Azerbaijan’s president on Friday announced that his military had entered into and taken control of the Aghdam region, a territory ceded by Armenia in a Russian-brokered peace deal last week that ended six weeks of military conflict over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. 

“Today, with a feeling of endless pride, I am informing my people about the liberation of Aghdam,” Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in an address to the country, according to The Associated Press.

“Aghdam is ours!” he added. 

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Aghdam is the first area to be handed over as part of the peace agreement, which stipulated that Armenia give control of some areas outside Nagorno-Karabakh’s borders to Azerbaijan. 

Nagorno-Karabakh lies within Azerbaijan but has been controlled by Armenian forces since the end of a separatist war there in 1994, resulting in decades of tensions between the two nations. 

The most recent fighting, which began on Sept. 27, was the biggest escalation of the conflict, with the AP reporting that hundreds and potentially thousands of people had been killed. 

The U.S. helped negotiate a previous cease-fire between the countries last month, but the agreement fell apart within minutes.

On Friday, Aliyev said that Azerbaijan was able to take control over the Aghdam region “without a single shot [fired] or losses [suffered]” and called it a “great political success” that would not have been possible without military gains.

Following the peace agreement last week, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the truce was achieved “basing on the deep analyses of the combat situation and in discussion with best experts of the field.” 

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“This is not a victory, but there is not defeat until you consider yourself defeated. We will never consider ourselves defeated and this shall become a new start of an era of our national unity and rebirth,” he added. 

While the peace deal was largely celebrated in Azerbaijan, mass demonstrations erupted in the Armenian capital of Yerevan last week in opposition to the agreement. 

The AP reported that some ethnic Armenians had left the territories set to be handed over to Azerbaijan, setting their houses on fire in protest.

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Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinGrassley, Wyden criticize Treasury guidance concerning PPP loans Mnuchin asks Fed to return 5 billion in unspent COVID-19 emergency funds We need a new COVID-19 stimulus package now MORE on Thursday asked the Federal Reserve to shut down five emergency COVID-19 relief facilities and return $455 billion of unused funds, a move opposed by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell.

“I am requesting that the Federal Reserve return the unused funds to the Treasury. This will allow Congress to re-appropriate $455 billion, consisting of $429 billion in excess Treasury funds for the Federal Reserve facilities and $26 billion in unused Treasury direct loan funds,” Mnuchin wrote Powell in a letter.

In March, Congress approved $2.2 trillion of emergency relief in the CARES Act, which included $500 billion to set up a variety of emergency lending facilities through the Fed and guarantee loans. The swift actions helped calm nervous markets, but ultimately, only a small portion of the funds — $25 billion — were used.

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But Powell says the programs, which are due to expire Dec. 31, remain necessary.

“The Federal Reserve would prefer that the full suite of emergency facilities established during the coronavirus pandemic continue to serve their important role as a backstop for our still-strained and vulnerable economy,” the central bank said in an unusually direct response to the letter. The Federal Reserve generally avoids weighing in on policy specifics in public.

On Tuesday, Powell said “I don’t think it is time yet, or very soon” to close down the programs, adding that the Fed was committed to “using all of our tools to support the recovery for as long as it takes until the job is well and truly done.”

He pointed to weakening data on spending and a slowdown of job growth, as well as a new surge of coronavirus cases, as evidence that additional support could be necessary.

While Mnuchin asked the Fed to extend four of the facilities for another 90 days — the Commercial Paper Funding Facility, the Primary Dealer Credit Facility, the Money Market Liquidity Facility and the Paycheck Protection Program Liquidity Facility — he said another five should be shut down.

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Those facilities included the Primary Market Corporate Credit Facility, the Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility, the Municipal Liquidity Facility, the Main Street Lending Program and the Term Asset-Backed Security Loan Facility.

“In the unlikely event that it becomes necessary in the future to reestablish any of these facilities, the Federal Reserve can request approval from the Secretary of the Treasury,” Mnuchin said, adding that Treasury could use the previously existing Exchange Stabilization Fund in that situation.

Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA’s bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (R-Pa.), who was a key player in writing the financial portions of the CARES Act, applauded Mnuchin’s decision.

“Congress’s intent was clear: these facilities were to be temporary, to provide liquidity, and to cease operations by the end of 2020. With liquidity restored, they should expire, as Congress intended and the law requires, by December 31, 2020,” he said.

Bharat Ramamurti, a member of the Congressional Oversight Commission that oversees the CARES ACt funds and former advisor to Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenOn The Money: Push for student loan forgiveness puts Biden in tight spot | Trump is wild card as shutdown fears grow | Mnuchin asks Fed to return 5 billion in unspent COVID emergency funds Mnuchin asks Fed to return 5 billion in unspent COVID-19 emergency funds Biden says he will announce Treasury secretary pick close to Thanksgiving MORE (D-Mass.), said the Fed had some power to hold onto $195 billion that Treasury had already committed, even if the programs shut down at year’s end.

He accused Mnuchin of keeping facilities more important to wall street open, while shuttering those oriented at municipalities.

“It really gives away the game that Secretary Mnuchin wants to extend the programs designed to protect Wall Street while ending the programs intended to help small businesses and state and local governments,” he tweeted.

Mnuchin’s request comes as the House and Senate exchange volleys over the size of a new relief bill, which Republicans say should be in the realm of $500 billion and Democrats say should exceed $2 trillion.

Mnuchin said the move would return $455 billion that the Treasury secretary said Congress could appropriate for other uses.

Updated at 6:01 p.m.

An adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said that any U.S. attack could spark a “full-fledged war” during President TrumpDonald John TrumpManufacturers association calls on GSA to begin transition process Biden vote tally getting close to 80 million Brent Budowsky wins The Hill’s 2020 election prediction contest MORE’s final weeks in office.  

“A limited, tactical conflict can turn into a full-fledged war,” Hossein Dehghan told The Associated Press in an interview. “Definitely, the United States, the region and the world cannot stand such a comprehensive crisis.”

