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  • MIL-OSI Global: Radioisotope generators − inside the ‘nuclear batteries’ that power faraway spacecraft

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Benjamin Roulston, Assistant Professor of Physics, Clarkson University

    Voyager 1, shown in this illustration, has operated for decades thanks to a radioisotope power system. NASA via AP

    Powering spacecraft with solar energy may not seem like a challenge, given how intense the Sun’s light can feel on Earth. Spacecraft near the Earth use large solar panels to harness the Sun for the electricity needed to run their communications systems and science instruments.

    However, the farther into space you go, the weaker the Sun’s light becomes and the less useful it is for powering systems with solar panels. Even in the inner solar system, spacecraft such as lunar or Mars rovers need alternative power sources.

    As an astrophysicist and professor of physics, I teach a senior-level aerospace engineering course on the space environment. One of the key lessons I emphasize to my students is just how unforgiving space can be. In this extreme environment where spacecraft must withstand intense solar flares, radiation and temperature swings from hundreds of degrees below zero to hundreds of degrees above zero, engineers have developed innovative solutions to power some of the most remote and isolated space missions.

    So how do engineers power missions in the outer reaches of our solar system and beyond? The solution is technology developed in the 1960s based on scientific principles discovered two centuries ago: radioisotope thermoelectric generators, or RTGs.

    RTGs are essentially nuclear-powered batteries. But unlike the AAA batteries in your TV remote, RTGs can provide power for decades while hundreds of millions to billions of miles from Earth.

    Nuclear power

    Radioisotope thermoelectric generators do not rely on chemical reactions like the batteries in your phone. Instead, they rely on the radioactive decay of elements to produce heat and eventually electricity. While this concept sounds similar to that of a nuclear power plant, RTGs work on a different principle.

    Most RTGs are built using plutonium-238 as their source of energy, which is not usable for nuclear power plants since it does not sustain fission reactions. Instead, plutonium-238 is an unstable element that will undergo radioactive decay.

    Radioactive decay, or nuclear decay, happens when an unstable atomic nucleus spontaneously and randomly emits particles and energy to reach a more stable configuration. This process often causes the element to change into another element, since the nucleus can lose protons.

    Plutonium-238 decays into uranium-234 and emits an alpha particle, made of two protons and two neutrons.
    NASA

    When plutonium-238 decays, it emits alpha particles, which consist of two protons and two neutrons. When the plutonium-238, which starts with 94 protons, releases an alpha particle, it loses two protons and turns into uranium-234, which has 92 protons.

    These alpha particles interact with and transfer energy into the material surrounding the plutonium, which heats up that material. The radioactive decay of plutonium-238 releases enough energy that it can glow red from its own heat, and it is this powerful heat that is the energy source to power an RTG.

    The nuclear heat source for the Mars Curiosity rover is encased in a graphite shell. The fuel glows red hot because of the radioactive decay of plutonium-238.
    Idaho National Laboratory, CC BY

    Heat as power

    Radioisotope thermoelectric generators can turn heat into electricity using a principle called the Seebeck effect, discovered by German scientist Thomas Seebeck in 1821. As an added benefit, the heat from some types of RTGs can help keep electronics and the other components of a deep-space mission warm and working well.

    In its basic form, the Seebeck effect describes how two wires of different conducting materials joined in a loop produce a current in that loop when exposed to a temperature difference.

    The Seeback effect is the principle behind RTGs.

    Devices that use this principle are called thermoelectric couples, or thermocouples. These thermocouples allow RTGs to produce electricity from the difference in temperature created by the heat of plutonium-238 decay and the frigid cold of space.

    Radioisotope thermoelectric generator design

    In a basic radioisotope thermoelectric generator, you have a container of plutonium-238, stored in the form of plutonium-dioxide, often in a solid ceramic state that provides extra safety in the event of an accident. The plutonium material is surrounded by a protective layer of foil insulation to which a large array of thermocouples is attached. The whole assembly is inside a protective aluminum casing.

    An RTG has decaying material in its core, which generates heat that it converts to electricity.
    U.S. Department of Energy

    The interior of the RTG and one side of the thermocouples is kept hot – close to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius) – while the outside of the RTG and the other side of the thermocouples are exposed to space. This outside, space-facing layer can be as cold as a few hundred degrees Fahrenheit below zero.

    This strong temperature difference allows an RTG to turn the heat from radioactive decay into electricity. That electricity powers all kinds of spacecraft, from communications systems to science instruments to rovers on Mars, including five current NASA missions.

    But don’t get too excited about buying an RTG for your house. With the current technology, they can produce only a few hundred watts of power. That may be enough to power a standard laptop, but not enough to play video games with a powerful GPU.

    For deep-space missions, however, those couple hundred watts are more than enough.

    The real benefit of RTGs is their ability to provide predictable, consistent power. The radioactive decay of plutonium is constant – every second of every day for decades. Over the course of about 90 years, only half the plutonium in an RTG will have decayed away. An RTG requires no moving parts to generate electricity, which makes them much less likely to break down or stop working.

    Additionally, they have an excellent safety record, and they’re designed to survive their normal use and also be safe in the event of an accident.

    RTGs in action

    RTGs have been key to the success of many of NASA’s solar system and deep-space missions. The Mars Curiosity and Perseverance rovers and the New Horizons spacecraft that visited Pluto in 2015 have all used RTGs. New Horizons is traveling out of the solar system, where its RTGs will provide power where solar panels could not.

    However, no missions capture the power of RTGs quite like the Voyager missions. NASA launched the twin spacecraft Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 in 1977 to take a tour of the outer solar system and then journey beyond it.

    The RTGs on the Voyager probes have allowed the spacecraft to stay powered up while they collect data.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech

    Each craft was equipped with three RTGs, providing a total of 470 watts of power at launch. It has been almost 50 years since the launch of the Voyager probes, and both are still active science missions, collecting and sending data back to Earth.

    Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 are about 15.5 billion miles and 13 billion miles (nearly 25 billion kilometers and 21 billion kilometers) from the Earth, respectively, making them the most distant human-made objects ever. Even at these extreme distances, their RTGs are still providing them consistent power.

    These spacecraft are a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who first designed RTGs in the early 1960s.

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

    – ref. Radioisotope generators − inside the ‘nuclear batteries’ that power faraway spacecraft – https://theconversation.com/radioisotope-generators-inside-the-nuclear-batteries-that-power-faraway-spacecraft-248504

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Abolishing NHS England could shift power from the centre – but health service overhauls rarely go well

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Judith Smith, Professor of Health Policy and Management, University of Birmingham

    The UK prime minister, Keir Starmer, has announced plans to abolish NHS England, the organisation that oversees and manages the NHS in England, employing 19,000 people.

    He declared he was bringing the NHS back under “democratic control” and cutting unnecessary bureaucracy by moving oversight of the NHS back into the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). This will reverse plans put in place by the Conservative-led coalition government in 2013 when it tried to “take the politics out of the NHS” by having NHS England as an independent body.

    The NHS is the largest public sector organisation in England, seeing 1.7 million people each day including in patients’ own homes, local GP surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals. It employs 1.7 million people, is funded largely out of general taxation, and has an annual budget of about £190 billion.

    The NHS is, however, one of the most centrally organised health systems in the world. This contrasts with many European and other countries where there is typically a national ministry of health to set strategy, with the detail of how this is implemented being left to regional and local councils, health authorities and hospitals.

    Some analysts have suggested that the NHS has become even more centrally managed in recent years, but the truth is it has always been held very close by its political masters.

    On the face of it, there are advantages to abolishing NHS England, allowing DHSC to focus on clarifying politicians’ priorities for how and on what NHS funding will be spent. These will include reducing waiting lists for operations, making it easier to get an appointment with a GP, and ensuring that emergency departments can deal quickly with patients without resorting to “corridor care”.

    In turn, local NHS organisations such as integrated care boards (who among other things organise GP, dental, pharmacy and optometry services) and NHS trusts (who run hospitals, community, mental health and ambulance services) can concentrate on making sure these policy priorities are put into practice in ways that work best for local communities.

    NHS England has a range of other important roles that will need to be reallocated, whether to an expanded DHSC or elsewhere. These include planning the training of healthcare staff, organising vaccination and screening programmes, purchasing medicines, and collating huge amounts of data about NHS activity and performance.

    The government has also announced plans to halve staffing in the 42 local integrated care boards, so any move of former NHS England roles to this level will probably only happen if these local boards merge, which now seems likely.

    The government appears therefore to have signalled another NHS management “redisorganisation” – something the NHS has suffered on a periodic basis, a consequence of its highly centralised and political nature. Research evidence is clear that management reorganisations struggle to achieve their objectives, causing instead significant distraction away from work to improve services for patients.

    In his major review of the NHS for the new Labour government in September 2024, Lord Ara Darzi – a former Labour health minister – highlighted the urgent need for more skilled and effective managers to support NHS staff in restoring and improving the service after years of economic austerity and the challenges of the pandemic. This seems to run counter to recent announcements about “cutting bureaucracy”.

    With careful planning, there is, however, potential for the abolition of NHS England to lead to a slimmer DHSC (more akin to some of its European counterparts) with a smaller number of well-resourced and managed integrated care boards who could effectively steer, support and monitor local NHS trusts and primary care services.

    In 2002, Alan Milburn, then secretary of state for health in Tony Blair’s government, issued a white paper called Shifting the Balance of Power Within the NHS. Milburn is now a leading figure in the Starmer government’s health team, so it is perhaps not surprising that we have these new plans to slim the policy centre, shift power and decision-making more locally, and enable stronger accountability to politicians and the public.

    What is likely to happen?

    What will matter as much as what is done is how these changes are made. The government has Lord Darzi’s clear and comprehensive diagnosis of the NHS’s problems. It now needs to prioritise what should be done first and what can wait, and has made a good start on this with its recent planning guidance to the NHS.

    What will be much more difficult will be to decide exactly how to reduce and then abolish NHS England – doing this in a way that ensures important roles are moved smoothly to DHSC, integrated care boards and NHS trusts.

    History is not encouraging. There is a big risk that NHS managers will find themselves focusing too much attention on handling a major reorganisation when they (and patients) would rather they concentrate on improving services.

    The government clearly wants to hold on to setting policy direction for the NHS while letting go of the detail of implementation to local level. But ultimately, it will be held to account by a population impatient for improvements to NHS services.

    Judith Smith receives funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research for research and evaluation of health services. She has been funded by the Health Foundation to provide expert primary care policy advice. Judith is Trustee and Chair of Health Services Research UK and Director of Health Services Research with Birmingham Health Partners. She is a Senior Associate of the Nuffield Trust.

    – ref. Abolishing NHS England could shift power from the centre – but health service overhauls rarely go well – https://theconversation.com/abolishing-nhs-england-could-shift-power-from-the-centre-but-health-service-overhauls-rarely-go-well-252240

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Secretary Rubio’s remarks to the press

    Source: United States of America – Department of State (video statements)

    Secretary of State Marco A. Rubio Remarks to Press in Shannon, Ireland, on March 12, 2025.

    Transcript: https://www.state.gov/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-remarks-to-press/
    ———-
    Under the leadership of the President and Secretary of State, the U.S. Department of State leads America’s foreign policy through diplomacy, advocacy, and assistance by advancing the interests of the American people, their safety and economic prosperity. On behalf of the American people we promote and demonstrate democratic values and advance a free, peaceful, and prosperous world.

    The Secretary of State, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate, is the President’s chief foreign affairs adviser. The Secretary carries out the President’s foreign policies through the State Department, which includes the Foreign Service, Civil Service and U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Get updates from the U.S. Department of State at www.state.gov and on social media!
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    Subscribe to the State Department Blog: https://www.state.gov/blogs
    Watch on-demand State Department videos: https://video.state.gov/
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    #StateDepartment #DepartmentofState #Diplomacy

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mH-OyfhXPUg

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Bangladesh, Myanmar, Geneva & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (14 March 2025) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    – Secretary-General/Bangladesh
    – Myanmar
    – Trip Announcement / Geneva
    – Trip Announcement / Brussels
    – Democratic Republic of the Congo
    – Central African Republic
    – Occupied Palestinian Territory
    – Syria
    – Global Trade 2025
    – Coffee Prices
    – Islamophobia
    – Commission on the Status of Women

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/BANGLADESH
    The Secretary-General today was in Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, as part of his Ramadan solidarity visit with Rohingya refugees and their Bangladeshi host communities.
    The Secretary-General had the chance to meet with refugees, many of them young men and women, who told him about their experiences and concerns. He spoke to children who were grateful to be able to go to school in the camps, but missed their homes in Myanmar. And he met young people who still have hope to return to their homeland but are also worried about the impending funding cuts which would dramatically reduce their monthly food rations (from $12.50 to $6 per month). The Secretary-General also visited a jute center, where he had a chance to hear from women who are trying to build a livelihood inside the camps.
    The Secretary-General assured every one of the people he met that he would do everything he can to stop the funding cuts, and he apologized to them because the UN and the international community have not been able to stop the conflict in Myanmar.
    He later had a press encounter in which he said that he had heard two clear messages: first, Rohingyas want to go back to Myanmar; and second, they want better conditions in the camps.
    And at sunset, he shared an Iftar with some 60,000 refugees. He told them that sharing an Iftar with them is a symbol of his deep respect for their religion and their culture. He also said that we are facing a deep humanitarian crisis with the announced funding cuts, and he lamented that as a result, many people will suffer, and some people might die.
    “My voice will not end until the international community understands that they have the obligation to invest now in the Rohingya refugees,” he said.
    Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus was also present at the Iftar, and they met separately earlier in the day. 

    MYANMAR
    The World Food Programme today warned that more than one million people in Myanmar will be cut off from its food assistance starting in April – due to critical funding shortfalls.
    WFP says these cuts come just as increased conflict, displacement and access restrictions are already sharply driving up food aid needs.
    Without immediate new funding WFP will only be able to assist 35,000 of the most vulnerable people, including children under the age of five, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with disabilities.
    The cuts will also impact almost 100,000 internally displaced people in central Rakhine who will have no access to food without WFP assistance, including Rohingya communities in camps.
    WFP urgently needs US$ 60 million to maintain its life-saving food assistance to the people of Myanmar this year.
    Optional – A staggering 15.2 million people are unable to meet their minimum daily food needs in Myanmar, according to the Myanmar Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan; this is up from 13.3 million last year. Of these, according to the plan, some 2.3 million people are facing emergency levels of hunger. Even with regular support, these families who rely solely on WFP food assistance, are already reporting skipping meals, selling properties or going into debt just to survive.

    TRIP ANNOUNCEMENT / GENEVA
    On Sunday, the Secretary-General will arrive in Geneva, Switzerland, where, as we announced a few days ago, he is convening the two Cypriot leaders and the Guarantor Powers of Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom for an informal meeting on Cyprus at the United Nations Office in Geneva.
    The meeting will take place from 17 to 18 March and is being held in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices efforts on the Cyprus issue and as agreed with the two leaders on 15 October 2024.
    The informal meeting will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue. The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Cypriot leaders and all Cypriots.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=14%20March%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt5yQOZfYG8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: The Palo Verde Generating Station

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    The Palo Verde Generating Station is one of the largest power plants in the U.S. and the nation’s only nuclear plant not located by a body water.

