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White House denies alien involvement in mysterious flying objects

Jamal Murphy Jamal Murphy on February 14, 2023

White House – Airborne objects that looked like they belonged in a movie have been spotted over North American airspace.

The military was given three days (including the weekend) by President Joe Biden to shoot down three flying objects.

On Monday, the White House held a news briefing and made it plain that they were still unsure of what the items were.

The people there were unable to verify if the objects were drones for monitoring.

The fighter aircraft monitoring them had been flying so swiftly that it was unclear what the flying objects were.

As a result, many people have offered ideas, and the majority have suggested that alien participation is involved.

The briefing

The White House made it plain in a midday briefing on Monday that, while not knowing what they were, the flying objects were not from outer space.

“I just wanted to make sure we address this from the White House,” started Karine Jean-Pierre, the press secretary.

“I know there have been questions and concerns about this, but there is no – again, no – indication of aliens or extraterrestrial activity with these recent take-downs.”

“Wanted to make sure that the American people knew that, all of you knew that,” she added.

“And it was important for us to say that from here because we’ve been hearing a lot about it.”

The remarks about alien activity made the White House press corps laugh a little.

Mysterious objects

Earlier in the month, the US Air Force shot down a Chinese spy balloon.

But lately, three unidentified objects were found over Alaska, the Canadian Yukon Territory, and Lake Huron close to Michigan.

In total, four objects were destroyed in February.

Timeline of the object sightings

The first flying object was shot down by an F-22 fighter jet on February 4, 2023.

It was found off the coast of South Carolina.

On February 10, another object was shot over Alaska.

According to the White House, it was about the size of a small car.

Read also: The Hunter Biden story: mistakes were made

The Pentagon, on the other hand, refuted ideas that the object was a balloon and said that it had broken up into pieces.

Canada’s president, Justin Trudeau, reported that another flying object had been shot over the Yukon Territory the next day.

After flying over Montana the day before, the most recent flying object was spotted above Lake Huron in Michigan on Sunday.

Officials overwhelmed

The White House has received a barrage of inquiries over the aircrafts and Biden’s decision to order the military to shoot them down.

The mystery surrounding the unusual flying objects was taken extremely seriously by authorities.

Due to the evolution of recent events, conspiracy theories have assumed a prominent position in discourse.

One officer admitted that the absence of information made it more likely that new theories would develop, saying:

“Everyone wants answers that no one has at the moment.”

Even though there isn’t enough solid information about the objects to share with the public, sources suggest that officials felt it would be wise to formally (and swiftly) rule out the idea of alien involvement.

Since officials knew it would take time to collect and examine the fallen debris, the decision had to be taken quickly.

Sharing information

The administration’s representatives assert that their goal is to spread all of their information about the artifacts.

However, they did note that the current circumstance isn’t ideal for having a conversation.

President Joe Biden stated that he wanted to be upfront and truthful with Congress and the American people about the issue.

According to sources, Biden recognized that his ability to tackle the issue is limited without a complete grasp of the items’ nature.

Meanwhile, the administration is striving to explain the misleading information from the weekend.

They decided to have John Kirby inform the White House on the situation on Monday in an effort to bring authorities together in light of the conflicting claims made by the Pentagon and Congressmen.

John Kirby is the best individual to carry out this operation because he is the National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic communications.

On Monday, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said it could be a good idea for the US President to address the country given the growth in conspiracy theories.

“Ambiguity is fuel for conspiracy theorists,” said the lawmaker. “I hope information is shared expeditiously.”

Image source: CNN

Social media to undergo stricter regulations this year

Jamal Murphy Jamal Murphy on February 13, 2023

Image source: Business Insider

Social media: The installation of TikTok on devices used by the government was virtually prohibited by the bipartisan spending bill enacted by Congress last week.

As 2023 begins, advocates and lawmakers unveiled plans for more regulation of social media companies this year.

TikTok

The Chinese company ByteDance owns the video-sharing app, which draws more than 1 billion monthly users.

Lawmakers and FBI Director Christopher Wray have recently made it known where they stand on TikTik’s ownership structure.

They asserted that the structure exposes US user data.

Additionally, Chinese-based companies are required by law to submit user information to the government upon request.

The concern

Since 2019, two aspects of Chinese law have alarmed the US government: the 2014 Counter-Espionage Law and the 2017 National Intelligence Law.

The Counter-Espionage law states that when the state security agency conducts an espionage investigation and finds essential information, organizations and people “may not refuse” to disclose information.

According to Article 7 of the Intelligence Law, organizations or individuals are expected to support, assist, and cooperate with state intelligence initiatives.

The state likewise protects those who support them.

Response

Despite TikTok’s repeated promises that US customer data is not maintained in China, their words have yet to make much of an effect.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, a Republican representative from Wisconsin, likened TikTok to “digital fentanyl.”

He also believes that the app ought to be banned nationally.

“It’s highly addictive and destructive,” said Gallagher.

“We’re seeing troubling data about the corrosive impact of constant social media use, particularly on young men and women here in America.”

Read also: TikTok app banned on government devices

Social media regulation

According to Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Twitter, YouTube, and other social media platforms, such as TikTok, utilize the same algorithms.

She believes that the first step for regulators should be to boost the transparency of their procedures.

The majority of people, according to Haugen, are likely unaware of how far behind other nations the US is in terms of social media regulation.

