<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Senate</a> Majority Leader <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/chuck-schumer" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chuck Schumer</a> (D-NY) set up votes on a trio of key <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/three-military-branches-lose-confirmed-leaders-amid-senate-impasse" target="_blank" rel="noopener">military nominations</a> after Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tommy-tuberville" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tommy Tuberville</a> (R-AL) threatened to force action that would begin to crack the months-long standoff over a Pentagon <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/abortion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abortion</a> policy.
In a post to X that followed an announcement on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Schumer claimed &#8220;Democrats are taking action&#8221; with his move to advance the nominations for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the commandant of the Marine Corps, and the Army chief of staff.
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Majority Leader Schumer (D) says the Senate will vote on stalled military promotions individually:
“The Senate will overwhelmingly vote to confirm them &#8230; and the abortion policy that Sen. Tuberville abhors will remain in place. Sen. Tuberville will have accomplished nothing.” <a href="https://t.co/zBxzcJrGkZ">pic.twitter.com/zBxzcJrGkZ</a>
&mdash; The Recount (@therecount) <a href="https://twitter.com/therecount/status/1704560253826695173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;We cannot allow Senator Tuberville to decide which of our brave service members get promoted and which languish,&#8221; Schumer added.
Schumer chose to file cloture on three of President Joe Biden&#8217;s military nominees after Tuberville made headlines on Tuesday for <a href="https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/09/19/congress/tuberville-plans-to-force-marine-corps-vote-holds-promotion-military-00116880" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reportedly gathering enough support</a> from GOP colleagues to force a procedural vote on Gen. Eric Smith’s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gop-senator-holds-firm-in-stand-against-pentagon-abortion-policy-as-marines-lose-confirmed-leader" target="_blank" rel="noopener">nomination</a> to become commandant of the Marine Corps, which has lacked a <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/10/top-marine-david-berger-retires-00105449" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed leader</a> since July.
Tuberville, a former college football coach, took a victory lap after Schumer announced the votes on Wednesday.
&#8220;One of us was bluffing. It wasn&#8217;t me,&#8221; Tuberville <a href="https://twitter.com/TTuberville/status/1704573360523346108" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> on his personal account. &#8220;Democrats are taking the same action they could&#8217;ve taken months ago. As long as the Pentagon keeps the unlawful elective abortion policy in place, my holds will remain.&#8221;
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One of us was bluffing. It wasn&#39;t me. 
Democrats are taking the same action they could&#39;ve taken months ago. As long as the Pentagon keeps the unlawful elective abortion policy in place, my holds will remain. <a href="https://t.co/f497iygBDd">https://t.co/f497iygBDd</a>
&mdash; Tommy Tuberville (@TTuberville) <a href="https://twitter.com/TTuberville/status/1704573360523346108?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The Senate began voting on the nominations later in the evening on Wednesday, confirming <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/joint-chiefs-nominee-knocks-tubervilles-hold-on-military-promotions">Gen. Charles &#8220;CQ&#8221; Brown Jr.</a> of the Air Force as the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and <a href="https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1704653601690304625">setting up confirmation votes</a> for the other two nominees on Thursday.
Tuberville first placed <a href="https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/tuberville-demands-answers-from-the-pentagon/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a &#8220;hold&#8221;</a> on general and flag officer nominations in February to protest a Pentagon policy allowing female service members <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/02/16/military-cover-travel-costs-and-offer-leave-troops-seeking-abortions-fertility-treatment.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expense-paid travel and up to three weeks&#8217; leave</a> for an elective abortion that he claims is illegal. The Department of Defense has <a href="https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/dod_briefing_on_non-covered_reproductive_healthcare_policies.pdf">referred</a> to a Department of Justice <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/defense-department-travel-allowance-abortion/">opinion</a> to justify the policy.
In upholding his stance, Tuberville has objected to allowing the Democrat-controlled Senate from quickly approving the nominations in batches through a &#8220;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/about/research-tools/glossary.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unanimous consent</a>&#8221; agreement.
Despite pushback from the Biden administration <a href="https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-hirono-and-colleagues-call-on-mcconnell-to-help-end-reckless-hold-on-military-promotions" target="_blank" rel="noopener">and other lawmakers</a>, Tuberville denied that his endeavor was hurting military readiness and he insisted that the Senate could still hold votes through regular order to approve individual nominations if necessary.
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🚨Senator Schumer just proved he could have moved these military promotions months ago.   He held our servicemembers hostage for purely political reasons. <a href="https://t.co/xJPpDr5P3h">pic.twitter.com/xJPpDr5P3h</a>
&mdash; Joni Ernst (@SenJoniErnst) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/1704565839276454384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Hundreds of military confirmations have been held up so far, <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3492554/austin-praises-outgoing-chief-of-naval-operations/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the Department of Defense.</a> A recent Congressional Research Service report estimated it would take more than <a href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/tuberville-hold-700-hours/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">700 hours</a> of work to get through 273 confirmations on an individual basis.
&#8220;Senator Schumer just proved he could have moved these military promotions months ago,&#8221; Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SenJoniErnst/status/1704565839276454384" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> in a post to X on Wednesday. &#8220;He held our servicemembers hostage for purely political reasons.&#8221;
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.<a href="https://twitter.com/SenTuberville?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SenTuberville</a> addresses Schumer folding on military promotions: &quot;My hold is still in place. The hold will remain in place as long as the Pentagon&#39;s illegal abortion policy remains in place. If the Pentagon lifts the policy, then I will lift my hold. It&#39;s as easy as that.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/PorzPFztXU">pic.twitter.com/PorzPFztXU</a>
&mdash; Mary Margaret Olohan (@MaryMargOlohan) <a href="https://twitter.com/MaryMargOlohan/status/1704601152002671074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Tuberville delivered remarks in which he said the Senate is dealing with a &#8220;lack of leadership,&#8221; arguing that the upper chamber could have been confirming one or two nominees each week over the last 200 days. He also said his &#8220;hold&#8221; remains in place until the Pentagon lifts its abortion policy.

Chuck Schumer

Schumer Moves To Confirm Top Military Nominees After Tuberville Calls Audible

Abortion

Congress

Department of Defense

National Security

Pentagon

Politics

Tommy Tuberville

U.S.

