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  • MIL-OSI Security: Mexican National Charged with Drug Trafficking

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Mexican national was charged in federal court today following his arrest during the execution of a federal search warrant yesterday.

    Jose Valencia-Soriano, 23, was charged in a three-count criminal complaint filed in the U.S. District Court of Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, March 28.  As set forth in the attached complaint, Valencia-Soriano is charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and one count of being an alien in possession of a firearm  Valencia-Soriano was arrested yesterday and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

    According to an affidavit filed in support of the federal criminal complaint, on Thursday, March 27, agents with the Kansas City Field Division of the FBI, assisted by agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration, were executing a federal search warrant at a home in the Kansas City area. According to the affidavit, during the execution of this warrant, Valencia-Soriano was discovered at the location, in addition to approximately 102 lbs. of finished crystal methamphetamine, over 406 lbs. of liquids containing methamphetamine in various states, three firearms in the main bedroom, and $48,634 in cash.  Two of the firearms recovered had been listed as stolen.  The underlying investigation is out of the St. Louis area and is primarily being handled by the St. Louis Field Division of the FBI.

    “FBI St. Louis prioritized this drug trafficking investigation after we confirmed this defendant entered the U.S. illegally,” said Special Agent in Charge Ashley Johnson of the FBI St. Louis Division. “With the help of our law enforcement partners, we seized a large quantity of illicit drugs to include 100 pounds of finished crystal meth and 406 pounds of liquid that contained meth.”

    “This case serves as an important reminder that, in addition to fentanyl, large quantities of other dangerous drugs, in this case methamphetamine, are still a significant problem in our community.  This office is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute every one of these cases with the goal of making our communities a safer place to live,” said Acting United States Attorney Jeffrey P. Ray for the Western District of Missouri.

    A courtesy copy of the complaint is attached to this release.

    The charges contained in this complaint are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

    This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Foley. It was investigated by the Kansas City and St. Louis Field Divisions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Rolla Area Drug Enforcement. HSI and KCMOPD also assisted with the execution of the warrant yesterday.

    Operation Take Back America

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: United States Secures Extradition of More Than a Dozen Fugitives from 10 Countries

    Source: US State of California

    Defendants Wanted for Murders, Drug Trafficking, Alien Smuggling, and Cybercrime in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington State

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom resulted in the extraditions this month of alleged murderers, a child rapist, an MS-13 leader, an alien smuggler, Colombian drug traffickers, a Russian cybercriminal, a Nigerian fraudster, and an immigration scammer.

    “The dedicated, persistent work of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs with foreign partners resulted in the extradition of fugitives wanted in the United States for violent crimes,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States transnational criminals and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad.”

    The fugitives extradited to the United States in March 2025 include:

    • Eswin Mejia, 28, was extradited from Honduras to face charges of vehicular homicide and failure to appear in court for the January 2016 killing of 21-year-old Sarah Root in Douglas County, Nebraska. Mejia was arrested and released on bond in February 2016 and subsequently fled the country to evade prosecution by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.
    • Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the Western District of Texas for his alleged role in the June 2022 San Antonio mass casualty incident that resulted in the death of 53 Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican nationals, including children, and the injury of 11 others.
    • Moises Humberto Rivera Luna, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent gang MS-13, was extradited from Guatemala to face racketeering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia regarding racketeering activities to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.
    • Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, was extradited from Spain to face charges of first-degree felony rape of a child and first-degree felony sodomy upon a child filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
    • Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, 54, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, 32, former Colombian Navy personnel were extradited to face charges in the Middle District of Florida for their alleged role in selling locations of Colombian Navy drug interdiction vessels to international drug traffickers.
    • Louie Hernandez, 61, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in King County, Washington, of first-degree murder in connection with the February 2024 fatal shooting of his alleged estranged partner, Reyna Hernandez.
    • Juan Ramirez, 37, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in Santa Clara, California, for the March 22, 2013, fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes-Gonsalez.
    • Solomon Sincler Gheorghe, 20, an Irish national, was extradited from France to face charges in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, of felony death by motor vehicle and felony serious injury by vehicle. Gheorghe is alleged to have been impaired by alcohol and drugs when he caused a multi-vehicle wreck on Sept. 20, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy, and with injury to others.
    • Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was extradited from Israel to faces charges in the District of New Jersey for his alleged role as a developer for the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. The LockBit group has attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States.
    • Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in the Southern District of New York of murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with his alleged role in an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.
    • Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, 41, a Nigerian national, was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly engaging in a transnational criminal organization that operated an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elder U.S. consumers.
    • Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Western District of North Carolina of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer, and wire fraud for his alleged role in an extensive tech support fraud scheme.
    • Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, 60, a San Jose, California, immigration attorney, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges in the Northern District of California for allegedly committing visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program. Chen is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions along with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: United States Secures Extradition of More Than a Dozen Fugitives from 10 Countries

    Source: United States Attorneys General 1

    Defendants Wanted for Murders, Drug Trafficking, Alien Smuggling, and Cybercrime in the District of Columbia, California, Florida, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, New York, Texas, and Washington State

    Extensive coordination and cooperation efforts between the U.S. Department of Justice and law enforcement authorities in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom resulted in the extraditions this month of alleged murderers, a child rapist, an MS-13 leader, an alien smuggler, Colombian drug traffickers, a Russian cybercriminal, a Nigerian fraudster, and an immigration scammer.

    “The dedicated, persistent work of the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs with foreign partners resulted in the extradition of fugitives wanted in the United States for violent crimes,” said Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division Matthew R. Galeotti. “The Justice Department will aggressively pursue and bring to justice in the United States transnational criminals and hold them accountable for the death and violence they have committed here and abroad.”

    The fugitives extradited to the United States in March 2025 include:

    • Eswin Mejia, 28, was extradited from Honduras to face charges of vehicular homicide and failure to appear in court for the January 2016 killing of 21-year-old Sarah Root in Douglas County, Nebraska. Mejia was arrested and released on bond in February 2016 and subsequently fled the country to evade prosecution by the Douglas County Attorney’s Office.
    • Rigoberto Ramon Miranda-Orozco, 48, an alleged leader of a Guatemala-based alien smuggling organization, was extradited from Guatemala to face charges in the Western District of Texas for his alleged role in the June 2022 San Antonio mass casualty incident that resulted in the death of 53 Guatemalan, Honduran, and Mexican nationals, including children, and the injury of 11 others.
    • Moises Humberto Rivera Luna, 55, an alleged international leader of the violent gang MS-13, was extradited from Guatemala to face racketeering conspiracy charges in the District of Columbia regarding racketeering activities to include murder, narcotics distribution, extortion, robberies, obstruction of justice, and other crimes.
    • Carlos Espino Farfan, 36, was extradited from Spain to face charges of first-degree felony rape of a child and first-degree felony sodomy upon a child filed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office.
    • Jair Alberto Alvarez Valenzuela, 54, and Luis Carlos Diaz Martinez, 32, former Colombian Navy personnel were extradited to face charges in the Middle District of Florida for their alleged role in selling locations of Colombian Navy drug interdiction vessels to international drug traffickers.
    • Louie Hernandez, 61, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in King County, Washington, of first-degree murder in connection with the February 2024 fatal shooting of his alleged estranged partner, Reyna Hernandez.
    • Juan Ramirez, 37, was extradited from Mexico to face charges in Santa Clara, California, for the March 22, 2013, fatal stabbing of 29-year-old Sandra Cruzes-Gonsalez.
    • Solomon Sincler Gheorghe, 20, an Irish national, was extradited from France to face charges in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, of felony death by motor vehicle and felony serious injury by vehicle. Gheorghe is alleged to have been impaired by alcohol and drugs when he caused a multi-vehicle wreck on Sept. 20, 2023, resulting in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy, and with injury to others.
    • Rostislav Panev, 51, a dual Russian and Israeli national, was extradited from Israel to faces charges in the District of New Jersey for his alleged role as a developer for the LockBit ransomware group from its inception in or around 2019 through at least February 2024. The LockBit group has attacked more than 2,500 victims in at least 120 countries around the world, including 1,800 in the United States.
    • Marco Tulio Fernandez-Rodriguez, 24, a citizen of the Dominican Republic, was extradited from the Dominican Republic to face charges in the Southern District of New York of murder, narcotics, and firearms in connection with his alleged role in an attempted gunpoint robbery of a Mount Vernon, New York, warehouse that sold various unlicensed marijuana and nicotine products. Two people — one employee of the warehouse and one member of the roughly 15-man robbery crew — were shot and killed during the failed robbery attempt.
    • Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, 41, a Nigerian national, was extradited from the United Kingdom to face charges in the Southern District of Florida for allegedly engaging in a transnational criminal organization that operated an inheritance fraud scheme targeting elder U.S. consumers.
    • Bikramjit Ahluwalia, 39, a dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates living in Dubai, was extradited from Spain to face charges in the Western District of North Carolina of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, conspiracy to damage a protected computer, and wire fraud for his alleged role in an extensive tech support fraud scheme.
    • Danhong “Jean” Chen, also known as Maria Sofia Taylor, 60, a San Jose, California, immigration attorney, was extradited from the Kyrgyz Republic to face charges in the Northern District of California for allegedly committing visa fraud and related crimes to obtain immigration benefits for more than 100 foreign investors through the government’s Employment-Based Immigration Fifth Preference, or “EB-5,” visa program. Chen is the first extradition from the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States on federal criminal charges.

    The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs provided significant assistance in securing the defendants’ arrests and extraditions along with the U.S. Marshals Service. The Justice Department thanks and acknowledges the instrumental role of its law enforcement partners in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, the Kyrgyz Republic, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom for making these extraditions possible.

    An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Conifer Holdings Reports 2024 Fourth Quarter and Year End Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TROY, Mich., March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Conifer Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNFR) (“Conifer” or the “Company”) today announced results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.  

    Year End 2024 Financial Highlights

    • Net income allocable to common shareholders of $23.5 million
    • $61 Million gain on sale of insurance agency operations in August 2024
    • Continuing Personal Lines business profitable for the fourth quarter of 2024
    • Book value per share of $1.76 as of December 31, 2024

    Management Comments

    Brian Roney, CEO of Conifer, commented, “2024 was indeed a transitional year for Conifer Holdings as we successfully sold our insurance agency operations, paid down considerable debt, further strengthened reserves, streamlined our organization overall, and focused our production efforts on select personal lines going forward.”

    Reduction of Commercial Lines Business

    For the full year 2024, total Gross Written Premium was down almost 50% from the prior year, and Net Earned premium was down 27.5% for the same period. As a result of the sale of Conifer’s insurance agency operations, completed in August 2024, we anticipated and planned for this significant decline in Commercial Lines revenue. We expect Commercial Lines business to represent a diminishing percentage of total gross written premium going forward.

    Future premiums are expected to consist primarily of Personal Lines business, notably our homeowner’s insurance portfolio in Texas and the Midwest. As detailed in the Personal Lines results overview below, gross written premium for those lines of business for the fourth quarter of 2024 increased 10.6% from the prior year period and increased 23.4% for the full year 2024 over the prior year.

    Additional information regarding the disposal of Conifer’s agency business and its impact on future Company operations can be found in the Company’s 2024 Annual Report to be filed March 28, 2025 on Form 10-K.

    2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Financial Results Overview

           
      At and for the
    Three Months Ended December 31,    		   At and for the
    Year Ended December 31,
      2024   2023   % Change
    		   2024   2023   % Change
      (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                           
    Gross written premiums $ 13,683     $ 24,398     -43.9 %   $ 72,053     $ 143,834     -49.9 %
    Net written premiums   9,526       15,329     -37.9 %     49,338       68,688     -28.2 %
    Net earned premiums   12,708       14,821     -14.3 %     60,862       83,935     -27.5 %
                           
    Net investment income   1,352       1,411     -4.2 %     5,763       5,447     5.8 %
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       (20 )   **     (125 )     (20 )   **
    Change in fair value of equity investments   (21 )     13     261.5 %     (203 )     608     -133.4 %
                           
    Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders   (25,382 )     (19,479 )   -30.3 %     23,530       (25,923 )   **
     Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders $ (2.08 )   $ (1.59 )   -30.3 %   $ 1.93     $ (2.12 )    
     per share, diluted                      
                           
    Adjusted operating income (loss)*   (25,821 )     (19,411 )   -33.0 %     (34,558 )     (27,867 )   -24.0 %
     Adjusted operating income (loss) per share, diluted* $ (2.11 )   $ (1.59 )   -32.7 %   $ (2.83 )   $ (2.28 )   -24.1 %
                           
    Book value per common share outstanding $ 1.76     $ 0.24         $ 1.76     $ 0.24      
                           
    Weighted average shares outstanding, basic and diluted   12,222,881       12,222,881           12,222,881       12,220,551      
                           
    Underwriting ratios:                      
     Loss ratio (1)   254.6 %     191.1 %         120.2 %     97.8 %    
     Expense ratio (2)   38.3 %     40.6 %         35.8 %     37.1 %    
     Combined ratio (3)   292.9 %     231.7 %         156.0 %     134.9 %    
                           
    * The “Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures” section of this release defines and reconciles data that are not based on generally accepted accounting principles.
    ** Percentage is not meaningful                      
    (1) The loss ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of net losses and loss adjustment expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
    (2) The expense ratio is the ratio, expressed as a percentage, of policy acquisition costs and other underwriting expenses to net earned premiums and other income from underwriting operations.
    (3) The combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% indicates an underwriting loss.
                           

    2024 Fourth Quarter Gross Written Premium

    Gross written premiums decreased 43.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 to $13.7 million, compared to $24.4 million in the prior year period. This decrease reflects the Company’s operational shift away from commercial lines insurance business given the sale of our agency group earlier in the year.