“This is like we’re back in 1965,” said Haugen. “We don’t have seatbelt laws yet.”

Tech bills in 2022

The year before, Congress was unable to approve some of the most radical technology-related legislation.

Among the laws that failed to pass were an antitrust statute and one designed to safeguard children.

Antitrust legislation

MPs drafted a bill early in 2022 that explicitly targeted Apple’s and Google’s mobile app stores.

In addition, the measure imposed restrictions on developers.

The American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which has some same goals, was advanced.

The Act prevents prominent businesses from favoring their own products over those of rivals or treating them unjustly.

According to the proposal, if the app store has more than 50 million US users, developers would not be compelled to use the platform’s payment method for distribution.

Additionally, app creators cannot be punished for offering their products at different prices elsewhere.

Kids Online Safety Act

In November, Senators Marsha Blackburn and Richard Blumenthal led bipartisan legislation to impose obligations on websites that children 16 and under can access.

The proposed bill would force platforms to limit content with any potential psychological or bodily harm to underage users, including the following:

  • Self-harm/suicide
  • Encouragement of addictive behavior
  • Enabling online bullying
  • Predatory marketing

The bill also required that websites restrict who can connect with them and have private settings by default.

Several organizations opposed the bill even after lawmakers made revisions.

Read also: Migrants arrive at Kamala Harris’ Washington residence

Change

Although Congress made significant headway toward a consensus measure on national privacy regulations in 2022, there is still a patchwork of state laws governing how to preserve consumer data.

According to Senator Amy Klobuchar, many of the bills that have made it to the Senate floor have bipartisan support.

However, she cautioned that the powerful influence of the tech industry might cause major bipartisan support to dissolve over the next 24 hours.

Klobuchar asserted on Sunday that social media companies wouldn’t undergo reform until the American people said, “enough is enough.”

“We are lagging behind,” said Klobuchar.

“It is time for 2023, let it be our resolution, that we finally pass one of these bills.”

References:

More social media regulation is coming in 2023, members of Congress say

Huawei says it would never hand data to China’s government. Experts say it wouldn’t have a choice

Senate committee advances bill targeting Google and Apple’s app store profitability

Kids Online Safety Act may harm minors, civil society groups warn lawmakers

Migrants arrive at Kamala Harris’ Washington residence

Finny Adams Finny Adams on February 6, 2023

Image source: Fox News

Migrants: On Christmas Eve, busloads of immigrants were delivered to and dropped off in front of Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, DC.

The refugees were left outside in the 18-degree temperatures when the bus left.

The incident is the most recent in a string of contentious discussions about American immigration law between the Biden administration and state officials.

The news

On Saturday night, three buses carrying migrants arrived at the Naval Observatory, where Kamala Harris resides.

The Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, a neighborhood grassroots organization, welcomed the refugees despite their lack of preparation for the bitter cold.

The conflict

The Pandemic Era Rule, which allowed the US to deny entry to immigrants earlier this year, was attempted to be repealed by the Biden administration.

Governors of the states then started sending migrants to Washington, DC.

The governors of Texas and Arizona began transporting refugees and immigrants by buses to Washington, DC.

When they arrived at the site in August, neither the local nor the federal government was there to welcome them.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott stated why he sent the buses, explaining that the Biden administration sought to reverse the Title 42 ruling allowing the US to deny entry to migrants.

According to Abbott’s administration, 6,100 migrants were delivered to Washington, DC, in just one month, and a second bus later arrived in New York City.

“In addition to Washington, DC, New York is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city,” Abbott said.

“I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.”

Greg Abbott alleged that his state intentionally sends migrants to sanctuary communities, where forcible deportation of immigrants is forbidden.

Read also: Donald Trump voter standing hits lowest in seven years, according to polls

Criticism

In an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered on Sunday, Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network member Amy Fischer denounced Abbott’s actions.

Fischer claims that the governor of Texas’s actions “were rooted in racism and xenophobia.”

“At the end of the day, everybody who arrived here last night was able to get free transportation, on a charter bus, that got them closer to their final destination,” she said.

Abbott’s decision to move migrants in April was condemned by Chris Magnus, a US Customs & Border Protection Commission member, for inadequate consultation with the federal government and the nearby border towns.

The border

In September, two busloads of migrants arrived at Kamala Harris’ residence.

The buses showed up after Harris asserted in an interview that the border was secure.

“The border is secure, but we also have a broken immigration system, particularly over the last four years before we came in, and it needs to be fixed,” she said.

Since December 22, more than 8,700 individuals have been carried from the Texas border to Washington, DC.

According to Greg Abbott’s office, an additional 6,520 were sent to New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

Read also: Sherrod Brown eager to ban crypto in the US

Abbott’s letter

On December 20, the governor of Texas wrote the following letter to President Joe Biden:

“Dear President Biden: With cold temperatures gripping Texas, your inaction to secure the southern border is putting the lives of migrants at risk, particularly in the City of El Paso.”

“With thousands of men, women, and children illegally crossing into Texas every day, and with the expectation that those numbers will only increase if Title 42 expulsion end, the state is overburdened as we respond to this disaster caused by you and your administration.”

“Your policies will leave many people in the bitter, dangerous cold as a polar vortex moves into Texas.”

“This terrible crisis for border communities in Texas is a catastrophe of your own making.”

