INSIDER
Former officials urge closed-door Senate hearings on Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chief
Read full article: Former officials urge closed-door Senate hearings on Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for intel chiefNearly 100 former senior U.S. diplomats and intelligence and national security officials have asked Senate leaders to schedule closed-door hearings to allow for a full review of the governmentās files on former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard.
Now armed with AI, America's adversaries will try to influence election, security officials warn
Read full article: Now armed with AI, America's adversaries will try to influence election, security officials warnTop U.S. security officials say Americaās foreign adversaries will again seek to influence the upcoming U.S. elections.
Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spread
Read full article: Biden will head to Israel and Jordan as concerns mount that Israel-Hamas conflict will spreadPresident Joe Biden will travel to Israel and Jordan Wednesday to meet with both Israeli and Arab leadership, as concerns increase that the raging Israel-Hamas war could expand into a larger regional conflict.
Biden postpones trip to Colorado to discuss domestic agenda as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies
Read full article: Biden postpones trip to Colorado to discuss domestic agenda as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifiesPresident Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are meeting with national security officials as the Israel-Hamas conflict intensifies, according to the White House.
Top lawmakers briefed on Trump, Biden, Pence documents
Read full article: Top lawmakers briefed on Trump, Biden, Pence documentsTop lawmakers in Congress have been briefed on the investigations into classified documents found in the private possession of President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence.
US officials make case for renewing FISA surveillance powers
Read full article: US officials make case for renewing FISA surveillance powersBiden administration officials are urging Congress to renew a surveillance program the U.S. government has long seen as vital in countering overseas threats of terrorism, cyberattacks and espionage operations.
Senators: Officials blocking access to mishandled documents
Read full article: Senators: Officials blocking access to mishandled documentsMembers of the Senate intelligence committee say they should have access to classified documents that were discovered in the homes of President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump and former Vice President Mike Pence.
US intel chief thinking 'optimistically' for Ukraine forces
Read full article: US intel chief thinking 'optimistically' for Ukraine forcesThe head of U.S. intelligence says Russiaās war against Ukraine is running at a āreduced tempoā and suggests Ukrainian forces may have the upper hand in coming months.
Spy agencies pulled 2020 vote study amid internal dissent
Read full article: Spy agencies pulled 2020 vote study amid internal dissentA team of CIA experts that studied lessons learned from the 2020 election had to unexpectedly withdraw its study after getting pushback from rank-and-file intelligence officers.
US, UK leaders raise fresh alarms about Chinese espionage
Read full article: US, UK leaders raise fresh alarms about Chinese espionageThe FBI director and the leader of Britainās domestic intelligence agency are raising alarms about the Chinese government, warning business leaders that Beijing is determined to steal their technology for competitive gain.
Russians fight to encircle Ukraine's last eastern stronghold
Read full article: Russians fight to encircle Ukraine's last eastern strongholdRussian forces are battling to surround the Ukrainian militaryās last stronghold in a long-contested eastern province, as shock still reverberates from a Russian airstrike on a shopping mall that killed at least 18 people.
Spy agencies urged to fix open secret: A lack of diversity
Read full article: Spy agencies urged to fix open secret: A lack of diversityThe national reckoning over racial inequality sparked by George Floydās murder two years ago has gone on behind closed doors inside Americaās intelligence agencies.
Italian leader urges Ukraine ceasefire in visit with Biden
Read full article: Italian leader urges Ukraine ceasefire in visit with BidenPresident Joe Biden has hosted Italian Premier Mario Draghi at the White House as the U.S. works to maintain trans-Atlantic unity over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Intel: Putin may cite Ukraine war to meddle in US politics
Read full article: Intel: Putin may cite Ukraine war to meddle in US politicsU.S. intelligence officials think Russian President Vladimir Putin may use the Biden administrationās support for Ukraine as a pretext to order a new interference campaign in American politics.
Russia's bioweapon conspiracy theory finds support in US
Read full article: Russia's bioweapon conspiracy theory finds support in USA Russian conspiracy theory about U.S.-funded biological research in Ukraine is catching on in the U.S. The White House, Pentagon, independent scientists and leaders in Ukraine all dispute the claims.
Ukraine war at 2-week mark: Russians slowed but not stopped
Read full article: Ukraine war at 2-week mark: Russians slowed but not stoppedTwo weeks into its war in Ukraine, Russia has achieved less and struggled more than anticipated at the outset of the biggest land conflict in Europe since World War II.
Russia underestimated Ukraine's resistance, US officials say
Read full article: Russia underestimated Ukraine's resistance, US officials sayTop U.S. intelligence officials believe Russia underestimated the strength of Ukraineās resistance before launching an invasion that has likely caused thousands of Russian casualties.