    The plant’s 3 reactors are cooled by treated wastewater that’s sourced from nearby cities, recycling more than 20 billion gallons of wastewater each year.

    Palo Verde generates enough electricity to power 2.5 million homes in Arizona and also provides reliable and low-cost power to parts of California, New Mexico, and Texas.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPRPu3ncw90

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Syria, Sudan/Security Council & other topics – Daily Press Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General
    Syria
    Treaty on state border between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan
    Haiti
    Sudan/Security Council
    Sudan / Humanitarian
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Yemen
    Bosnia and Herzegovina
    Ethiopia
    Measles / European Region
    Journalism Fellowship

    SECRETARY-GENERAL The Secretary-General just arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to start off his Ramadan solidarity visit. Tomorrow, he will meet with the Chief Adviser of the government, Muhammad Yunus and travel with him to Cox’s Bazaar. They will meet there with Rohingya refugees who have been forcibly displaced from their homes in Myanmar and also, they will meet  with the host Bangladeshi communities who have been so generous in hosting them. The Secretary-General will also share an Iftar with the refugees, and he will also issue a call to the international community to step up their humanitarian assistance for these men, women and children who have already suffered so much. And on Saturday in Dhaka, the Secretary-General will meet with youth and representatives from civil society. He will also have a joint press conference with the Foreign Adviser, Touhid Hossain. 
    SYRIA Following the Constitutional Declaration issued by the Caretaker Authorities in Syria, the Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, said he welcomes moves toward restoring the rule of law and notes that this development potentially fills an important legal vacuum.  The Special Envoy hopes the declaration can be a solid legal framework for a genuinely credible and inclusive political transition. Proper implementation will be key, he said, along with continued efforts to ensure transitional governance in an orderly manner. In a statement, the Secretary-General said that 14 years have now passed since the Syrian people stood up in peaceful protest for their universal rights and freedoms, only to be met with brutal repression.  Mr. Guterres added that what began as a call for peaceful change turned into one of the world’s most devastating conflicts, with an incalculable human cost.  The Secretary-General spoke about the millions of men, women and children who were displaced and subjected to unimaginable hardship. Yet, the Syrian people never wavered in their steadfast and courageous calls for freedom, for dignity, and for a just future.            Since 8 December, however, we saw renewed hope that Syrians can chart a different course and the chance to rebuild, the chance to reconcile, and the chance to create a nation where they can all live peacefully and in dignity.  The Secretary-General said nothing can justify the killing of civilians, that we have been reporting in recent days. He stressed that all violence must stop, and there must be a credible, an independent, an impartial investigation of violations and those responsible must be held to account.  He added that the caretaker authorities have repeatedly committed to building a new Syria based on inclusive and credible foundations for all Syrians. Now is the time for action, he said. He concluded by reiterating that we stand ready to work alongside the Syrians and support an inclusive political transition and we stand with the Syrian people towards the promise of a better Syria – for all Syrians.  
    TREATY ON STATE BORDER BETWEEN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC AND THE REPUBLIC OF TAJIKISTAN The Secretary-General warmly welcomes the signing of the Treaty on the State Border by the Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Tajikistan, and that took place today in Bishkek. He congratulates the two countries on this historic achievement and commends their leadership, their determination and their political will to bring the decades-long negotiation process to a successful conclusion. The Secretary-General looks forward to a sustained constructive engagement between the two countries towards fostering mutual trust, good-neighbourly relations and a peaceful future for their people and the broader region. 

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=13%20March%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yyL8dWzt2kI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI USA News: Remarks by President Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte Before Bilateral Meeting

    Source: The White House

    class=”has-text-align-center”>Oval Office

    12:33 P.M. EDT

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Hello, everybody.  It’s great to be with a friend of mine, who was prime minister of the Netherlands, so I got to know him very well.  We had a great relationship always.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Absolutely.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Mark Rutte.  Now he’s secretary general of NATO and doing a fantastic job.  Everybody — every report I’ve gotten is what a great job he did.  And I’m not at all surprised when I hear it.  We had to support him, and we supported him as soon as I heard the name.  

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Thank you.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  But he was a fantastic prime minister, and he’s doing a fantastic job. An even tougher job.  Which is tougher: being the prime minister of Netherlands or?

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  This job is quite tough.  Yeah.  (Laughter.)

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I would think this is a little tougher.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  But — but Dutch politics is also brutal.  So — (laughter).

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.  But this is pretty tough. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  But you’re doing good. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Thank you.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  We’re going to be discussing a lot of things.  Obviously, we’ll be discussing what’s happening with respect to Ukraine and Russia. 

    At this moment, we have people talking in Russia.  We have representatives over there — Steve Witkoff and others.  And they’re in very serious discussions.  As you know, Ukraine has agreed, subject to this — what’s happening today — to a complete ceasefire, and we hope Russia will do the same. 

    Thousands of people are being killed — young people, usually, mostly young people.  We were just talking about it.  Thousands of young people are being killed a week, and we want to see that stop.  And they’re not Americans, and they’re not from the Netherlands for the most part.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  No.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  They’re not from — they’re from Russia and they’re from Ukraine, but they’re people.  And I think everybody feels the same way.  We want it to stop.

    It’s also a tremendous cost to the United States and to other countries.  And it’s something that would have never happened if I were president, and it makes me very angry to see that it did happen.  But it happened, and we have to stop it.  

    And Mark has done some really good work over the last week.  We’ve been working together, and he’s done some really good work.  So, I’m very happy about that. 

    We’ll also be talking about trade and various other things, and I think we’ll have a very, very strong day.  We’re going to have lunch afterwards.  That’ll go.  And then we’ll see you all later. 

    But, Mark, would you like to say something?

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.  First of all, thank you so much, Mr. President, dear Donald, again for hosting me and — but also for taking time in Florida a couple of weeks after you —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Right.  That’s right.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — you were reelected. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  That’s right.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  And, of course, our phone call a couple of weeks ago.  And I must say, Trump 45 — you basically — you originated the fact that in Europe we are now spending, when you take it to aggregate, $700 billion more on defense —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — than when you came in office in 2016 — in 2017.

    But that was Trump 45.  But when look at Trump 47 —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Going to be hard to top.  (Laughter.)

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — what happened the last couple of weeks is really staggering.  The Europeans committing to a package of $800 billion defense spending.  The Germans now —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — potentially up to half a trillion extra in defense spending.  And then, of course, you have Keir Starmer here, the British prime minister, and others all committing to much higher defense spending.  

    They’re not there.  We need to do more.  But I really want to work together with you in a run-up to The Hague summit to make sure that we will have a NATO which is really reinvigorated under your leadership.  And we are getting there.  

    We also discussed defense production, because we need to produce more weaponry.  We are not doing enough — not in the U.S., not in Europe.  And we are lagging behind when you compare to the Russians and the Chinese.  And you have a huge defense industrial base, Europeans buying mo- — four times more here than the other — the other way around, which is good, because you have a strong defense industry. 

    But we need to do more there to make sure that we ramp up production and kill the red tape.  So, I would love to work with you on that. 

    And finally, Ukraine — you broke the deadlock.  As you said, all the killing, the young people dying, cities getting destroyed.  The fact that you did that, that you started the dialogue with the Russians and the successful talks in Saudi Arabia now with the Ukrainians — I really want to commend you for this.

    So, well, The Hague is my hometown.  I’d love to host you there in the summer and work together to make sure that —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  We’ll do that.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — that will be a splash, a real success, projecting American power on the world stage. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  What Mark is saying is: When I first went to NATO, my first meeting, I noticed that very few people were paying.  And if they were, they weren’t paying their fair share.  There were only seven countries that were paying what they were supposed to be paying, which was —

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  It’s even worse, there were three.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  That’s even worse.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  It could be even worse. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  But there were just very few countries that were paying.  And even the paying, it was at 2 percent, which is too low.  It should be higher.  It should be quite a bit higher.

    But you had Poland and I remember Poland was actually paying a little bit more than they were supposed to, which I was very impressed with.  And they’ve been actually terrific and some of the others.  But most of them weren’t paying or they were paying very little.  

    And I didn’t think it was appropriate to bring it up there, but I said, “It’s going to be brought up at my next meeting.”  And my next meeting — you know, the first meeting, you want to give them a little break.  The second meeting, it began.

    And I was able to raise —

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  You did.  (Laughs.)

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  — hundreds of billions of dollars.  I just said, “We’re not going to be involved with you if you’re not going to pay.”  And the money started pouring in.  And NATO became much stronger because of my actions and working along with a lot of people, including Mark.

    But they would not pay for other presidents.  I don’t think other presidents even knew that they weren’t paid.  I asked, first question, “Has everybody paid up?”  And literally, I mean, they showed — they told me seven.  You could be right.  It could be three.  But — that makes it even worse — but they just weren’t paying. 

    And I said, “No, I won’t protect if you’re not paying.  If you’re delinquent or if the money isn’t paid, why would we do that?”

    And as soon as I said that, got a little hit from the press, because they said, “Oh, gee, that’s not very nice.”  But if you said the other, nobody would have paid.  And the money started coming in by the billions.  

    And, you know, hundreds of billions of dollars flowed into NATO, and NATO became strong.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And you remember that.  And your predecessor, who I thought was a very good man actually.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Absolutely.  Jens Stoltenberg.  He sends his best greetings.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.  He was terrific.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Stoltenberg, secretary general.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Great man.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And he made the statement that when Trump came in, the money started coming in like we never saw before.  Hundreds of billions — it was actually probably close to $600 billion came in.  And NATO became strong from that standpoint.

    And now, we have to use it wisely.  And we have to get this war over with.  And you’ll be back to a normal — much more normal life. 

    And maybe we’re close.  We’re getting words that things are going okay in Russia, and it doesn’t mean anything until we hear what the final outcome is. 

    But they have very serious discussions going on right now with President Putin and others.  And hopefully, they all want to end this nightmare.  It’s a nightmare.  It’s a horrible thing, when you look.  I get pictures every week.  They give me the pictures of the battlefield, which I almost don’t want to see.  It’s so horrible to see.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  It’s so terrible.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Young people laying — arms and legs and heads laying all over the field.  It’s the most terrible thing that you’ll ever see. 

    And it’s got to stop.  These are young people with mothers and fathers and sisters and brothers and friends, and it’s got to stop. 

    So, we hopefully are going to be in a good position sometime today to have a good idea.  We’ll have — we know where we are with Ukraine, and we are getting good signals outside of Russia as to where we are with Russia, and hopefully they’ll do the right thing.  

    It’s a really — humanity — we’re talking about humanity.  We’re not talking about the money.  But then you add the money to it, and, you know, hundreds of billions of dollars is being spent and, really, wasted so unnecessarily.  It should have never happened.  

    So, it’s an honor to have you here.  They picked a great gentleman.  I’ll tell you, that was — I was so happy to hear, because you had somebody — Stoltenberg was really good.  And you have somebody that’s going to do an incredible job.  And I was so much in favor of you, you have no idea. 

    They had another person that I did not like.  (Laughter.)  I was not happy.  And I think I kept him from — you know what I’m talking about.  I said, “This is the right man to do it.”  And he really did.  He was a great prime minister of the Netherlands.  He did a great job.  And that’s what he’s doing right now. 

    So, thank you, everybody, for being here.  And very great honor to have you.  And we even have some of our great energy people here today, right?  We have the governor, and we have Chris.  You know Chris.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.  Absolutely.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  He’s supposed to be the most talented man in the world of energy, according to the governor.  (Laughter.)  So, I don’t know if he’s right.

    And we have — General, you’ve been fantastic.  Thank you very much. 

    And we have a lot of good people that won’t be so much involved with this, but they wanted to see what was happening.  It’s become a little bit of a show — (laughter) — but they wanted to see what was happening.  And I think a lot of good things are happening.  

    So, with that, if anybody would have a question.

    (Cross-talk.) 

    Q    Mr. President, o- — on Russia. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Please, go ahead.

    Q    Vlad- —

         Q    Sorry.  Sorry, Mary.  Steve Witkoff’s trip to Moscow, you spoke about it.  What sort of agreement do you hope he comes away from there with?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, we’d like to see a ceasefire from Russia.  And we have, you know, not been working in the dark.  We’ve been discussing with Ukraine land and pieces of land that would be kept and lost and all of the other elements of a final agreement.  

    There’s a power plant involved — you know, a very big power plant involved.  Who’s going to get the power plant and who’s going to get this and that.  And so, you know, it’s not an easy process.

    But phase one is the ceasefire.  A lot of the individual subjects have been discussed, though.  You know, we’ve been discussing concepts of land, because you don’t want to waste time with the ceasefire if it’s not going to mean anything.  So, we’re saying, “Look, this is what you can get.  This is what you can’t get.” 

    They discussed NATO and being in NATO, and everybody knows what the answer to that is.  They’ve known that answer for 40 years, in all fairness. 

    So, a lot of the details of a final agreement have actually been discussed.  Now we’re going to see whether or not Russia is there, and if they’re not, it’ll be a very disappointing moment for the world. 

    Yeah. 

    Q    And Vladimir Putin just said he is open to a ceasefire, but he does still have some concerns.  He suggested that you two should speak directly.  Do you have plans to speak to him soon?  If so, when?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, I would.  Yeah, sure.

    Q    And are you confident you can get this across the finish line?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Sure.  He did say that today.  It was a very promising statement, because other people are saying different things, and you don’t know if they have anything to really — if they have any meaning, or I don’t know.  I think some of them were making statements.  I don’t think they have anything to do with it.

    No, he put out a very promising statement, but it wasn’t complete.  And, yeah, I’d love to meet with him or talk to him, but we have to get it over with fast.  You know, every day people are being killed.  It’s not like — as we sit here, two people will be killed.  Think of it.  Two people are going to be killed during this little period of time. 

         Thousands of people a week are dying, so we really don’t have very much time.  We have to make this fast.  It shouldn’t be very complicated.

    (Cross-talk.) 

    Yes.

    Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  A representative of Canada, the finance minister, are in town and will meet members of your administration during the day. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Sure.  Yeah.

    Q    Any chances that you will ban on the tariffs on aluminum and — and the — the ones that are planned for April 2nd?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  No.

    Q    You are not going to change your mind? 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  No, I’m not.  Look, we’ve been ripped off for years, and we’re not going to be ripped off anymore.  No, I’m not going to bend at all on aluminum or steel or cars.  We’re not going to bend.  We’ve been ripped off as a country for many, many years.  We’ve been subjected to costs that we shouldn’t be subjected to. 

    In the case of Canada, we’re spending $200 billion a year to subsidize Canada.  I love Canada.  I love the people of Canada. I have many friends in Canada.  “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky, the great.  Hey, how good is Wayne Gretzky?  He’s the Great One.  

    But we have — I know many people from Canada that are good friends of mine.  But, you know, the United States can’t subsidize a country for $200 billion a year.  We don’t need their cars.  We don’t need their energy.  We don’t need their lumber.  We don’t need anything that they give. 

