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This is an FBI investigation document from the Epstein Files collection (FBI VOL00009). Text has been machine-extracted from the original PDF file. Search more documents →

FBI VOL00009

EFTA00136892

47 pages
Pages 21–40 / 47
Page 21 / 47
2:10, Muir, 6.08M), Adrienne Bankert reported, "It's being hailed by the federal government as a major victory 
against a company, whose drug, Oxycontin, is part of the public health crisis of opioid addiction that has led to 
the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans. Purdue Pharma pleading guilty to felony charges of 
defrauding federal health agencies and violating federal kickback laws for inducing doctors to prescribe those 
powerful opioids." The company has agreed "to pay $8.3 billion in penalties," though "multiple states are still 
suing." Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey (D) said, "No one's going to jail, no one's going to 
prison, and worse yet, they've set up a situation where Purdue's going to be able to continue on." The deal "has 
to be approved by a judge, but the Department of Justice says that money will go to redressing past wrongs as 
well as new programs for treatment and care for those struggling through opioid addiction." 
The CBS Evening News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corriAa727cbc02b740b5bbec40dcfbblb5df? 
pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 9, 0:20, O'Donnell, 4.55M) reported, "The company that makes Oxycontin has agreed 
to plead guilty to criminal charges related to how it marketed the drug. Purdue Pharma will pay $8 billion to 
resolve claims. Some of that money will go towards treating opioid addiction. Purdue still faces criminal probes 
in several states." 
Kate Snow of NBC Nightly News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/ 1 bcf8394d87641e4bbfe9b281dc161b5?pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 6, 
1:40, Holt, 5.81 M) reported the settlement is "the most dramatic effort yet by the federal government to hold a 
drug maker accountable for the more than 450,000 American deaths from opioid addiction," but "critics say with 
Purdue in bankruptcy, it is unlikely the company will ever really pay $8 billion." Healey said, "It was clear the 
Department of Justice wanted to make a deal and make an announcement before the election, and they ended up 
making a lousy deal. It doesn't bring justice, it doesn't bring accountability." 
The New York Times <https://vvwvv.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/health/purdue-opioids-criminal-charges.html> 
(10/21, Al, Hoffman, Benner, 18.61M) reports that on Wednesday, the Justice Department announced that 
Purdue Pharma "has agreed to plead guilty to criminal charges and face penalties of roughly $8.3 billion for its 
role in the opioids epidemic." According to the Times, "The settlement could pave the way for a resolution of 
thousands of lawsuits brought against the company for its role in a public health crisis that has killed more than 
450,000 Americans since 1999." The Times says Purdue's "owners, members of the wealthy Sackler family, 
have agreed to pay $225 million in civil penalties," but "prosecutors said the agreement did not preclude the 
filing of criminal charges against Purdue executives or individual Sacklers." 
The AP <https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-business-criminal-investigations-opioids-epidemics-
5f0679ffee1457761696a94b64abc9c2> (10/21, Balsamo, Mulvihill) reports that Purdue Pharma is "the company 
behind the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin that experts say helped touch off an opioid epidemic." As 
does the Times, the AP reports that that "the deal does not release any of the company's executives or 
owners....from criminal liability." The AP says "a criminal investigation is ongoing." Nevertheless, according to 
the AP, "some state attorneys general said the agreement fails to hold the Sacklers accountable." 
Reuters <https://wwvv.reuters.corn/article/us-purdue-pharma-opioids-investigations/in-emails-sacklers-fret-over-
wealth-opioid-business-idUSKRN27630Z> (10/21, Spector) reports, "Soon after a Purdue Pharma LP affiliate 
pleaded guilty to misbranding its addictive opioid painkiller OxyContin in 2007, the company's Sackler family 
owners fretted about possible threats to their wealth" in emails disclosed by US prosecutors on Wednesday. The 
company "transferred more than $10 billion, including roughly $4 billion in cash to Sackler-controlled entities" 
between 2008 and 2009, though "family members on Wednesday said the transfers were proper and that 
documents scheduled to be released in the future would support that claim." Reuters says that nonetheless, "in 
settlement papers, prosecutors called some of the money movements 'fraudulent transfers."' 
USA Today <https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/10/21/oxycontin-maker-plead-guilty-federal-
criminal-charges/6004426002/> (10/21, 10.3IM) reports that "the settlement is the highest-profile display yet of 
the federal government seeking to hold a major drugmaker responsible for an opioid addiction and overdose 
crisis linked to more than 470,000 deaths in the country since 2000." Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen 
"said that if the resolution wins court approval it 'will redress past wrongs, and will also provide extraordinary 
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new resources for treatment and care of those affected by opioids addiction.'" However, the agreement was met 
with "immediate resistance from lawmakers and some state officials who believe it did not go far enough to 
address the swath of human destruction caused by the epidemic." 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/national-security/2020/10/21/purdue-pharma-chargesk 
(10/21, Kornfield, Rowland, Bernstein, Barrett, 14.2M) also reports that "state authorities and families who have 
lost loved ones to their products said the Justice Department's terms go easy on the Sacklers." The Post goes on 
to say, "While numerous other lawsuits and court fights over opioids will continue, the Purdue Pharma 
settlement highlights how, for more than two decades, the widespread problem of overprescribing, diverting, and 
abusing pain pills raged across America while drug manufacturers, distributors, pharmacists, and doctors profited 
from the problem and largely deflected responsibility."' 
CNN <https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/21/business/purdue-pharma-guilty-plea/index.html> (10/21, Isidore, 
83.16M) reports on its website that the dissolved company's assets "will be used to create a new `public benefit 
company' controlled by a trust or similar entity designed for the benefit of the American public. The Justice 
Department said it will function entirely in the public interest rather than to maximize profits. Its future earnings 
will go to paying the fines and penalties, which in turn will be used to combat the opioid crisis." 
Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/2 Udoj-purdue-opioid-settlement-430775> (10/21, Luthi, 
4.29M) reports that "the resolution with the Trump administration also includes a mandate to dissolve Purdue, 
with the Sacklers relinquishing all ownership and control. The company's assets, pending the approval of a 
bankruptcy court, will be redirected to a government-owned `public benefit company' that will still produce 
OxyContin and opioid addiction treatment." Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-purdue-pharma-
opioids-investigations/oxycontin-maker-purdue-to-plead-guilty-over-opioid-practices-deal-sparks-opposition-
idUSKBN276236> (10/21, Spector) reports, "Sackler family members, in a statement, said when they were on 
the board, 'we adopted rigorous policies requiring Purdue to be in full compliance with the law,' adding that they 
relied on management assertions the company acted lawfully." The Wall Street Journal 
<https://www.wsj.corn/articles/purdue-pharma-reaches-8-34-billion-settlement-over-opioid-probes-
11603292613> (10/21, Al, Randazzo, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) also reports. 
Attorney Denies Former Houston Official Was Involved In Kickback Scheme. 
The Houston Chronicle <https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/DeGuerin-
denies-ex-HISD-official-involved-in-15664277.php> (10/21, Carpenter, 730K) reports, "The $90,000 in cash 
seized by federal agents from former Houston ISD chief operating officer Brian Busby's house earlier this year 
came from gambling winnings, rental income and money used to care for his ailing mother, his lawyers said this 
week." The Chronicle adds, "In their first public comments since agents raided Busby's home and district 
headquarters, lawyers for the former administrator denied allegations that the cash was the product of a kickback 
scheme involving an HISD contractor. Federal prosecutors leveled the accusations last month in a civil forfeiture 
proceeding, but they have not filed criminal charges or released extensive details about the case. Lawyer Dick 
DeGuerin, who is representing Busby, said his client has the necessary receipts to prove the cash was obtained 
legally. Federal officials are trying to keep the money agents took from a safe in Busby's home while executing a 
search warrant in late February." 
Former Blue Bell President Charged With Wire Fraud Tied To Listeria Outbreak In 2015. 
The AP <https://apnews.com/article/dbfdc4flbed06abc825e6fdf5475dbfa> (10/21) reports, "The former 
president of Blue Bell Creameries has been charged with wire fraud for allegedly trying to cover up a 2015 
listeria outbreak linked to the company's ice cream that killed three people in Kansas and sickened several 
others, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday." A grand jury "returned a seven-count indictment Tuesday 
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charging Paul Kruse with six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according 
to a Justice Department statement." According to the AP, "prosecutors allege that Kruse schemed to deceive Blue 
Bell customers by directing employees to remove potentially contaminated products from store freezers without 
alerting grocers and consumers as to why." 