U.S. Senate

The U.S. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/marines">Marines</a> ordered a two-day stand-down of aviation units during the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-military-asks-public-for-help-in-finding-missing-f-35">search</a> for a missing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/video-shows-f-35-strike-fighter-crashing-into-ground-in-texas-pilot-ejecting-from-plane">F-35 stealth fighter jet</a>, according to a new report.
In an email to his military branch on Monday, Marine Corps acting Commandant Eric Smith said the temporary pause on flights will give officials time to discuss safety measures and procedures, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/marines-continue-search-35-after-mishap-officials-order/story?id=103287655">ABC News revealed</a>.
The report noted Smith emphasized that he still had full confidence in the aviation units but determined the stand-down was the &#8220;right and prudent&#8221; move after the F-35 disappeared in South Carolina and a recent <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/27/world/asia/marines-plane-crash-australia.html">Osprey crash</a> in Australia that killed three U.S. Marines.
A Marine Corps spokesperson told the news outlet the stand-down covers aviation units both inside and outside the United States.
&#8220;During the stand down, aviation commanders will lead discussions with their Marines focusing on the fundamentals of safe flight operations, ground safety, maintenance and flight procedures, and maintaining combat readiness. This stand down is being taken to ensure the service is maintaining operational standardization of combat-ready aircraft with well-prepared pilots and crews,&#8221; the Marine Corps said in a <a href="https://www.marines.mil/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-Display/Article/3529618/marine-corps-orders-aviation-safety-stand-down/">news release</a>.
&#8220;This stand down invests time and energy in reinforcing the Marine aviation community’s established policies, practices and procedures and ensures Marine Corps remains a ready and highly-trained fighting force,&#8221; the release added.
Joint Base Charleston, which is located in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/south-carolina">South Carolina</a>, announced on Sunday that efforts were underway to locate the aircraft with the help of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort following a &#8220;mishap&#8221; in the afternoon.
&#8220;The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600,&#8221; Joint Base Charleston said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703523385475534968">post</a> to its X account.
&#8220;Based on the jet’s last-known position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion,&#8221; Joint Base Charleston <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703541506915668242">said</a> in a second post.
On Monday, Joint Base Charleston gave a brief <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703818164503490892">update</a> on its X account, sharing that the search for the F-35 involved &#8220;ground and air assets&#8221; with the help of various military, government, and law enforcement entities. By the early evening, the account <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703898175138894214">said</a> a debris field had been located in Williamsburg County, two hours northeast of Joint Base Charleston, and advised members of the public to stay away while a recovery operation gets underway.
Officials have told various media outlets that the missing F-35 — estimated to be worth <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/09/18/f-35-fighter-jet-still-missing-south-carolina-after-pilot-ejected-sunday.html">about $80 million</a> — was placed on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marines-order-stand-down-for-aviation-units-amid-search-for-missing-f-35#:~:text=was%20placed%20on-,autopilot,-before%20the%20pilot">autopilot</a> before the pilot ejected, had <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marines-order-stand-down-for-aviation-units-amid-search-for-missing-f-35#:~:text=pilot%20ejected%2C%20had-,transponder%20issues,-%2C%20and%20was%20not">transponder issues</a>, and was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marines-order-stand-down-for-aviation-units-amid-search-for-missing-f-35#:~:text=not%20carrying%20any%20live%20missiles">not carrying any live missiles</a>. One news outlet, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marines-order-stand-down-for-aviation-units-amid-search-for-missing-f-35#:~:text=One%20news%20outlet%2C-,NBC%20affiliate%20WCBD,-%2C%20reported%20Joint%20Base">NBC affiliate WCBD</a>, reported Joint Base Charleston said the pilot was transported to a local medical center and in stable condition while his wingman safely landed at the base.
Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), who serves a Lowcountry district, expressed frustration after the congresswoman said she received a briefing from the U.S. Marines earlier on Monday.
&#8220;One of the shortest meetings I’ve ever had, bc guess what, no one [the U.S. Marine Corps] sent over to brief me and my staff had any answers. Shocker,&#8221; Mace <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marines-order-stand-down-for-aviation-units-amid-search-for-missing-f-35#:~:text=answers.%20Shocker%2C%E2%80%9D%20Mace-,said,-on%20X%2C">said</a> on X, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/marines-order-stand-down-for-aviation-units-amid-search-for-missing-f-35#:~:text=said%20on%20X%2C-,adding,-%2C%20%E2%80%9CNo%20one%20knows">adding</a>, &#8220;No one knows if the F-35 is in the air or under the water.&#8221;

An F-35B fighter jet

Marines Order Stand-Down For Aviation Units Amid Search For Missing F-35

Fighter Jet

Military

South Carolina

U.S. Military

The <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-military">U.S. military</a> asked the public on Sunday for help in locating a missing <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/video-shows-f-35-strike-fighter-crashing-into-ground-in-texas-pilot-ejecting-from-plane">F-35 fighter jet</a>.
Joint Base Charleston, which is located in <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/south-carolina">South Carolina</a>, said on social media that efforts were underway to locate the aircraft with the help of Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort following a &#8220;mishap&#8221; in the afternoon.
&#8220;The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600,&#8221; Joint Base Charleston said in a <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703523385475534968">post</a> to its X account.
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We’re working with <a href="https://twitter.com/MCASBeaufortSC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MCASBeaufortSC</a> to locate an F-35 that was involved in a mishap this afternoon. The pilot ejected safely. If you have any information that may help our recovery teams locate the F-35, please call the Base Defense Operations Center at 843-963-3600.
&mdash; Joint Base Charleston (@TeamCharleston) <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703523385475534968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Based on the jet’s last-known position and in coordination with the FAA, we are focusing our attention north of JB Charleston, around Lake Moultrie and Lake Marion,&#8221; Joint Base Charleston <a href="https://twitter.com/TeamCharleston/status/1703541506915668242">added</a> in a second post to X.
Joint Base Charleston sent out the plea for help at 5:36 p.m. ET and the second post at 6:48 p.m. ET. As of press time, several hours later, there were no further updates on where the F-35 might be located.
A spokesperson for Joint Base Charleston said the F-35B Lightning II jet from Marine Attack Training Squadron was placed on autopilot before the pilot ejected, <a href="https://abcnews4.com/news/local/officials-mishap-involving-f-35-occurs-near-north-charleston-pilot-hospitalized-after-ejecting-military-joint-base-marine-corps-air-station-beaufort-wciv">according to local ABC affiliate WCIV</a>. Another news outlet, <a href="https://www.counton2.com/news/pilot-ejected-from-f-35-plane-in-north-charleston/?utm_source=dlvr.it">NBC affiliate WCBD</a>, reported that Joint Base Charleston said the pilot was transported to a local medical center and in stable condition while his wingman safely landed at the base.
Despite a lack of information on the whereabouts of the missing fighter jet, there was plenty of buzz about the aircraft on social media.
&#8220;How in the hell do you lose an F-35? How is there not a tracking device and we’re asking the public to what, find a jet and turn it in?&#8221; Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) <a href="https://twitter.com/NancyMace/status/1703586534220255347">said in a post to X</a>.
Others took political shots at President Joe Biden and his administration.
&#8220;Thank goodness the pilot ejected safely. But do we really need &#8216;Find My F-35&#8216; to locate an $80 million dollar jet? Joe Biden’s America,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/JudiciaryGOP/status/1703593386463146310">said</a> the account for the House Judiciary GOP.
&#8220;Joe Biden’s Pentagon can’t find a freaking F-35 jet, but don’t worry — they know exactly where all our money in Ukraine is going,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/seanmdav/status/1703586734661919026">said The Federalist&#8217;s Sean Davis</a>.