    Commercial Lines Financial and Operational Review

             
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,  
      2024   2023   % Change 2024   2023   % Change
    		  
      (dollars in thousands)  
                             
    Gross written premiums $ 3,124     $ 14,850     -79.0 %   $ 26,686     $ 107,078     -75.1 %  
    Net written premiums   488       7,009     93.0 %     14,541       36,580     -60.2 %  
    Net earned premiums   4,254       7,296     -41.7 %     28,160       59,221     -52.4 %  
                             
    Underwriting ratios:                        
    Loss ratio   650.8 %     316.7 %         184.8 %     105.7 %      
    Expense ratio   33.8 %     38.4 %         29.8 %     35.5 %      
    Combined ratio   684.6 %     355.1 %         214.6 %     141.2 %      
                             
    Contribution to combined ratio from net                        
    (favorable) adverse prior year development   550.9 %     205.5 %         118.5 %     32.3 %      
                             
    Accident year combined ratio (1)   133.7 %     149.6 %         96.1 %     108.9 %      
                             
    (1) The accident year combined ratio is the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio, less changes in net ultimate loss estimates from prior accident year loss reserves. The accident year combined ratio provides management with an assessment of the specific policy year’s profitability and assists management in their evaluation of product pricing levels and quality of business written.  
       
                             

    The Company’s commercial lines production was down 79% for the fourth quarter of 2024 and represented roughly 23% of total gross written premium in quarter. Commercial Lines net earned premium was down 41.7% for the same period. The Commercial Lines loss ratio for the quarter increased significantly as the Company’s management focused on additional commercial lines reserve strengthening overall.

    Personal Lines Financial and Operational Review

                             
      Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,  
      2024   2023   % Change
    		   2024   2023   % Change
    		  
      (dollars in thousands)  
                             
    Gross written premiums $ 10,559     $ 9,548     10.6 %   $ 45,367     $ 36,756     23.4 %  
    Net written premiums   9,038       8,320     8.6 %     34,797       32,108     8.4 %  
    Net earned premiums   8,454       7,525     12.3 %     32,702       24,714     32.3 %  
                             
    Underwriting ratios:                        
    Loss ratio   55.2 %     69.0 %         64.6 %     78.9 %      
    Expense ratio   40.6 %     42.7 %         41.1 %     40.7 %      
    Combined ratio   95.8 %     111.7 %         105.7 %     119.6 %      
                             
    Contribution to combined ratio from net                        
    (favorable) adverse prior year development   0.9 %     -2.6 %         0.8 %     -5.6 %      
                             
    Accident year combined ratio   94.9 %     114.3 %         104.9 %     125.2 %      
                             

    Personal Lines premium represented 77% of total gross written premium for the fourth quarter of 2024. Personal Lines production increased 10.6% from the prior year period to $10.6 million for the quarter, led by growth in the Company’s low-value dwelling line of business in Texas and the Midwest.

    Despite storm activity in the full year, the combined ratio for personal lines business improved significantly in 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

    Combined Ratio Analysis

     
      Three Months Ended
    December 31,
    		     Year Ended
    December 31,
    		  
      2024   2023     2024   2023  
         
                       
    Underwriting ratios:                  
    Loss ratio 254.6 %   191.1 %     120.2 %   97.8 %  
    Expense ratio 38.3 %   40.6 %     35.8 %   37.1 %  
    Combined ratio 292.9 %   231.7 %     156.0 %   134.9 %  
                       
    Contribution to combined ratio from net (favorable)                  
    adverse prior year development 185.0 %   100.0 %     55.3 %   21.2 %  
                       
    Accident year combined ratio 107.9 %   131.7 %     100.7 %   113.7 %  
                       

    Net Investment Income
    Net investment income increased 5.8% to $5.8 million for the year ending December 31, 2024, compared to $5.4 million in the prior year period.

    Change in Fair Value of Equity Securities
    During the quarter, the Company reported a loss of $21,000 from the change in fair value of equity investments, compared to a $13,000 gain in the prior year period.

    Net Income (Loss) allocable to common shareholders
    The Company reported a net loss allocable to common shareholders of $25.4 million, or $2.08 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year 2024, the Company reported net income allocable to common shareholders of $23.5 million, or $1.93 per share.

    Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)

    In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company reported an adjusted operating loss of $25.8 million, or $2.11 per share. See Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures.

    About Conifer Holdings
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. is a Michigan-based property and casualty holding company. Through its subsidiaries, Conifer offers specialty insurance coverage for both commercial and personal lines, marketing through independent agents. The Company is traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol CNFR. Additional information is available on the Company’s website at www.ir.cnfrh.com.

    Forward-Looking Statement

    This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements give current expectations or forecasts of future events or our future financial or operating performance, and include Conifer’s expectations regarding future revenue, premiums, earnings, its capital position, expansion, and business strategies. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on management’s good-faith belief and reasonable judgment based on current information. The forward-looking statements are qualified by important factors, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, including those described in our Form 10-K (“Item 1A Risk Factors”) filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025 and subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release speaks only as of the date hereof or as of the date specified herein. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable laws or regulations.

    Definitions of Non-GAAP Measures
    Conifer prepares its public financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Statutory data is prepared in accordance with statutory accounting rules as defined by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC) Accounting Practices and Procedures Manual, and therefore is not reconciled to GAAP data.

    We believe that investors’ understanding of Conifer’s performance is enhanced by our disclosure of adjusted operating income. Our method for calculating this measure may differ from that used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. We define adjusted operating income (loss), a non-GAAP measure, as net income (loss) excluding: 1) net realized investment gains and losses, 2) change in fair value of equity securities 3) other gains and 4) net income from discontinued operations. We use adjusted operating income as an internal performance measure in the management of our operations because we believe it gives our management and other users of our financial information useful insight into our results of operations and our underlying business performance.

    Reconciliations of adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted operating income (loss) per share:

       
        Three Months Ended December 31,   Year Ended December 31,  
        2024   2023   2024   2023  
        (dollar in thousands, except share and per share amounts)  
                     
    Net income (loss) $ (25,382 )   $ (19,460 )   $ 24,347     $ (25,904 )  
    Less:                
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       (20 )     (125 )     (20 )  
    Change in fair value of equity securities   (21 )     13       (203 )     608    
    Other gains   646       –       646       –    
    Net income from discontinued operations   (186 )     (42 )     58,587       1,375    
    Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *   –       –       –       –    
    Adjusted operating income (loss) $ (25,821 )   $ (19,411 )   $ (34,558 )   $ (27,867 )  
                       
    Weighted average common shares, diluted   12,222,881       12,222,881       12,222,881       12,220,551    
                       
    Diluted income (loss) per common share:                
    Net income (loss) $ (2.08 )   $ (1.59 )   $ 1.99     $ (2.12 )  
    Less:                
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       –       (0.01 )     –    
    Change in fair value of equity securities   –       –       (0.02 )     0.05    
    Other gains   0.05       –       0.06       –    
    Net income from discontinued operations   (0.02 )     –       4.79       0.11    
    Impact of income tax expense (benefit) from adjustments *   –       –       –       –    
    Adjusted operating income (loss), per share $ (2.11 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (2.83 )   $ (2.28 )  
                       

    * The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. As a result, there were no taxable impacts to adjusted operating income from the adjustments to net income (loss) in the table above after taking into account the use of NOLs and the change in the valuation allowance.

             
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries  
    Consolidated Balance Sheets  
    (dollars in thousands)  
             
      December 31   December 31,  
       2024     2023   
    Assets        
    Investment securities:        
    Debt securities, at fair value (amortized cost of $117,827 and $ 105,665     $ 122,113    
    $135,370, respectively)        
    Equity securities, at fair value (cost of $1,836 and $2,385, respectively)   1,603       2,354    
    Short-term investments, at fair value   21,151       20,838    
    Total investments   128,419       145,305    
             
    Cash and cash equivalents   27,654       10,663    
    Premiums and agents’ balances receivable, net   9,901       29,364    
    Receivable from Affiliate   –       1,047    
    Reinsurance recoverables on unpaid losses   84,490       70,807    
    Reinsurance recoverables on paid losses   6,919       12,619    
    Prepaid reinsurance premiums   6,088       28,908    
    Deferred policy acquisition costs   6,380       6,405    
    Receivable from contingent considerations   8,070       –    
    Other assets   3,735       7,036    
    Assets from discontinued operations   –       3,452    
    Total assets $ 281,656     $ 315,606    
             
    Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        
    Liabilities:        
    Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 189,285     $ 174,612    
    Unearned premiums   30,590       65,150    
    Reinsurance premiums payable   1       246    
    Debt   11,932       25,061    
    Funds held under reinsurance agreements   25,829       24,550    
    Premiums payable to other insureds   –       13,986    
    Liabilities from discontinued operations   –       4,083    
    Accounts payable and accrued expenses   2,494       5,029    
    Total liabilities   260,131       312,717    
             
    Commitments and contingencies   –       –    
             
    Shareholders’ equity:        
    Series A Preferred stock, no par value (10,000,000 shares authorized; 0 and 1,000      
    issued and outstanding, respectively)   –       6,000    
    Common stock, no par value (100,000,000 shares authorized; 12,222,881        
    issued and outstanding, respectively)   98,178       98,100    
    Accumulated deficit   (63,153 )     (86,683 )  
    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (13,500 )     (14,528 )  
    Total shareholders’ equity   21,525       2,889    
    Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 281,656     $ 315,606    
             
             
    Conifer Holdings, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
    (dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
                     
      Three Months Ended   Year Ended  
      December 31,   December 31,  
      2024   2023   2024   2023  
                     
    Revenue and Other Income                
    Premiums                
    Gross earned premiums $ 19,721     $ 38,115     $ 106,612     $ 146,572    
    Ceded earned premiums   (7,013 )     (23,294 )     (45,750 )     (62,637 )  
    Net earned premiums   12,708       14,821       60,862       83,935    
    Net investment income   1,352       1,411       5,763       5,447    
    Net realized investment gains (losses)   –       (20 )     (125 )     (20 )  
    Change in fair value of equity securities   (21 )     13       (203 )     608    
    Other gains   646       –       646       –    
    Other income   41       144       328       552    
    Total revenue and other income   14,726       16,369       67,271       90,522    
                     
    Expenses                
    Losses and loss adjustment expenses, net   32,349       28,470       73,302       82,413    
    Policy acquisition costs   3,535       2,392       13,335       15,797    
    Operating expenses   3,165       3,969       11,831       16,738    
    Interest expense   862       845       4,883       3,206    
    Total expenses   39,911       35,676       103,351       118,154    
                     
    Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes   (25,185 )     (19,307 )     (36,080 )     (27,632 )  
    Income tax expense (benefit)   11       111       (1,840 )     (353 )  
                     
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ (25,196 )   $ (19,418 )   $ (34,240 )   $ (27,279 )  
    Net income (loss) from discontinued operations   (186 )     (42 )     58,587       1,375    
    Net income (loss)   (25,382 )     (19,460 )     24,347       (25,904 )  
    Series A Preferred Stock Dividends and Redemption premium   –       19       817       19    
    Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders   (25,382 )     (19,479 )     23,530       (25,923 )  
                     
    Earnings (loss) per common share, basic and diluted                
    Net income (loss) from continuing operations $ (2.06 )   $ (1.59 )   $ (2.87 )   $ (2.23 )  
    Net income (loss) from discontinued operations $ (0.02 )   $ (0.00 )   $ 4.79     $ 0.11    
    Net income (loss) allocable to common shareholders $ (2.08 )   $ (1.59 )   $ 1.93     $ (2.12 )  
                     
    Weighted average common shares outstanding,                
    basic and diluted   12,222,881       12,222,881       12,222,881       12,220,551    
                     

    For Further Information:
    Jessica Gulis, 248.559.0840
    ir@cnfrh.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Medallion Bank Announces Benchmark Rate for Certain Preferred Stock

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SALT LAKE CITY, March 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Medallion Bank (Nasdaq: MBNKP, the “Bank”) today announced that, upon the commencement of the floating rate period for the Bank’s Fixed-to-Floating Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series F (the “Series F Preferred”) on April 1, 2025, the benchmark rate used to determine the dividend rate for each dividend period during the floating rate period will be three-month CME Term SOFR (“Term SOFR”). In addition, the dividend payment rate determination date for determining Term SOFR will be the second U.S. government securities business day preceding the first day of the relevant dividend period. The Series F Preferred trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “MBNKP.”

    About Medallion Bank

    Medallion Bank specializes in providing consumer loans for the purchase of recreational vehicles, boats, and home improvements, along with loan origination services to fintech strategic partners. The Bank works directly with thousands of dealers, contractors and financial service providers serving their customers throughout the United States. Medallion Bank is a Utah-chartered, FDIC-insured industrial bank headquartered in Salt Lake City and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medallion Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: MFIN).

