Lee Bill Authorizes American Hackers to Fight Foreign Cyberattacks

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced legislation that would allow private American entities to prevent foreign cyberattacks against the United States. The Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act authorizes President Trump to issue letters of marque and reprisal to strategically deter and disrupt cyber operations against the U.S. The bill continues Senator Lee’s recent work to revive the use of traditional letters of marque and reprisal under the Constitution. Congressman Tim Burchett (R-TN-02) introduced the House version of this legislation.

“Our legislation allows American digital privateers to raid cartels, cybercriminals, and foreign adversaries, disrupting their operations and seizing their assets,” said Senator Mike Lee. “This is the ultimate in white hat hacking: stealing from America’s enemies at the direction of the President, and splitting the profits with the federal government.”

"Widespread cybercrime has become an existential threat to our national security," said Congressman Tim Burchett. "Allowing private operators to aid the federal government in combatting these crimes will strengthen our ability to defend the United States against terrorism."

Background

Article I, Section 8, Clause 11 of the Constitution authorizes Congress to “grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal.” Once a commonly used tool against piracy, letters of marque authorized private citizens to seize enemy vessels with their cargoes and crew. In December 2025, Senator Mike Lee introduced a bill authorizing President Trump to allow private citizens and groups to join in defending the United States from cartels on land and sea.

Building on that legislation, the Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act will allow the President to arm America’s hackers with authority to combat foreign cyberattacks against the United States. The bill authorizes the President to issue cyber letters of marque and reprisal to strategically deter and disrupt cyber operations against the U.S. and Americans, facilitate the return of stolen assets to Americans, and empower the private sector.

The Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act:

Authorizes the President or a designee to commission private persons to conduct cyber operations against designated cyberthreats through letters of marque and reprisal. The recipients of such letters are required to post a security bond in agreement with the President, and the recipients shall forfeit the posted bond if they violate the terms of the letter. The President may require up to 15% of the total assets recovered to fund bounty programs, which the President may facilitate for holders of such letters to claim. Holders of such letters are prohibited from knowingly conducting operations against U.S. citizens, required to log all their activities, and are limited to conducting only operations that are necessary to the mission.

Limits the definition of “designated cyberthreat” to foreign individuals and entities responsible for cyberattacks against United States persons or assets owned or controlled by United States persons.

Allows the President to issue guidance on qualifications to receive a cyber letter of marque and reprisal, as well as guidance for a holder of a cyber letter of marque and reprisal to operate within traditional domains.

Ensures that a holder of a cyber letter of marque and reprisal shall be authorized to conduct operations in traditional domains of warfare in addition to the cyber domain if Congress authorizes the use of letters of marque and reprisal for such domains.

Ensures that no cause of action authorized in a letter of marque and reprisal shall be maintained against a holder of such letter in any court.

Read exclusive coverage from The Daily Caller here.

Read the full bill text here.

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Lee Questions Rideshare Giants Uber and Lyft on Pricing, Antitrust Concerns

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) questioned rideshare giants Uber and Lyft with antitrust concerns following recent reports regarding their pricing. Senator Lee, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, questioned the companies on market power and concentration in the rideshare industry, transparency practices, information sharing, driver compensation, and the pricing of rides.

In part, Senator Lee wrote:

“As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, I take seriously Congress’s responsibility to ensure that markets remain competitive and that American consumers benefit from that competition. Given the scale of your platforms, and the importance of rideshare services to the Americans who depend on them, I write regarding concerns about rideshare pricing, driver compensation, and your use of algorithmic systems in app-based rideshare markets.

…

“The Subcommittee intends to monitor these issues closely and may seek additional information.”

Read the full text of the letter here.

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In Memory of Senator Lindsey Graham

Jul
15
2026
In Memory of Senator Lindsey Graham
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https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/7/in-memory-of-senator-lindsey-graham


Luján, Welch, Schiff, Raskin, Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Legislation Imposing Gift Ban on Supreme Court Justices

Legislation Cracks Down on Lavish Gifts to Supreme Court Justices With $50 Limit Aligning Ethics Rules With Congress, Other Judges, and Federal Officials

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the High Court Gift Ban Act, legislation to close a glaring ethics loophole that allows U.S. Supreme Court Justices to accept lavish gifts from wealthy benefactors and individuals with interests before the Court. U.S. Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) introduced companion legislation in the House.

Unlike other federal judges, Members of Congress, and executive branch officials—who are all bound by strict gift rules—Supreme Court Justices are not currently bound by any limits on the value of the gifts they can accept. Investigative reporting has shown that some Justices have exploited this loophole, taking in lavish “gifts” from wealthy benefactors and political allies worth tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars—benefits that, in some cases, look more like payments than presents.

The scale of these undisclosed perks is staggering. One analysis found that Justices have accepted at least 445 gifts worth nearly $5 million over the past two decades. Reports have detailed that Justice Clarence Thomas alone received more than $4.2 million in luxury travel and other benefits from wealthy individuals with interests before the Court, including trips to Bali, stays at exclusive private retreats, and even a forgiven loan to purchase a luxury motor coach.

The High Court Gift Ban Act would block Justices from receiving gifts valued at more than $50 in a single instance or more than $100 in aggregate over the course of a year. It would also cap gifts of personal hospitality, like free trips on billionaire’s yachts and private jets, which are currently unregulated. This brings the Supreme Court in line with similar ethical standards applying to Members of Congress and other federal officials.

“Over the past several years, we’ve seen far too many reports detailing how lavish gifts and luxury travel have undermined public confidence in the Supreme Court,” said Senator Luján. “That’s why I’m proud to partner with colleagues to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, which would hold Supreme Court justices to the same ethical standards as other high-ranking federal officials. The Supreme Court — our nation’s highest and most powerful court — should be held to the highest ethical standards to protect our democracy from the influence of dark money and special interests.”

“For years, conservative Supreme Court Justices have accepted expensive gifts and travel from their friends who have business before the Court. It’s unethical, and it’s why public trust in the Court has eroded. Those serving on the Supreme Court should be held to the same ethical standards as every other federal judge—and it’s high time they are,” said Senator Welch. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Luján on this bill to increase accountability and restore public trust in our nation’s most powerful court.”

“The Supreme Court has lost the trust of the American people, and Justices accepting lavish gifts from wealthy individuals with business before the court has only made matters worse. We need to put an end to these egregious conflicts of interest and can start by establishing basic ethical standards for the Justices,” said Senator Schiff.

“In every other part of the federal government, taking lavish gifts from interested parties is called corruption—but at the Supreme Court, it’s bizarrely been treated as a job perk. A gaping ethics loophole has allowed Justices to accept lavish gifts from individuals who may have business before the Court, which totally undermines public confidence in judicial fairness and independence. Our bill closes this indefensible loophole by saying that Supreme Court Justices should follow the same basic gift rules as every other federal official and their fellow judges. Americans shouldn’t have to wonder whether wealthy litigants and interested parties are influencing Supreme Court decisions with trips to luxury resorts, flights on private jets, and cruises on luxury yachts,” said Ranking Member Raskin.

“The Supreme Court is facing a major corruption crisis. As it stands, Supreme Court Justices are legally allowed to accept gifts from wealthy benefactors and people with special interests before the Court, actively furthering the distrust between working-class Americans and our legal institutions. That is why I am proud to introduce the High Court Gift Ban Act, alongside Congressman Jamie Raskin and Senator Ben Ray Luján, to remove the influence of dark money from our nation’s highest judicial body. We must pass this commonsense proposal to safeguard the sanctity of our legal institutions and democracy,” said Representative Ocasio-Cortez.

The High Court Gift Ban Act is endorsed by leading advocacy organizations, including: AFSCME, American Federation of Teachers, Alliance for Justice, American Humanist Association, Center for American Progress, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Clean Elections Texas, Courage California, Court Accountability, Courts Matter Illinois, EarthJustice, Enough of Gun Violence, Equality California, FFRF Action Fund, Fix the Court, Free Speech for People, Government Information Watch, Greenpeace USA, Indivisible, Leage of Conservation Voters, MoveOn, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Women’s Law Center, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Ohio Fair Courts Alliance, People for the American Way, People Power United, Public Citizen, Reproductive Freedom for All, Secular Coalition for America, Secure Elections Network, Stand Up America, Supreme Court Integrity Project, Take Back the Court Action Fund, True North Research, Voices for Progress, and The Workers Circle.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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Senate Western Caucus Members Applaud Trump DOI Move Returning Management of Grizzly Bears to the West

Washington, D.C.—Senate Western Caucus members today applauded the Trump Department of the Interior for proposing new flexibility for western states in managing grizzly bears.

The announcement, made by Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum alongside Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon, Idaho Governor Brad Little, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Brian Nesvik, proposes a revised rule to increase management flexibility for grizzly bears in areas where the species has met, and in many cases exceeded, federal recovery benchmarks. The updated proposal ensures the Endangered Species Act is being used as Congress intended while continuing to support the species’ long-term conservation.

