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Democrats Enlist China As Post- Election Backup With Latest Trump Barricade

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U.S. Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler on Sunday placed an injunction against the Trump administration’s ban on WeChat, the Chinese-owned messaging app. The federal ban on new downloads was scheduled to go into effect at 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday.

The ruling came after the federal judge in California took into account a motion from the U.S. WeChat Users Alliance, the group who filed the lawsuit.

According to the Wall Street Journal, one of Judge Beeier’s main concerns was over free speech. She concluded “there are no viable substitute platforms or apps for the Chinese-speaking and Chinese-American community.”

“WeChat is effectively the only means of communication for many in the community, not only because China bans other apps, but also because Chinese speakers with limited English proficiency have no options other than WeChat,” she said in the order.

There are currently 19 million users in the United States and more than 1.2 billion users around the world. One of the concerns the Trump administration has had with WeChat and TikTok is their Chinese owners and privacy. WeChat frequently keeps information about users and provides it to the Chinese government.

The judge understood the national security interests the Trump administration brought forward but said “the specific evidence about WeChat is modest.”

The ruling comes after President Trump on Saturday signed off on a partnership between TikTok, Oracle and Walmart. The Chinese-owned video platform will become a company in the United States. The deal was struck in light of Sunday night’s ban, which would pull the app from mobile stores like Apple and Google Play.

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: BREAKING: Federal Judge Blocks the Trump Administration’s WeChat Ban

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‘Squad’ Member Makes Repulsive Statement About Gunned Down Police Officers

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On Saturday night, two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputies were shot while sitting in their patrol car in Compton. Black Lives Matter rioters rushed to the hospital, shouting things like “I hope they f**king die,” “Death to the police,” and “Kill the police.” Despite that, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) went on MNSBC on Sunday to talk about “defunding” the police – or what she calls “reimagining” policing in America.

“This is our time to make sure we get rid of Trump and elect someone who is going to be responsive to the policy positions we are advocating for. Biden’s economic package is one that gets us a step closer to addressing the economic and social neglect that have went unaddressed for so long,” Omar told MSNBC’s Ali Velshi.

According to the freshman congresswoman, George Floyd’s death “opened people’s eyes” to the issues the Minneapolis Police Department has had for decades, like a majority of homicides going unsolved and rape kits allegedly being destroyed.

“The majority of the people in Minneapolis don’t trust the Minneapolis police,” she said. “When you have an institution that has lost the trust of the people it’s supposed to serve, then you have to make a big decision on what you do with that institution. It is going through a process of dismantling that institution and coming together as a community to reimagine what public safety looks like for us.”

Omar said that “reimagination” includes having professional address mental health concerns, “stopping the criminalizing of poverty” and having resources sent into the community (although she doesn’t say what those resources are).

“That’s a long process and it’s one Minneapolis is committed to. Our leaders are committed to it. Our constituents are committed to it. And I believe we are a resilient city and we will come through this with a plan that really provides safety for each and every single person in our city, regardless of what zip code they’re living in and what color of the skin that they’re in,” she explained.

The day two police officers are in the hospital after being ambushed and shot, Ilhan Omar is on TV advocating that we defund police and saying that Joe Biden will be “responsive” to policies she’s pushing. You can’t vote Democrat if you support police. pic.twitter.com/b7GTbgqsxm

— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) September 13, 2020

This whole idea of “defunding” the police, “reimagining” the police – whatever you want to call it – is what got us into this mess. This anti-law enforcement sentiment is dangerous. Assuming that all officers are bad apples that are out to harm and even kill people of color is what has officers on edge. It’s why Amazon selling disgusting “blue lives murder” shirts are socially acceptable. It’s why the deputies in Compton were shot simply for sitting in a parked patrol car. It’s why the NYPD’s retirement applications increased by 400 percent, because officers are afraid of being targeted because of their profession.

Ilhan Omar needs to stop, take a deep breath and stop adding fuel to the fire. This rhetoric that her and her progressive buddies are pushing encourages this dangerous behavior that is getting innocent people killed, small businesses set ablaze and communities torched to rubble.