    We do it because we want to be helpful, but it comes a point when you just can’t do that.  You have to run your own country.  And to be honest with you, Canada only works as a state.  We don’t need anything they have.  As a state, it would be one of the great states anywhere.  

    This would be the most incredible country visually.  If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it — between Canada and the U.S.  Just a straight artificial line.  Somebody did it a long time ago — many, many decades ago — and makes no sense.  

    It’s so perfect as a great and cherished state, keeping “O Canada,” the national anthem.  I love it.  I think it’s great.  Keep it, but it’ll be for the state.  One of our greatest states.  Maybe our greatest state.  

    But why should we subsidize another country for $200 billion?  It costs us $200 billion a year.  And again, we don’t need their lumber.  We don’t need their energy.  We have more than they do.  We don’t need anything.  We don’t need their cars.  I’d much rather make the cars here.  

    And there’s not a thing that we need.  Now, there’ll be a little disruption, but it won’t be very long.  But they need us.  We really don’t need them.  And we have to do this.  I’m sorry, we have to do this.  

    Yes. 

    Q    Mr. President — 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah. 

    Q    — you have made it very clear that NATO needs to step up, although great progress —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    Q    — has been made in your first mandate.  How do you envision this new transatlantic —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Are you talking about NATO stepping up?

    Q    Yes.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, NATO is stepping up through this man. This man is a man that only knows how to step up.  And we have the same goal in mind: We want the war ended.  And he’s doing his job.  He only knows how to do a good job.  That’s one thing.  That’s why I fought for him to get that job —

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Thank you so much.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  — because they had some other candidates that I’ll tell you would not have done a very good job.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  I need this part of the — of the movie for my family.  (Laughter.)

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  That’s right.  That’s right.  We’ll get you a clip. 

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.  Exactly.  (Laughs.)

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  We’re going to get him a clip of that — of that little last essay.  But the rest of the statements he doesn’t care about.

    Q    Sir, how does this new transatlantic cooperation — how do you envision it?  What is it going to look like?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, we have — that’s one thing.  I mean, you know, we’re the other side of the ocean, and they’re right there.  And yet, we’re in for $350 billion because of Biden, and they’re in for $100 billion.  So, it’s a big difference, and it’s unfair.  

    And I said, “You have to equalize.”  They should equalize.  They should have — it should have never happened, where Biden just gave his money away. 

    Now, as you know, we have an agreement with Ukraine on the rare earths and other things, and that’ll get us

    something back — a lot back.  It’ll get us our money back.  We’re not doing it for that, though.  We’re doing — I’m just doing this to get the war stopped.  I’m doing it, really, to save lives.

    But, at the same time, we were treated very unfairly, as we always are by every country.  And we’re in for very substantially more than the European nations are in for, and that shouldn’t be.

    You know, they’re much more affected by it than we are, because we do have an ocean in between. 

    But I don’t know.  I think good things are going to happen.  I really do.  I think good things are going to happen. 

    I do say — we were talking before, and Mark was very nice.  He said, “If you wouldn’t get involved, there would be” — you’d just be going on.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  This thing would have gone on for a long time.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Breaking a deadlock.  It was crucial.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, we broke a deadlock. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  We did break a deadlock.  I hope it’s meaningful. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yes, did you have one?

    Q    Mr. President — 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, please.

    Q    Yes, sir.  Thank you, Mr. President.  Amanda Head with Just the News.  On the southern border, you’ve got DHS and ICE, who are reporting that there was a little bit of fudging of numbers during the Biden administration —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    Q    — on both the catch and the release side with respect to reporting the number of illegals coming into the country who were released.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  They cheated on the numbers.  They were — the numbers were — I love that question.

    Q    Right.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Who are you with?

    Q    Just the News.  Amanda Head.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Very nice.  That’s good.  That’s good.

    Q    Do you know how many of those are criminal illegal aliens? 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Many of them.

    Q    And Biden is out of office —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:   Yeah.

    Q    — Alejandro Mayorkas.  Who gets held accountable?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  No, Biden fudged the numbers.  The numbers were totally fake, and he gave fake numbers.  I knew they were fake.  Everybody knew they were fake, but now it came out.  And terrible what — what they did.  That administration was a horror show for this country.

    Q    Can you hold anyone accountable?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, I don’t know.  They gave phony numbers, and phony numbers are a very bad thing to give.  But I’m not sure about that.  I don’t know how it would play.  We want to get it straightened out.  

    We have — we’re after many, many bad people that were let into our country.  And Kristi Noem and my friend Homan — how good is Tom Homan doing, right?  And they’re after them.  And they — I mean, you see: They’re taking them out in record numbers.  Gang members, gang leaders, drug dealers. 

    This is a problem the Netherlands does not have.  The Netherlands never had this problem.  If you’d like to take —

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  We have a few drug- — drug dealers, I’m afraid.  (Laughter.)

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I could deliver some people.  I could deliver some nice people to the Netherlands if you’d like.  (Laughter.)

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  I’m not sure.  (Laughs.)

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  No, what he did to this country, letting 21 million people flow through an open border — many of those people were hard criminals from prisons and jails, from mental institutions, and I always say “insane asylums,” because they were seriously deranged.  And they’re here from not South America, from all over the world.  From South America, but from all over the world.  And it’s so sad. 

    You’d say, “Why would anybody do this?  Why?”

    Yeah, go ahead.

    Q    And — and one more.  There’s some new internal Democrat polling that doesn’t look great for Democrats, but it also has 54 percent unfavorability for Republicans in swing states and battlegrounds for the midterms.  Do you consider those voters cap- — capturable for — for Republicans?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, well, we did — you know, I won every swing state, as you know, by a lot, and I won the popular vote by a lot, and we won the counties.  If you look at the counties and district plan, we had 2,725, and they had 501.  That’s a real — that’s why the map is all red.  So, we had a great thing.

    Yeah, I think winning from the Democrats — I saw — if you looked the other night, I made a speech, and I introduced two young ladies who were killed.  Two killed.  Viciously, violently killed.  Young.  Unbelievable.  Both outstanding people.  They were killed by illegal aliens.  And the Democrats wouldn’t get up and applaud.  The mothers were, I mean, inconsolable.  They were crying, and everybody was crying.  The Democrats sat there with stone faces.  They didn’t clap, they didn’t stand, they didn’t do anything.  

    We had a young man with very serious cancer, wanted to — his dream is to be with the police department someday, and he was introduced. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  That was very touching.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  They didn’t even clap.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah, I saw it.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I mean, they were disgusting.  Frankly, they were disgusting.  There’s something wrong with them.  They’re deranged.  They’re deranged.  Like Jack Smith, they’re deranged people. 

    And I never saw anything like it.  I’m standing up, and I introduce the mother and the parents of these two young girls that were just recently, essentially, killed.  Violently killed.  And the Democrats are like this.  It’s so sad.  

    And I saw this morning where — one of them is pretty well-known — one is arguing, fighting like crazy over men being able to play in women’s sports.  I said, “Yeah, I thought that was tried.”  I thought that was about a 95 — I think it’s a 95 percent issue.  

    But, in a way, I want them to keep doing it, because I don’t think they can win a race.  I mean — and I tell the Republicans, I said, “Don’t bring that subject up, because there’s no election right now.  But about a week before the election, bring it up, because you can’t lose.”  

    And everything is “transgender this, transgender that.”  You know, they have bad politics. 

    But one thing: They stick together.  You know?

    I wish — and the Republicans stick together, mostly, but we have a couple that are grandstanders.  You know, you always have grandstanders in life.

    But the Democrats, they don’t seem — they have grandstanders, but when it comes to a vote, they do stick together, right?

    VICE PRESIDENT VANCE:  They get in line.  Yes, sir.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  So.

    Q    It seems like they’ll stick together on the shutdown.  Will that hurt Democrats going into midterms?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, if they do a shutdown and, ultimately, that might lead to very, very high taxes, because we’re talking about a shutdown.  We’re talking about getting to work immediately on the greatest tax bill ever passed.  That was the one we did.  It’s a renewal, and it’s an addition to it.  And we’re going to cut people’s taxes. 

    And if we don’t open, the Democrats are stopping all of these good things that we’re providing.  We’re providing the greatest package of benefits that this country has ever provided. 

    The biggest part of that’s going to be tax cuts for the middle class and for businesses, small businesses, employers — people that hire people and jobs. 

    And if it’s shut down, it’s only going to be — if there’s a shutdown, it’s only because of the Democrats, and they would really be taking away a lot from our country and from the people of our country.

    Q    Mr. President, on — on tariffs.  You made clear you’re not backing down from this, but many American small-business owners say they are concerned that these tariffs are going to hurt them.  What’s your message to them?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  They’re going to be so much richer than they are right now.

    And we have many — yesterday, General Motors was in.  They want to invest $60 billion.  The people from Facebook were in yesterday.  They’re going to invest $60 billion by the end of the year.  Other people are talking about numbers.  

    Apple, as you know, a few days ago, announced $500 billion investment.  They’re going to build their plants in the United States, which, as you know, almost all of their plants are in China.  Now they’re building in the United States.

    Look, the reason is two things.  Number one, the election. November 5th.  And the other thing is tariffs.  I think, probably, in that order. 

    But Tim Cook came in and he announced 500 — think of it, $500 billion, not million.  Five hundred million is a lot, when you think about it, right?  But —

    VICE PRESIDENT VANCE:  Yes, sir.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I would have been happy with $500 million.  But it’s $500 billion investment by Apple in the United States, and that’s because of the election result and it’s because of the tariffs and the tax incentives too.  You know, tariffs and tax incentives.  And I’ve never seen anything like it. 

    We have plants going up now in Indiana.  We have plants going up in Michigan.  A lot of plants going to be planned from — I’m trying to steer them to Michigan, because Michigan got so badly beaten by, you know, what happened with Europe.

    You know, if you look at Europe. Take a look at the EU.  We’re not allowed to sell cars there.  It’s prohibitive because of their policies, and also their nonmonetary tariffs.  They put obstacles in your way that you can do nothing about.  

    But if you take a look at what happens — so, we sell no cars to Europe — I mean, virtually no cars — and they sell millions of cars to us.  They don’t take our agriculture.  We take their agriculture. It’s like a one-way street with them.

    The European Union is very, very nasty. 

    They sue our companies.  Apple was forced to pay $16 billion on a case that — very much like my cases that I won.  They shouldn’t have been even cases.  But we felt they had no case, and they ended up having an extremely favorable judge and decision.  

    But they’re suing Google, they’re suing Facebook, they’re suing all of these companies, and they’re taking billions of dollars out of American companies, many more than the ones I just mentioned.  And I guess they’re using it to run Europe or something.  I don’t know what they’re using it for. 

    But they treat us very badly.  China obviously treats this very badly.  Almost everybody does.  And I blame past presidents, to be honest. 

    Because when I was president, I — we received, so far, about $700 billion from China, over the years, on the tariffs that I put in.  No other president got 10 cents from China.  And that was only beginning.  Except for COVID, it would have — I would have been able to finish the process.  But we had to fight the COVID thing, and we did really well with it.  But we had to fight.

    And then we had actually — as you remember, Mark, we actually handed over the stock market.  It was higher than just previous to COVID coming in, which was sort of a miracle, frankly.  We did a good job.

    But the tariffs are very important.  And I think the psychology — there’s great spirit.  When Mark came in, he said, “Congratulations.  There’s a whole new spirit.  There’s a whole new light over this country, and really over the world” —

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  — because you have somebody that — a whole group of people, really, because I talk about this whole group, that we know what we’re doing.  And a lot of great things are happening.

    But I’ve never seen investment like this.  Trillions of dollars is being invested in the United States now that would have never — our country could have failed.  Another four years of this, what happened in the last four years, our country would have been a crime-ridden mess.  

    And I don’t know if you noticed — a little thing, they call it, but it’s not a little thing if you don’t have — if you like eggs and you don’t have a lot of money — eggs have gone down 25 percent in the last couple of weeks.  We inherited that problem: eggs.  

    Groceries have gone down a little bit.  Energy has gone down. 

    Do you want to speak to that for a second, Governor?  Would you just say a couple of words, you and Chris, about energy, what’s happened?

    SECRETARY BURGUM:  Well, happy to, but I think that — Chris and I just came from CERAWeek, which is the largest conference in the world.  So, global leaders, people from the EU, officials from all the energy-producing countries all there.  And all the global nationals, all the U.S.  The — the spirit of that group is through the roof, because now they realize that in the United States, that President Trump’s policies are pro — pro developing more energy, as opposed to we’re trying to shut down energy.  

    And that pro-growth, pro-business, pro- — pro-energy approach is giving people the optimism.  So, then the markets are reacting to that, and energy prices on the futures market are going to go down because people know we’re — we’re not going to be killing off the energy we need for prosperity in all of our countries, but also for peace, because people have used energy to fuel these wars that President Trump is working so hard to end.  And — and we — we know that energy — high energy prices were driving the inflation that he talked about. 

    So, it accomplishes two goals for us — which is prosperity for the world, peace for the world — when we have smart energy policies.  And — and President Trump has brought common sense back to how we think about energy.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And it’s brought down now $65 a barrel,  I saw this morning.  That’s phenomenal news, and that’s going to bring — that’s what brought it up.  The energy went — they took our beautiful energy policies and they just messed them up.  And then they went immediately back to them, because — but by that time, they lost it.  They lost that bronco, as the expression goes.

    Chris, do you have something to say?

    SECRETARY WRIGHT:  I think Doug said it well, but you just can’t overstate how important the return of common sense, the return of knowledge about energy and pro-American consumers, pro investment in our country.  I think, globally, that was welcomed.  It means capital flows.  It means more sobriety and lower energy prices, more economic opportunity for Americans. 

    So, yeah, it was elated atmosphere at a global energy conference. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, we’re working on one project, and it should be very easy.  It’s a pipeline going through a small section of New York.  New York has held it up for years, actually.  For years they’ve wanted to do it. For years and years.  And it will reduce — 

    The most expensive energy, almost, in the world is in New England, because they have no way of getting it there because it’s been held up by New York.  And the whole of New England and Connecticut and New York — the energy prices are through the roof.  And this one pipeline will save per family, $2,500 just on heating and another $2,500 on everything else.  So, the energy — by just a simple pipeline going through an area that wants it — an area that’s not a rich area; it’s actually a very poor area — would create jobs and everything else.

    And it’s going to be way underground.  Nobody’s going to see it.  Once they fill it up, nobody’s going to see it.  Nobody’s going to know it’s there. 

    And families in New York and Connecticut and New England are going to save $5,000 a family.  Think of that.  Because, right now, they have the highest energy prices maybe in the world, they say.  New England is a disaster.  

    So, we’re working on that.  In fact, the governor is coming in — governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, who’s a very nice woman.  She’s coming in tomorrow morning at 9 o’clock to meet me on that and other things — not only that, but other things.

    So, I hope we don’t have to use the extraordinary powers of the federal government to get it done, but if we have to, we will.  But I don’t think we’ll have to. 