    For more information, visit www.medallionbank.com

    Company Contact:
    Investor Relations
    212-328-2176
    InvestorRelations@medallion.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Coons, colleagues press USDA to not take food away from food banks and hungry families

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Delaware Christopher Coons
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and 24 of their colleagues demanded more information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the cancellation of previously approved emergency food assistance funding for food banks and other emergency food providers. The administration has canceled at least 900,000 meals for the Food Bank of Delaware, harming our hungry neighbors already facing high grocery prices and as well as American farmers who are being squeezed by tariffs and other cuts to domestic markets.
    “We write regarding the reported cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in previously approved funding for food banks and other emergency food providers through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP),” the senators wrote. “A cancellation of these funds could result in $500 million in lost food provisions to feed millions of Americans at a time when the need for food shelves is extremely high due to costly groceries and an uncertain economy.” 
    “If true, this major shift in a program utilized by emergency food providers in every state in the nation will have a significant and damaging impact upon millions of people who depend upon this program for critical food assistance,” the senators continued. “In addition, this program consists of purchases of U.S. commodities at a time when America’s growers and producers are struggling due to tariffs, proposed tariffs, animal disease and many other challenges.”
    In addition to Senators Coons and Klobuchar, the letter was signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Angus King (I-Maine), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.).
    The full letter is available here and below. 
    Dear Secretary Rollins: 
    We write regarding the reported cancellation of hundreds of millions of dollars in previously approved funding for food banks and other emergency food providers through The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). A cancellation of these funds could result in $500 million in lost food provisions to feed millions of Americans at a time when the need for food shelves is extremely high due to costly groceries and an uncertain economy. If true, this major shift in a program utilized by emergency food providers in every state in the nation will have a significant and damaging impact upon millions of people who depend upon this program for critical food assistance. 
    In addition, this program consists of purchases of U.S. commodities at a time when America’s growers and producers are struggling due to tariffs, proposed tariffs, animal disease and many other challenges. 
    According to recent statistics, nearly one in every seven Americans have faced food insecurity. Many of these households turn to community and emergency relief organizations such as food banks and food pantries to help them obtain sufficient nutrition. In 2023 alone, 50 million Americans turned to emergency food providers, according to a report from Feeding America, America’s largest network of food banks. While food banks rely on a variety of sources (including private) to obtain food for distribution through their networks, federally purchased commodities are a key part of how they provide nutritious meals to Americans.  
    Due to this reported change, a number of us have heard that trucks delivering American-grown foods may not arrive. These trucks represent hundreds of thousands of nutritious meals containing poultry, fruits, vegetables, and dairy. If confirmed, the cancellation of this previously announced funding also comes on top of the cancellation of Local Food for School Program and the Local Food Purchase Assistance Program funding, which also helps farmers deliver nutritious foods to schools and food banks. These cuts will deprive Americans of food assistance, emergency food providers of necessary support to carry out their work, and American farmers of vital domestic markets. 
    To help us understand USDA’s actions and their impact on communities around the country, we ask that you answer the following questions. 
    1.            Has USDA cancelled previously approved purchases of food provided through TEFAP? If so, what level of funding has been cancelled thus far and when will state agencies be notified of any cancelled TEFAP purchases? 
    2.            Does USDA plan to cancel additional purchases of food provided through TEFAP? 
    3.            Has USDA paused any TEFAP food orders or purchases? If so, what is the current status of those orders or purchases? Does USDA intend to un-pause these funds?  
    4.            Please provide information on what types of funding, by commodity, have been cancelled and the financial impact of those cancellations on producers such as pork, chicken, turkey and dairy farmers. 
    5.            Is the funding announced on October 1, 2024, and detailed in the implementation memo that the Food and Nutrition Service sent to state agencies on December 2 rescinded? 
    6.            Does USDA intend to use Commodity Credit Corporation funds in Fiscal Year 2025 for future purchases that will be distributed through TEFAP?  
    The senators asked for a prompt response to these questions by the end of the week. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Two injured in stabbing at Morphett Vale

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Police are investigating a violent altercation at Morphett Vale that resulted in two people sustaining stab wounds.

    Police and paramedics were called to Columba Street, Morphett Vale about 12.45am on Saturday 29 March by reports of a serious assault.

    When officers arrived, they located the occupant of the house, a 27-year-old Morphett Vale man, with multiple stab wounds.

    He was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but they are no longer believed to be life-threatening at this time.

    It will be alleged that four people attended and forced their way into the property and a violent altercation occurred inside the house.

    While police were at the scene at Morphett Vale, another man, aged 22 from Port Noarlunga, also presented at Flinders Medical Centre with serious stab wounds, believed to have occurred in the same incident.

    Southern District CIB detectives, with the assistance of Major Crime detectives, and forensic response officers, attended and examined the scene overnight.

    The investigation is continuing.  This incident is not believed to be random.

    Anyone with information that may assist the investigation or has any CCTV or dashcam footage from the street that may assist the investigation is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 0000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: WEEK TEN WINS: President Trump Fuels America’s Golden Age

    Source: The White House

    Ten weeks into his second term, President Donald J. Trump keeps delivering transformative wins for the American people — empowering our workers, securing our nation, and cementing our leadership as the envy of the world.

    Here is a non-comprehensive list of wins in week ten:

    • President Trump’s effort to secure the homeland continued in force.
      • The Trump Administration directed the successful apprehension of a key MS-13 gang leader — an illegal immigrant living in Virginia and operating as one of the top three MS-13 leaders in the U.S.
      • ICE arrested 370+ illegal immigrants as part of a major operation in Massachusetts — many of whom have serious criminal convictions and charges, including murder, child rape, fentanyl trafficking, and armed robbery.
    • President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on imports of foreign automobiles and certain auto parts to end unfair trade practices and protect national security.
      • United Auto Workers: “We applaud the Trump administration for stepping up to end the free trade disaster that has devastated working class communities for decades. Ending the race to the bottom in the auto industry starts with fixing our broken trade deals, and the Trump administration has made history with today’s actions.”
    • President Trump imposed a 25% tariff on all goods from countries that import Venezuelan oil to sever the financial lifelines of the corrupt Maduro regime.
    • President Trump’s unrelenting pursuit of American manufacturing dominance continued to deliver results.
      • Hyundai announced a $20 billion investment in the U.S., which will create 14,000 new jobs. The investment includes $5.8 billion for a new steel plant in Louisiana, which will create nearly 1,500 jobs.
      • Schneider Electric announced it will invest $700 million over the next four years in U.S. energy infrastructure.
      • Rolls-Royce is expected to shift production to the U.S. and expand its domestic workforce.
      • Vietnam announced it will cut duties on U.S. imports, including liquefied natural gas and automobiles.
    • President Trump continued to pursue peace through strength around the world.
      • U.S. airstrikes eliminated dozens of ISIS jihadis hiding within a cave complex in Somalia.
      • Following U.S.-led negotiations, Russia and Ukraine agreed to a Black Sea ceasefire.
    • President Trump’s economic agenda delivered more relief for Americans.
      • Large egg prices have dropped nearly 60% since last month amid the Trump Administration’s efforts to combat the avian bird flu and repopulate the chicken supply.
      • New data showed new home sales rose 5.1% over last year — with median home prices down 1.5% over last year and 3% over January.
    • The President signed several key executive orders to improve our nation.
      • President Trump signed an executive order aimed at making Washington, D.C., safe, beautiful, and the greatest capital city in the world.
      • President Trump signed an executive order on election integrity, including requiring proof of citizenship in voter registration, setting standards for voting equipment, identifying election fraud, and banning foreign interference in elections.
      • President Trump signed executive orders to protect America’s bank account against waste, fraud, and abuse and modernize payments.
      • President Trump signed an executive order exempting agencies with national security missions from federal collective bargaining requirements in order to bolster border, national, and energy security.
      • President Trump signed an executive order to remove anti-American propaganda from federal museums and national parks.
      • President Trump ordered the immediate declassification of all FBI files related to the sham Crossfire Hurricane investigation.
    • The Department of the Interior disbursed $350 million in energy revenues from the Gulf of America to oil-and-gas-producing states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
    • The Department of the Interior announced nearly $40 million in total receipts from its first oil and gas lease sales of the year.
    • The Department of Commerce blacklisted more than 50 Chinese companies in a bid to reduce the Chinese Communist Party’s intellectual property theft.
    • The Department of Housing and Urban Development canceled taxpayer-backed mortgages for illegal immigrants.
    • The Department of Energy slashed unnecessary bureaucratic red tape that accounted for 60% of costs when building and purchasing new laboratories.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services axed $300 million in grants to California related to radical gender ideology and DEI.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services formally warned California for allowing graphic sex education, including about sex toys and “role-plays,” to be taught to children as young as ten years old.
    • The Department of Education revoked waivers that allowed certain colleges to divert federal funds intended for low-income students and students with disabilities to illegal immigrants.
    • The Department of Education launched an investigation into the California Department of Education for withholding information from parents about their child’s gender identity.
    • The Department of Education launched an investigation into Portland Public Schools and the Oregon School Activities Association for allowing a male student athlete to compete in a girls’ track and field competition.
    • The Department of Agriculture reinstated critical reports canceled by the Biden Administration, including the July Cattle Report and the County Estimates for Crops and Livestock — giving farmers the data needed to make important decisions for their operations.
    • The Department of Agriculture announced an investigation into California for possible noncompliance with President Trump’s executive order on radical transgender ideology.
    • The Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against additional Iranian intelligence officers involved in the probable death and cover-up of FBI Special Agent Bob Levinson.
    • The Department of Labor canceled nearly $600 million in “America Last” grants, including millions for “gender equity in the Mexican workplace” and “assisting foreign migrant workers” in Malaysia.
    • The Department of Justice seized hundreds of thousands of dollars of cryptocurrency intended to support Hamas and other terrorist organizations.
    • The Environmental Protection Agency terminated a $2 billion Biden-era grant to a non-governmental organization linked to partisan politics.
    • The Environmental Protection Agency announced it “successfully completed its mission assignment in Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.”
    • The Office of Management and Budget cut a wasteful $3 billion Biden-era slush fund.
    • The Small Business Administration announced actions to reverse Biden-era mismanagement of its Core 7(a) loan program.
    • The U.S. Coast Guard awarded a $1 billion contract for dozens of heavy icebreaker ships — which play a critical role in the defense of American interests.
    • The University of Michigan announced it will end its “diversity, equity, and inclusion”-related programming following President Trump’s executive order earlier this year.
    • President Trump’s nominees continue to be confirmed at a rapid pace, with the Senate confirming Secretary of the Navy John Phelan, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, and Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director Dan Bishop.
    • President Trump pardoned Devon Archer, a former business partner of Hunter Biden whose key testimony in the Biden corruption scandal made him a target for prosecution by the Biden Administration.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Durbin, Sorenson, Murkowski Lead Bipartisan Call For Continued Support For Defense Communities

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin

    March 28, 2025

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), along with U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and U.S. Representative Blake Moore (R-UT-01), today led a bipartisan letter urging Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to maintain robust support for the Department of Defense’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC).

    The OLDCC administers crucial programs, including the Defense Community Infrastructure Program (DCIP), the Defense Manufacturing Community Support Program (DMCSP), the Community Noise Mitigation Program, and the Public Schools on Military Installations (PSMI) program.  These initiatives provide important resources to state and local communities, helping to repair infrastructure, strengthen the defense industrial base, and support military readiness. Between Fiscal Years 2020 and 2024, Illinois has received $73 million in federal funding from OLDCC.

    “Grants from OLDCC provide communities across the country with the ability to tackle important projects to better support their local military installations that they otherwise would not have been able to fund themselves,” the lawmakers wrote.  “DMCSP grants have helped strengthen the U.S. defense industrial manufacturing base and prepare our national security workforce fortechnologies for the future.  In addition, the Mission Realignment program has been a lifeline to communities after base closures or reductions, helping revitalize the local economies of communities that faithfully supported our defense mission.”

    “OLDCC programs are also smart investments.  OLDCC collaborates with a wide variety of partners to support military readiness and resiliency while addressing community workforce and business needs.  In addition, it notably leverages non-federal contributions into the defense mission, demonstrating the utility of its grant programs in furthering taxpayer dollars,” the lawmakers continued.

    “We urge your continued support of all the vital programs administered by the OLDCC and we look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Defense to ensure that our state and local communities are able to support our defense missions,” the lawmakers concluded their letter.

    Since its inception, the OLDCC has provided technical and financial assistance to nearly every U.S. state and territory. In the last year alone, grants have funded projects such as sewer system upgrades, emergency backup generators, runway rehabilitation, and workforce development in the defense manufacturing sector. 

    “The Association of Defense Communities (ADC) has been a long time and staunch advocate for the Office of Local Defense and Community Cooperation (OLDCC),” said Karen Holt, President of the Alliance of Defense Communities. “This office serves as the critical link between the Department of Defense and defense communities across the country. OLDCC programs are instrumental in maintaining the readiness of our military installations, missions, service members, and the communities they call home. ADC greatly appreciates the leadership of Senator Dick Durbin, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Congressman Eric Sorensen and Congressman Blake Moore for leading this effort to advocate for maintaining OLDCC funding levels. OLDCC programs are core to the idea that national security starts at home.”

    Additional Senators signing onto the letter were U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

    House Members who signed onto the letter were U.S. Representatives Ed Case (HI-01), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), John Garamendi (CA-08), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), James McGovern (MA-02), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Robert Scott (VA-03), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Michael Turner (OH-10), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Delegate James Moylan (Guam).

    You can view the letter HERE.

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: News 03/27/2025 Senate Democrats Block Blackburn Resolution Condemning Violence Against Tesla

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor before and after Senate Democrats blocked her resolution condemning the recent acts of violence, arson, and domestic terrorism committed against Tesla properties throughout the United States. Click here to read the full resolution.

    REMARKS AS PREPARED

    Elon Musk Is a Patriot for Tackling One of the Biggest Threats our Nation Faces: $36 Trillion in Debt

    Mr. President, there can be no doubt that Elon Musk is a patriot. 

    He has revolutionized entire industries with his companies—from PayPal and Tesla to SpaceX and Neuralink.

    Across his businesses, there are a lot of things he could be working on. But when President Trump asked him to join the administration, he answered the call and committed himself to serving the American people.

    In many ways, he is tackling one of the biggest threats our nation faces: our $36 trillion debt. 

    Elon understands that our fiscal path is unsustainable.

    Today, we are spending more money to service our debt than to fund our entire military.

    And as our debt grows, it will become more and more difficult to fund basic government functions.

    That’s why he is leading the Department of Government Efficiency: to rein in reckless spending and put our country on a better fiscal path.

    So far, DOGE has had a lot of success. In just two months, they have discovered $130 billion in potential savings by eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse across the federal government.

    They hope that number will reach $2 trillion by Independence Day next year—our nation’s 250th birthday.

    The Radical Left Is Targeting Elon Musk for Helping President Trump

    Every American should be applauding this effort. Our children and grandchildren’s future depends on it.

    But because Elon is helping President Trump, he has become a target for the radical Left—which has launched a domestic terrorism campaign against his company, Tesla. 

    In Las Vegas, suspects set Tesla vehicles on fire with Molotov cocktails.

    In Oregon, a man shot up a Tesla dealership.

    And across the country, Tesla owners have had their cars destroyed with arson and vandalism.