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: Apparently Omar Isn’t Fazed By Cops Being Shot at for No Reason

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Team Biden Under Fire After Outrageous Statement Backing Rioters Goes Viral

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Since the death of George Floyd back in May, the Biden campaign has stood alongside Black Lives Matter and Antifa rioters. Instead of condemning their actions – particularly the looting, fires and demolishing of small businesses – Biden’s team decided to defend them, saying that they’re “peaceful protestors.” Some staffers even went so far as to donate to a fund to bail the “protestors” out of jail.

Symone Sanders, a Senior Adviser to the Biden-Harris campaign, doubled down on the “peaceful protestors” point of view during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Sunday.

Baier asked if roughly a dozen campaign staffers regretted donating to a bail fund for “protestors,” especially after one of the offenders was rearrested for a “serious crime.” Of course, Sanders couldn’t answer the question.

“Bret, it was not and has not been our campaign position of bailing anyone out, so I’m unsure specifically what you’re speaking to,” she replied.

The host reminded Sanders that Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) previously encouraged Americans to donate to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, the bail fund for so-called protestors.

“So, look. I think you asked a good question. Do we condemn the violence? And the answer is yes. Now, protesting – we have to make a clear distinction between protesting and violence – to be clear, as Vice President Biden has said though, burning communities, looting communities, is not protesting. That’s violence,” Sanders explained. “We condemn that in all forms but protesting peacefully is necessary, it’s American and folks should be raising their voices in this moment.”

Although Biden has condemned violence in its entirety, he hasn’t condemned Antifa specifically.

“Bret, the vice president has been very clear. He condemns all forms of violence And, frankly, what you heard him say in the speech that he gave on Monday of last week, was it doesn’t matter what political party you belong to. It doesn’t matter what your political beliefs are. Violence is wrong,” Sanders said.

Amazingly, Sanders believes President Trump has failed to condemn violence.

“In this moment, he is calling for calm and he has also noted throughout the week, Bret, that he asked the president to join him in condemning violence regardless of who is causing it.”

“Joe Biden has been very clear. I do believe it’s Donald Trump who has not,” she said.

How is it that Symone Sanders believes Trump hasn’t condemned violence? He’s been talking about it for months. He has talked about needing law and order in our nation. He has repeatedly tweeted “LAW & ORDER!” He’s also told mayors and governors to call in the national guard to quell riots in places like Seattle and Kenosha.

Here are just a few of those tweets:

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: Biden Adviser’s Pathetic Response to Staffers Backing Bail Fund for ‘Protestors’

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Top Democrat Calls For Trump To Be Removed — Without Impeachment

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House Financial Services Committee Chairman Maxine Waters (D-CA) on Saturday made the case that President Donald Trump should be ousted from the White House. According to Waters, the 25th Amendment would allow Congress to make the move.

“The President of the United States of America is unbelievably divisive. The president lies. He’s pitting people against each other, going back to the old birther argument that they attempted to use against Obama. This is a president that is the most deplorable human being that I have ever encountered in my life. And he’s undermining our democracy,” Waters said during an MSNBC interview on Saturday. “We cannot take any more of this president. This president is not only attacking the person that was just appointed or selected by Biden to be his vice president, and he is not hesitant to do it. This man has no shame. The name-calling, he called her nasty, on and on and on. I don’t know how much more the American people can take.”

The California congresswoman cited President Trump’s take on the United States Postal Service and how he’s “undermining our democracy” to say Section 4 of the 25th Amendment would mean Congress could oust him from the White House.

“As a matter of fact, when you couple that with what he’s doing, undermining our democracy, tearing up our post office, I believe that it is time for Section 4 of Amendment 25 to be put in place and his cabinet should send to Nancy Pelosi, the speaker, as identified in the Constitution, that this man should be removed from office. Section 25 should be put in place,” she explained. He is dangerous. He is tearing up, again, this country, undermining our democracy. And I want to tell you something, I’m getting more complaints about what he’s doing to the post office than I have on any other issue in my district. He cannot have our post office. He cannot do this. we’ve got to stop him.”

Waters doesn’t want a hearing. She wants an injunction.

