Margaret Moore, a former NIH employee accused of helping others shield emails from public scrutiny, has invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a deposition before the House COVID-19 subcommittee. Republicans allege that Moore played a role in concealing records related to the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically concerning the NIH’s relationship with the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
A watchdog group, the Center to Advance Security in America (CASA), is suing the Department of Defense (DoD) for refusing to release demographics data on military promotions. CASA suspects that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices may be influencing promotion decisions and seeks transparency in the process. The lawsuit comes after the group obtained Air Force training slides revealing recruitment targets to reduce the percentage of White applicants and allocate funding for diversity initiatives.
Republicans are criticizing the Biden administration’s refusal to release information on the nationalities of individuals apprehended at the southern border who are on the terrorist watchlist. Fox News filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request seeking this data, but Customs and Border Protection (CBP) denied the request citing privacy concerns. Despite the denial, Republicans argue that the privacy concerns are outweighed by the public’s right to know where potential national security threats are coming from. The FOIA request revealed that there have been 80 encounters with individuals on the TSDS between ports of entry this year, compared to 172 in 2023 and 98 in 2022.
Despite a Freedom of Information Act request from Fox News, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has declined to disclose the nationalities of individuals arrested at the border who are on the FBI’s terror watchlist. Citing privacy concerns, CBP invoked exemptions to protect the individuals’ personal information and prevent disclosure of sensitive law enforcement techniques. The request stemmed from the alarming increase in apprehensions of watchlisted individuals at the southern border, with 80 encounters reported this year compared to 172 in fiscal 2023. Fox News expressed disappointment with the rejection, emphasizing the public’s right to know the origins of potential national security threats.
A watchdog group has filed a lawsuit against the Air Force for allegedly withholding records related to efforts to implement racial diversity quotas in officer recruitment. The Center to Advance Security in America (CASA) claims that the Air Force has failed to produce any responsive communications despite a FOIA request. CASA argues that the Air Force’s inability to find any records is “impossible” and that the memo ordering the development of a diversity and inclusion outreach plan “undoubtedly” triggered internal discussions. The lawsuit raises concerns about the prioritization of race over merit in military recruitment and the potential impact on military preparedness.