Looking for evidence? Trust us, Biden administration says
Read full article: Looking for evidence? Trust us, Biden administration saysPresident Joe Biden's administration has refused to share evidence for national security claims in recent days, and officials have even accused reporters of buying into foreign propaganda.
Experts: Energy attacks could be behind some 'Havana' cases
Read full article: Experts: Energy attacks could be behind some 'Havana' casesA panel of intelligence experts hasnāt identified a single culprit for apparent brain injuries reported by U.S. personnel that have been linked to so-called āHavana syndrome.
Thousands of intel officers refusing vaccine risk dismissal
Read full article: Thousands of intel officers refusing vaccine risk dismissalThousands of intelligence officers could soon face dismissal for failing to comply with the U.S. governmentās vaccine mandate, leading to concerns from Republican lawmakers about potentially hurting agencies considered critical to national security.
In 1st visit to intel agency, Biden warns of cyber conflict
Read full article: In 1st visit to intel agency, Biden warns of cyber conflictPresident Joe Biden used his first visit with rank-and-file members of the U.S. intelligence community to make a promise that he will ānever politicizeā their work.
US to create center targeting foreign election interference
Read full article: US to create center targeting foreign election interferenceThe Biden administration says it will establish a new center responding to what the U.S. intelligence community has assessed as attempts by Russia and other adversaries to interfere with American elections.
US intel report: Virus impact to cause global 'aftershocks'
Read full article: US intel report: Virus impact to cause global 'aftershocks'A U_S_ intelligence community report says the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are expected to contribute over the next year to āhumanitarian and economic crises, political unrest, and geopolitical competition."
Biden to hold first Cabinet meeting amid infrastructure push
Read full article: Biden to hold first Cabinet meeting amid infrastructure push(AP Photo/Evan Vucci)WASHINGTON ā Joe Biden will convene his first Cabinet meeting on Thursday, a presidential rite of passage that will be used to promote his new infrastructure plan. AdāThe meetings can help align priorities, build morale, and allow Cabinet members to develop relationships with colleagues who they donāt normally see,ā Lu said. The White House has highlighted that this Cabinet is the most diverse in history. In normal times, scheduling an in-person Cabinet meeting would require weeks, if not months, of planning to block off time in the travel schedules of the various principals. The Cabinet members will soon begin to fan out across the country to pitch both the COVID-19 relief and infrastructure plans, officials said.
Suspected Russian hack fuels new US action on cybersecurity
Read full article: Suspected Russian hack fuels new US action on cybersecurityAdThe reaction reflects the severity of a hack that was disclosed only in December. The administration has also proposed expanding by 30% the budget of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Agency, or CISA, a little-known entity now under intense scrutiny because of the SolarWinds breach. The breach was discovered in early December by the private security firm FireEye, a cause of concern for some officials. AdRight after the hack was announced, the Treasury Department bypassed its normal competitive contracting process to hire the private security firm CrowdStrike, U.S. contract records show. āIn practical terms, what that meant is they werenāt invited in because no department or agency wants to look bad,ā he said.
Senate confirms Biden 1st Cabinet pick as Democrats control
Read full article: Senate confirms Biden 1st Cabinet pick as Democrats controlIn a first vote, the Senate confirmed Biden's nominee for director of national intelligence, Avril Haines. The new Senate majority leader, Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., urged colleagues to turn the spirit of the new presidentās call for unity into action. The three Democrats complete a Senate narrowly split 50-50 between the parties, but giving Democrats the majority with Harris able to cast the tie-breaking vote. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to soon transmit to the Senate the House-passed article of impeachment against Trump, charged with incitement of insurrection, a step that will launch the Senate impeachment trial. Progressive and liberal Democrats are eager to do away with the filibuster to more quickly advance Bidenās priorities, but not all rank-and-file Senate Democrats are on board.
Biden's first Cabinet member to lead battered intel agencies
Read full article: Biden's first Cabinet member to lead battered intel agenciesPresident-elect Joe Bidens pick for national intelligence director Avril Haines speaks during a confirmation hearing before the Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington. (Joe Raedle/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON ā The Senate on Wednesday confirmed Avril Haines as director of national intelligence, giving President Joe Biden the first member of his Cabinet and placing the first woman in charge of the nearly two-decade old agency. In her confirmation hearing Tuesday, Haines made clear she intends to end the Trump administration's practice of pressuring officials to shape their analysis to the presidentās liking. āWhen it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics ā ever,ā she told the Senate Intelligence Committee. āThe last four years have been hard on the intelligence community,ā said Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the new chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee after Democrats took the majority on Wednesday.