“These communities and the state are ill-equipped to do the job assigned to the federal government – house the thousands of migrants flooding into the country every day.”

“With perilous temperatures moving into the area, many of these migrants are at risk of freezing to death on city streets.”

“Texas has borne a lopsided burden caused by your open border policies. The need to address this crisis is not the job of border states like Texas.”

“Instead, the US Constitution dictates that it is your job, Mr. President, to defend the borders of our country, regulate our nation’s immigration, and manage those who seek refuge here.”

“While you must step up and perform your constitutional duties, I will continue my work with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Texas Military Department, and all other available state assets to protect Texas from the torrent of migrants and cartel activity streaming into our state.”

“You and your administration must stop the lie that the border is secure and, instead, immediately deploy federal assets to address the dire problems you have caused.”

“You must execute the duties that the US Constitution mandates you perform and secure the southern border before more innocent lives are lost.”

References:

Busloads of migrants dropped off at Kamala Harris’s home on Christmas Eve

GOP governors sent buses of migrants to DC and NYC – with no plan for what’s next

Sherrod Brown eager to ban crypto in the US

Finny Adams Finny Adams on February 6, 2023

Image source: CNN

Sherrod Brown: Sherrod Brown, a US senator, recently suggested that US federal agencies consider a cryptocurrency ban.

He especially named the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).

The news

Despite proposing the ban, Brown acknowledged that it would be “very tough” to put it into effect during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

The US senator thinks that the global crypto market may grow.

He referred to various American regulators, saying:

“We want them to do what they need to do at the same time – maybe banning it.”

“Although banning it is very difficult because it will go offshore and who knows how that will work.”

Sherrod Brown used a number of examples to support his claims, including “the threat to national security from Korean cyber criminals to drug trafficking and human trafficking and financing of terrorism and all things that can come out of crypto.” 

Yet another illuminating example is the downfall of FTX.

The FTX collapse

At the beginning of November, the cryptocurrency exchange FTX declared bankruptcy after collapsing.

The company declared that it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection before evaluating and liquidating its assets.

A corporate organization and associated company called Alameda Research also declared bankruptcy.

Nevertheless, a few businesses are omitted from the file, including:

  • Ledger X LLC
  • FTX Digital Markets Ltd.
  • FTX Australia Pty Ltd.
  • FTX Express Pay Ltd.

The company’s founder and CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, declared his resignation in a press statement.

John J. Ray III took over and said:

“The FTX Group has valuable assets that can only be effectively administered in an organized, joint process.”

Read also: Sam Bankman-Fried contributed to lawmakers campaign with sizable donations

What happened

Sam Bankman-Fried formerly held the title of crypto’s rock star, but he rapidly lost it.

Binance began selling its ownership of FTT, the native exchange token for FTX, last year as part of an equity exit from the business.

As the value of the token dropped, investors started taking their money out of the FTX, which led the platform to block withdrawals and declare a panic.

Brown’s sentiments

This month, Sherrod Brown asked that multiple federal agencies collaborate to solve the issue of outlawing cryptocurrency.

“Single regulatory agencies currently generally do not have a comprehensive view of crypto asset entities’ activities,” he declared in a statement.

Brown, a Democrat from Ohio who has been in the US Congress since 2007, is hardly the first senior official to call for more crypto regulations.

Senator Elizabeth Warren unveiled a new bill to control crypto last month.

The proposed legislation is referred to as the Digital Asset Anti-Money Laundering Act.

It makes an effort to require crypto asset providers to provide audited financial data.

The bill also aims to put in place capital requirements like those used by banks and other conventional financial institutions.

Not to mention, the idea would grant the SEC greater control over the asset class.

Read also: NetChoice sues California over law, claims it violates First Amendment

Offshore crypto movement

Contrary to what the US Senator claimed, the crypto industry is already transferring operations outside the US due to the US government’s uncertain regulatory future.

In a tweet from November, Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong addressed the problem.

“FTX.com was an offshore exchange not regulated by the SEC.”

“The problem is that the SEC failed to create regulatory clarity here in the US,” he continued.

“So many American investors (and 95% of trading activity) went offshore.”

Armstrong continued by calling the notion of sanctions against US companies ridiculous.

After FTX’s collapse, Brian Armstrong reaffirmed his call for US lawmakers to seize the initiative and lead the charge toward crypto legislation.

He said that Coinbase has been a strong proponent of cryptocurrency regulation and compared the tactics of his website to those of the “offshore exchange” with headquarters in the Bahamas.

References:

Banking committee chair: US regulators should ‘maybe’ ban crypto

FTX files Chapter 11 bankruptcy, SBF steps down as CEO

FTX crisis an ‘opportunity’ for US to clarify crypto regulations: Coinbase CEO

Kevin McCarthy leaves meeting on a good note

Kelly Matthews Kelly Matthews on February 6, 2023

Kevin McCarthy: Conflict between opposing political forces almost never leads to an understanding; instead, it escalates into new clashes.

However, the White House meeting on Wednesday was unexpectedly productive.

The meeting between President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to talk about lifting the debt ceiling appeared to go well.

McCarthy expressed hope for a resolution also.

A surprising optimism

On Wednesday, a number of officials convened at the White House to talk about the debt ceiling as worries of a US default increased.