The New York Times reported on Monday that Trump held a meeting in the Oval Office to discuss options concerning a military strike on Iran to halt its growing nuclear program. One day earlier, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Tehran’s uranium stockpile was 12 times higher than allowed under the Iran nuclear deal, which the Trump administration left in 2018. Vice President Pence, Secretary of State Mike PompeoMichael (Mike) Richard PompeoOvernight Defense: Formal negotiations inch forward on defense bill with Confederate base name language | Senators look to block B UAE arms sales | Trump administration imposes Iran sanctions over human rights abuses Republican senators urge Trump to label West Bank goods as ‘Made in Israel’ Trump sanctions Iranian officials, organizations for human rights abuses on anniversary of deadly crackdown on protests MORE, acting Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller and Gen. Mark MilleyMark MilleyBiden faces mounting hurdles on path to rejoin Iran deal Iran warns of ‘crushing’ response after report Trump mulled military strike Trump senior advisers dissuaded president from military strike on Iran: report MORE, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reportedly advised the president against a strike.

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“We don’t welcome a crisis. We don’t welcome war. We are not after starting a war,” Dehghan said Wednesday. “But we are not after negotiations for the sake of negotiations either.”

Dehghan, a possible Iranian presidential candidate, said that negotiations with the U.S. would not include its ballistic missiles, which he told the AP are a “deterrent” to Tehran’s adversaries. 

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will not negotiate its defensive power … with anybody under any circumstances,” he said. “Missiles are a symbol of the massive potential that is in our experts, young people and industrial centers.”

The Trump administration on Wednesday imposed sanctions on senior Iranian officials and organizations connected to Khamenei over their roles in cracking down on anti-government protests one year ago. 

The sanctions build on the administration’s maximum pressure campaign against Iran for its human rights abuses, military actions in the Middle East and buildup of its nuclear program. 

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The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted on Wednesday to advance the nominations of Allison Clements and Mark Christie to be commissioners at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

However, it’s not clear whether the two nominees, whose confirmations would restore the commission to a full five members, will get a floor vote as the Senate session comes to a close. 

Committee Chairwoman Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann MurkowskiOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee MORE (R-Alaska) acknowledged the time frame in her opening remarks on Wednesday. 

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“It’s perhaps too early to say what the floor schedule will allow in December,” she said. “But if these nominees are confirmed, FERC would at least have a full complement of five commissioners headed into 2021, which is a far better place than the start of 2017.”

Neither nominee passed the committee unanimously.

Republican Sens. John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee MORE (Wyo.), Steve DainesSteven (Steve) David DainesBiden eyes new leadership at troubled public lands agency OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote MORE (Mont.), John HoevenJohn Henry HoevenOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Meadows meets with Senate GOP to discuss end-of-year priorities Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote MORE (N.D.), Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote GOP Rep. Dan Newhouse tests positive for COVID-19 MORE (Utah) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (Miss.) voted against Clements, and Sen. Mazie HironoMazie Keiko HironoOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Barrasso to seek top spot on Energy and Natural Resources Committee | Forest Service finalizes rule weakening environmental review of its projects | Biden to enlist Agriculture, Transportation agencies in climate fight Senate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry MORE (D-Hawaii) voted against Christie. 

FERC regulates natural gas and hydropower projects and the interstate transmission of natural gas, oil and electricity. It’s not supposed to have more than three members of any one party. 

Adding Clements and Christie, a Democrat and Republican, respectively, to the commission would create a 3-2 Republican majority on the panel. 

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Republican James Danly was not paired with a Democratic nominee when he was added to the panel, and the Democratic seat on the commission was left empty. 

Leadership at FERC, which is up to the president’s discretion, recently underwent a shake-up, with Trump appointing Danly chairman, replacing Neil ChatterjeeNeil ChatterjeeSenate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Trump takes major step toward Alaska wildlife refuge drilling opposed by Biden | Grijalva backs Haaland for Interior Secretary | Obama alumni considered top picks for Biden Energy secretary Heads roll as Trump launches post-election purge MORE. Chatterjee, who is also a Republican, will remain on the commission. 

In remarks praising both nominees on Wednesday, Sen. Maria CantwellMaria Elaine CantwellSenate advances energy regulator nominees despite uncertainty of floor vote OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Esper reportedly working with lawmakers to strip Confederate names from bases | Enemy attacks in Afghanistan jump by 50 percent, watchdog says | Fort Hood soldier arrested, charged in Chelsea Cheatham killing Zuckerberg to express openness to Section 230 reform MORE (D-Wash.) called Chatterjee’s demotion “unjustified.”

Welcome to Hillicon Valley, The Hill’s newsletter detailing all you need to know about the tech and cyber news from Capitol Hill to Silicon Valley. If you don’t already, be sure to sign up for our newsletter with this LINK.

Follow our cyber reporter, Maggie Miller (@magmill95), and tech team, Chris Mills Rodrigo (@chrisismills) and Rebecca Klar (@rebeccaklar_), for more coverage.

DEMANDING COVID PROTECTION: More than 200 content moderators for Facebook are demanding increased coronavirus protections in the workplace, saying they are being forced to return to offices amid a spike in COVID-19 cases.

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The letter, signed by some Facebook employees, was addressed to Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergMark Elliot ZuckerbergHillicon Valley: Facebook content moderators demand more workplace protections | Ousted cyber official blasts Giuliani press conference | Tech firms fall short on misinformation targeting Latino vote Facebook says AI is aiding platform’s ability to remove hate speech Facebook content moderators demand more workplace COVID-19 protections MORE, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg as well as the chief executives of Accenture and CPL, the two companies contracted by the social media giant for content moderation.

“Before the pandemic, content moderation was easily Facebook’s most brutal job,” the workers wrote in Wednesday’s letter. “Now, on top of work that is psychologically toxic, holding onto the job means walking into a hot zone. In several offices, multiple COVID cases have occurred on the floor.”