F-35 Lightning II

U.S. Military Asks Public For Help In Finding Missing F-35

Biden Administration

President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> said on Sunday he does not want to isolate <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/china">China</a> as he works to shore up ties between the United States and other countries.
The commander in chief made the assertion <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k9h_iUzz2A">during a press conference</a> in Hanoi, Vietnam, after participating in a G-20 summit in India that Chinese President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/xi-jinping">Xi Jinping</a> did not attend.
&#8220;So, really, what this trip was about — it was less about containing China. I don&#8217;t want to contain China,&#8221; Biden said. &#8220;I just want to make sure that we have a relationship with China that is on the up and up, squared away, everybody knows what it&#8217;s all about.&#8221;
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BIDEN: &quot;I don&#39;t wanna contain China&quot; <a href="https://t.co/S3ddEsiDgr">pic.twitter.com/S3ddEsiDgr</a>
&mdash; RNC Research (@RNCResearch) <a href="https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1700876409131151482?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Biden further explained that his itinerary was about &#8220;having India cooperate much more with the United States, be closer with the United States, Vietnam being closer with the United States.&#8221;
He also insisted that his travel abroad was meant to create &#8220;a stable base in the Indo-Pacific&#8221; and establish international &#8220;rules of the road&#8221; on matters related to the ocean, airspace, and space.
&#8220;I want to see China succeed economically, but I want to see them succeed by the rules,&#8221; Biden added.
Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, criticized Biden during an appearance on CNN&#8217;s &#8220;State of the Union.&#8221;
&#8220;The whole point of him going to the region, in my view, was to get our friends and allies and partners together in the event of an invasion of Taiwan and a greater invasion into the South Pacific Sea,&#8221; McCaul said, adding that Biden chose the <a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2023/09/10/sotu-mccaul-full.cnn">&#8220;wrong message to send&#8221;</a> because it was not one of &#8220;deterrence.&#8221;
Ahead of Biden&#8217;s visit to Vietnam, Beijing expressed disapproval of the U.S. approach to dealing with China&#8217;s neighbors.
&#8220;We believe that when dealing with relations with Asian countries, the #US should abandon the Cold War mentality of a zero-sum game, abide by basic norms of international relations, not target third parties and not undermine regional peace, stability, development and prosperity,&#8221; said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, as <a href="https://twitter.com/globaltimesnews/status/1698603237522428147">reported</a> in a post to X by China&#8217;s Global Times.
During his press conference, Biden stressed, &#8220;I think we think too much in terms of Cold War terms.&#8221;
The president said he spoke about &#8220;stability&#8221; with Xi’s No. 2 Chinese Premier Li Qiang at the G-20 summit and their conversation &#8220;wasn&#8217;t confrontational at all.&#8221; Biden also said he hopes to meet with Xi &#8220;sooner than later.&#8221;

Joe Biden

Biden Says He Does Not Want To ‘Contain’ China

Biden Says He Does Not Want To 'Contain' China

China

Vietnam

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un may soon meet with Russian President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/vladimir-putin">Vladimir Putin</a> for negotiations on weapons, according to multiple reports on Monday.
Senior administration officials <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/09/04/putin-kim-meeting-weapons-deal-russia-north-korea/">told The Washington Post</a> that Kim plans to make a rare trip out of North Korea to meet with Putin later this month.
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/us/politics/putin-kim-meeting-russia-north-korea-weapons.html">The New York Times</a>, citing American and allied officials, reported that Kim would travel from North Korea&#8217;s capital of Pyongyang to the Russian port city of Vladivostok — probably by armored train. The duo <a href="https://www.npr.org/2019/04/24/716873097/north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-and-russian-president-vladimir-putin-meet-for-su">previously met</a> in the same city, which is not far from North Korea&#8217;s border with Russia, in 2019.
With this new round of talks, Putin aims to secure more weapons for its war in Ukraine, such as artillery shells and anti-tank missiles, while Kim wants access to Russia&#8217;s advanced technology on nuclear submarines and satellites as well as food assistance for his <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/north-koreans-face-increasing-repression-threat-starvation-un-says-rcna100564">starving country</a> of roughly <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/north-korea-suffers-one-of-its-worst-food-crises-in-decades-ee25aa86">26 million people</a>, officials told the New York Times. Kim could also make other stops, including at the Vostochny Cosmodrome space launch center and even Moscow.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu visited Pyongyang in July and Kim <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/kim-jong-un-russia-north-korea-ukraine-banned-missiles-rcna96590">showed off</a> his nation&#8217;s banned ballistic missiles. That high-profile trip was reportedly followed by delegations from North Korea and Russia visiting the other country, possibly setting the stage for a new meeting between their leaders.
The White House revealed last week that the United States had intelligence showing that Kim and Putin have <a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-north-korea-weapons-munitions-letter-8c48787c798a50beda774a8ac5cc91ba">exchanged letters</a>. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby also told reporters that information showed negotiations were &#8220;actively advancing&#8221; as Russia seeks munitions from North Korea in defiance of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“We have information that Kim Jong-Un expects these discussions to continue, to include leader-level diplomatic engagement in Russia,” said National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson, according to a <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/04/politics/north-korea-kim-putin-arms-negotiations/index.html">CNN</a> report on Monday.
&#8220;We urge [North Korea] to cease its arms negotiations with Russia and abide by the public commitments that Pyongyang has made to not provide or sell arms to Russia,&#8221; Watson <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/us/politics/putin-kim-meeting-russia-north-korea-weapons.html">also said</a>.
The Biden administration has sought to deter weapons negotiations between Russia and North Korea with <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-sanctions-russian-company-over-alleged-support-for-north-korean-weapons-programs-79642dd0">volleys</a> of <a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/4155289-us-issues-sanctions-targeting-north-korea-russia-arms-trade/">sanctions</a>. Previous intelligence about possible arms transactions that made the media rounds last year led both nations to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/22/north-korea-weapons-russia-us-assessment/">issue denials</a>.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has approved <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/biden-asks-congress-for-more-than-13b-to-support-ukraine-and-12b-for-disaster-fund">more than $110 billion</a> in aid to Ukraine as its defenders keep up the fight to try and fend off Russian forces who invaded their country over a year and a half ago.

Russian President Vladimir Putin receives North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un in Vladivostok

