The top U.S. cybersecurity official, Christopher Krebs, believes he will be fired by the White House, a source involved in cyber policy confirmed to The Hill.

Reuters first reported that Krebs had told associates he expects to be fired, with the outlet citing three unnamed associates.

Krebs has served as the director of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) since its establishment in 2018, and has been a key leader on issues including election security.

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CISA posted a “rumor control” page ahead of the general election in order to combat misinformation and disinformation, which has spiked following the contentious presidential election. The website has rebutted conspiracy theories about voter fraud that have been promoted by some Trump supporters.

Krebs has tweeted out updates to the page over the past week, reportedly drawing concerns from the White House. 

Sen. Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerDirector of DHS cyber agency expecting ouster Senate Democrats reelect Schumer as leader by acclamation  Esper firing hints at broader post-election shake-up MORE (D-Va.), the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, strongly defended Krebs on Thursday.

“Chris Krebs has done a great job protecting our elections,” Warner tweeted. “He is one of the few people in this Administration respected by everyone on both sides of the aisle. There is no possible justification to remove him from office. None.”

Sen. Ron WydenRonald (Ron) Lee WydenDirector of DHS cyber agency expecting ouster Overnight Defense: Trump fires Defense chief Mark Esper | Worries grow about rudderless post-election Pentagon | Esper firing hints at broader post-election shake-up | Pelosi says Esper firing shows Trump intent on sowing ‘chaos’ Democratic lawmakers lambast Trump over Esper firing as GOP remains mum MORE (D-Ore.), another member of the Intelligence panel, also voiced his support for Krebs.

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“Under Chris Krebs’ leadership, CISA has been a trusted source of election security information,” Wyden tweeted. “If Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpBiden has spoken with some GOP senators, chief of staff says Trump told advisers he could announce 2024 bid shortly after certification of Biden win: report Ivy League cancels winter sports amid US COVID-19 pandemic surge MORE fires him, it will suggest Trump is preparing to spread lies about the election from a government agency.”

The White House did not offer comment, and a spokesperson for acting Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioDirector of DHS cyber agency expecting ouster Democratic Rep. Max Rose concedes New York House race Senate GOP calls grow to give Biden access to intelligence briefings MORE (R-Fla.) did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

Krebs’s potential ouster would leave a tremendous leadership vacuum at DHS and would leave the top government cybersecurity role vacant at a critical moment. 

Should Krebs be forced to step down, his role would likely be filled by CISA Deputy Director Matthew Travis, who has served in the deputy director position since 2018. 

Earlier Thursday, news broke that Bryan Ware, another top official at CISA, planned to step down at the end of the week, with Reuters reporting that he was asked to resign by the White House earlier this week.

CNN reported that Ware and another DHS official, Valerie Boyd, were forced to resign due to pressure from the White House. The developments come in the wake of the election, and after Joe BidenJoe BidenBiden has spoken with some GOP senators, chief of staff says Trump told advisers he could announce 2024 bid shortly after certification of Biden win: report Obama ‘troubled’ by GOP attempts to cast doubt on election results: ‘That’s a dangerous path’ MORE was declared the winner of the presidential race.

Trump has also executed a shakeup of top leadership at the Pentagon. Defense Secretary Mark EsperMark EsperDirector of DHS cyber agency expecting ouster Senior DHS cybersecurity official to step down at end of week Progressive House Democrats urge Biden against Defense chief with contractor ties MORE was ousted this week and replaced with a top counterterrorism official, Christopher Miller. Three other officials serving in leadership positions at the Pentagon have also been replaced with individuals loyal to Trump. 

There has also been talk that Trump could move to fire FBI Director Christopher Wray or CIA Director Gina HaspelGina Cheri HaspelDirector of DHS cyber agency expecting ouster Senior DHS cybersecurity official to step down at end of week Markey reiterates calls for nuclear no-first-use policy amid Pentagon shake-up MORE, the latter of whom received an outpouring of support from Republican senators this week.

Updated: 4:58 p.m.

Prosecutors on Friday charged 11 German men from a far-right terror group with planning deadly attacks on Muslims and plotting to overthrow the German government. 

According to The Associated Press, federal prosecutors alleged that eight of the men formed the “Group S” organization during a meeting in September 2019.

Three others allegedly joined the group later. A twelfth person was also charged with supporting the group.

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Prosecutors also reportedly charged seven of the suspects with weapons violations in Stuttgart state court.

The AP reported that the suspects, who were listed without last names due to privacy laws, wanted to “shake the state and the social order” in Germany and eventually create “conditions similar to civil war” by attacking mosques and killing or injuring as many Muslims as possible.

The group also allegedly hoped to lead a government coup, as well as use force against political opponents.