A contractor tested positive for COVID-19 shortly after content moderators working for Accenture were asked to return to their offices last month in Austin, Texas, The Intercept reported, citing an internal email.

The workers are now calling on Facebook and its contracting partners to improve safety and working conditions, allow moderators who live with at-risk individuals to stay home and provide hazard pay to those who return to offices.

They also reiterated demands for Facebook to stop outsourcing content moderation.

Read more here.

 

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KREBS CRITIQUES CONFERENCE: Christopher Krebs, the top federal cybersecurity official who was fired by President TrumpDonald John TrumpRomney on Trump election tactics: ‘Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action’ by president New York expands Trump tax fraud investigations to include writeoffs: report Biden promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work: ‘That should be paid for’ MORE this week, called Thursday’s press conference held by Trump attorney Rudy GiulianiRudy GiulianiRomney on Trump election tactics: ‘Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action’ by president Sasse condemns Giuliani’s ‘wild press conferences’: They ‘erode public trust’ Trump campaign legal fight keyed to court of public opinion MORE and other Trump legal team members some of the “most dangerous” television in U.S. history.”

“That press conference was the most dangerous 1hr 45 minutes of television in American history. And possibly the craziest,” Krebs tweeted. “If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re lucky.”

Krebs, former director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), was fired on Tuesday after publicly pushing back against disinformation and misinformation surrounding the presidential election. Trump has refused to concede the race to President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenRomney on Trump election tactics: ‘Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action’ by president Biden promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work: ‘That should be paid for’ House committee chairs demand briefing from GSA head on presidential transition MORE, making unsubstantiated claims of widespread voter fraud.

Giuliani, a former New York City mayor, and other members of Trump’s legal team held a press conference Thursday to give an update on the campaign’s legal challenges in various battleground states where vote tallies show Biden with a substantial lead.

Giuliani cited multiple now-debunked claims of voter fraud in making the case for Trump, including citing a scene from the film “My Cousin Vinny” in which a character is too far away from a crime scene to be a credible witness to argue the Trump campaign wasn’t allowed close enough to observe ballot counting in Pennsylvania.

Read more here.

 

RAMPANT MISINFORMATION: Lapses in tech companies’ policies to address Spanish content led to a proliferation of misinformation targeting Latino voters around Election Day, according to several advocacy groups.

Spanish misinformation campaigns largely mimicked those in English that cast doubt on the security of mail-in ballots, later calling into question the election results.

But while the English-language posts were regularly removed, Spanish ones often “slipped through the cracks,” said Jessica González, co-CEO of Free Press and co-founder of the civil rights coalition Change the Terms.

“I think there were massive failures across the board,” González told The Hill.

González said Facebook in particular failed to address English and Spanish content equally.

“They certainly need teams of people who are native speakers, who understand dialects, idioms, understand casual speech in all the major languages that are spoken and used on Facebook,” she said.

Even when posts are labeled, González said the language used by Facebook “is very weak.”

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Read more here.

 

SUGGESTED SECTION 230 DEAL: The White House has suggested to House Democrats that President Trump could drop his objection to renaming Confederate-named military bases if they agree to repeal a legal shield for internet companies, a Democratic House aide confirmed to The Hill. 

The offer, made by White House chief of staff Mark MeadowsMark Randall MeadowsOvernight Defense: White House suggests stripping Confederate base names in exchange for repealing tech liability shield | Biden faces mounting hurdles to rejoining Iran deal | Military coronavirus cases up On The Money: Push for student loan forgiveness puts Biden in tight spot | Trump is wild card as shutdown fears grow | Mnuchin asks Fed to return 5 billion in unspent COVID emergency funds Hillicon Valley: Facebook content moderators demand more workplace protections | Ousted cyber official blasts Giuliani press conference | Tech firms fall short on misinformation targeting Latino vote MORE to House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam SmithOvernight Defense: White House suggests stripping Confederate base names in exchange for repealing tech liability shield | Biden faces mounting hurdles to rejoining Iran deal | Military coronavirus cases up Hillicon Valley: Facebook content moderators demand more workplace protections | Ousted cyber official blasts Giuliani press conference | Tech firms fall short on misinformation targeting Latino vote White House suggests deal to strip Confederate base names in exchange for repealing tech liability shield MORE (D-Wash.) as part of negotiations on the annual defense policy bill, was first reported by The New York Times.

The Democratic aide told The Hill that based on conversations with colleagues, “it’s highly unlikely this offer will gain any traction.”

“On its face, there’s issues of jurisdiction, lack of clarity on what the White House actually means when it says repeal Sec. 230, and also it’s unclear if congressional Republicans support this,” the aide said.

Still, the aide said the offer appears to be “a sign that the White House wants to pass the NDAA this year.”

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The White House declined to comment. A spokesperson for the House Armed Services Committee did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

Read more here.

 

FACEBOOK’S HATE SPEECH CRACKDOWN AIDED BY AI: Facebook said Thursday artificial intelligence (AI) tools have helped the company crack down on and remove hate speech from the platform. 

The platform released information about hate speech and how it is acting to remove such content in a transparency report released Thursday, following mounting pressure about the tech giant’s handling of hate speech and bigotry. 

“Advancements in AI technologies have allowed us to remove more hate speech from Facebook over time, and find more of it before users report it to us,” Facebook’s report states. 

The company said it “proactively” detected about 95 percent of hate speech content it removed in the last three months. 

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It’s a significant increase from the roughly 24 percent of hate speech Facebook proactively removed at the end of 2017, when it first began reporting metrics for hate speech, according to the transparency report. 

“Whether content is proactively detected or reported by users, we often use AI to take action on the straightforward cases and prioritize the more nuanced cases, where context needs to be considered, for our reviewers,” the report states. 

Read more here.

 

GROUPS URGE BIDEN AGAINST EX-GOOGLE HEAD: Progressive groups are urging President-elect Joe Biden against appointing former Google CEO Eric Schmidt to a Cabinet position. 

