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airs ews ne ing ues ay, ctober 20, 2020 
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Mobile version and searchable archives available at fbi.bulletinintelligence.com 
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TO: THE DIRECTOR AND SENIOR STAFF 
DATE: TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020 6:30 AM EDT 
TODAY'S TABLE OF CONTENTS 
Leading the News 
• US Charges Six Russian Intelligence Officers With Launching Cyberattacks. 
Counter-Terrorism 
• Maryland Man Linked To "Boogaloo" Movement Faces Gun Charge. 
• Encrypted Apps May Conceal Full Evidence Of Whitmer Kidnapping Plot. 
• Administration Imposes Sanctions On Businessman Moving Al Qaeda Money Internationally. 
• Trump Says US Will Remove Sudan From Terrorism List If It Compensates Victims. 
• French Authorities Crack Down On Islamists In Wake Of Teacher's Decapitation. 
Counter-Intelligence 
• While Ratcliffe Says There Is No Evidence Hunter Biden Emails Are Part Of "Disinformation Campaign," FBI 
Still Investigating. 
• States, Voting Districts Work With Law Enforcement To Secure Elections. 
• State Department Officials Self-Isolating After Meeting With COVID-Positive Lebanese Spymaster. 
• NNSA: Helicopter Flew Over DC Mapping Natural Nuclear Radiation. 
• Congressman: US Must Sanction Russian Sovereign Debt To Protect Elections. 
• EU Struggles To Defend Against Russian Disinformation Campaigns. 
• Syrian Paper: US Officials Have Made Four Secret Trips To Damascus. 
Criminal Investigations 
• Two US Park Police Officers Surrender To Face Manslaughter Charges. 
• FBI Investigating Murder In Missouri. 
• West Virginia Man Sentenced Over Child Pornography. 
• Texas Man Charged With Bribery. 
• FBI Investigating Disappearance Of Michigan Minor. 
• Kansas Man Arrested Following Death Threats. 
• Smuggling Ring Arrested In New York. 
• Georgia Pair Sentenced For Drug Distribution. 
• Louisiana Men Indicted On Gun, Drug Trafficking Charges. 
• FBI Concludes Gang Probe In Louisiana. 
• Massachusetts Man Arrested Following FBI Task Force Search. 
• Operation In Massachusetts Leads To Four Arrests, Seizure Of Drugs, Firearms. 
• Tennessee Meth Case Defendant Sentenced To 151 Months In Prison. 
• FBI Investigating Oklahoma Shooting. 
• Virginia Man Sues Airbus Over Claims Of Lying To The FBI. 
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Financial Crime & Corporate Scandals 
• COVID-19 Scammers Driving Unemployment Fraud Across US. 
Cyber Division 
• Cyberspace Solarium Commission Releases Follow-Up To March Report. 
• Lawsuit Alleges Indian Hackers Leaked Businessman's Emails. 
• Schools Learn To Deal With Increasing Risk Of Hacker Attacks As Online School Year Amid Pandemic 
Begins. 
• Pro-Iran Trolls Spreading Fake Scandals Posted On Legitimate News Sites By Hackers. 
Law Enforcement Services 
• US To Execute First Woman In Nearly 70 Years. 
• DOJ IG Discusses Growing Threat Of Drones For Prison Smuggling Operations. 
Other FBI News 
• Wray Under Fire In Run-Up To Election. 
• California Ballot Drop-Off Box Damaged By Suspected Arson. 
Other Washington News 
• Senate To Work Over Weekend To Complete Barrett's Confirmation. 
• Trump Calls Fauci "A Disaster" And Health Experts "Idiots." 
• WPost Report: Atlas "Succeeded In Largely Sidelining" Other Task Force Members. 
• GAO To Investigate Administration's Influence Over CDC, FDA. 
• CDC Issues Recommendation For Masks On Planes, Other Public Transportation. 
• Top Military Leaders Permitted To Return To Pentagon For Work. 
• FEMA Threw Out Faulty Russian Ventilators. 
• COVID Cases Surging By 50% In Nearly One-Third Of States. 
• State Public Health Officials Finalizing Vaccine Distribution Plans. 
• Cuomo May Lift Restrictions On Some COVID Red Zones. 
• New Jersey COVID Cases Spike. 
• Wisconsin Judge Reimposes Governor's Capacity Limit Order. 
• Racism Blamed For High Rates Of Asian American COVID Deaths In San Francisco. 
• Large School Districts Are Reopening Campuses. 
• Doctors With Long-Haul COVID Symptoms Pushing For Better Care. 
• DOJ Says Trump Denied Rape Accusation In Official Presidential Capacity. 
• Supreme Court Controls Fate Of Subpoena For Trump Tax Returns. 
• Administration Facilitates Ability To Discipline Federal Workers. 
• Republican Voters Embracing QAnon. 
• Devastating Wildfires Continue In Colorado. 
• Tsunami Warning Issued After 7.5 Magnitude Quake Off Alaska Coast. 
• New Yorker Suspends Toobin Following Report Of Improper Behavior. 
• SCOTUS Allows Pennsylvania To Count Ballots Received By November 6. 
• Chicago Police Save Man Hanging From Trump Tower. 
International News 
• US Borders With Mexico And Canada To Remain Closed Until November 21. 
• Countries, Cities Impose Targeted Restrictions On COVID Hot Spots. 
• UNICEF To Stockpile More Than 500M Single-Dose Syringes For COVID Vaccine. 
• COVID Cases Hitting Record Highs In Europe. 
• Iran Sets New Record For Daily Deaths. 
• Top Palestinian Diplomat On Ventilator In Israeli Hospital. 
• Kenya Health Minister Warns Of Second Coronavirus Wave. 
• Abrams: US To Enact Preemptive Sanctions On Iran. 
• Turkey Abandoning Outpost Surrounded By Syrian Army. 
• Pakistan Lifts Ban On TikTok. 
• US Rescue Mission In Yemen Helped Pave Way For Israel-UAE Peace Deal. 
• Navalny Calls On Trump To Condemn His Attempted Assassination. 
• Retirees Demonstrate Against Lukashenko In Belarus. 
• Armenian, Azeri Leaders Both Say They Would Meet In Moscow For Peace Talks. 
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• Morales Ally Triumphs In Bolivian Presidential Election. 
• Thai Authorities Move To Censor Coverage Of Student Demonstrations. 
• Indian Army Detains Chinese Soldier Who Strayed Over Border. 
• Chinese, Taiwanese Envoys Engaged In Fistfight During Fiji Event. 
• Beijing Blasts Trump's Climate Policies. 
• Differing Administration Response To Diplomats' Symptoms In China, Cuba Draw Scrutiny. 
The Big Picture 
• Headlines From Today's Front Pages. 
Washington's Schedule 
• Today's Events In Washington. 
Leading the News 
US Charges Six Russian Intelligence Officers With Launching Cyberattacks. 
NBC Nightly News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/87a81049bef3415887dfd6f94006da6a? 
pubid=fbi> (10/19, story 8, 0:50, Holt, 5.28M) reported the US "is accusing six members of the Russian military 
of cyberattacks that caused blackouts and financial losses of nearly $1 billion." NBC (Williams) added "federal 
prosecutors say these Russians used some of the most destructive computer malware ever unleashed. The FBI 
says all six are intelligence officers in the Russian military. It says they knocked out electrical power in Ukraine 
during the winter, victimized the 2018 Olympics opening ceremony, and caused losses totaling nearly $1 
billion." In addition, they were "accused of trying to interfere in the French elections in 2017, and hampering the 
UK's investigations into the poisoning of a Russian dissident and his daughter, but there are no new allegations 
tonight of Russian meddling in this year's election." The AP <https://apnews.corniarticle/technology-winter-
olympics-elections-russia-emmanuel-macron-6fc251c08dlac82d5633e84378c6c805> (10/19, Tucker) reports 
prosecutors say the attacks "were aimed at furthering the Kremlin's geopolitical interests and as retribution 
against its perceived enemies." 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/national-security/russia-cyberattacks-election-
interference/2020/10/19/51 a84208-1208-11 eb-bc10-40b25382 fl be_story.html> (10/19, Nakashima, Barrett, 
I4.2M) reports FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich said the charges show that "time and again, Russia has 
made it clear they will not abide by accepted norms and instead they intend to continue their destructive and 
destabilizing cyber behavior." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2020-cyber-russia/u-s-britain-call-out-russian-hacking-
spree-cyberattacks-against-olympics-idUSICBN2742EB> (10/19, Stubbs, Bing) reports, "U.S. officials would not 
say whether the timing of the announcement just ahead of the 2020 U.S. Presidential election was intended to 
serve as a warning to foreign, government-linked hacking groups." However, Jeff Pegues said on the CBS 
Evening News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.com/aa05560a8a1a4134999f7e9184e4727c?pubid=fbi> 
(10/19, story 4, 1:50, O'Donnell, 4.4M) the Justice Department's action "is widely seen as a warning to Russia. 
The message, stay out of the US election." 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/us/politics/russian-intelligence-cyberattacks.html> 
(10/19, Schmidt, Perlroth, 18.61M) reports, "It was unclear whether the Russian officers would stand trial for the 
charges." While Moscow "is highly unlikely to hand them over to be prosecuted," the charges "could potentially 
restrict their travels, and they could be arrested if they enter a country willing to turn them over to the United 
States." 