“I’m not even supportive of just having a hearing. I want to have an injunction against the president based on all the actions that he has taken that is so obvious that it is political, that he is trying to destroy the post office because he believes that mail-in voting, absentee voting will defeat him and he will do anything. It was referred to by one of my friends as the scorched earth approach,” she said. “This president will do anything to try and stay in office. So I think we need to get right to the court with an injunction. I will be talking with the speaker about that today. He has demonstrated that he is undermining the democracy. It is in defiance of the Constitution and I want him to be stopped. I don’t think a hearing is enough. I think that we need to go directly to the courts and try to get an injunction against any more movements by him.”

Here’s what Section 4 of the 25th Amendment says (emphasis mine):

Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. There upon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within forty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If the Congress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.

In other words, Waters wants to make the case that President Trump is mentally unfit to be president of the United States because she disagrees with his policy stances and decisions. Mad Maxine is literally going to make it sound as though Trump is mentally deficient while the Democrats push Joe Biden. He can’t even remember what office he’s running for or who his wife is.

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: Maxine Waters: Congress Can Remove Trump Without Impeachment

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COVID Stimulus ‘Phase 2’ Announced With Surprising Changes

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Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Saturday said the next phase of the Wuhan coronavirus relief package is ready to be rolled out on Monday. Republicans are expected to announce a $1 trillion proposal which would include another round of stimulus checks.

According to Mnuchin, Americans can anticipate a $1,200 stimulus check sometime in August. The same stipulations will take place as the first round of stimulus payments. Individuals making $75,000 or less will receive $1,200. Those making more than $75,000 will receive some type of stimulus but it won’t be the full amount. Those making $100,000 or more per year will not qualify.

“We’re prepared to move quickly,” he told the Los Angeles Times.

Republicans in the House and Senate, along with President Donald Trump, are all working together on this proposal. Mnuchin reportedly called Democratic Leadership – including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) – before negotiations begin next week.

“The president has been very clear. He wants to make sure that the American people have what they need during this unprecedented time,” Trump’s chief of staff, Mark Meadows said. The president wants “to make sure not only the money is there but the programs.”

The one area in question is unemployment. The White House reportedly wanted to drop the weekly rate by $100, from $600 per week to $500 per week. Republicans, on the other hand, wanted to see the weekly rate drop by $200, from $600 per week to $400 per week. The idea is that cutting back unemployment benefits will encourage Americans to get back to work.

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: Mnuchin Reveals What the Next Coronavirus Relief Package Will Look Like

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VIDEO: Officer Accused In George Floyd Killing Confronted At Grocery Store

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One of the former Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of George Floyd – J. Alexander Keung – was confronted while grocery shopping at the Cub Foods in Plymouth, Minnesota. The woman filming the confrontation wanted to know why Keung was “comfortably shopping” instead of behind bars.

“What’s your name?” she asked, clearly recognizing him.

“Oh, yeah. That’s me,” he said, realizing the woman recognized him.

“It is you,” she said.

He nodded in agreement.

“So, you’re out of prison, and you’re comfortable shopping in Cub Foods as if you didn’t do anything?” she asked.

“I wouldn’t call it comfortably,” he explained. “I would just say getting necessities or helping.”

“I don’t think you should have that right. I don’t even think you should be out on bail,” she said.

“I can understand that,” Keung replied.

“How does it feel?” she asked.

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” he said before walking away.

“No, you’re not sorry. You’re literally outside here comfortably as if you didn’t kill that man,” she said. “Did you think that people weren’t going to recognize you? Honestly, did you? You don’t have the right to be here. You killed someone in cold blood. You do not have the right to be here.”

“I understand. I’ll pay for my stuff and get out of here,” Keung said, pointing to the Oreos and milk in his hand.

“No, we don’t want you to get your stuff. We want you to be locked up,” she said, following him. “You’re honestly in Cub Foods comfortably shopping, out of prison? Honestly, do you feel any remorse for what you did? Do you?”

Keung told the woman he was going to pay for his stuff and go. The lady then proceeded to tell everyone in the vicinity that he “was the officer let out of jail today for shooting George Floyd – err, I’m sorry, suffocating him.”

The woman told Keung he wouldn’t be able to go about his life in Minnesota without people recognizing him and knowing who he is.