More than a dozen groups signed a letter sent to Biden earlier this week lobbying against Schmidt getting an administration position, largely focusing on allegations over Google’s monopolistic behavior, and writing that such a move could risk Biden’s potential to build back a strong economy. 

The Department of Justice charged Google last month with illegally maintaining a monopoly on search and search advertising. 

“The suit against Google has the potential to be the most important antitrust case in a generation. Especially as you work to build our economy back better after the pandemic, keeping markets open and competitive is key for expanding economic opportunity, incentivizing innovation, and protecting consumers,” the groups wrote. 

“As such, we believe that it sends the wrong message — and could have a chilling effect on U.S. antimonopoly policy moving forward — to have an individual who served at both the helm of Google and its parent company Alphabet Inc. at such a high position in government,” they added. 

Read more here.

 

Lighter click: A fair trade

An op-ed to chew on: Hackers love a bad transition

 

NOTABLE LINKS FROM AROUND THE WEB:

State, federal antitrust lawsuits likely to challenge Facebook for buying rivals and weaponizing data (Washington Post / Tony Romm)

Uber’s national push over gig worker status has been underway for months (CNET / Dara Kerr) 

Energy official eyed for senior CISA position after White House throws agency into turmoil (CyberScoop / Sean Lyngaas) 

U.S. regulators open process to ensure self-driving car safety (Reuters / David Shepardson)

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Destabilizing actions by Iran have continued and “increased in scope and severity” since last year, according to the top U.S. commander in the Middle East.

But even with a step up in severe attacks — the most recent being a Tuesday rocket strike in the green zone of Iraq’s capital — U.S. deterrence against Tehran is working, U.S. Central Command head Gen. Frank McKenzie said during a virtual conference on Thursday.

“Today I believe Iran has been largely deterred because the regime now understands we possess both the capability and the will to respond,” McKenzie said. 

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“I believe the Iranian regime recognizes if they get into an escalatory spiral with the United States, it will not end well for them. … So that’s why we’ve seen a recent decline in these tensions at sea, and attacks against us in Iraq and in other places.” 

Tensions between the United States and Iran nearly boiled over in January when President TrumpDonald John TrumpRomney on Trump election tactics: ‘Difficult to imagine a worse, more undemocratic action’ by president New York expands Trump tax fraud investigations to include writeoffs: report Biden promises federal government will pay for National Guard coronavirus work: ‘That should be paid for’ MORE ordered a Baghdad drone strike that killed Gen. Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s elite Quds Force.

Tehran responded by launching a missile attack on an Iraqi airbase housing U.S. troops, resulting in more than 100 U.S. service members suffering from traumatic brain injuries. 

Since then, several Iran-backed rocket attacks have been aimed at Iraqi bases housing U.S. troops, including one in September in northern Iraq. 

McKenzie did caution that periods of decreased tension “may provide the illusion of a return to normalcy,” but the Iranian regime will continue to try to find ways to harm the United States.

He also said U.S forces will remain in Iraq to continue the fight against ISIS militants, despite Iran’s hope to push U.S. troops from the country. An estimated 10,000 ISIS fighters still live in Iraq and Syria.

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“The government of Iraq has clearly indicated it wants to maintain its partnership with the United States and coalition forces as we continue and finish the fight against ISIS,” McKenzie said.

The United States has made major moves this year to withdraw its forces from Iraq, drawing down from roughly 5,200 troops to 3,000 in September, with an additional reduction of 500 announced Tuesday, to be completed by Jan. 15.

McKenzie did not mention the recent troop drawdowns or how the remaining forces would continue to deter Iran and ISIS from Iraq in its new, smaller number.

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Overnight Defense. I’m Ellen Mitchell, and here’s your nightly guide to the latest developments at the Pentagon, on Capitol Hill and beyond. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the newsletter.

THE TOPLINE: The rumors were true.

President TrumpDonald John Trump46 percent of voters say Trump should concede immediately: poll Michigan county reverses course, votes unanimously to certify election results GOP senator: Trump shouldn’t fire top cybersecurity official MORE has ordered the Pentagon to pull 2,500 U.S. troops from Afghanistan and Iraq by mid-January, acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller announced Tuesday.

The Defense Department will cut the number of troops in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 and the number of forces in Iraq from 3,000 to 2,500 by Jan. 15, days before Trump is set to leave office.

“I am formally announcing that we will implement President Trump’s orders to continue our repositioning of forces” from Afghanistan and Iraq, Miller told reporters at the Pentagon.

Who advised the decision? Miller said that Trump’s decision “is based on continuous engagement with his national security Cabinet for the past several months, including ongoing discussions with me and my colleagues across the United States government.”

Ahead of Miller’s announcement, a senior Defense official told reporters that the drawdown was a “collaborative decision,” but would not say which military leaders had recommended the plan.

The official also would not say which conditions had been met by the Taliban to warrant such a drawdown in Afghanistan but insisted that U.S. national security will not be threatened and the troops remaining overseas will still be able to assist allies and partners in Afghanistan and Iraq. 

A contradiction: The drawdown order — which contradicts months of previous advice from top Defense officials — comes a week after Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper and replaced him with Miller.

Esper’s ouster also set off a leadership purge at the Pentagon, with several of those positions now filled by Trump loyalists.

The departures appeared to help clear the way for Trump to order the hasty drawdown, as the military has long argued against going below 4,500 troops in Afghanistan.

Conditions on the ground do not warrant a further drawdown, they have said, as the Taliban has failed to uphold its agreement with the United States for peace in the country.

Days before Trump fired Esper, for example, the Pentagon head sent a classified memo to the president advising that the conditions were not sufficient in Afghanistan for any further troop withdrawals, as it could possibly undermine peace talks, The Washington Post reported.

The senior Defense official on Tuesday would not address the document, telling reporters “we’re not going to comment on any memo that you may or may not have in your possession.”