CNN <https://www.cnntorn/2020/10/19/politics/russian-nationals-charged-justice-department/index.html> 
(10/19, Carrega, 83.16M) reports, "The alleged hackers are officers of the Russian Main Intelligence Directorate 
(GRU), a military intelligence agency of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Monday's charges allege some 
of the most consequential political attacks levied by the Kremlin since its efforts to interfere in the 2016 US 
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presidential election, including the hacking of Democratic Party email accounts." CNN adds, "The United States 
District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania issued a federal arrest warrant for each of these 
defendants upon the grand July's return of the indictment. They are all charged in seven counts: conspiracy to 
conduct computer fraud and abuse, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, damaging protected computers, 
and aggravated identity theft." 
The Washington Times <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/19/justice-department-charges-six-
russiart-military-hak (10/19, Mordock, 492K) reports, "Several of the countries targeted had blamed the Russian 
government for the hacks. However, this is the first time officials have targeted Russia for the attacks through 
criminal indictments. 'As this case shows, no country has weaponized its cyber capabilities as maliciously and 
irresponsibly as Russia, wantonly causing unprecedented damage to pursue small tactical advantages to satisfy 
fits of spite,' Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers told reporters at a press 
conference announcing the charges." 
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette <https://www.post-gazette.corn/news/crime-courts/2020/10/19/US-set-to-announce-
case-against-cybercriminals-GU-GRU-cybercrime-cybercriminals-Russia/stories/202010190100> (10/19, Ove, 
616K) reports, "Among the victims in 2017 were Heritage Valley Health System in Western Pennsylvania, which 
spent $2 million to repair damage by the malware, U.S. Attorney Scott Brady said at a Monday news conference 
in Washington, D.C." Brady "and other officials said the Russian officers are part of the same unit that the 
Justice Department said attempted to disrupt the 2016 election and the 2018 Olympics after Russian athletes had 
been banned for doping. The Justice Department said defendants, all former or current members of Unit 74455 
based in Moscow, unleashed the NotPetya malware. The attacks caused nearly $1 billion in losses to three 
victims alone that are mentioned in the indictment. In addition to Heritage Valley, they are TNT Express B.V. (a 
FedEx subsidiary) and an unnamed U.S. pharmaceutical maker that paid $500 million to fix the damage." 
Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/19/russia-hackers-cyberattacks-430166> (10/19, Geller, 
4.29M) reports, "As officers of Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, the six defendants launched a June 
2017 malware campaign known as NotPetya, hacked the Ukrainian power grid in 2015 and 2016, and conducted 
the hack-and-leak operations that targeted the 2017 French elections, according to a newly unsealed indictment. 
NotPetya, which began in Ukraine, quickly escaped, causing devastating losses for companies around the world. 
The shipping giant Maersk saw its entire operation temporarily collapse as the malware locked up its computer 
systems. A White House report estimated the malware's total damages at $10 billion, according to Wired. It was 
the most destructive and widespread malware outbreak in history." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-olympics-2020-cyber-russia/us-britain-call-out-russian-hacking-
spree-cyberattacics-against-olympics-idUSKBN2742DR> (10/19, Stubbs, Bing) quotes Bowdich saying, "The 
FBI has repeatedly warned that Russia is a highly capable cyber adversary, and the information revealed in this 
indictment illustrates how pervasive and destructive Russia's cyber activities truly are." 
The Hill <http://thehill.com/policy/cybersecurity/521723-doj-russian-hackers-targeted-2018-olympics-french-
elections> (10/19, 2.98M) reports, "Among the alleged attacks were hack-and-leak operations against the 
political party of now-French President Emanuel Macron in 2017, along with other French politicians. They are 
also alleged to have targeted the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, as retaliation for Russians 
being banned from participating in the games due to doping allegations. Further, the six Russian nationals were 
indicted in connection to attacks on the Ukrainian power grid and government agencies, which caused 
widespread power outages; for targeting two organizations involved in investigating the United Kingdom-based 
nerve agent attack on former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter; and for most recently targeting 
Georgian government agencies and companies." 
Axios <https://www.axios.corn/russia-hacking-ukraine-france-justice-department-703b3228-dc0d-4d61-904b-
7c8d5bdlOcbe.html> (10/19, Rurnmler, 521K) reports, "FBI Deputy Director David Bowdich thanked Google, 
Cisco, Facebook and Twitter `for all stepping up and helping us with this investigation,' adding: `This is more 
common that we work together with our private sector partners than ever before.' 
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ICDKA-TV <https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.corn/2020/10/19/heritage-valley-malware-attack-charges/> Pittsburgh 
(10/19, 144K) reports, "Along with the damage to the Heritage Valley Health System, they also caused damage 
and disruption in France, Georgia, the Netherlands, Korea, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. `The exceptional 
talent and dedication of our teams in Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Oklahoma City who spent years tracking these 
members of the GRU is unmatched,' said FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Michael A. Christman. 'These 
criminals underestimated the power of shared intelligence, resources, and expertise through law enforcement, 
private sector, and international partnerships.' USA Today 
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/19/6-russian-intel-officers-charged-hacking-winter-
olympics-targeted/3713295001/> (10/19, 10.3IM) and the Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-
s-charges-six-russian-intelligence-officers-with-hacking-11603126931> (10/19, Volz, Subscription Publication, 
7.57M) provide similar coverage. Among news outlets also reporting are ZDNet 
<https://vvww.zdnet.corn/article/uk-says-russia-was-preparing-cyber-attacks-against-the-tokyo-olympics/> 
(10/19, Cimpanu, 299K), Business Insider <https://www.businessinsider.com/us-doj-russia-hackers-gru-
olympics-notpetya-ukraine-sandworm-2020-I 0> (10/19, Holmes, 3.67M), NextGov 
<https://www.nextgov.com/cybersecurity/2020/10/justice-department-charges-russian-intel-officers-major-
cyberattacks-including-netpetya/169367/> (10/19, Baksh), UPI <http://www.breitbart.corn/news/u-s-indicts-
russian-intelligence-officers-in-global-malware-attacks/> (10/19), Fox News 
<https://www.foxnews.corn/politics/doj-charges-russian-military-hackers-worldwide-cyber-attacks-winter-
olympic-games> (10/19, Blitzer, 27.59M), Vice <https://wwvv.vice.com/en/article/88a4da/us-charged-sandworm-
gru-russia-most-destructive-hackers> (10/19, Franceschi, 2.11M), NPR 
<https://www.npr.org/2020/10/19/925423705/doj-unveils-more-sweeping-cyber-charges-against-russian-
intelligence-officers> (10/19, Lucas, Ewing, 3.12M), the Telegraph (UK) 
<https://vvww.telegraph.co.ukJnews/2020/10/19/russian-unit-behind-novichok-attack-targeted-olympics-british/> 
(10/19, Mendick, Cook, Murphy, 956K), MeriTalk <https://vvww.meritalk.com/articles/doj-indicts-russian-cyber-
hackers-for-vast-notpetya-other-attacks/> (10/19, Polit), Courthouse News 
<https://vvwvv.courthousenews.corn/justice-department-hits-six-russians-with-hacking-charges/> (10/19, 
Rodgers, 2K), the Daily Beast <https://www.thedailybeast.corn/department-of-justice-charges-six-russian-
military-officers-in-global-hacking-campaign> (10/19, Melendez, I.39M), CBS News 
<https://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-military-officers-hacking-cyber-attacks-charged/> (10/19, Quinn, 
3.68M), and the Daily Caller <https://dailycaller.com/2020/10/19/department-of-justice-worldwide-hacking-
russia-six-hackers-france-ukraine-olympics/> (10/19, 716K). 
Counter-Terrorism 
Maryland Man Linked To "Boogaloo" Movement Faces Gun Charge. 
The AP <https://www.usnews.corn/news/best-states/maryland/articles/2020-10-19/man-linked-to-extremist-
movement-arraigned-on-gun-charge> (10/19) reports from Greenbelt, Maryland, "A Maryland man described by 
the FBI as a member of the anti-government "boogaloo" movement pleaded not guilty to a gun charge on 
Monday, court records show." Frank William Robertson Perry, 39, "remained jailed after his arraignment on a 
charge that he illegally possessed a rifle. He is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition due to a 2002 
burglary conviction, the FBI said. A grand jury indicted Perry on the charge after his Oct. 7 arrest." The FBI 
"identified Perry as a member of the boogaloo movement in September, an agent wrote in seeking a warrant to 
search the Dundalk home he shares with his girlfriend. Court records don't specify why the FBI's Joint Terrorism 
Task Force opened its investigation of Perry, who posted images associated with the boogaloo on a Facebook 
account that the FBI says belongs to him." 