    I can tell you, Connecticut wants it and all of New England wants it.  And who wouldn’t want it?  And it’s also jobs on top of everything else.  So, that’s going to be very exciting.  So, we’re meeting with the governor tomorrow morning. 

    (Cross-talk.)

    Yeah. 

    Q    Thank you, Mr. President.  Greenland.  What is your vision for the potential annexation of Greenland and getting them, potentially, to —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    Q    — to statehood?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, I think it’ll happen.  And I’m just thinking — I didn’t give it much thought before, but I’m sitting with a man that could be very instrumental.  You know, Mark, we need that for international security — not just security, international.  We have a lot of our favorite players, you know, cruising around the coast, and we have to be careful.  And we’ll be talking to you.

    And it’s a very appropriate — really, a very appropriate question. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  It’s an —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Thank you very much.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — an issue in the high north, so the Arctic.  So, what you did —

    So, when it comes to Greenland, yes or no, joining the U.S., I would leave that outside, for me, this discussion, because I don’t want to drag NATO in that. 

    But when it comes to the high north in the Arctic, you are totally right.  The Chinese and — are using these routes.  We know that the Russians already arming.  We know we have a lack of icebreakers.  So, the fact that the seven — outside of Russia, there are seven Arctic countries — working together on this, under U.S. leadership — it’s very important to make sure that that region, that that a part of the world stays safe.  And — and we know things are changing there, and we have to be there.

    Q    Well, they just had an election there the other day.  I mean, do you see a referendum, a plebiscite where the people of Greenland would be in a position to decide if they want to become part of the United States? 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, it was a good election for us, as you know.  It was not a referendum.  It wouldn’t be called that.  It was an individual election.  But the person that did the best is a very good person, as far as we’re concerned.  And so, we’ll be talking about it.  And it’s very important. 

    Mark mentioned the word “icebreaker.”  So, we’re in the process of ordering 48 icebreakers, and Canada wants to know if they could use them.  I said, “Well, you know, you got to pay for them.”  Think of it.  Canada.  We pay for their military.  You know, Canada pays very little for their military, because they think we’re going to protect them, but — even with the icebreakers. 

    So, we’re going to order 48, and Canada wants to be part of the deal.  I say, “You got to get your own icebreakers.  I mean, if you’re a state, you can be part of the deal, but if you’re a separate country, you’ve got to get your own icebreakers.”  

    Russia, as you know, has about 40 of them, and we have 1 big icebreaker.  But that whole area is becoming very important and for a lot of reasons.  The routes are, you know, very direct to Asia, to Russia, and you have ships all over the place.  And we have to have protection.  So, we’re going to have to make a deal on that.

    And Denmark is not able to do that.  You know, Denmark is very far away and really has nothing to do. 

    What happens?  A boat landed there 200 years ago or something, and they say they have rights to it.  I don’t know if that’s true.  I’m not — I don’t think it is, actually.

    But we’ve been dealing with Denmark.  We’ve been dealing with Greenland.  And we have to do it.  We really need it for national security.  I think that’s why NATO might have to get involved in a way, because we really need Greenland for national security.  It’s very important.  

    You know, we have a couple of bases on Greenland already, and we have quite a few soldiers that — maybe you’ll see more and more soldiers go there.  I don’t know.

    What do you think about that, Pete? Don’t answer that, Pete.  (Laughter.)  Don’t answer that question.  

    But we have bases, and we have quite a few soldiers on Greenland already. 

    Q    Mr. President, some people question your commitment to NATO.  Will everything — anything change?

    Your com- — your commitment to NATO, will anything change?  Same amount of money?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, I think they made —

    Q    Same number of troops?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  — a great step by putting Mark in charge.  I think, to me, that’s a great step, because he and I have seen eye to eye on everything for a long time.  We’ve been doing this a long time now.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Nine years now.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And so, that’s a great step. 

    You have to keep NATO strong.  You have to keep it relevant. 

    But the biggest thing we have to worry about right now is what’s going on right now.  I think the rest is going to take care of itself. 

    I don’t see this having — this was a fluke.  This was something that if we had a competent president, it would not have happened.  The man was grossly incompetent.  All you have to do is look in — take a look at — he signs by autopen.

    Who was signing all this stuff by autopen?  Who would think you signed important documents by autopen?  You know, these are major documents you’re signing.  You’re proud to sign them.  You have your signature on something — in 300 years, they say, “Oh, look.”  Can you imagine?  Everything was signed by autopen — almost everything.  Nobody has ever heard of such a thing. 

    Q    Do you —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  So —

    Q    Sorry. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Should have never happened. 

    Q    You’re speaking tomorrow at the Justice Department about law and order.  Could you tell us a little bit about that? 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, we’re going to be with the Justice Department.  We have a great Justice Department.  Pam Bondi is so fantastic.  And Todd Blanche and Emil — you got to know him a little bit; he was acting for a little while — and some other people are incredible in the Justice Department. 

    And I consider the FBI to be a part of it, in a sense, and Kash is going to be fantastic, and all the people he’s — Dan Bongino, I love that.  I mean, I love that.  I think Dan is great. 

    I think we have unbelievable people.  And all I’m going to do is set out my vision.  It’s going to be their vision, really, but it’s my ideas.  And basically, we don’t want to have crime in the streets.  We don’t want to have people pushed into subways and killed, and then the — the person that did the pushing ends up in a 15-year trial and gets off scot-free.  We want to have justice, and we want to have safety in our cities, as well as our communities. 

    And we’ll be talking about immigration.  We’ll be talking about a lot of things.  Just the complete gamut.  So, I look forward to that.  That will be tomorrow at the Justice Department. 

    Q    Mr. President, you are a man of peace.  You’ve said it several times and made it very clear.  A man of peace dealing with belligerent people. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    Q    And I’m thinking we saw you handled Zelenskyy in this very own room.  What is your leverage on Putin?  Are you thinking sanctions?  What if he refuses to —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, I do have leverage, but I don’t want to talk about leverage now, because right now we’re talking to him.  And based on the statements he made today, they were pretty positive, I think, so I don’t want to talk about that.  

    I hope Russia is going to make the deal too.  And I think once that deal happens, you’re never going to be in a process.  I don’t think they’re going back to shooting again.  I really believe if we get a peace treaty, a ceasefire treaty, I think that leads to peace.  That’s going to really lead to a —

    I don’t think anyone wants to go back.  They’ve been doing this for a long time, and it’s vicious and violent.  And I think if President Putin agrees and does a ceasefire, I think we’re going to be in very good shape to get it done.  We want to get it over with.  That’s why — it was very important what I instructed everybody, including Steve, what we’re looking for: to discuss concepts of land, concepts of —

    MR. WALTZ:  Yes, sir.   

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  — of power plants because it’s complicated.  You know, you have a whole — you’re sort of creating the edge of a country. 

    The sad part is that country, if they didn’t — if this didn’t happen — and it wouldn’t have happened — I don’t know if they would have to give anything back.  I guess Crimea? 

    You know, I said it last time, Crimea was given by Obama, Biden gave them the whole thing, and Bush gave them Georgia.  And Trump didn’t give them anything. 

    I gave them — you know what I gave them?  I gave them Javelins.  And the Javelins were very effective, as you know.  I gave them nothing —

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  2019. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And then also, if you take a look, I was the one that stopped the pipeline going into Europe.  It was totally stopped: Nord Stream 2.  Nobody ever heard of Nord Stream 2 before I came along.

    But I got along very well with President Putin.  I got along with most of them.  I get along great with President Xi.  I got along great with Kim Jong Un.  I got along great with all of them.  And we had no wars.  We had no problems.  We wiped out ISIS in record time. General “Razin” Kane.  And he wiped them out. 

    And he is going to be our new chief, right?  He’s going to be —

    SECRETARY HEGSETH:  Yes, sir.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  — the head of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and he’s a highly respected man.  He’s going to be great. 

    Pete is going to be fantastic.  I have no doubt about it.  We have a great team.  A really great team. 

    Yeah, please.  Go ahead, please.

    Q    Mr. President, some of our allies have said that they’re worried that they could be the next to be attacked by Russia.  You’ve spoken directly with the Russian president.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

    Q    Do you think those fears are justified?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  No, I don’t.  I think when this gets done, it’s done.  They’re going to all want to go home and rest.  I don’t see it happening.  Nope, I don’t see that happening.  And we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen.  Not going to happen.  But we’ll make sure it doesn’t happen. 

    Yeah, go ahead, please. 

    Q    Leaders from Russia and Iran are heading to Beijing tomorrow to discuss nuclear programs.  What do you hope to get out of that?

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Well, maybe they’re going to talk about non-nuclear programs.  Maybe they’re going to be talking about the de-escalation of nuclear weapons, because, you know, I was talking about that with President Putin very strongly.  And we could have done something.  Had that election not been rigged, we would have had something.  I think I would have made a deal with Putin on de-escalation, denuclearization, as they say.  But we would have de-escalated nuclear weapons, because the power of nuclear weapons is so great and so devastating. 

    And, right now, Russia and us have by far the most, but China will catch us within five years.  China doesn’t have — but they’re in the process of building.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP: And they build.  And within four or five years, they’ll probably have the same.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  And, by the way, you — this is a Republican tradition.  Ronald Reagan, when he negotiated with Gorbachev —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Right. 

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — in the 1980s —

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  That’s right.

    SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — about bringing down the number of nuclear weapons is what you have been doing your first term.  And it is important. 

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  It would be a great achievement if we could bring down the number.  We have so many weapons, and the power is so great. 

    And we — number one, you don’t need them to that extent.  And then we’d have to get others, because, as you know, in a smaller way — Kim Jong Un has a lot of nuclear weapons, by the way — a lot — and others do also.  You have India.  You have Pakistan.  You have others that have them, and we’d get them involved. 

    But we started off with Russia and us.  We have, by far — actually, by far, the most.  And we were going to denuclearize, and that was going to happen. 

    And then we were going to China.  And I spoke to China.  I spoke to President Xi about it.  And he really liked the idea.  You know, he’d like not to spend trillions of dollars building weapons that, hopefully, he’s never going to have to use.  And — because they are very expensive also.  So, that would have been great. 

    Okay, one or two more. 

    (Cross-talk.)

    Yeah, go ahead.  

    Q    Thank you.  We are looking at an impending government shutdown Friday at midnight.

    PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah. 

    Q    Democrats, for 30 years straight, have said, if there’s a shutdown, bad things happen.  Do you anticipate direct negotiations yourself with conference leader of the Democrats, Chuck Schumer?

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, if they need me, I’m there a hundred percent.  It’s — right now, it’s two or three people.  If it shuts down, it’s not the Republicans’ fault.  You know, we passed a bill where we had an incredible Republican vote.  We only had one negative vote, a grandstander.  You know, one grandstander.  There’s always a grandstander in the lot. 

         But it was amazing.  People were amazed that the Republicans were able to vote in unison like that so strongly. 

         If there’s a shutdown, even the Democrats admit it will be their fault.  And I’m hearing a lot of Democrats are going to vote for it, and I hope they do.  This is an extension. 

         But ultimately, we want to vote for one big, beautiful bill where we put the taxes in, we put everything in.  We’re going to have big tax cuts.  We’re going to have tremendous incentives for companies coming into our country and employing lots of people.  

         It’ll be — I called it, in a rare moment, one big, beautiful bill.  That’s what I like.  And it seems to be that’s where they’re heading.  And we’ll have to take care of something to do with Los Angeles. 

         A place called Los Angeles almost burned to the ground.  By the way, I broke into Los Angeles.  Can you believe it?  I had to break in. 

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah?

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I invaded Los Angeles.  And we opened up the water, and the water is now flowing down.  They have so much water, they don’t know what to do.  They were sending it out to the Pacific for environmental reasons.  Okay?  Can you believe it?  And in the meantime, they lost 25,000 houses.  They lost — and nobody’s ever seen anything like it. 

         But we have the water.  I’d love to show you a picture.  You’ve seen the picture.  The water is flowing through the half pipes.  You know, we have the big half pipes that go down.  Used to — 25 years ago, they used to have plenty of water, but they turned it off for — again, for environmental reasons.  Well, I turned it on for environmental reasons and also fire reasons. 

         And I’ve been asking them to do that during my first term.  I said, “Do it.”  I didn’t think anything like — could happen like this, but they didn’t have enough water. 

         Now the farmers are going to have water for their land, and the water is in there. 

         But I actually had to break in.  We broke in to do it because we had people that were afraid to give water.

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  They were — in particular, they were trying to protect a certain little fish.  And I say, “How do you protect a fish if you don’t have water?”  They didn’t have any water, so they’re protecting a fish, and that didn’t work out too well, by the way.  

         So, they have a lot of water going down throughout California, all coming out from the Pacific Northwest, even some from Canada. 

         Thank you, Canada, very much.  I appreciate it. 

         Next thing you know, they’ll want to turn the water off.  They’ll want to charge us for the water.

         But it comes up from the Pacific Northwest, and it’s a beautiful thing to see.  I mean, it is brimming with water. 

         Now, if they would have had that done, you wouldn’t have had the damage, because the fire would have been put out.  The fire hydrants would have been loaded.  The sprinklers in people’s living rooms and bedrooms would have been loaded up with the — they had no water.  The government makes them put sprinklers in.  They had no water in the sprinklers because they had no water. 

         So, the water is flowing, and we’re going to have to give a lot of money to Los Angeles to help them, and the Democrats are going to want to do that.  So, that’s the one thing different. 

         And I frankly, I think that makes it a lot easier.  But one of the big thing is we have the big, beautiful bill.  We got to get that done.  And that will put our country in a position like it’s never been in. 

         It’s a reduction of taxes.  It’s tremendous incentives for companies to come from all over the world into our country.  It’s great environmentally, but it’s not this environmental scam that we went through — that we all went through.  It provides for everything.  

         It’s a big, beautiful bill, and I hope we can get it approved.  And that will be next. 

         But in the meantime, we have the continuing resolution, and the Republicans have approved it, and now the Democrats have to approve it.  And I hope they will. 

         And I think a lot of them — I can tell you, they want to.  I’ve spoken to some of them.  They really want to.  Their leadership may not want them to.  And if it closes, it’s purely on the Democrats. 

         All right, one more.

         Q    On Korea, sir.  We’ve seen tension increasing in the Peninsula.  You’ve talked about Kim Jong Un.  Do you have any plans of getting — of reestablishing the relationship you had during the first meeting?

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.  Well, I would.  I had a great relationship with Kim Jong Un, North Korea.  If I wasn’t elected, if Hillary got in, you would have had a nuclear war with North Korea.  He expected it.  He expected it.  And they said, “Oh, thousands of people.”  No, millions of people would have been killed.  

         But I got in.  We went to Singapore.  We met.  We went to — to Vietnam.  We met.  We got along really good.  We had a very good relationship.  And we still do.  We still do.  You don’t have that threat that you had.

         Q    You have talked with — have you talked to him?  

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  I mean, look, when I was running the first time, it looked like there was going to be a war with North Korea.  You know that better than anyone.

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Tensions were high.  Yes.  Yeah.

         PRESIDENT TRUMP.  Yeah.  And it started off —

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  And everybody was — was startled that you —

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah.