New report doesn’t back drawdown: The sentiment that a further drawdown wouldn’t be prudent was repeated in a Pentagon watchdog report released only hours before Trump’s order, which found that the Taliban has conducted a “small number” of attacks against U.S.-led coalition forces in Afghanistan, despite its February agreement with the administration banning such attacks.

The Operation Freedom’s Sentinel inspector general report marks the first official confirmation that the Taliban has launched attacks against coalition forces in violation of the U.S.-Taliban deal.

Further highlighting the discrepancy between Tuesday’s announcement and previous military opinion, the Pentagon told the inspector general that once it reached 4,500 troops in Afghanistan, it would “pause troop reductions and assess the situation.”

The background: The United States has had forces in Afghanistan since October 2001 after the 9/11 terror attacks, seeking to oust al Qaeda militants who had planned the attack from there.

Washington also sent its troops to invade Iraq in 2003 based on inaccurate intelligence that claimed then-President Saddam Hussein held weapons of mass destruction that were a threat to the United States.

While Trump has long promised to return U.S. troops stateside, he announced early in his presidency that he would increase troop levels in Afghanistan from 8,600 to roughly 14,000 at the advice of military advisers.

Since then, his administration has moved to lower that number and in February officials signed a conditional peace deal with the Taliban that calls for a full U.S. withdrawal by May if the group upholds certain commitments such as denying safe haven to al Qaeda.

Since the deal was signed, however, the Taliban has stepped up attacks against Afghan forces, which U.S. officials have repeatedly condemned as threatening the peace process. Officials have also warned that further drawdowns without a show from the Taliban that they are adhering to the agreement will weaken the U.S. position in peace talks.

The senior Defense official insisted on Tuesday that despite the drawdown, talks with the Taliban “are still very much ongoing. … Our goal is the peace deal.”

NATO urges caution: Miller called Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday and also spoke with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the announcement. Stoltenberg issued a strong statement warning that “the price for leaving too soon or in an uncoordinated way could be very high.”

Stoltenberg cautioned that the region “risks becoming once again a platform for international terrorists to plan and organize attacks on our homelands,” if forces leave too quickly.

NATO leads the international security effort in Afghanistan where it trains and advises Afghan security forces. Of the roughly 12,000 troops that make up the joint counterterrorism mission, known as Resolute Support, more than half are non-U.S. soldiers.

 

LAWMAKERS SPEAK OUT: The Democratic chairman of the House Armed Services Committee is backing the Trump administration’s drawdown in Afghanistan even as other lawmakers in both parties warn about the dangers of a hasty withdrawal.

“After speaking with the acting secretary this morning, I believe reducing our forward deployed footprint in Afghanistan down to 2,500 troops is the right policy decision,” Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said in a statement Tuesday.

“At the same time, this reduction must be responsibly and carefully executed to ensure stability in the region,” he added.

Smith’s statement came after Miller announced Trump ordered the U.S. military to reduce the number of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Smith’s stance: In his statement, Smith argued that “Americans and Afghans alike are ready for the violence to end” after nearly 20 years of war.

“It is clear that groups like ISIS-K and the Taliban will continue to fight and sow chaos, but ultimately it is up to the Afghans to find a sustainable path to peace,” he said.

Still, Smith said the drawdown should be coordinately “closely” with allies, something the Trump administration has not yet done.

“Our primary goal has been, and continues to be, the prevention of transnational terrorists from launching an attack against the United States from Afghanistan,” he said. “In order to contain the terrorist threat as we draw down our troop levels, it is critical that we coordinate the drawdown closely with our allies, as well as our partners in the Afghan government, to protect our interests and those of our allies in Afghanistan.”

Meanwhile, in the Senate: Senate Armed Services Committee James Inhofe (R-Okla.), a staunch Trump supporter, also signaled support for the drawdowns in Afghanistan and Iraq, saying Miller and national security adviser Robert O’Brien assured him they are “consulting with our allies, and that, with their plan, we will be able to carry out our mission of protecting the American people from terrorist attacks originating in Afghanistan, safeguarding Afghan gains and supporting our partners and allies.”

But Inhofe also said he is awaiting more details from the Pentagon and from the top U.S. general in Afghanistan, Gen. Scott Miller.

“As we evaluate the situation in Afghanistan and coordinate with our allies, we must ensure that our strategy and posture reflect the conditions on the ground,” Inhofe said in a statement.

The pushback: Other lawmakers in both parties blasted the drawdowns.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned it would be a “mistake” to precipitously yank troops from Afghanistan or Iraq and urged the administration to make no major defense or foreign policy changes for the rest of the year.

The top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Mac Thornberry (Texas), also called the drawdowns in Afghanistan and Iraq a “mistake.”

“Further reductions in Afghanistan will also undercut negotiations there; the Taliban has done nothing – met no condition — that would justify this cut,” Thornberry, who is retiring from Congress at the end of the year, said in a statement.

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), an Iraq veteran, similarly warned about undermining intra-Afghan peace talks.

“At a time when we are finally seeing serious peace negotiations between the Afghan government and the Taliban, Donald Trump is unilaterally taking one of our best bargaining chips off the table—and getting nothing in return,” Duckworth said.

Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) called the drawdowns a “retreat.”

Read more here.

 

IN OTHER NEWS… ANNUAL WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA BACK ON AFTER BACKLASH OVER CANCELLATION: The Army on Tuesday announced that it had instructed the Arlington National Cemetery to host the Wreaths Across America Day event honoring fallen veterans after an announcement Monday evening resulted in backlash over the event’s cancellation due to safety concerns amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

“The Secretary of the Army has directed Arlington National Cemetery to safely host Wreaths Across America,” the Army said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “We appreciate the families and visitors who take time to honor and remember those who are laid to rest at our nation’s most hallowed ground.”

The Army added that the cemetery would be issuing “an update on the final schedule soon.” 

President Trump claimed in a tweet shortly after the Army’s statement that he was the one who “reversed the ridiculous decision” to cancel the event. 

“It will now go on!” he added.