Kim Jong Un Expected To Meet With Putin For Weapons Talks: Reports

Kim Jong Un

North Korea

Russia

Ukraine-Russia War

Vladimir Putin

Three branches of the U.S. military now lack <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-senate">Senate</a>-confirmed chiefs amid a standoff over <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/pentagon">Pentagon</a> nominees in the upper chamber.
As Adm. Mike Gilday <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3492554/austin-praises-outgoing-chief-of-naval-operations/">relinquished</a> command of naval operations on Monday, Defense Secretary <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/lloyd-austin">Lloyd Austin</a> issued a warning about the national security implications of being forced to rely on acting leadership.
&#8220;Because of this blanket hold, starting today, for the first time in the history of the Department of Defense, three of our military services are operating without Senate-confirmed leaders,&#8221; Lloyd said during a ceremony at the U.S. Naval Academy.
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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin: &quot;Starting today for the first time in the history of the Department of Defense, three of our military services are operating without Senate confirmed leaders. This is unprecedented, it is unnecessary, and it is unsafe.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/gkPfHbmyFt">pic.twitter.com/gkPfHbmyFt</a>
&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1691197116935245826?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;This is unprecedented, it is unnecessary, and it is unsafe,&#8221; he added before calling on the Senate to end the deadlock.
President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> nominated Adm. Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, but she took over command in an acting capacity on Monday, joining leaders stuck in similar positions heading the <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2023/07/10/top-marine-david-berger-retires-00105449">Marine Corps</a> and the <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3483979/austin-praises-outgoing-army-chief-of-staff/#:~:text=Secretary%20of%20Defense%20Lloyd%20J,Grinston%20to%20Michael%20R.%20Weimer.">Army</a>.
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One more down as CNO Gilday relinquished command this morning. 
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said today this is the first time in DOD history three services are without a Senate-confirmed chief. <a href="https://t.co/2tbO6A5Wry">pic.twitter.com/2tbO6A5Wry</a>
&mdash; Haley Britzky (@halbritz) <a href="https://twitter.com/halbritz/status/1691111893232963584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
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The bottleneck can be traced back to February, when Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tommy-tuberville" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tommy Tuberville</a> (R-AL) placed <a href="https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/tuberville-demands-answers-from-the-pentagon/">a &#8220;hold&#8221;</a> on general and flag officer nominations in protest of a Pentagon policy allowing female service members <a href="https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/02/16/military-cover-travel-costs-and-offer-leave-troops-seeking-abortions-fertility-treatment.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expense-paid travel and up to three weeks leave</a> for an elective abortion that he claims is illegal.
In upholding his stance, Tuberville has objected to allowing the Democrat-controlled Senate from quickly approving the nominations in batches through a &#8220;<a href="https://www.senate.gov/about/research-tools/glossary.htm" target="_blank" rel="noopener">unanimous consent</a>&#8221; agreement.
Despite pushback from the Pentagon <a href="https://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-hirono-and-colleagues-call-on-mcconnell-to-help-end-reckless-hold-on-military-promotions">and other lawmakers</a>, Tuberville has denied that his hold is hurting military readiness and insisted that the upper chamber can still hold votes through regular order to approve individual nominations if necessary.
&#8220;Contrary to false reporting, no jobs are going unfilled while the hold is in place,&#8221; Tuberville spokesman Steven Stafford <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/defense-secretary-lloyd-austin-blasts-gop-senators-blockade-military-p-rcna99759">told media outlets</a> in a statement. &#8220;Instead, highly experienced acting officials are serving in these roles.&#8221;
Democrats have reasoned that it would <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/news/press-releases/majority-leader-schumer-floor-remarks-on-senator-tuberville-blocking-military-promotions-in-an-effort-to-prevent-women-serving-in-the-military-from-getting-access-to-reproductive-care">take too long</a> to get through the backlog with individual votes.
&#8220;It would paralyze the Senate if all of us had to take one roll call vote after another just to confirm routine, apolitical, qualified generals and other flag officers,&#8221; Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) <a href="https://www.democrats.senate.gov/news/press-releases/majority-leader-schumer-floor-remarks-on-senator-tuberville-blocking-military-promotions-in-an-effort-to-prevent-women-serving-in-the-military-from-getting-access-to-reproductive-care">said</a> in remarks earlier this year.
Hundreds of military confirmations have been held up so far, <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3492554/austin-praises-outgoing-chief-of-naval-operations/">according to the Department of Defense</a>.
One leader who could soon be caught up in the impasse is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/joint-chiefs-nominee-knocks-tubervilles-hold-on-military-promotions">Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr.</a>, Biden&#8217;s nominee to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as Gen. Mark Milley&#8217;s term is set to expire in October.

Lloyd Austin

Three Military Branches Lose Confirmed Leaders Amid Senate Impasse

Senate

Retired Air Force Maj. David Grusch, a former U.S. intelligence and military official <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-defense-official-shares-claims-of-off-world-technology-expects-new-revelations-at-ufo-hearing">who claims</a> the government is covering up a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ufo">UFO</a> retrieval program, said he gained &#8220;firsthand access&#8221; to information that he cannot discuss publicly.
The comment, made by the whistleblower during an interview on <a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/15hh1hd/full_interview_of_david_grusch_and_his_lawyer/">BBC Radio 4&#8217;s &#8220;The World Tonight&#8221;</a> alongside his lawyer, offered a rebuttal of sorts to detractors who fault Grusch for <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-ufo-hearing-is-over-whats-next">pinning his public claims</a> on other knowledgeable individuals with whom he has allegedly conferred. In a pre-recorded interview, as aired on Thursday, the host asked Grusch how he could &#8220;know&#8221; the U.S. government is hiding <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whistleblower-testifies-he-knows-exact-locations-of-ufos">crafts of non-human origin</a>, as Grusch claims, if he has not seen them.
&#8220;There&#8217;s certain things that I have first-hand access to that I can&#8217;t publicly discuss at this time,&#8221; Grusch said. &#8220;However, myself and other colleagues interviewed 40 individuals, both current and former, highly distinguished intelligence and military personnel that were specifically on the programs. And those who were willing, I directed to the Intelligence Community inspector general so the inspector general is able to interview these people that do have direct, firsthand information.&#8221;
Though some members of Congress — <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/burchett-more-witnesses-have-come-forward-since-uap-hearing-select-committee-with-subpoena-authority-requested">such as Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)</a> — are eager to investigate the matter further, the air of mystery which prevails despite Grusch&#8217;s bombshell allegations has driven some skepticism, particularly after the whistleblower&#8217;s appearance before a House Oversight panel last week when he insisted that there was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whistleblower-testifies-he-knows-exact-locations-of-ufos">certain information</a> he could not divulge to lawmakers outside of a classified setting.
&#8220;I always love it when you have somebody who comes forward and testifies about things that they don&#8217;t know anything about,&#8221; House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Turner (R-OH) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lz9FD6zJd5w">said on &#8220;Sunday Morning Futures&#8221;</a> after Fox anchor Maria Bartiromo played a clip of Grusch talking about there being non-human &#8220;biologics&#8221; in some of the UFO recoveries, allegedly based on what he was told by people involved in the program.
&#8220;I mean, the most, I think, striking aspect of all of the testimony was repeatedly, over and over again, the whistleblowers had to say: Actually, I don&#8217;t have any knowledge of this. Somebody else told me that,&#8221; Turner added. &#8220;I mean, really, it — this would take thousands and thousands of people for such an unbelievable cover-up to be occurring. And for people to speak with such confidence over something that they do not know is, I think, something certainly everybody needs to be concerned about.&#8221;
Asked if he could say aliens are not on Earth, Turner said, &#8220;I certainly can&#8217;t tell you that there are no aliens here.&#8221; He then turned his attention back to Grusch, saying, &#8220;I can tell you that, certainly, there&#8217;s no evidence that what the gentleman is testifying about, he has — he said himself personally he has no direct knowledge of,&#8221; and declared that China <a href="https://twitter.com/MetaStudioLogic/status/1685766574664495104">poses a bigger threat</a> than the prospect of aliens on Earth.
<a href="https://thedebrief.org/intelligence-officials-say-u-s-has-retrieved-non-human-craft/">The Debrief</a> broke the story back in early June that Grusch, who helped lead efforts to study unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) for years, claimed to have been <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Dave_G_HOC_Speech_FINAL_For_Trans.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">denied access</a> when he sought information about an alleged multi-decade retrieval and reverse-engineering program that he now says has been illegally kept from Congress. The report said a whistleblower reprisal investigation has been opened and noted that Grusch has provided classified information such as locations and program names to the Intelligence Community Inspector General and congressional intelligence committee staff.
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During his interview with BBC Radio, Grusch shared insight into why he came forward, saying, &#8220;It boils down to a sense of duty and an act of truth to power and it seemed liked me going public was the appropriate lever to pull when it comes to public accountability and emphasizing the seriousness to different branches of U.S. government.&#8221; It is &#8220;very important for the public at large to understand their place in the cosmos, their place in the universe,&#8221; Grusch said, adding that the government should be &#8220;held accountable for potentially over classifying or misclassifying basic science.&#8221;
The Department of Defense has released a statement <a href="https://twitter.com/GadiNBC/status/1684294693428027395">insisting</a> that its All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which has been tasked with investigating UFOs, &#8220;has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently.&#8221;
Grusch offered some reasons why the government may want to cover up a UFO retrieval program.
&#8220;It goes back 80-90 years ago when this was first created and they translated some of the secrecy from the Manhattan Project onto this subject because they weren&#8217;t sure how ontologically shocking it was going to be to the world populace,&#8221; he said. &#8220;And then, two, as you can imagine, it&#8217;s a Pandora&#8217;s Box for potential military and weapons development-type reverse-engineering activities, so they decided to keep it under wraps for many years.&#8221;
Grusch also dismissed the notion that only the U.S. government may be hiding UFOs, saying, &#8220;It does cross into other countries and other allies, to include the Five Eyes alliance, which is something I&#8217;ve already stated publicly. The media reporting bias and societal transparency is a little different in the U.S. That&#8217;s the crux of what most people hear, but it is certainly not an American issue.&#8221;
The BBC Radio airing of the interview ended with Grusch being asked to respond to AARO Director Sean Kirkpatrick writing a statement that the congressional UAP hearing last week was <a href="https://apnews.com/article/congress-ufos-uaps-pentagon-aliens-631ad4d174ee9559580935ec11afcf3f">&#8220;insulting&#8221;</a> to members of his team and that <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12349561/David-Gruschs-whistleblower-UFO-testimony-slammed-head-Pentagon-office-insulting-accusing-government-cover-bombshell-congressional-hearing.html">none of the witnesses</a> who testified were ever a representative to AARO, which Kirkpatrick claimed was contrary to statements made in the testimony.
Grusch&#8217;s opening <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Dave_G_HOC_Speech_FINAL_For_Trans.pdf">statement</a> said that in recent years, he was the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency&#8217;s &#8220;co-lead in Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP) and trans-medium object analysis, as well as reporting to UAP Task Force (UAPTF) and eventually the All-Domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO).&#8221;
&#8220;Dr. Kirkpatrick oversaw our activities and what we were doing and the money we were spending,&#8221; Grusch told BBC Radio. &#8220;I never said I was a part of the core team, so I believe it was just lost in translation or misconstrued.&#8221;