The Latest: Trump predicts āsuccessā for new administration
Read full article: The Latest: Trump predicts āsuccessā for new administrationThe federal government has launched a new website that will serve as a clearinghouse for records from former President Donald Trumpās administration. Biden brought a dark blue rug out of storage to replace a lighter colored one installed by former President Donald Trump. Workers removed the giant sign from the departmentās C Street lobby on Wednesday shortly after President Joe Biden was inaugurated. ___4:55 p.m.President Joe Biden has directed that federal agencies halt all rulemaking until his administration has time to review proposed regulations. Former President Donald Trump flew to Florida before Biden was sworn into office.
The Latest: Hawley blocks quick confirmation of DHS nominee
Read full article: The Latest: Hawley blocks quick confirmation of DHS nomineeHomeland Security Secretary nominee Alejandro Mayorkas testifies during his confirmation hearing in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Hawley said he made the move because Mayorkas, in his confirmation hearing, would not commit to spending the $1.4 billion appropriated to expand the border wall with Mexico. Alejandro Mayorkas was asked about it Tuesday at his Senate confirmation hearing. ___10:30 a.m.One of President Donald Trumpās national intelligence directors is introducing President-elect Joe Bidenās nominee for the job at her confirmation hearing. Avril Haines faces a confirmation hearing Tuesday before the Senate intelligence committee.
Biden's nominees promise fresh approach on national security
Read full article: Biden's nominees promise fresh approach on national securityPresident-elect Joe Bidens pick for national intelligence director Avril Haines arrives for a confirmation hearing before the Senate intelligence committee on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2021, in Washington. Neither Blinken nor Biden's other nominees for national security Cabinet posts encountered substantial opposition Tuesday. āWhen it comes to intelligence, there is simply no place for politics ā ever,ā she told the Senate Intelligence Committee. The House majority leader, Rep. Steny Hoyer, indicated Tuesday that the full House would consider an Austin waiver bill on Thursday. Like Blinken, Austin said he views China as the leading international issue facing Biden's national security team.
Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it 'vote of conscience'
Read full article: Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it 'vote of conscience'Many Democrats have pushed for an immediate impeachment trial to hold Trump accountable and prevent him from holding future office, and the proceedings could still begin by Inauguration Day. Psaki noted that during Trump's first impeachment trial last year, the Senate continued to hold hearings each day. Pelosi told reporters on Friday that the nine House impeachment managers, who act as the prosecutors for the House, are working on taking the case to trial. McConnell is open to considering impeachment, having told associates he is done with Trump, but he has not signaled how he would vote. No president has ever been convicted in the Senate, and it would take a two-thirds vote against Trump, an extremely high hurdle.
Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it 'vote of conscience'
Read full article: Trump trial pending, McConnell calls it 'vote of conscience'Many Democrats have pushed for an immediate impeachment trial to hold Trump accountable and prevent him from holding future office, and the proceedings could still begin by Inauguration Day. Psaki noted that during Trump's first impeachment trial last year, the Senate continued to hold hearings each day. Pelosi told reporters on Friday that the nine House impeachment managers, who act as the prosecutors for the House, are working on taking the case to trial. McConnell is open to considering impeachment, having told associates he is done with Trump, but he has not signaled how he would vote. No president has ever been convicted in the Senate, and it would take a two-thirds vote against Trump, an extremely high hurdle.
Confirmation hearing postponed for Biden's intel chief pick
Read full article: Confirmation hearing postponed for Biden's intel chief pickFILE - In this Nov. 24, 2020, file photo President-elect Joe Biden's nominee for Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines speaks at The Queen theater in Wilmington, Del. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)WASHINGTON ā A confirmation hearing for President-elect Joe Biden's pick for national intelligence director has been postponed until next week, according to leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Avril Haines, a former CIA deputy director and former deputy national security adviser in the Obama administration, was to have appeared Friday before the Senate Intelligence Committee. The hearing was announced Wednesday, setting Haines up to be the first of Biden's picks to face a Senate committee for confirmation. āWe are disappointed the hearing was delayed, particularly given the urgency to have national security leaders in place in this time of crisis.
Biden's pick to lead Treasury made over $7M in speaking fees
Read full article: Biden's pick to lead Treasury made over $7M in speaking feesYellenās was among three financial disclosures turned in by Biden transition officials that were made public on Thursday by the Office of Government Ethics. She took in the speaking fees in 2019 and 2020. Hillary Clinton faced criticism from the left wing of the Democratic Party while running for president in 2016 for having received lucrative speaking fees at Wall Street firms. "Sheās been fully transparent.āAlso released Thursday were disclosure forms from Bidenās choice to be secretary of state, Antony Blinken, who detailed his work at a consulting firm he co-founded, WestExec Advisors, LLC. Avril Haines, Bidenās choice to be national intelligence director, disclosed being a consultant at WestExec Advisors and collecting around $55,000 in fees between October 2017 and last summer.