CNN <https://us.cnn.corn/2020/10/21/business/blue-bell-ice-cream-listeria-former-ceo-charges/index.html> 
(10/21, Goodwin, 83.16M) reports, "Kruse instructed employees to tell customers who asked about the removed 
items that there was an `unspecified issue with a manufacturing machine,' the indictment alleges." The company 
"did not issue an immediate recall of the products nor did the company inform customers about the listeria 
contamination, according to the indictment." FDA Associate Commissioner for Regulatory Affairs Judy 
McMeekin said, "US consumers rely on food producers and suppliers to ensure the safety of the nation's food 
supply. The charges announced today show that if an individual violates food safety rules or conceals relevant 
information, we will seek to hold them accountable." 
Former Pennsylvania Court Clerk Sentenced For Mail Fraud, Misappropriation Of Funds. 
WBRE-TV <https://www.pahomepage.com/news/former-schuylkill-county-clerk-of-courts-sentenced-for-mail-
fraud-and-misappropriation-of-fundsk Wilkes-Bane, PA (10/21) reports, "The former Schuylkill County Clerk 
of Courts was sentenced for mail fraud and falsification of records." US Attorney David Freed "says that Steven 
Lukach, 70, of Nesquehoning was sentenced on Tuesday. Lukach served as the Clerk of Courts for Schuylkill 
County for 27 years. During the years of 2013-2014, county auditors conducted an in-depth examination and 
found misappropriation of funds by Lukach." The FBI "conducted an investigation during the county audit, and 
Lukach interfered with the audit by stealing mail that was sent to banks, forged records and sent the fake bank 
records to the controller's office, according to Freed's office. According to Freed, Lukach interfered to cover up 
that he was taking funds from multiple accounts for his own personal expenses. He used funds for meals, car 
payments and other personal expenses. The attorney's office says Lukach misappropriated $40,000 worth of 
funds." 
Cyber Division 
Virginia Man Pleads Guilty To Cyberstalking Tulsa, Oklahoma Mayor. 
The AP <https://www.usnews.corn/news/politics/articles/2020-10-21/virginia-man-pleads-guilty-to-
cyberstalking-tulsa-mayor> (10/21) reports from Tulsa, Oklahoma, "A Virginia man who sent dozens of 
harassing emails and phone messages to Tulsa Mayor G.T. Bynum and his family in a failed attempt to stop 
President Donald Trump's campaign rally in June pleaded guilty Wednesday to cyberstalking." The AP adds, 
"Appearing via video from his home state, Adam Maxwell Donn, of Norfolk, admitted during a federal court 
hearing in Tulsa that he sent Bynum and his wife 44 emails and left them 14 phone messages in June, some of 
which referenced the couple's children and their home address, U.S. Attorney Trent Shores said in a news 
release. Donn, 41, faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced in January." 
NSA Issues Advisory Warning Of Chinese State-Sponsored Cyber Attacks. 
MeriTalk <https://www.meritalk.corn/articles/nsa-warns-dib-intel-contractors-of-chinese-state-sponsored-cyber-
attacks-methods/> (10/21) reports that the NSA "has issued a cybersecurity advisory aimed at defense and 
intelligence community contractors warning of Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors exploiting publicly- known 
network vulnerabilities." The advisory "provides Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs) known to be 
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recently leveraged, or scanned-for, by Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors to enable successful hacking 
operations against a multitude of victim networks," the NSA said. The advisory added, "The same process for 
planning the exploitation of a computer network by any sophisticated cyber actor is used by Chinese state-
sponsored hackers." 
Defense Systems <https://defensesystems.com/articles/2020/10/21/nsa-defense-contractor-cyber-waming.aspx> 
(10/21, 93K) reports that the CVEs "cover a variety of systems, including email and application servers as well 
as domain controllers, but the common thread is that they involve tools that manage connections between 
networks and the open internet." Most of them "were identified in the last two years, but a few date back longer 
than that, and patches and other mitigation strategies already exist that address all of them." The NSA is now 
"identifying Chinese state-sponsored groups as actively leveraging these weaknesses to target information 
networks belonging to the defense industrial base," DOD, and "other national security systems." 
Also reporting are ExecutiveGov <https://www.executivegov.corn/2020/10/nsa-releases-advisory-on-china-
linked-cyber-vulnerabilities-anne-neuberger-quoted/> (10/21), Gov Info Security 
<https://www.govinfosecurity.comMsa-chinese-hackers-exploiting-25-vulnerabilities-a-15216> (10/21), and 
Computer Weekly <https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252490883/NSAs-top-CVE-list-a-timely-reminder-
to-patch> (10/21). 
US-China Tensions Expected To Escalate Over Chip Manufacturing. 
Bloomberg <https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-21/the-u-s-china-conflict-over-chips-is-about-
to-get-even-uglier> (10/21, Crawford, Wu, Murphy, 4.73M) reports that "chips for everything from artificial 
intelligence and data centers to autonomous cars and smartphones [have] become an issue of national security." 
Tensions over the chips are "injecting government into business decisions over where to manufacture chips and 
to whom to sell them," and could "kick into overdrive as Communist Party leaders set a five-year plan that 
includes developing China's domestic technology industry, notably its chip capabilities." Semiconductors are 
"arguably one of the world's most important industries, with sales of $412 billion last year; scale that up to the 
electronics industry that depends on chips, and it's worth some $5.2 trillion globally, according to German 
manufacturers." An executive at a Chinese semiconductor maker "said three of its deals had been aborted 
because of concerns raised" by CFIUS. 
US, Foreign Officials Discuss Cybersecurity, Threat Of China At Atlantic Future Forum. 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-usa-china/trumps-security-adviser-says-china-is-the-threat-of-the-
century-idUSICBN2762Z4> (10/21, Hepher) reports that National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien "accused 
China on Wednesday of trying to steal COVID-19 vaccine research from the West, casting it as a malign rival 
that was seeking to monopolise every important industry of the 21st Century." At the Atlantic Future Forum, the 
US official "told top British and U.S. military and intelligence officials that China was a predatory power that 
repressed its people and had sought to coerce both neighbours and Western powers." O'Brien said, "Most 
recently the PRC used cyber-enabled espionage to target companies developing Covid vaccines and treatments in 
Europe, the UK and the United States all the while touting the need for international cooperation." He added that 
since the end of the Cold War, Chinese leaders have "doubled down on their totalitarian approach and 
mercantilist, state-dominated economy." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-britain-security-gchq-society/gchq-spy-chief-we-must-engage-
business-to-harness-cyber-talent-for-future-idUSICBN276247> (10/21, Faulconbridge, Stubbs) reports separately 
that GCHQ Director Jeremy Fleming "said on Wednesday it was seeking to engage more with business to 
harness top cyber talent behind programmes to accelerate world-class technology." He told the Atlantic Future 
Forum, "We have a whole range of accelerator programmes...and we're looking to do much more of that." 
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Fleming added, "We are trying to create ecosystems that bring in academia." GCHQ has a "close relationship" 
with the NSA "as well as with the eavesdropping agencies of Australia, Canada and New Zealand in a 
consortium called `Five Eyes.' Fleming is concerned the "security and defence services were able to organise 
themselves quickly enough to defend against the full range of modem security threats." 
German Cybersecurity Consultant Outed For Moscow Ties Met Top Trump Officials. 
The Daily Beast <https://vvww.thedailybeast.corn/cybersecurity-consultant-was-outed-for-ties-to-moscow-so-
why-is-he-meeting-top-trump-officials-in-dc?ref=home> (10/21, I.39M) reports, "On Nov. 11, 2019, Hans-
Wilhelm Dunn," a German who has been "accused by counterintelligence officials in Germany of being part of a 
Russian influence operation," visited DHS in Washington, DC. While there, he "met with a host of U.S. 
cybersecurity officials" from DHS and "public utility companies as well as corporate executives from Amazon 
and Microsoft — all of whom were seemingly unaware of his controversial status back home." Though the 
meetings "might have otherwise counted as any other ho-hum calendar event," Dunn had six months prior "been 
publicly exposed in the German media as having numerous links to Russian intelligence and influence 
operations, including one financed by the U.S.-sanctioned oligarch Yevgeny Prigozhin." 
