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@lawfaremedia.org
170K followers 41 following 5.3K posts

Straight-shooting information and analysis at the intersection of national security, law, and policy. Support Lawfare at www.lawfaremedia.org/support

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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 9h
A common objection to American pauses in AI research to ensure that humans remain reliably in control of these systems is concern about China. A deal with China will need to leverage the threat of throttling to encourage mutual pacing, writes Simon Goldstein & @petersalib.bsky.social.
lawfaremedia.org
How to Make an AI Deal With China: Trade Throttling for Pacing
China will not agree to an AI pacing deal that puts them permanently in second place. The U.S. must therefore be prepared to use the threat of throttling to encourage a mutual deal.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 11h
Questions are swirling about how the midterm elections on Nov. 3, 2026 will unfold. Lawfare paid supporters can ask Lawfare editors about the midterms, and anything else on their minds, during this month's "Ask Lawfare Anything." Become a supporter today to join:
lawfare.substack.com
Ask Lawfare Anything: October 2026
You Have Questions. We Have Answers.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 12h
The leading automated license plate reader manufacturer, Flock, does not just read license plates anymore, but deploys an AI-driven system that police can use to track people. Matthew Cavedon and Laura Bondank-Harmon explain what safeguards should be enacted and the obstacles to enforcing them.
lawfaremedia.org
The Law Can’t Keep Up With Flock’s AI Surveillance
Flock promised to read license plates. It built surveillance that can track dissenters—and the law hasn’t caught up.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 13h
On Lawfare Daily, Daniel Byman talked to Peter Bergen, author of “All the Presidents' Wars,” about counterterrorism in the 25 years after 9/11, reviewing the many mistakes the U.S. and al-Qaeda made, as well as some of the surprising successes. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/lawf...
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 05/10/2026
The midterms are weeks away, and the legal fights over voting rules, certification, and election security are already heating up. Lawfare is covering it with expert, nonpartisan analysis. Become a paid supporter today.
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Support Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 05/10/2026
President Trump recently attempted to ban several categories of Canadian imports. @ilyasomin.bsky.social explains that import restrictions are a congressional power under the Constitution, not an executive one, and will run into the same legal constraints as tariffs.
lawfaremedia.org
The President Doesn’t Have Unlimited Power to Impose Import Bans
Contrary to Trump’s claims, executive power to impose import bans is constrained by most of the same legal restrictions as the power to impose tariffs.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 05/10/2026
Actors linked to Iran, Russia, China, and other states are using AI to write and translate propaganda, create personas, mimic target audiences, and produce content at scale. @noupside.bsky.social investigates whether AI-generated influence operations are actually changing public opinion.
lawfaremedia.org
Production, Persuasion, and Power: How Generative and Agentic AI Are Transforming Influence Operations
Generative AI can increase the quantity and quality of malign foreign influence campaigns. However, questions remain as to whether these campaigns influence public opinion.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 05/10/2026
Today's Lawfare Daily is the Oct. 3 livestream where @nkorpett.bsky.social, @sranderson.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and @ericcolumbus.bsky.social discussed litigation surrounding the Trump administration. youtube.com/live/6nEDz2B...
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 04/10/2026
Last week the D.C. Circuit heard argument over Judge Boasberg's contempt inquiry into top Trump administration officials. @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org sat down with @annabower.bsky.social , @rparloff.bsky.social, and @mollyroberts.bsky.social to break it down. youtube.com/live/OXziyHG...
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 04/10/2026
The administration has turned an unfixable fact—Chinese parts in nearly every U.S. voting machine—into a license to contest any election it loses. @juliacurlee.bsky.social explains how the litigators, researchers, and the groups that back election officials could push back.
lawfaremedia.org
Laundering Federal Election Interference in the Midterms
The administration has turned an unfixable fact—Chinese parts in nearly every U.S. voting machine—into a license to contest any election it loses.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 04/10/2026
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington was his first in 11 years. @juliacurlee.bsky.social talked to Jon Czin about what each side walked away with and how the loss of China expertise and policy staff showed in the summit’s preparation and readouts. youtu.be/kFVj6agnoFs
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 04/10/2026
"What does it mean to understand the law if a machine can reason across more of it than any lawyer could possibly hold in mind?" @scottjshapiro.bsky.social introduces his new semi-regular column of essays on law and computation, ‘Posting Through the Singularity.'