“For decades, Wyoming and other western states have proven that we know how to conserve and manage grizzly bear populations,” said Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis. “Western grizzly bear populations have been recovered for years, yet previous Democrat administrations chose to play politics with delisting instead of following the science. Our ranchers, wildlife managers, and rural communities live alongside these animals every day, and that experience is exactly why they should be the ones making these management calls, not bureaucrats thousands of miles away. I am pleased that President Trump and Secretary Burgum are keeping their commitment to returning power to the states and trusting states to manage what we’ve already worked to recover.”

“It’s time for Wyoming – not Washington – to be in charge of managing grizzly bears. The Trump administration is putting power back into the hands of states and local communities who understand the situation and the science the best,” said Senator John Barrasso. “The evidence is clear. The grizzly bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are thriving and do not need protection under the Endangered Species Act. In Wyoming, we’ve invested more than $50 million in this effort. We have a strong and proven track record of science-based management and have played a leading role in this successful recovery. I am proud to work with Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Director of Fish and Wildlife Services Brian Nesvik to ensure Wyoming can continue to properly manage these bears to a healthy population.”

“It’s long past time to delist the grizzly bear,” said Senator Steve Daines. “I commend Secretary Burgum and his team for recognizing this and taking a good first step in the process by expanding state management of the grizzly.”

“Today’s proposed rule marks an important step towards returning management of grizzly populations to the state level where it belongs,” said Senator Tim Sheehy. “I look forward to working with the Trump Administration going forward to delist the grizzly bear and support the needs of local communities.”

“The recovery of the grizzly bear in the West is a conservation success story made possible by decades of work from state, tribal, federal and local conservation partners,” said Senator Mike Crapo. “For years, I have advocated for returning grizzly bear management to the states as recovery objectives and benchmarks have been achieved. Secretary Burgum’s announcement moves us one step closer to allowing Idaho wildlife professionals to manage a recovered grizzly population in a way that protects both the species and Idaho communities.”

“It’s abundantly clear Idaho’s grizzly bear populations have widely exceeded recovery goals,” said Senator Jim Risch. “Increasing state authority to manage grizzly bears ensures our own local wildlife agencies, who understand Idaho’s environment best, can follow the science and make commonsense conservation decisions without bureaucratic inefficiencies.”

Read more here.

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Senator Markey Celebrates Senate Passage of His “Caring for Caregivers” Agenda Provisions

Washington (July 15, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, applauded the Senate’s unanimous passage of the Older Americans Act (OAA) Reauthorization Act, which included provisions from the Senator’s “Caring for Caregivers” agenda and other bills to weatherize and improve the air quality of older Americans’ homes, improve caregiver assessments used to identify barriers to resources, expand family caregiver supports such as respite care and peer support, and promote medically tailored meals and other Food is Medicine interventions.

“The work of family caregivers is personal to me. When my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, my father cared for her in our home in Malden for thirteen years,” said Senator Markey. “My provisions to expand family caregivers’ access to peer and respite care, increase access to medically tailored meals, and weatherize older Americans’ homes are the types of supports I wish my father had. I’m proud to have the full support of the Senate in advancing this legislation, and I’ll continue working to make these programs a reality for the millions of caretakers in this country.”

Senator Markey’s provisions in the OAA Reauthorization Act include:

Allowing home modification funding to be used for weatherization projects, based on his Home Modifications for the Climate Crisis Act.

Improving the air quality of older Americans’ homes and residences, based on his Home Modifications for the Climate Crisis Act.

Amending caregiver assessments under the National Family Caregiver Support Program to improve the accessibility, quality of information, supports, and services, available to caregivers, based on his Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act.

Including peer support as an eligible supportive service for family caregivers, based on his Family Caregiver Peer Support Act.

Including respite care as an eligible supportive service to promote convenience and accessibility for family caregivers to older adults who need long-term care, including individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, based on his Respite Care and Resources for Everyone (CARE) Act and the Convenient Care for Caregivers Act.

Promoting the use of innovative nutrition interventions, including medically tailored meals, based on his Disease Intervention through Nutrition Education (DINE) Act.

In November 2025, Senator Markey reintroduced the “Caring for Caregivers” legislative agenda, a comprehensive family caregiving package that calls for the economic security, support, and health and wellbeing of family caregivers and their loved ones. In April 2026, Senator Markey introduced a package of legislation during Earth Week, including bills to protect seniors by enabling safer and more resilient homes.

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Senators Markey, Warren Secure Key Wins for Massachusetts in Water Infrastructure Bill

Water Resources Development Act passes through Senate Environment and Public Works Committee

Washington (July 15, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) today celebrated the favorable committee vote on the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 (S. 4949), which included key priorities from the senators to support water infrastructure projects in Massachusetts, authorize billions of dollars in funding for clean and drinking water infrastructure, and authorize millions in grant funding for water system emergencies.

“Improving our water infrastructure will bring down costs for families, prevent future wastewater emergencies, and better equip Massachusetts for the climate crisis,” said Senator Markey. “This legislation delivers cleaner, safer, more reliable water infrastructure from Haverhill to North Adams, and across the nation.”

The senators secured several crucial victories for Massachusetts. The legislation:

Ensures the Army Corps moves forward with the Hoosic River flood risk feasibility study and uses criteria that better account for the project’s economic, safety, and environmental benefits. This provision is an important step toward securing Army Corps support for future flood risk mitigation work in North Adams.

Increases the authorization for the Army Corps to assist with wastewater infrastructure improvements in Haverhill following the wastewater emergency along the Merrimack River.

Expedites the City of Boston’s coastal storm risk management project by allowing the project to move forward without having to meet overly burdensome planning requirements; authorizes new feasibility studies to evaluate solutions to prevent flood risk in Chelsea, Everett, the Charles River, the Chase Garden Creek, Attleboro, Woburn, Fitchburg, Hadley, and the Boston Harbor.

Authorizes dredging in the Essex and Ipswich Rivers to remove contamination and improve the navigability.

Authorizes the Congressionally Directed Spending projects for the Army Corps to assist towns with improving wastewater treatment facilities, desalination plants, and sewage infrastructure in Holyoke, Greenfield, Somerset, and Swansea.

The senators also fought for and secured several crucial legislative victories, including:

$30 million in authorized funding for the Safe Drinking Water Act emergency grant program, as called for in the Senators’ Water Emergency and Technical Assistance Act (S. 4980), which can help provide immediate funding in the event of water system emergencies.

More than $30 billion in authorized funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund.

The reauthorization of the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program at current levels of $280 million.

The reauthorization of the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant Program at $100 million a year.

Reauthorizations of the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Program, the Innovative Water Workforce Program, and the Emergency Filter Response Programs.

The legislation also includes Senator Markey’s Water Intelligence, Security, and Cyber Threat Protection Act (S. 1118), legislation that would provide funding for clean water and wastewater utilities to become members of the Water Information Sharing and Analysis Center (WaterISAC). The WaterISAC is a critical source of information and best practices for water systems to protect against, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats.

Senator Markey has long worked to ensure bipartisan water resource and infrastructure legislation includes investments for Massachusetts. In 2021, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, included Senator Markey’s provisions to increase funding for the federal assistance for the Small and Disadvantaged Communities Program to $510 million over five years, supporting the program’s efforts in guaranteeing clean drinking water in frontline communities, and to expand an existing grant program so that more municipalities could access federal funds to help develop systems to notify residents of sewer overflows. In the 2024 WRDA legislation, Senators Markey and Warren secured authorizations for projects in Haverhill, Oak Bluffs, Easthampton, Lowell, and Sandwich. Similarly, in the 2022 WRDA legislation, the senators secured project authorizations for communities including North Attleboro, Chelsea Creek, North Adams, the North Shore, Wellfleet, Truro, Sandwich and Chatham.

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Senator Marshall Applauds Improved Processing Speed for Fallen Officer Benefits

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), applauds an announcement by the Department of Justice that processing speed for the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program has tripled in the last month, providing over $96 million in benefits to eligible surviving families of fallen public safety officers.

The PSOB Program provides benefits to family members of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders, as well as disability benefits to officers and their families in case of a catastrophic injury in the line of duty. These important benefits provide families with funds to help them adjust after loss or catastrophic disability, as well as assisting with education costs.

“Growing up as the son of the El Dorado Police Chief, I saw firsthand what our officers risk every day to keep our communities safe. When an officer doesn’t come home, their family shouldn’t have to fight the government on top of everything else,” said Senator Marshall. “I’m glad DOJ is cutting the red tape and getting these benefits to families faster — that’s exactly how it should work, and I’ll keep pushing until every family gets what they’ve earned, when they need it.”

For more information on the DOJ announcement, click here.

Background:

In 2025, the state of Kansas lost four law enforcement officers in the line of duty: Undersheriff Brandon Gaede, Phillips County Sheriff’s Office; Deputy Elijah Ming, Wyandotte County Sheriff’s Office; Officer Hunter Simoncic, Kansas City, Kansas Police Department; and Sergeant Scott Heimann, Hays Police Department.