Authorities said the group held multiple private meetings, coordinated over messaging apps and by telephone, and that one of its members trained others to shoot a pistol.

Prosecutors said the group had a goal of raising $59,000, and all but one group member agreed to contribute four-figure amounts, although it was not immediately clear if the funds were raised.

According to the AP, all of the suspects were detained during Feb. 14 raids, and all but one are still in custody.

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The news comes amid increased tensions in Europe following multiple attacks.

Earlier this month, ISIS claimed credit for an attack in central Vienna that killed five people and wounded 22 others. The claim by ISIS followed news reports that the suspect was identified as 20-year-old Kujtim Fejzulai, who had a previous terror conviction for attempting to join the Islamic State group in Syria, the AP reported at the time.

Multiple European countries raised their terror threat alerts following the Vienna attack and an earlier knife attack at a church in France. The knife attacker in Nice, who was reportedly carrying a copy of the Quran and other knives, was wounded and taken into custody after a confrontation with police.

That attack followed another on in France in which a middle school teacher was beheaded after showing students caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad.

The Trump administration is reportedly poised to take another step to advance drilling at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska.

Two people familiar told Bloomberg News that the Interior Department will host what’s known as a call for nominations as soon as Monday to gain advice on which parts of the refuge’s coastal plain to lease out.

The administration formally approved opening up the entire 1.56 million-acre coastal plain to oil and gas drilling this year.

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Bloomberg reported Friday that the call for nominations could help shape a future lease auction, though the department is required to issue a formal notice before holding the actual sale. 

“Congress directed the Department to hold lease sales in the ANWR Coastal Plain, and we have taken a significant step in meeting our obligations by determining where and under what conditions the oil and gas development program will occur,” Interior spokesperson Ben Goldey told The Hill in an email. 

Goldey didn’t immediately respond to questions seeking clarification. 

President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenTrump: New York won’t receive COVID-19 vaccine immediately Biden considering Yellen as possible Treasury secretary: report Obama hits Trump for refusing to concede, says there’s ‘no legal basis’ for challenges MORE has pledged to “permanently protect” ANWR, though a measure in a 2017 tax law requires one lease sale to be held there by Dec. 22, 2021 and another by Dec. 22, 2024.

The Trump administration, meanwhile, has been eager to open up the refuge to drilling, with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt saying earlier this year that it could “create thousands of new jobs and generate tens of billions of dollars.”

The department has also recently taken another step to advance drilling, proposing a plan for the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation to test for oil deposits there starting as soon as December. 

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Critics, meanwhile, argue that drilling at ANWR could harm animal species that are found there, negatively affect the landscape, exacerbate climate change and harm the Gwich’in people who hunt caribou there. 

ANWR is home to a number of species, including grizzly bears, polar bears, gray wolves, and more than 200 species of birds. 

Environmentalists slammed the latest reported action Friday.  

“It’s not surprising that Trump’s Interior is pushing a last-second lease sale in the Arctic considering its political appointees are essentially industry insiders, but it is disappointing that this administration until the very end has maintained such low regard for … public lands, or the wildlife and Indigenous communities that depend on them,” said Adam Kolton, the executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, in a statement. 

Updated: 7:07 p.m.

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McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski said on Tuesday that it is “very clear” that the U.S. will need a new coronavirus stimulus measure. 

During an interview on CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street,” Kempczinski congratulated President-elect Joe BidenJoe BidenFeds charge Staten Island man over threat to Schumer, FBI Pence cancels vacation in Florida: report Romney shoots down serving in Biden Cabinet MORE and Vice President-elect Kamala HarrisKamala HarrisSenate Republicans urge Trump to go all-in on Georgia Will McConnell flout custom by rejecting Biden Cabinet nominees? Pressure grows on California governor to name Harris replacement MORE on their “historic win,” and said that it is time to solve some “big issues” such as a new coronavirus package.

“Our hope and expectation is that as we’ve now moved from the election, that we can turn our sights toward working together and solving some big issues that we still as a country face,” he said. 

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“Certainly coronavirus is one of those issues. We need a stimulus measure, I think that is very clear,” he added.

Congress and the White House have yet to reach a deal on the next round of coronavirus relief. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellTop Republicans signal support for CIA director amid talk of her possible ouster Overnight Defense: Pentagon faces leadership shakeup after Trump fires Esper | Trump approves UAE weapons package | Senate panel proposes 6B spending bill On The Money: Senate releases spending bills, setting up talks for December deal | McConnell pushing for ‘highly targeted’ COVID deal | CFPB vet who battled Trump will lead Biden plans to overhaul agency MORE (R-Ky.) said after Election Day that he’d favor a bill by the end of the year. 

“I think that’s job one when we get back,” he said. “Hopefully, the partisan passions that prevented us from doing another rescue package will subside with the election.”