Cyberattacks, Payment Industry At Center Of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 
Jeffrey Tassey, Chairman of the board of the Electronic Payments Coalition, writes in Forbes 
<https://vvwvv.forbes.corn/sites/forbesfinancecounci1/2020/10/21/the-payments-industrys-role-in-cybersecurity/> 
(10/21, 9.71M) that "reports of cyberattacks have skyrocketed in both frequency and scope" amid an increase in 
"America's dependence on technology" during the pandemic. Daily breaches "have up to quadrupled since the 
start of the pandemic," according to the FBI. Tassey says organizations should "support National Cybersecurity 
Awareness Month, which takes place each October." The initiative is championed by DHS and the National 
Cyber Security Alliance. National Cybersecurity Awareness Month "is a collaboration between government and 
industry to make sure every American has the resources needed to stay safe and secure online." The theme this 
year is "Do Your Part. Be #CyberSmart." 
TikTok Announces Policy Changes To Restrict QAnon, Hate Speech. 
The New York Times <hftps://www.nytimes.corn/interactive/2020/10/21/technology/tiktok-qanon-hate-
speech.html> (10/21, 18.61M) reports TikTok has "a less-publicized darker side — one where Holocaust deniers 
and QAnon conspiracy theorists run rampant," and this week, it "announced a series of policy changes restricting 
the types of content it would allow. The changes include a crackdown on QAnon supporters and a prohibition of 
'coded' language that could serve to normalize hate speech across TikTok." 
Critics Worry About Palantir's Use Of Personal Information. 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/21/magazine/palantir-alex-karp.html> 
(10/21, Steinberger, 18.61M) reports Palantir Technologies' "two primary software programs, Gotham and 
Foundry, gather and process vast quantities of data in order to identify connections, patterns and trends that 
might elude human analysts." Many of Palantir's customers "consider its technology to be transformative." The 
technology "is rumored to have been used to track down Osama bin Laden" and it "is used for counterterrorism 
by a number of Western governments." Amid the coronavirus pandemic, "a dozen countries were using its 
technology to track and contain the virus." But "Palantir's work on the coronavirus has also highlighted the 
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mistrust that trails the company." The "main source of apprehension is simply the nature of Palantir's work. 
Although Palantir claims it does not store or sell client data and has incorporated into its software what it insists 
are robust privacy controls, those who worry about the sanctity of personal information see Palantir as a 
particularly malignant avatar of the Big Data revolution." 
Law Enforcement Services 
Trump Grants Clemency To Five People. 
The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/election-2020-joe-biden-donald-trump-elections-crime-
c5ecica3460de8a64ea7bc3c6b85fade> (10/21, Madhani, Freking) reports President Trump has granted clemency 
to five people who were "convicted of committing drug and financial crimes." Wednesday's move comes after 
Trump commuted a prison sentence that was being served by Alice Marie Johnson, who "said that she spoke to 
White House officials about all five of the individuals" affected by Trump's decision. The move also "comes less 
than two weeks before Election Day and as Trump has been hammering Democrat Joe Biden over his tough-on-
crime record during his time in the US Senate." 
The Hill <https://thehill.corn/homenews/administration/522159-trump-grants-clemency-to-five-nonviolent-
offenders> (10/21, Chalfant, 2.98M) reports Trump granted clemency to a group of people that "includes four 
individuals convicted on drug charges, including one associate of Alice Marie Johnson." Johnson "has been a 
prominent" Trump supporter since he commuted her drug-related prison sentence. 
WPost: Virginia Making Progress On Criminal Justice Reform, But Has More To Do. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corrilopinions/the-virginia-legislature-just-achieved-good-
criminal-justice-reforms-but-theres-a-long-way-to-go/2020/10/21/a4cb95a0-13a4-11eb-ba42-
ec6a580836ed_story.html> (10/21, 14.2M) says in an editorial that Virginia state lawmakers "should 
congratulate themselves for a number of worthwhile criminal justice and policing reforms" during the special 
legislative session "and prepare themselves for even more difficult, necessary work when the regular session 
begins in January.... Already, lawmakers have a lot on their plates for January: expunging criminal records, 
reforming mandatory minimum sentences and reinstating parole, to name a few urgent issues. The long list left to 
tackle is not a sign that lawmakers did not accomplish important work this session — rather that the status quo is 
the result of decades of injustices that will take sustained effort to unwind." 
Other FBI News 
Wray's Future Reportedly Uncertain As Trump Considers Firing Him. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/trump-wray-biden-
barr/2020/10/21/6ce69f02-13b0-11eb-ad6f-36c93e6e94fb_story.html> (10/21, Barrett, Dawsey, I4.2M) reports, 
"President Trump and his advisers have repeatedly discussed whether to fire" Director Wray "after Election Day 
— a scenario that also could imperil the tenure of Attorney General Barr "as the president grows increasingly 
frustrated that federal law enforcement has not delivered his campaign the kind of last-minute boost that the FBI 
provided in 2016, according to people familiar with the matter." According to the Post, "The conversations 
among the president and senior aides stem in part from their disappointment that Wray in particular but Barr as 
well have not done what Trump had hoped — indicate that Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, his son 
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Hunter Biden, or other Biden associates are under investigation, these people say." 
The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/election-2020-donald-trump-russia-elections-voting-fraud-and-irregularities-
c0c78784bdf639013fcf453817b27816> (10/21, Tucker) reports, "With Washington abuzz about his possible 
dismissal, Wray and the FBI have engaged in a delicate balancing act as they address hot-button issues. He has 
sought to defend the FBI's independence and its integrity even as it puts him at odds with Trump and his allies. 
Yet the bureau has also tried to avoid confrontations where possible, making clear that it is striving to be 
responsive to Republican lawmakers on politically charged investigations." Wray's actions "appear crafted with 
an eye toward helping Wray retain his job and preserving stability at an agency that has been riven by turbulence 
in the last four years and that is also determined to avoid becoming entangled in presidential politics as it did in 
2016." 
Cuomo Could Probe Judge Dispute After Reported FBI Investigation. 
Behind a paywall, Law360 <https://www.law360.com/newyork/articles/1321695/cuomo-could-probe-judge-
brawl-after-neighbors-say-fbi-did> (10/21, Subscription Publication, 8K) reports, "Following an alleged short-
lived FBI probe, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has discretion over whether the state attorney general 
investigates why one of his `political heroes' — a judge he appointed — was not arrested or charged for shoving a 
Buffalo police officer after a fight with neighbors." Law360 adds, "The neighbors, Gina and Joseph Mele, told 
Law360 a federal prosecutor indicated the Erie County district attorney could be investigated at the state or local 
level following a two-month FBI investigation examining whether law enforcement bowed to New York 
Supreme Court Justice Mark Grisanti's influence and improperly failed to charge him." 
Other Washington News 
Senate Judiciary Democrats To Boycott Barrett Vote. 
The AP <https://apnews.com/article/election-2020-donald-trump-senate-elections-boycotts-amy-coney-barrett-
50ef41e49c7cdabae80fc0ed1821dc79> (10/21, Mascaro, Jalonick) reports Senate Judiciary Committee 
Democrats say they will boycott the committee vote on the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett on 
Thursday, "but there is little they can do to prevent Republicans from rushing to confirm [Barrett] before 
Election Day." Senate Minority Leader Schumer said, "There is no precedent in history of the Senate for 
confirming a Supreme Court justice this close to an election. The truth is that the Republican majority is 
perpetrating the most rushed, most partisan, least legitimate process in the long history of Supreme Court 
nominations." 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/politics/courts_law/senate-court-barrett-
democrats/2020/10/21/c20edce4-13e0-11eb-bc10-401325382flbe_story.html> (10/21, Cassata, 14.2M) reports, 
"In announcing that the committee's 10 Democrats will boycott, Schumer highlighted" Senate Majority Leader 
McConnell's actions in 2016 "when he refused to consider Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland, the choice 
of President Barack Obama to fill the vacancy created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in February." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-barrett/democrats-to-boycott-senate-panel-vote-on-trump-
supreme-court-pick-idUSKBN27635O> (10/21) reports Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham "has signaled that 
even with Democrats boycotting he will be able to move the nomination forward, according to a panel 
spokeswoman. The panel's expected approval of Barrett would pave the way for a confirmation vote on the 
Senate floor planned by Republicans for Monday." The Washington Times 
<https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/21/senate-dems-boycott-cmte-vote-amy-coney-barrett/> 
(10/21, Swoyer, 492K), Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/21/senate-democrats-republicans-
covid-stimulus-430838> (10/21, Levine, 4.29M), The Hill <https://thehill.corn/homenews/senate/522153-
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democrats-to-boycott-committee-vote-on-amy-coney-barretts-supreme-court> (10/21, Carney, 2.98M), Roll Call 
<https://www.rollcall.com/2020/10/2 Usupreme-court-vote-tears-at-judiciary-committee-relationships/> (10/21, 
Ruger, 154K), and Townhall <https://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/2020/10/21/clown-show-senate-
democrats-plan-to-boycott-amy-coney-barrett-committee-vote-n2578538> (10/21, Vespa, 177K) also cover the 
planned boycott. 