The original cancellation: Wreaths Across America first announced Monday evening the cancellation of the event, in which volunteers lay wreaths at the tombstones of veterans. The organization wrote in a statement shared on Twitter that it was “shocked by this unexpected turn of events.” 

“It has been a trying year for all, and we too, want all our volunteers, donors and their communities to remain safe,” the statement added. “This is why over the last six months, the team at Wreaths has been working tirelessly with local, state and national officials to ensure that all of our outdoor wreath-placement events are done so safely, following local rules and mandates.” 

The uproar: Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), a former Navy SEAL officer, responded to the announcement Monday by tweeting that the cancellation “must be reversed immediately.”

“Critical thinking must win out over emotion,” he added. “Large areas, outside and well spaced, with masks on, is perfectly safe. Our fallen deserve to be remembered.”

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.) had also criticized the cancellation, tweeting Tuesday morning, “I encourage Army leaders to reconsider this decision.” 

“Thousands of people have marched in DC streets the past couple weekends for Joe Biden and Donald Trump,” Cotton added. “Surely volunteers can responsibly place wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes at Arlington.”

 

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ON TAP FOR TOMORROW

The Heritage Foundation will hold a webinar on the “U.S.-Taiwan Partnership in Challenging Times,” with Sen. Pat ToomeyPatrick (Pat) Joseph ToomeyAppeals court rules NSA’s bulk phone data collection illegal Dunford withdraws from consideration to chair coronavirus oversight panel GOP senators push for quick, partial reopening of economy MORE (R-Pa.) and the Republic of China Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chen Ming-tong, at 8 a.m. 

The Air Force Association will hold its Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Nuclear Deterrence Forum with retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Frank Klotz, a former under secretary of energy for nuclear security, at 10 a.m. 

The National Council on U.S. Arab Relations will hold its annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference, with Former Kuwait Finance Minister Nayef Falah Al-Hajraf, cooperation council for the Arab States of the Gulf Secretary-General; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joey Hood; Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Gulf Affairs Timothy Lenderking; and Saudi Ambassador to the United States Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, beginning at 10 a.m.

Senate Foreign Relations Chairman James Risch (R-Idaho) will hold a virtual discussion on a new report, “The United States and Europe: A Concrete Agenda for Transatlantic Cooperation on China,” at 11 a.m.

Gen. Richard Clarke, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command; and former Deputy National Security Adviser for Strategy Nadia Schadlow will speak during a Hudson Institute webinar on “The Role of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Military Operations” at 12 p.m. 

Lt. Gen. James Pasquarette, the Army deputy chief of staff, G-8, will speak at the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Noon Report” webinar on Army modernization at 12 p.m.

Former national security adviser John BoltonJohn BoltonOvernight Defense: Trump orders troop drawdown in Afghanistan and Iraq | Key Republicans call Trump plan a ‘mistake’ China and Taiwan: Can Biden be like Ike? Bolton: Trump’s Pentagon shakeup ‘destructive’ MORE will participate in a Washington Post Live discussion at 12 p.m. 

House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam SmithOvernight Defense: Trump orders troop drawdown in Afghanistan and Iraq | Key Republicans call Trump plan a ‘mistake’ Top Democrat calls Trump’s Afghan drawdown ‘the right policy decision’ as others warn of ‘mistake’ Defense deputy chief of staff latest Pentagon official to resign MORE (D-Wash.), Rep. Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalOvernight Defense: Trump orders troop drawdown in Afghanistan and Iraq | Key Republicans call Trump plan a ‘mistake’ Progressive Democrats call on Pompeo to condemn Israeli demolition of Beduin village Progressive House Democrats to host health care strategy session MORE (D-Wash.), Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenOvernight Defense: Trump orders troop drawdown in Afghanistan and Iraq | Key Republicans call Trump plan a ‘mistake’ ‘Educare for All’ would free students from oppressive debt Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action on anti-Muslim bigotry MORE (D-Mass.) and Sen. Edward MarkeyEd MarkeyBiden chooses a White House chief who ‘matches this moment’ Markey reiterates calls for nuclear no-first-use policy amid Pentagon shake-up Biden has his work cut out for him MORE (D-Mass.), will speak at a Ploughshares Fund forum on “Transforming National Security: Nuclear Policy for a New Era” at 3 p.m.

U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach will speak with reporters at a George Washington University event at 3 p.m.

 

ICYMI

– The Hill: Pentagon watchdog: Taliban has conducted ‘small number’ of attacks on US-led coalition

– The Hill: Former COVID-19 crisis planner: Don’t expect ‘military miracle’ on vaccine distribution

– The Hill: Sea-launched interceptor destroyed mock ICBM in test, Pentagon says

– The Hill: Iran warns of ‘crushing’ response after report Trump mulled military strike

– The Hill: Trump senior advisers dissuaded president from military strike on Iran: report

– Stars and Stripes: Pentagon plan calls for pulling all troops from Somalia

– Defense News: Formal NDAA talks to begin under shadow of Confederate renaming issue

A pair of bipartisan Senators are pushing the Egyptian government to take action on the case of an imprisoned Egyptian human rights and religious freedom activist on charges that have been criticized as arbitrary, allegations of torture and amid increasing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sens. Thom Tills (R-N.C.) and Chris CoonsChris Andrew CoonsBipartisan pair of Senators call on Egypt to address case of imprisoned human rights advocate Ethics experts ask Senate to investigate Graham’s probe of mail-in voting Hillicon Valley: Trump national security advisor says Huawei threat ‘No. 1 concern’ moving forward | Silicon Valley eager for Biden to reverse Trump visa rules | Democratic senators urge Facebook to take action against anti-Muslim bigotry MORE (D-Del.), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, sent a letter to the Egyptian embassy in Washington, D.C., last month advocating on behalf of Ramy Kamel, a Coptic Christian and human rights advocate imprisoned since November 2019. 

Human rights groups say his imprisonment is an effort to silence his work on speaking out for religious minorities in Egypt. 