WJZ-TV <https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2020/10/19/frank-perry-boogaloo-movement-federal-charges-dundalk-
maryland/> Baltimore (10/19, 74K) reports, "Agents found and seized a number of items from the basement 
bedroom, including a black tactical vest containing two ballistic plates located on the interior of the vest, two 
loaded rifle magazines located in pouches affixed to the exterior of the vest, a third loaded rifle magazine located 
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on top of the vest and an Anderson Manufacturing rifle model AM-15 bearing serial number 20034967 which 
was partially concealed. They also found ammunition located inside a black box in the nightstand and other 
firearm-related accessories. The Anderson rifle was bought in parts by Perry and his girlfriend, who lived with 
Perry, a federal agent claimed in the affidavit. Perry allegedly put the rifle together." 
Encrypted Apps May Conceal Full Evidence Of Whitmer Kidnapping Plot. 
The Detroit Free Press <https://www.usatoday.corn/story/news/nation/2020/10/19/encrypted-apps-threema-wire-
whitmer-kidnap-plot/3710295001/> (10/19, Nerbovig, 1.52M) reports, "Encrypted apps may keep the FBI from 
ever knowing if there is more documentation of the plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer." The Free 
Press adds, "On the second day of a preliminary examination in which sufficient evidence was found to bind five 
of the six accused men over for proceedings before a grand July, FBI Special Agent Richard Trask on Friday 
mentioned the FBI was hindered in its investigation into the group because some data was stored on an overseas 
server. The communication the FBI was able to enter in as evidence came from a confidential informant." 
According to the Free Press, "Technology overall played a crucial role in the planning and formulation of the 
alleged plot, including the use of Facebook to connect the men, according to an affidavit filed by Brian Russell, a 
detective sergeant with the Michigan State Police." 
Administration Imposes Sanctions On Businessman Moving Al Qaeda Money Internationally. 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/us/politicskreasury-sanctions-qaeda-gems.html> 
(10/19, Verma, 18.61M) reports, "The Trump administration on Monday imposed sanctions on an Australian-
based businessman and his gemstone company for helping Al Qaeda move money," according to the Treasury 
Department. Officials "said Ahmed Luqman Talib traded in precious stones, allowing him to 'move funds 
internationally' for Al Qaeda." Talib "works around the world, including in Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka, 
Tanzania, Turkey and the Persian Gulf region, the Treasury Department said in a statement." The Middle East 
Institute's Countering Terrorism and Extremism Program director, Charles Lister, said, "It goes to show that Al 
Qaeda still retains these kind of networks," adding they are now "kind of a miniature version of 10 or 15 years 
ago." The Washington Institute's director of counterterrorism and intelligence, Matthew Levitt, commented, 
"Governments and private sector have made it harder to move funds via formal and informal financial systems. 
... It is interesting to see terrorists relying on gemstones, which are easy to move and hold value." 
Trump Says US Will Remove Sudan From Terrorism List If It Compensates Victims. 
President Trump on Monday tweeted <https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1318251010595303424> , 
"GREAT news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to 
U.S. terror victims and families. Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. At 
long last, JUSTICE for the American people and BIG step for Sudan!" The Wall Street Journal 
<https://vvwvv.wsj.corn/articles/trump-to-remove-sudan-from-list-of-countries-that-sponsor-terrorism-
11603133461> (10/19, Restuccia, McBride, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports Sudanese Prime Minister 
Abdalla Hamdok thanked Trump after the tweet. 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/world/africa/sudan-trump-israel-terrorism.html> 
(10/19, Jakes, Walsh, Schmitt, 18.61M) reports the State Department move "clear[s] the way for the East African 
nation's fragile government to seek international assistance and, potentially, normalized relations with Israel — a 
diplomatic goal for President Trump before the election next month." The Washington Post 
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-sudan-israel-terroristn/2020/10/19/917cfffc-122d-
Ileb-82af-864652063d6l_story.html> (10/19, Hudson, Bearak, 14.2M) reports US officials "expect" the "pre-
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election gambit...will lead to the country's recognition of Israel and payment of millions of dollars to the families 
of terrorism victims." 
According to Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-sudan-usa/trump-u-s-to-remove-sudan-from-state-
terrorism-sponsors-list-after-payment-to-victims-idUSKBN2742BE> (10/19, Spetalnick, Eltahir, Abdelaziz), 
"Sudan's designation as a state sponsor of terrorism dates to its toppled ruler Omar al-Bashir and makes it 
difficult for its transitional government to access urgently needed debt relief and foreign financing." Reuters 
adds, "Many in Sudan say the designation, imposed in 1993 because Washington believed Bashir was supporting 
militant groups, has become outdated since he was removed last year and Sudan has long cooperated on 
counterterrorism." Meanwhile, the AP <https://apnews.com/arficle/donald-trump-bahrain-israel-sudan-africa-
be0a83f5fc5f8709817c191c80a7856a> (10/19, Magdy) reports the announcement came after Treasury Secretary 
Mnuchin "traveled to Bahrain to cement the Gulf state's recognition of the Jewish state." 
Axios <https://www.axios.corn/sudan-state-sponsor-terrorism-deal-trump-israel-608bac8c-10fa-48ae-ab3b-
cbcb3a93857f.html> (10/19, Ravid, 521K) reports Sudan "is also expecting the U.S. to announce an aid package 
in coming days. It will include financial aid and wheat, medicine and oil shipments. Also in the mix are 
commitments by the Trump administration to mobilize private sector investments in Sudan and to organize a 
Sudan donors conference, according to Israeli and Sudanese sources." 
French Authorities Crack Down On Islamists In Wake Of Teacher's Decapitation. 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/world/europe/france-raids-teacher-
beheading.html> (10/19, Nossiter, 18.61M) reports that "as a wave of anger continued to sweep over France 
following the decapitation of a high school teacher, the French police conducted dozens of raids on Monday 
targeting individuals associated with radical Islamists, and the government vowed to shut down Muslim aid 
organizations and expel dozens of foreign nationals for showing signs of radicalism." According to the Times, 
"Thousands of people took to the streets in cities around France over the weekend to demonstrate their horror at 
the killing on Friday, and politicians, especially on the right, jostled to sound the alarm against `the enemy 
within,' as Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin put it in a radio interview, referring to the country's radicalized 
Muslims." The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.cotn/articles/france-vows-to-root-out-islamist-extremism-
after-beheading-of-teacher-samuel-paty-11603139336> (10/19, Dalton, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports 
Darmanin said, "We must stop being naïve." Darmanin added, "There is no reconciliation possible with radical 
Islam." 
Counter-Intelligence 
While Ratcliffe Says There Is No Evidence Hunter Biden Emails Are Part Of "Disinformation Campaign," FBI 
Still Investigating. 
Fox News <https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ratcliffe-hunter-biden-laptop-emails-not-russian-disinformation-
campaign> (10/19, Singman, 27.59M) reports DNI Ratcliffe, in an appearance on Fox Business on Monday, 
"said that Hunter Biden's laptop `is not part of some Russian disinformation campaign,' amid claims from House 
Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff suggesting otherwise." Ratcliffe is quoted as saying, "It's funny 
that some of the people who complain the most about intelligence being politicized are the ones politicizing the 
intelligence." Ratcliffe continued, "Unfortunately, it is Adam Schiff who said the intelligence community 
believes the Hunter Biden laptop and emails on it are part of a Russian disinformation campaign." Ratcliffe 
added, "Let me be clear: the intelligence community doesn't believe that because there is no intelligence that 
supports that. And we have shared no intelligence with Adam Schiff, or any member of Congress." 
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Breitbart <https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2020/10/19/dni-ratcliffe-hunter-bidens4aptop-is-not-part-of-some-
russian-disinformation-campaige> (10/19, Poor, 673K) reports Ratcliffe said, "Apparently, Chairman Schiff 
wants anything against his preferred political candidate to be deemed as `not real' and as using the intelligence 
community or attempting to use the intelligence community to say there's nothing to see here." Ratcliffe added, 
"Don't drag the intelligence community into this. Hunter Biden's laptop is not part of some Russian 
disinformation campaign, and I think it's clear that the American people know that." In addition, the New York 
Post <https://nypost.com/2020/10/19/john-ratcliffe-info-on-hunter-bidenlaptop-not-russian-disinformation/> 
(10/19, Moore, 4.57M) reports that Ratcliffe "said the computer is `in the jurisdiction of the FBI.'" Ratcliffe 
added, "The FBI has had possession of this." Ratcliffe said, "Without commenting on any investigation that they 
may or may not have, their investigation is not centered around Russian disinformation and the intelligence 
community is not playing any role with respect to that." 
However, USA Today <https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/19/russian-disinforrnation-not-
behind-biden-emails-dni-ratcliffe-says/3712484001/> (10/19, Johnson, 10.3IM) reports Ratcliffe's comments 
that the emails "are not connected to a Russian disinformation effort" came "even as federal authorities 
continued to review whether the material was part of such a campaign." USA Today adds Ratcliffe "did not 
elaborate on the basis of his conclusion, though he acknowledged knowing `little' about the material published 
by the New York Post." Similarly, NBC News <https://www.nbcnews.corn/politics/national-security/ratcliffe-
says-no-proof-foreign-actors-tied-biden4aptop-officials-n1243874> (10/19, Dilanian, 6.14M) reports that 
Ratcliffe "insisted Monday that there is no evidence the Russians or other foreign actors were behind the emails 
allegedly found on a laptop linked to Hunter Biden, even as officials familiar with the matter tell NBC News the 
FBI continues to probe that question." 