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  — invited him for talks. 

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Right.

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  But you did, and it —

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  It started out very rough.  

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.  Yeah.

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And he wouldn’t meet with Obama.  Wouldn’t take his calls.  I said, “How many times did you call?” They called a lot.  He wouldn’t take their call.  He told me, “I wouldn’t take his call.” 

         But with me, it did start off rough, if you remember.  Very rough, actually.  Very nasty.  And — 

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  That was in Singapore, the first one?

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, but then — no, before that.  Then it stopped.  The rhetoric was extremely tough.  It was a little bit —

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  You had it in your speech at the U.N. I remember.  (Laughs.)

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  Yeah, that’s right.  It was a little bit dangerous.  

         And then we met.  They asked for a meeting, and then we met.  And the meeting caused the Olympics, which was in South Korea, to become a tremendous success.  Nobody was buying tickets for the Olympics because they didn’t want to be nuked.  

         And I met, and not only did the Olympics become successful, but North Korea participated in the Olympics.

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.  His sister visited.

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  It was an amazing thing.

         SECRETARY GENERAL RUTTE:  Yeah.

         PRESIDENT TRUMP:  And that was something that was an achievement of the Trump administration. Great achievement.  And so, I have a great relationship with Kim Jong Un.  And we’ll see what happens. 

         But certainly, he’s a nuclear power.

         Okay?  Thank you very much, everybody.  Thank you.  Thank you very much.

                                      END            1:20 P.M. EDT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Department of Justice Dismisses Biden-Era Lawsuit Against Alabama in order to have more Secure Elections

    Source: United States Department of Justice

    Today, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division filed a dismissal of the complaint in United States v. Alabama. The previous administration had filed the action in 2024 after the Secretary of State in Alabama had taken steps to remove ineligible alien voters from their voter rolls in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election.   

    “States are required to maintain accurate voting rolls and remove ineligible voters,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Mac Warner of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This Administration supports the efforts of states like Alabama that engage in voting security measures that ensure only citizens are voting in our elections. We are dismissing this case from the prior Administration to permit Alabama the time and space to develop a legal, efficient, and effective process to remove noncitizens from their voting roll and secure the vote for their citizens in upcoming elections.”

    In mid-August 2025, Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen announced a “process to remove non-citizens registered to vote in Alabama,” citing over 3,200 people who he said registered to vote and were not U.S. citizens. The stipulated notice of dismissal filed today ends the lawsuit brought by the prior administration challenging that procedure. Because of that lawsuit, Alabama was forced to cease its process in 2024.

    By ending the Department of Justice’s action against them, Alabama should now have the opportunity develop a new process to ensure that ineligible voters are removed from its voter rolls, as it is required to do under Section 8 of the NVRA.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Cantwell to Dr. Oz: “Are You Going to Cut Medicaid?”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington Maria Cantwell
    03.14.25
    Cantwell to Dr. Oz: “Are You Going to Cut Medicaid?”
    Dr. Mehmet Oz nominated by Trump to serve in key post overseeing Medicare and Medicaid spending; GOP spending bill would necessitate slashing Medicaid; Cantwell snapshot report shows rural central and eastern WA health care would be devastated by Medicaid cuts
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), senior member of the Senate Finance Committee and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, pressed Dr. Mehmet Oz – Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – on how he plans to defend Medicaid as Republicans in Congress move to cut billions of dollars from the program.
    During Dr. Oz’s Finance Committee confirmation hearing, Sen. Cantwell asked him: “Do you believe in the Medicaid expansion that was done under the Affordable Care Act?”
    Dr. Oz: “For some states, it made sense. For some it didn’t. I think that’s a good example of how states should pick a path to take care of their most vulnerable. But they have to have a plan.”
    Sen. Cantwell: “Well, wait, but the states that didn’t don’t have a plan. What plan did they have?”
    Dr. Oz: “As we discussed in your office, with the Affordable Care Act, they have an opportunity to expand Medicaid, or they could use other tactics. As you know, 10 states haven’t expanded—”
    Sen. Cantwell: “I know, but you’re saying that’s okay?”
    Dr. Oz: “As long as they have a plan to address their challenges of dealing with the underserved populations.”
    Sen. Cantwell: “What plan?”
    Sen. Cantwell concluded her questioning by calling Dr. Oz out for not saying which elements of Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act he plans to defend from cuts under a Trump administration. She reminded him that in 2009, he told the Seattle Times: “It should be mandatory that everybody in America have health-care coverage. If you can’t afford it, we have to give it to you.”
    “Look — you’re coming with the ability to be an advocate here. So we want to know what you’re going to be an advocate for. And all my colleagues are going to want to know, are you going to cut Medicaid?” Sen. Cantwell asked. “We don’t believe in cutting Medicaid.”
    “The number of people in my state who are getting maternal care from this is exorbitant. The number of kids getting care from this is high — 47% of kids in my state receive insurance from Medicaid. And we have population centers of our entire state that are well above 50% Medicaid, Medicare populations,” she continued. “If you don’t like some aspects of the Affordable Care Act, you should say which ones you don’t like.”
    Last month, Sen. Cantwell released a snapshot report highlighting the impact that slashing Medicaid to fund tax cuts for corporations and the ultra-wealthy would have on Washington state’s health care system — especially in Central and Eastern Washington.
    READ MORE:
    The Spokesman Review: Medicaid could be on chopping block after Northwest Republicans help pass House budget measure
    The Tri-City Herald: Newhouse backs House GOP budget plan that could lead to cuts for Tri-Cities Medicaid users
    The Seattle Times: Cuts to Medicaid would hurt WA’s children, poor
    Medicaid is the federal program that insures many low-income adults and children, pregnant people, seniors, and people with disabilities. Washington state’s Medicaid program, Apple Health, ensures that eligible Washingtonians can afford to seek health care and see providers when they need to. The program also ensures that hospitals — which are required to treat everyone, regardless of their ability to pay — receive reimbursements for the significant number of low-income people they serve. Over 1.9 million Washingtonians are enrolled in Apple Health.
    Late last month, the House of Representatives passed a funding bill that would necessitate $880 billion in cuts from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over Medicaid. Supporters of the bill claim that the text includes no mention of Medicaid — however, the extent of the cuts required by the legislation would mean that the committee has essentially no other options other than to hack away at Medicaid.
    Moreover, this week – after President Trump told Congress that Elon Musk is leading his efforts to cut the government – Musk said the vital Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid programs are “the big one to eliminate.”
    Video of Sen. Cantwell’s exchange with Dr. Oz is available HERE, audio HERE, and a full transcript is HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Asteroid 2024 YR4 Possible Impact Raised Eyebrows: Skywatchers Continue Working as Guardians of Earth

    Source: US Geological Survey

    And although eyes were initially closely watching 2024 YR4 and its potential to impact Earth, NASA has eased our minds, by stating the latest calculations now show it’s no significant threat to Earth in 2032, and for the foreseeable future. 

    Dr. Tim Titus, Research Space Scientist at USGS Astrogeology Science Center, said “While no longer a threat, this provided a real-life test of the asteroid warning protocols.” 

    Click here for animation.

    When we hear about asteroids like 2024 YR4, most people recall the Chicxulub impactor, or comet, that slammed in the Gulf of America. That’s because it carries the criminal record of wiping out the dinosaurs, and some animal and plant species, 66 million years ago. While some people would have loved to have seen dinosaurs, others are content to view their skeletons in museums and feel fear at the prospect of an asteroid approaching Earth. 

    Scientists have said impactors like Chixculub occurs every 100 million years or so. So it’s millennia too early to pack up the family and pets, expecting an asteroid with catastrophic power to impact the blue marble any time soon.  According to NASA, the likelihood of that is slim. 

    But this doesn’t mean scientists are out of the woods as they prepare for asteroid impacts all together. 

    First, we are no strangers to impacts: raising awareness!

    In July 1994, the founder of Astrogeology, Dr. Euguene Shoemaker, and wife, Carolyn Shoemaker, and colleague, David Levy were responsible for showing the world a comet slamming into Jupiter, leaving for months an observable, deep, dark scar. The Shoemaker-Levy impact was a landmark event that raised the awareness about the risks of otherworldly objects, and the first time that astronomers were able to directly observe an asteroid, or comet, colliding with a planet.  

    Earth’s satellite, the Moon, reflects its numerous scars from impacts of asteroids and comets. There is still a small possibility that 2024 YR4 could impact the Moon. But as we research other planets to understand our home and support space travel, we recognize they possibly can provide  Tim Titus has alerted us of Cascading Hazards from asteroid or comet impacts. These are secondary hazards that emergency responders and community workers should investigate in an effected and surrounding community.  It is paromount to consider not just the immediate immediate effects, he said, but also the broader, long-term implications for the safety of Earth’s inhabitants. 

    Fourth, NASA implements a strategy: technology flourishes!

    In preparation for planetary defense, in 2022, NASA tested changing the trajectory of an asteroid during its Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) program. The Eruopean Space Agency (ESA) has followed up the DART mission by sending its own mission, Hera, to investigate the damage done by DART. 

    Guardians of Earth work around the globe and clock in hopes for a safer tomorrow.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Notes from the Field: What’s on a sparrow’s dinner menu?

    Source: US Geological Survey

    “Notes From the Field” news articles highlight the continued importance of bird banding. This article was contributed by Tabitha Olsen who is currently working on her PhD dissertation examining the diet of sparrows wintering in the post-oak ecoregion of Texas. 

    Today, banding allows scientists to investigate bird behavior, migration, lifespans, populations, diseases and levels of environmental contaminants. Information gathered through the North American Bird Banding Program helps inform management and conservation decisions for game and non-game species, such as protecting or restoring habitat, setting hunting regulations and determining plans for human-led development. The North American Bird Banding Program depends on a network of over 10,000 permitted bird banders working in the United States, Canada and Trust Territories. Each year these banders help us add up to 1.2 million new banding records to our century-long dataset.

    A bander gently scrapes a sparrow fecal sample into a microcentrifuge tube for storage. Photo courtesy of Gautam Apte.
    What is your bird banding/marking project? 

    As part of a larger PhD dissertation, we are examining the diet of sparrows wintering in the post-oak ecoregion of Texas. This study will take place during the winter season of November 2024-March 2025 and November 2025-March 2026. We use mist-nets to capture sparrows to collect morphometric data and a fecal sample to assess diet. To obtain the fecal sample, the birds are placed in paper bags, with a sterile platform for them to stand on. Once the birds are banded, measured, and a sample is collected, they are released. 

    How/why was this project started? What question(s) are you trying to answer through your research?  

    During the winter in Texas, the distribution of migratory sparrows such as White-throated Sparrows (Zonotichia albicollis), Field Sparrows (Spizella pusilla), and Melospiza sparrows (Lincoln’s Sparrow [M. lincolnii], Swamp Sparrow [M. georgiana], Song Sparrow [M. melodia]), overlap. These species often utilize many of the same habitats during the winter and inadvertently interact. Since these sparrows are similar in how they forage and what they consume, we wondered how they minimized competitive interactions. By examining diet, we aim to quantify the dietary breadth of each wintering sparrow species, as well as determine the level of dietary overlap or partitioning that occurs between interacting sparrows. We can extract DNA from fecal samples and obtain a detailed look of what individuals are consuming. We predict that sparrows will display high overlap at broad taxonomic levels (e.g., the consumption of seeds, plants, and invertebrates), but display some partitioning in the specific species of organisms being consumed or even in the proportions consumed. Additionally, we are using physical measurements of individuals (e.g., bill depth, tarsus, wing chord, etc.) to determine whether any divergence in diet is reflected in physical differences.

    White-throated Sparrow being held prior to morphometric data being collected. Photo courtesy of Pourya Sardari. 
    How does banding/marking help you answer your research questions and achieve objectives? 

    Each sparrow we capture and sample is banded with a metal USGS band, which allows us to make individual-level assessments of diet and morphology. Individual-level comprehensive diet analyses are traditionally difficult to conduct without lethally harvesting individuals. However, by banding and collecting fecal samples, we are able to non-invasively sample birds and still achieve fine taxonomic resolution of samples. Additionally, since each bird is individually marked, we are able to re-capture and re-sample individuals to obtain data at multiple time-points to monitor changes in diet. 

    What have you found so far? Any surprises? Major accomplishments?   

    While our first field season is still ongoing, we have banded and collected fecal samples from over 120 sparrows, including White-throated, White-crowned (Zonotrichia leucophrys), Lincoln’s, Song, Swamp, Vesper (Pooecetes gramineus), Chipping (Spizella passerina), and Savannah Sparrows (Passerculus sandwichensis). Additionally, we’ve collected fecal samples from an Eastern Towhee x Spotted Towhee hybrid (Pipilo erythrophthalmus x P. maculatus), a hybrid that is suspected to be common in our region of Texas but is generally under-recorded. This project is extremely early in its development and is currently in the sample collection phase. However, we are excited to begin the next phase of DNA extraction in the coming months.

    What are the next short- and long-term steps for your research project? What questions remain or what new questions have been raised by what you have found so far?  

    As we proceed through our field season, we are interested in examining specialization of individual birds as well as species. Our data are unique, as banding allows us to identify individuals, so we can quantify the variability of diet within each population as well as over time through recapture samples. We hope to further expand this idea in our examination of White-throated and White-crowned Sparrows, both of which are generally understood to be generalist foragers, how variation in diet measured among individuals influences the diversity in diet measured within populations or species.

    White-throated Sparrow being evaluated for molt limits. Bander is gently opening the wing to examine the wear on the primary coverts. Photo courtesy of Pourya Sardari. 
    Why is your study species particularly interesting?  

    Sparrows (or ‘little brown birds’ as some refer to them) are often overlooked by bird watchers and the public due to their tendency to be present everywhere, having song and call similarities, and their brown, drab appearance. However, sparrows are hidden gems that allow us to formulate seemingly simple questions such as “What do they eat?” into complex answers regarding competition, niche establishment, and community interactions. These migratory, ‘little brown birds’ are often the first faces of winter for our region of Texas. With a deeper understanding of winter diet dynamics, they may become faces of conservation for the post-oak savanna and its associated flora and fauna. 

    Who is involved in your project (individuals, university, partners, collaborators)? 

    This project is a chapter of a larger PhD dissertation and is affiliated with Texas A&M University. Specific individuals involved with the project include:

    • Tabitha Olsen (PhD student who designed the project for her dissertation)
    • Dr. Christopher Butler (Lab PI)
    • Inland Bird Banding Association (Funding)
    • Schubot Center for Avian Health (Funding)
    Opening mist-nets as dawn approaches. Early start to make sure the site is in working order before the birds wake up and begin to move. Photo courtesy of Pourya Sardari. 
    How long have you been working in biology? How long have you been banding or marking birds?  How has bird banding/marking changed over the course of your career or during this project? 

    I have been banding birds since 2018 when I was an undergraduate student in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources at Purdue University. During that period, I co-led the University’s Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus) Banding Station where we focused on undergraduate skill-building, community engagement, and individual project development. Since then, I have been working in the avian ecology field for my entire career, including my Master’s and now my PhD. Banding birds has been a consistent part of my career, whether it be owls, rails, or passerines. 