David Grusch

UFO Whistleblower Claims ‘Firsthand Access’ To Things He Can’t Talk About Publicly

UFO Whistleblower Claims 'Firsthand Access' To Things He Can't Talk About Publicly

General

Outer Space

Two U.S. Navy sailors were arrested on national security-related charges related to allegedly sending sensitive military information to the Chinese Communist Party, federal officials said on Thursday.
“These individuals stand accused of violating the commitments they made to protect the United States and betraying the public trust, to the benefit of the [People’s Republic of China] government,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division, said in a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-us-navy-servicemembers-arrested-transmitting-military-information-peoples-republic-china" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news release</a>.
U.S. Navy Sailor Jinchao Wei, an active-duty machinist’s mate on the amphibious U.S.S. Essex assault ship stationed at Naval Base San Diego, was arrested on Wednesday for espionage-related charges upon arriving for work at the homeport of the Navy&#8217;s Pacific Fleet in California.
Wei, 22, was indicted for conspiracy to send national defense information to a Chinese intelligence officer who allegedly communicated with Wei using encrypted messages to provide photos, videos and documents about the U.S.S. Essex and other Navy ships as early as February 2022, according to U.S. officials. Wei allegedly disclosed the locations of various Navy ships, defensive weapons, technical and mechanical manuals to the intelligence officer in exchange for thousands of dollars over the course of the conspiracy. The sailor also allegedly passed along information about the number of U.S. Marines training during previously scheduled international maritime warfare exercises.
&#8220;When a soldier or sailor chooses cash over country, and hands over national defense information in an ultimate act of betrayal, the United States will aggressively investigate and prosecute,&#8221; U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman for the Southern District of California, said.
Authorities also arrested  U.S. Navy Petty Officer Wenheng Zhao, a sailor at Naval Base Ventura County in California, on a charge of conspiracy and receipt of a bribe, for allegedly transmitting sensitive military information to a Chinese official posing as a maritime economic researcher.
Zhao, 26, allegedly communicated with an unnamed Chinese intelligence officer from August 2021 through May 2023 by &#8220;surreptitiously recording&#8221; photographs and videos of classified military information and then transmitting to the foreign officer, authorities said.
According to a news release, the Chinese intelligence officer paid Zhao approximately $14,866 in exchange for classified controlled operational plans for a large-scale U.S. military exercise involving Naval force movements, amphibious landings, and maritime operations and logistics in the Indo-Pacific Region. An indictment against Zhao further alleges the Petty Officer exchanged photographs of electrical diagrams and blueprints for a radar system stationed on a U.S. military base in Okinawa, Japan.
“By sending this sensitive military information to an intelligence officer employed by a hostile foreign state, the defendant betrayed his sacred oath to protect our country and uphold the Constitution,” said U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada for the Central District of California. “Unlike the vast majority of U.S. Navy personnel who serve the nation with honor, distinction and courage, Mr. Zhao chose to corruptly sell out his colleagues and his country.”
Zhao faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison if convicted.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen said during a Thursday press briefing reported by <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/2-us-sailors-national-security-china-bribe-charges" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fox News</a> that the threat from China &#8220;stands apart&#8221; on the world stage to the national security of the U.S.
&#8220;China is unrivaled in the audacity and the range of its malign efforts to subvert our laws,&#8221; Olsen said Thursday.

President Biden Delivers Remarks At Naval Base Point Loma

Two U.S. Navy Sailors Arrested On Espionage Charges Involving Alleged Ties To China