lawfaremedia.org
Introducing ‘Posting Through the Singularity’
A new semi-regular column of essays on law and computation, not quite ready for Substack
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 03/10/2026
On this week's Rational Security, @sranderson.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @tylermcbrien.com, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social discussed: ✈️The third country removal policy 💰Cuts to the FBI and DOJ's corruption unit 📰President Trump's war on the press youtu.be/0KfGYHa2Wh0
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 03/10/2026
For more than 160 uninterrupted years, federal law has prohibited troops wherever an election is held. The Insurrection Act’s grant of authority to the president does not supersede Section 592’s prohibition on armed people at the polls, writes @lorenvoss.bsky.social and @nkorpett.bsky.social.
lawfaremedia.org
The Insurrection Act Is No Exception to the Troops-at-Polls Ban
Congress restricted military deployments to election sites, even when a broader deployment authority might otherwise apply.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 03/10/2026
ICYMI: Watch @nkorpett.bsky.social, @sranderson.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social, and @rparloff.bsky.social discussed litigation over the cancellation of foreign aid funds, the Supreme Court allowing third country removals, and more.
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 03/10/2026
The second chapter of Deportation Inc. follows migrants as they are shuffled through a nationwide network of flights and facility transfers. Deportation, Inc. Chapter 2 is produced with @situ-research.bsky.social and @theintercept.com. youtu.be/OmUjt0ezisY
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
Watch the discussion live now: youtube.com/live/6nEDz2B...
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, October 2
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
In a world that is constantly changing, Lawfare is a reliable nonpartisan resource to keep you informed about the complex national security, legal, and policy considerations we face. This work is made possible through the generosity of our supporters. www.lawfaremedia.org/about/support
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Support Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
At 4 p.m. ET, @nkorpett.bsky.social will sit down with @sranderson.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and @ericcolumbus.bsky.social to discuss a lawsuit challenging the Iran War, litigation over the cancellation of foreign aid funds, and more.
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, October 2
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
@jamesgoodwin.bsky.social and Wendy Wagner explain how Suncor v. Boulder County—a case over whether federal law preempts local and state-law tort claims brought against fossil fuel companies—illustrates how powerful corporate entities benefit from an imperial presidency.
lawfaremedia.org
The Next Anti-democratic Threat From the Supreme Court
Industry-backed preemption arguments in the climate deception case threaten the federalism safeguards that check an imperial presidency.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
On Lawfare Daily, as a part of the Security Economic series, @petereharrell.bsky.social sat down with @chorzempa.bsky.social to discuss President Trump's summit with Chinese Leader Xi Jinping and the countries' differing perspectives on—and approaches to—artificial intelligence. youtu.be/mQcxLwTC_TU
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
"[R]eaders will be rewarded with a multitude of windows into Nazi society, each opening but briefly and allowing only glimpses, yet enough to show the degree to which standard morals had been eroded." Kim Christian Priemel reviews “The Accused” by Jessica Trisko Darden.
lawfaremedia.org
Nazi Women in Court
A review of Jessica Trisko Darden, “The Accused: How Women Faced Justice for Nazi-Era Crimes” (Yale University Press, 2026).
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 02/10/2026
This week's Seriously Risky Business looks at OpenAI agents "infiltrating" an Australian government website, the hack of the FBI, Ukraine getting access to AI cyber defense, and more. Read the newsletter, from @tom.risky.biz.
lawfaremedia.org
"Rogue" AI Isn't Going Anywhere
The latest edition of the Seriously Risky Business cybersecurity newsletter, now on Lawfare.
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Reposted by Lawfare
Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
NEW: The Georgia State Election board is requesting Justice Department "intervention" ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The board sent request letters to Todd Blanche, Harmeet Dhillon, and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Docs obtained by @lawfaremedia.org: www.documentcloud.org/documents/28...
documentcloud.org
Formal Request for DOJ Intervention to Todd Blanche
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 01/10/2026
As Congress debates who should control frontier AI governance, @mailynfidler.bsky.social and Matt Kristoffersen warn that cybersecuritization may oversimplify the AI regulation debate and remove the issue from ordinary democratic deliberation into the realm of the expert and the emergent.
