In our news wrap Tuesday, the Justice Department announced criminal charges against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups, the Pentagon revealed details about its $1.5 trillion budget request and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military personnel will no longer be required to get their annual flu shot.
The Justice Department announced criminal charges today against the Southern Poverty Law Center over its past use of paid informants to infiltrate extremist groups. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche told reporters late this afternoon that the charges include wire fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Earlier in the day, the head of the organization says that, while it no longer works with paid informants, their contributions had been invaluable.
When we began working with informants, we were living in the shadow of the height of the civil rights movement, which had seen bombings at churches, state-sponsored violence against demonstrators, and the murders of activists that went unanswered by the justice system. There is no question that what we learned from informants saved lives.
The Southern Poverty Law Center was founded in 1971 and has long been criticized by Republicans, who say it unfairly targets conservative groups and individuals. Last year, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was severing its ties with the center, which for years had provided law enforcement with research on domestic extremism. In Virginia, voters are deciding on a redistricting plan that could help Democrats pick up as many as four U.S. House seats in the midterm elections. If approved, today’s referendum would amend Virginia’s Constitution to give Democrats the power to redraw the state’s congressional districts.
Well, I just want it even, with Democrats — the Democrats in Virginia. I just want to be even, like Democrats and Republicans. The boundaries were set a long time ago, I guess, I’m assuming, and I just didn’t — I just didn’t like the idea of changing.
Democrats hold six of Virginia’s 11 congressional seats. Even if voters approved today’s measure, it could still face legal challenges before taking effect. The Pentagon unveiled details today about its $1.5 trillion budget request for the coming fiscal year. About $750 billion would go to what officials are calling presidential priorities, including a Golden Dome missile defense system, A.I. infrastructure and drones. Service members would also get a pay raise, with junior enlisted troops getting a 7 percent bump. The Pentagon also hopes to grow its force by around 44,000 troops. If approved by Congress, the budget would be the largest in U.S. history when adjusted for inflation.
Also today, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that U.S. military personnel will no longer be required to get their annual flu shot. In a video posted to social media, Hegseth described the mandate as — quote — “overly broad and not rational.” Instead, the vaccine will be voluntary for all active-duty and reserve troops effective immediately. The annual flu vaccine has been standard for service members since the 1950s. Some public health experts warn that today’s decision could weaken troop readiness.
Authorities in Mexico say the gunmen who opened fire at the famous Teotihuacan Pyramids acted alone and that he planned the attack beforehand. Eyewitness video shows the 27-year-old Mexican national firing a weapon yesterday. A Canadian woman was killed and at least 13 others were injured. The suspect later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities say he was carrying a tactical-style backpack with a cell phone, bus tickets and materials that appeared to reference the 1999 Columbine High School shooting. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum says security will be stepped up at such sites following the attack.
We had not witnessed anything like this in Mexico. It is the first time this has happened. Based on everything indicated by prosecutorial authorities, this person showed signs of psychological problems and was influenced by incidents that occurred abroad. Also today, multiple media outlets are reporting that the two Americans killed in a car accident in Mexico on Sunday were CIA officers. They were reportedly returning from a counter-cartel operation in Northern Mexico. President Sheinbaum said in a separate appearance yesterday that her administration had no prior knowledge of their activities and that Mexico would investigate whether any national security laws were broken.
And, on Wall Street today, stocks ended lower amid uncertainty over the Iran cease-fire talks. The Dow Jones industrial average slipped nearly 300 points. The Nasdaq fell more than half-a-percent on the day. The S&P 500 also ended the session in the red.
