Hillicon Valley: Democrats push Facebook to 'take responsibility' for placement of gun accessory ads | Lawmakers introduce bill allowing Americans to take foreign hackers to court | Malala Yousafzai signs content deal with Apple

March 10, 2021 KANKENNEWS

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 to get our newsletter by clicking HERE.

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

The Democratic members of a key House committee on Monday pushed for transparency from Facebook on placements of gun accessory advertisements in the wake of the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. A group of bipartisan lawmakers rolled out legislation to allow Americans to hold foreign hackers accountable in court. And a major women’s rights activist signed a deal with Apple TV on International Women’s Day.

‘TAKE RESPONSIBILITY’: House Democrats on the Energy and Commerce Committee on Monday urged Facebook to be more transparent around its policies on the placement of ads, specifically advertisements for gun accessories.

The Democrats called on the social media giant to make “substantive changes” to its policies on the placements of ads in light of reports of ads showing gun accessories and protective equipment next to content that “amplified election misinformation.” They said similar ads also appeared next to news about the insurrection at the Capitol after Jan. 6

“With more than 100 million daily Facebook users in the United States, it is paramount that Facebook take responsibility for where it places advertisements and what those advertisements promote,” the Democrats added. “Furthermore, Facebook should inform advertisers about surrounding content, and make the necessary changes to guarantee that Facebook and companies’ ad dollars are not further supporting or sowing seeds of hate and distrust throughout the country.”

They called for detailed responses on Facebook’s policies around advertising by March 22. Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergMark Elliot ZuckerbergHillicon Valley: Democrats push Facebook to ‘take responsibility’ for placement of gun accessory ads | Lawmakers introduce bill allowing Americans to take foreign hackers to court | Malala Yousafzai signs content deal with Apple House Democrats push Facebook to ‘take responsibility’ for placement of gun accessory ads NY Times columnist David Brooks says think-tank role ‘hasn’t affected’ his journalism MORE, along with the CEOs of Twitter and Google, are scheduled to appear before the committee on March 25.

Read more here.

RUSSIA NEVER SLEEPS: Russian intelligence agencies are waging a disinformation campaign to undermine the public’s trust in western COVID-19 vaccines, according to a State Department official.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the official, from the State Department’s Global Engagement Center (GEC), identified four small online publications that are spreading false and misleading claims by playing up the vaccines’ side effects, questioning their efficacy and claiming that the U.S. had rushed the development of the Pfizer and BioNTech vaccine.

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The official said he believes the websites are fronts for Russian intelligence, and their false narratives are being amplified by Russian and international media, the Journal reports.

“We can say these outlets are directly linked to Russian intelligence services,” the GEC official told the newspaper. “They’re all foreign-owned, based outside of the United States. They vary a lot in their reach, their tone, their audience, but they’re all part of the Russian propaganda and disinformation ecosystem.”

Read more here.

TAKE IT OUT FOR A SPIN: Alphabet’s self-driving car unit Waymo is claiming that its artificial intelligence could have avoided or mitigated the majority of a set of fatal accidents.

In a white paper published Monday, the company simulated 72 deadly-crashes that occurred between in 2008 and 2017 in Chandler, Ariz., where Waymo currently operates.

Waymo’s artificial driver was able to avoid or mitigate the crashes excluding cases where the car was hit from behind.

“We believe we have an opportunity to improve road safety by replacing the human driver with the Waymo Driver,” Trent Victor, the company’s director of safety research, said in a blog post. “This study helps validate that belief.”

Read more here.

ICYMI: AD BATTLE BREWING: Silicon Valley giants are drawing battle lines over personal data collection practices and targeted ads as the threat of regulation looms.

Apple is pressing forward plants to launch an anti-tracking feature. The impending update has drawn criticism from Facebook over the significant impact it could have on the social media giant’s revenue.

Meanwhile, Facebook and Google have aligned themselves over the latter’s more measured approach to scaling back tracking features that was announced last week.