Click here for the Senate resolution honoring these officers on National Police Week and for more information on the work Senator Marshall is doing to support Kansas law enforcement.

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Senator Marshall Questions CDC, ASPR Nominees on America’s Public Health Preparedness

Senator Marshall Questions HHS Nominees at Senate HELP Committee

Washington – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), questioned President Trump’s nominees to lead two of the nation’s top public health agencies during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing. The witnesses included Sean Kaufman, M.P.H., nominee to serve as Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Erica Schwartz, nominee to serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Throughout the hearing, Senator Marshall emphasized restoring trust in public health, strengthening America’s preparedness for future pandemics, supporting innovation through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign sources of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Click HERE to download the full video.

Highlights from the hearing include:

Senator Marshall: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For both of you, I’m going to ask you in a second about active pharmaceutical ingredients. You don’t have to tell me what the problem is—I want to talk about solutions. But before I get to that, I just want to compliment both of you. Dr. Schwartz, you have one of the most qualified résumés I’ve seen in front of this committee. You’re a two-star admiral—just incredible. Congratulations, and thank you. Most importantly, thank you for your character, your culture, your values, and all those things that I hope my kids and grandkids will look up to and say, “That’s the type of person I want to be, and that’s the type of position I want to have.” And Mr. Kaufman, I think you’re the right person for ASPR right now. I think it’s always good to go back and look at the fundamentals. So, what is ASPR? This is something I didn’t know much about until I got here, even though I’m a physician. It’s the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. Your motto is, “Stand Ready. Move Fast.” Your charge is overseeing medical and public health preparedness, response, and recovery. And I believe that, for such a time as this, you’ve been prepared to do this job. Your résumé reflects hands-on experience inside public health laboratories, frontline response experience to anthrax threats, and West Nile virus. You understand federal infrastructure and interagency coordination. You’ve led private-sector innovation in behavioral safety and disaster preparedness. Mr. Kaufman, you combine deep technical knowledge, real-world response experience, and proven leadership—exactly what we need to keep Americans safe. Now, so often, it seems like all this committee cares about is vaccines. In reality, that’s maybe one percent of both of your worlds—perhaps more, perhaps less. I happen to agree that there are concerns about mRNA technology. The protection is short-lived. These vaccines don’t stop transmission of the virus. There are significant risks associated with them, especially for young males, particularly young males who already have positive antibodies. Like you, I gave different advice to my parents than I did to my kids. But I guess what I’m looking for, Mr. Kaufman, is this: let’s say it’s the next virus, the next epidemic. Are you committed to making sure that America has access to whatever vaccines you deem safe and appropriate, so they can be put into the hands of doctors to make those recommendations for their patients?”

Mr. Kaufman: “Senator Marshall, thank you for the question. I also want to thank you. I’ve actually done a lot of great work in your state at the USDA facility in Manhattan, and I want to acknowledge that the staff there is phenomenal and excellent as well. To answer your question, I will be committed to leading a phenomenal team at ASPR. Primarily, there’s a small organization that many people may not have heard of—an island of excellence—called BARDA. BARDA is responsible not only for looking at new technologies, because what we face today is the ability of our adversaries to genetically modify organisms, creating novel threats that could put Americans drastically at risk, very similar to what we saw with COVID. So, BARDA is not only interested in creating vaccine countermeasures to protect Americans, but also therapeutics.”

Senator Marshall: “Mr. Kaufman, I’m trying to get you some votes here. Are you committed to getting vaccines into the hands of doctors and nurses?”

Mr. Kaufman: “Absolutely. One hundred percent. I’m sorry I missed the softball.”

Senator Marshall: “There you go. Dr. Schwartz, I mentioned APIs. You and I both know what the huge problem is. What’s the solution to bring API production back home?”

Dr. Schwartz: “Senator, I actually have to get smarter on that. I have to be brutally honest here—I haven’t really been following that issue. But I would definitely love to work with your team on it.”

Senator Marshall: “My guess is that the diagnostics you’re using and the therapeutics you want available will require APIs, Mr. Kaufman. Now, maybe it’s BARDA’s turn.”

Mr. Kaufman: “That’s right. Yeah, there are new technologies. Right now, as you know, there’s a problem, and I’m so happy that you acknowledge it’s actually a very, very big problem. BARDA can look at technologies that use different types of ingredients, helping reduce our dependence on adversaries and shifting toward more biologically based future countermeasures rather than chemical ones. So, there are different strategies and technologies that the scientists at BARDA are looking into and will continue to explore to help protect America.”

Senator Marshall: “But this is the problem that this committee needs to be looking at. This is the real problem. I mean, it’s great to see manufacturing moving back here—that we’re making vaccines and we’re making drugs again in this country—but we don’t have the APIs to do it, and very few companies are producing them. I hope this committee can take on that challenge and consider whatever we can do as a congressional body to address it as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

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Senator Marshall: We Need an Independent Investigation into Dr. Fauci

Senator Marshall Joins Fox Business, The Evening Edit

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Liz MacDonald on Fox Business’ The Evening Edit to discuss his call for the Department of Justice to appoint a special counsel to investigate Dr. Anthony Fauci following the recent release of declassified intelligence documents.

During the interview, Senator Marshall outlined new evidence he says raises serious questions about Dr. Fauci’s role in the origins of COVID-19, the federal government’s response to the pandemic, and the treatment of whistleblowers, while calling for a full and independent investigation to ensure accountability and provide the American people with long-overdue answers.

Click here to download the full video.

On his letter to the DOJ regarding Dr. Fauci’s Covid-19 involvement:

“Yeah, Liz. Well, good evening. First of all, it seems like just yesterday that we lost a million Americans to COVID. Today, 20 million Americans are living with long COVID, and we still don’t have the answers. There’s still this cover-up that has never been uncovered. We’re fortunate that DNI Tulsi Gabbard, about a month ago, released this treasure trove of evidence confirming what I’ve been talking about for the past five years—that Dr. Fauci intervened in the 2021 intelligence report to President Joe Biden, and that he suggested which scientists should be consulted to provide that information. Even today, the CIA and the FBI agree with me that this virus came from a laboratory in Wuhan, China. She also released whistleblower evidence showing that anyone who disagreed with Dr. Fauci was threatened with losing their rank or even their job. That’s why we’re calling for a special investigation into Dr. Fauci’s involvement in the origins of COVID, the cover-up, and the funding of COVID research. We also want investigators to examine the treatment of the whistleblowers. And by the way, we want to investigate the autopen pardon that Dr. Fauci received as well. Is that even legal? A preemptive pardon issued by autopen? We want that investigated, too.”

On accountability owed to the American people:

“Right. So, at a minimum, there was obstruction of Congress. It’s possible he lied to Congress as well. That’s why we need a special counsel to go in and sort all of this out, so the American people can finally know the truth and we can hold Dr. Fauci accountable once and for all.”

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Senator McCormick Announces $10 Billion in New Investment supporting Nearly 5,000 Pennsylvania Jobs at 2026 Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit

Editor’s Note (July 16, 2026): This release has been updated to reflect Lockheed Martin’s announcement.

CARLISLE, PA — U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) brought together the nation’s top defense, technology, and finance leaders at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for the first-ever Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit. The two-day Summit advanced President Trump’s vision of Peace through Strength and catalyzed more than $10 billion in new investment supporting nearly 5,000 Pennsylvania jobs. Over 30 individual announcements were made advancing American shipbuilding, munitions, space industry, innovation, and emerging technologies such as AI and robotics.

Over two days, more than 1,300 attendees — including 600-plus C-level executives, representatives from 500-plus organizations and more than 130 exhibitor booths — took part in over 1,500 meetings connecting investors, suppliers, workforce leaders, university researchers, warfighters, and Department of War officials.

“Pennsylvania has powered American defense since the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps were founded in Philadelphia in 1775. That legacy carried us through the Arsenal of Democracy in World War II, and it’s carrying us today through advanced manufacturing, robotics, AI, and space,” said Senator McCormick. “This week, that legacy translated into results with nearly $10 billion in new investment and supporting over 5,000 jobs for Pennsylvania workers. President Trump has laid out a bold vision for American strength, and Pennsylvania is proving it can deliver, bringing the innovation, the workforce, and the will to build it.”

The list of announcements falls into three categories: 1) Defense Industrial Base, 2) Emerging Technology, and 3) R&D and Workforce.

Strengthening the Defense Industrial Base

Rhoads Industries & General Dynamics Electric Boat (Philadelphia) — A 10-year, $2.5 billion strategic agreement for advanced manufacturing and shipbuilding to support U.S. Navy submarine construction from the Philadelphia Navy Yard, supporting approximately 1,350 jobs through 2035.

Hanwha Group / Hanwha Philadelphia Shipyard (Philadelphia) — New ship orders for the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel through the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD), valued at $1.5 billion in program costs and supporting over 2,000 jobs.