    Why do you think projects like yours are so important?  

    Everyone needs to eat something, but organisms cannot typically eat everything that is within their environment. Improving our understanding of how organisms utilize the world around them helps us to better connect habitat use to the species of interest. Diet is a fundamental part of an organism’s life and ecology and, until recently, a fine-scale assessment of how and what individuals consume has been difficult to obtain. Studies like this are an example of how new tools can be used to ask age-old questions: What’s for dinner?

    Where can I get more information about your project (project website, publications etc.)?  

    You can receive more information and updates regarding this project at Tabitha Olsen’s ResearchGate or her OrcID. Publications will be added to these sites as they are released.

    Is there anything else you think is important to mention about your project/research?  

    We are grateful for the support of the Inland Bird Banding Association and the Schubot Center for Avian Health for providing funding for this work.

    Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.  

    All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the USGS BBL.  

    The “Notes From the Field” series highlights current banding projects and the continued importance of bird banding and the Bird Banding Lab. Want to see your project featured in a future “Notes From the Field” article? Email Kyra Harvey kharvey@usgs.gov for submission details.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illinois Doctor Pleads Guilty to Evading Approximately $1.6M in Taxes

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    An Illinois doctor pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion for hiding assets and lying to the IRS about his ability to pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Krishnaswami Sriram was a medical doctor who resided in Lake Forest. From approximately 2011 to 2017, Sriram evaded payment of approximately $1.6 million he owed to the IRS. Among other steps, Sriram transferred ownership, in name only, of two rental properties from himself to his children without their knowledge, even though he continued to receive income from these properties. He also transferred approximately $600,000 from bank accounts he controlled in the United States to accounts in India. To fraudulently reduce the money he owed the IRS, Sriram submitted documents to the IRS that omitted an investment account in the United States, bank and investment accounts in India, and ownership of the rental properties.

    In total, Sriram caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1.6 million.

    As part of the plea, Sriram also admitted that, between February 2012 and January 2022, he caused false billing to Medicare for episodes of in-home physician care, which he purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries on dates when those beneficiaries resided at inpatient facilities other than their homes or were deceased. Sriram’s false statements in medical records relating to these episodes of care resulted in false billing to Medicare in the amount of $136,980.36.

    Sriram is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Victor Yanz, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Virginia Businessman Sentenced for Tax and Investment Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice Criminal Division

    A Virginia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for tax crimes and his wire fraud scheme.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Rick Tariq Rahim, of Great Falls, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller. From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings.

    Between October 2010 and October 2012, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay all the taxes due. When the IRS attempted to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim submitted a false statement that omitted valuable assets he owned, including a helicopter, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, and real estate in Great Falls. Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of the Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank. Rahim has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.

    In total, Rahim caused a loss to the IRS of at least $4.4 million.

    Rahim also defrauded customers who invested using his automated trading bots and by “copying” Rahim’s supposed trading activities that he posted to Discord. He marketed his products on websites named BotsforWealth, TradeAutomation, ProChartSignals, OptionCopier, CopyAndWin, SnipeAlgo, and QQQtrade. Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots and other software, and to copy his supposed trades. Rahim also offered a “lifetime membership” to which customers received access to Rahim’s private Discord channel, some of his products, and his “in-office” trading days. Rahim personally traded stocks for at least two individuals, claiming “We’ll hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often.” Instead, Rahim lost over $300,000 of his clients’ funds in eight months. 

    Rahim induced customers to subscribe to his products by using social media tools, including TikTok, YouTube, and Discord. He also sought to induce customers by claiming he was extremely wealthy, boasting about trading millions of dollars and posting about his large home, pool, and luxury cars, including his Lamborghini. He posted false information to his websites and to his social media accounts claiming to “beat the stock market every day” and promising extreme profit margins. His claim of regularly beating the market was exaggerated. In reality, he did not post his trades that lost money. In fact, Rahim realized over $500,000 in losses from February 2021 through December 2022, and did not earn millions in the market during this time period as he had claimed. As part of his fraud scheme, Rahim also created at least 20 Discord user profiles where he posted emojis, likes, and symbols showing agreement and excitement regarding Rahim’s posts. Rahim earned at least $1,397,000 in subscription fees during the course of his schemes.

    In addition to Rahim’s prison sentence, he agreed to forfeit over $1.3 million and must pay restitution to the IRS and to his investment fraud victims.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated Rahim’s tax fraud and FBI investigated his investment fraud. The case was consolidated for sentencing.

    Trial Attorneys William Montague and Ashley Stein of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted Rahim for his tax fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shartar prosecuted Rahim for his investment fraud.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Sen. Budd Releases Statement Ahead of Senate Vote on Government Funding

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina)
    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) releases a statement ahead of the Senate’s upcoming vote on the continuing resolution to fund the government.
    “Republicans are doing our job right now to keep the government open. While I don’t typically support continuing resolutions, Democrats’ inaction last year led to repeated short-term packages—an irresponsible approach to allocating hard-earned taxpayer dollars. It’s time to end this charade. If the government shuts down, it will be because Democrats chose inaction over responsibility. The American people have delivered a clear mandate to Republicans to turn our country around, and we cannot afford to let gridlock stop the Trump administration’s momentum.
    “North Carolina is home to the fourth largest active-duty military population in the country and one of the largest state veteran populations. These men and women have sacrificed to defend our freedoms. This continuing resolution is a big step forward for our military—it fully funds veterans’ healthcare services and benefits while also delivering the largest pay raise for junior enlisted troops in over forty years. Do Democrats really want to deny our servicemembers the pay and support they have earned? I won’t stand for that, and neither should the American people,” said Senator Budd.
    Background
    Today, the United States Senate is scheduled to vote on a continuing resolution to fund the government through September 30, 2025. The outcome of this vote will determine whether the government remains funded and operational.
    While serving as Majority Leader in the 118th Congress, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) refused to bring Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills to the floor through regular order, despite the Senate Appropriations Committee passing eleven bipartisan bills out of committee. This has directly led to the situation we are in today, where government funding lapses at midnight without further action.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Illinois Doctor Pleads Guilty to Evading Approximately $1.6M in Taxes

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    An Illinois doctor pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion for hiding assets and lying to the IRS about his ability to pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Krishnaswami Sriram was a medical doctor who resided in Lake Forest. From approximately 2011 to 2017, Sriram evaded payment of approximately $1.6 million he owed to the IRS. Among other steps, Sriram transferred ownership, in name only, of two rental properties from himself to his children without their knowledge, even though he continued to receive income from these properties. He also transferred approximately $600,000 from bank accounts he controlled in the United States to accounts in India. To fraudulently reduce the money he owed the IRS, Sriram submitted documents to the IRS that omitted an investment account in the United States, bank and investment accounts in India, and ownership of the rental properties.

    In total, Sriram caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1.6 million.

    As part of the plea, Sriram also admitted that, between February 2012 and January 2022, he caused false billing to Medicare for episodes of in-home physician care, which he purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries on dates when those beneficiaries resided at inpatient facilities other than their homes or were deceased. Sriram’s false statements in medical records relating to these episodes of care resulted in false billing to Medicare in the amount of $136,980.36.

    Sriram is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Victor Yanz, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Virginia Businessman Sentenced for Tax and Investment Fraud

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    Defendant Caused Nearly $4.5M in Loss to IRS and Caused Significant Losses to Investors

    A Virginia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for tax crimes and his wire fraud scheme.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Rick Tariq Rahim, of Great Falls, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller. From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings.

    Between October 2010 and October 2012, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay all the taxes due. When the IRS attempted to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim submitted a false statement that omitted valuable assets he owned, including a helicopter, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, and real estate in Great Falls. Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of the Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank. Rahim has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.

    In total, Rahim caused a loss to the IRS of at least $4.4 million.

    Rahim also defrauded customers who invested using his automated trading bots and by “copying” Rahim’s supposed trading activities that he posted to Discord. He marketed his products on websites named BotsforWealth, TradeAutomation, ProChartSignals, OptionCopier, CopyAndWin, SnipeAlgo, and QQQtrade. Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots and other software, and to copy his supposed trades. Rahim also offered a “lifetime membership” to which customers received access to Rahim’s private Discord channel, some of his products, and his “in-office” trading days. Rahim personally traded stocks for at least two individuals, claiming “We’ll hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often.” Instead, Rahim lost over $300,000 of his clients’ funds in eight months. 

    Rahim induced customers to subscribe to his products by using social media tools, including TikTok, YouTube, and Discord. He also sought to induce customers by claiming he was extremely wealthy, boasting about trading millions of dollars and posting about his large home, pool, and luxury cars, including his Lamborghini. He posted false information to his websites and to his social media accounts claiming to “beat the stock market every day” and promising extreme profit margins. His claim of regularly beating the market was exaggerated. In reality, he did not post his trades that lost money. In fact, Rahim realized over $500,000 in losses from February 2021 through December 2022, and did not earn millions in the market during this time period as he had claimed. As part of his fraud scheme, Rahim also created at least 20 Discord user profiles where he posted emojis, likes, and symbols showing agreement and excitement regarding Rahim’s posts. Rahim earned at least $1,397,000 in subscription fees during the course of his schemes.

    In addition to Rahim’s prison sentence, he agreed to forfeit over $1.3 million and must pay restitution to the IRS and to his investment fraud victims.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated Rahim’s tax fraud and FBI investigated his investment fraud. The case was consolidated for sentencing.

    Trial Attorneys William Montague and Ashley Stein of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted Rahim for his tax fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shartar prosecuted Rahim for his investment fraud.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Illinois Doctor Pleads Guilty to Evading Approximately $1.6M in Taxes

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    An Illinois doctor pleaded guilty yesterday to tax evasion for hiding assets and lying to the IRS about his ability to pay approximately $1.6 million in taxes, penalties, and interest.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Krishnaswami Sriram was a medical doctor who resided in Lake Forest. From approximately 2011 to 2017, Sriram evaded payment of approximately $1.6 million he owed to the IRS. Among other steps, Sriram transferred ownership, in name only, of two rental properties from himself to his children without their knowledge, even though he continued to receive income from these properties. He also transferred approximately $600,000 from bank accounts he controlled in the United States to accounts in India. To fraudulently reduce the money he owed the IRS, Sriram submitted documents to the IRS that omitted an investment account in the United States, bank and investment accounts in India, and ownership of the rental properties.

    In total, Sriram caused a tax loss to the IRS of approximately $1.6 million.

    As part of the plea, Sriram also admitted that, between February 2012 and January 2022, he caused false billing to Medicare for episodes of in-home physician care, which he purportedly provided to Medicare beneficiaries on dates when those beneficiaries resided at inpatient facilities other than their homes or were deceased. Sriram’s false statements in medical records relating to these episodes of care resulted in false billing to Medicare in the amount of $136,980.36.

    Sriram is scheduled to be sentenced on June 10. He faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison as well as a period of supervised release, restitution, and monetary penalties. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation is investigating the case.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara E. Henderson for the Northern District of California prosecuted the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Victor Yanz, of the Criminal Division’s Fraud Section.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: Virginia Businessman Sentenced for Tax and Investment Fraud

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    A Virginia man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for tax crimes and his wire fraud scheme.

    According to court documents and statements made in court, Rick Tariq Rahim, of Great Falls, owned and operated several businesses, including laser tag facilities and an Amazon reseller. From 2015 to 2021, Rahim did not pay the IRS the taxes withheld from his employees’ paychecks or file the required quarterly employment tax returns reporting those withholdings.

    Between October 2010 and October 2012, Rahim filed two personal income tax returns on which he reported owing substantial taxes, but did not pay all the taxes due. When the IRS attempted to collect the unpaid taxes, Rahim submitted a false statement that omitted valuable assets he owned, including a helicopter, a Bentley, a Lamborghini, and real estate in Great Falls. Approximately two weeks later, Rahim transferred ownership of the Great Falls property to his wife. He also paid personal expenses from his business bank accounts, including more than $889,000 toward his mortgages and more than $669,000 to purchase or lease cars, including three different Lamborghinis. Rahim withdrew more than $1.1 million in cash in amounts less than $10,000 to avoid triggering currency transaction reports from the bank. Rahim has not filed a personal income tax return since 2012 despite earning more than $34 million in gross income.

    In total, Rahim caused a loss to the IRS of at least $4.4 million.

    Rahim also defrauded customers who invested using his automated trading bots and by “copying” Rahim’s supposed trading activities that he posted to Discord. He marketed his products on websites named BotsforWealth, TradeAutomation, ProChartSignals, OptionCopier, CopyAndWin, SnipeAlgo, and QQQtrade. Rahim charged customers a subscription fee to access his bots and other software, and to copy his supposed trades. Rahim also offered a “lifetime membership” to which customers received access to Rahim’s private Discord channel, some of his products, and his “in-office” trading days. Rahim personally traded stocks for at least two individuals, claiming “We’ll hit home runs and make $500k+ per day very very often.” Instead, Rahim lost over $300,000 of his clients’ funds in eight months. 

    Rahim induced customers to subscribe to his products by using social media tools, including TikTok, YouTube, and Discord. He also sought to induce customers by claiming he was extremely wealthy, boasting about trading millions of dollars and posting about his large home, pool, and luxury cars, including his Lamborghini. He posted false information to his websites and to his social media accounts claiming to “beat the stock market every day” and promising extreme profit margins. His claim of regularly beating the market was exaggerated. In reality, he did not post his trades that lost money. In fact, Rahim realized over $500,000 in losses from February 2021 through December 2022, and did not earn millions in the market during this time period as he had claimed. As part of his fraud scheme, Rahim also created at least 20 Discord user profiles where he posted emojis, likes, and symbols showing agreement and excitement regarding Rahim’s posts. Rahim earned at least $1,397,000 in subscription fees during the course of his schemes.

    In addition to Rahim’s prison sentence, he agreed to forfeit over $1.3 million and must pay restitution to the IRS and to his investment fraud victims.

    Acting Deputy Assistant Attorney General Karen E. Kelly of the Justice Department’s Tax Division and U.S. Attorney Erik S. Siebert for the Eastern District of Virginia made the announcement.

    IRS Criminal Investigation investigated Rahim’s tax fraud and FBI investigated his investment fraud. The case was consolidated for sentencing.

    Trial Attorneys William Montague and Ashley Stein of the Tax Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Shartar for the Eastern District of Virginia prosecuted Rahim for his tax fraud. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shartar prosecuted Rahim for his investment fraud.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Welch Blasts Republicans’ Disastrous Budget and Trump’s Trade War: “This charade has to end!”