    Now, Democrat-aligned groups are organizing a “Global Day of Action” on Saturday to target Tesla.

    Democrats Are Eerily Silent While the Left Launches Domestic Terrorism Campaign Against Tesla

    The reason for this campaign is simple: In November, the American people rejected the Left’s radical agenda.

    They’ve lost the debate. But instead of making a better pitch to voters, they are trying to stop Republicans with violence and intimidation.

    The Democrats spent the last four years denouncing domestic terrorism and supporting electric vehicles, yet now they are eerily silent.

    And when they do comment, they celebrate Tesla’s setbacks.

    Tim Walz—Democrats’ failed vice presidential candidate—claimed he gets a daily “boost” from checking on Tesla’s stock price, which has declined amid the terrorism campaign.

    Democrat ally and late night host Jimmy Kimmel seemed to endorse the violence, sarcastically telling his audience, “Don’t ever vandalize Tesla vehicles.”

    Last week, Democrat congresswoman Jasmine Crockett said that all she wants for her birthday is to “see Elon taken down.”

    Democrats Must Condemn Political Violence Against Tesla

    This rhetoric is inexcusable. And as the world’s greatest legislative body, we should jointly condemn political violence.

    That’s why I am asking for unanimous consent to pass my resolution that condemns the horrific acts of violence, arson, and domestic terrorism committed against Tesla dealerships and facilities across the country.

    There is absolutely no reason why Democrats should oppose this resolution. They should join Republicans and let the United States Senate speak with one voice: political violence and domestic terrorism have no place in our country.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oklahoma City Father and Son Sentenced to Serve 14 Years Collectively in Federal Prison for Illegal Firearms Possession

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    OKLAHOMA CITY – NICOIS MEGALE SMITH, 40, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to serve 84 months in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after a previous felony conviction, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    On August 16, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a three-count Indictment, charging Nicois with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and his father, ALBERT SMITH, JR., 62, with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. On June 10, 2024, Albert pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm in early May 2023, and admitted to possessing a pistol that he had reason to believe had been stolen. Two days later, on June 12, 2024, a federal jury found Nicois guilty on one of his two counts following trial.

    Evidence at trial established that on May 21, 2023, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department were investigating a crime which happened near Nicois’s home. During their investigation, officers searched Nicois’s home pursuant to a search warrant and found a loaded pistol in the bedroom. Evidence presented at trial connected Nicois to that pistol.

    Public record reflects that Nicois and Albert both have lengthy criminal records. Nicois has previous convictions in Oklahoma County District Court that include:

    • Possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute and carrying a weapon in case number CF-2002-4842;
    • four counts of burglary and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in case number CF-2003-3046; and
    • felon in possession of a firearm in case number CF-2019-2922.
    • Larceny of merchandise from a retailer in case number CF-1995-393;
    • assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in case number CF-1999-2290;
    • possession of cocaine base in case number CF-2005-107;
    • first-degree arson in case number CF-2011-122; and
    • assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in case number CF-2014-3866.

    Albert has previous felony convictions in Oklahoma County District Court that include:

    At the sentencing hearing on March 24, 2025, U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton sentenced Nicois to serve 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Albert had previously been sentenced on October 31, 2024, to 84 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentences, the Court noted Nicois’s and Albert’s extensive criminal history.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Oklahoma City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel Gridley, Elizabeth M. Bagwell, and Travis Leverett prosecuted the case.

    This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime.  For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Florida Man Pleads Guilty To Smuggling Fentanyl And Other Contraband Into Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney announces that Jose Santos Pardo (25, Homestead) has pleaded guilty to possession of contraband by a federal inmate. Santos Pardo faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. 

    A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment against Santos Pardo on March 18, 2025.

    According to court records, in 2022, Santos Pardo was an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman). He was assigned to a low security section of the prison where inmates are not confined by fencing. On the night of November 19, 2022, a correctional officer observed Santos Pardo running along the side of the road toward his housing unit carrying two duffle bags and a trash bag. Federal Bureau of Prisons staff confronted Santos Pardo and searched the bags. The bags contained contraband including drugs, tobacco, several bottles of alcohol, and 14 cellphones. During an interview with law enforcement, Santos Pardo admitted that he had picked up the bags from the road to bring them back to his housing unit. FCC Coleman inmates are prohibited from possessing these items because they threaten the order, discipline, and security of the prison, or the life, health, and safety of federal prisoners and staff.

    This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch, Booker, Colleagues Introduce Honor Farmer Contracts Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) this week joined Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and 15 of his Democratic colleagues in introducing the Honor Farmer Contracts Act, legislation to release illegally withheld funding for all contracts and agreements previously entered into by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  
    President Trump’s USDA has refused to make reimbursement payments to fulfill signed contracts, without any indication of when or whether farmers will be paid the money they laid out and are owed. Farmers and the organizations that serve them operate on tight margins. This legislation would require the USDA to pay farmers all past due payments as quickly as possible to prevent them from having to shut down their operations.   
    “Let’s get one thing straight: the Trump Administration is illegally stiffing our farmers, refusing to reimburse them for funding they’ve been promised. Trump pulled the rug right out from underneath farmers’ feet. Our farmers made these agreements in good faith, and Trump’s decision to go back on his word will hurt Vermont farmers and cause irreversible damage to local food programs across the country,” said Senator Welch. “Our farmers work hard, and they’re already working on the knife’s edge to keep their farm up and running. Our legislation ensures that the Trump Administration holds up its end of the bargain and supports our farmers.” 
    “Farmers across the country have been in limbo ever since the USDA froze previously signed agreements and contracts, with many facing catastrophic consequences if these freezes continue,” said Senator Booker. “USDA’s refusal to pay what is owed to farmers and the organizations that support them is theft, plain and simple. It’s a critical time of year for farmers and ranchers. They should be doing what they love – feeding our communities, not worrying about unpaid contracts. This legislation will fix that by forcing USDA and the Trump Administration to hold up their end of the deal.” 
    “Over the last two months, farmers, ranchers, and rural communities have been left in limbo – waiting for the USDA to honor its promises,” said Representative Vasquez. “The Honor Farmer Contracts Act is about restoring trust and keeping our word to the hardworking people who feed America. When farmers sign contracts, they expect the government to follow through. It’s that simple. This bill will immediately unfreeze critical funding, ensure farmers are paid for their work, and reopen essential USDA offices that were shuttered without notice. This legislation is standing up for rural America, protecting family farms, and strengthening our food system. Let’s do right by our farmers – because when they thrive, we all do.” 
    When farmers successfully apply to USDA programs and then spend their own dollars in reliance upon signed contracts with the agency, they rightfully expect that they will receive reimbursement. Similarly, farmer-serving organizations—which farmers rely upon to connect to local markets and implement practices that make them more productive and less resource intensive—are facing imminent funding crises from not being reimbursed for completed or in-progress contracted work. If not quickly made whole, these organizations will be forced to make agonizing decisions to lay off staff and stop helping farmers, destroying years of progress in advancing local food systems.  
    The Honor Farmer Contracts Act would: 

    Require USDA to unfreeze all signed agreements and contracts; 
    Require USDA to make all past due payments as quickly as possible; 
    Prohibit USDA from cancelling agreements or contracts with farmers or organizations providing assistance to farmers unless there has been a failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the agreement or contract. 
    Prohibit USDA from closing any Farm Service Agency county office, Natural Resources Conservation Service field office or Rural Development Service Center without providing 60 days prior notice and justification to Congress.  

    Organizations endorsing the Honor Farmer Contracts Act include the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Vermont, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, New England Farmers Union, American Agriculture Movement, American Grassfed Association, Farm Action Fund, Farm Aid, Farm and Ranch Freedom Alliance, National Young Farmers Coalition, Rural Coalition, and more. Read the full list of organizations endorsing the bill here.  
    “On Farm Aid’s hotline, we’re hearing from farmers and farmer-serving organizations who have frozen and canceled federal funding, and we know these are only a few of the thousands from around the country,” said Hannah Tremblay, Farm Aid’s policy and advocacy manager. “USDA’s withholding of payments owed under signed, lawful contracts is causing turmoil across our food system–and it couldn’t come at a worse time. As farmers plan their growing season, uncertainty is among the most dangerous elements they have to grapple with. The effects of this funding freeze are likely to compound and severely impact all aspects of our food system – from seed and soil, to farmer and consumer. Farm Aid fully supports the Honor Farmer Contracts Act to end this unlawful freeze now!” 
    “During the last several months, countless farmers, and the community-based organizations who serve them, have had their livelihoods thrown into doubt as USDA has deliberated whether or not to honor its own legal contracts,” said Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director. “The Honor Farmer Contracts Act unequivocally reiterates a bedrock principle – USDA must honor its own word, and swiftly meet its legal obligations to farmers and organizations by immediately releasing funding on all signed contracts. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition thanks Senator Booker and all Members standing alongside farmers in asking USDA to honor its commitments.” 
    In addition to Sens. Welch and Booker, the Honor Farmer Contacts Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.). U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02) will introduce companion legislation in the House. 
    Read and download the full text of the bill. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Speaks on Finance Committee’s Investigation into Pfizer’s Tax Scheme: “What we’re talking about today proves that the suspicion that Vermonters have about things being rigged—they’re right.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, this week took to the Senate Floor to highlight the Senate Finance Committee’s new report that found Pfizer, which generated $20 billion in U.S. sales of prescription drugs in 2019, reported zero taxable U.S. income by claiming 100% of its profits were earned overseas. Pfizer’s scheme enabled the pharmaceutical giant to dodge billions in U.S. taxes. 
    “What did we find out with the Wyden report? We found that a major United States pharmaceutical company was able to make sales of $20 billion of its product in 2019 and report zero in income. Zero in profits here in this country. What that ultimately means is that what Pfizer paid on its taxes—despite this extraordinary profit—they paid less than a mail room clerk pays in Social Security. They paid less than the pharmacist at the drugstore who dispenses the prescriptions. They paid less than the delivery drivers who may have brought these prescriptions to a person’s home. They paid less than the employees of Pfizer, whether it was a lab technician or a clerk or anyone at that company,” said Senator Welch. 
    “This is really shocking, but if any of us wonder why everyday folks, who are showing up to do their job in all of the places of employment—in your state and mine—and then at the end of the month, despite all their hard work, are having trouble paying the utility bill. And they just wonder: is this system rigged? They’re right, And Exhibit A is what has been exposed in this report by the Senate Finance Committee and Senator Wyden.” 
    Watch Senator Welch’s speech below: 
    The Senate Finance Committee’s investigation into Pfizer, led by Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), also revealed that Pfizer signed nondisclosure agreements for special tax deals with the governments of Singapore and Puerto Rico to conceal information how the company conspired to evade billions in taxes from Congressional investigation.   
    The full report containing new findings on Pfizer’s tax dodging scheme is available here. Pfizer joins the growing number of extraordinarily wealthy Big Pharma companies that report minimal or no U.S. profits on tax returns despite American patients providing their largest customer base. 
    Senator Welch’s Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the 119th Congress include:   
    Senate Committee on Finance   
    Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, & Forestry
    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit   
    Senate Committee on the Judiciary
    Ranking Member, Subcommittee on the Constitution   
    Senate Committee on Rules & Administration  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla, Cleaver Lead 100+ Democrats in Condemning HUD Field Office Cuts, Urging Reinstatement of Civil Servants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Padilla, Cleaver Lead 100+ Democrats in Condemning HUD Field Office Cuts, Urging Reinstatement of Civil Servants