lawfaremedia.org
A Warning for Frontier AI Model Governance
As Congress debates who should control frontier AI governance, “cybersecurity” can become a substitute for reasoning about hard policy choices.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 01/10/2026
On Rational Security, @sranderson.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @tylermcbrien.com, and @michael-feinberg.bsky.social talked through the week's national security news, including SCOTUS clearing the way for the Trump administration to deport migrants to third, and more. youtu.be/0KfGYHa2Wh0
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 01/10/2026
In late August, the Department of Defense released its annual report on civilian harm from U.S. military operations in 2025. Madison Hunke, Megan Karlshoej-Pedersen, and Anna Zahn break down the report, which demonstrates concerning gaps in the U.S. military’s ability to prevent civilian casualties.
lawfaremedia.org
2025 Civilian Casualties Report Reveals U.S. Civilian Protection Gaps
Despite admitting to its biggest civilian harm incidents in years, the U.S. military has not accounted for dozens of victims from 2025.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 01/10/2026
On Lawfare Daily, @nkorpett.bsky.social spoke to Rachel Van Landingham about the many ways in which the Trump administration has been remaking the Defense Department and what impact it’s all having on the Department and the troops themselves. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/lawf...
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 30/09/2026
"The text, legislative history, and subsequent amendment of the Troops at Polls statute indicate a deliberate congressional effort to constrain the military's use in election contexts, even in situations when the Insurrection Act might otherwise apply," writes @lorenvoss.bsky.social & Natalie Orpett
lawfaremedia.org
The Insurrection Act Is No Exception to the Troops-at-Polls Ban
Congress restricted military deployments to election sites, even when a broader deployment authority might otherwise apply.
24515
Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 30/09/2026
"What does it mean to understand the law if a machine can reason across more of it than any lawyer could possibly hold in mind?" @scottjshapiro.bsky.social introduces his ‘Posting Through the Singularity’ series which will explore what happens where AI and law meet.
lawfaremedia.org
Introducing ‘Posting Through the Singularity’
A new semi-regular column of essays on law and computation, not quite ready for Substack
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 30/09/2026
On Lawfare Daily, @juliacurlee.bsky.social and Jonathan Czin unpacked Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Washington, his first in 11 years and what each side walked away with. youtu.be/kFVj6agnoFs
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/09/2026
The systemic vulnerabilities of U.S. networks revealed by the Iranian-backed cyber operations are compounded by the rising threat from China. The Trump administration needs a strategy to make critical infrastructure more resilient, write Adam Segal and Matt Ferren.
lawfaremedia.org
Changing China’s Cyber Calculus
The U.S. needs a strategy to counter China’s leverage in cyberspace.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/09/2026
Tune in to the live discussion now: youtube.com/live/OXziyHG...
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: Debriefing the D.C. Circuit's Argument Over Contempt Inquiry
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/09/2026
At 2pm ET, watch @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, and @mollyroberts.bsky.social break down what happened at the D.C. Circuit oral argument over Judge Boasberg's contempt inquiry into the Trump administration. youtube.com/live/OXziyHG...
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: Debriefing the D.C. Circuit's Argument Over Contempt Inquiry
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Reposted by Lawfare
Tyler McBrien @tylermcbrien.com · 29/09/2026
The next chapter of DEPORTATION, INC., an investigative video series from @situ-research.bsky.social @lawfaremedia.org—and now @theintercept.com —is out now. CHAPTER 2: REMOVAL examines the network of flights shuffling migrants around and out of the US, & the shady deals behind 3rd country removals
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/09/2026
Watch the premiere of "Deportation, Inc. Chapter 2: Removal" now! This episode dives into the business of migrant removal and follows migrants as they are shuffled through a vast network of flights and facility transfers. youtu.be/OmUjt0ezisY?...
youtu.be
Deportation, Inc. Chapter 2: REMOVAL
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/09/2026
Joe Khawam identifies where the U.S. government can deploy existing export control authorities against AI models to materially reduce AI risk, the obstacles in using them against open-weight models, and where they should not be applied.
lawfaremedia.org
How Export Controls Can—and Cannot—Reduce the Risks of Open-Weight Models
Once model weights are published, developers lose control. Export controls can still work—but only at the right chokepoints.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 29/09/2026
On Lawfare Daily, @kevinfrazier.bsky.social is joined @alexbores.nyc, @natpurser.bsky.social, and Mackenzie Arnold to discuss recent developments in the AI risk environment, what led us here, and what comes next for domestic and AI foreign policy. youtu.be/hE7460whAKU
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
Tomorrow at 2pm ET, @benjaminwittes.lawfaremedia.org, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, & @mollyroberts.bsky.social will discuss the D.C. Circuit argument over whether Judge Boasberg can investigate into whether DOJ & DHS officials committed contempt when they sent Venezuelans to CECOT.