Joe Biden and Kevin McCarthy exchanged partisan punches before their meeting.

Their encounters drew red lines, and the media was made aware of them.

However, the elected House speaker emanated optimism as he left the West Wing, indicating his certainty that they can come to an agreement.

McCarthy resolutely rejected the White House’s stringent requests, yet something unexpected did slip through.

The House speaker allegedly told reporters that he assured Biden after the meeting that the House would support a “clean” debt ceiling, but there would be restrictions.

“The only thing I heard for the last month was, I’m not gonna negotiate with you,” said Kevin McCarthy on what he offered the president.

“I just spent an hour sitting with the President in the Oval Office talking about what we do on a debt ceiling.”

“So, the first start is, okay, that’s different than what the last month was.”

Debt ceiling

At this point, the national debt has reached the ceiling set by Congress in January.

The Treasury Department was thus forced to take drastic steps to make sure that the government kept up with its debt payments.

It increased the pressure on Capitol Hill to prevent a default at year’s end as well.

The White House and the newly elected House GOP majority couldn’t agree on how to lift the debt ceiling.

Kevin McCarthy acknowledged that the initial talk went well, but he also emphasized that there were still differences between the two sides’ points of view.

“I think that at the end of the day, we can find common ground,” he said.

Read also: Mike Pence residence held classified documents

The meeting

President Joe Biden was informed by Kevin McCarthy that he wanted to reach a settlement before the deadline so they could focus on other issues.

According to a White House statement, Biden reiterated his desire to continue speaking with McCarthy and working “across the aisle in good faith.”

According to the statement, Biden made it clear to McCarthy throughout the conversation that preventing a default on the nation’s debt is a joint responsibility.

Kevin McCarthy attended the White House meeting for the first time as speaker and expressed hope that a deal on funding for the next two years could be reached.

“You won’t see omnibuses anymore,” he added.

“You’ll see the Senate and the House actually do what the American public has elected them to do.”

According to the White House, Biden welcomes a separate conversation with congressional leaders on how to lower the deficit and keep the national debt under control while growing the economy.

Republicans in the House believe that cutting expenditure should come before raising the debt ceiling.

The White House would not haggle or provide compromises in order to raise the debt ceiling, as it has previously said.

An early hurdle

The debt ceiling crisis has presented Kevin McCarthy with his first leadership challenge since being elected House Speaker.

He has the difficult challenge of juggling conflicting demands from various factions while maintaining a tenuous majority.

A chance to assess McCarthy and Biden’s collaboration is presented by the debt ceiling.

Republican senators from the Senate said they would hold off on participating until they see how the House GOP resolves the $31.4 trillion borrowing cap issue.

After that, they will decide if they need to enter the conflict.

Republicans at risk

If the GOP votes in favor of a budget cut, they run a political risk.

If they propose reducing financing for favored government services and programs, they might encounter pushback.

Sources claim that Kevin McCarthy interacted often with allies both on and off the Hill.

The House speaker and his GOP backers hashed out their initial requests this week and discussed budget reductions for domestic and defense programs.

They decided against opposing Social Security and Medicare to avoid retaliation from voters.

House Republicans planned to progress their discussions with the White House by deciding on a plan of action.

Obtaining agreement on budget reduction has been difficult throughout the meeting.

Going into the meeting on Wednesday, Republicans believed it was still early since there were still months of discussions to go.

Kevin McCarthy would have more time to discuss.

However, leaders are aware that they must begin building the groundwork inside their own ranks.

Despite the fact that their public statements following the meeting were more measured, the White House and McCarthy both used the previous week to place restrictions on the discussions.

Biden and McCarthy

In a memo sent on Monday to “interested parties,” President Joe Biden’s top economic advisors posed two questions to Kevin McCarthy:

Will he promise that the US won’t go into default on its debts? When will he and the House Republicans reveal their budget?

McCarthy allegedly entered the discussion from a weak position because of commitments made to an unruly GOP party, according to claims made by Biden a day before the meeting.

Although McCarthy was commended by the President as a decent guy, he insisted that as he climbed to become speaker, he was compelled to appease radical Republicans.

McCarthy apparently had to make commitments at a prominent event in Manhattan that were inappropriate for a House speaker to make.

Kevin McCarthy replied:

“Apparently, he doesn’t understand… I’m looking forward to sitting down with the president, negotiating for the American public, the people of America, on how we can find savings.”

“We’ve watched what the spending has done, we watched it brought us inflation, we watched the challenge that it happened.”

“We’re looking forward to changing the course.”

Image source: NBC News

Mike Pence residence held classified documents

Joshua Porter Joshua Porter on January 30, 2023

Image source: Politico

Mike Pence: A lawyer assisting the former vice president last week found over a dozen classified material at his Indiana residence.

According to people familiar with the case, the lawyer handed the FBI the documents.

Since then, the FBI and the Justice Department’s National Security Division have taken it upon themselves to review the records.

They are also investigating how the documents got to Mike Pence’s Indiana home.

The news

The confidential documents were discovered at Pence’s home in Carmel, Indiana.

It follows the discovery of private papers in President Joe Biden’s residence and offices.

Prior to the discovery, Mike Pence adamantly contended that he didn’t have any confidential material.

It is not yet clear what the documents are about or how classified they are.

Tuesday night, Pence’s office learned of the documents, and they quickly alerted the proper congressional leaders and committees.