    San Francisco Regional Office among HUD offices rumored to be closing
    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Mo.-05) led more than 100 Democrats in the Senate and House in condemning staffing cuts and potential closures of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Field Offices across the country. In a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, the lawmakers pushed him to fully and immediately reinstate civil servants who were illegally fired from the Department and condemned reports that HUD is considering the illegal closure of nearly two-thirds of field offices nationwide.
    The rumored HUD cuts include San Francisco’s Regional Office, which would leave California with only one operational field office. Field offices provide critical housing services, and staffing reductions at this scale will cripple HUD’s ability to perform its basic responsibilities and legal obligations. HUD only recently rebuilt its workforce after a 20 percent drop between 2012 and 2019, and further cuts threaten disaster recovery efforts while delaying urgently needed housing development.
    Earlier this year, Senator Padilla sounded the alarm that these wide-ranging cuts would hamper HUD’s ability to support vulnerable communities and address the housing and homelessness crises.
    “We write to express concern about reports that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering closing nearly two-thirds of the Department’s field offices, leaving most states and the District of Columbia without critical sites or staff,” wrote the lawmakers. “These reports follow the unlawful mass termination of probationary federal employees, HUD’s announcement that employees at GS-13 and below in the Office of Field Policy and Management would be terminated, and reports that the Department plans to cut its agency-wide workforce by at least half.”
    “We strongly urge HUD to maintain existing field offices with adequate staffing levels and to fully and immediately reinstate civil servants who have been illegally terminated,” continued the lawmakers.
    By law, HUD is required to have at least one field office in every state to process mortgage insurance applications, yet the Trump Administration’s plan would leave 34 states without a field office. Additionally, HUD must conduct and publish a cost-benefit analysis before implementing any “plan for the reorganization of any regional, area, insuring, or other field offices of the Department.”
    In addition to Padilla and Cleaver, the letter was also signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.-08), and U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).
    Representatives Gabe Amo (D-R.I.-01), Becca Balint (D-Vt.-AL), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio-03), Sanford Bishop (D-G.-02), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24), Troy Carter (D-La.-02), Sean Casten (D-Ill.-06), Judy Chu (D-Calif.-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.-31), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.-09), Lou Correa (D-Calif.-46), Jim Costa (D-Calif.-21), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Danny Davis (D-Ill.-07), Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.-10), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.-06), Dwight Evans (D-Penn.-03), Cleo Fields (D-La.-06), Shomari Figures (D-Ala.-02), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.-30), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-13), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Al Green (D-Texas-09), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.-04), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.-06), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.-01), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.-04), William Keating (D-Mass.-09), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Timothy Kennedy (D-N.Y.-26), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), Greg Landsman (D-Ohio-01), Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.-16), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-36), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.-04), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.-08), Morgan McGarvey (D-Ky.-03), James McGovern (D-Mass.-02), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.-05), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Gwen Moore (D-Wis.-04), Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.-01), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.-15), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.-02), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.-05), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.-02), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.-07), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.-05), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), David Scott (D-Ga.-13), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.-07), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.-32), Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio-13), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-39), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.-02), Dina Titus (D-Nev.-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-20), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.-25), Nikema Williams (D-Ga.-05), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.-24) also signed the letter.
    Senator Padilla believes everyone deserves access to affordable and safe housing and recognizes the need to drastically increase the affordable housing stock to address the homelessness crisis facing California and the country, including to support disaster victims. In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, Padilla introduced the bipartisan Disaster Housing Reform for American Families Act to expedite, expand, and improve temporary housing available to victims of disasters like wildfires and storms. Last year, he announced the reintroduction of his Housing for All Act, a comprehensive approach to invest in proven, locally-developed solutions to address the homelessness and affordable housing crises.
    Full text of the letter is available here and below:
    Dear Secretary Turner:
    We write to express concern about reports that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is considering closing nearly two-thirds of the Department’s field offices, leaving most states and the District of Columbia without critical sites or staff. These reports follow the unlawful mass termination of probationary federal employees, HUD’s announcement that employees at GS-13 and below in the Office of Field Policy and Management would be terminated, and reports that the Department plans to cut its agency-wide workforce by at least half. We urge you to immediately reverse any plans to implement these short-sighted and illegal efforts that undermine the ability of HUD to accomplish its mission and legal obligations.
    The United States faces a severe fair and affordable housing and homelessness crisis. HUD is the Federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America’s housing needs, improve and develop communities, and enforce fair housing laws, deeply impacting millions of families across the nation. HUD field offices collect local data to inform policymaking, administer and oversee department programs, manage and distribute funding, enforce department regulations and policies, provide guidance and support to local stakeholders, and play a critical role in developing and maintaining local relationships that ensure the success of initiatives and projects. In many cases, state and local stakeholders operate with limited capacities and require HUD assistance. HUD currently has at least one field office in every State and the District of Columbia to help implement the Department’s important mission at the local level.
    Reports that HUD is planning the illegal closure of field offices are extremely concerning. HUD is expressly required by law to maintain a field office in every state. Federal law also requires HUD to conduct and publish a cost-benefit analysis before implementing any “plan for the reorganization of any regional, area, insuring, or other field office of the Department.” This analysis is required to include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the impact on the local economy, an estimate of the effect of reorganization on the availability, accessibility, and quality of services provided, and credible evidence substantiating the impact of reorganization on department costs. These legal requirements are designed to protect the Department and the nation, including taxpayers, HUD’s business, nonprofit, and government partners, thousands of patriotic civil servants, and millions of families who rely on the services that HUD field offices provide.
    In last year’s report on top management challenges, the HUD Office of Inspector General noted that HUD “still faces capacity challenges that affect its ability to oversee grantees, contractors, and financial services counterparties; provide high-touch technical assistance; and modernize its programs and IT systems.” Despite this reality, a February 11, 2025, Executive Order directed agency heads, including HUD, to “promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force (RIF).” A subsequent memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to agency heads directed each agency to submit Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans to OMB and OPM by Thursday, March 13, 2025.
    We strongly urge HUD to maintain existing field offices with adequate staffing levels and to fully and immediately reinstate civil servants who have been illegally terminated. We also ask for responses to the following information request no later than Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
    1. Please provide a copy of any formal analysis conducted by HUD’s Office of General Counsel regarding HUD’s plans to close field offices, including an analysis of how such plans align with existing legal requirements that HUD maintain an office in each state.
    2. Please provide a copy of the cost-benefit analysis of field reorganizations required at 42 U.S.C. 3535 that HUD has conducted as part of its plans to close field offices. Please indicate when this analysis will be published in the Federal Register and detail any additional actions the agency has already taken to alter, reduce, or reorganize field offices.
    3. Please provide any formal analysis HUD has performed regarding the impact of reported office reductions on the Department’s ability to:
    a. Collect data used to inform HUD’s policy decisions and department strategies.
    b. Administer, monitor, and oversee complex programs including ensuring compliance with regulations and policies.
    c. Manage and distribute federal funding and ensure these funds are used appropriately.
    d. Enforce department policies related to fair housing, including investigating complaints related to violations of the Fair Housing Act.
    e. Provide technical assistance to local and state agencies, non-profit organizations, and other department stakeholders.
    f. Conduct public outreach including educating the local community and developing partnerships with local organizations to address housing and community development challenges.
    4. Please identify the DOGE Team Lead at HUD and the name and employing agency of all DOGE Task Force members working under the team leader.
    5. Please provide a copy of all HUD and DOGE documents reflecting any plans to reduce, alter, or eliminate HUD programs, functions or offices.
    6. Please provide a copy of all HUD and DOGE documents reflecting any staff reduction that has already taken place and future staff reduction plans by program office and further disaggregated by field office and Washington, DC headquarters. Indicate whether the Department plans to eliminate or backfill each impacted position.
    7. Please provide copies of HUD’s formal Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans as submitted to OMB.
    We thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Padilla Leads Push Demanding Trump Rescind Illegal Anti-Voter Executive Order

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.)

    Senators to Trump: “Requirements in this illegal order would likely disenfranchise millions of American voters…places a variety of other process burdens on voters, especially married women, rural residents, and low-income voters, and communities of color.”

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, led 14 Democratic Senators in calling on President Trump to revoke his illegal anti-voter executive order that would disenfranchise millions of Americans.

    “This unlawful directive exceeds your authority over an independent agency and would likely disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters by creating barriers to voting, while also inviting chaos into state voter registration processes – including by inappropriately sharing Americans’ data with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE),” wrote the Senators. “Under the Constitution and existing law, this Executive Order cannot be implemented. Sadly, we are not surprised at your continued efforts to undermine our free and fair elections. From welcoming foreign election interference in our elections, to supporting the January 6 insurrection, to promoting baseless election conspiracy theories, your dangerous rhetoric has undermined public confidence in our election system.”

    The proof of citizenship requirements in the executive order would restrict the right to vote for millions of Americans given the burden it creates to obtain these documents. Nearly half of all American citizens do not have valid passports, and millions more have a legal name that differs from other government-issued documents, including up to 69 million married women whose birth certificates no longer match their legal name.

    The Senators emphasized that the order runs counter to the constitutional foundation that elections are to be primarily administered by the states. They also sounded the alarm on the order’s attempt to empower the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to review state voter registration lists, other state records, and various federal databases, with the power of subpoena.

    “Voting by noncitizens is already a federal crime and, despite unsubstantiated claims to the contrary, is extremely rare. By interjecting DOGE into the process, this order would interfere with states’ maintenance of voter registration lists, compromising voters’ personal information,” continued the Senators.

    “The new federal voter registration requirements in this illegal order would likely disenfranchise millions of American voters. Millions of Americans do not have passports and many face challenges obtaining other documents that would be required by this order, if it was ever implemented,” concluded the Senators. “This order also places a variety of other process burdens on voters, especially married women, rural residents, and low-income voters, and communities of color.”

    In addition to Senator Padilla, the letter is also signed by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    In a statement earlier this week, Senator Padilla condemned Trump’s unlawful attempt at a Presidential power grab through his anti-voter executive order.

    Full text of the letter is available here and below:

    Dear President Trump,

    We write to demand that you immediately rescind your recent Executive Order “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” This unlawful directive exceeds your authority over an independent agency and would likely disenfranchise millions of eligible American voters by creating barriers to voting, while also inviting chaos into state voter registration processes – including by inappropriately sharing Americans’ data with the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

    Under the Constitution and existing law, this Executive Order cannot be implemented. Sadly, we are not surprised at your continued efforts to undermine our free and fair elections. From welcoming foreign election interference in our elections, to supporting the January 6 insurrection, to promoting baseless election conspiracy theories, your dangerous rhetoric has undermined public confidence in our election system.

    This order runs counter to the constitutional foundation that elections are to be primarily administered by the states. The Federal role in elections is focused on helping states with the costs and technical challenges and ensuring that the right to vote is appropriately protected. This order places new mandates on the states and inserts new federal interference in state voter registration processes by federal agencies, including the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. We expect state and local election administrators of both parties to have significant legal and operational concerns about this order.

    One of the most disturbing aspects of this illegal order is Sec. 2(b)(iii), which attempts to empower DHS and the DOGE Administrator to review state voter registration lists, other state records and various federal databases, with the power of subpoena. Voting by noncitizens is already a federal crime and, despite unsubstantiated claims to the contrary, is extremely rare. By interjecting DOGE into the process, this order would interfere with states’ maintenance of voter registration lists, compromising voters’ personal information. This effort by DOGE is similar to your 2017 Executive Order that established the “Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity” that sought voter files from states and was rejected by 44 states and the District of Columbia. If this provision were implemented, it would allow Elon Musk and DOGE to recreate this effort to purge state voter databases, preventing the participation of eligible American voters.

    The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was created as an independent, evenly balanced agency in the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), which was enacted on an overwhelming bipartisan basis. The EAC receives appropriations from Congress to support states with the growing financial and technical challenges of administering elections in thousands of jurisdictions across the nation on a nonpartisan basis. This order lacks the authority to place new conditions on Congressionally appropriated funding or order the EAC require documents that many eligible Americans do not have in order to register to vote in federal elections.

    The new federal voter registration requirements in this illegal order would likely disenfranchise millions of American voters. Millions of Americans do not have passports and many face challenges obtaining other documents that would be required by this order, if it was ever implemented. This order also places a variety of other process burdens on voters, especially married women, rural residents, and low-income voters, and communities of color.

    For these reasons, we must urge you to rescind this illegal order.

    Sincerely,

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Haiti reaches ‘yet another crisis point’ as gangs tighten their grip

    Source: United Nations 2-b

    Peace and Security

    The UN human rights chief sounded the alarm on Thursday over the rapidly deteriorating situation in Haiti, calling it a “catastrophe” fuelled by gang violence, widespread impunity and a political process that is hanging by a thread.

    Volker Türk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that the country had reached “yet another crisis point,” with heavily armed gangs expanding their control, public institutions in ruins and a humanitarian emergency deepening by the day.

    “I am not sure the usual description of gang violence captures the amount of unbearable suffering that has been inflicted on the Haitian people,” Mr. Türk said.

    Between July 2024 and February 2025, 4,239 people were killed and 1,356 injured, with 92 per cent of casualties attributed to gun violence.

    Gangs, armed with increasingly sophisticated weapons mostly trafficked from abroad, are killing civilians, destroying schools and healthcare facilities, and using sexual violence and mass kidnappings to terrorise communities.

    Destruction as governance

    The rights chief warned that gangs are no longer just operating in pockets of Port-au-Prince – they are implementing their own rule across wider parts of the capital and beyond.

    The Viv Ansanm gang coalition and others have launched coordinated attacks, often outnumbering police, and have destroyed or taken over schools, orphanages, courts, media outlets and hospitals.

    In one December incident alone, at least 207 people were killed over five days in Cité Soleil.

    Sexual violence is being used deliberately to assert control, Mr. Türk said, citing gang rapes in public spaces and even the execution of victims after assault.

    The forced recruitment and trafficking of children is also on the rise.

    Meanwhile, more than 700 kidnappings were documented during the reporting period. “Those who attempted to resist abduction were often shot dead,” Mr. Türk said.

    Police violence and impunity

    Despite efforts by the Haitian National Police and the Security Council-mandated Multinational Security Support Mission, the State is losing ground.

    Law enforcement operations against gangs have resulted in over 2,000 people killed or injured – a 60 per cent increase – with nearly a third of those victims not involved in any violence.

    OHCHR documented at least 219 extrajudicial executions by specialised police units during the reporting period, up from just 33 the year before.

    There has also been a rise in mob lynchings and self-defence groups, sometimes with police complicity.

    Mr. Türk stressed the urgent need to accelerate the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission and ensure full human rights compliance mechanisms are in place.

    Hunger, displacement, despair

    The human toll of the violence is staggering. More than one million people are now displaced, 40,000 in recent weeks alone.

    Half of all Haitians – 5.5 million people – face acute food insecurity and two million have been reduced to emergency hunger levels.

    Nearly 6,000 people are living in famine-like conditions, while 500,000 children are displaced –  a quarter suffering stunted growth due to malnutrition.

    Only half of health facilities in the capital are fully operational, and 31 per cent have shut down due to insecurity.

    “The impact on children is particularly devastating,” said Mr. Türk. “[This] will impact them for life.”

    Justice, not just security

    The High Commissioner welcomed Haiti’s recent decision to establish two specialised judicial units to tackle human rights violations and financial crimes but said much more must be done.

    “The most crucial first step here is to stop the illicit flow of arms into the country,” he said, stressing the need to fully implement the Security Council’s arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes.

    Mr. Türk emphasised that “there is a way out”, but only with political will, international support and urgent action to end the cycle of corruption, impunity and senseless violence.

    “I call on each and every one of you, including the media, to put the spotlight on this crisis,” he said. “The Haitian people cannot be forgotten.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Expanding urgent care across Alberta

    [. In response, the government is making significant investments to ensure every Albertan has access to high-quality care close to home. Currently, more than 35 per cent of emergency department visits are for non-life-threatening conditions that could be treated at urgent care centres. By expanding these centres, Alberta’s government is enhancing the health care system and improving access to timely care.

    If passed, Budget 2025 includes $15 million to support plans for eight new urgent care centres and an additional $2 million in planning funds for an integrated primary and urgent care facility in Airdrie. These investments will help redirect up to 200,000 lower-acuity emergency department visits annually, freeing up capacity for life-threatening cases, reducing wait times and improving access to care for Albertans.