In addition, the Daily Beast <https://wvvw.thedailybeast.com/thi-examining-hunter-bidenslaptop-as-foreign-op-
contradicting-john-ratcliffe-trumps-intel-czar> (10/19, Ackerman, Sommer, 1.39M) says Ratcliffe's assessment 
"gets out in front of the FBI, which took custody of the laptop and an external hard drive as early as in 
December, according to the New York Post." The FBI, according to a "congressional source," is "looking into 
the provenance of the material. And among the questions they're seeking to answer is whether the laptop dump is 
part of what the intelligence community's counterintelligence chief has already described as a Russian 
disinformation effort targeting the 2020 election." 
The Hill <http://thehill.com/policy/national-security/521712-ratcliffe-schiff-battle-over-biden-emails-politicized-
intelligence> (10/19, Beavers, Concha, 2.98M) reports that in response to Ratcliffe, Patrick Boland, "a 
spokesman for Schiff, argued that the DNI is `purposefully misrepresenting' the chairman's words to help 
Trump. Boland said Schiff stands behind his remarks to CNN." Schiff had previously told CNN, "Clearly, the 
origins of this whole smear are from the Kremlin, and the president is only too happy to have Kremlin help and 
try to amplify it." The Washington Examiner <https://www.washingtonexaminer.corn/news/adam-schiff-
spokesman-ratcliffe-purposefully-misrepresenting-comments-about-hunter-biden4aptop-story> (10/19, Soellner, 
448K) reports Boland added, "The new wave of attacks we are seeing on Vice President Biden are consistent 
with the false and unsubstantiated narratives that the President, his personal lawyer, and a sanctioned Russian 
agent have been pushing for well over a year." 
Breitbart <https://www.breitbart.corn/politics/2020/10/19/senior-intel-official-adam-schiff-spreading-false-
information-under-the-guise-of-intelligence/> (10/19, 673K) reports a "senior intelligence official" told them "on 
Monday there is no intelligence to support" Schiff's "assertion that recent reports about Hunter Biden's foreign 
business dealings are part of a Russian disinformation campaign." 
The Dallas Morning News <https://www.dallasnews.corn/news/politics/2020/10/19/spy-chief-weighs-in-on-
hunter-bidenlaptop-dispute-says-ny-post-story-isnt-russian-disinformation/> (10/19, Cooper, 946K) says the 
story "centers around an email of questionable authenticity that the Post says it retrieved from a hard drive from 
a laptop provided by Trump's lawyer [Rudy] Giuliani, who has repeatedly pushed unfounded claims about the 
Bidens." In an exclusive, Mediaite <https://www.mediaite.corn/tv/exclusive-fox-news-passed-on-hunter-biden-
laptop-story-over-credibility-concerns/> (10/19, Hall, 327K) reports Giuliani "first approached" Fox News about 
the laptop, but its news division "chose not to run the story unless or until the sourcing and veracity of the emails 
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could be properly vetted." The Daily Caller <https://dailycaller.corn/2020/10/19/report-fox-news-passed-
publishing-hunter-biden-laptop-story-credibility-concems-mediaite/> (10/19, Talcott, 716K) also reports it "has 
not independently confirmed the contents of the laptop." 
Also reporting on Ratcliffe's comments are Newsweek <https://www.newsweek.com/hunter-biden-emails-have-
nothing-do-russian-disinformation-national-intelligence-director-says-1540255> (10/19, Feamow, I.53M), 
National Review <https://www.nationalreview.corn/news/dni-ratcliffe-hunter-biden-emails-laptop-not-part-of-
some-russian-disinformation-campaign› (10/19, Bernstein, 73IK), Real Clear Politics 
<http://www.realclearpolitics.corn/video/2020/10/19/director_of national_intelligence_ratcliffe_hunter_biden_la 
ptop_emails_not_russian_disinformation.html> (10/19, Haim, 825K), and the Washington Times 
<https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/19/hunter-biden-emails-no-russia-disinformation-campa/> 
(10/19, Scarborough, Boyer, Mordock, 492K), among others. 
Meanwhile, Morgan Bradford said on NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/3b63294d32044bea9d2d7de2620e1b617pubid=fbi> (10/19, story 10, 
2:40, Holt, 5.28M) that "from the wrong election date on Twitter to fake robocalls," experts are "sounding the 
alarm about digital disinformation, aimed squarely at Black and Latino voters." Bradford added, "Since January, 
almost a quarter of the 13 million mentions of vote by mail on social media included misinformation, which is 
why digital disinformation experts...created virtual war rooms across the country, aimed at flagging and fighting 
false messages before they spread." 
Ratcliffe Expects More Indictments From Durham's Probe. Separately, Fox News 
<https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ratcliffe-more-durham-probe-indictments-intelligence> (10/19, Singman, 
27.59M) reports that Ratcliffe said "he believes there 'will be' and 'should be' more indictments coming from 
U.S. Attorney John Durham's investigation into the origins of the Trump-Russia probe, based on the 
'intelligence' he has access to." 
Meadows: Democrats, Not Russians, Spreading "Disinformation." The Washington Times 
<https://www.washingtontimes.comrnews/2020/oct/19/no-russian-conspiracy-biden-laptop-scandal-dni-rat/> 
(10/19, Scarborough, 492K) reports White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows "also made a Monday morning 
appearance, this one on Fox News." The Times adds that Meadows "suggested there is more damaging 
information to come tying the former vice president to wrongdoing," and "said that it is Democrats who are 
spreading laptop disinformation." Meadows said, "I'm not aware of any Russian disinformation campaign that 
would involve these emails or this laptop." Meadows added, "No defensive briefing, to my knowledge, has been 
given. And so, all of this narrative that is out there that would suggest that it's not real, that's the disinformation." 
Meadows continued, "You know, Adam Schiff came on and said oh, this is Russia, Russia, Russia. And again, I 
can tell you, this is Adam Schiff, once again, trying to spin a story that's not accurate. I think in the days to come 
you will see that Joe Biden will have a lot to answer for." 
Cruz Predicts Facebook, Twitter Facing "Potentially Serious Campaign Finance Violations" For Reaction To 
Hunter Biden Email Story. The Daily Caller <https://dailycaller.com/2020/10/19/ted-cruz-twitter-facebook-
campaign-finance-violations/> (10/19, Kerr, 716K) reports Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), a member of the Senate 
Judiciary Committee, "told reporters Monday that Facebook and Twitter could face 'potentially serious 
campaign finance violations' for censoring stories unfavorable of Democrats while letting critical coverage of 
Republicans run rampant on their platforms." The Washington Free Beacon <https://freebeacon.com/2020-
electionkruz-previews-assault-on-big-tech/> (10/19, Piro, 78K) reports Twitter and Facebook "suppressed the 
circulation of the New York Post's reporting about a trove of emails and documents from a laptop allegedly 
belonging to Hunter Biden." According to Cruz, "This poses the single greatest threat to free speech in America 
today. It poses the single greatest threat to democracy in America today." 
Former Senior US Intelligence Officials Claim Emails Have "Classic Earmarks Of A Russian Information 
Operation." Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/19/hunter-biden-story-russian-disinfo-430276> 
(10/19, Bertrand, 4.29M) reports that more than 50 former US senior intelligence officials "signed on to a letter 
outlining their belief that the recent disclosure of emails allegedly belonging to Joe Biden's son 'has all the 
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classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.'" Politico adds that while the signatories "presented no new 
evidence, they said their national security experience had made them `deeply suspicious that the Russian 
government played a significant role in this case' and cited several elements of the story that suggested the 
Kremlin's hand at work." Politico adds former Trump Administration officials "who signed the letter include 
Russ Travers, who served as National Counterterrorism Center acting director; Glenn Gerstell, the former NSA 
general counsel; Rick Ledgett, the former deputy NSA director; Marc Polymeropoulos, a retired CIA senior 
operations officer; and Cynthia Strand, who served as the CIA's deputy assistant director for global issues." In a 
piece for Defense One <https://wvvw.defenseone.com/threats/2020/10/intelligence-experts-suspicious-dni-
ratcliffe-laptop-story/169378/> (10/19, 2K), Patrick Tucker cites a number of former IC officials criticizes 
Ratcliffe's claim. 
Trump Blasts "Corrupt Press" For Failing To Cover Allegations Against The Bidens. The Washington Post 
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-fauci-campaign-biden/2020/10/19/30b2fe58-1226-11eb-82af-
864652063d6 1 _story.html> (10/19, Al, Scherer, Dawsey, 14.2M) reports that on Monday in a call with his 
campaign staff, President Trump maintained that Joe Biden ought to be "in jail," and is "a criminal." According 
to the Post, Trump "also made repeated references to alleged communications between Biden's son Hunter and 
foreign officials that have been reported in the New York Post in recent days." Trump is quoted as saying, "I 
think Joe Biden has a scandal coming up that will make him almost an impotent candidate. This scandal is so 
big. And the only thing he has going is he has a corrupt press who will not write about it." Breitbart 
<https://vvwvv.breitbart.com/politics/2020/10/19/donald-trump-reporters-criminal-for-not-reporting-hunter-biden-
stories/> (10/19, Spiering, 673K) reports the President "spoke as he prepared for a campaign rally in Prescott, 
Arizona." 