Google said it would not replace its tracking features used for personalized ads once it phases out its existing method. But experts and pro-privacy advocates say that while Google’s update may be a small step toward giving users more control over their data protection, the change may hurt Google’s rivals more than the company itself.

Read more here.

Lighter click: ICYMI

An op-ed to chew on: The power to change what we are: Social media as the new ‘fifth estate’

NOTABLE LINKS FROM AROUND THE WEB:

Tech spent years fighting foreign terrorists. Then came the Capitol riot. (Protocol / Issie Lapowsky)

Google advised mental health care when workers complained about racism and sexism (NBC / April Glaser and Char Adams)

Inside a Massive Anti-Trafficking Charity’s Blundering Overseas Missions (Vice World News / Anna Merlan and Tim Marchman)

Black Tech Employees Rebel Against ‘Diversity Theater’ (Wired / Sidney Fussell)

Biden appoints Clare Martorana as federal CIO

March 10, 2021 KANKENNEWS

The White House on Tuesday announced that President Biden had appointed Clare Martorana to serve as both the federal chief information officer and administrator of the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Electronic Government.

Martorana will take over the positions after serving as chief information officer at the Office of Personnel Management, a role she held for the past two years under the Trump administration.

As federal CIO, Martorana will oversee a variety of federal information technology policies, including spending, planning for IT investments, and monitoring security and privacy across federal agencies.

Martorana also previously served for almost five years as a member of the team at the U.S. Digital Service, working with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs to spearhead an enterprise-wide digital modernization effort. She also worked for over a decade for WebMD as a general manager and editor-at-large, and served as president of Everyday Health.

The U.S. Digital Service congratulated Martorana on her new position on Tuesday, tweeting that “after a tour in government, you’ll never be the same,” and highlighting her “commitment to improving public services.”

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Martorana will take over from Maria Roat, who has served as acting federal CIO since last year, when former Federal CIO Suzette Kent stepped down.

“Congrats @ClareMartorana next US Federal CIO!,” Roat tweeted Tuesday shortly after the White House announced the appointment.

Martorana’s appointment will further fill out Biden’s technology and cybersecurity leadership team, and comes almost two months after Biden appointed Chris DeRusha as federal chief information security officer (CISO).

Biden has also appointed Anne Neuberger as the deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, though has not yet announced his nominee for the newly established national cyber director position.

Fauci: Texas inviting another virus surge by lifting mask mandate

March 10, 2021 KANKENNEWS

Anthony FauciAnthony FauciOvernight Health Care: Study finds Pfizer vaccine neutralizes Brazilian variant | New CDC guidelines a blow for ailing airline industry | House to vote Wednesday on COVID relief Democrats spar over COVID-19 vaccine strategy Fauci, other Biden health officials to testify on vaccination effort MORE, President BidenJoe BidenDNC beefs up its finance team Pentagon extends National Guard presence at Capitol through May 23 Blinken to appear before Foreign Affairs Committee MORE‘s chief medical adviser, suggested Wednesday that Texas officials are inviting another surge of the coronavirus by lifting the state’s mask mandate.

Texas officially repealed its mask mandate on Wednesday and allowed businesses to reopen at full capacity. The changes came even as public health experts cautioned against reopening too soon, despite declining cases.

During a CNN interview, Fauci called Texas’ move a “concern.”

“We understand people’s need to get back to normal, and we’re going in that direction. But when you start doing things like completely putting aside all public health measures as if you’re turning a light switch off, that’s quite risky,” Fauci said. “We don’t want to see another surge, and that’s inviting one when you do that.”

More than a dozen states currently do not have a mask mandate in effect, though Texas is now the largest without rules for face coverings.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) unveiled similar restrictions last Tuesday.

Fauci last week called the states’ moves “inexplicable” and suggested that it could lead to another surge.

“What we don’t need right now is another surge, so just pulling back on all of the public health guidelines that we know work, and if you take a look at the curve we know it works, it just is inexplicable why you would want to pull back now,” Fauci told CNN last Wednesday.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) defended his decision against bipartisan criticism last week, saying that lifting the mask mandate “isn’t going to make that big of a change in the state of Texas.”

“Also, people in Texas will continue to wear a mask even though there’s not a state mandate,” he said. “We’re just in a situation now where government mandates are not needed because Texans do know best practices.”

Joint Chiefs chairman: Military response on Jan. 6 was 'super fast'

March 10, 2021 KANKENNEWS

U.S. Army Gen. Mark MilleyMark MilleyFemale generals’ promotions held back over fears of Trump’s response: report Biden emphasizes diversity in first visit to Pentagon Pentagon: Extremist groups recruit from military MORE, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, called the military response to the deadly rioting by former President TrumpDonald TrumpSouth Carolina Senate adds firing squad as alternative execution method Ex-Trump aide Pierson won’t run for Dallas-area House seat House Oversight panel reissues subpoena for Trump’s accounting firm MORE‘s supporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 “super fast” in his first public comments since the siege.

Milley on Monday stood by the military’s actions before and during the breach of the Capitol, saying officials acted in a “sprint speed,” The Washington Post reported.

He told reporters traveling with him in Colorado that Pentagon leaders approved requests for help in about an hour, and the D.C. National Guard members took several hours to be fully deployed.

“This is the D.C. National Guard that went from a cold start, and they had troops there in two and a half, three hours. They reacted faster than our most elite forces from a cold start,” Milley told reporters, according to the Post.

“For the Pentagon, that’s super fast. That’s like sprint speed,” he said.

Current and former police officials, including those from Capitol Police and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, have chastised the Pentagon for what they said was a delayed response as their officers were being overtaken on the ground.

But the chairman noted that he could see why the Pentagon’s reaction would be perceived as slowed by those responding in real-time to the raid.

“If you were down there and you’re in the Capitol being attacked, an hour is a lifetime. So I can clearly understand their feelings that that was a very slow response,” he said, according to the Post. “But from a technical military standpoint, from the receipt of the phone call, to alerting National Guard forces from a cold start, to them being on the scene, was very fast.”

“I think it’s a bit of a mischaracterization or a misunderstanding of response times for the military,” he added.

Milley also reportedly responded to Trump’s claim that the former president had called for 10,000 National Guardsmen to be deployed on the National Mall for the demonstrations, saying he was not aware of any request.

“As chairman of the Joint Chiefs, if there was an order for 10,000 National Guardsmen, I would like to believe I would know that,” he said. “I know that that was never transmitted to me by anyone — the president or secretary of defense or anyone else — for sixth of January.”

The Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman’s remarks come as Congress prepares for another hearing on Wednesday into the military and police response to the riot. Maj. Gen. William Walker, the commander of the D.C. National Guard, will join those testifying in front of a Senate panel.

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Maryland man facing federal charge after shooting outside Secret Service facility

March 10, 2021 KANKENNEWS

A Maryland man is facing a federal weapons charge after allegedly engaging in gunfire outside a Secret Service facility on Thursday night.

Federal prosecutors announced Friday that a federal criminal complaint was filed against Jeremiah Peter Watson after he allegedly shot at authorities outside a Secret Service facility in the National Agricultural Research Center in Beltsville, Md.

Watson is being charged with illegal possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon. The charge could get him up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

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Authorities say the man was driving a four-door sedan when he pulled up to the entry point of the facility and approached a security guard “in an aggressive manner.”

The man was pepper-sprayed after authorities say he wouldn’t listen to commands from officers to stop. The man returned to his car and started driving away before turning around and allegedly firing a gun at officers.

The officers retreated to the guardhouse because it had bullet-proof glass. Prosecutors say that authorities recovered three .9mm shell casings from the scene.

No officers were reportedly injured in the shooting but Park Police said an officer suffered non-life-threatening injuries after being injured in a car crash while responding to the incident, local media outlets reported.

Watson was arrested as officers were able to get his license plate and track down the owner of the sedan.

A federal search warrant was issued and authorities said they found a loaded handgun with shell casings that allegedly matched those found after the shooting.

The criminal complaint was presented by Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Jonathan F. Lenzner and Acting Park Police Chief Gregory T. Monahan.

Authorities arrest Oath Keeper leader seen with Roger Stone

March 10, 2021 KANKENNEWS

Authorities said on Monday that a man linked to the Oath Keepers militia group and former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump vows ‘No more money for RINOS,’ instead encouraging donations to his PAC Federal judge rules ‘QAnon shaman’ too dangerous to be released from jail Pelosi says Capitol riot was one of the most difficult moments of her career MORE’s ally Roger StoneRoger Jason StoneAuthorities arrest Oath Keeper leader seen with Roger Stone Political land mines await Garland at DOJ Trump White House associate tied to Proud Boys before riot via cell phone data MORE has been arrested.

ABC News reported that Roberto Minuta of Newburgh, N.Y., was arrested on Saturday after he was seen in a video walking alongside Stone while outside a D.C. hotel on Jan. 6, the day of the deadly Capitol breach.

The charges against Minuta have not yet been made public, according to ABC News.

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Speaking to the outlet, Minuta’s wife confirmed that he was at the Capitol on the day of the riot but claimed that he never went inside, saying he was “another patriot outside the Capitol Building … standing up for freedom.”

ABC News noted that at least five people associated with the Oath Keepers have been arrested, with three charged with conspiracy.

In court filings, the FBI said the militia group “took steps to plan an operation to stop, delay, and hinder Congress’ certification of the Electoral College vote.”

“I had no advance knowledge of the riot at the Capitol,” Stone told ABC News in regard to the video. “I could not even tell you the names of those who volunteered to provide security for me, required because of the many threats against me and my family.”

Stone has repeatedly denied any involvement in the events that occurred on Jan. 6 and claims to have never left his hotel that day before heading to Dulles International Airport. He has also rejected associations made between him and the people who flanked him on that day.

Oath Keepers provided security for Stone when he was in D.C., and as ABC News noted, they were known to have traveled with him on Jan. 6.

In February, it was reported that the Justice Department and the FBI had opened a probe into whether Stone, Alex Jones and “Stop the Steal” organizer Ali Alexander had a role in the Capitol breach.

Biden challenged by early cyber threats

March 9, 2021 KANKENNEWS

The Biden administration is grappling with two major cyber incidents in its first 50 days in office, underscoring the challenge the new White House faces from foreign actors.

Russia and China are suspected in the two incidents, which may have compromised thousands of federal, state, and private groups for long periods of time before discovery. The effect has been to move cybersecurity up the list of the administration’s priorities.

“If they had thought they weren’t going to do it, I think that option has been removed, I think they have to prioritize cybersecurity,” Mark Montgomery, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Hill on Monday.

The first compromise, which has become known as the SolarWinds hack, involved what U.S. intelligence agencies have described as “likely” sophisticated Russian hackers exploiting software from IT group SolarWinds to breach at least nine federal agencies and 100 private sector groups. The hack was revealed in December when President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump vows ‘No more money for RINOS,’ instead encouraging donations to his PAC Federal judge rules ‘QAnon shaman’ too dangerous to be released from jail Pelosi says Capitol riot was one of the most difficult moments of her career MORE was in office.

The second comprise was announced last week by Microsoft, which said a Chinese state-sponsored hacking group had exploited previously unknown vulnerabilities in its Exchange Server email application. Thousands of groups were potentially compromised as early as January, including U.S. local governments and private sector groups.

The full scope of both incidents remains unclear, particularly in regards to the Microsoft vulnerabilities, which The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week may have compromised up to 250,000 Microsoft customers.

Ben Read, the director of Analysis at FireEye’s Mandiant Threat Intelligence, told The Hill that his company was seeing “a lot of instances” of the Microsoft vulnerabilities being exploited, and noted the difficulty in the government responding to this many potential compromises.

“It’s a very hard problem anytime you have to respond to tens of thousands of distinct incidents,” Read said. “A problem like this is difficult, but I have seen continued work and engagement, and it has been a priority for the administration and the government in general.”

White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiOvernight Defense: Report urges sweeping changes to Capitol security | Biden touts female general nominees on International Women’s Day | US stands by Saudis after ‘heinous’ Houthi attacks Overnight Health Care: After a brutal year, is the US getting close to normal? | CDC says it’s safe for vaccinated people to gather indoors | Biden to give prime-time address on anniversary of pandemic lockdown On The Money: House to vote on COVID-19 relief by Wednesday | Answers for your stimulus check questions | Dow sets new record as Nasdaq hits correction MORE has repeatedly told reporters that the administration will respond in “weeks, not months” in pushing back against Russia for the SolarWinds hack.

The New York Times reported earlier this week that this response will kick off over the next few weeks, with the U.S. launching a series of “clandestine” actions against Russia, along with imposing sanctions and Biden signing an executive order to bolster federal cybersecurity.

While the administration has had weeks to formulate a response to Russia, the investigation into the Chinese exploitation of Microsoft vulnerabilities is just beginning.

The White House National Security Council put out a tweet last week strongly encouraging groups running Microsoft Exchange Server to “take immediate measures to determine if they were already targeted.”

The warning came days after the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) ordered federal agencies to investigate for compromise and immediately implement a patch against the vulnerabilities.

In addition, The Washington Post reported that federal officials would meet this week to discuss establishing a “cyber unified coordination group” to respond to the Microsoft incident, which would be similar to a group established in December to respond to the Russian activity.

The White House did not respond to The Hill’s request for comment on these actions.

Biden is facing the new challenges with key posts in his administration open.

The president appointed former National Security Agency cyber lead Anne Neuberger to serve as deputy national security advisor for cyber and emerging technology, but he had not yet formally nominated individuals to serve as White House cyber czar, recently established by the annual defense funding bill, and to lead CISA.

“The recent cybersecurity breaches underscore the immediate need to bolster our defenses,” Rep. Jim LangevinJames (Jim) R. LangevinHillicon Valley: YouTube to restore Trump’s account | House-passed election bill takes aim at foreign interference | Senators introduce legislation to create international tech partnerships House-passed election bill takes aim at foreign interference Lawmakers line up behind potential cyber breach notification legislation MORE (D-R.I.), a key leader in the push to establish the cyber czar position, told The Hill on Monday. “The Biden administration is certainly placing an emphasis on the issue…however, the President needs to appoint a National Cyber Director as soon as possible to lead strategy implementation and ensure a whole-of-government response to significant cyber incidents.”

Michael Daniel, who served as White House cybersecurity coordinator under the Obama administration, stressed that filling these roles was essential to preventing these types of breaches.

“There is no substitute for getting people into jobs who develop policy proposals and then implementing those ideas,” Daniel, who currently serves as president and CEO of the Cyber Threat Alliance, told The Hill. “The administration deserves credit for prioritizing filling cybersecurity positions, but it needs to press forward with filling the remaining positions as expeditiously as possible.”

In addition to leadership concerns, a spokesperson for House Homeland Security Committee ranking member John KatkoJohn Michael KatkoHouse-passed election bill takes aim at foreign interference Biden to meet with bipartisan lawmakers on infrastructure Federal agencies ordered to patch systems immediately following flaw in Microsoft app MORE (R-N.Y.) told The Hill that Katko was pushing the Biden administration to be “more transparent and over communicate the actions they are taking and why with Congress and the American people” on cybersecurity.

The timing for the cybersecurity incidents also comes as Biden is working to establish his own foreign policy goals and relationships, including balancing holding nations such as Russia and China accountable for their actions, but also working collaboratively when possible.

As Biden continues to form his foreign policy objectives, leaders are calling on him to integrate cybersecurity as a major priority in the face of the new foreign malicious activity.

“We need to have some common standards or ‘rules of the road’ when it comes to cyber,” Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark WarnerMark Robert WarnerGOP votes in unison against COVID-19 relief bill Senate inches toward COVID-19 vote after marathon session Hillicon Valley: YouTube to restore Trump’s account | House-passed election bill takes aim at foreign interference | Senators introduce legislation to create international tech partnerships MORE (D-Va.) tweeted Monday. “And we need to be able to warn our adversaries that if you violate them, there will be consequences. Period.”

Daniel urged the administration to take “calculated risks” early in responding to the attacks.

“You cannot separate activity in cyberspace from its overall geopolitical context,” Daniel said. “Therefore, in addressing the threats from foreign nations in cyberspace, the administration needs to include those threats in its overall assessment of the situation with a given country and then incorporate any responses to the cyber activity into the overall engagement with that country.”

Montgomery noted that responding to foreign cyber threats would take a combination of public-private partnerships and “defending forward,” such as through sanctions and military activities.

“Neither one of them work alone, but hopefully together, they can create a more effective defense, and a more secure environment,” Montgomery said.

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Gallup: Little change in social distancing as vaccines roll out

March 9, 2021 KANKENNEWS

A new poll by Gallup shows that the number of Americans who say they’re abiding by social distancing rules has held steady as more people get the coronavirus vaccine.

The survey released Tuesday found that 47 percent of respondents say they are practicing strict social distancing and avoiding contact with those who do not live in their home, down only 3 percent from November and December before the vaccine rollout began.

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Although only 9 percent of the U.S. population is vaccinated, 2 million coronavirus shots are being given out a day.

Along with strict social distancing, 70 percent of people say they are are avoiding large crowds, 56 percent are avoiding public places and 54 percent are avoiding small gatherings.

Other precautions such as face masks are being used by 89 percent of the public, but as a growing number of states drop their mask mandates, the number could drop.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Monday that individuals who are vaccinated can gather together without masks and social distancing guidelines.

Americans have reportedly started to venture to businesses such as restaurants and gyms more frequently, but still below the levels seen before the November surge in coronavirus cases.

The Gallup poll surveyed 3,795 US adults between Feb. 14 and Feb. 21. The margin of error is plus or minus two percentage points.

Biden pledges to end 'scourge of sexual assault in the military'

March 9, 2021 KANKENNEWS

President BidenJoe BidenCNN: Bidens’ dogs removed from the White House Federal judge rules ‘QAnon shaman’ too dangerous to be released from jail Pelosi says Capitol riot was one of the most difficult moments of her career MORE on Monday pledged to “end the scourge of sexual assault” in the military while marking International Women’s Day by honoring two female generals he has nominated to helm combatant commands.

Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost and Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson are both nominated to positions as 4-star combatant commanders. The two were not elevated under the Trump administration because Defense officials held them back, fearing former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump vows ‘No more money for RINOS,’ instead encouraging donations to his PAC Federal judge rules ‘QAnon shaman’ too dangerous to be released from jail Pelosi says Capitol riot was one of the most difficult moments of her career MORE would not agree to it.

The Biden administration has made clear it intends to address the pervasive issue of sexual assault and harassment in the military, last month ordering a civilian-led commission at the Pentagon to investigate the problem.

“We have to take on sexual assault and harassment and violence against women in the military,” Biden said in remarks at the White House. “Sexual assault is abhorrent and wrong at any time, and in our military so much of unit cohesion is built on trusting your fellow service members to have your back. There’s nothing less than a threat to our national security.”

“This is going to be an all-hands-on-deck effort under my administration to end the scourge of sexual assault in the military,” Biden continued. “And we’re going to be focused on that from the very top.”

Defense Secretary Lloyd AustinLloyd AustinBiden pledges to end ‘scourge of sexual assault in the military’ The Hill’s 12:30 Report – Presented by Johns Hopkins University – CDC announces long-awaited guidelines for fully vaccinated Americans Will Lloyd Austin stand up to the generals? MORE has also stated that tackling military sexual assault and harassment is one of his top priorities on the job and separately has directed Defense officials to look into current practices in place to curb the issue.

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Biden, Austin and Vice President Harris all spoke at the event in the East Room of the White House where Van Ovost and Richardson were recognized.

If confirmed, Van Ovost would lead the Transportation Command, which manages the military’s global transportation network, while Richardson would become the head of Southern Command, which handles military activities in Latin America.

“Each of these women have led careers demonstrating incomparable skill, integrity and duty to country,” Biden said. “At every step. they’ve also helped push open the doors of opportunity to women in our military.”

Biden said it was imperative to “shine the light” on their accomplishments in order to demonstrate to new female service members what is possible.

“Recruiting more women to our military, adjusting policies to retain more women, enforcing policies to protect women and ensure they are heard, and advancing more women on fair and equal footing will without any question make our nation safer,” Harris, who is the first female vice president, said. “And that’s the work ahead.”

Biden has made elevating women to high-level positions and upholding women’s rights key priorities of his administration in its first weeks.

Earlier Monday, Biden signed an executive order establishing the Gender Policy Council at the White House which will be responsible for advancing gender equity, addressing gender-based discrimination and violence and ensuring women’s rights are upheld in the United States and globally.

In timing with International Women’s Day, Biden also directed the Department of Education to review the Trump-era rule on campus sexual misconduct allegations, in what is expected to be the first step in a lengthy process to undo the policy of the previous administration.

Trump White House associate tied to Proud Boys before riot via cell phone data

March 9, 2021 KANKENNEWS

A person associated with the Trump White House communicated with a member of the Proud Boys in the days before the Jan. 6 insurrection, The New York Times reports.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) used location, cellular and call record data to make the connection between the unnamed person and the fringe far-right group.

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The Times also noted that none of the phone data showed any connection between rioters and members of Congress on Jan. 6. In the aftermath of the insurrection, Democrats made claims that Republicans lawmakers had been involved in the incident, leading to House Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiPelosi says Capitol riot was one of the most difficult moments of her career Hillary Clinton calls for women to ‘repair’ COVID-19’s ‘damage’ on women’s rights Republicans’ stonewall forces Democrats to pull bill honoring Capitol Police MORE (D-Calif.) calling for any members of Congress involved to be criminally charged.

The names of the parties involved in the phone call between the White House associate and the Proud Boys were not disclosed, and the FBI doesn’t know exactly what was discussed during the phone call, according to The Times.

Previously, Roger StoneRoger Jason StoneAuthorities arrest Oath Keeper leader seen with Roger Stone Political land mines await Garland at DOJ Trump White House associate tied to Proud Boys before riot via cell phone data MORE, a longtime Trump associate, was under investigation in 2019 for his alleged involvement with the Proud Boys. Ultimately, the investigation did not lead to any charges being brought against Stone.

Following the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, Stone once again became a subject of a probe by the Justice Department and FBI.

Stone has previously claimed he was not involved in the insurrection, despite being in Washington, D.C. that day.

“I had no advance knowledge of the riot at the Capitol,” he told ABC last month.

Stone has admitted in the past to having ties to the group’s leader, Enrique Tarrio, who was charged over his connection to the riot.

The FBI did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.

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Monthly Archives: March 2021

Hillicon Valley: Democrats push Facebook to 'take responsibility' for placement of gun accessory ads | Lawmakers introduce bill allowing Americans to take foreign hackers to court | Malala Yousafzai signs content deal with Apple

Biden appoints Clare Martorana as federal CIO

Fauci: Texas inviting another virus surge by lifting mask mandate

Joint Chiefs chairman: Military response on Jan. 6 was 'super fast'

Maryland man facing federal charge after shooting outside Secret Service facility

Authorities arrest Oath Keeper leader seen with Roger Stone

Biden challenged by early cyber threats

Gallup: Little change in social distancing as vaccines roll out

Biden pledges to end 'scourge of sexual assault in the military'

Trump White House associate tied to Proud Boys before riot via cell phone data