Good morning, and welcome to the Epoch Times News Briefs. I’m Bill Thomas.
Massive Government Surveillance of Americans’ Financial Data Exposed
The House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have accused the Biden administration of conducting unlawful surveillance of citizens’ private financial data without a warrant or evidence of any crimes.In a new interim report, the committee claims that federal law enforcement, including the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the FBI, colluded with large financial institutions to engage in a fishing expedition for Americans’ financial data. Tactics such as keyword filtering and targeting specific purchases were used, extending surveillance beyond criminal suspicion.
“Tactics included keyword filtering of transactions, targeting terms like MAGA and TRUMP, as well as purchases of books, religious texts, firearms-related items, and recreational stores, like Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shop, and Dick’s Sporting Goods,” the report said.
“This surveillance extended beyond criminal suspicion, likely encompassing millions of Americans with conservative viewpoints or Second Amendment interests.”
The report also revealed the existence of a web portal run by the Domestic Security Alliance Council, which shared intelligence products with financial institutions to identify individuals based on their conservative political views or constitutionally protected activity.
Law enforcement viewed American citizens expressing opposition to firearm regulations, open borders, COVID-19 lockdowns, vaccine mandates, and the “deep state” as potential domestic terrorists, which the committee found disturbing.
Previous allegations were made against the Treasury’s enforcement network for engaging in pervasive financial surveillance by circulating materials to banks listing keywords and indicators related to the Capitol breach. The report also criticized the agency’s reliance on the Anti-Defamation League for guidance on hate symbols and terms. The committee highlighted the alarming overreach and political bias of federal law enforcement in its investigations, urging concern for civil liberties.
The FBI, Treasury Department, and White House have been contacted for comment.
RNC Resolution to Block Paying Trump’s Legal Fees Is ‘Dead’
The Republican National Committee (RNC) failed to get enough votes to submit a resolution to bar the organization from paying former President Donald Trump’s legal bills amid multiple criminal cases.Henry Barbour, the national committeeman from Mississippi, confirmed that the resolution he drafted “is dead,” securing only the support of eight out of the necessary 10 states.
Solomon Yue, a committee member from Oregon, stated that a majority of RNC members are in favor of aiding President Trump with his legal bills, considering it part of the former president’s reelection campaign to oust President Joe Biden and describing the criminal cases as “lawfare.” Other committee members also believed that the RNC should pay President Trump’s legal bills.
“The only funds the RNC will have (above keeping the lights on and hopefully making payroll) will come from the amazing efforts of Trump to raise money,” said another RNC member, Paul Reynolds of Alabama.
However, Chris LaCivita, a senior campaign adviser for President Trump, said Friday that the RNC would not pay the former president’s legal bills.
Additionally, Mr. Barbour proposed resolutions stating that the RNC should remain neutral during the presidential primary and prioritize spending on the 2024 election rather than candidate legal bills.
The RNC was paying some of President Trump’s legal bills for New York cases that started while he was president, but current RNC Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel said in November 2022 that the RNC would stop paying once the former president became a candidate again and started running for the 2024 presidential election.
Ms. McDaniel confirmed that she would resign in an announcement last month.
The RNC is set to convene in Houston to elect a new leadership team, with President Trump endorsing Michael Whatley for chairman and suggesting Lara Trump as co-chair.
President Trump currently faces significant legal debts, including a $355 million judgment for alleged fraud.
Gaetz Accuses Jack Smith of Election Interference in Complaint to DOJ Inspector General
Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.) has accused special counsel Jack Smith of election interference in a complaint filed with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) inspector general.Citing legal scholars, including Harvard Law School professor Jack Goldsmith, Mr. Gaetz suggested in his letter that the rush to trial lacks a constitutional or statutory rationale, indicating a possible political motivation. He claims that Mr. Smith’s resistance to delaying a trial is motivated by a desire to hold it before the November presidential election. This comes after President Trump’s lawyers and Mr. Smith’s office filed motions requesting different trial dates in a classified documents criminal case in Florida. President Trump’s lawyers argue that a fair trial cannot be held in an election year when he is the leading Republican candidate.
Mr. Gaetz wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that the trial against President Trump is a “witch hunt” and accuses Mr. Smith of violating the DOJ’s rules and the law. Mr. Gaetz points to Mr. Smith’s statements in court filings where he urges a rapid review of the case, suggesting that it is an attempt at election interference. He also questions Mr. Smith’s compliance with DOJ policy and cites a memo issued by Attorney General Merrick Garland that prohibits actions that could impact elections. Mr. Gaetz requests an investigation into potential violations by Mr. Smith.
Last week, Mr. Smith’s office requested a new trial date, while President Trump’s lawyers asked for a delay until after the 2024 election or an August date. President Trump is accused of violating the Espionage Act, conspiring to obstruct justice, and making false statements.
Harvard Ends COVID-19 Shot Mandate
Harvard University has reversed its decision to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for students, stating that it will no longer require students to receive the vaccine. The university now strongly recommends that all members of the Harvard community stay informed about COVID-19 vaccines and wear high-quality face masks in crowded indoor settings. The decision comes after Harvard initially announced that all students would need proof of vaccination to register for the upcoming semester.This reversal is seen as a significant victory for freedom by Lucia Sinatra, co-founder of No College Mandates, who believes that other universities will struggle to justify vaccine mandates now that Harvard has dropped them.
Earlier this month, Republican Sen. Declan O’Scanlon called for Rutgers University to lose state funding over its vaccine mandate for staff and faculty. Mr. O’Scanlon argues that the policy is discriminatory and lacks scientific basis. The number of schools requiring vaccinations has decreased due to controversies surrounding the shots’ efficacy and adverse health outcomes. Reports suggest that the shots have been associated with over 1.5 million adverse events, with COVID-19 vaccine mandates still in effect at 61 out of the top 800 colleges in the United States.
While praising Harvard’s reversal, Mrs. Sinatra emphasizes the need for accountability from institutions that rushed to implement vaccine mandates. She believes that universities should acknowledge that such mandates may not have been necessary for young, healthy adults and should consider apologizing for the rush to judgment. Despite this, she considers Harvard’s decision a win and is grateful for the freedom that students now have in choosing whether or not to get vaccinated.
Boiling Hard Tap Water Removes up to 90 Percent of Microplastics: Study
Boiling tap water has benefits beyond killing harmful pathogens—it can also eliminate contaminants like microplastics and chemicals, making it safer to drink.A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters reveals that boiling tap water for just five minutes can reduce microplastics by up to 90 percent. Experts from Guangzhou Medical University and the Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies in China recommend boiling water in nonplastic electric kettles or on gas stoves to remove impurities like polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene.
This practice has been used for purification in Asian countries for centuries, offering a simple strategy to reduce human consumption of nano- and microplastics through water. The study found that boiling hard tap water with high calcium carbonate content resulted in a 90 percent reduction in nano- and microplastics, while even soft water with lower calcium carbonate levels saw a reduction of over 25 percent.
The presence of nano- and microplastics is a significant global problem due to heavy plastic usage, with millions of tons of plastic entering the ocean each year. These particles have been found in water, air, soil, food, and table salt.
Accumulation of nano- and microplastics in the human body can lead to various health issues, including insulin resistance, organ dysfunction, and reproductive harm. Boiling tap water is a recommended long-term strategy for reducing exposure to these harmful particles, proving more effective than drinking bottled water, which, surprisingly, contains significantly higher levels of nanoplastics than previously thought.
That wraps up today’s journey through the intricate tapestry of news and narratives. I’m Bill Thomas, and you’ve been listening to the Epoch Times News Briefs. Join us next time as we continue to explore the stories that matter.