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“Mr. Kamel has dedicated his life to researching the plight of the Coptic community in Egypt and defending their religious liberties, and we fear his detention is a result of this activism,” the senators wrote in the letter obtained exclusively by The Hill. 

The Senators urged the Egyptian government to allow Kamel a fair trial or drop the charges and release him immediately. 

“We urge the Egyptian government, as a steadfast partner of the United States and supporter of religious liberty, to take action commensurate with the values professed in the Egyptian Constitution and compatible with American values regarding human rights,” they wrote. 

“Mr. Kamel has been held under the unclear charges of defamation, funding a terrorist organization, and the misuse of social media. We urge the Egyptian government to honor Mr. Kamel’s right to a fair trial or to release him entirely of the charges held against him,” they added. 

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Steven Howard, National Outreach Director for In Defense of Christians, welcomed the effort by the Senators. 

 

“We applaud Senators Coons and Tillis for their advocacy for Ramy. It’s time for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to do the right thing and release this innocent human rights advocate,” he said. 

The call by the Senators was echoed on Thursday by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, who issued a statement calling for the “unconditional and immediate release” of Kamel and the recently arrested Mohamed Basheer.

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Basheer is a human rights advocate who was imprisoned on Nov. 15 on charges criticized as “spurious” — including spreading false information and joining and funding a terrorist organization. 

The arrests put at odds the U.S.’s support for Egypt — which received more than $1.4 billion in foreign assistance in 2020 — and its purported promotion and protection of religious freedom. 

“While Egypt’s recent initiatives to promote interfaith tolerance, protect religious heritage sites, and legalize hundreds of churches deserve support and encouragement, we cannot stand idly by while it continues to harshly punish honorable advocates for religious freedom and broader human rights,” USCRIF Vice Chair Tony Perkins said in a statement on Thursday. 

Coptic Christians are the largest Christian community in the Middle East, yet are only 10 percent of Egypt’s population of 92 million people. While Egypt’s constitution protects religious freedom as “absolute”, this group has come under attack by terrorist organizations like ISIS, Al Qaeda and its affiliates. 

And despite condemnation from the Egyptian government on violence against the Copts, the community and its churches have routinely come under attack in Egypt. 

Kamel, a Coptic Christian, founded the Maspero Youth Union, an organization that works toward achieving justice, ending discrimination against Coptics and documenting human rights abuses. 

Kamel was preparing in November 2019 to leave Egypt for Geneva, Switzerland, to testify at the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues when he was taken by security forces from his home in the early hours of the morning without an arrest warrant.

He was then allegedly beaten into providing his private information to access his electronics and deprived of his asthma and blood pressure medications, according to the United Nations, who issued a statement condemning Kamel’s arrest and calling for his immediate release. 

“No person should face intimidation, harassment or reprisals of any sort for participation in or contribution to the work of the UN and its human rights mechanisms,” experts with the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner said in a statement. 

“Mr. Kamel’s alleged arbitrary detention and torture fall into a pattern of raids, arrests and travel bans against human rights defenders, journalists, dissidents and their family members. Individuals who have cooperated or tried to cooperate with UN human rights mechanisms have been repeatedly the target of reprisals,” they continued, urging  the Egyptian government to comply with their obligations under international law. 

Updated 10:13 a.m. 

Despite environmental groups’ opposition to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that allows the public to ask the agency to eliminate policy guidances, at least one organization has already started to use the rule to its advantage. 

The rule, finalized in September, allows the public to petition to eliminate or change guidance documents issued by the agency. 

Under the newly-effective rule, the Center for Biological Diversity is already asking the agency to get rid of guidances that they argue don’t give endangered species concerns enough weight in the pesticide approval process.

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Environmentalists have argued that the guidance rule will allow the agency more opportunity to gut the work of prior administrations and give industry more chances to challenge decisions they don’t like. 

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Brett Hartl, the center’s government affairs director, said he doesn’t support the policy, but said that while it’s in play, his group plans to use it to target additional guidances that they feel help industry at the environment’s expense. 

“It’s a stupid, ideological rule, it doesn’t make sense, it’s bad policy,” Hartl said. “But we’re not going to just sit on our hands and not use it.”

He said that while he thinks a Biden administration may eventually reverse the rule, until that point, it’ll create a mixed bag of results, some of which benefit industry and some of which benefit the environment. 

“I think for the pesticide area and the [Toxic Controlled Substances Act] area it’s probably worse for industry, it’s probably 50/50 for water and probably worse for the NGOs on the air side … but that’s a guess,” he said. 

An EPA spokesperson said in an email that the agency was reviewing the center’s petition. 

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EPA Administrator Andrew WheelerAndrew WheelerEnvironmentalists aim to use EPA guidance removal rule as tool despite opposition OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Drilling, climate stakes high in Tuesday’s presidential vote | Trump orders report examining impacts of fracking ban | Crop industry wants EPA to boost lab inspections for pesticide research EPA sued over coal plant wastewater rollback  MORE has touted the rule as a transparency measure and a way to allow people to participate in government processes. 

“This rule sheds light on guidance document development and provides for public participation in the process for the first time,” Wheeler said in September. 

He added that it is “probably the biggest change in a generation” for how the agency conducts its administrative procedures.

Democrats and some Republicans are up in arms over President TrumpDonald John TrumpManufacturers association calls on GSA to begin transition process Biden vote tally getting close to 80 million Brent Budowsky wins The Hill’s 2020 election prediction contest MORE‘s decision to fire Christopher Krebs, the nation’s top cybersecurity official, arguing it leaves a major hole in leadership and that it was completely without cause.

Some say the firing could endanger national security by destabilizing the government’s efforts to stop foreign attacks in cyberspace. 

“The President’s decision to fire Director Krebs makes America less safe,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Bennie ThompsonBennie Gordon ThompsonTrump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Heads roll as Trump launches post-election purge House Democrats introduce bill to invest 0 billion in STEM research and education MORE (D-Miss.) and cybersecurity subcommittee Chairwoman Lauren UnderwoodLauren UnderwoodTrump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Hillicon Valley: Zuckerberg and Dorsey return for another hearing | House passes 5G funding bill | Twitter introduces ‘fleets’ Underwood plans to focus on election security, ransomware as chair of House cyber panel MORE (D-Ill.) said in a joint statement Tuesday night. 