Two U.S. Navy Sailors Arrested On Charges Involving Alleged Ties To China

Department of Justice

Espionage

U.S. Navy

President <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a> reversed a Trump-era plan to move the U.S. Space Command headquarters out of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/colorado">Colorado</a> to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/alabama">Alabama</a>.
A Pentagon spokesperson <a href="https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3477514/statement-from-pentagon-press-secretary-brig-gen-patrick-ryder-on-us-space-comm/">announced</a> on Monday that Biden made the decision following a &#8220;thorough and deliberate evaluation process,&#8221; consultation with Defense Secretary Loyd Austin, and input from senior military leaders.
National Security Adviser John Kirby <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1686127717903646720">told CNN</a> that Biden acted on &#8220;operational readiness&#8221; alone. &#8220;When it came down to it, he believes it is in the best national security interests of the country if we leave Space Command in Colorado,&#8221; Kirby added.
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Kirby: The President believes it&#39;s in the best national security interest if we leave space command in Colorado <a href="https://t.co/73FxHPuS2W">pic.twitter.com/73FxHPuS2W</a>
&mdash; Acyn (@Acyn) <a href="https://twitter.com/Acyn/status/1686127717903646720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2023</a></blockquote>
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U.S. Space Command, which is <a href="https://www.spacecom.mil/About/Frequently-Asked-Questions/">separate</a> from the Space Force, is currently headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with <a href="https://www.spacecom.mil/About/Frequently-Asked-Questions/">personnel and functions</a> spread across bases in Colorado, Nebraska and California. It employs joint forces from the various military branches to deliver &#8220;<a href="https://www.spacecom.mil/About/Frequently-Asked-Questions/">space capabilities</a>&#8221; to U.S. forces.
Former President Donald Trump <a href="https://www.spacecom.mil/Newsroom/Speeches/Speech-Display/Article/2388821/remarks-by-president-trump-at-event-establishing-the-us-space-command/#:~:text=We're%20gathered%20here%20in,that's%20pretty%20obvious%20to%20everybody.">revived</a> the program during his administration and, during his final days in office in January 2021, it was <a href="https://www.al.com/news/huntsville/2021/01/us-space-command-headquarters-coming-to-huntsville-alabama-sources.html">announced</a> that the Air Force intended to move the Space Command headquarters to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama — the same area that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has now <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/jordan-threatens-funding-unless-new-fbi-hq-leaves-dc-area-and-he-has-a-suggestion">suggested the FBI relocate</a> its headquarters.
Then-acting Air Force Secretary John Roth <a href="https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-117hhrg47821/pdf/CHRG-117hhrg47821.pdf">testified to Congress</a> in the summer of 2021 that Huntsville was chosen as the preferred site as a result of a &#8220;strategic basing process&#8221; with the help of stakeholders and it was determined that construction and maintenance costs for buildings to hold more than 1,400 people would be cheaper in the Alabama location than in Colorado Springs. In addition, amid concerns by Colorado officials <a href="https://spacenews.com/lamborn-the-fight-to-keep-u-s-space-command-in-colorado-is-not-over/">that the planned move lacked merit</a>, Roth said he had personally not seen any evidence that the decision was politically motivated.
Following assessments by the <a href="https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/article/3027137/evaluation-of-the-air-force-selection-process-for-the-permanent-location-of-the/">Department of Defense inspector general</a> and the <a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-22-106055.pdf">Government Accountability Office</a> that found the Air Force selection process to be proper for the most part, Biden&#8217;s decision to back away from the Trump plan pleased Colorado politicians who have opposed the relocation effort.
&#8220;This is great news for Colorado and our national security — keeping U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs is an exciting outcome for our state, military families, jobs, and businesses,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/GovofCO/status/1686104879583113216">said</a> Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat.
&#8220;I applaud the decision today by the Biden Administration to keep U.S. Space Command where it belongs — Colorado,&#8221; Rep. Ken Buck (R-CO) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepKenBuck/status/1686128729599143936">said</a> in a statement. &#8220;Our entire Congressional Delegation, both Republicans and Democrats, have worked together for years to achieve this important result. Colorado already has the pre-existing infrastructure, first-rate work force, private-sector support, and communication platforms necessary to provide for our national security mission in space.&#8221;
Elected officials from Alabama expressed outrage and indicated that they planned to push back against the Biden administration over the reversal.
&#8220;The White House choosing to not locate Space Command Headquarters in Alabama – the rightful selection – is very simply the wrong decision for national security,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/GovernorKayIvey/status/1686121295627399168">said</a> Alabama Governor Kay Ivey, a Republican.
Among members of Congress, Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMikeRogersAL/status/1686125983714115584">said</a> he would be &#8220;continuing my investigation into Biden&#8217;s deliberate, political, taxpayer-funded meddling in this decision,&#8221; while Sen. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/tommy-tuberville">Tommy Tuberville</a> (R-AL), who is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/gop-senator-holds-firm-in-stand-against-pentagon-abortion-policy-as-marines-lose-confirmed-leader">holding up military promotions</a> to protest against a Pentagon <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/abortion">abortion</a> policy, <a href="https://www.tuberville.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/tuberville-statement-on-biden-taking-space-command-from-alabama/">said</a> he would &#8220;continue to fight&#8221; the planned move.
Kirby, a retired Navy rear admiral, said moving Space Command would likely take between five and 10 years &#8220;at a critical time in the space domain when the [People&#8217;s Republic of China] is developing incredible capabilities in that regard. Moving it could have a negative effect on Space Command&#8217;s readiness and the president finds that unacceptable.&#8221;

President Joe Biden

Biden Reverses Plan To Move Space Command From Colorado to Alabama

Alabama

Colorado

Space

<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/fbi">FBI</a> access to data collected by a controversial spy tool intended to protect against national security threats should be restricted, an advisory panel recommended to the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/white-house">White House</a>.
A <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Presidents-Intelligence-Advisory-Board-and-Intelligence-Oversight-Board-Review-of-FISA-Section-702-and-Recommendations-for-Reauthorization.pdf">report</a> by the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board (PIAB), which the White House released on Monday with light redactions, offered a number of ways to reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act&#8217;s (FISA) Section 702. First on the list was the recommendation that the attorney general be directed to &#8220;remove FBI’s authority to conduct queries for evidence of a non-national security-related crime in its Section 702 data.&#8221;
&#8220;FBI’s use of Section 702 should be limited to foreign intelligence purposes only and FBI personnel should receive additional training on what foreign intelligence entails,&#8221; the report said. &#8220;In the event that FBI encounters evidence of a non-national security-related crime while reviewing Section 702 data, existing intelligence community procedures for handling evidence of such crimes uncovered in the course of reviewing intelligence information should be applied.&#8221;
Section 702, which was <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/how-we-investigate/intelligence/foreign-intelligence-surveillance-act-fisa-and-section-702">enacted in 2008</a> and allows government officials to conduct <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/how-we-investigate/intelligence/foreign-intelligence-surveillance-act-fisa-and-section-702#:~:text=FISA%20Section%20702%20is%20an,takes%20action%20to%20reauthorize%20it.">&#8220;targeted&#8221;</a> searches of non-U.S. citizens abroad without a warrant, is set to expire at the end of the year. As Congress considers reauthorization, with both Republicans and Democrats raising concerns about Fourth Amendment rights and abuse of intrusive surveillance capabilities, the White House has said Section 702 is essential to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/biden-admin-asks-congress-to-reauthorize-fisa-surveillance-powers">protect national security</a> and should be preserved.
Multiple agencies <a href="https://www.dni.gov/files/FISA_Section_702/Finding_Foreign_Intelligence_Information_Section_702_FISA.pdf">can make Section 702 queries</a> for email, phone and other types of information, but the FBI in particular has come under intense scrutiny.
A Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court filing released this spring said the bureau improperly used that trove of information <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/fbi-misused-surveillance-tool-over-278000-times-report">over 278,000 times</a> in recent years that resulted in the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/fbi-improperly-searched-spy-database-for-information-on-americans-court-says-2f12bcd">collection of data</a> about Capitol riot suspects, George Floyd protest demonstrators, and American donors to a congressional campaign. In addition, a Department of Justice (DOJ) audit of the FBI in 2021 found a &#8220;large number of noncompliant incidents,&#8221; some of which included &#8220;individuals arrested during the January 6 Capitol breach,&#8221; the PIAB report said.
As noted by the <a href="https://www.intel.gov/foreign-intelligence-surveillance-act/1237-fisa-section-702">U.S. intelligence community</a>, Section 702 allows for the targeting of &#8220;non-United States persons who are reasonably believed to be located outside the United States,&#8221; but not Americans or anyone in the United States. Also prohibited under Section 702 is &#8220;reverse targeting,&#8221; meaning the intelligence community &#8220;may not target a non-U.S. person located outside the U.S. if the purpose of the collection is to collect information about a United States person or anyone located in the United States.&#8221;
Oversight authorities have found rampant misuse of the database in recent years, reporting that &#8220;most compliance incidents have been attributable to FBI’s pervasive lack of understanding regarding query standards,&#8221; the PIAB report said. Though the panel said its members &#8220;did not find FBI personnel willfully using Section 702 for political purposes, and intentional misconduct of FBI querying for any reason was exceedingly rare,&#8221; the FBI&#8217;s &#8220;conduct has nevertheless undermined public confidence in its ability to use Section 702 in the way it was intended.&#8221;
The FBI has implemented <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-deputy-director-highlights-bureau-s-new-fisa-query-accountability-procedures#Fact-Sheet">reforms</a> feared toward improving FISA compliance, including more <a href="https://www.justice.gov/d9/pages/attachments/2023/03/03/recent_efforts_to_strengthen_fisa_compliance_02.28.23.pdf">stringent reviewing processes and training</a>. In a <a href="https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/how-we-investigate/intelligence/foreign-intelligence-surveillance-act-fisa-and-section-702">statement</a> on Monday, the FBI stated the PIAB report recognizes that the changes it has made have &#8220;yielded substantial compliance improvements&#8221; and said it agreed that Section 702 should be reauthorized &#8220;in a manner that does not diminish its effectiveness, as well as reassures the public of its importance and our ability to adhere rigorously to all relevant rules.&#8221;
Though the PIAB report did acknowledge the FBI put in place reforms since 2021 &#8220;that have led to significant improvements in compliance noted&#8221; by the DOJ and Office of the Director of National Intelligence, it said the board found them to be &#8220;insufficient to ensure compliance and earn the public&#8217;s trust.&#8221;
Among the other recommendations it made was to direct the FBI director to designate a compliance officer to ensure appropriate use of Section 702 in each field office and FBI headquarters and to create a &#8221; common culture of compliance across the FBI workforce that employs Section 702 authorities through senior personnel exchanges.&#8221;
Two top officials in President Joe Biden&#8217;s White House — National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Principal Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer — said in a <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/07/31/statement-from-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-and-principal-deputy-national-security-advisor-jon-finer-on-the-presidents-intelligence-advisory-boards-review-of-section-702-o/">statement</a> that they agree with PIAB&#8217;s &#8220;recommendation that Section 702 should be reauthorized without new and operationally damaging restrictions on reviewing intelligence lawfully collected by the government and with measures that build on proven reforms to enhance compliance and oversight, among other improvements.&#8221;
They added: &#8220;We look forward to reviewing the Board’s recommendations for how we can secure this critical national security authority and to working with Congress to ensure its reauthorization.&#8221;