The former vice president asked his lawyer, who was familiar with classified info, to inspect his house out of an abundance of caution.

Last week, during an examination of four boxes at Pence’s home, lawyer Matt Morgan reportedly came across a few documents labeled classified.

They reported their discovery to the National Archives, which then alerted the Justice Department.

The pickup

According to his lawyer, Mike Pence agreed when the FBI requested to move the data that evening.

His legal team sent the boxes back to Washington, DC on Monday and turned them over to the Archives for review in line with the Presidential Records Act.

A small collection of documents were accidentally packed and delivered to Pence’s home according to a letter Greg Jacob’s, Mike Pence’s representative at the Archives, wrote.

“Vice President Pence was unaware of the existence of sensitive or classified documents at his personal residence,” wrote Jacobs.

“Vice President Pence understands the high importance of protecting sensitive and classified information and stands ready and willing to cooperate fully with the National Archives and any appropriate inquiry.”

The boxes

Sources claim that the boxes containing the sensitive materials were kept at Pence’s temporary residence in Virginia before being sent to Indiana.

Even though they weren’t housed in a secure location, the boxes were taped.

Pence’s lawyer stated that there was no indication that the items had been opened.

When the documents were found, they were stored in a safe within the house.

The lawyer said there was an investigation going on at the Washington, DC, offices of the former Vice President’s advocacy group.

However, no further records were located.

Read also: Biden’s documents are the subject of GOP outcries

Biden and Trump

The investigation into Joe Biden and Donald Trump was identical to the one that led to the discovery of classified information in Mike Pence’s possession.

The announcement comes at the same time as rumors that he is preparing to run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024.

When the FBI carried out a search warrant and checked up Trump’s Florida residence in August 2022, Vice President Mike Pence claimed he didn’t keep any confidential material at that time.

“No, not to my knowledge,” said Pence.

In November, he was once more questioned about whether or not he had brought any documents home.

He said that he had not.

“Well, there’d be no reason to have classified documents, particularly if they were in an unprotected area,” Pence explained.

“But I will tell you that I believe there had to be many better ways to resolve that issue than executive a search warrant at the personal residence of a former president of the United States.”

VP residence and White House boxes

Mike Pence’s office through a drawn-out process when he announced his resignation as vice president.

They combed through and turned in each and every document covered by the Presidential Records Act, both classified and unclassified.

Since the majority of the documents and Pence’s personal files were retrieved from locations outside than his residence, they were able to evade the process.

He has a safe space for processing confidential material at his house at the US Naval Observatory in Washington.

Some boxes at the Indiana home were packed from the vice president’s house, while others came from the White House as the Trump administration came to an end.

Effect on Biden situation

The documents found at Mike Pence’s house are the third instance of a president or vice president improperly storing secret information after leaving office.

Currently, special counsels are investigating how Biden and Trump handled secret materials.

According to a source, Pence’s latest findings suggest a systemic problem with the Presidential Records Act and classified information.

On Friday, the FBI raided Biden’s Wilmington residence in search of other crucial records.

The search was carried out by Biden’s attorneys after they found classified papers in his private office in November 2022.

Biden’s lawyers emphasized that they are collaborating with the Justice Department and trying to show how their client’s viewpoint differs from Trump’s.

For Biden’s supporters and administration officials, the news from Tuesday is positive.

“It turns down the temperature on this being a Biden-only story,” said one official.

They voiced the hopes that the Mike Pence documents would demonstrate that Biden’s aides weren’t the only ones to pack secret information inappropriately.

Shooting in 2023: California suspect takes the lives of ten

Finny Adams Finny Adams on January 23, 2023

Image source: Los Angeles Times

Shooting: California has strict gun laws, such as a 10-day waiting period and an assault weapons ban.

Surprisingly, there is a lot of gun violence, especially in cities.

Additionally, red flag laws and wider background checks were adopted in California.

The state’s argument about gun violence persists despite these efforts.

Over the weekend, a shooting suspect allegedly started firing at a dance club.

The suspect was responsible for the deaths of 10 people and the injuries of another 10.

According to a recent police report, the shooter killed himself.

The shooting

A mass shooting occurred on Saturday night at Monterey Park, not far from the Lunar New Year celebration.

The Garvey Avenue gathering was scheduled to go until 9:00 pm.

According to the US Census Bureau, Monterey Park is home to more than 65% Asian residents.

It’s still too soon to determine with certainty if the shooting was motivated by hate.

According to the mayor of the nearby city of Alhambra, it is also one of the most significant among the largest Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the United States.

The victims

Five men and five women were reportedly killed at the ballroom dancing club, according to the police.

Ten individuals were wounded, and seven more were being treated in surrounding hospitals for their injuries.

The authorities described their conditions as ranging from steady to critical.

Luna speculates that the fatalities were in their fifties or older, despite the fact that they had not been identified.

The aftermath

Three minutes after the initial call on Saturday night, police arrived at the dance studio in Monterey Park.

According to Police Chief Scott Wiesse, authorities witnessed a spectacle of chaos as some tried to run while others lay injured on the ground.

Twenty to thirty minutes later, a man brandishing a pistol entered the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra.

Before he departed the scene in a white van, somebody found he was carrying a gun and grabbed it from him.