    “More people are choosing to call Alberta home, which is why we are taking action to build capacity across the health care system. Urgent care centres help bridge the gap between primary care and emergency departments, providing timely care for non-life-threatening conditions.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    “Our team at Infrastructure is fully committed to leading the important task of planning these eight new urgent care facilities across the province. Investments into facilities like these help strengthen our communities by alleviating strains on emergency departments and enhance access to care. I am looking forward to the important work ahead.”

    Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure

    The locations for the eight new urgent care centres were selected based on current and projected increases in demand for lower-acuity care at emergency departments. The new facilities will be in west Edmonton, south Edmonton, Westview (Stony Plain/Spruce Grove), east Calgary, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Cold Lake and Fort McMurray.

    “Too many Albertans, especially those living in rural communities, are travelling significant distances to receive care. Advancing plans for new urgent care centres will build capacity across the health care system.”

    Justin Wright, parliamentary secretary for rural health (south)

    “Additional urgent care centres across Alberta will give Albertans more options for accessing the right level of care when it’s needed. This is a necessary and substantial investment that will eventually ease some of the pressures on our emergency departments.”

    Dr. Chris Eagle, chief executive officer, Acute Care Alberta

    The remaining $2 million will support planning for One Health Airdrie’s integrated primary and urgent care facility. The operating model, approved last fall, will see One Health Airdrie as the primary care operator, while urgent care services will be publicly funded and operated by a provider selected through a competitive process.

    “Our new Airdrie facility, offering integrated primary and urgent care, will provide same-day access to approximately 30,000 primary care patients and increase urgent care capacity by around 200 per cent, benefiting the entire community and surrounding areas. We are very excited.”

    Dr. Julian Kyne, physician, One Health Airdrie

    Alberta’s government will continue to make smart, strategic investments in health facilities to support the delivery of publicly funded health programs and services to ensure Albertans have access to the care they need, when and where they need it. 

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick facts

    • The $2 million in planning funds for One Health Airdrie are part of a total $24-million investment to advance planning on several health capital initiatives across the province through Budget 2025.
    • Alberta’s population is growing, and visits to emergency departments are projected to increase by 27 per cent by 2038.
    • Last year, Alberta’s government provided $8.4 million for renovations to the existing Airdrie Community Health Centre.

    Related information

    • Regional health corridors

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Russell Fry’s Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act Passes out of House Judiciary Committee

    Source:

    Rep. Russell Fry’s Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act Passes out of House Judiciary Committee

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) announced that his Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act passed out of the House Judiciary Committee. Under current law, federal agencies are required to destroy retired firearms so they are rendered inoperable and incapable of being reused. This process costs the federal government millions of dollars and trickles down to American taxpayers.

    Allowing current and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired firearms is a commonsense, cost-saving measure that benefits both law enforcement and American taxpayers.

    “The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act not only saves American taxpayers millions of dollars but also creates a system in which law enforcement officers in good standing can exercise their Second Amendment rights by purchasing their retired service weapons,” said Congressman Fry. “This legislation is a practical measure that recognizes the service of our federal officers while also encouraging responsible use of government resources.”

    This bill is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Treasury Employees Union, and the FBI Agents Association.

    “This bill is a common-sense measure with numerous benefits. Allowing federal officers and agents to buy back their service weapons serves as a force multiplier in our communities, reduces material waste, and saves taxpayer dollars,” said Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association President Mathew Silverman. “Many agencies have already implemented similar buyback programs, and officers across other agencies have long advocated for this initiative. We commend Representative Fry for his leadership in advancing this effort in advance of National Police Week.”

    “The Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act establishes a commonsense program that allows federal law enforcement officers to purchase retired service weapons,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations. “These weapons would otherwise be unnecessarily destroyed at a great cost to the federal taxpayer. NAPO thanks Congressman Fry for his leadership on this bill.”

    “The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents frontline Customs and Border Protection Officers at ports of entry around the country, endorses the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act,” said Doreen Greenwald, National President of NTEU. “We commend Rep. Russell Fry and other cosponsors for this commonsense legislation that would allow federal law enforcement officers to purchase their retired service handguns, under certain conditions, and save the government the cost of destroying them. Bringing this bill up for debate during Police Week is especially appropriate, as it shows these highly trained officers a level of respect and professionalism that they have earned and deserve.”

    “The FBIAA is pleased that the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act has been introduced and we hope Congress will move swiftly to pass the bill into law,” said Natalie Bara, President of the FBI Agents Association. “Federal law enforcement officers should be allowed to purchase retired service weapons, and the bill is recognition of the responsibility, professionalism and commitment to public safety that is required of FBI Special Agents and other federal law enforcement officers. Congress should enact this legislation as soon as possible.”

    In addition, the following groups sent a letter to the House Judiciary Committee in support of the bill:

    • Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies

    • Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association

    • Major Cities Chiefs Association

    • Major County Sheriffs of America

    • National Association of Police Organizations

    • National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition

    • Sergeants Benevolent Association NYPD

    Full text of the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act can be found here.

    Congressman Fry serves on both the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. To stay up to date with Congressman Fry and his work for the Seventh District, follow his official Facebook, Instagram, and X pages and visit his website at fry.house.gov.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Roundup: March 28, 2025

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    March 28, 2025

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an at-a-glance summary of news from around the agency:

    On Thursday, the FDA’s Learning and Education to ADvance and Empower Rare Disease Drug Developers initiative published two new videos titled “Understanding the Importance of Endpoints in Rare Disease Drug Development” and “Considerations for Collecting and Using Natural History Study Data that are Fit for Use in the Regulatory Setting” to our educational video series. The videos provide an overview of important considerations for selecting endpoints when designing clinical trials, and concepts to consider when determining how to leverage natural history study data to support regulatory decision making on a marketing application.
    On Wednesday, the FDA issued a Blue Box update to a Safety Alert on contaminated Korean oysters, adding additional recalled products.
    On Wednesday, the FDA celebrated 15 years since the passage of the Biologics Price Competition and Innovation Act (BPCIA). The BPCI Act created an abbreviated approval pathway to help provide patients with greater access to safe and effective biological products, and it established a framework to promote both innovation and competition. This year also marks the 10th anniversary since the approval of the first biosimilar in the United States. The FDA has approved 69 biosimilars since 2015. More information can be found at the CDER Conversation.
    On Wednesday, the FDA approved Exelixis, Inc.’s Cabometyx (cabozantinib)) for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and for adult and pediatric patients 12 years of age and older with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic, well-differentiated extra-pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors. More information about Cabometyx can be found in the full prescribing information.
    On Wednesday, the FDA published the Pulse Oximeter Basics Consumer Update. Consumers are increasingly using pulse oximeters in-home when they are not feeling well or to monitor their general health. The FDA wants to help consumers breathe easy and know how these devices can be used safely and accurately.
    On Wednesday, the FDA provided an update from our ongoing postmarket evaluation of Essure by posting information on medical device reports received by the FDA related to Essure during the 2024 calendar year. Although Essure, a permanently implanted birth control device for women, has not been available for implantation since December 2019, the FDA remains committed to collecting and providing updates on the long-term safety information about Essure.
    On Tuesday, the FDA posted a web page celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the National Seafood Sanitation Program (NSSP). The NSSP is a partnership between certain states and federal agencies to prevent contaminated shellfish from entering the market. This program helps to ensure that bivalve molluscan shellfish (including oysters, clams, mussels, cockles, and scallops, other than adductor only) sold in the United States are safely produced and sold to consumers. The NSSP was established after a widespread deadly typhoid fever outbreak was traced to contaminated oysters in 1924.

    Related Information

    Related Information

    ###

    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Inquiries

    Consumer:
    888-INFO-FDA

    Content current as of:
    03/28/2025

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Chicago Businessman Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Defrauding Financial Institutions out of More Than $3 Million

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    CHICAGO — A Chicago businessman has been sentenced to five years in federal prison for scheming to defraud multiple financial institutions out of more than $3 million.

    DAVID IZSAK, 50, of Chicago, was a licensed real estate professional and the sole proprietor of Skokie, Ill.-based Premier Assets Inc. and Premier Properties Enterprises, Inc.  From 2005 to 2018, Izsak engaged in a scheme to defraud financial institutions by obtaining residential loans through false statements, concealing other unpaid loans, and falsely obtaining credit.  As part of the scheme, Izsak submitted or caused to be submitted to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds fictitious lien releases that purported to be from lenders stating the loans were paid in full.  The bogus lien releases included false names of attorneys and bank employees. In one instance, after causing a lien to be released, Izsak sold the property to an unsuspecting buyer.  In another instance, he obtained six mortgages on a single property, obtaining a new loan after fictitiously releasing the prior loan without repaying it.

    Izsak also obtained a loan to buy a 57-foot yacht known as the “Flying Lady” by submitting fraudulent tax returns and financial information to the lender.  The yacht was seized by federal authorities in 2019.

    A jury in U.S. District Court in Chicago in 2023 convicted Izsak on ten counts of financial institution fraud.  U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah imposed the prison sentence on Tuesday during a hearing in federal court.

    The sentence was announced by Morris Pasqual, Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Douglas S. DePodesta, Special Agent-in-Charge of the FBI Chicago Field Office, and Ruth M. Mendonça, Inspector-in-Charge of the Chicago Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

    “Izsak engaged in blatantly fraudulent conduct for many years,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Elly Moheb argued in the government’s sentencing memorandum.  “The entire purpose of the scheme was to line his own pockets, so that he could live a lifestyle he didn’t earn.”

    Two other individuals – YALE SCHIFF, of Riverwoods, Ill., and his brother, JASON SCHIFF, of Lincolnwood, Ill. – were also convicted as part of the federal investigation.  Yale Schiff was sentenced in January to three years in prison for fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in mortgage and vehicle loans and using stolen identities to secure credit from financial institutions.  Jason Schiff pleaded guilty to causing a false report and statement to be made to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Jason Schiff was sentenced to three years of probation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Former Fifth-Grade Teacher at San Gabriel Valley School Sentenced to 4 Years in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    RIVERSIDE, California – A former elementary school teacher who worked at a school district in the San Gabriel Valley was sentenced today to 48 months in federal prison for possessing more than 400 videos containing child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

    Steven Pilar, 47, of Las Vegas, was sentenced by United States District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes, who also ordered him to pay $115,000 in restitution.

    Pilar pleaded guilty in December 2024 to one count of possession of child pornography. He has been in federal custody since August 2024.

    In February and April of 2020, Pilar used his computer and a peer-to-peer file-sharing program called BitTorrent to download videos and images containing CSAM via the internet. Specifically, Pilar – at this then-home in Victorville – knowingly received and downloaded approximately 444 videos containing CSAM, and knowingly possessed the videos for a time before deleting them. 

    At the time of download and possession, Pilar knew these videos and images contained visual depictions of actual children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. 

    Many of the videos and images that Pilar knowingly downloaded involved a pre-pubescent minor and a minor who had not attained 12 years of age, sadistic and masochistic conduct, and sexual abuse and exploitation of an infant and toddler.

    Pilar was employed as a fifth-grade teacher working in the Hacienda La Puente Unified School District at the time of the offense. He no longer works at the school.

    In April 2020, Pilar was arrested on state charges, which were later dropped so a federal case could be pursued.

    “His actions caused direct and significant harm to the victims in this case, and his offense is aggravated by fact that he was teaching young children at the time,” prosecutors argued in a sentencing memorandum. “In fact, when [Pilar] downloaded and viewed the CSAM, he took part of a perpetual re-victimization of the victims.”

    The FBI and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

    Assistant United States Attorney Joshua J. Lee of the General Crimes Section prosecuted this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Woburn Men Sentenced to Prison for Migrant Smuggling Conspiracy

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    BOSTON – Father and son owners of two Woburn, Mass. restaurants, Taste of Brazil—Tudo Na Brasa and The Dog House Bar and Grill, were sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for conspiring to smuggle migrants into the United States from Brazil. One defendant was also sentenced for money laundering conspiracy.

    Jesse James Moraes, 67, and Hugo Giovanni Moraes, 45, both of Woburn, were sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs. Jesse Moraes was sentenced to eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release; and Hugo Moraes was sentenced to five months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, with the first five months in home confinement, and ordered to pay a $15,000 fine. In November 2024, the defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to encourage and induce an alien to come to, enter, and reside in the United States, knowing or in reckless disregard of the fact that such coming to, entry, or residence is or will be in violation of law, for commercial advantage or private financial gain. Jesse Moraes also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to launder the proceeds of the migrant smuggling conspiracy.

    The conspiracy involved recruiting undocumented migrants in Brazil to come to the United States through Mexico without authorization in exchange for fees of between $12,000 and $22,000 per person. The migrants were encouraged to make fraudulent claims of asylum and familial relationship (e.g., parent and minor child) in the United States and were given fraudulent information about U.S. points of contact to give to immigration authorities when they were caught in the United States. Once migrants were in the United States, Jesse Moraes and Hugo Moraes helped them secure long-term housing, including in apartments owned by relatives of Hugo Moraes. The defendants arranged for some of the migrants to work at Tudo Na Brasa/Taste of Brazil and The Dog House Bar and Grill and paid the migrants either entirely or partly in cash unless and until the migrants obtained identification documents, at which point they would be paid at least partly by check.

    The defendants encouraged the migrants working for them to obtain false identification documents and referred them to a co-defendant, Marcos Chacon Gil, a/k/a Marquito,” to obtain such false identification documents. The co-conspirators agreed that some of the migrants could pay off some of their smuggling fee once they reached the United States, which they did by direct payment, having their wages withheld, or by collection by relatives and other associates within and outside the United States.

    The money laundering conspiracy to which Jesse Moraes was sentenced involved transferring funds into and out of the United States with the intent to promote the migrant smuggling conspiracy and conducting financial transactions with the proceeds of the smuggling conspiracy that were designed to conceal the ownership and control of the proceeds.  