Asked on WZFG-AM <https://www.am1100theflag.com/news/23215-ben-williamson-tells-us-all-about-trumps-
scotus-nomination-amy-coney-barrett> Dilworth, MN (10/21) about any potential delays to the confirmation, 
White House Senior Communications Advisor Ben Williamson said, "We're prepared for anything. We know 
that the Democrats, they've been willing to stoop to very low levels in the past and that certainly could be the 
case this time, but knock on wood, we're on a pace to confirm her out of committee this week and then next 
week in the full Senate on Monday." Williamson said on Fox Across America <https://radio.foxnews.com/fox-
news-talk/fox-across-america-with-jimmy-failla> (10/21), "Things look good, she's done a phenomenal job. We 
couldn't be more proud of the President's nominee." 
USA Today: "Rushed" Process "A Slap In The Face To The American People." USA Today 
<https://vvww.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2020/10/21/senate-vote-supreme-court-pours-gasoline-
onto-election-editorials-debates/5994285002/> (10/21, 10.31M) says in an editorial that if Barrett is confirmed, 
"for the first time in more than a century, the majority of the court's nine members will have been selected by 
presidents who reached the Oval Office by losing the popular vote. Also novel is that this nomination is being 
rammed through in the midst of a presidential election, against 230 years of precedent. ... This rushed nomination 
and confirmation process is a slap in the face to the American people." 
Barrett Was Trustee At School With Anti-Gay Policies. The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/south-bend-only-on-
ap-amy-coney-barrett-minnesota-virginia-a8bbabea9ee4d2fb13c6079c09f2f075> (10/21, Biesecker) reports that 
Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett "served for nearly three years on the board of private Christian 
schools that effectively barred admission to children of same-sex parents and made it plain that openly gay and 
lesbian teachers weren't welcome in the classroom." According to the AP, "the policies that discriminated against 
LGBTQ people and their children were in place for years at Trinity Schools Inc., both before Barrett joined the 
board in 2015 and during the time she served." The three schools "are affiliated with People of Praise, an insular 
community rooted in its own interpretation of the Bible, of which Barrett and her husband have been longtime 
members." 
The Minneapolis Star Tribune <https://www.startribune.com/people-of-praise-barrett-s-small-faith-community-
has-deep-roots-in-minnesota/572816592/> (10/21, 1.04M) has a feature on People of Praise, writing that 
"national media have seized upon" Barrett's involvement in the group "in her hometown of South Bend, Ind. But 
Minnesota is home to the largest branch of People of Praise in the nation. More than 440 of its 1,700 members 
live in the Twin Cities, a group launched in the 1980s that still benefits from its early popularity." 
Trump: Biden "Wants To Pack The Court." President Trump was asked in a town hall meeting hosted by Sinclair 
Broadcasting Group <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.com/51f84ac2310847ac8a860a1f4ff3de26? 
pubid=fbi> (10/21, 11K) if he expects there to be additional Supreme Court vacancies in the next four years. 
Trump said, "That's one of the reasons it's so important to go out and vote, because [Joe Biden] is going to put in 
radical left judges, which will destroy our country. One of the most important things a president does is Supreme 
Court justices, and you can't let that happen.... And you know he wants to pack the court. ... It would be a 
terrible thing for this country." 
The Washington Free Beacon <https://freebeacon.com/courts/lopsided-majority-opposes-court-packing-new-
surveys-findk (10/21, 78K) reports a Opportunity Solutions Project poll shows that "59 percent of likely voters 
oppose court packing, compared with just 26 percent who favor it. Support is highest among Democrats at 50 
percent. A strong majority of independents, 62 percent, oppose court packing, while just 19 percent support it. 
Those results track with figures from other polls that consistently show lopsided opposition to court packing, 
even as interest in judicial reform swells on the left" 
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Trump Says There Is "Not Much" He Would Change About His COVID Response. 
President Trump was asked in a town hall meeting hosted by Sinclair Broadcasting Group 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/aabd8d6b3f114e0580c84baca69cf470?pubid=fbi> (10/21, 11K) if 
there is anything he would change about his coronavirus response. Trump said, "Not much.... Look, it's all over 
the world, you have a lot of great leaders, there's a lot of smart people. It's all over the world. It came out of 
China. China should have stopped it.... No, not much, I did it very early." 
Pelosi Optimistic About Passage Of Spending Deal After Election. 
The AP <https://apnews.corrilarticle/virus-outbreak-election-2020-donald-trump-pandemics-elections-
97cbac747a0552aba31a0916a92ccl cc> (10/21, Taylor) reports while negotiations over coronavirus stimulus bill 
"are inching forward" it is "clear the window for action before the Nov. 3 election is closing and the issue will be 
tossed to a postelection lame-duck session of Congress." Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and House Speaker Pelosi 
"spoke again Wednesday but her office signaled no real progress, and she acknowledged for the first time 
publicly that the measure won't pass before the election." Politico 
<https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/2 Upelosi-covid-relief-after-election-430831> (10/21, Niedzwiadek, 
4.29M) reports Pelosi told MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/89330fcff05a46e8a0a3c16b876db3lb?pubid=fbi> , "I'm optimistic, 
because even with what Mitch McConnell says — we don't want to do it before the election — but let's keep 
working so that we can do it after the election.... We want it before, but again I want people to know help is on 
the way." 
Chief of Staff Meadows also expressed optimism Wednesday. Roll Call 
<https://www.rollcall.corn/2020/10/21/optimism-returns-to-coronavirus-relief-package-negotiations/> (10/21, 
Lerman, 154K) reports Meadows said in an interview with the Hugh Hewitt Show <https://hughhewitt.corn/wp-
content/uploads/2020/10/10-21hhs-meadows.mp3> that Pelosi has been unwilling to compromise so fan. But 
"we're hopeful that in the next 48 hours or so that there'll be some breakthroughs where she actually starts 
negotiating.... She hasn't really been negotiating." Meadows said on Fox News' Bill Hemmer Reports 
<https://video.foxnews.corn/v/6203651674001/?playlist_id=1652733257164085878> (10/21), "We've been 
obviously engaged with Speaker Pelosi for a long time. ... There continues to be a number of differences, but as I 
mentioned earlier, we've entered a new phase where we're actually looking at some of the technical language." 
Meadows said, "At $1.9 trillion, which is really where we're at right now, when you look at $1.9 trillion, is 
Nancy Pelosi really going to tell the American people that 'I'm not going to send that relief to you just for 
political reasons'? ... At some point, Nancy Pelosi has to take yes for an answer." 
Director of Trade and Manufacturing Policy Navarro said on WKRG-TV 
<hftps://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/f4099e05a57844d6922c37997102b1da?pubid=fbi> Mobile, AL 
(10/21, 28K), "We are now at a point where we might possibly get a deal within the next 24 to 48 hours." NEC 
Director Kudlow said on Newsmax TV 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/9266d0b5bde8415eaee1399ddfe4d1a5?pubid=fbi> (10/21), "There's 
discussions going on, but there are also some considerable policy differences that have not yet been resolved, so 
we'll have to wait and see." 
Transportation Secretary Chao said on Fox News Radio <https://omny.frn/shows/guy-benson-show/guy-benson-
show-10-21-2020> (10/21), "Right now, the other side is basically throwing everything into a package. This 
package, the Republicans say, should really be relevant to helping people, companies, organizations related to 
COVID relief, and that's a big issue here." 