Read also: Kevin McCarthy still chasing votes to become speaker

The manhunt

Before being caught, the suspect may have sought medical assistance, according to reports.

According to authorities, a gentleman who resembled the suspect reportedly went to the emergency room of a nearby hospital.

He went to the ER because he had injuries, which met the description.

The suspect eventually left without receiving treatment after waiting at the hospital.

Soon later, Torrance police pulled over a white cargo van.

The suspect was found dead after turning his gun on himself during a standoff.

Identity

The deadly shooter was revealed to be Huu Can Tran, 72.

At a news conference that evening, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said that Tran shot himself while in a standoff with the cops.

The sheriff stated that Tran committed the act alone and that investigators are focusing on the shooting’s motive.

The shooter

Huu Can Tran used to frequent the dance studio, according to his ex-wife and former friend.

The ex-wife, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they initially connected at the Star Ballroom 20 years ago when he provided informal dance lessons.

She reported that although never used physical force, he was quick to anger and that if she missed a step, he would become upset.

Although it’s unclear if he visited the studio recently, an acquaintance recalled him frequenting there in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

His friend alleges Tran often complained about how the instructors didn’t like him.

Furthermore, the friend said Tran was rude to everyone in the studio.

In 2013, he sold his home, and they ceased to communicate.

The friend was stunned at the news.

“I know lots of people, and if they go to Star Studio, they frequent there,” he said.

The acquaintance is worried that he might know some of the shooting victims.

Mass shooting in data

According to the Gun Violence Archive, the Monterey Park tragedy is the 33rd significant shooting in the US this month.

“California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but yet look what we just had today,” said Sheriff Robert Luna on Sunday.

“I can tell you this, the status quo is not working. So we need to reexamine what we’re doing and what may work better.”

“And I hope that this tragedy doesn’t just go on a long list of many others that we don’t even talk about until the next one comes up.”

Biden’s documents are the subject of GOP outcries

William Mason William Mason on January 16, 2023

Image source: ABC News

Biden’s documents: The credibility and national security of the United States might be harmed by the leak of confidential documents from a former vice president (now the President).

These records could include private data about previous operations, diplomatic ties, and guerilla warfare that enemies could use against the nation.

Such documents might disrupt politics and damage the former vice president’s name and legacy.

Also, take into account the likelihood that someone who had access to the documents during the previous vice president’s administration may have released them to the public.

Such circumstances can create uncertainty about the security measures in use.

The government would have to take measures to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of confidential data and to hold offenders accountable.

The most recent disclosure of President Joe Biden’s documents points to a potentially disastrous political climate.

The news

The discovery of Biden’s documents at his former office may raise questions about the Donald Trump case, wherein he retained confidential material.

On Thursday, the White House revealed classified documents from Joe Biden’s stint as vice president stored at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

Republican critics of Trump who believed the investigations into confidential documents at Mar-a-Lago were unfair were given ammo by the news.

According to a White House release, Biden’s documents were discovered in a storage facility in his garage and an adjacent room.

On Thursday, he stated that he was working with the DOJ and reassured the public that the materials were in “locked storage.”

The GOP reacts

Although the National Archives are legally obligated to obtain the documents, Donald Trump is currently striving to delay them.

Joe Biden’s troubles are opening the door for the pro-Trump House majority in spite of Trump’s endeavors.

The GOP has already begun building a research machine to back up its argument that Democrats have infiltrated the federal government and turned intelligence agencies against conservatives.

The conduct of President Joe Biden and his inner circle are being compared to those of former President Donald Trump in an attempt to draw comparisons.

Read also: Kevin McCarthy still chasing votes to become speaker

A boomerang effect

Joe Biden will undoubtedly face criticism and accusations of hypocrisy due to his critical comments on how Trump handled confidential material.

The merits of the case will be considered in the evaluation.

The possibility that Trump may be held accountable for conduct comparable to Biden’s makes prosecutions politically difficult too.

The circumstance supports the former President’s claims that his unsuccessful 2024 presidential campaign was purposefully undermined.

But the disclosure of Biden’s documents might give his campaign new life.

Republican uproar

The chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jim Jordan, asserts that Republicans could utilize Biden’s documents to strengthen their case strategically against the White House.

On Thursday, he mentioned the apparent double standard and asked if Biden would also be subject to a raid.

He failed to add that the FBI search from last year was carried out on the authority of a court-approved warrant.

Additionally, Trump put off turning over the records while falsely claiming ownership over them.

Biden’s attorneys sent the documents to the National Archives as soon as they became publicly known.

Despite key distinctions, Trump and his Republican friends will likely skim over it and focus on making a ruckus.

Senator Lindsey Graham of the Republican Party suggested that a special prosecutor looks into the Biden document situation.

Effect on Democrats

Biden’s revelations have drowned out democratic attempts to capitalize on the Republican crisis as House Speaker Kevin McCarthy pushes for further concessions to preserve his diminishing majority.

Rep. George Santos is supported by the new House GOP despite changes to his credentials and history that led his New York party to call for his resignation.

Democrats on Capitol Hill are forced to defend themselves due to Biden’s documents, despite the numerous GOP issues.

Significant differences

Despite identical circumstances, there were notable distinctions in how Trump and Biden handled their classified documents.

The President’s counsel swiftly handed the files over to the National Archives after learning about Biden’s documents.