JPMorganChase (Philadelphia) — Nearly $25 million ($18 million in loans and investments, plus almost $6 million in grants) to strengthen Philadelphia’s shipbuilding and maritime manufacturing sector, helping expand a submarine manufacturing facility projected to create 450 permanent jobs, training hundreds of workers, and supporting up to 100 maritime suppliers.

Day & Zimmermann (Philadelphia) — $2.3 billion contract to provide operations, maintenance, and modernization for the Hawthorne Army Depot in Nevada, delivered from its Philadelphia operations.

EOS (Pittsburgh) — A strategic partnership with the Department of War to enhance the resilience of national defense infrastructure. Eos was awarded a Golden Dome for America contract to integrate mission-ready long-duration energy storage supporting requirements of the nation’s defense shield.

JWF Industries (Windber, Cambria County) — More than $500 million in anticipated new defense manufacturing contracts and long-term agreements, alongside a 200,000-square-foot facility expansion supporting approximately 200 new jobs by December 2027.

Mack Defense (Allentown) — An additional Army order for 115 Heavy Dump Trucks for the Army National Guard, bringing 2026 orders to 208 trucks worth more than $84 million under a five-year contract worth up to $221.8 million.

Air, formerly Govini (Pittsburgh) — A 10-year, $450 million expansion of its Pittsburgh office, expected to add 40 jobs.

Attalon (new headquarters in Philadelphia) — An 80,000-square-foot facility opening in 2027 that more than quadruples U.S. precision coatings production for guided munitions, representing $30 million-plus in investment and 100 jobs.

Kratos Defense (York) — A new 167,000-square-foot advanced manufacturing facility, Kratos’ third in Pennsylvania, backed by more than $7 million in new production equipment and supporting 440-plus employees statewide.

Karman Space & Defense (Horsham, Montgomery County) — A $2.7 million expansion to test and qualify advanced material technologies for the Navy surface fleet, creating about 20 new jobs and retaining 40.

Advanced Cooling Technologies (Lancaster) — A new 50,000-square-foot cold plate facility and expanded heat pipe production for satellites, defense systems, and AI data centers, with plans to hire up to 100 employees.

Sphere Brake Defense (Erie) — A $4.5 million U.S. Marine Corps contract for certification and production of sphere brake kits for the Amphibious Combat Vehicle fleet, supporting three additional Erie hires.

Acutronic Group (Pittsburgh) — A $14–30 million investment in a new Pittsburgh facility — the world’s largest dedicated to rate tables, hardware-in-the-loop simulators, and stabilized platforms — expected to double its Pennsylvania workforce (about 100 jobs) over five years.

U.S. Metal Powders / AMPAL (Palmerton, Carbon County) — A fourth production line expanding aluminum powder capacity to 52 million pounds annually, adding spherical aluminum powder for solid rocket motor propellant and missile defense programs ($10 million, 15 new jobs).

Firepoint Energy (Tunnelton, Indiana County) — A pilot facility converting waste coal into synthetic jet fuel, power, and critical minerals, with testing showing 12 of the 13 minerals sought by the Department of War present in the feedstock ($170 million–$2 billion, 50 jobs).

Qintel (Pittsburgh) — An $84 million multi-year contract with U.S. Cyber Command, adding to existing work with the FBI, HSI, USSS, IRS, and Intelligence Community partners, from a 100-person, fully bootstrapped Pittsburgh headquarters.

Lockheed Martin (Lackawanna County) — A $60 million+ investment to expand its Archbald facility, creating approximately 700 new jobs. The investment will double the size of the facility, expand production of critical munitions capabilities, and strengthen America’s defense industrial base.

Fielding Emerging Technology — AI, Autonomy & Space

Blade Diagnostics (Pittsburgh) — The U.S. Air Force is expanding Blade’s SmartBlend engine sustainment platform across the entire F-35 fleet, with projected savings of $1–2 billion.

Carnegie Robotics (Pittsburgh) — Selected for Phase III of the Army’s GEARS/ATV-S autonomous ground logistics program, positioning the company for a future production opportunity worth up to $400 million across more than 750 Army tactical logistics vehicles.

Reflection (Pittsburgh) — Entered agreements to serve as an open-model AI provider to the Department of Energy and the Pentagon.

Voyager Technologies & Astrobotic (Pittsburgh) — Completed an acquisition of Astrobotic (rebranded Voyager Lunar Systems, retaining approximately 150 Pittsburgh jobs) valued at up to $300 million, alongside a roughly $297 million NASA task order for lunar surface delivery.

Deepwave Digital (Berks County) — Deploying RF AI systems, now in low-rate initial production flight tests with the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, to protect American aircraft and crews ($30–70 million).

Aalyria Technologies (Pittsburgh) — Signed on to use a new DIU-funded Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) in Pittsburgh, growing its local team with CMU and Pitt talent.

Parallax Advanced Research & RIDC (Pittsburgh) — Building the new $10 million DIU-funded SCIF in Pittsburgh, enabling classified defense collaboration among government, industry, and academia, anchored by Aalyria, Qintel, Deepwave Digital, and Voicd.

Voicd (Pittsburgh) — A CMU-developed, AI-powered voice intelligence platform that detects deepfake and synthetic speech and authenticates speakers, already adopted by the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Senate, with patents filed across the U.S., Europe, and China.

Re:Build Manufacturing (New Kensington, Westmoreland County) — Launched a line of U.S.-assembled, NDAA-compliant lithium-ion drone battery packs as part of an $81 million investment to scale Pennsylvania drone manufacturing, expected to create up to 300 jobs.

Building the R&D and Workforce Pipeline

Penn State — A new 10-year Army support agreement (RIGSA), a five-year nuclear research and workforce partnership with Westinghouse (including annual fellowships, 40 paid summer internships, and exploration of a HORIZON research test reactor), and a new START+ gas turbine testing laboratory opening in August to support commercial and military engines, including the F-135, in partnership with the FAA, DOE, and RTX-Pratt & Whitney.

Penn State National Security Institute — Gen. (Ret.) Gary Brito will serve as inaugural chair of the NSI Strategic Advisory Council.

University of Pittsburgh — Launched the MACAM consortium, spanning 13 Department of War medical research labs, CMU, and industry, to advance autonomous battlefield medicine, building on more than $500 million in Department funding since 2019 and $9 million in current MACAM awards.

Trivedi Institute, University of Pittsburgh — New Institute for Space and Global Biomedicine, building Pennsylvania’s space and defense biomedicine ecosystem, with six jobs planned in year one.

Carnegie Mellon University, Carnegie Foundry, ViDARR, and Envision Technology — Launched the Autonomous Systems Manufacturing Platform, leveraging more than $50 million in CMU investment to help U.S. companies rapidly scale secure, domestic production of autonomous systems.

Keystone Space Collaborative — Announced as Pennsylvania’s dedicated statewide space industry organization, alongside a new Tri-State Space Compact with Ohio and West Virginia.

Voyager Technologies & Geisinger Health (Montour County) — A Memorandum of Understanding making Geisinger Health the first biopharma and life sciences tenant of Voyager’s VISTA platform, enabling microgravity-based drug development and research ($1 million).

Voyager Technologies & Penn State — MOU establishing a Penn State presence in the VISTA science park, connecting university researchers to microgravity research aboard the ISS and future commercial stations.

Lackawanna College (Scranton) — A $20 million skilled-trades and technology expansion, including a new Center for Technology and Innovation focused on robotics, energy, and cybersecurity, plus three new skilled trades centers.

QE Manufacturing & Bucknell University — A $70,000 grant funding a 15-month collaboration studying AI-powered automation in precision manufacturing for aerospace and defense.

Pennsylvania College of Technology & BAE Systems (Lycoming County) — BAE renewed its support for Penn College’s welding programs with a $10,000 grant, supporting 360-plus students and feeding a direct pipeline into defense manufacturing, including BAE’s York site.

U.S. Army AI2C & FUZE — Hosted the Robotics, AI and Autonomy Forum at CMU’s Robotics Innovation Center, drawing 350-plus attendees and 50-plus companies and academic partners from 28 states.

Southwest Pennsylvania Defense Ecosystem — A new government-industry-academia coalition spanning ten Southwest Pennsylvania counties to accelerate mission-focused innovation and speed technology transition to warfighters.

The Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit took place July 14–15, 2026, at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Hosted by Senator Dave McCormick, the Summit convened 1,300 attendees, including 600-plus C-level executives and 500-plus organizations, and featured a curated Pennsylvania Trade Show and Industry Day showcasing Pennsylvania’s leading defense companies, emerging startups, and critical suppliers, connecting them directly with government procurement officials, prime contractors, and private capital.

The Summit builds on last year’s inaugural Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh, which brought together business, technology, labor, and government leaders to strengthen Pennsylvania’s role in powering America’s future. That summit catalyzed more than $92 billion in announced investment, the largest single-day private investment commitment in the Commonwealth’s history and remains on track to create tens of thousands of good-paying jobs. A year later, nearly every investment announced at the Summit is moving forward or expanding, underscoring Pennsylvania’s growing leadership in energy, AI, manufacturing, and national security.