White House Director of Strategic Communications Alyssa Farah said on WBAP-AM 
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<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/c9be942827934d19b0df202545fa2402?pubid=fbi> Dallas (10/21, 
13K) that "there's been some progress today on Capitol Hill. I don't...always assume the best when it comes to 
the Speaker's motives or actions, but we've had some positive talks. It's not impossible that we might be able to 
get a deal before the election, and I can tell you this President is going to be fighting for one." 
Bloomberg <https://wvvw.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-21/pelosi-mnuchin-make-another-run-at-
stimulus-mcconnell-opposes?smd=premium&sre
IOEzKok> (10/21, Wasson, House, 4.73M) says Pelosi and 
Mnuchin "made further progress on a coronavirus stimulus package Wednesday and will speak again Thursday, 
according to a Pelosi aide." After Pelosi and Mnuchin spoke for 45 minutes Wednesday, Pelosi spokesman Drew 
Hammill tweeted <https://twitter.com/Drew_Hammill/status/1319007349579853838> , "Today's conversation 
brings us closer to being able to put pen to paper to write legislation. With the exchange of legislative language, 
we are better prepared to reach compromise on several priorities." 
ABC World News Tonight <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/920b59f8e52d41c0add8a047fce8b983? 
pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 8, 0:20, Muir, 6.08M) reported there are reports Pelosi and Mnuchin "are close, but that 
it's not finalized and may not be done before the election." But the New York Times 
<https://wwvv.nytimes.coin/2020/10/21/us/politics/trump-republicans-stimulus-deal.html> (10/21, Cochrane, 
18.61 M) says President Trump "cast doubt" on the prospects for a deal before Election Day. Reuters 
<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-congress/u-s-coronavirus-aid-talks-hit-setback-as-
trump-blasts-democrats-idUSICBN2761A0> (10/21, Cornwell) says Trump accused Democrats "of being 
unwilling to craft a compromise on coronavirus aid, despite reports of some progress earlier in the day." In a 
tweet <https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1319028569150943232> Wednesday afternoon, Trump said 
he did not believe Democrats "will be willing to do what is right for our great American workers, or our 
wonderful USA itself, on Stimulus." 
The New York Times <hftps://wvvvv.nytimes.corn/2020/10/21/world/as-mcconnell-advises-white-house-against-
a-pre-election-stimulus-deal-pelosi-reports-progress-in-talks.html> (10/21, Cochrane, Fandos, 18.61M) says 
"With coronavirus cases continuing to rise across the country and tens of millions of American families and 
businesses going without critical federal benefits they relied on for much of the year, economists and the chair of 
the Federal Reserve have said now is the time for a substantial infusion of federal money to fuel a still-shaky 
economic recovery." The Times adds that "a majority of voters agree, saying they would support a $2 trillion 
stimulus package. And Mr. Trump, who only two weeks ago scuttled the bipartisan talks, is now also pushing 
urgently for Congress to `go big,' as he grasps for political advantage in the waning days of his re-election race." 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/coronavirus-stimulus-vote-could-come-after-election-
day-negotiators-say-11603307413> (10/21, Peterson, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) says putting off a bill 
until after the election could delay its passage for months because if Joe Biden wins the presidency, Democrats 
could opt to wait until he takes off in order to push for larger bill that address more of their priorities. USA Today 
<https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/10/07/get-second-stimulus-check-heres-where-tnimp-congress-
stand/5910249002/> (10/21, Menton, 10.31M) says putting off the bill "threaten[s] to delay urgently needed 
unemployment aid and a second round of $1,200 direct payments by at least a month. That would affect millions 
of out-of-work Americans who are struggling financially following a wave of job losses in the coronavirus 
recession, especially those in hard-hit industries like travel and hospitality who are relying on another stimulus 
check to make ends meet, experts say." 
Meanwhile, CNN <https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/21/politics/stimulus-package-timing-mitch-
mcconnell/index.html> (10/21, Raju, Barrett, 83.16M) reports on its website, "Senate Republicans reiterated on 
Wednesday their stiff opposition to the White House's last-ditch effort to cut a major stimulus deal...the latest 
indication that passing any new relief package almost certainly will have to wait until after Election Day." 
During a closed-door lunch, Meadows "fended off serious concerns raised by GOP senators over the Trump 
administration's efforts to finalize a roughly $2 trillion package before the elections, even as Pelosi reported 
progress in her negotiations with the Trump administration on Wednesday." 
Politico <https://wvvw.politico.com/news/2020/10/21/senate-democrats-republicans-covid-stimulus-430838> 
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(10/21, Levine, 4.29M) reports Senate Democrats on Wednesday "blocked a narrow $500 billion Republican-led 
coronavirus relief proposal." The GOP measure, "which failed to clear the 60-vote threshold needed to move 
forward, was nearly identical to the Senate GOP bill Democrats rejected in September." Politico says 
Republicans are "accusing Democrats, who are pushing for a multi-trillion dollar plan, of taking an all-or-
nothing approach to coronavirus relief, while Democrats dismissed Wednesday's vote as nothing more than a 
political stunt." Axios <https://vvww.axios.cotn/senate-democrats-mcconnell-covid-relief-842a2826-3f96-40f6-
aff6-d2733c79933c.html> (10/21, Basu, 521K), The Hill <https://thehill.cotn/homenews/senate/522076-gop-
coronavirus-bill-blocked-as-deal-remains-elusive> (10/21, Carney, 2.98M), and the Washington Post 
<https://www.washingtonpost.corn/us-policy/2020/10/21/senate-pelosi-stimulus-trump/> (10/21, Werner, 14.2M) 
provide similar coverage. 
Trump Has Reportedly Said Fauci Is Seeking Job At CNN. 
The Daily Beast <https://www.thedailybeast.com/behind-donald-trumps-anger-with-dr-anthony-fauci-he-
believes-hes-auditioning-for-a-cnn-gig?ref=home> (10/21, 1.39M) reports, "In recent months, [President] Trump 
has routinely gossiped with close associates and advisers" that NIAID Director Fauci is "behaving like a member 
of anti-MAGA `resistance' commentators. In the past few weeks, the president has told multiple people that he 
believes Fauci is angling to earn the media's adulation and that it at times appears to him that the famous 
infectious disease expert is 'audition[ing]' or `trying to get a job at CNN,' according to two sources with 
knowledge of his private comments." 
Trump was asked in a town hall hosted by Sinclair Broadcasting Group 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/750b0a487fe4409b83603c5216940bea?pubid=fbi> (10/21, 11K) 
about his relationship with Fauci. Trump said, "I get along with him fine, but he's made mistakes." Trump added 
that Fauci "said, `No masks, don't wear masks,' and then he said ,wear masks„ and he didn't want me to stop 
people from coming in from China, and then he admitted it was a great move that I made against him. You know 
I overrode him. But with all of that, I get along with him, I like him." 
CDC Updates Guidance On Contact With COVID-Infected Individuals. 
David Muir reported on ABC World News Tonight 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/fb45cc23ac6e44d4998ef66fea629774?pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 4, 
3:05, 6.08M) that the CDC "is out with new guidance on close contact with an infected person." ABC's Whit 
Johnson added, "A new CDC study find[s] that even multiple brief exposures within six feet in a 24-hour period 
may increase the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Until now, health officials had said you can contract the virus 
if you spend at least 15 minutes within close proximity of an infected person. Today, in a rare briefing in Atlanta, 
CDC doctors urg[ed] Americans not to let their guard down." 
On NBC Nightly News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.cotn/30750cc2a02c4ddb97532eeda96c2125? 
pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 3, 1:55, Holt, 5.8IM), Miguel Almaguer said, "The new guidelines come as new 
outbreaks or superspreader events are tied to close gatherings. In Minnesota, at least 20 Salvation Army 
employees contracted the virus during a conference. At church events in North Carolina and in Maine, nearly 
100 tested positive after few took precautions. Some Americans are still spreading the virus because they don't 
know they're infected." The AP <https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-health-infectious-diseases-
Ifb2e2a5b3fc0dd6113756277c2d9364> (10/21, Stobbe) reports, "The definition change was triggered by a study 
of a 20-year-old Vermont correctional officer, who was diagnosed with a coronavirus infection in August. The 
guard, who wore a mask and goggles, had multiple brief encounters with six transferred prisoners before test 
results showed they were positive. At times, the prisoners wore masks, but there were encounters in cell 
doorways or in a recreational room where prisoners did not have them on, the report said." The CBS Evening 
News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corni3ab2c8648deb4835952d4158a0f4c5c7pubid=fbi> (10/21, 
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story 5, 0:20, O'Donnell, 4.55M), the Washington Post 
<https://vvww.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/10/21/coronavirus-close-contact-cdc> (10/21, Sun, 14.2M), and 
the Wall Street Journal <https://vvvvw.wsj.com/articlesffederal-health-authorities-update-covid-19-close-contact-
definition-11603306122> (10/21, Abbott, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) also have reports. 
