Months Russia and Ukraine Exchange Long-Range Attacks as Their Front-Line Forces Remain Bogged Down • Associated Press: Russia and Ukraine Exchange Long-Range Attacks as Their Front-Line Forces Remain Bogged Down U.S. Killing of Militia Leader Marks Bid to Stop Attacks on Its Forces in Iraq • Wall Street Journal: U.S. Killing of Militia Leader Marks Bid to Stop Attacks on Its Forces in Iraq Tensions in the Middle East Are Rising Beyond Israel. Here's Where. • Washington Post: Tensions in the Middle East Are Rising Beyond Israel. Here's Where. Houthis Launch Sea Drone to Attack Ships Hours After US, Allies Issue Final Warning • Associated Press: Houthis Launch Sea Drone to Attack Ships Hours After US, Allies Issue Final Warning Neo-Nazi Podcasters Sent to Prison on Terror Charges for Targeting Prince Harry and His Young Son • Associated Press: Neo-Nazi Podcasters Sent to Prison on Terror Charges for Targeting Prince Harry and His Young Son North Korea: Kim Jong Un Daughter His Likely Successor, South's Spy Agency Says • BBC: North Korea: Kim Jong Un Daughter His Likely Successor, South's Spy Agency Says Exclusive: Doomed Japan Plane on Third Quake Mission When Runway Disaster Hit • Reuters: Exclusive: Doomed Japan Plane on Third Quake Mission When Runway Disaster Hit Back to Top OTHER WASHINGTON NEWS No Top U.S. Government Official Has an Approval Rating Over 50% • Axios: No Top U.S. Government Official Has an Approval Rating Over 50% • Gallup: No Top U.S. Government Official Earns Majority Job Approval • The Hill: Supreme Court Chief Justice Has Highest Approval Rating in Gallup Poll • Newsmax: Gallup Poll: No Fed Official Earns Majority Approval Mark • News Nation New: No Top Government Official Has Majority Job Approval: Gallup Poll Trump Businesses Received $5.5 Million from China While He Was President, House Democrats Find • National Review: Trump Businesses Received $5.5 Million from China While He Was President, House Democrats Find • Wall Street Journal: Trump's Businesses Got Millions From Foreign Governments While He Was President • New York Times: Trump Received Millions From Foreign Governments as President, Report Finds • NPR: Foreign Governments Paid Millions to Trump's Companies While He Was President • BBC: Trump Companies Got Millions From Foreign Governments, Democrats Say White House Says Russia Used Missiles From North Korea to Strike Ukraine • Reuters: White House Says Russia Used Missiles From North Korea to Strike Ukraine • Associated Press: Russia Has Used North Korean Ballistic Missiles in Ukraine and Is Seeking Iranian Missiles Former CIA Director Optimistic US Has 'Good Intelligence' to Mitigate Houthi Dangers EFTA01655743 • The Hill: Former CIA Director Optimistic US Has 'Good Intelligence' to Mitigate Houthi Dangers U.S. Strike in Baghdad Raises Specter of Wider Regional War • Washington Post: U.S. Strike in Baghdad Raises Specter of Wider Regional War New York City Sues Bus Companies That Brought 30,000 Migrants From Texas • New York Times: New York City Sues Bus Companies That Brought 30,000 Migrants From Texas Ambulance Workers in Texas Are Reeling Under the Border Surge • New York Times: Ambulance Workers in Texas Are Reeling Under the Border Surge Conservatives Toppled Two College Presidents. They're Not Done Yet. • Wall Street Journal: Conservatives Toppled Two College Presidents. They're Not Done Yet. Blinken Heads Back to Middle East Amid Regional Escalation Fears • Reuters: Blinken Heads Back to Middle East Amid Regional Escalation Fears In Texas Case, Federal Appeals Panel Says Emergency Care Abortions Not Required by 1986 Law • Associated Press: In Texas Case, Federal Appeals Panel Says Emergency Care Abortions Not Required by 1986 Law Back to Top BIG PICTURE New York Times • For Havard's First Black President, Race Became The Unavoidable Issue • Trump Ballot Challenges Advance, Varying Widely In Strategy and Sophistication • Florida Proud Boy Sentenced to 10 Years In Capitol Attack • Biden Faces Pressure On Immigration, and Not Just From Republicans • Islamic State Claims Responsibility For Deadly Bombings in Iran Wall Street Journal • Ad Firms Fret As Google Removes Cookies • Islamic State Admits Attacking Iran With Two Suicide Bombers • The 'CEO' Of Hamas Who Found The Money To Attack Israel • Harvard Crisis Signals Broader Fight Over Colleges • Push For Diversity Is Under Fire On Campuses And At Companies Washington Post • U.S. Strike In Baghdad Kills Militia Commander • Authorities Pressure Parents Of Truant Kids • U.S. Hit By COVID Wave With New JN.1 Variant • False Beliefs On Jan. 6 Take Root • Half Of Black D.C. Residents Lack Easy Medical Care • Making The Seine The Star Financial Times • New York Files $708MN Lawsuit Over Migrants Bussed From Texas • US Air Strike Kills Commander Of Iran-Backed Militia In Baghdad EFTA01655744 • Houthi Rebels Defy US Warning With New Red Sea Explosion ABC News • Jeffrey Epstein documents unsealed; 17-year-old student allegedly opens fire in Iowa school; 24 suffer minor injuries after NYC subway train partially derails. NBC News • Sixth grader killed, five others injured at school shooting in Perry, Iowa; U.S. airstrike kills leader of Iranian- backed militia in Baghdad; Newly unsealed documents reveal Jeffrey Epstein's relationships with powerful people. CBS News • 1 killed, 5 injured in Iowa school shooting; Shootings lead to growth in active shooter defense industry. Fox News • Israel-Hamas war: Bipartisan group of US lawmakers tour kibbutz of Nir Oz; 'The Five': Criminal flies through the air viciously attacking a judge; Secretary Mayorkas: Our system is broken and in need of legislative reform. Back to Top WASHINGTON SCHEDULE White House President Biden • 9:00 AM: The President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing • 11:55 AM: The President departs the White House en route to Joint Base Andrews • 12:15 PM: The President departs Joint Base Andrews en route to New Castle, Delaware • 1:00 PM: The President and The First Lady depart New Castle, Delaware en route to the Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania • 1:20 PM: The President and The First Lady arrive in the Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania • 3:15 PM: The President delivers remarks at a campaign event; The First Lady attends • 5:50 PM: The President and The First Lady depart the Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania en route to New Castle, Delaware • 6:10 PM: The President and The First Lady arrive in New Castle, Delaware Vice President Harris • No events scheduled. US Senate • No events scheduled. US House of Representatives EFTA01655745 • No events scheduled. Cabinet Members • No events scheduled. Visitors • No events scheduled. 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