US intelligence director says China is top threat to America
Read full article: US intelligence director says China is top threat to AmericaWASHINGTON ā China poses the greatest threat to America and the rest of the free world since World War II, outgoing National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe said Thursday as the Trump administration ramps up anti-Chinese rhetoric to pressure President-elect Joe Biden to be tough on Beijing. āIt offered nothing new but repeated the lies and rumors aimed at smearing China and playing up the China threat by any means," Hua said at a daily briefing on Friday. Ratcliffe, a Trump loyalist who has been accused of politicizing the position, has been the nation's top intelligence official since May. Ratcliffe said he has shifted money within the $85 billion annual intelligence budget to address the threat from China. Biden has announced that he wants the Senate to confirm Avril Haines, a former deputy director of the CIA, to succeed Ratcliffe as the next national intelligence director.
Biden facing growing pressure over secretary of defense pick
Read full article: Biden facing growing pressure over secretary of defense pickWASHINGTON ā President-elect Joe Biden is facing escalating pressure from competing factions within his own party as he finalizes his choice for secretary of defense. And facing massive governing challenges once he takes office on Jan. 20, Biden can perhaps least afford to lose the backing of the Democratic Partyās fiery progressive base. Nearly 100 House Democrats belong to the Progressive Caucus, which may wield significant influence over Biden's policy agenda as Democrats cling to their narrowest House majority in a century. Flournoy, meanwhile, had been seen as the leading candidate for defense secretary under a Democratic president since Hillary Clintonās failed 2016 campaign. Biden has promised both to fight for big, bold policy changes and to compromise with Republicans.
Biden facing growing pressure over secretary of defense pick
Read full article: Biden facing growing pressure over secretary of defense pickWASHINGTON ā President-elect Joe Biden is facing escalating pressure from competing factions within his own party as he finalizes his choice for secretary of defense. And facing massive governing challenges once he takes office on Jan. 20, Biden can perhaps least afford to lose the backing of the Democratic Partyās fiery progressive base. Nearly 100 House Democrats belong to the Progressive Caucus, which may wield significant influence over Biden's policy agenda as Democrats cling to their narrowest House majority in a century. Flournoy, meanwhile, had been seen as the leading candidate for defense secretary under a Democratic president since Hillary Clintonās failed 2016 campaign. Biden has promised both to fight for big, bold policy changes and to compromise with Republicans.
Biden seeks unity as Trump stokes fading embers of campaign
Read full article: Biden seeks unity as Trump stokes fading embers of campaignāWe have to turn the election over,ā Trump said from the Oval Office, where he joined the meeting by speakerphone. āWe won it by a lot.ā In fact, the election gave Biden a clear mandate, and no systemic fraud has been uncovered. Judge after judge has dismissed the Trump campaignās accusations as baseless, and the transition to Bidenās presidency is fully underway. Biden is expected to stay through the weekend in Rehoboth before returning to Wilmington for further work on the transition. Trump will forgo his usual plans to celebrate Thanksgiving at his private club in Florida and will instead remain at the White House.
Biden formally introduces his national security, foreign policy teams
Read full article: Biden formally introduces his national security, foreign policy teamsStill, Biden's nominees were a clear departure from Trump, whose Cabinet has largely consisted of men, almost all of them white. The diplomat, in turn, said that with his selections, Biden is achieving much more than a changing of the guard. The Senate previously confirmed him in December 2013 by a party-line vote to be the deputy secretary of Homeland Security. Muir said the first meeting with Biden's team was held virtually on Tuesday morning and that he expected daily meetings to come ā some virtually and some in person. He said normal accommodations for the Biden team have been made, including provision of briefing materials, video-teleconferencing capabilities, and office space inside the Pentagon.
The Latest: Trump, US agency allow formal Biden transition
Read full article: The Latest: Trump, US agency allow formal Biden transitionWASHINGTON ā The Latest on President-elect Joe Biden (all times local):8 p.m. The General Services Administration has formally designated President-elect Joe Biden as the āapparent winnerā of the Nov. 3 election. ___3:30 p.m.President-elect Joe Biden says he wants to work closely with the nationās mayors to help Americans cope during the coronavirus pandemic. Haines, 51, was the White House deputy national security adviser during the Obama administration. About a dozen other senior White House staffers also have been announced by the president-elect.