Human Vaccine Results Expected Soon From Pfizer And Modema. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/10/21/vaccine-progress-coronavirusk 
(10/21, Johnson, 14.2M) reports that "in a matter of weeks, one of the most closely watched human experiments 
in history will start to report early results, with data on prospective coronavirus vaccines possibly coming this 
month or in November from the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and the biotechnology company Modena." 
According to the Post, "Amid the turmoil, chaos and misinformation that have defined the U.S. response to the 
pandemic, progress toward a vaccine, or vaccines, has been steady, reassuring and scientific." The Post adds that 
"political meddling has so far been largely deflected," and "drug companies, working closely with the U.S. 
government and fueled by an infusion of more than $10 billion of taxpayer money, have developed, tested and 
scaled up a half-dozen potential vaccines at unprecedented speed." 
Asked on WDAK-AM <https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-the-valleys-morning-28270541/episode/hhs-
secretary-alex-azar-72823765/> (10/21) about the politicization of coronavirus vaccines, HHS Secretary Azar 
said, "There are many out there who, for whatever reason, are jumping in with the anti-vaccine crowd, and are 
really impairing public health. ... Frankly, it's disgusting to see, because these are decisions that are going to be 
made, there are at least five totally independent checks on the vaccine approval process." WSB-TV 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/17619ed399184eb29e67f59f98861262?pubid=fbi> Atlanta (10/21, 
149K) reported Azar "visited Grady Memorial Hospital and the CDC" on Wednesday and "told [WSB-TV] he 
believes a limited supply of one or more vaccines could be available to part of the population as soon as the end 
of December," which "he says is crucial given the expected surge of cases during the colder months." 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/oxford-developed-covid-vaccine-then-scholars-clashed-
over-money-11603300412> (10/21, Al, Woo, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports on the controversy 
surrounding the University of Oxford's vaccine program, while the AP <https://apnews.corn/article/vaccine-kids-
testing-school-covid-19-37fdcb046044483d256c612d4432d7c9> (10/21, Neergaard) reports that "the global hunt 
for a COVID-19 vaccine for kids is only just beginning — a lagging start that has some U.S. pediatricians worried 
they may not know if any shots work for young children in time for the next school year." 
COVID Cases Spike Across US. 
Norah O'Donnell said on the CBS Evening News 
<hftps://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/b197e989b0bd430ea11178d72e3c7477?pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 6, 
2:40, 4.55M) that "almost every state in the US is seeing a surge in new COVID cases." Reuters 
<https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-health-coronavirus-europe/u-s-on-brink-of-rampant-coronavirus-spread-
europe-hospitals-strained-idUSKBN27629L> (10/21, Caspani, Meijer) reports COVID deaths "hit fresh daily 
records in Hawaii, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin, a state that also reported a record daily 
increase in new cases together with Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky and Ohio." The AP 
<https://apnews.corn/article/us-news-virus-outbreak-idaho-united-states-0e72ef33efd60d57c953fef4aa76d1e4> 
(10/21, Pane, Johnson, Peters) reports hospitals "are starting to buckle from a resurgence of COVID-19 cases, 
with several states setting records for the number of people hospitalized and leaders scrambling to find extra 
beds and staff. New highs in cases have been reported in states big and small...in recent days." 
HHS Secretary Azar said on WDAK-AM <https://www.iheart.corn/podcast/53-the-valleys-morning-
28270541/episode/hhs-secretary-alex-azar-72823765/> (10/21), "We're seeing an increase in cases across a good 
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part of the country right now. What that's driven by is we're getting colder weather in the North and folks are 
getting indoors...and we're really seeing a lot of the spread happening from just those household gatherings.... 
Even if you're having those casual gatherings, please mind your protections, because you are very much at risk 
of getting it or giving it, even if you're related to someone or friends with someone." The New York Times 
<https://www.nytimes.corn/2020/10/21/us/coronavirus-cold-weather-winter-alaska.html> (10/21, 18.61M) 
reports that Alaska's experience with events moving inside due to the cold may provide a suggestion of what lies 
ahead in the winter. 
California "Has Largely Avoided" New Wave Of Cases. The Los Angeles Times 
<https://www.latimes.corn/califomia/stoty/2020-10-21/califomia-avoid-covid-coronavirus-surge-how-long-will-
that-last> (10/21, 4.64M) reports California "has largely avoided a new wave of coronavirus cases that has 
sparked alarm elsewhere in the country, but the state faces new dangers in the coming weeks as key businesses 
reopen and the holidays arrive." Health experts credit Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) for an "overhauled system —
introduced Aug. 28 and much tougher than the state's disastrous first reopening — as a big reason for California 
having so far staved off a new surge in cases." 
NYC Girds For New Wave. The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/nyregion/covids-
second-wave-nyc.html> (10/21, 18.61 M) reports some New York City residents are preparing for a potential 
second wave of coronavirus cases. The Times describes people stockpiling supplies, staying at home more, and 
wearing masks more frequently in response. Recently, Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) and New York City Mayor Bill 
de Blasio (D) ordered "lockdowns in several parts of Brooklyn and Queens where the infection rate has risen 
most sharply." 
La Crosse, Wisconsin, Cases Spread From Students To Elderly. The Washington Post 
<https://vvwvv.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/10/21/1a-crosse-wisconsin-covid-outbreak-nursing-home-
deaths/> (10/21, Al, Eilperin, Dennis, Mooney, I4.2M) looks at the spike in cases in La Crosse, Wisconsin — "a 
wildfire of infection that first appeared predominantly in the student-age population, spread throughout the 
community and ultimately ravaged elderly residents who had previously managed to avoid the worst of the 
pandemic." 
GOP Governors Seek Basic Public Health Precautions. 
Politico <https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/21/trump-science-republican-governors-430535> (10/21, 
Goldberg, Ollstein, 4.29M) reports, "Republican governors are pleading for basic public health precautions" 
against COVID, even as President Trump "downplays the pandemic's severity and tells people to move on with 
their lives." Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) "urged attendees at an upcoming Cincinnati campaign rally headlined 
by Vice President Mike Pence to wear masks," while Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) on Tuesday "announced a new 
statewide ad campaign promoting face coverings." Earlier this week, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) "issued a 
mask mandate and limited indoor gatherings to 10 people and outdoor gatherings to 50 people in nine counties." 
Adams To Be Arraigned Next Month Over Alleged Hawaii Emergency Order Violation. 
The Honolulu Star-Advertiser <https://www.staradvertiser.corn/2020/10/21/breaking-news/u-s-surgeon-jerome-
adams-to-be-arraigned-for-alleged-violation-of-oahu-beach-park-closure-orded> (10/21, Bernardo, 691K) 
reports Surgeon General Adams and an aide "will be arraigned in an Oahu court next month after police cited the 
two men in late August for being in a Kaneohe park during a COVID-19 emergency order-mandated closure of 
the island's beach parks." A videoconference hearing was held Wednesday, and "both men were cited for 
allegedly violating an emergency order." Adams' attorney said he intends to plead not guilty. The AP 
<https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-kirk-caldwell-david-ige-hawaii-honolulu-
757036916291f9d9f78a16781dd8fca9> (10/21, Jones) reports, "Because the charge is a `full misdemeanor,' the 
EFTA00136924
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judge said the not guilty plea could not be entered until Adams decided if he would waive his right to a jury 
trial." Adams' attorney said he would not waive that right. 
Carroll's Lawyer Says DOJ Did "Not Even Try To Argue The Case." 