Fox News <https://www.foxnews.corn/politics/joe-biden-response-hunter-biden-emails-business-dealings> 
(10/19, Singman, 27.59M) says Joe Biden has "remained mum on questions about his knowledge of his son 
Hunter's overseas business dealings, which were discussed in a series of emails purportedly found on a laptop 
belonging to his son." According to Fox News, "The former vice president is not expected to host or attend any 
public events until Thursday — the date of the final presidential debate, where President Trump is expected to 
bring up allegations stemming from the emails." 
More Commentary. Michelle Goldberg writes for the New York Times 
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/opinionArump-campaign-rudy-giuliani.html> (10/19, 18.61M) that so 
far, "the Hunter Biden laptop affair is a farcical retread of the Russian hack-and-leak operation that helped 
torpedo Hillary Clinton's presidential aspirations in 2016." She adds that if "there's an important story here, it's 
almost certainly about Giuliani's dirty tricks, not any wrongdoing by Joe Biden." 
In an op-ed for The Hill <https://thehill.corn/opinion/white-house/521637-hunter-bidens-laptop-a-russian-trick-a-
hack-job-or-just-what-it-looks> (10/19, 2.98M), former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy argues that the key 
here in this dispute is whether the laptop is what it is purported to be. 
States, Voting Districts Work With Law Enforcement To Secure Elections. 
Several states and localities are reportedly working with the FBI and US Attorneys to prepare for securing 
elections in the event of fraud or attempts to derail the vote. 
The Bangor (ME) Daily News <https://bangordailynews.corn/2020/10/19/politics/fbi-and-federal-prosecutors-
set-up-voter-fraud-hotlines/> (10/19, 198K) reports that in Maine, the "FBI will have agents in Portland on 
Election Day ready to investigate voter fraud." According to U.S. Attorney Halsey Frank, "Assistant U.S. 
Attorney John Osborn and Andrew McCormack will be in Portland and Bangor will handle complaints and 
oversee the federal response to them as part of the longstanding program." 
The Arkansas Democrat Gazette <https://www.arkansasonline.corn/news/2020/oct/19/fbi-on-alert-for-attempts-
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to-derail-vote> (10/19, 307K) reports that in Arkansas, "The Little Rock office of the FBI is preparing for 
election season with unique challenges between mail-in voting, increased foreign government intervention and 
more worry of political violence." The FBI faces "the increased number of countries attempting to influence the 
United States elections," according to FBI spokesman Connor Hagan. The spokesman explained, "We have 
DHS, FBI, both U.S. attorneys' offices in the eastern and western district [of Arkansas]. We've got the secretary 
of state for Arkansas and the Postal Inspection Service." Also reporting is the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-
Gazette <http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2020/oct/19/fbi-on-alert-for-attempts-to-derail-vote/> (10/19, 77K). 
The Roanoke (VA) Star-Sentinel <https://theroanokestar.com/2020/10/19/acting-u-s-attorney-appoints-dedicated-
official-to-answer-western-va-election-complaints/> (10/19, 9K) reports that in Virginia, Acting United States 
Attorney Daniel P. Bubar "has been appointed to serve as the District Election Officer (DEO) for the Western 
District of Virginia." As a result, Bubar "is responsible for overseeing the District's handling of complaints of 
election fraud and voting rights concerns in consultation with Justice Department Headquarters in Washington." 
Additionally, the FBI "the FBI will have special agents available in each field office and resident agency 
throughout the country to receive allegations of election fraud and other election abuses on election day." 
KPBS-TV <https://www.kpbs.org/news/2020/oct/19/us-attorneys-resources-reporting-election-fraudi> San 
Diego (10/19, 2K) reports that in California, "The local U.S. Attorney's Office announced Monday that one of its 
prosecutors will oversee efforts to handle complaints of voting rights abuses and election fraud in the Southern 
District of California." Assistant U. S. Attorney Christopher P. Tenorio, who "has been appointed to serve as the 
District Election Officer for the region," will "oversee local reports of potential election fraud and voting rights 
violations through Election Day, in consultation with Justice Department headquarters in Washington, D.C." In 
addition, "the FBI will have special agents and an Election Crimes Coordinator available in field offices 
throughout the country to hear reports of potential fraud and other crimes related to the election." 
The Missouri Times <https://themissouritimes.com/ashcroft-preparing-missouris-election-defenses/> (10/19) 
reports that in Missouri, "Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is working with national, state and local leaders to 
bolster the state's defenses in the lead up to the Nov. 3 general election." Ashcroft said, "Our office is working 
hand-in-hand with federal, state and local officials to safeguard the integrity of Missouri's elections." His office 
"will join officials" from DOD, ODNI, NSC, FBI, DHS, and CISA, "along with state partners from the 
Department of Public Safety and the Office of Administration's Information Technology Services Division." The 
groups "acts as a firewall, monitoring and assessing potential threats and sharing accurate information with 
federal, state and local leaders." 
State Department Officials Self-Isolating After Meeting With COVID-Positive Lebanese Spymaster. 
Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/19/us-officials-isolate-lebanon-coronavirus-430216> (10/19, 
Toosi, 4.29M) reports, "Several US officials, including a senior figure at the State Department, are now self-
isolating after meeting with a Lebanese spymaster who has tested positive for the coronavirus." CIA Director 
Haspel, Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Hale, and National Security Adviser O'Brien "were among 
the Americans who met with Lebanon's Major Gen. Abbas Ibrahim during his recent visit to Washington, people 
familiar with the situation told POLITICO." Hale, "as well as several other employees from the State 
Department and other executive branch divisions, are now self-isolating for 14 days, a US official said." It is not 
clear whether Haspel is among those people, Politico days, and O'Brien "has already had the virus." 
NNSA: Helicopter Flew Over DC Mapping Natural Nuclear Radiation. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/local/public-safety/low-flying-helicopter-spotted-over-
dc-area-is-mapping-natural-nuclear-radiation/2020/10/19/8901e658-1241-11eb-ba42-ec6a580836ed_story.html> 
(10/19, Hermann, 14.2M) reports, "A helicopter flying low over the Washington area on Monday was measuring 
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naturally occurring background radiation as part of security efforts for the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration," 
according to the NNSA. The DOE agency "said flights in and around the District will continue, possibly until 
Nov. 6. Two flights are scheduled each day, and a total 20 to 25 hours are required to complete the survey." The 
twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter flights "will allow officials to update their maps showing radiation caused by 
natural decay, the agency said." An NNSA statement is quoted saying the flights are "part of standard 
preparations to protect public health and safety," and are "purely scientific in nature, and no surveillance or other 
form of monitoring will occur." 
Congressman: US Must Sanction Russian Sovereign Debt To Protect Elections. 
Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) writes in an opinion piece for The Hill <https://thehill.corn/blogs/congress-
blog/politics/521632-safeguarding-us-elections-by-sanctioning-russian-sovereign-debt> (10/19, 2.98M) that the 
Trump Administration has done "very little" to "hold Russia accountable for...attacks on our democracy." Since 
2016, the intelligence community has warned "that the government of Russia is actively interfering in U.S. 
elections." More recently, ODNI, the director of the FBI, and the Treasury Department "have each publicly 
confirmed that Russia is working to influence the 2020 U.S. election." Sherman argues that of the "limited 
actions the administration has a taken to respond to Russian's malign activity, few of them have imposed any 
meaningful new penalties directly on the Russian government or Russian President Vladimir Putin." The 
California Congressman concludes the US needs to "deliver a clear message to Vladimir Putin that there will be 
meaningful consequences for his government violating our sovereignty through election interference," and that 
cutting off Russian access to "U.S. capital markets is the first and most critical step the United States can take 
towards doing that." 
EU Struggles To Defend Against Russian Disinformation Campaigns. 
Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.coln/news/newsletters/2020-10-19/russian-info-war-is-europe-s-fight-too> 
(10/19, Halpin, 4.73M) reports, "More than five years after it began trying in earnest to combat Russian 
disinformation, the European Union is yet to substantially curtail its reach, Alberto Nardelli writes." The bloc 
"still has few defenses against sophisticated Kremlin campaigns designed to weaken cohesion in the west." After 
"Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was poisoned," the EU found "that some of the most popular 
coverage in Germany came from Kremlin-funded news organizations casting doubt on Berlin's conclusion that 
Moscow was to blame," for instance. However, the "limitations of the Kremlin's strategies also have been 
exposed in its attempts to promote far-right political parties and sow division in the EU." Bloomberg concludes 
that "while the virus of Kremlin information warfare can raise the temperature of already bitter social discourses 
in Europe and the U.S., competent, clear-eyed leadership remains the best antidote." 
Syrian Paper: US Officials Have Made Four Secret Trips To Damascus. 