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Massie, Khanna, Leger Fernández, Merkley, Luján Introduce the “Epstein Files Transparency Act II”

Washington, D.C.- Rep. Thomas Massie announces the introduction of H.R. 9694, the Epstein Files Transparency Act II. This bill gives standing to state attorneys general, the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirators, and members of Congress to challenge the Department of Justice (DOJ) in court for the DOJ’s failure to comply with the disclosure of materials required by Public Law 119-38, the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA). Reps. Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM), Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus, are co-leading the House legislation. Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) are leading the Senate version of the bill.

“Since the Epstein Files Transparency Act was signed into law on November 19, 2025, the Department of Justice has flagrantly and consistently ignored EFTA’s disclosure requirements,” said Rep. Massie. “The Department of Justice continues to unlawfully withhold over 3 million Epstein files that should be released to the public. In addition, the DOJ is unlawfully maintaining heavy redactions on the files it is releasing. State attorneys general and victims should have the right to sue the Attorney General of the United States to compel compliance with a transparency law President Trump signed.”

“Rep. Massie and I introduced our bill to release the Epstein files nearly a year ago. Since then, the DOJ has violated our law, delayed the release of millions of files, botched the redactions, and denied the survivors justice. That’s why I’m joining Rep. Massie and my colleagues to introduce the Epstein Files Transparency Act II that allows state attorneys general and survivors to sue the U.S. Attorney General and demand transparency,” said Rep. Khanna.

“Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice have refused to release as many as 3 million Epstein files: they are hiding the truth from the American people and creating even more injustice and trauma for survivors,” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández. “When Trump’s administration does not comply with the law, there must be consequences. Attorney General Blanche is not fit to serve, should not be confirmed, and should instead resign. In the meantime, we must pass this bill to put power where it belongs—with survivors. No administration, no Attorney General, and no Department of Justice is above the law.”

“At Trump’s bidding, the Department of Justice’s highest-ranking officials continue to break the law, denying justice to Jeffrey Epstein’s victims with an unprecedented cover-up of the abuse of our most vulnerable,” said Sen. Merkley. “As long as those in power continue to side with the Epstein Class and shield abusers from accountability for their horrific crimes, we need the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to strengthen the original law we wrote, crack down on the DOJ’s illegal non-compliance, and stand with survivors and those seeking justice. The rich and powerful cannot be allowed to escape justice, and the American public deserves the transparency it is crying out for.”

“Nearly eight months after our Epstein Files Transparency Act became law, the Trump Department of Justice has failed to comply with the law by releasing the Epstein files and delivering justice for survivors,” said Senator Luján. “That is why I am partnering with my colleagues to introduce the Epstein Files Transparency Act II to ensure accountability, transparency, and justice for survivors. Our legislation empowers state attorneys general and victims to challenge this Department of Justice for failing to provide the transparency and accountability that Epstein’s victims deserve.”

New Mexico’s Attorney General, Raúl Torrez, offered the following statement in support of EFTA II:

“Survivors have waited too long for answers, and my office has waited too long for the federal government to turn over the unredacted records we need to complete our criminal investigation,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “This legislation gives state law enforcement the access this investigation requires, and it gives survivors control over their own records. Every day of delay is another day survivors are denied the justice they are owed.”

The Epstein Files Transparency Act II:

Creates a private right of action allowing state attorneys general, district attorneys, other authorized State officials, members of Congress, and victims to challenge and sue the U.S. Attorney General for unlawfully withholding, redacting, delaying, concealing, removing, or failing to publish Epstein-related records.

Gives victims the right to obtain full, unredacted records concerning themselves or the harm they suffered, including relevant FBI FD-302 reports.

Enforces compliance with the existing law by subjecting DOJ and FBI officials to existing federal criminal penalties for knowingly concealing, destroying, falsifying, withholding, or misrepresenting files.

Requires the Department of Justice to provide State and local prosecutors with unredacted records needed for investigations, prosecutions, and judicial proceedings, including secure access to classified materials.

Explicitly prohibits the invocation of common law privileges, including deliberative process privileges, to evade disclosure requirements included in the original EFTA.

If the House does not consider EFTA II within seven legislative days, a discharge petition will be circulated.

The text of the Epstein Files Transparency Act II is available at this link.

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VIDEO: Senator Moody Slams Rampant Fraud Across The United States, Unveils Ballots by Election Day Act

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, Senator Ashley Moody shined a light on the Fraud Economy that exists in America and called out Democrats who dismiss the issue and don’t even attend hearings exposing pervasive fraud. Senator Moody’s comments came during the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where she also unveiled the Ballots by Election Day Act, aimed at restoring trust in elections and implementing the same type of reforms that have made Florida’s elections a blueprint for the entire nation.

“Dismantling the Fraud Economy and going after those who defraud the American taxpayer should be a 100-0 issue. Regardless of place or party, elected representatives should be asking ‘What are we going to do about it?’ Washington needs to work every single day at investigating fraud and passing new laws to prevent it. That’s why I am proud of the bills I have introduced to do just that and am introducing yet another bill, the Ballots by Election Day Act. This bill requires all ballots across the country to be received by the time polls close on Election Day. This simple, commonsense idea is one easy way we can restore faith in elections and implement a basic electoral safeguard to mirror Florida’s successful reforms—that took us from hanging chads and national embarrassment, to now results before bed and a national blueprint,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

Senator Moody announced her new bill, the Ballots by Election Day Act, aimed to implement a requirement that all ballots, including mail-in ballots, are to be received by election officials by the time polls close on Election Day. This mirrors Florida’s requirements to keep elections fair and free from fraud. The requirement does not apply to ballots subject to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA).

Americans lose faith in our electoral process when Democrat-run jurisdictions take days to count ballots and even permit ballots to be accepted weeks after the election ended. This bill creates a uniform requirement across the country that no matter how you vote, everyone’s deadline is at the end of Election Day.

BACKGROUND:

To view Senator Moody’s remarks before the committee, click here.

Senator Moody has been the at the forefront of the Senate’s fight to combat fraud in tandem with the President, havingintroduced a handful of bills aimed at curbing the epidemic across the country.

Her most recent effort, the Ballots by Election Day Act, aims to restore trust in the American election system by ensuing our elections are run in a secure manner and ballots are counted efficiently – much like how Florida runs elections.

This bill comes following a recent Supreme Court decision in Watson, and the Florida blueprint is what every state should replicate.

Senator Moody has always been committed to combating fraud and protecting taxpayer dollars. Recently, Senator Moody:

o Introduced the Stop Child Care Scams Act to fight fraud in federal child care programs;

o Introduced the STOP Scams Against Seniors Act to protect seniors from scams and financial fraud;

o Introduced the No Aid for Ghost Students Act to stop fraudsters, often called “ghost students,” from using stolen or fake identities to submit FAFSA applications and take federal student aid money.

o Joined the Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force, an oversight effort focused on identifying fraud against the federal government, exposing systemic vulnerabilities, recovering taxpayer dollars, and advancing reforms that strengthen accountability;

o Introduced STOP Fraud in Medicaid Act to give state Medicaid Fraud Control Units new authority to investigate and prosecute those fraudulently bilking the system to obtain funds through benefitting claims in addition to fraudulent providers;

o Introduced the Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act, which increases financial and criminal penalties for health care fraud across the board; and

o Cosponsored the SCAM Act, which would increase safety and protect the integrity of American citizenship by ensuring individuals who join terrorist organizations or are naturalized through fraud or deception can have their citizenship revoked.

# # #


Murphy, Blumenthal to DOJ: Did You Change Our Gun Laws and Put Lives at Risk to Help Trump's Kids Get Rich?

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Wednesday sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche demanding he turn over documents and any communications related to recently proposed DOJ and ATF rule changes which would effectively legalize mail order gun sales, granting a massive revenue source to GrabAGun Digital Holdings, an online firearms retailer owned, in part, by Donald Trump Jr. In the letter, Murphy and Blumenthal highlight evidence that Trump Jr.’s company, widely known as the “Amazon of Guns,” may have had advance notice of the Trump administration’s proposed rule changes, and were corruptly positioned to profit from those sweeping, dangerous changes to our gun regulations. The Senators also raised concerns about the major public safety risks associated with permitting the mass sale of guns directly to people’s homes, without requiring in-person identity verification with a federal firearms licensee (FFL).

“We write to express serious concerns about the recent rulemakings released by Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and to ask for all communications between, to, or from, either the DOJ and/or ATF, and any person with a financial interest in GrabAGun, including Donald Trump, Jr. (“Trump Jr.”) from the date of President Trump’s inauguration through the date of this letter. Taken together, the proposed changes appear poised to expand opportunities for online dealers to facilitate the mass sale of guns directly to people’s doors and there is one online firearm company that conveniently and uniquely seemed to understand in advance that this may be an option.”