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Michael J. Krol, Acting Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations in New England; Jonathan Mellone, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General; Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston; and Woburn Police Chief Robert F. Rufo, Jr., made the announcement today. Valuable assistance in the investigation was provided by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Norwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James D. Herbert, Kelly Lawrence and Samuel R. Feldman of the Criminal Division prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts into the United States

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

    A PROCLAMATION

    1.  On February 17, 2019, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of passenger vehicles (sedans, sport utility vehicles, crossover utility vehicles, minivans, and cargo vans) and light trucks (collectively, automobiles) and certain automobile parts (engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components) (collectively, automobile parts) on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862) (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that automobiles and certain automobile parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. 

    2.  In Proclamation 9888 of May 17, 2019 (Adjusting Imports of Automobiles and Automobile Parts Into the United States), I concurred with the Secretary’s finding in the February 17, 2019, report that automobiles and certain automobile parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States.  I also directed the United States Trade Representative (Trade Representative), in consultation with other executive branch officials, to pursue negotiation of agreements to address the threatened impairment of the national security of the United States with respect to imported automobiles and certain automobile parts from the European Union, Japan, and any other country the Trade Representative deems appropriate.

    3.  The Trade Representative’s negotiations did not lead to any agreements of the type contemplated by section 232.

    4.  In Proclamation 9888, I also directed the Secretary to monitor imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts and inform me of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action under section 232 with respect to such imports.

    5. The Secretary has informed me that, since the February 17, 2019, report, the national security concerns remain and have escalated.  The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities and choke points in global supply chains, undermining our ability to maintain a resilient domestic industrial base.  In recent years, American-owned automotive manufacturers have experienced numerous supply chain challenges, including material and parts input shortages, labor shortages and strikes, and electrical-component shortages.  Meanwhile, foreign automotive industries, propelled by unfair subsidies and aggressive industrial policies, have grown substantially.  Today, only about half of the vehicles sold in the United States are manufactured domestically, a decline that jeopardizes our domestic industrial base and national security, and the United States’ share of worldwide automobile production has remained stagnant since the February 17, 2019, report.  The number of employees in the domestic automotive industry has also not improved since the February 17, 2019, report. 

    6.  I am also advised that agreements entered into before the issuance of Proclamation 9888, such as the revisions to the United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), have not yielded sufficient positive outcomes.  The threat to national security posed by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts remains and has increased.  Investments resulting from other efforts, such as legislation, have also not yielded sufficient positive outcomes to eliminate the threat to national security from such imports.

    7.  After considering the current information newly provided by the Secretary, among other things, I find that imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts continue to threaten to impair the national security of the United States and deem it necessary and appropriate to impose tariffs, as defined below, to adjust imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts so that such imports will not threaten to impair national security.

    8.  To ensure that the imposition of tariffs on automobiles and certain automobile parts in this proclamation are not circumvented and that the purpose of this action to eliminate the threat to the national security of the United States by imports of automobiles and certain automobile parts is not undermined, I also deem it necessary and appropriate to establish processes to identify and impose tariffs on additional automobile parts, as further described below.

    9.  Section 232 provides that, in this situation, the President shall take such other actions as the President deems necessary to adjust the imports of the relevant article so that such imports will not threaten to impair national security.  

    10.  Section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), authorizes the President to embody in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) the substance of statutes affecting import treatment, and actions thereunder, including the removal, modification, continuance, or imposition of any rate of duty or other import restriction.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 301 of title 3, United States Code; section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended; and section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, do hereby proclaim as follows:
    (1)  Except as otherwise provided in this proclamation, all imports of articles specified in Annex I to this proclamation or in any subsequent annex to this proclamation, as set out in a subsequent notice in the Federal Register, shall be subject to a 25 percent tariff with respect to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on April 3, 2025, for automobiles, and on the date specified in the Federal Register for automobile parts, but no later than May 3, 2025, and shall continue in effect, unless such actions are expressly reduced, modified, or terminated.  The above ad valorem tariff is in addition to any other duties, fees, exactions, and charges applicable to such imported automobiles and certain automobile parts articles.
    (2)  For automobiles that qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the USMCA, importers of such automobiles may submit documentation to the Secretary identifying the amount of U.S. content in each model imported into the United States.  “U.S. content” refers to the value of the automobile attributable to parts wholly obtained, produced entirely, or substantially transformed in the United States.  Thereafter, the Secretary may approve imports of such automobiles to be eligible to apply the ad valorem tariff of 25 percent in clause (1) of this proclamation exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of the automobile.  The non-U.S. content of the automobile shall be calculated by subtracting the value of the U.S. content in an automobile from the total value of the automobile.
    (3)  If U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) determines that the declared value of non-U.S. content of an automobile, as described in clause (2) of this proclamation, is inaccurate due to an overstatement of U.S. content, the 25 percent tariff shall apply to the full value of the automobile, regardless of the actual U.S. content of the automobile.  In addition, the 25 percent tariff shall be applied retroactively (from April 3, 2025, to the date of the inaccurate overstatement) and prospectively (from the date of the inaccurate overstatement to the date the importer corrects the overstatement, as verified by CBP) to the full value of all automobiles of the same model imported by the same importer.  This clause does not apply to or otherwise affect any other applicable fees or penalties.
    (4)  The ad valorem tariff of 25 percent described in clause (1) of this proclamation shall not apply to automobile parts that qualify for preferential treatment under the USMCA until such time that the Secretary, in consultation with CBP, establishes a process to apply the tariff exclusively to the value of the non-U.S. content of such automobile parts and publishes notice in the Federal Register.
    (5)  For avoidance of doubt, clause (4) of this proclamation does not apply to automobile knock-down kits or parts compilations.  Clause (4) of this proclamation applies only to individual automobile parts as defined by Annex I to this proclamation that otherwise meet the requirements of clause (4) of this proclamation.
    (6)  The Secretary, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and CBP, shall determine the modifications necessary to the HTSUS to effectuate this proclamation and shall make such modifications to the HTSUS through notice in the Federal Register.  
    (7)  Within 90 days of the date of this proclamation, the Secretary shall establish a process for including additional automobile parts articles within the scope of the tariffs described in clause (1) of this proclamation. In addition to inclusions made by the Secretary, this process shall provide for including additional automobile parts articles at the request of a domestic producer of an automobile or automobile parts article, or an industry association representing one or more such producers, where the request establishes that imports of additional automobile parts articles have increased in a manner that threatens to impair the national security or otherwise undermines the objectives set forth in any proclamation issued on the basis of the Secretary’s February 17, 2019, report or any additional information submitted to the President under clause (3) of Proclamation 9888 or clause (9) of this proclamation. When the Secretary receives such a request from a domestic producer or industry association, the Secretary, after consultation with the United States International Trade Commission and CBP, shall issue a determination regarding whether to include the articles within 60 days of receiving the request.  Any additional automobile parts articles that the Secretary has determined to be included within the scope of the tariffs described in clause (1) of this proclamation shall be so included on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time the day after a notice in the Federal Register describing the determination of the Secretary.  The notice in the Federal Register shall be made as soon as practicable but no later than 14 days after the Secretary’s determination.
    (8) Any automobile or automobile part, except those eligible for admission under “domestic status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, that is subject to the duty imposed by this proclamation and that is admitted into a United States foreign trade zone on or after the effective date of this proclamation, in accordance with clause (1) of this proclamation, must be admitted as “privileged foreign status” as defined in 19 CFR 146.41, and will be subject upon entry for consumption to any ad valorem rates of duty related to the classification under the applicable HTSUS subheading.
    (9)  The Secretary shall continue to monitor imports of automobiles and automobile parts.  The Secretary also shall, from time to time, in consultation with any senior executive branch officials the Secretary deems appropriate, review the status of such imports with respect to national security.  The Secretary shall inform the President of any circumstances that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate the need for further action by the President under section 232.  The Secretary shall also inform the President of any circumstance that, in the Secretary’s opinion, might indicate that the increase in duty rate provided for in this proclamation is no longer necessary.
    (10)  No drawback shall be available with respect to the duties imposed pursuant to this proclamation.
    (11)  The Secretary may issue regulations and guidance consistent with this proclamation, including to address operational necessity.
    (12)  CBP may take any necessary or appropriate measures to administer the tariffs imposed by this proclamation.
    (13)  Any provision of previous proclamations and Executive Orders that is inconsistent with the actions taken in this proclamation is superseded to the extent of such inconsistency.
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province continues to ensure people are protected from COVID-19, measles

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Starting Tuesday, April 8, 2025, free additional COVID-19 vaccines will be available to people in B.C., with a focus on those who are at higher risk of severe illness.

    “While the peak of respiratory illnesses has passed, influenza, COVID-19 and RSV are still here, and we must continue to practise healthy habits to keep illnesses from spreading,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer for British Columbia. “This is particularly important as spring break ends, a period when many people have been travelling. This is a reminder to stay home if you are sick, and if you need medical care, to call ahead so you can be seen safely.”

    The spring COVID-19 vaccine will be available throughout the province at approximately 400 pharmacies, as well as regional health-authority clinics, some primary-care offices, community health centres, long-term care homes and First Nations communities. Public health units will also have vaccine available for children under 12.

    “For people at the highest risk of serious illness, an extra dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can boost their immunity through the spring and summer,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “That’s why notifications to priority populations will go out starting April 8.”

    Based on guidance from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization, B.C. health officials recommend that the following people receive an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine this spring:

    • adults 65 years and older, with a particular focus on people over 80 years;
    • Indigenous adults 55 years and older;
    • adult residents of long-term care homes and assisted-living facilities (including those awaiting placement); and
    • individuals six months and older who have been diagnosed as clinically extremely vulnerable (a CEV 1 or CEV 2).

    Notifications to book appointments will be sent out to priority populations beginning April 8, 2025. The spring vaccine program will end on June 30, 2025. Anyone else who feels they would benefit from an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine can consult with their health-care provider, contact the call centre at 1 833 838-2323 to book an appointment or call a pharmacy for availability.

    With an increasing number of measles cases reported in B.C. and the resurgence of measles cases worldwide, public health officials are encouraging people in B.C. to check their immunization records to ensure they are up to date with their measles immunization by going on Health Gateway or connecting with their health-care provider, and if needed, to book an appointment to get a free measles vaccine.

    Officials are also reminding people to monitor for symptoms if they have recently travelled. To date, five cases of measles have been reported in the province, all in the Lower Mainland and all related to travel to areas in the world where measles outbreaks are occurring.

    “Increasingly, we’re seeing cases of measles in parts of Canada, with outbreaks in Ontario and cases here in B.C., and around the world,” said Dr. Henry. “Measles can cause serious illness, particularly for young people who are not vaccinated. And we have tragically had one death in Canada last year.”

    Measles is an extremely contagious virus that can cause severe complications, including pneumonia, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), and even death. People who are most at risk from measles are those who are completely unvaccinated against the disease and who have no immunity from past exposures.

    “As we’re seeing an increase in cases of measles in B.C. and around the world, people need to make sure their measles immunizations are up to date and that they follow healthy habits,” said Osborne. “It is easy and free to get the measles vaccine, to protect yourself and your loved ones from this serious virus.”

    Adults born in 1970 or later should ensure they have received two doses of a measles-containing vaccine as one dose is not enough to ensure adequate protection. Adults born before 1970 are generally assumed to have acquired immunity to measles from exposure to measles before immunization was widely available.

    In B.C., children are routinely provided with two doses of a measles-containing vaccine with the first dose of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine given at 12 months and the second dose of measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) vaccine given at four to six years.

    Children from six months of age travelling to parts of the world where measles is more common can receive MMR vaccine prior to departure. They will then require two doses of vaccine after they reach 12 months to be fully protected. Children between one and four years can also get their second dose early if travelling to areas where measles is spreading.

    People can get free measles vaccines from their local health unit or health centre. Some doctors and nurse practitioners also offer vaccines to infants, children and adults. Children 4 years and older, as well as adults, can be vaccinated at a pharmacy. In First Nations communities, people can also be immunized by their community health nurse at their community health centre or nursing station.

    Two backgrounders follow.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Construction begins on new family student housing project in Merritt

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Students studying at Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) Merritt campus will have access to more on-campus housing and child care, with construction to begin soon on a new family housing complex.

    “I know that secure and affordable housing is crucial for students who have families and want to pursue post-secondary studies,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “By creating dedicated housing for families on campus, more students will be able to fully engage in their educational journey with their loved ones there to support them. This project is part of the Province’s historic investment in student housing, with over 10,700 beds built or underway since 2017.”

    NVIT is B.C.’s only public Indigenous post-secondary institution. The new student housing project will include 12 townhouses for primarily Indigenous families, with a mix of two- and three-bedroom units to accommodate students and family members. This will bring the total number of student beds on the NVIT Merritt campus to 110. Spaces for 80 single students are already on campus.

    “I’ve been a student at NVIT for two years and it’s been a truly rewarding experience,” said Keisha Munro, president, Student Society at NVIT. “With the new housing building and expanded child care services under construction, I’m really looking forward to the future for students and their families. This new facility will provide much-needed support for students facing housing difficulties, helping them focus on their studies and achieve success.”

    The new housing complex will provide stable homes for children and families, fostering growth and support. Set to open by fall 2027, it aligns with the Eagle’s Perch concept, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge. Inspired by expanding circles, the complex aims to include students, families and the community, while promoting holistic learning. With culturally grounded design, it reinforces NVIT’s commitment to creating a space where Indigenous learners can thrive, while staying connected to their families, traditions and the land.

    The Province provided $19.6 million toward this project. The project will feature an expanded child care facility, which will include 36 child care spaces and program spaces to train early childhood educators, as well as a secured parking compound for NVIT’s mobile technology, health and general classroom training trailers.

    These training trailers, also located at Coast Mountain College in Terrace for trades training, provide Indigenous communities with hands-on training vital to meeting the demand for Indigenous people working in technology and health care throughout the province. 