Following up on reporting from the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post 
<https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/austin-tice-syria-negotiations/2020/10/19/c3d02948-120f-
Ileb-a258-614acf2b906d_story.html> (10/19, Dadouch, 14.2M) reports that in August, U.S. Ambassador Roger 
Carstens, "an envoy for hostage affairs," and Kash Patel, "a top White House counterterrorism adviser," traveled 
to Syria "for secret talks about the fate of missing American journalist Austin Tice, sanctions and the U.S. 
military presence in Syria, in rare high-level negotiations." The Post cites Al Watan, "a newspaper aligned with 
the Syrian government," which reported that Carstens and Patel "met with Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syria's 
intelligence agency, in his office in Damascus." The Post adds that Al Watan "said the trip was not the first visit 
by high-level U.S. diplomats and that three similar visits to Damascus have taken place in past years." In 
addition, "The newspaper stressed that, during the August visit, the Syrian government refused to discuss 
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'kidnapped' Americans and sanctions until effective talks on U.S. withdrawal from Syria were underway." 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/world/middleeast/syria-prisoners-austin-tice.html> 
(10/19, Perez-Pena, 18.61M) reports that in 2017, former CIA Director Pompeo "called Mt Mamlouk to open 
back-channel communications on Mr. Tice. Washington then sent an intermediary to see Mr. Mamlouk, the 
officials said." A year later, the CIA "sent a top agency official with expertise in the Middle East to meet Mt 
Mamlouk in Damascus, where the official raised the case of Mr. Tice." Last year, after President Trump "ordered 
the withdrawal of most of the American troops in Syria," critics "questioned why the administration had not 
demanded anything from Syria in return, like the release of prisoners." 
Criminal Investigations 
Two US Park Police Officers Surrender To Face Manslaughter Charges. 
On ABC World News Tonight 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/4c2da4df66e04364b82b3929d23d20db?pubid=fbi> (10/19, story 5, 
1:25, Muir, 7.01M), Adrienne Bankert reported two US Park Police officers "are turning themselves in, nearly 
three years after officials say they shot an unarmed motorist." Bankert added dash cam video "shows officers 
Lucas Vinyard and Alejandro Amaya chasing 25-year-old Bijan Ghaisar after he left the scene of a crash where 
he was rear-ended. The officers attempt to approach his vehicle twice with guns pointed at the car. Both times 
Ghaisar pulls away. The third time, officers block the 25-year-old, approaching the SUV, again guns drawn. The 
Jeep moves slightly. The officers then open fire into the car. In all, ten shots were fired." Bankert said that while 
the Justice Department in 2019 "found that Vinyard and Amaya had not committed any federal civil rights 
violations," a state investigation "followed, and the officers are now charged with manslaughter and reckless 
discharge of a firearm." 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2020/10/19/park-police-officers-surrender-
fairfax-manslaughter-warrants-bijan-ghaisar-slaying/> (10/19, Jackman, 14.2M) says the officers "were booked 
into the jail, and appeared in green jail jumpsuits by video conference for their arraignment later Monday 
morning before Fairfax Circuit Court Judge Richard C. Gardiner. Gardiner allowed both Amaya and Vinyard to 
be released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond, meaning they did not have to pay any money to be 
released but will owe $10,000 if they fail to appear for court." 
FBI Investigating Murder In Missouri. 
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch <https://www.sthoday.corn/news/local/crime-and-courts/fbi-to-assist-in-search-of-
lake-at-forest-park-in-st-louis/article_f277af95-21fd-52ed-8247-98012elb943d.html> (10/19, Rice, 685K) 
reports that the FBI will "join St. Louis police and other law enforcement agencies this week in searching a lake 
at Forest Park for evidence in an ongoing homicide investigation." 
West Virginia Man Sentenced Over Child Pornography. 
The Huntington (WV) Herald-Dispatch <https://www.herald-dispatch.corn/news/man-gets-prison-time-for-child-
porn-charges-in-huntington/article_b486aff7-5f3c-57c1-8486-57048d2353e8.html> (10/19, 87K) reports 
Jeremiah Alexander Taylor, who "pleaded guilty to distribution of child pornography," was "sentenced in U.S. 
District Court in Huntington to serve a seven-and-a-half year prison sentence." The investigation began after an 
undercover FBI agent "posted several online bulletin messages on social media forums" frequented by 
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individuals who have a sexual interest in children and incest. Taylor messaged agent, who later "determined 
Taylor appeared to be a member and participant of a child pornography group where group members posted 
thousands of images and videos of child porn." 
Texas Man Charged With Bribery. 
KRGV-TV <https://www.krgv.com/news/bribery-case-against-brownsville-isd-school-board-trustee-scheduled-
for-trial-next-week> Harlingen, TX (10/19) reports Brownsville school board trustee Sylvia P. Atkinson will face 
trial on October 26 on charges of bribery. He "was arrested in December 2019 after a FBI sting operation," 
which saw Atkinson accept money in order to place an item on the school board's agenda. 
FBI Investigating Disappearance Of Michigan Minor. 
The Lansing (MI) State Journal <https://www.lansingstatejoumal.com/stoty/news/2020/10/19/amber-alert-
issued-kidnapped-2-year-old-lansing-twp-boy/3708668001/> (10/19, 206K) reports that the FBI supported the 
investigation into the disappearance of two-year-old Phoenix Washington Jr, who was kidnapped by his father. 
Prosecutors are expected to "charge [Phoenix] Washington with home invasion, vehicle theft and parental 
kidnapping." 
Kansas Man Arrested Following Death Threats. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/nation/2020/10/19/wichita-mayor-kidnapping-threat-
masks-coronavirusk (10/19, Bella, 14.2M) reports Meredith Dowty "was arrested Friday night on a charge of 
criminal threat for sending the frightening texts directed at" Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple. 
Smuggling Ring Arrested In New York. 
Newsday (NY) <https://www.newsday.com/news/new-york/russia-smuggling-scheme-nypd-1.50041303> 
(10/19, 932K) reports that federal agents have disrupted a smuggling ring operating out of New York, which 
"used employees of Aeroflot Airlines based in the United States to smuggle into Russia $50 million worth of 
electronic goods." Eight people "were charged with failure to file export information, illegal exportation of 
electronic devices and conspiracy." 
Georgia Pair Sentenced For Drug Distribution. 
All On Georgia Chattooga County <https://allongeorgia.com/georgia-public-safety/fmr-georgia-correctional-
officer-boyfriend-sentenced-to-prison-for-possession-of-drugs-intended-for-prison-distribution/> (10/19) reports 
former Georgia Department of Corrections officer Lekesia Lashea Harden and Tremayne O. Linder "were 
sentenced to federal prison for possession of drugs packaged for smuggling into prison." Harden "was sentenced 
in U.S. District Court to 10 years in prison," and Linder "was also sentenced to 10 years in prison." The FBI 
investigated the case. 
Louisiana Men Indicted On Gun, Drug Trafficking Charges. 
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The Baton Rouge (LA) Advocate <https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/courts/article_602b1b56-
1231-11eb-b7e9-bf27070e919e.html> (10/19, 399K) reports Tyjiri Anderson, Benjamin Fields, Albert Stewart 
III, Trayneil T. Gaines, Charles Anthony Brown, Marvin D. White, and Lorenzo D. Cain "have been indicted and 
arrested on federal gun and drug trafficking charges." They "were charged in separate indictments and arrested 
Oct. 13 as part of a coordinated federal interagency initiative to address narcotics trafficking and violent crime." 
FBI Concludes Gang Probe In Louisiana. 
The New Orleans Times-Picayune <https://www.nola.com/news/courts/article_ce415084-1226-11eb-81e7-
8661b7e049cb.html> (10/19, 480K) reports that the FBI has concluded its gang probe into New Orleans' West 
30s neighborhood, and it "culminated in the arrest of 18 people on 47 charges that include attempted murder, 
rape and other violent crimes." 22nd Judicial District Attorney Warren Montgomery "described the case as the 
largest and most comprehensive racketeering case on the north shore, involving a full-time FBI agent, Covington 
Police and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office." 
Massachusetts Man Arrested Following FBI Task Force Search. 
In online coverage, WLNE-TV <https://www.abc6.corn/fall-river-man-arrested-for-illegal-drug-and-firearm-
possession/> Providence, RI (10/19) reports Massachusetts resident Kevin Nunes "was arrested after an 
investigation and search was conducted by the Fall River Police Department and Southeastern Massachusetts 
FBI Gang Task Force." Nunes "was charged with possession to distribute marijuana, unlawful possession of a 
stun-gun, possession of a non-large capacity firearm in home and possession of ammunition without a Firearms 
Identification Card." 
Operation In Massachusetts Leads To Four Arrests, Seizure Of Drugs, Firearms. 
The Springfield (MA) Republican <https://www.masslive.com/news/2020/10/local-state-and-federal-law-
enforcement-raid-area-locations-for-drugs-and-firearrns.html> (10/16, Canton, 395K) reported that 
Massachusetts residents Ricky Almonte, Richard Almonte, Gilberto Rodriguez and Yadiell Dejesus "were 
arrested after a task force of local, state and federal law enforcement" workers executed search warrants in that 
state on Friday morning. The raid operation, which "the FBI Western Mass. Gang Task Force" participated in, 
led to the seizure of "numerous firearms and over 12,000 bags of heroin." The WWLP-TV 
<https://vvww.ww1p.corn/news/local-news/hampden-county/4-arrested-over-12000-bags-of-heroin-found-after-
investigation-at-springfield-west-springfield-homes/> Springfield, MA (10/16, 81K) Springfield, MA (10/16) 
website published a similar article. 
