Ryan Routh, the suspect in the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, has been barred from accessing classified information related to his case due to national security concerns. U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon granted the government’s request for a protective order, citing the potential for “serious damage” if the information were disclosed. The Justice Department, invoking the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), argued that the classified material’s disclosure could harm national security. Routh, who is representing himself, is scheduled for trial in September and faces multiple charges, including firearm violations, with prosecutors seeking to exclude potentially irrelevant evidence he intends to present.
Read More
The Senate, under GOP control, confirmed Joe Kent, a figure with documented ties to far-right extremism and conspiracy theories, as the new head of the National Counterterrorism Center. This decision, supported largely along party lines, faced strong opposition from Democrats who highlighted Kent’s history of promoting election falsehoods and his connections to extremist figures, including white nationalists and members of the Proud Boys. Kent, a former Green Beret, has been criticized for echoing conspiracy theories about the 2020 election and the January 6th Capitol attack. Furthermore, Kent was accused of attempting to manipulate intelligence assessments for political gain.
Read More
The FBI is establishing a permanent law enforcement office in Wellington, New Zealand, to strengthen cooperation within the Five Eyes partnership. Director Kash Patel met with several New Zealand ministers and heads of police and spy agencies to discuss shared priorities. This new office will facilitate joint investigations, information sharing, and capacity-building to address threats like terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime. It will also be responsible for partnerships in New Zealand and several other Pacific nations. The New Zealand government views this as a crucial step in enhancing safety and security, particularly in areas like transnational crime and cybersecurity.
Read More
The White House intervened to halt Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s practice of administering polygraph tests to his staff, following complaints from a top aide. This move came amid Hegseth’s efforts to identify leakers within the Pentagon, escalating after the Signal-gate leaks. Multiple polygraph tests were conducted on various personnel, including high-ranking military officials and staff from other agencies. This intervention follows reports of internal strife within the Pentagon, including calls for Hegseth’s removal due to concerns over his leadership and actions.
Read More
An Australian army officer, whose security clearance was revoked due to concerns of loyalty to Israel, has left the Australian Defence Force. The officer, who had served 19 years, admitted to not viewing Israel as a foreign government and withholding information about training courses in Israel. Despite the officer’s involvement with a community security group, the security agency noted the importance of transparency surrounding such activities. While the department stated that security clearance holders are regularly reviewed, Senator David Shoebridge has criticized the department for not answering the questions about whether a review of CSG groups had been undertaken.
Read More
Chenguang Gong, a dual citizen engineer, has pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of trade secrets, including sensitive military technology. The 59-year-old admitted to downloading over 3,600 documents related to infrared sensors and radiation-hardened cameras, crucial components for aircraft and satellite surveillance. Gong transferred the files to personal storage devices, even after accepting a new job at a direct competitor. His actions were discovered after his former employer audited his activities and contacted the FBI, leading to his arrest and the potential for a decade-long prison sentence.
Read More
Howard Phillips, a 65-year-old former City worker, was found guilty of assisting what he believed to be Russian intelligence agents after falling on financial hardship. He offered to provide logistical support, including handing over the home address and landline of Grant Shapps, for what he hoped would be easy money. MI5 conducted an undercover operation where Phillips met with officers posing as Russian agents, expressing his desire for employment and financial stability. After his conviction, Phillips now faces a lengthy jail sentence.
Read More
The government is implementing new measures, including mandatory reporting of ransomware incidents, following public consultation. These measures aim to expose, detect, and disrupt criminal networks, protecting the economy and businesses. The British Library’s experience, despite not paying a ransom, highlights the devastating impact of these attacks, as seen also with recent disruptions at major retailers. Simultaneously, the government is also working to streamline other aspects of its national security defenses.
Read More
Tim Weiner, author of a critical history of the CIA, now finds himself defending the organization due to former President Trump’s hostility toward the intelligence community. Weiner’s new book details the CIA’s failures, including its unpreparedness for Russia’s interference in the 2016 election, which he considers an act of political warfare that aided in electing Trump. He criticizes the appointments of “incompetent” Trump loyalists and the purge of experienced officers, resulting in ideological alignment with the president’s false views. Weiner fears that Trump’s actions, including undermining diversity and alienating allies, will leave the U.S. vulnerable to attack, highlighting the potential consequences of the administration’s approach to national security.
Read More
US defense department awards contracts to Google, Musk’s xAI, a development that’s sparking a flurry of thoughts and concerns. The news itself, that the Department of Defense is investing up to $200 million each in advanced AI capabilities with companies like Google and Elon Musk’s xAI, is certainly eye-catching. The sheer scale of the contracts and the potential impact on national security are hard to ignore.
This situation makes one wonder if the recent public discord between Musk and Trump is nothing more than a well-orchestrated show. Especially when you consider that Grok, xAI’s AI, has a history of making disturbing pronouncements, including anti-Semitic remarks and even providing instructions on how to commit violent crimes.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood