Policy
New Homeland Security Advisory Council appointments announced
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced three new members of the Homeland Security Advisory Council, which works to identify innovative approaches and solutions to address evolving homeland security challenges. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said the appointments of Major Mark... Read More »
Lawmakers introduce legislation to strengthen oversight of CISA workforce
New legislation introduced by U.S. Reps. James Walkinshaw (D-VA), Bennie Thompson (D-MS) and Delia Ramirez (D-IL) would strengthen the nation’s cybersecurity workforce while protecting the federal networks it is designed to protect. The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the... Read More »
FEMA announces nearly $180M to help communities improve resiliency
FEMA will distribute nearly $180 million in grant funding to help states and territories take steps to improve their resiliency. The funding is designed to empower state and local officials to manage their own disaster preparedness, which treats resilience as an investment opportunity, the Trump... Read More »
Navy taps ONR chief scientist Fu to perform duties of Chief of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) recently appointed Dr. Thomas Fu as the office’s leader, performing the duties of Chief of Naval Research. Fu previously served as chief scientist and executive director of ONR. In his new role, he will oversee ONR’s diverse global programs and work to... Read More »
U.S. attorney issues update on Scam Center Strike Force actions
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro announced two actions the Department of Justice’s Scam Center Strike Force recently conducted regarding Southeast Asian cryptocurrency-related fraud and scams. Daily, approximately $52 million in cryptocurrency is involved in scam money laundering. Recent... Read More »
Senators sound the alarm on lack of wildfire resources, preparedness
A group of U.S. senators is expressing their concerns over the U.S. Departments of the Interior’s and Agriculture’s ability to respond to the 2026 fire season. U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, joined U.S.... Read More »
GAO: DHS needs to provide vetting of chemical facility personnel for terrorist ties
The U.S. Government Accountability Office is recommending the U.S. Department of Homeland Security implement options for chemical facilities to vet their staff for terrorist ties. According to a report from the GAO published Sept. 8, DHS previously had a program that allowed U.S. facilities... Read More »
Justice Department seizes crypto donations linked to Hamas terrorist financing
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the seizure of more than $500,000 in cryptocurrency donations, as well as the internet infrastructure used to raise those donations, intended to fund terrorist activities by Hamas. According to the DOJ, the seizure disrupted an ongoing scheme by Hamas... Read More »
Federal agencies to root out fraud in trucking industry
A new interagency effort aims to crack down on fraud in the trucking industry to reduce highway fatalities. The effort includes the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice. “Criminals who exploit our nation’s transportation systems... Read More »
Defense Department signs contracts with General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin for missile subcomponents
The U.S. Department of Defense, referred to by the Trump administration as the U.S. Department of War, announced the signing of agreements with General Dynamic Ordnance and Tactical Systems, and Lockheed Martin for the procurement of missile subcomponents. The seven-year contracts are designed... Read More »
International shipping companies fined for illegal ocean discharges
The company operating an international shipping company has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from an oily waste discharge into the sea. MSC Shipmanagement Limited, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, pleaded guilty in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania to two counts of... Read More »
Transportation Security Administration strategy aims to improve agency
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently announced a strategic plan to drive excellence and resiliency. The Horizon 25 Strategy focuses on three primary goals: modernizing TSA’s checkpoints, elevating the traveler experience, and strengthening multi-modal transportation... Read More »
Justice Department launches National Fraud Detection Center
The U.S. Department of Justice recently launched a prosecutor-led, multi-agency team designed to investigate those defrauding federal government programs, including individuals overseas and those operating fraud schemes. The National Fraud Detection Center (NFDC) will be tasked with generating... Read More »
Defense Department to invest $750M in rare earth elements from Brazil
The Economic Defense Unit (EDU)ii88 of the U.S. Department of Defense, referred to by the Trump administration as the U.S. Department of War, announced it will invest $750 million with US SIIE, LLC to support an offtake agreement for mixed rare-earth carbonates produced in central Brazil. The... Read More »
Police Association endorses Protect and Serve Act
The National Police Association (NPA) said it supports the Protect and Serve Act that would protect law enforcement officers targeted while working. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Chris Coons (D-DE), would establish federal penalties for intentionally killing or... Read More »
DEA arrests 619 people in Ohio law enforcement operation
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Detroit Field Division conducted a multi-jurisdictional sweep in May, June and July that resulted in 619 arrests in eight cities throughout northern Ohio. Officers cleared 684 warrants for individuals wanted for assault, illegal drugs, firearms,... Read More »
Congressmen urge Hegseth to reverse NATO force cuts
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO), and U.S. Reps. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Don Bacon (R-NE) told U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth reported plans to reduce contributions to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Europe would undermine allied security and embolden Russia. In a letter... Read More »
U.S. Coast Guard, international partners finish Operation North Pacific Guard 2026
Officials with the U.S. Coast Guard said its work with Canadian forces and other international partners countering illegal fishing as part of Operation North Pacific Guard (Operation NPG) has concluded. The multinational counter Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing operation... Read More »
CENTCOM to launch multinational attack drone task force
U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) recently announced that it plans to establish Task Force Falcon Strike, the first-ever multi-domain, multinational attack drone task force. The task force will employ one-way attack drones, operated by military support staff from the United States and regional... Read More »
Senate passes bill to improve emergency communications in Federal Buildings
Legislation improving emergency communications in federal buildings, introduced by U.S. Sens. Gary Peters (D-MI), James Lankford (R-OK) and Joni Ernst (R-IA), unanimously passed in the Senate this week. The Federal Building Threat Notification Act would require the Federal Protective Service... Read More »
Defense Department signs $1.4B loan commitment for battery production
The U.S. Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital (OSC) announced it had signed a $1.4 billion conditional loan commitment to Sila Nanotechnologies, Inc. to support the production and manufacturing of batteries. OSC said U.S.-based Sila will use the loan, and external equity financing,... Read More »
Democrats introduce legislation to address wildfire response, readiness
U.S. Reps Joe Neguse (D-CO), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Andrea Salinas (D-OR) and George Whitesides (D-CA) have introduced legislation that would address wildfire response and readiness. The comprehensive legislative package of 25 bills, the Wildfire Response and Readiness Act,... Read More »
DHS, DOT announce removal of 800 dangerous truckers from American roads
The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation said a second wave of Operation Highway Shield had resulted in nearly 800 dangerous truck drivers being removed from American roads. The operation is a joint mission between the two departments targeting unqualified foreign truck... Read More »
Legislation would strengthen preparedness for natural hazards
Recently introduced bipartisan, bicameral legislation would strengthen preparedness for hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, and other natural hazards. Natural disasters caused an estimated $217.8 billion in damages nationwide in 2024. For every $1 invested in resilience, approximately $6 in... Read More »
Legislation to strengthen school cybersecurity resources introduced
U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) have introduced legislation that would help schools prevent cyber attacks by improving information sharing. The legislation, the Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act, would help schools stay ahead of cyber security threats, the law makers said and... Read More »
Justice Department’s Energy and Natural Resources Division reps United States at Ministerial Meeting on Forestry
Adam Gustafson, principal deputy assistant attorney general for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Energy and Natural Resources Division, will serve as the head of the United States’ delegation for a Ministerial Meeting on Forestry this week at a Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) senior... Read More »
Qatar Airways, CBP implementing international remote baggage screening at JFK
Qatar Airways, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Qatar Ministry of the Interior will be working together to implement international remote baggage screening at the New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport for Qatar Airways’ nonstop Doha–JFK route. The $9.5... Read More »
U.S. Department of Homeland Security launches synthetic baggage image screening tool
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced the launch of a new dataset of synthetic carry-on baggage images to help secure and speed up screening at airports. The new initiative gives screeners access to high-quality data about the... Read More »
Oracle awarded 10-year software contract worth up to $7B with Department of War
Oracle has been awarded a 10-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contract under the U.S. Department of War's Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI), with a base value of $3.31 billion over the first five years and a total potential value of $6.99 billion if all option years are... Read More »
U.S. House passes $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a $1.15 trillion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2027 on Wednesday. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL), chair of the House Armed Services Committee, applauded the House passage of the annual defense policy bill, H.R. 8800,... Read More »
DHS S&T launches two challenges to advance software assurance, biothreat detection under Genesis Mission
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T) recently launched two challenges that will advance software assurance for national security and driving innovation. The challenges are part of the Genesis Mission, a national initiative aimed at strengthening... Read More »
Department of War requests supplemental budget funding
U.S. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Air Force Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, testified before Congress this week about the need for more funding. Speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, the two men defended President Donald... Read More »
Justice Department to award $25M in law enforcement grants
The Justice Department’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services recently opened the application period for $25 million in grants that support law enforcement. “The Department of Justice is investing in strategies that reduce crime, hold offenders accountable, and give law enforcement... Read More »
House Intelligence Committee passes FY2027 Intelligence Authorization Act
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence on Monday advanced the fiscal year 2027 Intelligence Authorization Act, legislation that includes bipartisan provisions increasing oversight, including budgetary transparency for the Intelligence Community, and a strengthening of the Intelligence... Read More »