Negotiations thus far have been ongoing between Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOvernight Defense: Pentagon faces leadership shakeup after Trump fires Esper | Trump approves UAE weapons package | Senate panel proposes 6B spending bill On The Money: Senate releases spending bills, setting up talks for December deal | McConnell pushing for ‘highly targeted’ COVID deal | CFPB vet who battled Trump will lead Biden plans to overhaul agency Intercept bureau chief: Pelosi should focus on Georgia special elections amid ‘absurd’ fighting among Democrats MORE (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steven MnuchinSteven Terner MnuchinOn The Money: Senate releases spending bills, setting up talks for December deal | McConnell pushing for ‘highly targeted’ COVID deal | CFPB vet who battled Trump will lead Biden plans to overhaul agency McConnell pushing for ‘highly targeted’ COVID-19 relief deal McDonald’s CEO: ‘We need a stimulus measure, I think that is very clear’ MORE, but White House adviser Larry KudlowLarry KudlowMORE said that the administration has opened talks with McConnell on coronavirus relief. 

CNBC noted that the $1,200 stimulus checks from April helped lift sales for struggling businesses, and the Paycheck Protection Program helped about 700,000 businesses, including some McDonald’s franchisees.

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Kempczinski also said there are other long-term issues that need to be addressed, including climate change and education. He added that the business community would be willing to negotiate on raising the federal minimum wage, which hasn’t been increased since 2009. 

“We’ve been pretty clear for a while now that we are not against a conversation on the minimum wage,” he said. “We work in 120 markets around the world with wage rates all over the place, everywhere from $20 to less than that.” 

“So, we’re not opposed to a conversation around the minimum wage,” he said. “Let’s just make sure that as changes are introduced, we do it in a logical way that balances the needs of, certainly people but also balances the needs of business owners.”

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Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE’s election to the presidency is historic.

Here are three quick reasons why.

1. Trump is the only person elected president who never held a government position prior to his election.

All U.S. presidents had held an elected or appointed political position prior to becoming president or served in the U.S. military.

Un-elected outsiders who became president were U.S. military Gens. Zachary Taylor, Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower.

The other un-elected exception was businessman Herbert Hoover, who had served as in the Cabinet as Commerce secretary for Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren Harding.

Chester Arthur had served in a presidential appointment as head of the New York Port Authority before becoming vice president, and then president shortly thereafter following the assassination of President James Garfield a few months after his election.

2. At 70, Trump is the oldest person ever elected president.

Ronald Reagan turned 70 in February 1981, three months after his election in November 1980. Prior to that, William Henry Harrison was the oldest president. He was elected at age 67 in 1840.

3. Trump is the only president-elect who is married to an immigrant.

Melania Trump was born in Slovenia, then part of Yugoslavia to parents who were also from Yugoslavia.

Louisa Adams, the wife of President John Quincy Adams, was the only other foreign-born first lady. However, Louisa’s father was born in Maryland and her mother was born in London. Therefore, Louisa was an American citizen born abroad.

Though these and other reasons make Donald Trump’s election historic, every U.S. presidency is historic because it shows the peaceful transfer of power in a country based on representation, not royalty.

Cook is the author of nine books including her new book, “The Burning of the White House: James and Dolley Madison and the War of 1812.”

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The views expressed by contributors are their own and not the views of The Hill.

Click Here: COLLINGWOOD MAGPIES 2019

As noted, WWE announced “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has been added to the lineup of Superstars scheduled to appear at their September 9th episode of WWE RAW from legendary Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The official MSG Twitter feed posted a tweet to hype the announcement this afternoon, which “The Texas Rattlesnake” hopped on social media to respond to.

“JUST ANNOUNCED,” the tweet from MSG’s Twitter page started. “For the first time in almost two decades, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin returns to The World’s Most Famous Arena for WWE Monday Night RAW on September 9.”

The tweet concluded, “You don’t want to miss this!”

In response, the WWE Hall Of Famer took to his own Twitter page to comment on the tweet.

“I cannot believe it has been so long,” wrote Austin. “Time flies by.”

He continued, “The Garden is home to many of my favorite moments in my career. [Bret Hart] in [WWE Survivor Series], [The Undertaker] in [WWE SummerSlam] “Highway To Hell” and stunning [Vince McMahon] for the very first time.”

Austin concluded, “Along with many others. Hell Yeah!”

Check out the tweets from the official MSG Twitter feed and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin below.

I cannot believe it has been so long. Time flies by. The Garden is home to many of my favorite moments in my career. @BretHart in #survivorseries @undertaker in #summerslam #highwaytohell and stunning @VinceMcMahon for the very first time. Along with many others.
Hell Yeah! https://t.co/L0LKzDRiYK

— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) August 26, 2019

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