Category: Government
The Indian Health Service wants to return 1 million KN95 masks it bought from a former White House official
The former official, Zach Fuentes, is refusing to take back the masks even though IHS said they did not meet FDA standards. His company’s lawyer says the IHS is trying to cancel the order for “political…
Public health officials face wave of threats, pressure amid coronavirus response
by Lauren Weber and Anna Maria Barry-Jester and Michelle R. Smith, The Associated Press June 12, 2020 Emily Brown was stretched thin. As the director of the Rio Grande County Public Health Department in rural Colorado,…
Federal court urged to hold ‘rogue’ EPA in contempt for blatant defiance of ban on toxic weed killer
“EPA needs a lesson in separation of powers and we’re asking the court to give it to them.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 12 A coalition of farming and conservation groups is calling on…
Federal agencies have spent millions on KN95 masks, often without knowing who made them
Government employees at several agencies are relying on KN95 masks that the agencies cannot guarantee offer the most protection. Some agencies have paid little attention to important manufacturing details and been tripped up by shifting regulations….
1,250 former DOJ officials demand investigation into Barr’s involvement in violently dispersing demonstrators near White House
“None of us would ever have considered directing or engaging in such actions to be consistent with our oaths to support and defend the Constitution.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Wednesday, June 10 More than 1,250…
Researchers show hack-for-hire operation targeted groups fighting for climate action and net neutrality
“If the investigation demonstrates that Exxon is behind these attacks, it only shows how far the fossil fuel industry will go to silence critics.” by Julia Conley, staff writer Thursday, June 10 The Canadian digital watchdog…
Ousted IG says State Dept. tried to bully him into dropping Saudi arms probe
“Mr. Linick addressed head-on the shifting justifications that administration officials have provided to the press for his termination.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Thursday, Jun 10 Recently ousted State Department Inspector General Steve Linick was carrying…
Militias evaluate beliefs, action as President threatens soldiers in the streets
Constitutionalists say they fear – a forceful expansion of government power against its people. But most militia groups have been silent. To date, only a few have made any sort of public statement. Members of militia…
“I can’t speak negatively about the President,” says Official charged with stimulus oversight
President Donald Trump’s purge of watchdogs is on the mind of one of the newly hired officials charged with overseeing the more than $2 trillion CARES Act. by Ilya Marritz and Katherine Sullivan, WNYC Wednesday, June…
Civil liberties advocates applaud IBM decision to ditch facial recognition
“This huge IBM move will force other large tech companies to take a stand, even if their silence is their statement.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Tuesday, June 9 Tech giant IBM is getting out of…
Minneapolis City Council members declare intent to disband Police Department
“Our commitment is to end our city’s toxic relationship with the Minneapolis Police Department and to work toward ending policing as we know it.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Sunday, June 7, 2020 3PM MST A…
AOC, Pressley join probe into Trump use of predator drones to surveil protesters
“This administration has undermined the First Amendment freedoms of Americans of all races who are rightfully protesting George Floyd’s killing.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Sunday, June 7 Democrats on the House Oversight Committee, including Reps….
New York Supreme Court Judge rules protesters can be detained indefinitely
“This is suspension of habeas corpus, it is unconstitutional,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 5 A New York State Supreme Court judge on Thursday rejected a petition seeking the immediate…
Law enforcement seizes thousands of masks sent to help protect protesters from coronavirus
“It appears they want to ensure that people who protest are susceptible to the same deadly pandemic that they have failed miserably at stopping.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 5 In an effort to…
Trump Condemned as Busloads of US Soldiers Arrive in Nation’s capital: ‘What authoritarianism looks like’
“The numbers of U.S. military security forces in D.C. right now is just ridiculous. This is pure intimidation. Trump is very afraid. The longer we stay in the streets, the more frightened he gets.” by…
Mar-a-Lago buddy used “Shadow” sway over the VA to promote his comic book empire
Marvel chief Ike Perlmutter arranged for comic book characters to ring the NYSE closing bell with the VA secretary in 2017, according to a new government audit. Perlmutter has denied benefiting from his role as an…
Police using rubber bullets on protesters that can kill, blind or maim for life
Liz Szabo, Kaiser Health News June 2, 2020 In cities across the country, police departments have attempted to quell unrest spurred by the death of George Floyd by firing rubber bullets into crowds, even though five…
Militarization has fostered a policing culture that sets up protesters as ‘the enemy’
Teaching cops to think like soldiers and learn how to kill has been part of a training program popular among some police officers. Sheriffs deputies in riot gear move in on protesters in Los Angeles, California….
Warnings of domestic military threat as top US General walks DC streets in combat fatigues
‘This Isn’t a Healthy Democracy’ “The commander of the joint chiefs is surveying the streets of D.C. in uniform like he’s planning a military assault.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, June 2 Why was U.S….
From ‘No comment’ to ‘Didn’t really see it’: GOP lawmakers squirm when asked about Trump threat to unleash military on protesting Americans
“This was the same response in Nazi Germany.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Tuesday, June 2 “Didn’t really see it.” “I don’t have any comment on that.” “Sorry, I’m late for lunch.” These were but a…
After Trump’s authoritarian ‘law and order’ speech, military helicopters descend low over DC to intimidate protesters
Dancers of Death “Unleashing state violence against peaceful American demonstrators and journalists to create a photo-op is a violation of the president’s oath to defend the Constitution.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Tuesday, June 2 Hours…
Trump tells Governors to ‘use the military’ and throw demonstrators in jail ‘for 10 years’
by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, June 1 This is a developing news story… Check back for possible updates… President Donald Trump ripped U.S. governors in a conference call Monday morning for failing to do enough…
US Border Patrol denounced for using predator drone to spy on Minneapolis protests
This is a “Rogue Agency” “This is what happens when leaders sign blank check after blank check to militarize police, CBP, etc while letting violence go unchecked.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Friday, May 29 Civil…
A closer look at federal COVID contractors reveals inexperience, fraud accusations and a weapons dealer operating out of someone’s house
The Trump administration has promised at least $1.8 billion to 335 first-time contractors, often without competitive bidding or thorough vetting of their backgrounds. by Ryan Gabrielson, Lydia DePillis, J. David McSwane and Derek Willis, ProPublica, and…