“You’re not going to be able to live comfortably in Minnesota after this – or anywhere,” she said. “And you will be going back to jail. Trust. Trust.”

She then asked Keung how he posted bail.

“How’d you get the money?” she asked. “And you’re lucky they don’t have your address.”

According to WCCO-TV, Keung’s bail was set at $750,000. Hennepin County Jail’s roster said Keung was released around 7 p.m. Friday night.

The officer who actually pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck – Derek Chauvin – has been charged with second- and third-degree murder and third-degree manslaughter. The other officers – Tou Thao and Thomas Lane and Keung – have been charged with aiding and abetting both second-degree unintentional murder and second-degree manslaughter.

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: One of the Officers Accused in George Floyd’s Killing Went Grocery Shopping. Here’s How People Responded.

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WH Economic Adviser Gives Startling Update On American Economy

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The Wuhan coronavirus has left millions of Americans furloughed, laid off and relying on unemployment and food stamps to make it through this pandemic. Although things look bleak right now, White House Senior Economic Adviser Steve Hassett said good things are on the horizon.

“I think that what we’re going to see is more bad data because the data tends to be in the rearview mirror, but if you look at things like employment, small businesses or the percentage of businesses that are open or even the credit card data which we get a peek at, then you can see things pretty much inflected in early May,” Hassett told CNN’s Dana Bash on Sunday. “And so, my expectation is since there’s still initial claims for unemployment insurance in May that the unemployment rate will be higher in June than in May but then after that it should start to trend down.”

While we’re not there yet, Hassett believes the U.S. is close to an “inflection point,” at least on the economic front, of the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.

He warned that unemployment numbers will be higher, especially for the months of May and June, but things are expected to rebound.

“It’s going to be quite a bit higher. There were some technical things they kinda messed up. In an economic lecture we’d go into them. But it could be, if they fix them, fix the numbers and fix the things that they mischaracterized last time, that you’ll end up with a number north of 20 percent in May,” Hassett said.

“North of 20 percent?” Bash asked. “Wow.”

Although that number is high, businesses are opening up across the country. One of the challenges will be consumer confidence. The number of cases the U.S. has over the summer will dictate whether or not Americans decide to go shopping and visit restaurants.

“If you look at the Congressional Budget Office outlook for GDP, which I think is about what we should expect, they’ve got about the worst ever quarter in the second quarter in U.S. history, or the worst quarter ever in U.S. history, but then the best in the third quarter,” he explained. “So, what’s going to happen, in all likelihood, is that you’re going to see the second-quarter drop a lot and the third quarter skyrocket. And then the question is when you skyrocket do you get back to where you were when you started and the CBO doesn’t quite think so.”

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: WH Economic Adviser Explains What Is Likely to Happen with Unemployment Numbers

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Take Note, Anti-Gunners: Trump Administration Declares Gun Dealers and Manufacturers ‘Essential Businesses’

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Saturday declared firearm manufacturers, distributors, ranges and retail stores as “essential businesses” that should remain open during the Wuhan coronavirus pandemic.

The following two lines were added to the DHS’ memo about critical infrastructure, which serves as a guide for state governors and local leaders:

  • Workers supporting the manufacturing of safety equipment and uniforms for law enforcement, public safety personnel, and first responder.
  • Workers supporting the operation of firearm or ammunition product manufacturers, retailers, importers, distributors, and shooting ranges.

Pro-gun organizations applauded the decision, especially as state and local governments across the nation attempt to hider peoples’ ability to practice their Second Amendment rights. The city of Champaign, Illinois banned the sale of firearms and ammunition. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva ordered gun stores to shut down but the National Rifle Association (NRA), Second Amendment Foundation (SAF), the California Gun Rights Foundation (CGF), and the Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the move.

“We are deeply appreciative to the Trump Administration and Department of Homeland Security for recognizing the vital role our industry fulfills in our nation,” Lawrence G. Keane, Senior Vice President and General Counsel for the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) said in a statement. “We have seen over the past week hundreds of thousands, even millions of Americans choosing to exercise their right to keep and bear arms to ensure their safety and the safety of loved ones during these uncertain times. Americans must not be denied the ability to exercise that right to lawfully purchase and acquire firearms during times of emergency. This guidance from the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is crucial to governors and local officials as they craft the orders to preserve public health.”