FBI logo on hat

FBI Access To Spy Tool Should Be Restricted, White House Advisers Say

FISA

White House

With a hearing on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ufo">UFOs</a> or unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAPs) now over, lawmakers were already turning their focus on how to proceed with a topic that has generated bipartisan interest on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/capitol-hill">Capitol Hill</a>.
&#8220;We&#8217;ve got so many ideas now,&#8221; Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), one of the lawmakers who has <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/congressman-says-ufos-can-fly-underwater-government-has-been-covering-up-presence-since-1890s">spearheaded the UAP endeavor</a>, told reporters after the hearing came to a close.
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Rep. Tim Burchett and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna talk with reporters following the Congressional UAP Hearing and discuss non-human intelligence in relation to UAP, as well as reverse engineering programs.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ufotwitter?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ufotwitter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ufo?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ufo</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uap?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uap</a> <a href="https://t.co/7lVlxAgOOe">pic.twitter.com/7lVlxAgOOe</a>
&mdash; UAP James (@UAPJames) <a href="https://twitter.com/UAPJames/status/1684242797367263232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
One of those ideas seems to be field hearings, which likely would take place away from Washington, D.C., as already <a href="https://twitter.com/realannapaulina/status/1683976855060377600">stated</a> by Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), another leader in the UAP inquiry.
While nothing has been scheduled, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said there is a &#8220;strong possibility&#8221; there will be more UAP hearings, NewsNation correspondent Joe Khalil reported in a <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeKhalilTV/status/1684230455107674113">post to X</a>.
The hearing on Wednesday held by an Oversight subcommittee featured testimony from David Grusch, a former U.S. military and intelligence official who has gone public with <a href="https://thedebrief.org/intelligence-officials-say-u-s-has-retrieved-non-human-craft/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegations</a> about crafts of non-human origin being retrieved and kept from <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/congress" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Congress</a> with a <a href="https://twitter.com/NewsNation/status/1684224867334344706">&#8220;misappropriation of funds,&#8221;</a> and two Navy veterans who have come forward with claims about mysterious flying objects that appear to defy the laws of physics and could threaten national security.
Grusch made several out-of-this-world declarations. In addition to saying he has faced &#8220;brutal&#8221; retaliation, Grusch said he knows where the U.S. government is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whistleblower-testifies-he-knows-exact-locations-of-ufos">covertly keeping UAPs</a> and claimed to have been informed by people involved in the alleged retrieval program that there were &#8220;biologics&#8221; that were &#8220;non-human&#8221; that came with some of the recoveries. Grusch also said the U.S. government has possessed evidence of non-human intelligence <a href="https://twitter.com/RSBNetwork/status/1684224460319072257" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as far back as the 1930s</a>.
At the same time, Grusch said he was restrained in what he could divulge publicly under conditions set as his <a href="https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/we-are-not-alone-the-ufo-whistleblower-speaks/">whistleblower case gets resolved</a>, but he indicated he could provide a <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisSPITZER7/status/1684324683452235776">list of &#8220;cooperative and hostile&#8221;</a> individuals who may be linked to UAP programs. Grusch also said he could share more information in a classified setting if members were given proper clearances.
Members of Congress seem eager to take Grusch up on his offer to follow-up.
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&#8220;We should be getting the document that Mr. Grusch submitted to the inspector general. We should be getting him in the SCIF (sensitive compartmented information facility) so that we can get additional information. And the military needs to come forward because at the end of the day, if we&#8217;re wrong and if these pilots are wrong then the military should prove why they&#8217;re wrong, and how, rather than just not answering the question,&#8221; Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) <a href="https://twitter.com/RepMoskowitz/status/1684307899684732928">told MSNBC</a>.
For its part, the Department of Defense (DoD) <a href="https://twitter.com/GadiNBC/status/1684294693428027395">insisted</a> that its All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), which has been tasked with investigating UFOs, &#8220;has not discovered any verifiable information to substantiate claims that any programs regarding the possession or reverse-engineering of extraterrestrial materials have existed in the past or exist currently.&#8221; Meanwhile, <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1682499768361054208">a NASA team is</a> expected to release a report on UAPs in the coming weeks.
Though there has already been a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/schumer-moves-to-force-disclosure-of-ufo-secrets">push by lawmakers for legislation</a> to encourage more disclosures, members proposed various ways in which Congress could play hardball if they meet resistance.
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who appeared at the hearing Wednesday and spoke about military pilots witnessing a high-flying UAP that appeared to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/congressman-matt-gaetz-opens-up-about-uap-beyond-human-capability">transcend “human capability,&#8221;</a> floated the use of subpoenas, as well as <a href="https://twitter.com/KellieMeyerNews/status/1684348198465200128">a select committee to investigate UAPs</a>. Another lawmaker, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), threatened to initiate the <a href="https://twitter.com/RepOgles/status/1684269142788956178">Holman Rule</a> in a bid to <a href="https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R44736.pdf">rein in</a> any uncooperative programs or agencies by <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/heres-what-mccarthys-house-can-actually-get-done-before-2024">squeezing available money and job positions</a>. A third, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), said there should be a <a href="https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/lawmakers-witnesses-call-for-centralized-ufo-reporting/">&#8220;safe and transparent&#8221;</a> UAP reporting system for military and commercial pilots that takes into account national security, <a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/4118340-ufo-hearing-live-updates-lawmakers-former-officials-strange-sightings/#61153">per The Hill</a>.
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/former-defense-official-shares-claims-of-off-world-technology-expects-new-revelations-at-ufo-hearing">Christopher Mellon</a>, a former deputy assistant Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Senate staffer who has pushed for transparency on the UAP issue, encouraged Congress to use its leverage.
&#8220;By wielding the power of the purse, Congress possesses a myriad of tools (cutting funding, stalling promotions, invoking the Holman Rule, etc.) to ensure that the Executive complies with Congress’ oversight authority,&#8221; <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisKMellon/status/1684310535007870976">Mellon said on X</a>. &#8220;Fundamentally, the UAP issue and it&#8217;s possible implications are of far too much consequence to be monopolized by one branch of government, regardless of party or administration.&#8221;
Burchett spoke to the potential of there being financial conflicts that result in roadblocks to full transparency with &#8220;unelected bureaucrats within the military-war complex.&#8221;
Burchett told <a href="https://twitter.com/UAPJames/status/1684312602657140736">NewsNation</a> that leadership informed him that the intelligence community effectively torpedoed an amendment to allow airline pilots who spot a UFO to report it to the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as Congress. In speaking with reporters, the congressman also raised issues concerning the DoD.
&#8220;Something with the capabilities of traveling lightyears, not showing a heat signature, and the energy capabilities of that — that would put the Pentagon out of business, we wouldn&#8217;t be fighting these worthless wars overseas over oil, and American boys and girls wouldn&#8217;t be dying,&#8221; the congressman said. &#8220;It would put the war pigs out of business, and they would have to go somewhere else — and I am all for that.&#8221;

House Hearing Examines The National Security Implications Of Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena

The UFO Hearing Is Over. What’s Next?