The Senators laid out the evidence that DOJ corruptly coordinated with Donald Trump Jr’s company: “In a May 13 earnings call two weeks after the regulations were announced, the company’s CEO noted that the combined rules would enable consumers to ‘complete the full compliance process remotely. That includes direct to home firearm delivery within an approved framework.’ He said this ‘could be the most significant change to firearms retail distribution in decades.’ He went on to note that ‘GrabAGun is uniquely positioned for this opportunity’ and comparatively ‘[f]ew companies are positioned to adapt this quickly if the rules change.’ It appears that GrabAGun had information about the potential change in the regulatory landscape and made a series of business decisions to capitalize on the moment.”

They questioned why Trump Jr’s company decided to aggressively build out their direct-to-consumer gun sale model while mail order gun shipping was still illegal: “Fortuitously, in January 2026, months before ATF announced regulation changes in April that would seemingly legalize at-home firearms delivery, GrabAGun launched Pew Logistics, which they described as ‘our white-labeled direct-to-consumer fulfillment solution.’ According to the company’s CEO, Pew Logistics is essentially an out-of the-box compliance and logistics solution for manufacturers who want to sell direct-to-consumer.”

The letter concluded by emphasizing that these corrupt rule changes will put lives at risk, empower violent criminals, and upend law enforcement infrastructure throughout the country: “The Trump Administration’s push to build the legal framework for these changes is insidious. The consequences would reshape gun trafficking, law enforcement, and public safety across America, and lives are quite literally on the line. Yet, it’s even more offensive if members of the President’s family had insider information and made business decisions to account for that.”

The Senators’ letter is available here. A full transcript of the letter is available below.

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche:

We write to express serious concerns about the recent rulemakings released by Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and to ask for all communications between, to, or from, either the DOJ and/or ATF, and any person with a financial interest in GrabAGun, including Donald Trump, Jr. (“Trump Jr.”) from the date of President Trump’s inauguration through the date of this letter. Taken together, the proposed changes appear poised to expand opportunities for online dealers to facilitate the mass sale of guns directly to people’s doors and there is one online firearm company that conveniently and uniquely seemed to understand in advance that this may be an option.

GrabAGun Digital Holdings Inc. (“GrabAGun”) is an online firearms retailer self-described as the “Amazon of Guns”. It is well known that Trump Jr. has a significant financial interest in GrabAGun and has served on the board of directors since at least March 2025, owns shares, and helped take the company public. Fortuitously, in January 2026, months before ATF announced regulation changes in April that would seemingly legalize at-home firearms delivery, GrabAGun launched Pew Logistics, which they described as “our white-labeled direct-to-consumer fulfillment solution.” According to the company’s CEO, Pew Logistics is essentially an out-of the-box compliance and logistics solution for manufacturers who want to sell direct-to-consumer.

Then, in a May 13 earnings call two weeks after the regulations were announced, the company’s CEO noted that the combined rules would enable consumers to “complete the full compliance process remotely. That includes direct to home firearm delivery within an approved framework.” He said this “could be the most significant change to firearms retail distribution in decades.” He went on to note that “GrabAGun is uniquely positioned for this opportunity” and comparatively “[f]ew companies are positioned to adapt this quickly if the rules change.” It appears that GrabAGun had information about the potential change in the regulatory landscape and made a series of business decisions to capitalize on the moment.

The Trump Administration’s push to build the legal framework for these changes is insidious. The consequences would reshape gun trafficking, law enforcement, and public safety across America, and lives are quite literally on the line. Yet, it’s even more offensive if members of the President’s family had insider information and made business decisions to account for that.

Therefore, we believe that GrabAGun’s competitors, the American people, and policy makers deserve to know whether GrabAGun employees were in communication with the ATF or DOJ about the development of the regulatory scheme. Please provide all communications by August 14, 2026.


Murphy Introduces Bill to Block Trump from Taking Qatari Jet With Him When He Leaves Office

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, alongside U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), introduced legislation to block President Trump from taking the luxury jumbo jet gifted by the Qatari government with him for his own personal use after he leaves office. The Luxury Jet Ethics and Transparency Act would bar Trump from transferring the jet away from the U.S. Air Force to his personal control – in line with the brazenly corrupt plan he, his administration, and his family cling to. The bill would also require an independent GAO review of the cost of the jet’s retrofit and the potential conflicts of interest and national security impacts of the president accepting a $400 million plane from a foreign country.

“It’s hard to decide what’s worse: accepting a $400 million bribe from a foreign government or spending a billion dollars in American taxpayer money to put gold plating on that bribe,” said Murphy. “For Donald Trump, it’s not enough to sell our national security to enrich himself. He also has to steal from American taxpayers.”

“Jumbo jet, jumbo corruption,” said Markey. “So let’s 86 this 747 transfer to Trump after he leaves office, and pass the Luxury Jet Ethics and Transparency Act.”

"This President and his family are the most corrupt we’ve ever seen in the White House. And we know he will be corrupt as the day is long—planes, pardons, falsifying business records, and the list goes on. It is my responsibility, and the responsibility of Congress, to bar this President from transferring his new Qatari jet from the U.S. Air Force to his personal control. We need to take every possible step to stop this President from his own corruption. Our country deserves better," said Alsobrooks.

“We cannot allow this brazen corruption to stand. American foreign policy decisions must be made based on the interests of our national security – not based on the highest bidder. Since the President wouldn’t reject the gift of a $400 million luxury jet, Congress must step in and prohibit Trump from transferring the jet away from the U.S. Air Force to his own personal control,” said Van Hollen.

“Donald Trump has repeatedly used the Presidency to enrich himself and leave taxpayers with the bill—and it has to stop,” said Duckworth. “Accepting a foreign jet was a mistake from the start and a tremendous waste of resources. Trump burned through nearly half a billion taxpayer dollars, only to partially retrofit his Qatari-gifted 747 that is still less safe than the old Air Force One. Taxpayers deserve a guarantee that their money didn’t just go toward bankrolling needless upgrades for yet another private jet in this Grifter-in-Chief’s personal collection.”

“Donald Trump and his regime are defined by rampant corruption, treating the presidency as a get-rich-quick scheme at the expense of the American people. Trump never should have been able to accept a $400 million gift from another country. Under no circumstances should he be able to keep a luxury jet, whose upgrades and retrofitting cost millions of taxpayer dollars, for his personal use. This common-sense legislation will ensure he cannot,” said Hirono.

“President Trump continues to sell access and influence to the highest bidders. Without action, we stamp a Congressional seal of approval on this corruption,” said Merkley. “We need the Luxury Jet Ethics and Transparency Act because Americans deserve answers and accountability for the Trump Administration’s misuse of taxpayer funds for Trump’s luxury jumbo jet.”

Murphy has led the charge in the Senate to call out the naked corruption of Trump accepting the Qatari jet. This month he sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and a key government contractor to demand basic details about the jet’s costs to taxpayers, national security risks, and the questionable process the Trump administration pursued to upgrade the plane.

When the Qatari gift was initially announced in June 2025, Murphy pushed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Secretary Meink to explain how much it would cost to retrofit the plane and why taxpayers should have to pay for the refurbishment if Trump plans to take the plane with him after he leaves office.

Later that month, Murphy led his Senate Democratic colleagues in standing up against the corruption of our foreign policy by forcing a vote to block arms sales to Qatar. In July 2025, he introduced an amendment to the FY26 Defense Appropriations Bill to prevent the luxury jet from being transferred to the Trump presidential library after the president leaves office. The amendment was defeated in a party-line vote with every Republican voting to defeat the amendment and allow the transfer.


At HELP Hearing, Murray Grills Nominees on Rapidly Growing Cyclosporiasis Outbreak, Research Funding, Commitment to Following Scientific Evidence

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full questioning***

Washington, D.C. — Today—at a Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) hearing to consider pending nominations—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member and former chair of the HELP committee, questioned Trump’s nominees Sean Kaufman, to be Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Dr. Erica Schwartz, to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, on the quickly growing cyclosporiasis outbreak, the administration’s reckless decision to cancel $500 million in mRNA vaccine research, and their commitment to following scientific evidence when making public health recommendations.

[CYCLOSPORIASIS OUTBREAK]

Senator Murray began by addressing the cyclosporiasis outbreak that has rapidly grown after Trump and the CDC eliminated mandatory reporting of the parasite last year.

MURRAY: Dr. Schwartz, I want to start with you, do you think it is the role of the federal government to be tracking outbreaks like Cyclosporiasis?

SCHWARTZ: Senator, thank you for scheduling and meeting with me and I hope to have a very productive conversation with you next week. I absolutely believe that one of the core missions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is tracking outbreaks domestically and also internationally.

MURRAY: Well, I absolutely do think it is part of the critical role of it. And for everybody back home, and I think everybody is starting to realize there is a parasite spreading today, likely through some types of fresh produce, and it is sending people to the hospital with which doctors are calling explosive diarrhea. And here’s the thing, the CDC used to conduct surveillance on this very infection through a program called FoodNet. But in July 2025, thanks to Trump, CDC made reporting on that illness optional. Now, we are here a year later, and we are already seeing over 7,000 confirmed or under investigation cases, and over 100 hospitalizations with no single cause having yet been identified. And those numbers are growing every day.