“Every freedom-loving American owes President Donald Trump and his administration a very big thank you for protecting our Second Amendment rights. This is another Trump promise made and promise kept,” Second Amendment Foundation founder and Executive Vice President Alan Gottlieb said in a statement. “A lot of people have done incredible work this week to make it happen,” he confirmed. “A number of people, including governors and even mayors and at least one California sheriff appear to have let their personal politics get in the way of common sense public policy. During a time of crisis, we can think of no more essential endeavor outside of health care and emergency services than businesses that enable citizens to exercise their fundamental right to keep and bear arms.”

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: Take Note, Anti-Gunners: Trump Administration Declares Gun Dealers and Manufacturers ‘Essential Businesses’

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Fox News Hosts Shreds Joe Biden Staffer Over Politicizing Wuhan Virus

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For whatever reason, the Democrats are harping on the fact that President Donald Trump referred to the Wuhan coronavirus as the “Chinese virus.” They claim that it’s racist to point out the fact that the virus originated in China.

Former Vice President Joe Biden’s Senior Adviser, Symone Sanders, reiterated that point of view during an interview on Wednesday with Fox News’ Martha MacCallum. “It’s something that’s offensive to Chinese Americans,” Sanders claimed.

“What President Trump announced today — it’s a tough job but it has to be done – on some of what he said today was good but the reality is he also stood at the podium and called the coronavirus COVID-19, what I would suggest is a racial slur,” Sanders explained.

According to the Biden campaign surrogate, what President Trump said is “offensive to many Americans.” She said that “instead of namecalling, instead of pointing fingers, talking about poll numbers–”

“The MERS virus is M-E-R-U-S. Do you know why it’s called MERS?” MacCallum asked.

“You tell me, Martha. You brought it up,” Sanders said.

“It’s called the Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome because that’s where it originated,” MacCallum explained. “This rabbit hole of getting into this whole issue of racism, I think is so counterproductive to what we are trying to do here. I talked to an amazing scholar on China moments ago who said absolutely China, at the leadership level, has tried to obfuscate and be everything but transparent since the very beginning. They lied and lied and lied about this situation. Why is it not okay to recognize where it originated?”

Sanders said this had nothing to do with China being “forthright,” something the Fox News host completely disagreed with.

“Yes, it is. That’s exactly what it is,” MacCallum clapped back.

“Not in terms of what the President of the United States is referring to this virus from the podium. The reality is yes, the Chinese government refused to let American scientists in to research to see what was going on. That’s the stark difference from what happened in the Ebola crisis when the United States government demanded to come in to African countries. That is something we should have and continue to push for. My only point is is they have noted it is offensive to them and in times of strife, particularly when we are dealing with pandemic currently affected with people that has had no contact with people overseas —”

“No one is suggesting American Chinese people are responsible. Every thinking human being who looks at this understand that the reference is to the origin of the virus and also the leadership in terms of how that virus was handled in the country of origin,” MacCallum said. “I’m going to leave it there.”

We can call it the coronavirus, the Wuhan coronavirus, COVID-19, or whatever new term that’s going to be developed tomorrow. Who cares what we call it? What matters right now is that our leaders are taking appropriate actions to protect the lives of Americans across the nation. Period. End of story.

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: ‘Let’s Be Serious’: Martha MacCallum Shreds a Joe Biden Surrogate Over Politicizing the Wuhan Coronavirus

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IG Report: FBI Had Evidence That Could Have Prevented Six Terrorist Attacks on American Soil

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The Department of Justice’s Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, last week released a new report detailing at least six terrorist attacks on American soil that the FBI could have prevented between November 2009 and January 2017 under former FBI Director James Comey’s supervision.

According to Horowitz, the FBI was made aware of six homegrown violent extremists (HVE), but because of the agency’s rush to close terrorism cases, threats were not adequately assessed and vetted.

The FBI established the HVE policy after the September 11th attacks to prevent future terrorist threats.