Tennessee Meth Case Defendant Sentenced To 151 Months In Prison. 
In online coverage, WBBJ-TV <https://www.wbbjtv.corn/2020/10/16/dyersburg-woman-sentenced-to-12-years-
for-meth-trafficking/> Jackson, TN (10/16) reported that Tennessee resident Anne Taylor Davis has been 
sentenced to 151 months in prison "for distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine." 
Davis was arrested after "FBI agents, along with Dyersburg police, began investigating large-scale 
methamphetamine trafficking" in parts of Tennessee and Arkansas. 
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FBI Investigating Oklahoma Shooting. 
KOTV-TV <https://wvvw.newson6.corn/story/5f8da6f33522376e07853d7b/fbi-investigating-deadly-muskogee-
shooting> Tulsa, OK (10/19, Griffin, 108K) reports that the FBI "is now investigating a deadly shooting" in 
Muskogee, where police officers "said they responded to a shots fired call around 2:25 a.m. Monday." The police 
"found Bradley Dillon," who "was taken to the hospital where he later died" from a gunshot wound. 
Virginia Man Sues Airbus Over Claims Of Lying To The FBI. 
Law360 <https://www.law360.com/articles/1320952/ex-contracts-manager-accuses-airbus-of-lying-to-fbi> 
(10/19, Subscription Publication, 8K) reports, behind a paywall, that former Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc 
Contracts Manager Maros Kmec "has sued an Airbus unit, alleging that it falsely reported him to the FBI after he 
expressed concerns about its accounting practices and it discovered that he preserved evidence of it submitting 
false claims to the federal government." He "told a Virginia federal court on Saturday that Airbus U.S. Space & 
Defense Inc., a subsidiary of Airbus Group Inc., wrongly reported him to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 
2018 for allegedly stealing trade secrets and using the proprietary information for his business." 
Financial Crime & Corporate Scandals 
COVID-19 Scammers Driving Unemployment Fraud Across US. 
Bloomberg Law <https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/covid-19-scammers-driving-
unemployment-fraud-across-nation> (10/19, Clukey, Subscription Publication, 4K) reports, "Unemployed 
Americans aren't the only ones waiting for the next pandemic relief check. A slew of fraudsters, including an 
organized Nigerian cybercrime ring, are also looking to get paid," and "they have plenty of tricks to pull it off —
like using the names of dead people and personal information collected in previous data breaches to create false 
beneficiaries to gain access to benefits meant to help workers." Bloomberg Law adds, "At least 11 states are 
seeing an increase in fraudulent unemployment insurance activity fueled by the millions of claims coming in 
each month and additional federal dollars being offered to the unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic. 
Places including Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Washington combined are reporting 
billions of dollars in fraud, according to a Bloomberg Government review of unemployment actions across the 
nation. States and the U.S. Department of Labor and FBI have issued alerts." 
Cyber Division 
Cyberspace Solarium Commission Releases Follow-Up To March Report. 
C4ISR & Networks <https://www.c4ismettotn/cyber/2020/10/19/cyber-solarium-commission-outlines-
recommendations-for-strengthening-the-supply-chain/> (10/19, Pomerleau) reports that the Cyberspace Solarium 
Commission "has released a detailed follow-up with recommendations for how to secure the information and 
communications technologies supply chain." The newly released details come after "a report in March, 
advocating for multiple cyber deterrence efforts." The whitepaper "is one of several add-ons to the original 
report that go into greater depth on a particular topic or recommendation from the March report." Released on 
Monday, it "solely focuses on the recommendation that Congress should direct the U.S. government to develop 
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and implement a strategy for the information and communications technology industrial base to ensure more 
trusted supply chains and the availability of critical information and communications technologies." The report 
says the US is not "competing with China on that front creates that security issue. ... The economic issue here is 
leading to a national security and a cybersecurity issue, and the two issues really can't be disentangled." 
Lawsuit Alleges Indian Hackers Leaked Businessman's Emails. 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-cyber-lawsuit-belltrox/lawsuit-accuses-indian-hackers-of-leaking-
businessmans-emails-idUSKBN2742EJ> (10/19) reports, "Iranian-American businessman Farhad Azima has 
accused a pair of Indian companies of stealing his emails and publishing them to the web, according to a lawsuit 
filed in federal court in North Carolina." According to Reuters, "Azima's suit alleges that Indian security 
company CyberRoot Risk Advisory and New Delhi-based BelITroX InfoTech Services carried out the hack-and-
leak at the behest of American private intelligence company Vital Management Services, which in turn had been 
hired by the international law firm Dechert on behalf of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority (RAKIA), an 
investment fund based in the United Arab Emirates. Reuters reported in June that BelITroX was at the center of a 
years-long hacking campaign that targeted more than 10,000 accounts across the globe, citing three former 
employees, outside researchers and a trail of online evidence." 
Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.corn/news/articles/2020-10-19/u-s-businessman-says-hacker-for-hire-firms-
stole-his-data> (10/19, Turton, 4.73M) reports, "A years-long legal dispute between" Azima "and the Investment 
Authority of Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, has now 
entangled a private investigator in North Carolina and two hacking-for-hire firms in India." Bloomberg adds that 
in the lawsuit, Azima, "an Iranian aviation executive who lives and works in America, accused law firm Dechert 
LLP of hiring a private investigator, Nicholas Del Rosso, who then allegedly hired hackers in India to steal 
documents from Azima. Nicholas Del Rosso and his company Vital Management Services Inc. are named as 
defendants in the suit. Dechert LLP isn't a named party in the suit. Azima is seeking monetary damages and an 
injunction against further hacking." The lawsuit "comes after reporting by Bloomberg and Reuters earlier this 
year that showed an Indian company, Belltrox Infotech Services, had for years worked as a 'hacking-for-hire' 
service, targeting more than 10,000 people and companies." 
Schools Learn To Deal With Increasing Risk Of Hacker Attacks As Online School Year Amid Pandemic Begins. 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/hackers-smell-blood-as-schools-grapple-with-virtual-
instruction-11603099802> (10/19, Uberti, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports that as many K-12 schools 
return to virtual instruction and hand out devices to students and teachers, schools are trying to prevent computer 
networks from crashing under a surge in use. Now, as the school year amid the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, 
hackers are becoming a larger problem. 
Pro-Iran Trolls Spreading Fake Scandals Posted On Legitimate News Sites By Hackers. 
The Daily Beast <https://vvww.thedailybeast.com/hackers-planted-trump-smearsand-pro-iran-trolls-spread-them> 
(10/19, 1.39M) reports, "Over the past year, hackers have broken into a number of news organizations' Twitter 
accounts and at least one website to plant fake stories." One such series of "fake scandals" was when "an Israeli 
news outlet's hacked Twitter account tried to fool readers into believing for a few brief moments earlier this 
month." The account promoted fake scandals such as that "President Trump [was] dying of coronavirus and 
handing over power to Mike Pence." Another was of "Black Lives Matter protesters surrounding the Clintons' 
house in New York and firing gunshots." Though it is "still unclear who was responsible for the account break-
ins amplified by Iranian linked trolls," cybersecurity researchers such as Mandiant Threat Intelligence's Lee 
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Foster are concerned about hackers "compromising legitimate news sites to post fabricated news articles." 
Law Enforcement Services 
US To Execute First Woman In Nearly 70 Years. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/10/19/lisa-montgomery-execution/> 
(10/19, Iati, I4.2M) reports that the Department of Justice on Friday announced Lisa Montgomery, "a woman 
convicted of strangling a pregnant woman and kidnapping her unborn child," is scheduled to be executed via 
lethal injection on December 8, "the first federal execution of a woman in nearly 70 years." The Post adds a 
federal jury "convicted her in 2007 of kidnapping resulting in death and unanimously recommended a death 
sentence." 
DOJ IG Discusses Growing Threat Of Drones For Prison Smuggling Operations. 
Federal News Network <https://federalnewsnetwork.com/agency-oversight/2020/10/ig-federal-prisons-face-
danger-from-drones> (10/19, 220) reports Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz spoke 
Monday about the challenges facing the Bureau of Prisons' efforts to combat contraband smuggling. He 
discusses the threat of drones, saying, "The first reported run incident for the BOP was in 2015. But that wasn't 
the beginning of the concern. It had been something that we'd seen, we'd expressed concerns about — before that 
they have concerns and frankly, state facilities have similar concerns." 
Other FBI News 
Wray Under Fire In Run-Up To Election. 
Politico <https://www.politico.corn/news/2020/10/19/christopher-wray-fbi-trump-430243> (10/19, Cheney, 
4.29M) reports that Director Wray "was confirmed to his post on a promise to steer clear of the go-it-alone 
gambits that earned his predecessor, James Comey, the wrath of Democrats and Republicans alike. Where 
Comey took politically explosive steps without consulting superiors and offered personal opinions about Hillary 
Clinton that proved damaging to her campaign, Wray would hug his bosses close and keep silent about anyone 
not facing criminal charges," and yet "just days from the 2020 election, Wray finds himself in an eerily familiar 
position: under withering pressure from Donald Trump and his allies to publicly disclose information that could 
damage Trump's political rival — this time, Joe Biden." According to Politico, "Trump's inner circle was already 
furious at Wray for echoing the intelligence community's finding that Russia is acting to damage Biden's 
candidacy, as well as his description of antifa as 'an ideology' rather than an organized entity," and "now, they're 
ratcheting up calls for Trump to fire his handpicked director." 