So, Dr. Schwartz, you’re a physician, you’re a public health expert. Is there any scientific or medical justification for CDC having eliminated mandatory reporting of this parasite?

SCHWARTZ: Senator, this is the first I have heard of that. Cyclosporiasis is a terrible, terrible disease. As you mentioned, watery, explosive diarrhea. Something you would not want anyone to experience.

MURRAY: So, you were not aware that this was cancelled a year ago?

SCHWARTZ: Senator I was not aware of that.

MURRAY: Okay, if you are confirmed do you commit to reinstating the required reporting for cyclosporiasis?

SCHWARTZ: You have my commitment to work with your staff and work with the CDC scientists to understand what can be done, why did it stop, and what we can do moving forward.

MURRAY: Okay, it is the job of our public health agencies to catch outbreaks like this and to take action. And it is hard to do when you have removed the reporting requirement, or fired expert staff, or undermined trust and public health. So, for the record, to me RFK Jr. and Trump’s war on the CDC is now landing people in the hospital. Outbreaks happen, but we shouldn’t need thousands of people to get severely ill before we reinstate programs and systems that were haphazardly cancelled. So, I want you to follow up even when you’re confirmed.

[mRNA TECHNOLOGY]

Senator Murray then questioned both Mr. Kaufman and Dr. Schwartz about RFK Jr.’s reckless decision to cancel $500 million in mRNA vaccine research.

MURRAY: I’m a huge proponent for vaccine research, which is why I too, as Senator Hickenlooper just asked you about, Mr. Kaufman, about cancelling the $500 million in mRNA vaccine research through BARDA, which they prepare our country for any kind of future issues like we all know we have had now. And last August, they cancelled that, and we know the mRNA technology has grown tremendously and provides new opportunities for biomedical research.

You said you agreed with the secretary’s decision to eliminate that. I am aware and Senator Hickenlooper is, I don’t understand how you want more research, but cancelling it is ok. And I just want it to be on the record, you’re fine with that being cancelled?

KAUFMAN: Senator Murphy, it is the type of research—I’m sorry, Senator Murray, my apologies. Senator, I think it’s the type of research we’re looking at. I do believe that going back and learning about what we can improve and why things work well and why things didn’t is absolutely critical research but the research that was cancelled was actually investing in new technologies—

MURRAY: Right, so we would be able to be ready for the next Covid. And I think for all Americans, we don’t want to live through it again. And I think we really need that kind of research.

Dr. Schwartz, you’re here too, so same question. Do you agree with the Secretary’s decision to cancel mRNA research funding?

SCHWARTZ: Senator, this is the first I’m actually hearing about this. As a private citizen I certainly was not following that. As we had discussed before, mRNA technology is safe and effective, and I definitely would like to know more about this topic.

MURRAY: Okay, I would like to ask you about that again. But, Mr. Kaufman, you’ve said that we need more research on people who received the COVID-19 vaccine. Well good news is CDC was doing just that. But then, in April, the CDC delayed and they ultimately blocked the release of a report that demonstrated that the COVID–19 vaccine was highly effective. And that study, which was eventually independently published in JAMA, showed a 50 percent decrease in hospitalization from that vaccine.

And just for the record, this is important to me, this type of political interference is really, deeply disturbing. It doesn’t do anything to instill the trust, that you have talked about Dr. Schwartz in this committee, in our public health agencies.

[FOLLOWING TRUMP AND RFK JR.’S AGENDA]

Finally, Senator Murray asked Dr. Schwartz if she would blindly agree to RFK Jr.’s demands when it comes to vaccines or if she would consult the scientific evidence when making recommendations.

MURRAY: I just want to ask you Dr. Schwartz, this is critical and I know some of my colleagues have pointedly asked you this.

If you are confirmed as CDC Director and Secretary Kennedy asks you to commit in advance to approving every recommendation that ACIP makes in the future, regardless of scientific evidence, will you do that?

SCHWARTZ: Senator, the secretary would never ask me to do that it—

MURRAY: This is not hypothetical. As you have heard, this happened with Susan Monarez who was in and fired and came back here and actually told us she was outed because of her scientific integrity. So, this is not hypothetical, it is a critical answer. So, I would like to know, will you if you are confirmed, commit in advance to approving every recommendation that ACIP makes in the future, regardless of scientific evidence?

SCHWARTZ: You have my commitment senator…

MURRAY: If the secretary of health asks you not to, will you defy him and follow the advice of ACIP?

SCHWARTZ: I will follow the science wherever it leads Senator, you have my commitment on that.

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Senator Murray Slams Trump’s DOJ for Firing Lawfully Appointed and Highly Qualified U.S. Attorney for the Western District of WA

“Roger Rogoff’s is eminently qualified—throughout his career, he has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public service, and he was appointed legally by the federal judges in the Western District of Washington. He should have never been fired, but the President wants to appoint an out-of-touch extremist who will put Trump over the rule of law. This administration doesn’t want to deal with advice and consent—they just want to install cronies to carry out a corrupt political agenda. The people of Washington state deserve someone in this role who will enforce the law fairly and responsibly—not some Trump administration sock puppet. The President needs to understand that DOJ works for the American people—it’s not his personal law firm to enforce his mob-style politics.”


WATCH: Sen. Ossoff Presses Director of National Intelligence Nominee on 2020 Election Results, Fulton County Raid

WATCH: Sen. Ossoff’s full line of questioning

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff, a member of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee, today pressed President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence on the 2020 election results and the Fulton County raid earlier this year.

Today, in a U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee Nomination Hearing, Sen. Ossoff pressed Walter “Jay” Clayton III, President Trump’s nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence, about who won the 2020 election and former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s presence during the FBI’s raid on the Fulton County elections office.

When Sen. Ossoff asked Clayton, “Who won the 2020 election,” Clayton refused to answer the question and said, “I’m not going to do this with you.”

In response, Sen. Ossoff told Clayton, “You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election, but you asked to lead America’s Intelligence Community. Isn’t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the president’s delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?”

Sen. Ossoff asked Clayton if he was aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid in Georgia earlier this year, to which Clayton said, “I was made aware of it by you yesterday.”

“The first time you learned that Director Gabbard was present at that raid was in my office yesterday?” Sen. Ossoff replied. “Your answers lack credibility. Your testimony lacks credibility. You’re being evasive and you’re not being candid or forthright. And everybody across the country is going to watch this and know that.”

Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s full line of questioning.

Please find a transcript of Sen. Ossoff’s line of questioning below:

SEN. OSSOFF: “You have an obligation to be honest and forthright with this Committee, correct?”

CLAYTON: “Yes.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “And is it the case in the Juan Orlando Hernandez case that the President of the United States pardoned a man who had worked with the Sinaloa cartel to facilitate massive narcotrafficking into the United States?”

CLAYTON: “I don’t remember the specifics of that case…”

SEN. OSSOFF: “He was convicted in your district.”

CLAYTON: “He was convicted. I’m just … we convict a lot of people for a lot of drugs.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Convicted of narcotrafficking, yes?”

CLAYTON: “Um, I believe so.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “You know so. At massive scale, yes?”

CLAYTON: “Well, you’re telling me what I know. That’s kind of –– he was I believe –– look, I’ll take your word for it. He was a convicted narcotrafficker.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Did the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, pardon a convicted narcotrafficker?”

CLAYTON: “I believe we just discussed that. The president provided a pardon. Yes.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Yes or no? Did the President of the United States pardon a convicted narcotrafficker?”

CLAYTON: “Yes.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Who won the 2020 election?”

CLAYTON: “You know, we’re not –– I’m not. I’m not going to do this with you.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “This is a job interview. We’ve established that you have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee, yes? You do have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee?”

CLAYTON: “Yes.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Who won the 2020 election?”

CLAYTON: “Like I said, I’m not –– I’m not going to get into that with you.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “But you do have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee.”

CLAYTON: “Is anything that I just said not honest or forthright?”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Yes, you’re not being honest or forthright. Who won the 2020 election?”

CLAYTON: “I think I’ve answered the question. We can keep doing this.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Well, we’re going to keep doing it because you’re not being honest and forthright.”

CLAYTON: “Nah, I’m not going to engage in the theater.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “It’s a simple question, Mr. Clayton.”

CLAYTON: “And I’ve answered.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Who won the 2020 presidential election?”

CLAYTON: “I’ve answered it.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “You’re here asking for the support of senators to lead America’s Intelligence Community. We’ve established that you have an obligation to be honest and forthright with this Committee and with the American public, but you refuse to answer a simple matter of fact about the 2020 election, is that right?”

CLAYTON: “No, that’s not right.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Then answer the question: who won the 2020 election?”

CLAYTON: “I have answered the question.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Answer it. What is your answer?”

CLAYTON: “I’ve given you my answer.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “What is your answer?”