Following these attacks, the FBI conducted reviews and determined there were weaknesses in its HVE assessment processes. However, we found that the FBI has not taken sufficient action to address these weaknesses. Additionally, in 2017, the FBI conducted an enterprise-wide review and identified potential terrorist threats that may not have been adequately assessed during calendar years (CY) 2014 through 2016, which amounted to 6 percent of the total assessments reviewed. We found that the FBI did not take adequate action on nearly 40 percent of these assessments for 18 months. After we inquired about the lack of action, the FBI reexamined these assessments and, in some instances, the reexamination resulted in the opening of an investigation. We further found that the FBI has experienced a substantial influx of reports of suspicious incidents, but has not developed comprehensive strategies for addressing the challenges associated with the potential cross-over between terrorist threats and other categories of threats, for example, those posed by individuals with mental health issues and criminal threats to life.

Specifically, the FBI had information on the following incidents:

  • Ft. Hood attack carried out by Nidal Hasan on November 5, 2009. Thirteen people died and more than 30 others were wounded.The FBI opened a counterterrorism investigation into Hasan on January 1, 2009. The investigation was closed on June 17, 2009. The FBI determined he posed no threat.
  • Boston Marathon attack carried out by Tamerian and Dzhokhar Tsarvaev on April 15, 2013. Three people died as a result of the attack and more than 260 were injured. In March of 2011, the FBI opened a Guardian assessment on Tamerian. It was closed June 24, 2013, when the FBI determined he posed no risk to national security.
  • Garland, Texas attack carried out by Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi on April 30, 2015. Both gunmen were killed and one other person was injured. The FBI opened an investigation into Simpson on August 1, 2006 and closed it on November 7, 2014. Between February 4, 2015 and February 24, 2015, there were numerous Guardian assessments opened on Simpson. On March 3, 2015, the FBI reopens its investigation into Simpson.
  • Pulse Nightclub shooting carried out by Omar Marteen on June 12, 2016. Forty-nine people died and more than 50 were injured. The FBI opened a case into Marteen on May 20, 2013, based on statements “indicative of radicalized ideology.”
  • New York and New Jersey bombings carried out by Ahmad Rahami between September 15th and September 17th, 2016. Although 30 were injured, thankfully, there were no fatalities. The FBI opened a Guardian assessment on August 27, 2014. The case was closed on September 19, 2014, as “No Nexus to Terrorism could be determined.”
  • Ft. Lauderdale Airport shooting carried out by Esteban Santiago on January 6, 2017. Five people were killed and more than 40 were injured. The FBI opened a Guardian assessment on November 8, 2016. The case was closed on November 30, 2016, when he was determined not to be a national security threat. He was also taken to a psychiatric institute for evaluation.
  • The report highlighted issues in how the FBI failed to handle information. One of the recommendations Horowitz made was for the FBI to develop “formal policies on the assignment and completion of routine counterterrorism assessments to address issues of timeliness and to encourage prioritization of counterterrorism assessments. In addition, this review identified concerns about the assignment of Task Force Officers as the lead investigators on certain assessments and investigations, and the need for increased training for counterterrorism Task Force Officers.”
  • According to the report, FBI agents were quick to close terrorism cases. Those quick closures meant the FBI failed to assess potential threats adequately.

Since September 11, 2001, HVEs have carried out over 20 attacks in the United States, some of which occurred after the FBI closed a counterterrorism investigation or assessment on the individual. Following these attacks, the FBI conducted reviews and determined there were weaknesses in its HVE assessment processes.

However, we found that the FBI has not taken sufficient action to address these weaknesses.

Additionally, in 2017, the FBI conducted an enterprise-wide review and identified potential terrorist threats that may not have been adequately assessed during calendar years (CY) 2014 through 2016, which amounted to 6 percent of the total assessments reviewed. We found that the FBI did not take adequate action on nearly 40 percent of these assessments for 18 months. After we inquired about the lack of action, the FBI reexamined these assessments and, in some instances, the reexamination resulted in the opening of an investigation.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) slammed former FBI Director James Comey’s leadership for not taking responsibility for the agency’s failure to protect innocent Americans, specifically those who were at Pulse Night Club.

Below is the full report:

Author: Beth Baumann

Source: Town Hall: IG Report: FBI Had Evidence That Could Have Prevented Six Terrorist Attacks on American Soil

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