The UFO Hearing Is Over. What's Next?

Washington D.C.

A <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/u-s-house-of-representatives">House</a> lawmaker spoke on Wednesday about military pilots witnessing a high-flying unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP) that appeared to transcend &#8220;human capability.&#8221;
During a <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/hearing/unidentified-anomalous-phenomena-implications-on-national-security-public-safety-and-government-transparency/">House subcommittee hearing</a> on the &#8220;implications&#8221; UAPs have on national security, public safety, and government transparency, Rep. <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/matt-gaetz">Matt Gaetz</a> (R-FL) opened up about <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-lawmaker-ive-seen-evidence-of-ufo-craft">a trip he took</a> to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/florida">Florida</a>&#8216;s Eglin Air Force Base in February.
Acting upon a protected disclosure from the base &#8220;indicating that there was a UAP incident that required my attention,&#8221; Gaetz sought a briefing along with Reps. Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), who have taken the lead in Congress investigating <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/ufo">UFOs</a>, the congressman said.
Gaetz said they asked to see any evidence that may have been gathered, observe radar information, and to speak with the flight crew involved in the sighting, but the congressional trio&#8217;s inquiries were met with resistance.
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💥💥💥💥💥🛸 &quot;The image was of something that I am not able to attach to any human capability, either from the United States or from any of our adversaries.&quot; &#8211; Matt Gaetz
Rep. Matt Gaetz talks about a UFO photo he saw from a UFO incident from Eglin Air Force Base. Matt Gaetz was… <a href="https://t.co/iVRddu9Ead">pic.twitter.com/iVRddu9Ead</a>
&mdash; Mike Colangelo (@MikeColangelo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeColangelo/status/1684242746490466335?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2023</a></blockquote>
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&#8220;Thereafter, we had a bit of a discussion about how authorities flow in the United States of America,&#8221; Gaetz said. &#8220;And we did see the image and we did meet with one member of the flight crew who took the image.&#8221;
What he saw in the image, Gaetz said, he is &#8220;not able to attach to any human capability, either from the United States or from any of our adversaries.&#8221; He underscored that point by noting he sits on the <a href="https://gaetz.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses">House Armed Services Committee</a> and has oversight of advanced technologies programs.
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The flight crew member offered an explanation of what happened the day the incident took place, as described by Gaetz during the hearing:
<blockquote>They were out on a test mission that day over the Gulf of Mexico and when you&#8217;re on a test mission, you&#8217;re supposed to have clear airspace, not supposed to be anything that shows up. And they saw a sequence of four craft in a clear diamond formation for which there is a radar sequence that I and I alone have observed in the United States Congress.
One of the pilots goes to check out that diamond formation and sees a large floating, what I can only describe as an orb, again, like I said, not of any human capability that I&#8217;m aware of. And when he approached, he said that his radar went down, he said that his FLIR system malfunctioned, and that he had to manually take this image from one of the lenses and it was not automatic, automated in collection as you would typically see in a test mission.</blockquote>
The 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base previously gave <a href="https://midbaynews.com/post/members-of-congress-lambast-eglin-general-over-ufo-information">Mid Bay News</a> a statement with the Pentagon&#8217;s version of events about what happened during the visit by lawmakers, but it did not get into any detail about what Gaetz was reportedly shown.
“Eglin Air Force Base supported a visit from Representatives Gaetz, Burchett, and Luna on Feb 21. Air Force officials provided a classified briefing on intelligence collection threats to Eglin Air Force Base during their visit,&#8221; the statement said.
&#8220;The Congressmembers halted the briefing and requested instead a briefing focused on Unidentified Aerial Phenomena,&#8221; the statement added. &#8220;Base officials responded to present additional available classified information on UAPs to all three members but were only able to discuss a certain portion of the information with Representative Gaetz, a member of the House Armed Services Committee. Representatives Burchett and Luna, not being members of a congressional defense committee, did not possess the access required to join the portion of the discussion reserved for Representative Gaetz.&#8221;
In addressing the two former Navy pilots appearing as witnesses at the hearing on Wednesday who have already come forward with claims about mysterious flying objects that appear to defy the laws of physics, Gaetz got retired Cmdr. David Fravor to testify how the <a href="https://www.newsnationnow.com/space/ufo/tic-tac-ufo-incident-2004-never-investigated/">&#8220;Tic Tac&#8221; incident</a> during a 2004 training mission with the USS Nimitz appeared to similarly mess with <a href="https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/David-Fravor-Statement-for-House-Oversight-Committee.pdf">radar detection capabilities</a>.
Ryan Graves, who is now executive director of Americans for Safe Aerospace, talked about the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKHg-vnTFsM">&#8220;Gimbal&#8221; video</a> recorded by his former squadron. “The recording on the ATFLIR system shows a single object that rotates,” <a href="https://www.pnj.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/26/matt-gaetz-investigated-ufo-incident-near-eglin-air-force-base/70470761007/">Graves said</a>. “You hear the pilots referred to a fleet of objects that is not visible on the FLIR system.”
Building upon another point by Graves, that he feels &#8220;anger&#8221; that pilots face so many hurdles in trying to report such incidents, Gaetz said he was told that &#8220;if you have a UAP experience, the best thing you can do for your career is forget it and not tell anyone because any type of reporting either above the surface or below &#8230; does have a perceived consequence to these people.&#8221;
&#8220;That is a culture we must change. If we want to get to the truth,&#8221; Gaetz said, before making two recommendations geared toward transparency. One was getting <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/live-the-daily-wire-election-night-2022">intelligence veteran David Grusch</a>, the third witness at Wednesday&#8217;s hearing who has gone public with allegations about crafts of non-human origin being retrieved and kept from Congress, to talk to lawmakers in a sensitive compartmented information facility, also known as a SCIF, to <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/whistleblower-testifies-he-knows-exact-locations-of-ufos">provide more complete answers than he was able to give publicly</a>.
&#8220;Second, I would suggest that the radar images that were collected of this formation of craft out of Eglin Air Force Base and specifically the actual image taken by the actual flight crew that we can actually validate be provided to the committee — subpoenaed if necessary,&#8221; Gaetz said. &#8220;So that we&#8217;re able to track how to get this type of reporting and analysis done in a more fulsome way.&#8221;

Matt Gaetz

Congressman Matt Gaetz Opens Up About UAP Beyond ‘Human Capability’

Matt Gaetz Opens Up About UAP Beyond 'Human Capability'

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