The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/donald-trump-new-york-lawsuits-manhattan-courts-
dcbf389facc53a3edc261487acf3124b> (10/21, Neumeister) reports that E. Jean Carroll, "who has accused 
President Donald Trump of raping her in the 1990s," said she "was stunned and speechless after the Justice 
Department on Wednesday turned down an opportunity to make oral arguments on whether Trump can substitute 
the United States for himself as the defendant in her defamation lawsuit." DOJ attorney William Lane told US 
District Judge Lewis Kaplan that "the government would rest on its papers, meaning it would rely solely on 
already submitted written arguments." Carroll attorney Roberta Kaplan "said it was a `shocking scenario for the 
government to just, essentially surrender, and not even try to argue the case.' 
USA Today <https://www.usatoday.corn/story/news/politics/2020/10/21/e-jean-carroll-vs-trump-covid-limits-
keep-doj-lawyer-out-court/3719091001/> (10/21, 10.31M) reports Judge Kaplan "abruptly adjourned" the 
Wednesday hearing "after the government lawyer tapped to argue a key issue was denied access to the New York 
courthouse because of coronavirus restrictions imposed by the state." The judge "had offered the government the 
options of substituting another approved lawyer, arguing the case remotely or foregoing arguments in favor of 
the written submissions. Justice chose the latter, and Kaplan ended the hearing, denying a request by Carroll's 
lawyer to submit additional arguments in writing." Reuters <https://www.reuters.corn/article/us-usa-trump-
defamation-lawsuit/pandemic-thwarts-arguments-as-u-s-judge-reviews-trump-rape-accusers-defamation-case-
idUSKBN2762TA> (10/21, Stempel) also reports. 
USA Today <https://www.usatoday.corn/in-depth/news/investigations/2020/10/21/trump-sexual-assault-
allegations-share-similar-patterns-19-women/5279155002/> (10/21, 10.31M) has a detailed look at the "19 
women [who] have accused Trump of sexual misconduct," writing that 13 of them "said he kissed them without 
consent, often out of the blue, sometimes holding them firmly in place," and that there are women beyond the 19 
who "have alleged other inappropriate behavior of a sexual nature from Trump." The Boston Globe 
<https://www.bostonglobe.corn/2020/10/21/nation/president-trump-has-habit-bashing-women-who-challenge-
him-heres-look-back> (10/21, 972K) has a piece on Trump's "habit of bashing women who challenge him." 
Pelosi: Trump's Chinese Bank Account Is A "National Security Issue." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-china/trumps-reported-chinese-bank-account-raises-
security-concerns-pelosi-idUSICBN2762MS> (10/21) reports House Speaker Pelosi made the case on 
Wednesday that the existence of a Chinese bank account belong in to President Trump "raises serious national 
security concems...following a New York Times report revealing the previously undisclosed account." According 
to Reuters, Pelosi "cited the Chinese government's ties to its financial industry and said Trump's banking there 
risked his exposure and opened him up to vulnerabilities. `They can watch the flow of money there and perhaps 
have some, shall we say, sway over the person who's taking money or putting money into that account so it is a 
national security issue,' she told MSNBC in an interview." 
Morgan Touts Administration's Border Policies. 
Acting CBP Commissioner Morgan said on ICABC-AM 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/597dfacfdd374959cab134c699a706117pubid=fbi> Los Angeles 
(10/21, 6K), "The successes that we have achieved, and we have achieved a lot on the immigration front, is 
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directly related to this President and this Administration giving us the tools and the network of initiatives and 
policies we need to address the threat." Morgan said, "MPP...that policy, that initiative alone, where we got 
Mexico to join us as true partners, was one of the cornerstones to change and end catch and release. One of the 
biggest pull factors. They knew that if they made it to our borders, we were releasing them. That has ended 
completely and it's because of this Administration." 
Pham: Operation Rise Focused On "Dangerous Aliens," Local Partnerships. 
Acting ICE Director Pham said on Philadelphia's Morning Answer 
<https://990theanswer.com/podcast/episode/7988/philadelphias-5e4a6917-095a-45b9-954a-2bf271192953> 
(10/21), "What ICE and my organization are doing right now is we're focusing on these dangerous aliens with 
criminal records or criminal charges...and I don't think a lot of localities truly appreciate, or their leadership truly 
appreciate, that that's what my organization is focusing on. So our Operation Rise, Phase One and Two...we're 
there to remind them that, as a federal law enforcement agency, we're here to partner with them. We're here to 
show them exactly who we're looking for, to combat the narrative that we're out there doing what they would 
like to characterize as raids and sweeps, and that's not accurate." 
Deported Parents Of 545 Migrant Children Are Unaccounted For. 
On ABC World News Tonight 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/50c14209d1b84568977d41deb8ec6a3a?pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 7, 
2:05, Muir, 6.08M), Tom Llamas reported, "Tonight, the Trump Administration again under fire over its 
controversial child separation policy. The ACLU making a stunning accusation, saying they've been unable to 
reach the parents of 545 migrant children taken from their families at the border before June of 2018." The 
Department of Homeland Security refuted "the accusations" on Wednesday "in a statement, saying they tried to 
reunify many families, but quote, `the simple fact is this: after contact has been made with the parents to reunite 
their children, many parents have refused.'" The ACLU challenged the DHS explanation: "We have not even 
found these 545 parents, so neither we nor certainly the Administration can know whether they want to be 
reunited." 
Manuel Bojorquez of the CBS Evening News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.cornaf0181b1d83405ebfdlb34082093c9b?pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 7, 
1:35, O'Donnell, 4.55M) reported that "the ACLU says it's also been unable to find 362 of the children, who are 
likely living either with relatives or in foster care. Today, the Trump Administration blamed parents who want 
their children to stay in the US." White House Deputy Press Secretary Brian Morgenstern said, "We've contacted 
these families, and the sad truth is that many of them have declined to accept their children back." 
NBC Nightly News <https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/eb8b31035a4c48b78b3006f86dc60eb6? 
pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 8, 0:20, Holt, 5.81M) reported, "The parents of 545 migrant children separated at the 
border by the Trump Administration cannot be found, according to lawyers appointed by a federal judge. The 
government calls them `unreachables.' A White House spokesmen says many of the deported parents declined to 
accept their children back, but that is disputed by the ACLU." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-children/parents-not-found-for-545-children-
separated-at-u-s-mexico-border-filing-idUSKBN27633Q> (10/21) reports that "'arduous on-the-ground 
searches' for parents deported to their countries of origin — many in Central America — have been complicated by 
the COVID-19 pandemic, the filing said." The "government has identified more than 4,200 children who could 
fall under Judge Dana Sabraw's reunification order," and a committee has "formed to locate family members 
focused on trying to reach families of children for whom the government provided phone numbers for a sponsor 
or parent." However, "most of the children were released from government custody to sponsors in the United 
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States, often family members." 
According to the New York Times <https://www.nytimes.corn/2020/10/21/us/migrant-children-separated.html> 
(10/21, Dickerson, 18.61M), "A new report shows hundreds of cases in which migrant children were taken from 
their families, and their parents, who were deported, cannot be located." The Times says "it is now clear that the 
parents of 545 of the migrant children still have not been found," and "about 60 of the children were under the 
age of 5 when they were separated." The Times goes on to report that "the Trump administration fought for 
months against providing documentation on the additional families, arguing that it was not necessary because the 
children had already been released from federal custody into the care of sponsors, who are typically relatives or 
family friends," and "the parents of the children had already been deported without them." 
The Wall Street Journal <https://www.wsj.corn/articles/parents-separated-from-hundreds-of-children-by-u-s-
border-authorities-still-cant-be-found-11603317924> (10/21, Caldwell, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) reports 
that while the Administration has said parents were offered the option of being deported alongside their children, 
court filings from groups like the ACLU show some parents claiming they were misled or coerced into being 
separated. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/10/21/family-separation-parents-border-
covid/> (10/21, Al, Armus, 14.2M) reports that "months before the Trump administration rolled out its "zero-
tolerance" policy on the U.S.-Mexico border, hundreds of migrant children were already quietly being separated 
from their families. As those children were shuttled around the country in late 2017, their parents were swiftly 
detained or deported, with few records taken by the government about where they went or how to contact them." 