The FBI raided Trump’s Florida residence after he wavered and declined to submit the documents.

Additionally, the documents are different in many ways.

Only a small number of classified documents were present in Biden’s office as opposed to hundreds found at Mar-a-Lago.

Despite the differences, the GOP continues to call Biden a hypocrite for criticizing Trump.

Reference:

Biden’s document scandal eats away at efforts to hold Republicans accountable

Sam Bankman-Fried contributed to lawmakers campaign with sizable donations

William Mason William Mason on January 2, 2023

Image source: NBC News

Since the demise of his cryptocurrency exchange platform FTX at the beginning of last month, Sam Bankman-Fried has become a hot topic of discussion.

Authorities in the Bahamas recently detained him.

However, according to federal records, SBF donated a sizeable sum of money (almost $95,000) to at least 11 members of the House Financial Services Committee.

The 11 MPs who served on the committee looking into the FTX collapse were suspicious of the donations because they occurred before the midterm elections.

The donations

Democrats received the majority of Fried’s Sam Bankman donations.

According to The Post’s review of Federal Election Commission campaign data, Ritchie Torres, a New York representative, collected a total of $35,000 from multiple donors connected to FTX.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss was confident that he would not emulate Torres and give the FTX campaign’s revenues to a charitable organization.

Others have not yet addressed the problem in the interim.

1. Rep. Ritchie Torres

Sam Bankman-Fried donated $2,900 to the New York Democrat’s campaign, according to the FEC.

He received roughly $32,400 from Gabriel Bankman-Fried for his campaign and victory.

Torres acknowledged that the donation was “unsolicited” in a subsequent interview with CoinDesk, but he asserted that he would still donate the money.

“My ties to him are minimal,” said Torres.

SBF, according to the Democrat, is a pathological liar.

2. Rep. Josh Gottheimer

Records indicate that Sam Bankman-Fried gave the New Jersey representative a personal donation of $5,800.

An employee of FTX named Mark Wetjen handed Gottheimer two different gifts totaling $2,900 each.

Wetjen has a strong background with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

It’s confirmed that the politician would give the money to a good cause.

3. Rep. Jake Auchincloss

The vice chair of the committee received $5,800 from SBF and Wetjen.

Auchincloss declared he wouldn’t return the donations, stating that his justification was the fact that they had been given to other Democrats running in more competitive campaigns.

“I’m not going to send money to a guy in a Bahaman jail, that’s for sure,” said the Massachusetts Rep.

“That money is out the door, helping to elect Democrats.”

4. Rep Jesus ‘Chuy’ Garcia

A $2,900 contribution was made to the reelection campaign of the Illinois Democrat.

A representative for Garcia claimed last month that he had already given the money to the Chicago-based Northwest Center, which promotes financial literacy.

5. Rep Joyce Beatty

Sam Bankman-Fried also gave the Ohio Democrat $2,900.

Read also: TikTok study shown to introduce harmful content to teens

6. Rep. Cindy Axne

During the election season, Sam Bankman-Fried made the Iowa Democrat two different contributions.

Cindy Axne for Congress received a $2,900 payment from SBF, while her AXNE PAC was given a $5,000 boost.

7. Rep. Lee Zeldin

Records show that before the midterm elections, FTX executive Ryan Salame donated $5,800 to Zeldin’s campaign.

8. Rep Sean Casten

According to FEC records, Gabriel Bankman-Fried made two separate contributions totaling $1,000 to Casten’s campaign.

9. Rep. Tom Emmer

A couple of FTX executives gave small donations to the Minnesota Republican Party.

Salame and Zach Dexter from FTX each contributed $2,900.

10. Rep. Ted Budd

Salame contributed $2,900 to the North Carolina Republican congressman.

11. Rep Jim Himes

Danielle Barrett, an executive at FTX, gave $2,800 to the Connecticut lawmaker’s campaign.

His campaign manager, Francesca Capodilupo, spoke on his behalf and stated:

“The contributions we received… was unsolicited and is being donated.”

Other donations

An anonymous congressional office received a donation from Sam Bankman-Fried.

They promised not to disburse the money until they were confident in their rightful ownership.

The staff had previously been advised against making the donation to a charity in case the victims eventually demanded it back.

Members of the House Financial Services Committee also received FTX funding.

Several PACs and campaigns for a range of people received thousands of dollars from Sam Bankman-Fried alone, according to reports.

  • Jimmy Panetta
  • Kim Schrier
  • Angie Craig

Read also: Donald Trump voter standing hits lowest in seven years, according to polls

Jurisdiction on the contributions

According to government ethics experts who spoke on Thursday, the committee members erred by accepting the gifts from Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX affiliates.

Gene Tempel is an emeritus founding dean and professor of philanthropic studies at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.

Tempel said:

“These contributions…were unethical because they represented a conflict of interest on both the part of FTX and the regulatory body.”

“Politicians have typically made contributions to charity in the amount of tainted money they have received.”

“In this case, since FTX defrauded individuals, a victims’ fund might be developed,” he continued.

“Which would be an appropriate place for politicians to make payments.”

The donations shouldn’t have been accepted, Tempel and John P. Pelissaro both agreed, saying:

“Members of the House Financial Services Committee should have declined to accept campaign donations from any company or individuals associated with such that has or could have legislation considered at the committee that affects their businesses.