California Ballot Drop-Off Box Damaged By Suspected Arson. 
The Orange County (CA) Register <https://www.ocregister.corn/2020/10/19/baldwin-park-ballot-drop-off-box-
set-on-fire-arson-suspectedt> (10/19, 546K) reports, "A fire that damaged ballots at a drop-off box outside the 
Baldwin Park library Sunday night, Oct. 18, is being investigated as arson, county officials said." The OCR adds, 
"Authorities did not say how many ballots were damaged and investigators haven't arrested a suspect. `This is 
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the only occurrence of damage like this so far. This is the very first,' said Mike Sanchez, spokesman for the Los 
Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office. There are over 400 drop-off boxes in the county, he added." 
According to the OCR, "The Registrar-Recorder's office asked for an investigation through local law 
enforcement and reported the incident to the FBI and the Attorney General for investigation." 
Other Washington News 
Senate To Work Over Weekend To Complete Barrett's Confirmation. 
The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/election-2020-donald-trump-amy-coney-barrett-elections-judiciary-
164d44dIdf25cc6be6bbfe0Iff32e552> (10/19, Mascaro) reports the Senate "is on track to confirm Judge Amy 
Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court by next Monday, charging toward a rare weekend session as Republicans 
push past procedural steps to install [her] before Election Day." Senate Majority Leader McConnell "said he will 
begin the process as soon as the Senate Judiciary Committee wraps up its work Thursday," and he "said Monday 
that Barrett demonstrated over several days of public hearings the `sheer intellectual horsepower that the 
American people deserve to have on the Supreme Court.' According to the AP, "Trump's nominee is on a glide 
path to confirmation that will seal a conservative hold on the court for years to come." Roll Call 
<https://www.rollcall.corn/2020/10/19/amy-coney-barrett-supreme-court-nomination-expected-to-advance-
during-rare-sunday-senate-sessiont> (10/19, Lesniewski, 154K) reports McConnell "already told reporters...that 
Barrett has the votes needed to be confirmed." 
USA Today Analysis: Barrett Ceremony Was Snapshot Of Trump's "Crumbling Support Among Swing Christian 
Voters." In a 2,300-word analysis, USA Today 
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/investigations/2020/10/19/trump-delivered-scotus-but-coronavirus-cost-
him-christian-support/3713456001/> (10/19, Fraser, 10.31M) says that while President Trump's Rose Garden 
ceremony announcing his nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett "was supposed to be a triumphant moment 
for a longstanding alliance between Republican presidents and conservative Christians," the event instead "was a 
snapshot of his crumbling support among swing Christian voters." According to USA Today, "Numerous polls, 
including figures released Monday, show that as people's confidence in Trump's pandemic response declined so 
did the percentage who said they would vote for his re-election." 
Senate Republicans Propose Constitutional Amendment To Stop Court Expansion. The Washington Times 
<https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/19/senate-gop-announces-constitutional-amendment-bloc> 
(10/19, Dinan, 492K) reports Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) is leading "a group of Senate Republicans" who announced 
on Monday they are introducing a constitution amendment "to fix the Supreme Court at a maximum of nine 
members, playing defense as Democrats ramp up talk of expanding the court to try to swamp President Trump's 
picks." The lawmakers "also proposed changing Senate rules to require a supermajority to vote in favor of 
increasing the number of justices." 
Trump Calls Fauci "A Disaster" And Health Experts "Idiots." 
All three broadcast networks opened their Monday evening newscasts with coverage of President Trump's 
reference to NIAID Director Fauci as "a disaster" and Trump's coronavirus advisers as "these idiots" in a 
conference call with campaign staff. Later, the President tweeted 
<https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1318252736538767360> , "Dr. Tony Fauci says we don't allow him 
to do television, and yet I saw him last night on @60Minutes, and he seems to get more airtime than anybody 
since the late, great, Bob Hope. All I ask of Tony is that he make better decisions. He said `no masks & let China 
in'. Also, Bad arm! P.S. Tony should stop wearing the Washington Nationals' Mask for two reasons. Number 
one, it is not up to the high standards that he should be exposing. Number two, it keeps reminding me that Tony 
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threw out perhaps the worst first pitch in the history of Baseball!" The President also retweeted videos of Fauci 
throwing out a first pitch <https://twitter.com/TheRightMelissa/status/1318258644610392066> and Trump 
himself doing so <https://twitter.corn/realDonaldTrump/status/1318270345162354688> . 
On ABC World News Tonight 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/5d205c4a66964bc0a6159f4fe984cf82?pubid=fbi> (10/19, lead story, 
4:00, Muir, 7.31M), Jonathan Karl said, "President Trump unleashed a bizarre new line of attack against Joe 
Biden today, slamming him for saying he would listen to Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading expert on 
coronavirus." Trump: "He wants to listen to Dr. Fauci. He wants to listen to Dr. Fauci." Karl: "Polls have 
consistently shown Dr. Fauci is far more trusted than the President, or anybody else for that matter, when it 
comes to handling COVID-19, which is why Trump put him in a campaign ad, over Fauci's objections. But 
today, the President unloaded in a conference call with his campaign staff." Trump: "People are tired of hearing 
Fauci and all these idiots, these, these people. These people that have gotten it wrong. He's a nice guy. He's been 
here for 500 years. He called every one of them wrong. Yet, we keep him. Every time he goes on television, 
there's always a bomb. But there's a bigger bomb if you fire him. But Fauci's a disaster." 
On the CBS Evening News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/e14e97ed43264d289fdae524176102b8? 
pubid=fbi> (10/19, lead story, 3:40, 4.4M), Norah O'Donnell said Trump is "on the attack, not against his 
opponent but the top infectious disease expert. In a series of insults made to reporters on Twitter and in front of 
voters, the President said that Dr. Anthony Fauci is, quote, 'a disaster,' and called Fauci and other experts `idiots.' 
... [Trump] appears intent on minimizing the coronavirus pandemic, telling campaign staffers that Americans are 
tired of hearing about the virus and just want it to be left alone." CBS' Ben Tracy: "President Trump is behind in 
the polls and two weeks from the election, his campaign is being criticized for not having any sort of consistent 
message. Now the President is launching these new attacks on Dr. Fauci and all but dismissing coronavirus. 
Asked today why he doesn't just fire Fauci, President Trump took another swipe at the 79-year-old who has 
served six presidents." Trump: "I don't want to hurt him. He's been there for about 350 years." 
Lester Holt said on NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/d774d81d10f640098689466d5ca30e9b?pubid=fbi> (10/19, lead 
story, 1:20, 5.9M) that with "15 days to go, you might expect candidates to be hammering their closing 
arguments. President Trump is instead hammering Dr. Fauci in some of his most explicit terms yet, calling the 
nation's top infectious disease doctor 'a disaster."' The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/election-2020-virus-
outbreak-joe-biden-donald-trump-nevada-00a1dc6f5932c9fe778ee5e9cabacc7 I> (10/19, Miller, Colvin) reports, 
"Seeking to shore up the morale of his staff amid growing private concerns that he is running out of time to make 
up lost ground, Trump blasted his government's own scientific experts as too negative, even as his handling of 
the pandemic that has killed nearly 220,000 Americans remains a central issue to voters." Reuters 
<https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-usa-election-trump/trump-calls-fauci-a-disaster-and-seeks-to-reassure-his-
team-he-can-win-idUSICBN2742AD> (10/19, Mason) says Trump and Fauci "have been at odds over how best 
to handle a pandemic that has killed more than 219,000 people" in the US. 
Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.coln/news/articles/2020-10-19/trump-complains-about-fauci-but-says-it-d-
be-bomb-to-fire-him> (10/19, Parker, Fabian, Wingrove, 4.73M) reports, "After disparaging Fauci, Trump 
remarked that he didn't care whether reporters were on the call." But the New York Times 
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/us/politics/trump-fauci-covid.html> (10/19, Stolberg, Haberman, 
Weiland, 18.61 M) says "the broadside...was hardly the closing message Trump advisers were looking for. It 
threatened to focus the electorate squarely on the president's coronavirus response and pitted him against Dr. 
Fauci, who as the nation's top infectious disease expert is a career government scientist the public likes and trusts 
far more than Mr. Trump." 
USA Today <hups://www.usatoday.corn/story/news/politics/2020/10/19/anthony-fauci-trump-getting-covid-19-
absolutely-not-surprise/3709244001/> (10/19, Cummings, 10.31M) reports Trump "defended his comments 
about Fauci while speaking to reporters before a rally in Prescott, Arizona. He called Fauci a 'very nice man' 
who 'loves being on television.' The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/politics/trump-fauci-
campaign-biden/2020/10/19/30b2fe58-1226-11eb-82af-864652063d61_story.html> (10/19, Al, Scherer, Dawsey, 
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