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: Debriefing the D.C. Circuit's Argument Over Contempt Inquiry
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
"It may not be the rogue AI agent that causes our end but, rather, the computer on the shoulder of the extremist who was validated, encouraged, and guided by his AI companion without any guardrails," writes Sam Hunter and @seamushughes.bsky.social.
lawfaremedia.org
The AI Threat We’re Not Talking About
AI employees are raising concerns about an extinction-level event. But there’s a more immediate threat.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
The second episode of "Deportation, Inc: The Rise of the Immigration Enforcement Economy" will be released tomorrow at 11am ET. This chapter focuses on the business of migrant removal, follows migrants as they are shuffled through a vast network of flights and facility transfers.
youtu.be
Deportation, Inc. Chapter 2: REMOVAL
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
On Sept. 17, the UN Fact-Finding Commission published its report determining that the United States has committed war crimes in the U.S.-Iran War. @gaborrona.bsky.social analyzes the law relevant to the report’s conclusions.
lawfaremedia.org
Parsing the UN Fact-Finding Mission’s Report on U.S. Strikes in Iran
The UN Fact-Finding Commission concludes that the United States has committed war crimes. It could have said more to make a convincing case.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
youtube.com/live/2CZtSoA...
youtube.com
Lawfare Live: The Trials of the Trump Administration, September 25
YouTube video by Lawfare
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 28/09/2026
Today's Lawfare Daily is the Sept. 25 livestream where @annabower.bsky.social, @ericcolumbus.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social, and @rparloff.bsky.social discussed Anthropic’s challenge to its supply chain designation, DHS requesting the Supreme Court allow third country removals, and more.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/09/2026
Every month, Lawfare sends out a newsletter highlighting who and what makes Lawfare tick. Read this month's A Look Inside Lawfare, which includes a interview with Executive Editor Natalie Orpett. lawfare.substack.com/p/september-...
lawfare.substack.com
September 2026: A Look Inside Lawfare
A monthly spotlight on who and what makes Lawfare tick.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/09/2026
"It would be more accurate to say that what the U.S. is doing to Cuba is illegal, it is indefensible, and it is indecent." Joy Gordon explains how the Trump Administration's sanctions against Cuba are resulting in starvation and misery. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/sieg...
lawfaremedia.org
Siege Warfare by Other Means: The U.S. Economic Measures Against Cuba
How the Trump Administration is using starvation and misery to achieve regime change in Cuba.
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/09/2026
This week, @nkorpett.bsky.social was joined by @juliacurlee.bsky.social, and @atabatabai.bsky.social on Lawfare Daily to talk about the war in Iran: where things stand today, and how we got here. youtu.be/ugs_spb2gvc
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 27/09/2026
Some commentators are urging Trump to escalate with Iran and are using Obama’s Syria red line as a cautionary tale. @jyshapiro.bsky.social explains the legacy of a misunderstood event and why it matters today. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/amer...
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 26/09/2026
🎙️ New Rational Security! @sranderson.bsky.social, @nkorpett.bsky.social, and @juliacurlee.bsky.social break down this week's biggest national security stories: ✈️ President Xi's state visit to D.C. 📜 The U.S.-Denmark-Greenland security deal ⚖️ The UN General Assembly youtu.be/mBYbhbUqOVk
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Lawfare @lawfaremedia.org · 26/09/2026
"The FBI data breach, if it’s real, is a glaring counterintelligence and physical safety threat. It will hardly be the last." @jshermcyber.bsky.social examines the potential fallout of the alleged hack of FBI employees’ personal information. www.lawfaremedia.org/article/the-...
lawfaremedia.org
The FBI Data Breach Is a Counterintelligence Disaster
Hackers stole thousands of FBI employees’ data, including about new hires and people in sensitive roles. It’s like giving a foreign adversary a gold mine.
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