    US Senate News:

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

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – During a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) slammed Republicans’ disastrous Continuing Resolution (CR), which would make significant cuts to vital programs and services Vermonters rely on. In his remarks, Senator Welch criticized Republicans for relinquishing Congress’ constitutional responsibilities in favor of fealty to President Trump and criticized the Trump Trade War, which will raise costs for Vermont farmers, families, and homeowners through punitive tariffs. 
    “These tariffs…they’re a disaster for Vermont. They make no sense. Any economist you talk to says they’re bizarre. Bizarre because of the way they’re being implemented—on-and-off again. And that’s causing real suffering to Vermont farmers, to Vermont families, to Vermont homeowners who are going to be paying higher electricity bills, higher home heating bills, higher gasoline prices—and for what? For the whim of a President,” said Senator Welch. 
    “We have these punitive tariffs that make no sense, that are hurting everyone that we represent. And we pass a law saying that we have to close our eyes, block our ears, and not do anything? I vote no. This charade has to end!” 
    Watch Senator Welch’s remarks below: 

    Read Senator Welch’s remarks: 
    “There is a reality that we’re trying to deny but is inescapable: we have a cabinet of one. His name is Elon Musk. We have cabinet officials who come before us with distinguished records and probably everything in their bones wants them to serve well. But they are under the thumb of a President who demands fealty as opposed to service to this country.  
    “The best example of that is what’s happened with this so-called ‘Continuing Resolution.’ Congress is abdicating its Article I authority. The so-called CR is not on the level. What this CR does is not maintain current spending on the numbers and on the directions of how it will be spent. What it does is make significant cuts, but more importantly, it delegates to the President of the United States flexibility to move money around as he sees fit. That is a total surrender of our responsibility. It’s a disgrace!  
    “Now, on these tariffs that my colleague spoke about—they’re a disaster for Vermont. They make no sense. Any economist you talk to says they’re bizarre. Bizarre because of the way they’re being implemented—on again, off again. And that’s causing real suffering to Vermont farmers, to Vermont families, to Vermont homeowners who are going to be paying higher electricity bills, higher home heating bills, higher gasoline prices—and for what? For the whim of a President. 
    “And every single one of these cabinet officers who comes in here takes the pledge: ‘Mr. President, I know it makes no sense, but you’re the President, and I adore you Mr. President, we’ll do it.’  
    “And, in the CR that we’re going to be voting on, there is a provision that says the United States Congress—in whom the responsibility and authority for imposing tariffs rests— cannot change the tariffs that President Trump is imposing. That is so disgraceful. It’s a total surrender of our responsibility.  
    “We have these punitive tariffs that make no sense, that are hurting everyone that we represent. And we pass a law saying that we have to close our eyes, block our ears, and not do anything? I vote no. This charade has to end.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Six feature-length docs selected for the Festival cinéma du monde de Sherbrooke

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    March 12, 2025 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    The National Film Board of Canada will be prominently showcased at the 2025 Festival cinéma du monde de Sherbrooke (FCMS) with six feature-length documentaries, including two in competition (Cercle d’or Meilleur documentaire) and one in the Ciné-Échange series of screenings followed by talks. Filmmakers Halima Elkhatabi (Cohabiter/Living Together), Kim O’Bomsawin (Ninan Auassat: Nous les enfants/Ninan Auassat: We, the Children), Virginia Tangvald (Les enfants du large/Ghosts of the Sea) and Anne-Marie Rocher (Forêts urbaines/Urban Forests) will be present for their screenings. The 12th edition of the FCMS takes place from April 7 to 13, 2025, in Sherbrooke.

    NFB productions and co-productions at the 2025 FCMS

    Cohabiter (Living Together) by Halima Elkhatabi (documentary, 75 min)
    Halima Elkhatabi in attendance
    Thursday, April 10, 5:00 p.m. – La Maison du Cinéma

    Against the backdrop of the housing crisis, young people looking for the ideal roommate open up about themselves in this engaging portrait of a generation accustomed to playing all their identity cards. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was selected to screen at Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma.

    Forêts urbaines (Urban Forests) by Anne-Marie Rocher (documentary, 95 min)
    Anne-Marie Rocher and production manager Doris Lapierre in attendance
    In competition: Cercle d’or Meilleur documentaire
    Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m. – La Maison du Cinéma
    Sunday, April 13, 3:30 p.m. – La Maison du Cinéma

    Green spaces have long been neglected in our cities, but in recent years, grassroots mobilization has helped us rediscover the beneficial effects of urban forests. Exploring innovative nature-restoration projects in cities across Canada, Urban Forests is nothing less than an antidote to pessimism.

    Les enfants du large (Ghosts of the Sea) by Virginia Tangvald (documentary, 97 min)
    Virginia Tangvald in attendance
    Tuesday, April 8, 3:30 p.m. – La Maison du Cinéma

    While searching for clues about the death of her brother Thomas, who was lost at sea, the filmmaker embarks on a fascinating investigation into her family’s dark secrets. Calling into question the idyllic life of her father, legendary sailor Peter Tangvald, her quest dismantles the myth of absolute freedom. The film, which won the Prix du public TV5 at the 2024 Festival du nouveau cinéma, will open in theatres in Quebec in 2025.

    Arab Women Say What?! (Les femmes arabes disent ÇA?) by Nisreen Baker (documentary, English and Arabic with French subtitles, 82 min)
    Ciné-Échange
    Friday, April 11, 6:00 p.m. – Centre culturel de l’Université de Sherbrooke

    The film offers a counter-mainstream narrative that embraces the unique experiences and perspectives of eight Arab women sharing their insights, cuisine and laughter. Amid the rhythm of poetry and music, they tackle issues of feminism, politics, exile and the yearning for a sense of belonging.

    Ninan Auassat: Nous, les enfants (Ninan Auassat: We, the Children) by Kim O’Bomsawin (documentary, 93 min)
    Kim O’Bomsawin in attendance
    Wednesday, April 9, 3:30 p.m. – La Maison du Cinéma

    This film from Abenaki filmmaker Kim O’Bomsawin celebrates the power and vitality of Indigenous youth, speaking for themselves. The film won awards at the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) and the Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) in 2024.

    Wilfred Buck by Lisa Jackson (documentary, English and Cree with French subtitles, 96 min)
    In competition: Cercle d’or Meilleur documentaire
    Tuesday, April 8, 12:30 p.m. – La Maison du Cinéma
    Thursday, April 10, 11:30 a.m. – La Maison du Cinéma

    This portrait of Cree Elder Wilfred Buck moves between earth and sky, past and present, bringing to life ancient teachings of Indigenous astronomy and cosmology to tell a story that spans generations. The film was a Top 5 Audience Favourite at Hot Docs 2024.

    – 30 –

    Stay Connected

    Online Screening Room: nfb.ca
    NFB Facebook | NFB Twitter | NFB Instagram | NFB Blog | NFB YouTube | NFB Vimeo
    Curator’s perspective | Director’s notes

    About the NFB

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Stay informed about measles in Alberta

    Measles cases are increasing globally, with numerous countries and travel destinations reporting outbreaks. Cases have been identified in several Canadian provinces, including an outbreak recently identified in northern Alberta.

    As of March 13, health officials have confirmed six cases of measles in the province, and although these cases are all part of a single household, this does raise concerns about the potential for further spread of this highly contagious disease.

    Measles is an extremely contagious disease and spreads easily through the air. People born in or since 1970 who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine are susceptible to infection. Those who have received fewer than two doses of measles-containing vaccine and are pregnant, under one year of age, are adults and/or have a weakened immune system are at most risk of complications from measles.

    “Measles is not just a mild childhood illness – it is a serious, highly infectious disease that can have devastating consequences. Thankfully, we have a highly effective vaccine with a long-proven track record of safety. Everyone should take the time to check their immunization record to ensure they are fully immunized. No one should have to endure the consequences of a disease we can prevent.”

    Dr. Mark Joffe, chief medical officer of health

    The measles vaccine is highly effective at preventing infection and complications. In Alberta, measles vaccine is offered free of charge to eligible Albertans through Alberta’s publicly funded immunization program.

    If symptoms of measles do develop, individuals are advised to stay home and call Health Link at 811 before visiting any health care facility or provider, including a family physician clinic or pharmacy.

    Symptoms of measles include:

    • fever of 38.3° C or higher
    • cough, runny nose and/or red eyes
    • a red, blotchy rash that appears three to seven days after fever starts, typically beginning behind the ears and on the face and spreading down the body and then to the arms and legs

    Albertans uncertain of their immunization history, or their child’s immunization history, can text “vaccine record” to 88111, call Health Link at 811 or their local public health office. Albertans can also text “measles” to 88111 to get measles health information texted to their mobile device. Please contact your primary care provider for advice on what immunizations are best for you.

    For further information on routine childhood immunization, visit ahs.ca/immunize.

    For additional information on measles disease, please visit www.ahs.ca/measles.

    Quick facts

    • Measles can be dangerous because:
      • One in 10 people with measles will get middle ear or lung infections.
      • One in 1,000 people with measles will get encephalitis (swelling of the brain), which can lead to seizures, deafness or brain damage.
      • One to three of every 1,000 people with measles will die.
    • More than 90 per cent of people who are not immune to measles and who come into contact with the virus will become infected.
    • Children in Alberta typically receive their first dose of measles-containing vaccine at 12 months of age, and their second dose at 18 months of age. Children who received two doses of vaccine are considered protected.
    • Adults born in 1970 or later should have a documented history of two lifetime doses of measles-containing vaccine spaced at least four weeks apart if they do not have a history of lab-confirmed disease or serological evidence of measles immunity.
    • Adults born before 1970 are generally considered immune to measles, as measles circulated widely before 1970. One or two doses of the vaccine may be recommended if you are a health care worker, student at a post-secondary educational institution or are travelling outside of Canada.

    Related links

    • Immunization and vaccines
    • Learn about measles

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lummis Mourns Loss of Senator Al Simpson

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wyoming Cynthia Lummis

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement on the passing of former Wyoming Senator Al Simpson. 

    “Today, our state and country mourn the passing of our dear Senator Alan Kooi Simpson,” Lummis said. “Al was larger than life and spent his entire life working on behalf of the state and people he loved. For 18 years in the U.S. Senate, 12 years in the Wyoming House of Representatives, and 28 years as an elder statesman – he worked to make Wyoming a better place for our citizens and an even greater place to work and raise a family. There was no stronger advocate for the needs, industries, and interests of Wyoming. During his Senate tenure, he was repeatedly elected by his colleagues to serve in leadership as the Republican Whip and was a close friend of both President Reagan and President Bush. 

    “Known for his famous humor and wit, Al was loved both in Wyoming and far outside our borders. Those who met Al knew that he never forgot a face or interaction. In addition to his service in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Senate, Al repeatedly stepped forward as a private citizen to work on important issues like the Iraq Study Group and the Simpson-Bowles Fiscal Responsibility Commission. In a deserving tribute commemorating his lifetime of service, Al was honored in 2022 with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. 

    “A proud son of Cody, Wyoming, Al came from an early pioneer family dedicated to public service. Wyoming and our nation have benefited greatly from Al Simpson’s many decades of work and leadership. At every gathering Al Simpson attended, people flocked to Al for a moment with a man each considered one of their closest friends. That’s the incredible effect he had on the people he served. I extend my deepest thoughts and prayers to his wife of more than 70 years, Ann, his children Colin, William, and Susan, and his grandchildren during this difficult time.” 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SBA Relief Still Available to Kansas Private Nonprofits Affected by April Storms

    Source: United States Small Business Administration

    SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible private nonprofit (PNP) organizations in Kansas of the April 15, 2025, deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by the severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding occurring April 25-30, 2024.

    The disaster declaration covers the counties of Allen, Anderson, Bourbon, Chautauqua, Cherokee, Elk, Greenwood, Linn, Morris, Neosho, Pottawatomie, Wilson and Woodson.

    Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program is available to PNPs providing non-critical services of a governmental nature who suffered financial losses directly related to the disaster. Examples of eligible non-critical PNPs include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

    EIDLs are available for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the PNP did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills not paid due to the disaster.

    “SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster.” 

    The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 3.25% and terms up to 30 years. Interest does not accrue, and payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant’s financial condition.

    To apply online visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

    Submit completed loan applications no later than April 15.

    ###

    About the U.S. Small Business Administration

    The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Mountain America Credit Union Donates $17,500 to the American Red Cross of Utah

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANDY, Utah, March 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mountain America Credit Union continues its tradition of supporting the American Red Cross of Utah with a recent $17,500 donation. Since 2018, Mountain America has contributed annually to the American Red Cross, reinforcing its commitment to helping communities in times of need. As part of the ongoing effort, Mountain America adds $50 to the total donation amount for every three-point shot made by the Brigham Young University (BYU) men’s basketball team. This latest gift brings the total funds donated to the American Red Cross of Utah since 2018 to $157,000.

    A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

    “Every three-pointer represents more than just points on the board—it symbolizes our commitment to leave a lasting mark on the communities we serve,” said Nathan Andersen, chief operating officer and executive vice president at Mountain America. “With the American Red Cross and BYU, we are turning on-court success into meaningful community impact.”

    The American Red Cross will use the funds to assist Utah communities in preparing for, preventing, and responding to emergencies, including house fires. They have been serving the state for more than 100 years, delivering services across the Greater Salt Lake Area chapter, Northern Utah chapter, and Central Southern Utah chapter.

    “We’re so grateful for the yearslong support of Mountain America Credit Union,” said Adam S. Whitaker, chief development officer for the Utah Nevada Region of the American Red Cross. “Their partnership with BYU athletics is inspiring and exciting in the way it lifts people in real and measurable need here at home and around the country. Mountain America’s generosity does that, and we couldn’t do our work without them.”

    For more information about Mountain America’s community involvement activities, visit macu.com/newsroom.

    About Mountain America Credit Union
    With more than 1 million members and $20 billion in assets, Mountain America Credit Union helps its members define and achieve their financial dreams. Mountain America provides consumers and businesses with a variety of convenient, flexible products and services, as well as sound, timely advice. Members enjoy access to secure, cutting-edge mobile banking technology, over 100 branches across multiple states, and more than 50,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Mountain America—guiding you forward. Learn more at macu.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Reverend Warnock Announces “NO” Vote on Dangerous Government Funding Legislation

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock – Georgia

    Senator Reverend Warnock Announces “NO” Vote on Dangerous Government Funding Legislation

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on his intention to vote “NO” on the immensely harmful Continuing Resolution. This vote comes after Washington Republicans halted bipartisan negotiations and left two terrible options, both of which would cause pain for the people of Georgia.
    “This whole conversation is Washington at its worst. Instead of working together to actually improve people’s lives, craven politicians shut the door on bipartisan conversation and reemerged with an ultimatum: vote for a partisan government funding package or let the government shut down. Make no mistake, this government funding bill is bad policy: it would spike grocery prices, cut investments in education and health care, and defund care for servicemembers exposed to burn pits. More troubling, this legislation would give the President additional unchecked power to stifle Georgia’s economy.”  
    “I do not want to see a government shut down, but passing this legislation would cause pain to millions of Georgians. I will be voting “NO” on the Continuing Resolution.” 
    This continuing resolution would:
    Defund the PACT Act, which provides critical care for veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances.
    Cut $27 million from health inspectors working to address the avian flu outbreak, which would continue to spike the price of eggs.
    Omit standard Congressional directives outlining how agencies should spend tax payer dollars, giving the President unchecked spending power to hurt Georgians.
    With this new power, the President could cut renewable energy investments, devastating Georgia’s advanced manufacturing economy or the President could choose which Army Corps of Engineers projects to fund, potentially halting the expansion of the Port of Savannah.