    “A positive and encouraging atmosphere, including access to family-friendly student housing on campus, goes a long way to supporting students and their families as they pursue their studies and explore future job opportunities,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “We are continuing to build the public infrastructure, including student housing, that people living throughout B.C. need now and for many decades to come.”

    In addition to the new student housing and child care, since 2017, the Province has provided approximately $20 million to support NVIT, including funding for a new green heating and cooling system ($4.9 million), a Centre of Excellence in Sustainability of Green Technology ($10.2 million) and two mobile training trailers ($3.9 million). The centre, which opened in fall 2018, includes a green lab, roof training area, greenhouse, culinary kitchen, classrooms, office space, gymnasium and flexible event space.

    Quote:

    John Chenoweth, president and CEO, Nicola Valley Institute of Technology –

    “At NVIT, we recognize that student success is deeply connected to the well-being of their families and communities. This new family housing complex and daycare will provide Indigenous learners with a safe and supportive environment, allowing them to focus on their education while ensuring their families are cared for. We are grateful for this investment in expanding our student housing and child care space, which will have a lasting impact on our learners and future generations.”

    Learn More:

    For more information about the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology, visit: https://nvit.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Pressley Blasts Republican Bill to Enable Segregation, Dismantle Government

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

    Pressley Amendment to Ban Segregationist Policies Was Opposed by Republicans

    Video (YouTube)

    WASHINGTON – Today, in a House Oversight Committee markup, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) blasted Republicans for advancing the Reorganizing Government Act, legislation that would, among other things, allow the president to eliminate and reorganize agencies into “executive departments” and enable those executive departments to roll back civil rights protections.

    Congresswoman Pressley introduced an amendment to the bill that would explicitly ban those executive departments from enacting segregationist policies, which Republicans opposed. The Congresswoman’s amendment follows the Trump Administration’s reversal of a decades-old policy that prohibited federal contractors from having segregated facilities.

    A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks in support of her amendment to the Reorganizing Government Act is available below and the video is available here.

    Transcript: Pressley Blasts Republicans for Advancing Bill to Enable Segregation, Dismantle Government

    House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

    March 25, 2025

    REP. PRESSLEY: This should be a simple and unanimous addition to this bill. It reads, ”rule of construction, nothing in this Act may be construed to allow an executive department to enact a policy that supports racial segregation.” There should be no debate about whether our government should be able to implement segregationist policies. But without this amendment, nothing stops an administration from using reorganization powers to roll back civil rights. 

    Now I represent a diverse and beautiful district, the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, where people at town halls in my district, this last in district work period, genuinely expressed concern that our country is moving backwards. 

    Trump’s slogan, Make America Great Again. Begs the question, when exactly is he talking about? What year does Donald Trump want to return to? I’d like to know. 

    I can venture a guess based on many actions, which I’ll enumerate shortly. But let’s take a moment to revisit Donald Trump’s origins and his track record. 

    Donald Trump was born in the 1940s and raised under Jim Crow, a time when laws were codified to give him an advantage with the segregation of schools, businesses and public spaces, and when he started taking control of his dad’s real estate businesses a few years after the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Trump made front page news when he was sued for discriminating against Black families who applied for housing. 

    60 years later, he is still making front page news for racial discrimination. Just last week, the Trump Administration revoked a decades-old policy that prohibited federal contractors from having segregated facilities. 

    Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record this New York Times article from March 21, 2025 titled “Trump administration dropped policy prohibiting contractors from having segregated facilities.”

    CHAIR COMER: Without objection so ordered. 

    REP. PRESSLEY:  All right, y’all now, let that sink in. This administration, this administration just made it easier for businesses to reintroduce white only waiting rooms, white only bathrooms and white only water fountains in the year 2025.

    But this isn’t just about one policy change. It’s about a broader coordinated assault on civil rights to take America back to Jim Crow. 

    Trump has appointed judges that don’t support the Brown v. Board of Education decision, an obvious opening for a return to segregated schools. 

    Trump is dismantling the Department of Education as we speak, to prevent access to equal education and upend more than 300 active civil rights cases in my district alone.

    Trump has overturned executive orders from the 1960s including one signed in 1965 that mandated equal opportunity for people of color in the recruitment, hiring, and training of federal contractors. 

    Trump has even removed Black history from government websites, including the Department of Defense. 

    He is literally trying to prevent people from learning about Black veterans and their contributions and sacrifices in this country. 

    I could go on, but we would be here until tomorrow. 

    And listen, I will be the first to acknowledge Democrats, Republicans alike, have a bad history on this issue, but today, only one party is acknowledging that shameful legacy, while the Republicans remain silent, deafeningly so. 

    So I will give everyone here a chance to clarify. This vote is simple. 

    Are you against racial segregation? This is your chance to go on the record if you are in fact, opposed to racial segregation, let’s ensure that no administration, present or future, can support policies of segregation. 

    Clearly, Donald Trump, your president, or perhaps your king, does support segregation because Donald Trump was born in, benefited from, and wants to return to a segregated society. 

    I urge passage of my amendment.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Phil Scott Issues Executive Order to Extend General Assistance Eligibility for Families with Children and Medically Vulnerable Individuals

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Montpelier, Vt. – Governor Phil Scott today issued an executive order to extend eligibility for families with children and medically vulnerable individuals scheduled to exit the General Assistance program on April 1. These individuals will remain housed in the program through June 30, 2025.

    This action will allow children to remain sheltered, so they are not uprooted in the middle of the school year and allow those who are the most medically vulnerable to remain housed while the Department for Children and Families works with them to plan for the future. This aligns with the compromise proposal Governor Scott offered, which the Legislature declined to include in the Budget Adjustment Act.

    “I believe we all have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable. While I’ve been opposed to the Hotel Motel program because it doesn’t serve those in the program well, I have also been clear that we have an obligation to protect children and Vermonters who are most vulnerable,” said Governor Phil Scott. “This executive order does just that without unwinding the important progress we’ve made.”

    The traditional summer weather General Assistance program will continue, as designed last legislative session, and work towards the expansion of additional family and individual shelter capacity across the state remains a priority for the Agency of Human Services.

    Details on the specific eligibility requirements are outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order, which is available by clicking here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Turkey is an incredibly powerful broker in the current world crisis, and a masterful negotiator

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    A Turkish military ship in the Bosphorus. Atakan Divitlioglu/Shutterstock

    While Turkey’s government is struggling to deal with mass protests at home (after Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was imprisoned), in foreign affairs it is in an increasingly strong position as a key power broker in deals with Europe, the US and Russia. At the crossroads between Asia and Europe, Turkey is strategically important to just about everyone, and is emerging as a clever negotiator.

    Since the early 2000s, Turkey has relied on a foreign policy approach that emphasised cooperation instead of competition. Economic ties were a priority, which helped Turkey steadily improve its relationships with Russia, Iran and Syria.

    While remaining a part of Nato and a major trading partner with the European Union, Turkey views its ties with Russia, Ukraine, China and countries in the Middle East as equally important. Turkey has shown that it will work with whatever government benefits its interests, and has taken advantage of regional conflicts to be a convenient ally when needed.

    At the same time, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has no qualms about confronting both friends and rivals equally, giving it strategic flexibility.

    Rocky relationship with Russia

    Turkey is Russia’s second biggest trading partner. Ankara continues to rely on Russian gas and banking networks, doing over US$60 billion (£46.3 billion) in trade annually with Moscow. The Turkish relationship with Russia improved dramatically in 1995 when Russia stopped supporting the Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) and Turkey stopped supporting Chechen rebels.

    Since then, Turkey has maintained a functional relationship with Russia, while never being pliant to Moscow.

    Turkey was critical of Russia setting up military bases in Syria, in Tartus and Khmeimim and as it controls the airspace in northern Syria it also has the ability to restrict Russian access. Ankara has also used its military presence in Idlib, in northern Syria, to check Russian influence in the past. Turkey’s drone offensive in Idlib in 2020 helped the Syrian opposition and pushed back Syrian government and Russian-backed activity in the north-west.

    The importance of the Black Sea

    The Black Sea is another area of competition where Turkey has emerged with the upper hand during the war in Ukraine. Russia aimed to exercise control over the Black Sea, even seizing several Ukrainian ports which affected global grain supply in 2022.

    But Turkey negotiated the release of millions of tonnes of grain and has ensured the safety of shipping routes through the Black Sea by enforcing the Montreux Convention. This 1936 agreement granted Turkish control over the shipping route between the Black Sea (through the Bosporus Strait, the Sea of Marmara and the Dardanelles, through which hundreds of millions of tons tonnes of cargo pass each year) and the Mediterranean.

    Citing the agreement, Turkey also restricted Russian reinforcements into the Black Sea, which has restricted Russian naval power considerably.


    Shutterstock

    Though Turkey has not levied sanctions on Russia and has kept its revenue streams open, Turkey also does not accept the Russian annexation of Crimea. With more than 5 million Turks claiming to have Crimean Tatar roots, Crimea has both strategic and historical importance to Turkey.

    Yet, Turkey maintains communication with Moscow (and Erdoğan and Vladimir Putin are “dear friends”). Complicating this “friendship” is the fact that Turkey also supports Ukraine, supplying it with Bayraktar TB2 drones, heavy machine guns, laser-guided missiles, electronic warfare systems, armoured vehicles and protective gear.

    Ultimately, Turkey wants Ukraine to remain independent in order to check Russian naval power in the Black Sea. As such, Turkey is likely to work with Nato to ensure that Ukraine is not defeated.

    To that end, Turkey is willing to contribute peacekeepers to a post-ceasefire settlement, under the right conditions.

    Meanwhile, Turkey has used the Ukraine conflict to diversify its supply routes for energy (relying more on suppliers from the Caucasus region and central Asia), to reduce its dependence on Russia. Turkey is in a strong position, especially with the discovery of gas reserves in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean. Ankara aims to become an energy hub facilitating the transit of gas from the Caucasus, central Asia and Russia to Europe through the Trans-Anatolian natural gas pipeline.

    Turkey and Syria

    Turkey’s relationship with its neighbour Syria has also been pragmatic and shrewd. Turkey was able to pursue rapprochement with Syria in 2005, when Bashar al-Assad became the first Syrian president to visit Turkey since Syria gained its independence in 1946.

    But while Erdoğan maintained a relationship (to prevent Syria from moving even closer to Iran), he ultimately chose to abandon this relationship when it no longer suited him. He hosted anti-Assad figures in Turkey from time to time, and created a safe zone on its border which housed displaced Syrians and armed fighters. He gave rebels the go-ahead to oust Assad in 2024.

    Just as the war in Syria provided Turkey with opportunities, so too has the conflict in Ukraine. Ankara has strengthened its bargaining position and pushed for greater diplomatic and economic concessions from western allies. Turkey is taking advantage of the US’s retreat from Nato to push for closer cooperation with Europe.

    Turkey also is taking advantage of Donald Trump’s more lenient policies towards Russia to improve its relationship with the US. This is primarily based on wanting to improve defence cooperation. During the cold war, Turkey relied on the US for arms, funding and equipment, but was not able to use these weapons without US authorisation.

    After 1989, Turkey carved out different markets for its weapons imports and faced US sanctions for buying S-400 surface-to-air missiles from Russia in 2020. Turkey would like to purchase F-35 supersonic fighter jets from the US, and is hoping that the US will move away from sanctioning third countries that have engaged with Russia.

    Whose critical ally?

    Turkey has made sure that it is not seen by the US as a junior partner in the Middle East region. For example, when Turkey launched operations in north-east Syria in 2019, where it repeatedly fired close to US forces, the US offered no military response.

    The US sees Turkey as a key ally in spite of some different strategic goals. In addition to its geopolitical importance, Turkey also hosts US and Nato military forces at several of its bases and US nuclear weapons (20 B61 nuclear bombs) at its Incirlik Air Force Base.

    Turkey now wants to expand its diplomatic and military footprint. As a member of the G20, with one of the 20 biggest economies in the world and the second largest and second most powerful military force in Nato after the US, it has a lot of power. And in geopolitical juggling, currently Turkey is in the luxurious position of everyone wanting Ankara to be on their side.

    Natasha Lindstaedt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Turkey is an incredibly powerful broker in the current world crisis, and a masterful negotiator – https://theconversation.com/turkey-is-an-incredibly-powerful-broker-in-the-current-world-crisis-and-a-masterful-negotiator-253084

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI USA: During Women’s History Month, Cortez Masto Introduces Resolution Recognizing Latinas’ Heritage, Culture, And Contributions

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced a resolution celebrating the contributions of Latinas in the U.S. in a variety of fields while acknowledging their continued fight for full equality. The resolution was also introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressmembers Lou Correa (D-Calif.) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.).

    “While I may the first Latina Senator, I know I won’t be the last,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I stand on the shoulders of giants – Latinas who, through their contributions in arts, culture, science and technology, have had an impact on our nation. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this resolution that celebrates Latinas’ immeasurable contributions to our society and recommits this Congress to building a better future for the next generation.”

    “As America celebrates Women’s History Month, let’s shine a light on Latinas and all the incredible contributions they make to our great nation. They are our mothers, daughters, and sisters. They are our entrepreneurs, scientists, and leaders. More importantly, they are the strength of our families and our communities. They are the unsung heroes. Congress must recognize Latinas—and as a proud Chicano, I’m honored to join Rep. Salinas and Sen. Cortez Masto in leading this resolution to recognize the power and promise of those Latinas who make our communities stronger,” said Congressman Correa.

    Read the full resolution here.

    In addition to Senator Cortez Masto, the resolution is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

    The first and only Latina elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Cortez Masto has been a strong advocate for women’s rights and the Latino community. She passed into law her bipartisan legislation to authorize a series of U.S. quarters to honoring women’s history and suffrage, which featured Queen of Salsa Celia Cruz, among other prominent women. She has pushed legislation to promote women and underrepresented groups in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and careers. And she regularly supports legislation to advance women and Latinas’ professional opportunities, such as federal funding for Minority-Serving Institutions, including the four Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Nevada.

    MIL OSI USA News –