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Krebs served as the first director of the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), established by Trump in 2018. 

He was seen as a key federal leader on election security and had spearheaded a “rumor control” web page to push back against misinformation and disinformation. Krebs is widely respected on Capitol Hill and was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as director of CISA’s predecessor agency, the National Protection and Programs Directorate. 

Trump fired Krebs over the statement put out by CISA and other bipartisan election officials last week that said the election had been “the most secure in American history.” The president, who has refused to concede to President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenManufacturers association calls on GSA to begin transition process Biden vote tally getting close to 80 million AOC, progressive Dems attack corporate greed during health care discussion MORE, called that statement inaccurate.

Trump’s rationale for firing Krebs was being widely criticized on Wednesday, including by some Republicans.

Rep. Denver RigglemanDenver RigglemanTrump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Democrat concedes in competitive Virginia race Live updates: Democrats seek to extend House advantage MORE (R-Va.), a former intelligence official who lost reelection, described Kreb’s firing as “ludicrous” and said he was terminated “because he did his job.”

Riggleman noted that it was not just a loyalty test that got Krebs fired, it was also rooted in Trump and his allies seizing on conspiracy theories.

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“If you fire somebody based on alternative facts … that could be dangerous,” Riggleman said in an interview with The Hill. “They seem easy to believe, but it’s almost impossible to manipulate that many votes across 50 different states, based on the fact that we have federalism. It just doesn’t make sense.”

Riggleman also took aim at Trump statements about the Dominion voting machines.

Trump tweeted that the Dominion election equipment used in much of the country is flawed and designed to switch votes from himself to President-elect Joe Biden — a claim that has been widely debunked.

“Believing in these conspiracy theories is the same as believing in Fantasy Island,” Riggleman said.

Other GOP members were also critical of the move on Wednesday, with Sen. John CornynJohn CornynHillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Trump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Meadows meets with Senate GOP to discuss end-of-year priorities MORE (R-Texas) telling reporters that Krebs’s departure “adds to the confusion and chaos.”

“I’m sure I’m not the only one that would like some return to a little bit more of a — I don’t even know what’s normal anymore. We’ll call it the next normal,” said Cornyn, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

During a Washington Post virtual event, John BoltonJohn BoltonTrump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Trump seeks to settle scores in final days Bolton fears Trump likely has ‘enemies list’ with more people to fire MORE, Trump’s former national security adviser, said it was a “bad mistake” to “decapitate” the national security team shortly before the presidential transition, warning that doing so will cause disruptions.

Those Republicans who were not critical of Trump said it was the president’s discretion to decide who worked for him, but they generally also praised Krebs’s performance.

“I don’t have any problem with the job Krebs did, but all these people work for the president,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioTrump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Warnock hit by Republicans over ‘cannot serve God and the military’ comment Republican senators urge Trump to label West Bank goods as ‘Made in Israel’ MORE (R-Fla.) told reporters Wednesday.

Democrats were unanimous in their outrage, accusing Trump of punishing Krebs for seeking to dispel voter fraud misinformation despite his extensive work to bolster the security of recent elections after Russian interference in 2016.

“Director Krebs is a deeply respected cybersecurity expert who worked diligently to safeguard our elections, support state and local election officials and dispel dangerous misinformation,” House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: 12 million to lose federal unemployment benefits after Christmas | Warren urges Biden to cancel student debt | Stocks close with losses as states, cities reimpose COVID-19 restrictions Trump’s cyber firing stirs outrage Overnight Health Care: US passes 250K COVID deaths | Pfizer says vaccine shows 95-percent efficacy | Coronavirus relief at a standstill MORE (D-Calif.) said in a statement. 

“Yet, instead of rewarding this patriotic service, the President has fired Director Krebs for speaking truth to power and rejecting Trump’s constant campaign of election falsehoods.”

Sen. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerIRS races to get remaining stimulus checks to low-income households Hillicon Valley: Trump fires top federal cybersecurity official, GOP senators push back | Apple to pay 3 million to resolve fight over batteries | Los Angeles Police ban use of third-party facial recognition software Trump’s cyber firing stirs outrage MORE (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, tweeted that Krebs “is an extraordinary public servant” and that it “speaks volumes that the president chose to fire him simply for telling the truth.”

Krebs himself seemed defiant after the firing, which The Hill confirmed he had been expecting. 

“Rumor Control: I never claimed there wasn’t fraud in the election, bc that’s not CISA’s job — it’s a law enforcement matter,” Krebs tweeted Wednesday. “We did provide info on measures elec officials use to prevent and detect dead voters, tho. Don’t buy it. And think 2x before sharing.”

Krebs, amid talk that he would be fired soon, was also retweeting other accounts that dismissed the conspiracy theories about voting machines, even as Trump was pushing them.

Krebs’s departure adds to a hole in the government’s cybersecurity team given Tuesday night’s simultaneous resignation of CISA Deputy Director Matthew Travis, which came less than a week after Bryan Ware, another top CISA official, was forced to step down. 

A spokesperson for CISA confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday that CISA Executive Director Brandon Wales is now also serving as acting director.  

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CISA seemed focused on moving forward with its cybersecurity missions on Wednesday, with Politico reporting that a top CISA official had sent out an email to employees after the leadership shakeup urging them to “not lose focus.”

Kiersten Todt, who served as executive director of former President Obama’s Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity, described CISA as “strong.”

“These agencies are more than two people,” Todt, who serves as managing director of the Cyber Readiness Institute, told The Hill. “I have faith in that workforce, in their awareness of the issues.”

Mathew Masterson, senior adviser on election security at CISA, tweeted: “The mission is unchanged. #Protect2020.”

 

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