    Eliminate $130 million in funding, agreed to on a bipartisan basis in the draft Senate funding bill, for projects  in every corner of Georgia, including construction of new housing in LaGrange and Savannah, clean drinking water improvements in Dade County and Wrens, a new generator for a rural hospital in Appling County, improvements to Abraham Baldwin College’s nursing program, and much more.
    Cut nearly $1 billion from medical research on health conditions impacting service members and their families.
    Disrupts hurricane recovery efforts for South Georgians, who are still reeling from Hurricane Helene.
    Shuts off rental assistance for rural Georgians.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Houston deports 8-time removed criminal alien convicted of kidnapping to Mexico

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    HOUSTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deported Baltazar Pantoja Calderon, a 43-year-old eight-time removed criminal alien convicted of kidnapping and several other criminal offenses in the U.S., to his home country of Mexico March 13.

    Pantoja has illegally entered the U.S. at least eight times. Each time he was caught by U.S. immigration officials and voluntarily departed to Mexico May 27, 1999; and was deported on July 1, 2008; Sept. 1, 2010; Oct. 29, 2014; March 18, 2015; May 3, 2017; and Feb. 2, 2018.

    Pantoja has also been convicted of numerous criminal offenses while in the U.S. illegally including kidnapping May 12, 2010; driving while intoxicated May 29, 2008; illegal entry July 3, 2018; and resisting arrest March 10, 2025.

    “The complete lack of respect for our nation’s system of laws that this criminal alien has displayed over the past quarter of a century has in recent years, unfortunately, become more commonplace,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston Field Office Director Bret Bradford. “The law enforcement community in South Texas is united in our determination to restore sovereignty over our southern border and has banded together to remove these dangerous criminal aliens from our country to restore law and order in our communities.”

    For more news and information on ICE’s efforts to enforce our nation’s immigration laws in Texas follow us on X at @EROHouston.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Q&A: Be The One

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    Q: What is “Be The One” campaign all about?

    A: This grassroots effort raises public awareness about veteran suicide and facilitates training and prevention strategies using one-on-one connections with at-risk veterans in local communities across the country. The nationwide outreach is coordinated by the American Legion, the patriotic veterans organization with a membership of more than 1.6 million individuals and local posts in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Latin America and the Philippines. The nonprofit organization will observe its 106th birthday on March 15, celebrating the first caucus of the American Legion held in Paris, France after World War I. The 66th Congress issued a national charter for the veterans-led group on September 16, 1919. Throughout its history, the member-based veterans organization seeks to help fellow veterans reintegrate to civilian life and serves as a resource for community-based services for those seeking employment, education, health care, housing, disaster assistance and more. Since its founding, improving access to education, disability benefits and mental health services have helped marshal legislative victories and improve the quality of life for veterans. A tenet of its founding charter is to “cement the ties and comradeship born of service.” That mission is manifested in the Be The One campaign currently underway to stop veteran suicide. Through its grassroots system of Buddy Checks and efforts to train members for its Be The One QPR (question, persuade and refer) Teams, the American Legion of Iowa is working to expand its suicide prevention services at the post level and raise public awareness in local communities.

    In February, I met with Iowa leaders representing the American Legion, and I was impressed to learn more about this community outreach program. Making personal connections can mean the difference between life and death for veterans suffering from loneliness, despair or depression. Raising public awareness will help alert neighbors to be mindful of warning signs to strengthen suicide prevention for hometown heroes in our veterans communities. I appreciate the advocacy of our veterans organizations and will continue working with them on behalf of those who answered the call to serve in uniform and those currently serving in the Armed Forces.

    Q: What efforts have you pushed in Congress to lower veterans suicide?

    A: Tragically, this issue hits close to home for too many Iowa families. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), suicide death rates among Iowa veterans is significantly higher than the rates among the nation’s general population. As Iowa’s U.S. Senator, I’ve worked for decades to raise public awareness, conduct rigorous oversight to root out shortcomings at the VA and implement comprehensive suicide prevention reforms to improve mental health services for our nation’s veterans. Years ago, alongside former Sen. Tom Harkin, we steered bipartisan legislation into law named after a young Iowan named Josh Omvig from Grundy Center who died by suicide after returning home from duty in Iraq. Our bill developed a peer support program tapping veterans as volunteer peer counselors. Building on that legislative victory on behalf of veterans, I also supported the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act and co-sponsored legislation to help reduce backlog appeals to the Veterans Benefits Administration and introduced legislation to address the increase in suicide among female veterans. I’ve worked to expand services for veterans experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders and who sustained Traumatic Brain Injuries in the line of duty and teamed up with Sen. Amy Klobuchar to give veterans health facilities better tools to recruit well-trained health professionals, particularly for mental health care. Sen. Joni Ernst and I have pushed the VA to address wait times for mental health appointments, as well. In addition, I co-sponsored legislation that improved the responsiveness and performance of the Veterans Crisis Line. In his first term, President Trump signed into law the three-digit number to simplify access to this confidential, 24/7, lifesaving tool for Americans experiencing a mental health emergency. I encourage veterans and their families to dial 9-8-8 in times of crisis for immediate access to lifesaving support from trained professionals.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Colleagues Demand Answers on Trump Admin’s Mass Firings of Federal Workers, Impact on Colorado

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Colorado is home to 57,000 federal employees who manage public lands, serve veterans, support wildfire mitigation, and more
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Brittany Pettersen, Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, and Jason Crow demanded answers from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) about the Trump administration’s recent firings, layoffs, and resignations of federal employees in Colorado.
    “The consequences of mass firings of our federal employees will undermine the mission and services provided by each agency serving our state, harm the economy, and threaten our Colorado way of life,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers.
    The letter comes after the Trump administration illegally fired thousands of federal workers. These cuts threaten essential programs that millions of Coloradans rely on and have caused widespread uncertainty for the federal employees affected.
    Specifically, the lawmakers are requesting more information regarding:
    Federal Employee Firings in Colorado: The number of probationary and non-probationary federal employees fired since January 20, 2025, with breakdowns by agency, location, job level, veteran/disability status, and service length.
    Deferred Resignations: The number of federal employees in Colorado who accepted DOGE’s “deferred resignation” offer, with detailed lists and copies of signed contracts.
    Impact on Federal Lands: The effects of federal workforce downsizing on managing Colorado’s federal lands.
    Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Firings: How DOD civilian employee firings or resignations are affecting military operations at key Colorado bases, with detailed personnel data and signed contracts.
    Workforce Reductions & Public Services: How OPM is ensuring federal workforce cuts don’t disrupt essential programs like Social Security.
    Data Collection & Security: What worker/employer data DOGE is collecting and how it’s being secured, including any firings linked to Elon Musk or DOGE members.
    Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.
    We write to request information regarding the recent firings, layoffs, and resignations of federal employees in Colorado. Our state is home to 57,000 federal employees who are critical to managing and protecting Colorado’s public lands, ensuring veterans receive their benefits, helping entrepreneurs start businesses, delivering our mail, forecasting weather, conducting research, and more.1 We are deeply concerned about the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s efforts to indiscriminately cut the workforce in our state. The consequences of mass firings of our federal employees will undermine the mission and services provided by each agency serving our state, harm the economy, and threaten our Colorado way of life.
    In Colorado, we have a year-round wildfire season, and our Wildland Firefighters and other essential U.S. Forest Service employees are our frontline defense and stewards of our public lands. Layoffs of U.S. Forest Service employees threaten life-saving wildfire mitigation efforts, undercut our wildfire prevention and recovery efforts, and impede our robust outdoor recreation industry.
    Colorado is also home to more than 928,000 people over the age of 65—a number that is expected to grow to 1.2 million by 2030. Reductions in the number of Social Security Administration employees in our state could result in delays in processing the Social Security payments that seniors rely on. Additionally, as tax season is underway, IRS layoffs could delay
    hardworking Coloradans from getting their federal tax returns. These are just a few examples of how sweeping Reductions in Force (RIF) and other actions to arbitrarily cut the federal workforce will hurt the constituents we serve.
    Therefore, we request the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) share information about how, and to what extent, the Trump Administration’s actions are impacting our state. Specifically, please respond to the following questions:
    How many probationary federal employees in Colorado have been fired since January 20, 2025? Please share a complete list by agency, county, congressional district, GS level, veterans status, disability status, and average length of service.
    How many non-probationary federal employees in Colorado have been fired since January 20, 2025? Please share a complete list by agency, county, congressional district, GS level, veterans status, disability status, and average length of service.
    How many federal employees in Colorado have accepted the “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) “deferred resignation” offer? Please include the following information:
    A complete list by agency, county, congressional district, GS level, veterans status, disability status, and average length of service.
    A copy of the final contract signed by all employees who accepted the “deferred resignation” offer to better understand their benefits and rights.

    How will federal workforce downsizing affect the management of federal lands in Colorado?
    To what extent are the firings of civilian Department of Defense employees impacting operations or military readiness at Peterson Air Force Base, Buckley Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, United States Air Force Academy, United States Northern Command, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, United States Space Command and Fort Carson? In your response, please include a list of DOD employees who have been fired or accepted a deferred resignation offer and include the following information:
    A complete list by military base, congressional district, GS level, veterans status, disability status, and average length of service.
    A copy of the final contract signed by all employees who accepted the “deferred resignation” offer to better understand their benefits and rights.

    How does OPM plan to work with agencies to ensure that the reductions in force do not result in delays or disruptions to the programs and benefits that constituents rely on? For example, is OPM working with the Social Security Administration to ensure that reductions in force do not result in delays or disruptions to individuals receiving their social security checks?
    What types of worker and employer data are being harvested or reviewed by DOGE?
    Additionally, what measures are OPM and DOGE taking to ensure that worker and employer data are secure? Please provide all documents and communications referring or related to each federal employee fired on orders, advice, or recommendation of Elon Musk, or any individual considered to be a member of DOGE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hickenlooper, Crapo Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Establish Space National Guard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Colorado John Hickenlooper
    Legislation would move space-related Air and Army National Guard members under Space Force
    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Mike Crapo reintroduced the Space Guard Establishment Act to create a Space National Guard, incorporating current Air National Guard and Army National Guard members performing space-related duties within the Space Force command structure.
     “A dedicated Space Force reserve component will make sure our National Guard space experts have a clear path to continue their service to community and country,” said Hickenlooper. “It’s a win-win for service members and our leadership in space!”
    “Guardsmen and Reservists are often highly specialized and trained individuals tasked with combatting significant threats from global threats such as China and Russia, and those who work on our space capabilities are no different,” said Crapo. “Establishing a Space National Guard will better prepare and streamline the work of our existing space personnel to maintain readiness to respond to and thwart attacks from our adversaries.”
    When the Space Force was established in 2019, active-duty service members responsible for space missions were moved out of the Air Force and placed under the authority of the Space Force. No corresponding change was made to ensure that National Guard members working on space also fall under Space Force authority. The proposed legislation would correct this organizational inconsistency.
    “Air National Guard fighter wings operate at 1/3rd the cost of their active-duty counterparts but still provide the same ‘fight-tonight’ capability. By acting as a retention net for talent exiting active duty and serving as a cost-effective model to both develop and retain fighter pilots, the Air National Guard presents the nation with an unrivaled value proposition. Throw in the secondary uses of Air Guardsman domestically such as wildfire mitigation, homeland airspace defense, and manpower for civil support all for a fraction of the cost of an active-duty Wing; the Air Guard’s value proposition truly is unparallelled. By providing 30% of the fighter force, for 1/3rd the cost, Air National Guard fighter wings operate as a shining example of efficient and effective use of taxpayer dollars. It’s simple, we provide more for less, without sacrificing capability,” said Major General Clellan.
    The Department of the Air Force, Space Force, and the National Guard Bureau have already developed a plan to establish a Space National Guard, but that plan has yet to be implemented. There are more than 1,000 National Guard members performing space-related duties from within the Air National Guard. However, organizational problems consistently arise now that all other space service members fall under the Space Force.
    A dedicated National Guard for the Space Force would help talented active-duty Space Force personnel transition to civilian careers, ensuring they are able to continue serving their country as well as their states. This bill would also streamline funding, and allow for better implementation of the mobilization processes, inspection systems, and policies and culture of the Space Force.
    The bill would override Legislative Proposal (LP) 480, which moved Air National Guard units with space missions into the U.S. Space Force without obtaining a governor’s consent prior to the transfer.
    Hickenlooper led 124 members of Congress in a bipartisan letter urging the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to adopt language in the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would preserve the authority of governors to oversee National Guard forces within their states. He also led another letter with 85 other members of Congress opposing the inclusion of LP 480 in the NDAA and joined in support of the National Governors Association Council of Governors calling on the Department of Defense to retract LP 480. In addition, Hickenlooper led 31 of his colleagues in submitting an amendment to the NDAA to permit the transfer only with gubernatorial approval. However, the amendment was not included in the final package for the Senate bill and did not have the opportunity for floor consideration.
    The Space Guard Establishment Act is supported by the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) and the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).
    Representatives Crow and Boebert introduced companion legislation in the House.
    Full text of the bill is available HERE.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Josh Stein and Emergency Management Officials Encourage Western North Carolinians to Apply for Private Roads and Bridges Repair Program

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Josh Stein and Emergency Management Officials Encourage Western North Carolinians to Apply for Private Roads and Bridges Repair Program

    Governor Josh Stein and Emergency Management Officials Encourage Western North Carolinians to Apply for Private Roads and Bridges Repair Program
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today, Governor Stein and emergency management officials are encouraging western North Carolinians to apply for assistance to repair private roads and bridges. Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented damages due to western North Carolina’s unique topography, including to more than 8,000 private roads and bridges. This program aims to assist property owners repair privately owned roads and bridges to reinstate access to emergency services, school buses, and other transportation.

    “Helene caused significant damage to over 8,000 private roads and bridges that often serve as the only access route for many ambulances, fire trucks, mail delivery vehicles, school buses, and for people to get to school, work, and run errands,” said Governor Josh Stein. “If left unrepaired, these critical private roads and bridges pose a substantial risk to public safety, including preventing repairs to people’s homes. If you need bridge or road repair, I encourage you to apply through this portal.”

    Many private roads, culverts, pipes, and bridges were damaged or destroyed following Hurricane Helene’s impacts across North Carolina. On January 2, 2025, the Governor issued Executive Order #2, which directed North Carolina Emergency Management to administer state assistance for the repair of private roads and bridges. The North Carolina Private Road and Bridge Program (NC-PRB) was established to provide that assistance.  

    To address these issues, Governor Stein tasked North Carolina Emergency Management to administer state assistance to repair private roads and bridges, and state officials are working closely with the legislature to advocate for additional funding. NCEM is working to contract services from vendors to facilitate these repairs. To help expedite this program, NCEM has established a webpage and interest form to allow property owners to express their interest in the program.

    Disaster survivors are encouraged to also contact the North Carolina Disaster Case Management Program if they need other resources and assistance with their recovery. More information is available at www.ncdps.gov/helene/dcm .

    ### 

    Mar 14, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –