The Biden administration is pushing forward on trade talks with Taiwan, which are likely to draw backlash from Beijing and further roil fraught relations between the U.S. and China. 

Secretary of State Antony BlinkenAntony BlinkenOvernight Defense: Supreme Court declines to hear suit challenging male-only draft | Drone refuels Navy fighter jet for the first time | NATO chief meets with Austin, Biden Watch live: Blinken testifies before House panel Blinken says Biden will give Putin warning on future cyberattacks MORE said in a hearing with lawmakers on Monday that the U.S. is “engaged in conversations… or soon will be on some kind of framework agreement” about deepening trade ties with Taiwan.  

Blinken, who was responding to a question from Rep. Andy BarrAndy BarrTaiwan presses US on COVID-19 vaccines GOP lawmakers ask acting inspector general to investigate John Kerry Overnight Energy: Biden will aim to cut US emissions in half by 2030 | Oil and gas leasing pause on public lands will last at least through June MORE (R-Ky.), directed further questions about details to the U.S. Trade Representative Katherine TaiKatherine TaiOn The Money: May jobs report to land at pivotal moment in Biden agenda | Biden, top GOP negotiator agree to continue infrastructure talks Friday USTR announces suspended tariffs on six nations after probes into digital taxes Biden faces dilemma on Trump steel tariffs MORE.

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A spokesman for Tai’s office told the Wall Street Journal that strengthening relations with Taiwan is important, though “we have no meetings to announce at this time.”

The secretary’s remarks about the prospect of deepening trade relations with Taiwan came as three senators visited the tiny island, drawing backlash from Beijing which considers it a breakaway territory and has threatened annexation through military force. 

Sens. Tammy DuckworthLadda (Tammy) Tammy DuckworthThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden, Harris take US goals abroad US to supply Taiwan with 750K vaccine doses, senator says Trio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions MORE (D-Ill.), Dan SullivanDaniel Scott SullivanUS to supply Taiwan with 750K vaccine doses, senator says Trio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions White House pressed on evacuating Afghan allies as time runs out MORE (R-Alaska) and Chris CoonsChris Andrew CoonsUS to supply Taiwan with 750K vaccine doses, senator says Trio of senators to visit Taiwan amid China tensions 3 Delaware officers shot while responding to call MORE (D-Del.) arrived on the island on Sunday, meeting with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and announcing that the U.S. would be providing 750,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses.   

“We’re grateful for your strong support for our country, our health, and our role in ensuring regional stability,” Tsai said, who has gained political popularity for a tougher stance against Beijing, said in a statement on Twitter. “I look forward to working together to advance our shared values and enduring partnership.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin slammed the Taiwan visit by the senators in a press conference Monday, claiming it “gravely violates” U.S. and China agreement of the “One-China principle” that calls for relations with Taipei to go through Beijing. 

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Wang called for the U.S. to “discontinue all forms of official interactions with Taiwan” and said “it should avoid sending any wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ separatists and causing further damage to China-US relations and peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.”

The U.S. maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan at various levels in a delicate balance of diplomacy, committed to the island’s self defense as part of the Taiwan Relations Act, but withholding official, senior-level ties in deference to China.  

But increasing tensions between Washington and Beijing – the Biden administration has identified China as the greatest challenge of the 21st century – have pushed previous presidential administrations and lawmakers to demand closer ties with Taipei. 

Rep. Matt GaetzMatthew (Matt) GaetzGaetz, under investigative cloud, questions FBI director House Judiciary releases McGahn testimony on Trump Newsmax says network turned Gaetz down for a job MORE (R-Fla.), who is currently the subject of an FBI probe, had a chance Thursday to question the man leading the agency responsible for investigating him. 

Gaetz came face-to-face with FBI Director Christopher Wray as the latter appeared before lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee.

The rare scene comes as Gaetz faces an investigation into possible sex crimes and obstruction of justice. A friend of Gaetz’s, Joel Greenberg, has pleaded guilty to sex trafficking a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing.

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Gaetz used the opportunity with Wray to ask about the FBI’s role in investigating the origins of the coronavirus.

“I’m not sure that there’s much I can say about any specific investigation,” Wray said.

In April, fellow committee member Rep. Ted LieuTed W. LieuGaetz, under investigative cloud, questions FBI director Crenshaw trolled after asking for examples of ‘woke ideology’ in military Kinzinger slams Gaetz speech: ‘This is why we need a January 6 commission’ MORE (D-Calif.) argued Gaetz should be removed from the committee because it has oversight over the FBI, calling it an “untenable conflict of interest.”

Republicans on the committee made similar calls amid news that Rep. Eric SwalwellEric Michael SwalwellGaetz, under investigative cloud, questions FBI director GOP lawmaker deletes tweet that appeared to mistakenly reveal email password The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden, Harris take US goals abroad MORE (D-Calif.), another committee member, had been targeted by a suspected Chinese spy.

Police said four people were killed in a bombing in Kabul Thursday amid a rise in violence across Afghanistan ahead of the U.S. fully withdrawing its troops from the country.

The AP reported that the blast targeted a minivan in a majority Shiite neighborhood in Afghanistan, the latest strike in the neighborhood that is home to many members of the minority Hazara ethnic group.

The Islamic State this week carried out similar bombings in the area that killed 10 people.

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The targeting of the busses marks a new tactic in the terrorist groups’ targeting of Shiite Muslims, who have come under attack both by ISIS and the Taliban, two Sunni groups.

Recent bombings targeting the group have struck a slew of other sites, including schools, wedding halls and mosques.

Concerns over escalating violence in Afghanistan have bubbled up amid a spike in clashes between the Afghan military and the Taliban since President BidenJoe BidenBiden congratulates election of new Israeli president amid agreement to oust Netanyahu Trump DOJ seized phone records of New York Times reporters ‘Blue’s Clues’ hosts virtual Pride parade with help of former ‘Drag Race’ contestant MORE made the announcement that all U.S. troops by Sept. 11, but the retreat is proceeding ahead of schedule.

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Attorney General Merrick GarlandMerrick GarlandGarland vows fight against voting limits that violate law House Democrats push Garland for immigration court reforms Jeff Hauser: MacBride nomination is a return to administrations that ended ‘rule-of-law’ and ‘rich-person accountability’ MORE announced Friday the Department of Justice (DOJ) would double its voting rights staff while condemning a number of recently passed state laws and issuing a stern warning that the department would combat voter restrictions that run afoul of the law.

Garland said the department will also take measures to limit gerrymandering while setting guidelines for absentee and mail voting ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

“We are scrutinizing new laws that seek to curb voter access, and where we see violations, we will not hesitate to act,” Garland said during a speech in Washington. “We are also scrutinizing current laws and practices in order to determine whether they discriminate against Black voters and other voters of color.”

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Garland pointed to 14 “new laws that make it harder to vote,” including a Georgia law that made headlines for barring distributing food or water to voters waiting in line while also imposing new limits on absentee voting.

The attorney general said the DOJ needs to be “clear eyed” about a 2013 Supreme Court decision that gutted a key provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

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The provision gave the DOJ so-called preclearance authority, allowing the department to screen proposed changes to voting procedures in states with a history of racial discrimination in elections.

“Today we are again without a preclearance provision. So again, the Civil Rights Division is going to need more lawyers,” he said.

The Justice Department during former President TrumpDonald TrumpTrump DOJ demanded metadata on 73 phone numbers and 36 email addresses, Apple says Putin says he’s optimistic about working with Biden ahead of planned meeting Biden meets Queen Elizabeth for first time as president MORE‘s administration did not hire a single outside attorney for the voting rights section and left the department with just 15 voting rights lawyers — about half the number that staffed the section during former President Obama’s tenure.

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A review of pending state legislation from the Brennan Center for Justice found that a wave of bills with restrictive voting provisions, warning that the activity is outpacing other years and leaving “the United States is on track to far exceed its most recent period of significant voter suppression.”

Without preclearance, DOJ is left to challenge laws after the fact, using a portion of the law that bars discrimination on the basis of race, color or membership in a “language minority group.” But it confronts DOJ lawyers with a legal bar that can be difficult to clear and can leave laws lingering as the department seeks to prove a new statute has a discriminatory impact.

Garland implored Congress to pass new measures to bolster the DOJ’s voting rights authority, though his calls are likely to fall on deaf ears.

The Democratic-controlled House in March passed a sweeping voting rights bill, along party lines, that would greatly enhance voting protections. But that legislation is unlikely to clear the 60-vote threshold needed in the Senate. 

A narrower measure, the John LewisJohn LewisGarland vows fight against voting limits that violate law Black Republican advocates his case for CBC membership Manchin insists he supports voting rights — we’ll see MORE Voting Rights Act, named after the late congressman, would restore preclearance authority to the DOJ. But it too is unlikely to garner enough votes in the Senate, where Democrats hold the slimmest of majorities.

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Still, Garland said the department would apply existing powers under the Voting Rights Act and other legal authorities “to ensure that we protect every qualified American seeking to participate in our democracy.”

The series of new guidance promised by Garland show a DOJ eager to issue warning shots to states as new voting laws and legislative maps are increasingly challenged in court.

State legislatures are preparing to use Census data to draw new legislative districts — the first round of maps set to drop since DOJ lost its preclearance ability.

“We will publish new guidance to make clear the voting protections that apply to all jurisdictions as they redraw the legislative maps,” he said, adding the department would also issue similar guidance “with respect to early voting and voting by mail.” 

Garland also took aim at Arizona’s ongoing audit of the 2020 election and other efforts he said undermine confidence in voting while relying on disinformation. 

He said states can expect guidance “explaining the civil and criminal statutes that apply to post election audits.”

“Many of the justifications proffered in support of these post election audits and restrictions on voting have relied on assertions of material vote fraud in the 2020 election that have been refuted by law enforcement and intelligence agencies of both this administration and the previous one, as well as by every court — federal and state — that has considered them,” he said.

The attorney general also emphasized that DOJ’s criminal division has a role to play in protecting elections. Garland said there’s been an uptick in threats against election officials, and vowed that federal prosecutors and law enforcement will “investigate and promptly prosecute” offenders.

“We have not been blind to the dramatic increase in menacing and violent threats against all manner of state and local election workers, ranging from the highest administrators to volunteer poll workers,” Garland said. “Such threats undermine our electoral process and violate a myriad of federal laws.”

 

A bipartisan group of senators Thursday introduced a bill intended to protect small businesses from cyberattacks after hacks crippled some of the country’s largest companies.

Sens. Chris CoonsChris Andrew CoonsBipartisan senators introduce bill to protect small businesses from cyberattacks China conducts amphibious landing drill near Taiwan after senators’ visit Senate Democrats befuddled by Joe Manchin MORE (D-Del.), John KennedyJohn Neely KennedyMORE (R-La.), Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioDemings raises million after announcing Senate bid against Rubio Bipartisan senators introduce bill to protect small businesses from cyberattacks The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden mission abroad: reward friends, constrain adversaries MORE (R-Fla.) and Raphael WarnockRaphael WarnockBipartisan senators introduce bill to protect small businesses from cyberattacks MLB calls lawsuit over All-Star Game ‘political theatrics’ Herschel Walker skips Georgia’s GOP convention MORE (D-Ga.) reintroduced the Small Business Credit Protection Act, which would mandate credit bureaus inform small businesses of a nonpublic personal data breach within 30 days. It would also bar credit bureaus from charging such businesses for a credit report within 180 days of a breach.

“Entrepreneurs need to build and maintain healthy credit as they grow their businesses,” Coons said. “That’s why it is so vital that government help protect the private credit information of small business owners, just as they do for consumers. 

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“We’ve taken important steps to protect consumers, but small businesses’ credit data have also been compromised, and they deserve protection,” added Kennedy. “Consumers and mom-and-pop businesses are counting on us to safeguard their data privacy when new threats arise every day.” 

Rubio first introduced the legislation in November 2018, but the bill takes on heightened importance now after a series of prominent cybercrimes. Rep. Gregory SteubeWilliam (Greg) Gregory SteubeWray grilled on FBI’s handling of Jan. 6 Gaetz, House Republicans introduce bill to defund Postal Service covert operations program Hillicon Valley: Tech companies duke it out at Senate hearing | Seven House Republicans vow to reject donations from Big Tech MORE (R-Fla.) will introduce companion legislation in the House.

“The federal government must uphold the trust that Americans need to fully participate in our economy,” Rubio said. “My legislation, the Small Business Credit Protection Act, would ensure that small businesses receive protections in cases of a security breach. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing this bipartisan bill so that we can continue to protect America’s small businesses – the cornerstone of our economy.” 

The legislation comes as Congress looks to beef up cyber protections for the federal government and the private sector after a slew of crippling hacks.

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Colonial Pipeline, the company that supplies 45 percent of the East Coast’s fuel, temporarily shut down its operations last month after a ransomware attack targeted some of its data. JBS USA, the nation’s largest beef supplier, was later hit by a similar ransomware attack. 

Both hacks are believed to have been perpetrated by Russian-based criminal groups.

The Justice Department said this month that, in response to those and other intrusions, it plans on elevating investigations into ransomware attacks to the same priority as probes into terrorist strikes.

The QAnon supporter accused of chasing a Capitol police officer up the stairs during the Jan. 6 insurrection is seeking a release from jail, saying “he feels deceived, recognizing that he bought into a pack of lies.”

Douglas Jensen, 41, of Iowa asked a judge on Monday to release him from behind bars in Washington, D.C., The Des Moines Register reported.

In a court document filed by his attorney Christopher Davis, Jensen claimed he is a “victim of numerous conspiracy theories that were being fed to him over the internet by a number of very clever people, who were uniquely equipped with slight, if any, moral or social consciousness.”

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“Six months later, languishing in a DC Jail cell, locked down most of the time, he feels deceived, recognizing that he bought into a pack of lies,” according to the document.

Jensen “fell victim to this barrage of internet sourced info,” according to Davis, and came to the Capitol at the urging of former President TrumpDonald TrumpJack Ciattarelli wins GOP primary in New Jersey governor’s race House Judiciary Democrats call on DOJ to reverse decision on Trump defense Democratic super PAC targets Youngkin over voting rights MORE to “demonstrate that he was a ‘true patriot.’”

Davis wrote in the court filing that Jensen simply went to the nation’s capital to “observe” the riot.

Jensen had a pocketknife on him for protection because he went to Trump’s “Stop the Steal” rally on the White House Ellipse before marching to the Capitol, according to Davis.

However, the attorney argued that Jensen did not threaten to physically harm anyone nor did he destroy property.

“Jensen was not an intended part of any group or mob at any time that day,” the filing claims. “He was at the front of the crowd, but in no way leading anyone.”

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A widely viewed video posted on Twitter by HuffPost’s Igor Bobic shows Jensen at the front of a group of people going up the stairs, appearing to pursue Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman.

In a federal charging document, investigators said Jensen deliberately positioned himself as spearheading the mob, writing, “He wanted to have his t-shirt seen on video so that ‘Q’ could ‘get the credit.’”

The FBI said that Jensen disregarded multiple orders by an officer to stop and put his hands up and instead “led the crowd toward the officer in a menacing manner, causing the officer to retreat and repeat his commands.”

Jensen’s attorney claims he played no significant role in the deadly violence and even accuses the officer of being threatening. 

“Even when threatened by Officer Goodman, armed with his baton hovering over Jensen’s head, Jensen simply states, ‘I will take it for my country,’” his attorney wrote.

Goodman was outnumbered by the protesters who entered the Capitol. While on the steps, he led the mob, which was within feet of the entrance to the Senate chamber, to a back corridor where other law enforcement officers were waiting. 

He was hailed as a hero for his efforts to protect lawmakers and staff during the riot, which ultimately left five people dead. The Senate passed a bill in February to award Goodman the Congressional Gold Medal for his actions.

Jensen was transferred from Iowa to Washington after his arrest in Des Moines.

His court filing asks that he be released, saying his wife would be willing to drive him home so he could remain under house arrest.

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He is facing seven offenses in connection with the riot, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds with a dangerous weapon. His charges also include assault, resisting or impeding certain officers, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and civil disorder.

His family had reportedly raised concerns about his involvement with online conspiracy theories like QAnon, which claims Trump is fighting against the government and other entities controlled by Satan-worshipping pedophiles running a child sex-trafficking ring.

Jensen’s brother William Routh, a resident of Clarksville, Ark., told The Associated Press that he warned his brother.

“I did not believe in QAnon and I told him to be careful what he listens to because no one knows what QAnon is. Nobody knows who is Q, but I don’t know where he is getting his information,” Routh said.

Davis is one of multiple lawyers defending Capitol riot suspects who are blaming misinformation and conspiracy theories for their clients’ actions.

Accused rioter Anthony Antonio’s attorney explained that his client began watching Fox News often after he lost his job at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

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“He became hooked with what I call ‘Foxitus’ or ‘Foxmania’ and became interested in the political aspect and started believing what was being fed to him,” attorney Joseph Hurley said.

Albert Watkins, who is representing so-called QAnon shaman Jacob Chansley, 33, compared misinformation regarding the election to brainwashing or a cult.

“He is not crazy,” Watkins said of his client. “The people who fell in love with [cult leader] Jim Jones and went down to Guyana, they had husbands and wives and lives. And then they drank the Kool-Aid.”

Watkins faced backlash for derogatory remarks he made about the mental state of rioters after he said “they’re all f—— short-bus people.”

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Roughly 35 percent of Americans in a new Politico-Morning Consult poll, say they believe passing an infrastructure bill should be a top priority for members of Congress, lower than several other issues.

The study was conducted between Friday and Monday, shortly before President BidenJoe BidenWhite House announces major boost to global vaccine supply U.S. in talks to buy Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine to send abroad: report Pentagon to consider authorizing airstrikes in Afghanistan if country falls into crisis: report MORE ended negotiations with a key GOP senator as both sides failed to reach a deal. Biden has shifted talks to a bipartisan group of senators.

According to the poll, while over a third said infrastructure should be Congress’s top priority, another 31 percent said an infrastructure bill was “an important, but lower priority,” and 14 percent said it was “not too important.”

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Democratic voters were more likely to list an infrastructure bill as a high priority, with roughly 49 percent of Democrats polled labeling it as being of top importance compared to 23 percent of GOP voters who said the same.

Several other issues rated as higher priorities for voters than infrastructure: 42 percent identified the federal budget deficit as the top priority, 41 percent said it was health care reform and 37 percent listed immigration.

Still, the highest priority issue among voters was stimulating economic growth to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, with 55 percent putting it in the top spot.

The survey of nearly 2,000 registered voters has an overall margin of error of 2 percentage points.

The poll comes a day after Biden cut off ongoing infrastructure talks with a GOP group led by Sen. Shelley Moore CapitoShelley Wellons Moore CapitoOn The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax Five things to watch on Biden’s first foreign trip America needs private investment — not public infrastructure MORE (R-W.Va.) after the two remained far from a deal despite weeks of negotiations. 

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Now, the White House is looking to reach an agreement with a bipartisan group that includes Sens. Kyrsten SinemaKyrsten SinemaOvernight Health Care: US to donate 500 million Pfizer doses to other countries: reports | GOP’s attacks on Fauci at center of pandemic message | Federal appeals court blocks Missouri abortion ban On The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax Arizona Democrats launch voter outreach effort ahead of key Senate race MORE (D-Ariz.), Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones Portman35 percent say passing infrastructure bill should be top congressional priority: poll The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Facebook – Biden detours on infrastructure ahead of June vote OVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden ends infrastructure talks with key Republican | Colonial Pipeline CEO grilled over ransomware attack | Texas gov signs bills to improve power grid after winter storm MORE (R-Ohio), Jon TesterJonathan (Jon) TesterOn The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax House moderates unveil .25T infrastructure plan 35 percent say passing infrastructure bill should be top congressional priority: poll MORE (D-Mont.), Bill CassidyBill CassidyOn The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax Business giants join initiative to crack down on counterfeits House moderates unveil .25T infrastructure plan MORE (R-La.), Joe ManchinJoe ManchinBriahna Joy Gray: Biden, Manchin don’t have ‘sincere commitment to bipartisanship’ Overnight Health Care: US to donate 500 million Pfizer doses to other countries: reports | GOP’s attacks on Fauci at center of pandemic message | Federal appeals court blocks Missouri abortion ban On The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax MORE (D-W.Va.) and Lisa MurkowskiLisa Ann Murkowski35 percent say passing infrastructure bill should be top congressional priority: poll EPA to revise Trump rollback to water pollution protections EPA chief emphasizes staffing, environmental justice in Appropriations testimony MORE (R-Alaska).

The senators have said that they aim to reach a proposal by the end of the week. 

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Tester on Wednesday said tax increases were being taken off the table in the infrastructure negotiations, and Sen. Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyHillicon Valley: Biden gives TikTok and WeChat a reprieve | Colonial Pipeline CEO addresses Congress again | Thomson Reuters shareholders want review of ICE ties On The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax Romney presses Microsoft over missing Tiananmen Square images MORE (R-Utah), another member of the bipartisan group, told reporters that Republicans won’t agree to tax hikes as part of a proposal. 

Biden’s initial infrastructure plan totaled more than $2.2 trillion, though the bipartisan group, which has not yet released an official number, is said to be looking at a proposal of $900 billion. 

Meanwhile, more progressive lawmakers would like to see Democrats move forward a reconciliation bill that wouldn’t need Republican votes to pass, with Congressional Progressive Caucus Chairwoman Pramila JayapalPramila JayapalOn The Money: Bipartisan Senate group rules out tax hikes on infrastructure | New report reignites push for wealth tax New report reignites push for wealth tax House moderates unveil .25T infrastructure plan MORE (D-Wash.) arguing Wednesday that “Republicans are not going to do what needs to be done for working families.”

China is preparing to send its first crew to the country’s new space station in a flight set to tentatively happen next Wednesday. 

The Long March-2F Y12 rocket will carry the Shenzhou-12 spaceship and three astronauts to the Tianhe space station the Chinese government put into orbit at the end of April, The Associated Press reported.

The China Manned Space Engineering Office said in a statement Wednesday the rocket and spaceship were moved to a launch pad at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, according to the AP.

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The three astronauts will be at the station for three months as they complete maintenance work, spacewalks and science experiments.

There are 11 missions planned for cargo and other astronauts to go to the space station by the end of 2022.

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The astronauts going to space will be a mix of men and women and those who are experienced and new to space travel, the AP noted.

Another launch is set for September with a crew that will replace the one set to go up next Wednesday.

All of the astronauts were pilots in China’s People’s Liberation Army, according to the AP.

There was another cargo spacecraft that was launched last month in order for the crew to have food, fuel and other equipment when they got to the station. The station will have two laboratory modules and other equipment by the end of next year.

Federal officials are looking into the release of tax information for wealthy Americans, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig said Tuesday, after a report said that a number of wealthy individuals paid no federal income taxes in certain years.

Rettig said at a Senate Finance Committee hearing that officials are looking into the ProPublica  report, which cited information the outlet said was obtained from an anonymous source. The agency head said he understands the concerns about such information being leaked.

The IRS chief said there is an investigation “with respect to the allegations that the source of the information in that article came from the Internal Revenue Service.”

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A Treasury Department spokeswoman separately said in a statement that “the unauthorized disclosure of confidential government information is illegal” and is being referred to multiple federal agencies for investigation.

“The matter is being referred to the Office of the Inspector General, Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, all of whom have independent authority to investigate,” Treasury Department spokeswoman Lily Adams said.

The IRS has systems where it tracks employees who obtain access to taxpayers’ information and has fired workers before for having unauthorized access, The Wall Street Journal noted.

Rettig told lawmakers at Tuesday’s hearing that employees and others who release such information to the public will face criminal penalties for their actions. 

The ProPublica report included details on some U.S. billionaires who paid no federal income tax at some point during a 15-year-span, including Amazon founder Jeff BezosJeffrey (Jeff) Preston BezosSenate passes long-delayed China bill On The Money: Biden ends infrastructure talks with Capito, pivots to bipartisan group | Some US billionaires had years where they paid no taxes: report | IRS to investigate leak Feds looking into release of wealthy Americans’ tax info MORE, Tesla founder Elon MuskElon Reeve MuskOn The Money: Biden ends infrastructure talks with Capito, pivots to bipartisan group | Some US billionaires had years where they paid no taxes: report | IRS to investigate leak Feds looking into release of wealthy Americans’ tax info Some US billionaires had years where they paid no taxes: report MORE, former New York City Mayor Michael BloombergMichael BloombergOn The Money: Biden ends infrastructure talks with Capito, pivots to bipartisan group | Some US billionaires had years where they paid no taxes: report | IRS to investigate leak Feds looking into release of wealthy Americans’ tax info Some US billionaires had years where they paid no taxes: report MORE and investor George Soros.

President BidenJoe BidenHouse Judiciary Democrats call on DOJ to reverse decision on Trump defense Democratic super PAC targets Youngkin over voting rights Harris dubs first foreign trip a success amid criticism over border MORE and other Democratic lawmakers have been pushing for higher tax rates for America’s wealthy as part of Biden’s American Families Plan.

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Le 23 avril 2019, le prince Louis a fêté son premier anniversaire. Pour l’occasion, le palais de Kensington s’est saisi du compte Instagram des Cambridge pour dévoiler de nouveaux portraits du garçonnet réalisés par sa maman, Kate Middleton. Des photos inédites qui n’ont pas manqué de faire réagir leurs nombreux abonnés, parmi lesquels figurent désormais le prince Harry et Meghan Markle.

Par l’intermédiaire de leur nouveau compte Instagram officiel, les Sussex ont en effet commenté : “Joyeux anniversaire Louis ! En t’envoyant beaucoup d’amour de notre part à tous les deux. Bisous.” Le prince Harry et son épouse auraient-ils eux-mêmes écrit ce tendre message sur le réseau social ? Le ton familier et cette adresse directe sèment le doute, comme ça a été récemment le cas pour d’autres de leurs messages.

Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma’am, Granny. Wishing you the most wonderful day! Harry & Meghan Photo credits: Glenn Harvey (CP), Adrian Dennis (Getty), Chris Jackson (Getty)

Une publication partage par The Duke and Duchess of Sussex (@sussexroyal) le 21 Avril 2019 12 :14 PDT

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