At Santa Clara University’s Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Pelissaro is a senior researcher and political scientist.

The only “ethical” option, he claimed, was for the committee members to return the funds.

“If the funds are not returned by the congress members, they may create the perception that they are beholden to a company – now a failed business and under legal scrutiny – that was seeking to influence public policy before the committee,” said Pelissaro.

Reference:

These lawmakers probing FTX’s collapse got donations from Sam Bankman-Fried and cronies

Donald Trump voter standing hits lowest in seven years, according to polls

Kelly Matthews Kelly Matthews on January 2, 2023

Image source: CNN

Donald Trump, a former president, recently declared his bid for the presidency in 2024, although he doesn’t seem to have the same influence as before.

A poll by Quinnipiac University on Wednesday revealed that Trump’s popularity among voters has fallen to its lowest level in more than seven years.

The poll

According to a Quinnipiac University poll, only a pitiful 31% of registered voters have a favorable opinion of the former US President.

59% of those who participated in the survey had an unfavorable opinion.

The university reports that Donald Trump’s rating in the survey is at its lowest point since he announced his first presidential campaign in July 2015.

Independent voters didn’t think things were getting any better.

Comparatively, only 25% of respondents supported Donald Trump, while 62% disapproved of him.

Since Quinnipiac posted the poll in May 2015, the evaluation was his lowest in the group.

The results among his fellow Republicans were marginally better, with Trump receiving 70% favorable and 20% negative votes.

Although there was a big difference, it was still Trump’s lowest approval rating since March 2016.

Between last Thursday and this past Monday, 1,456 registered voters were questioned for the poll, which had a 2.6 percentage point margin of error.

“Former President Trump’s post-presidential announcement numbers are heading in the wrong direction,” said Tim Malloy, a polling analyst for Quinnipiac University.

“You would have to go back at least six years to find less support for him from Republican, independent, and American voters as a whole.”

Biden

President Joe Biden’s job approval rating increased to its best level since September 2021, according to a Quinnipiac University poll, even though it is still below average.

Although 43% of respondents approved and 49% disapproved of Biden’s efforts, the survey nonetheless showed an uptick from the Quinnipiac poll conducted in November.

The poll also revealed that he had a 36% job approval rating and a 55% disapproval rating.

Despite defeating Trump in 2020, President Joe Biden hasn’t declared his desire to run for office again in 2024.

He did, however, say that he would fight Trump again.

Despite his statements, most registered voters surveyed by Quinnipiac said they would prefer not to see Trump or Biden nominated for President in 2024.

Read also: Maxine Waters adamant that Sam Bankman-Fried attends hearing

Signs

The Quinnipiac poll is the most recent in a line of surveys that indicate Trump’s support is either dwindling or collapsing after the midterm elections in November.

Following the defeat of many of the candidates he personally supported in high-profile contests, Donald Trump has recently been under pressure from his fellow Republicans.

As a result, in a season many predicted would favor the GOP, the Democrats increased their Senate majority.

A rising power

Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has been gaining ground as Donald Trump’s influence declines.

In the Republican Party, DeSantis is one of the rising stars.

He handily prevailed in the November reelections and established a significant lead over Trump in the early 2024 Republican primary polls.

In a Wall Street Journal poll conducted on Wednesday, DeSantis had a double-digit lead over Trump among probable GOP primary voters (52% to 38%).

The outcome had a plus or minus six percentage point margin of error.

DeSantis didn’t declare a run for President, but the result came.

Instead, he agreed to serve another four-year term as governor.

Additionally, the Florida governor was not raised for President in the Quinnipiac survey.

When questioned, a Trump-affiliated source cited a recent Morning Consult poll indicating that Trump was the clear front-runner.

49% of likely GOP primary voters supported him, compared to 31% endorsed DeSantis.

Trump

Donald Trump is the only significant contender to date to declare his 2024 presidential campaign.

Unfortunately, he has yet to spend a lot of time campaigning.

Instead, his campaign for the White House has been marred by scandals and defeats.

Trump advocated for the abolition of the Constitution on social media to regain power.

Later, he would retract his remarks.

Trump also had dinner with Ye, a musician who lost popularity after making antisemitic remarks and identifying as a white supremacist.

Herschel Walker, the former President’s first choice for the Georgia Senate, fell short in a runoff election in December against Senator Raphael Warnock.

In the end, two Trump Organization entities received criminal convictions.

A jury in New York this week found Trump’s companies guilty of several offenses, including:

  • Tax fraud
  • Falsifying business records
  • Conspiracy

Three weeks after announcing his candidacy for President in 2024, Trump received guilty verdicts on 17 offenses.

The ruling dissatisfied Trump, who declared he would appeal.

“It is a continuation of the Greatest Political Witch Hunt in the History of our Country,” he wrote in a statement.

“New York City is a hard place to be ‘Trump.'”

Read also: NetChoice sues California over law, claims it violates First Amendment

Other notes

Donal Trump posted on social media earlier on Wednesday, hinting that he will make a significant statement on Thursday.

A video of Trump declaring, “America needs a superhero,” was included in the article.

A quick animation of a cartoon Trump firing lasers out of his eyeballs in front of Trump Tower was also shown in the film.

References:

Trump hits 7-year low in new national poll as Biden approval climbs

Trump Organization convicted in New York criminal tax fraud case