CLAYTON: “…”

SEN. OSSOFF: “You refuse to answer a basic question about who won a presidential election, but you asked to lead America’s Intelligence Community. Isn’t it humiliating to be unable to answer this question, to have to indulge the president’s delusions? We know, you know, everybody in this room knows the truthful answer to that question. Why can you not give it?”

CLAYTON: “I think I gave you the answer.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid in Georgia earlier this year?”

CLAYTON: “You uh –– you discussed that with me yesterday in your office.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid earlier this year?”

CLAYTON: “You, you brought it to me … my attention yesterday ––”

SEN. OSSOFF: “What is going on here? You’ve said at the beginning of this you have an obligation to be honest and forthright with the Committee. I’m asking a very simple question: are you aware that Director Gabbard was present at the Fulton County raid earlier this year? Yes or no? Are you aware?”

CLAYTON: “I was ––”

SEN. OSSOFF: “You won’t answer that question.”

CLAYTON: “I just said I was made aware of it by you yesterday.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “The first time you learned that Director Gabbard was present at that raid was in my office yesterday?”

CLAYTON: “It was the first time that, in my recollection, I’ve thought about it recently. Now, was I aware of it before?”

SEN. OSSOFF: “What?”

CLAYTON: “You –– I mean, you brought it to my attention yesterday. I had not thought ––”

SEN. OSSOFF: “So you had not known until ––”

CLAYTON: “I had not –– I had not thought about it until you brought it to my attention yesterday.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Your answers lack credibility. Your testimony lacks credibility. You’re being evasive and you’re not being candid or forthright. And everybody across the country is going to watch this and know that. Are you aware that former Director Gabbard testified that her presence at the raid was quote ‘requested by the president’?”

CLAYTON: “I’m not aware of that until now.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Okay, you are now aware of that.”

CLAYTON: “Yeah.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that members of this committee are already probing Director Gabbard’s potential misconduct in this matter?”

CLAYTON: “I don’t. I’m not privy to your probe into ––”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Are you aware that the general counsel and deputy general counsel of your office have already provided testimony to this committee regarding this matter?”

CLAYTON: “No.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “If the White House Chief of Staff or the president asks you to travel somewhere across the United States and oversee the execution of a domestic search warrant on a sensitive election facility, will you do it?”

CLAYTON: “Umm that’s a hypothet––”

SEN. OSSOFF: “Is that appropriate? Is that appropriate for the Director of National Intelligence?”

CLAYTON: “That’s a hypothetical.”

SEN. OSSOFF: “We all know it’s not appropriate.”

CHAIRMAN: “Senator Ossoff your time is expired.”

SEN OSSOFF: “Will you answer the question?”

CHAIRMAN: “Your time is expired. Senator –––”

SEN OSSOFF: “Will you give him the opportunity to answer the question? Is this not material right now, sir? Is it appropriate for the Director of National Intelligence to oversee the execution of domestic search warrants at sensitive election facilities? Yes or no?”

CLAYTON: “I think you’re asking me, as you just said in your first comment to me ––”

SEN OSSOFF: “Yes or no? Is it appropriate? No?”

CLAYTON: “You are asking me to comment on a matter that you just said was under investigation.”

SEN OSSOFF: “No, I’m asking you ––”

CHAIRMAN: “Okay, Senator Ossoff, your time is expired.”

SEN OSSOFF: “Disqualifying.”

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WATCH: Padilla Presses Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche During Confirmation Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) questioned President Trump’s nominee for U.S. Attorney General, Todd Blanche, during a Senate Judiciary confirmation hearing. Blanche was President Trump’s personal attorney in several criminal cases, including Trump’s New York hush money trial, in which the President was convicted of 34 felony counts. Blanche currently serves as Acting Attorney General and has overseen the Trump Administration’s $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund that could compensate or financially reward convicted January 6 insurrectionists.

During the hearing, Padilla questioned Blanche about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) failure to seek justice in federal immigration related shootings, including the shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Padilla highlighted that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents involved in the killings of American citizens have not faced justice and demanded transparent investigations from the DOJ into all such shootings.

Padilla also demanded answers about Trump’s planned “anti-weaponization” slush fund, emphasizing Blanche’s role in the Administration’s plan to compensate or financially reward convicted January 6 insurrectionists. When Blanche claimed that the slush fund no longer exists, Padilla countered by noting that January 6 insurrectionists are seeking payouts through other avenues, like the Federal Tort Claims Act. Padilla slammed Blanche for failing to respond to repeated congressional inquiries regarding this slush fund. Blanche agreed that January 6 rioters who have committed federal crimes following the insurrection should be investigated and prosecuted and said that DOJ will “always vigorously defend our cases,” including against tort claims brought by January 6 insurrectionists.

He then pressed Blanche about the DOJ’s substantial funding delays affecting the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). He questioned Blanche on the DOJ’s timeline for grant approvals, and highlighted that as a result of the delays, many organizations have been forced to lay off staff and reduce services for domestic violence victims.

Padilla concluded by stressing his lack of confidence in Blanche’s ability to operate in a non-partisan manner, including his ability to hold the Trump Administration accountable given his prior allegiance to Trump.

Padilla has fought to hold Trump’s Department of Justice (DOJ) accountable. This month, Padilla, along with Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), led fourteen Senators in urging Blanche and the DOJ halt any efforts to compensate January 6 rioters and commit to defending taxpayers in any January 6-related lawsuits. In May, Padilla slammed Blanche for establishing the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” slush fund and highlighted that the slush fund could be used to compensate or financially reward convicted January 6 insurrectionists. Last year, Padilla voted against advancing Blanche for U.S. Deputy Attorney General and warned against nominating Trump’s allies who refuse to commit to upholding key constitutional provisions.

Video of Padilla’s questioning is available here.

Key excerpts:

PADILLA: Do you believe that every human life is sacred?

BLANCHE: Yes.

PADILLA: So do I. A lot of my colleagues have made remarks about our colleague who recently passed. This last week, we’ve also seen Lorenzo Salgado Arajo fatally shot by an ICE agent during an enforcement operation in Houston. Earlier this week, Juan Sebastian Guerrero was killed in another fatal ICE-involved shooting in Maine. I’m not here to debate immigration policy or how immigration enforcement has been conducted by this administration. My questions are specific to law enforcement policy and best practices. Given that these are officer-involved shootings, federal officer-involved shootings. What role should the Department of Justice play in ensuring independent and transparent review and investigations over these incidents?

[…]

PADILLA: Here’s the bottom line: Why I’m asking these two questions, because in prior incidents, you referenced Minnesota earlier in your testimony. Alex Pretti and Renee Good were also fatally shot, and as far as we can tell, it’s been months and months. There’s been no justice in these cases. As far as I can tell, those officers were not fired. They have not faced any charges, so it does undermine any confidence anybody should have in the Department of Homeland Security’s ability, through the Inspector General or otherwise, to investigate its own. So I come back to the question: What should the role of the Department of Justice be when there’s federally officer-involved shootings?

BLANCHE: Well, I very much disagree with the statement you just made.

[…]

PADILLA: I also need to be clear that January 6ers cannot – should not – be able to seek payouts from other sources, including the Federal Tort Claims Act. Do you commit to vigorously defending taxpayer money from being paid out to January 6 rioters, those who were convicted of their involvement with January 6, regardless of the source of funding from the Department of Justice?

BLANCHE: You’re talking about a statute that exists and allows anybody to seek to file a suit against the United States. So I can tell you, we always vigorously defend our cases, but I can’t speak to a particular case.

[…]

PADILLA: And I know some people would suggest, “well, they’ve all been pardoned for their crimes on January 6, and so this may be fair game.” Are you aware that at least 97 January 6ers have been accused of new crimes since January 6, 2021, including violent crimes? By the way, child molestation, etc. That sounds like the worst of the worst to me.

BLANCHE: If anybody commits a crime, they should be investigated, arrested, and prosecuted. So if you’re talking about people that committed federal crimes and they happen to have been pardoned before, they should be arrested and prosecuted. Yes.

PADILLA: Well, I look, I look forward to that as well, and we’ll follow up and questions for the record.

[…]

PADILLA: Let me just end with this, Mr. Blanche. It’s a duty of the Attorney General of the United States to quote “operate free from partisan consideration and protect citizens’ rights to equal justice.” But what I’ve heard today fails to inspire much confidence in your ability to carry out that duty or to put federal law before loyalty to the president. I add to that, facts from the judiciary, district courts and 31 cases have recognized that the Administration has violated court rulings. The Solicitor General refuses to rule out, refusing to abide by court rulings that they circuit court rulings that they disagree with. In immigration cases alone, the Administration has admitted violating court orders. In the District of New Jersey alone more than 50 times. This does not sound like a Department of Justice. The American people deserve better, and a lot of nominees come before us and say, “Well, if I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed,” then this or that. I’m not buying that. I know you’re not confirmed for the top spot. You’re acting in the top spot. You were the number two from nearly the beginning of the term. Yes, a lot of this accountability falls on your shoulders. The American people deserve an Attorney General who will put the Constitution above political retribution. I don’t think you’re fit for this job.

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