The Post adds, "It was only in 2019, after a federal judge ordered officials to hand their names over to 
immigration lawyers, that the American Civil Liberties Union and other groups tried in earnest to begin reuniting 
them." 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/10/21/us/trump-biden-election> (10/21, Dickerson, 
Thrush, 18.61M) reports that on Wednesday, Joe Biden "called President Trump's border policy an `outrage' and 
a 'moral failing' that he would reverse if elected, responding to court filings that revealed that the parents of 545 
children separated from their families under the Trump crackdown have yet to be located. 'This administration 
ripped babies from their mothers' arms, and then it seems, those parents were in many cases deported without 
their children and have not been found. It's an outrage, a moral failing, and a stain on our national character,' Mr. 
Biden said in a statement." The Times goes on to say that Trump "and his allies have often made the misleading 
claim that the separations began on President Barack Obama's watch and that Mr. Biden, who was then the vice 
president, was complicit." According to the Times, "While the Obama administration did order the detention of 
migrants during a surge at the border in 2014, splitting up families was rare." 
WPost: "Children Were Kidnapped" By US Government. The Washington Post 
<https://vvwvv.washingtonpost.com/opinions/lets-not-mince-words-the-trump-administration-kidnapped-
children/2020/10/21/9edf2e20-1360-11eb-ba42-ec6a580836ed_story.html> (10/21, 14.2M) editorializes that "the 
Trump Administration's immorality, cruelty and bureaucratic malpractice in tearing migrant toddlers, tweens and 
teens away from their parents in 2017 and 2018" has left a "perhaps even more shocking...present-day legacy," 
with over 500 children still separated from their families. The Post says, "For all intents and purposes, these 
children were kidnapped by the U.S. government," a policy "justified in the name of inflicting such emotional 
trauma on migrant families that further illegal crossing of the southern border would be deterred." 
Stanford Study Shows No Crime Increase In Sanctuary Cities. 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/sanctuaty-city-study-immigration-
crime/2020/10/21/5810d13a-12fa-lleb-82af-864652063d61_story.html> (10/21, Miroff, 14.2M) reports that 
according to a new Stanford University report comparing data from over 200 jurisdictions between 2010 and 
2015, "cities that have adopted 'sanctuary' policies did not record an increase in crime as a result of their 
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decision to limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities," rebutting "the Trump Administration's 
rhetoric about the policies' dire effects on public safety." The statistics "show that the policies were effective at 
limiting deportations of nonviolent offenders but did not result in higher crime rates in those cities," with 
"violent criminals...deported at the same pace." Researcher David Hausman said, "The government itself keeps 
the data I rely on, and if the Administration had looked at its own data, it would know these claims are not true." 
Heritage Foundation Report Says Biden Would Resume Obama Immigration Policies. 
Fox News <https://www.foxnews.com/politics/biden-obama-era-immmigration-policies-report> (10/21, Shaw, 
27.59M) reports on its website that according to an unreleased report by the Heritage Foundation, "Joe Biden, if 
elected president, would undo a number of key Trump Administration's policies related to immigration." The 
report predicts Biden "would return to many of the same immigration policies in place during the Obama 
Administration," including "protecting and expanding the DACA program, admitting at least 125,000 refugees 
annually and seeking amnesty" for 11 million migrants. Heritage also forecasts Biden would rescind "Trump's 
travel restrictions on countries deemed to be national security threats," as well as the Migrant Protection 
Protocols. 
Giuliani Appears In "Compromising Position In A Hotel Room" In New "Borat" Movie. 
The AP <https://apnews.com/article/rudy-giuliani-sacha-baron-cohen-borat-
ce44d19cf3888a4747ff79dc94e03c98> (10/21) reports, "Rudy Giuliani is shown in a compromising position in a 
hotel room with a young woman acting as a television journalist in a scene in Sacha Baron Cohen's latest 
mockumentary, a sequel to his hit `Borat' film." The scene "includes a moment when Giuliani is seen lying on a 
bed, tucking in his shirt with his hand down his pants and the young woman nearby." USA Today 
<https://www.usatoday.cotn/story/entertainment/movies/2020/10/21/rudy-giuliani-borat-2-scene-raises-
eyebrows-sacha-baron-cohen/6006753002/> (10/21, Truitt, 10.31M) reports, "Giuliani told Page Six in July that 
he went to The Mark Hotel in New York for what he thought was a real interview about the Trump 
administration's response to the coronavirus crisis." The New York Times 
<https://www.nytimes.cotn/2020/10/21/us/politics/rudy-giuliani-borat.html> (10/21, Thrush, Vigdor, 18.61M) 
reports Giuliani told a New York radio station Wednesday that he "had been tucking in his shirt after removing 
microphone wires." 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.corn/arts-entertainment/2020/10/21/borat-sequel-rudy-
giuliani-sacha-baron-cohenk (10/21, Rao, I4.2M) headlines its report "Rudy Giuliani's Compromising Scene In 
The `Borat' Sequel Is Another Hit For Trump's Personal Attorney." The New York Daily News 
<https://www.nydailynews.cotn/news/politics/ny-nyc-borat-rudy-giuliani-20201021-
qxtn25e2kwfglchl5zxmurr46arm-story.html> (10/21, Sommerfeldt, 2.52M) and Politico 
<hftps://www.politico.cotn/news/2020/10/21/giuliani-denies-inappropriate-behavior-borat-movie-430974> 
(10/21, Choi, 4.29M) also cover the incident. 
Army Leaders Focus On Military Housing Program. 
The Washington Times <https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/21/army-vows-spend-big-right-
troubled-housing-system-/> (10/21, Glenn, 492K) reports, "Army leaders met with bankers and private investors 
last week to discuss plans for pumping more money into the service's troubled privatized housing program, 
which has been accused of failing to provide safe and adequate homes for military members and their families." 
Army Secretary McCarthy said military housing officials "are `on track' to invest up to an additional $2.8 billion 
for Army housing over the next five years." 
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Ex-Spy Recruited By Prince Had Key Role In Project Veritas Hiring. 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/project-veritas-spy.html> (10/21, 
Goldman, Mazzetti, 18.61M) reports, "A British former spy recruited by Erik Prince, the security contractor 
close to the Trump administration, played a central role in a secretive effort to hire dozens of operatives for the 
conservative group Project Veritas, deposition testimony shows." Job applicants traveled to Wyoming for 
interviews with Richard Seddon "as Project Veritas sought to expand its operations" in 2017. The Times says the 
"new details about Project Veritas show the extent of the group's ambitions to build an intelligence-gathering 
apparatus to infiltrate Democratic congressional campaigns, labor organizations, news media and other groups." 
International News 
Bolsonaro Rejects Previously Announced Purchase Of Chinese Vaccine. 
The AP <https://apnews.corn/article/virus-outbreak-brazil-state-governments-health-sao-paulo-
b7b5b620ba54f402dbf803e26fe6b842> (10/21, Savarese) reports that on Wednesday, Brazilian President Jair 
Bolsonaro "rejected...the announced purchase of 46 million doses of a potential vaccine against COVID-19 
being developed by a Chinese company and tested in the state governed by his political rival, prompting concern 
he was allowing politics to steer public health decisions. `The Brazilian people will not be anyone's guinea pig,' 
Bolsonaro said on his social media channels, adding that the shot is yet to complete testing — which is true of all 
potential vaccines." According to the AP, Brazil's health minister Eduardo Pazuello "had announced the purchase 
on Tuesday." 
Brazilian Volunteer In AstraZeneca Vaccine Trial Dies. The CBS Evening News 
<https://playvideo.bulletinintelligence.corn/93052blfaf294 1 1 la0d8d20e31407e5c?pubid=fbi> (10/21, story 4, 
0:25, O'Donnell, 4.55M) reported, "Tonight, health officials in Brazil report that a volunteer in AstraZeneca's 
COVID vaccine trial has died. Now, a photo was released of the male volunteer. It's unclear whether he received 
the vaccine or a placebo shot. AstraZeneca says there are no concerns about continuing the study in Brazil.... Its 
trial here in the US was put on hold last month after a volunteer in Europe developed neurological symptoms." 
Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-brazil-vaccine/astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-
trial-brazil-volunteer-dies-trial-to-continue-idUSICBN2762MO> (10/21, Burger) reports that "a source familiar 
with the matter told Reuters that the trial would have been suspended if the volunteer who died had received the 
COVID-19 vaccine, suggesting the person was part of the control group that was given a meningitis vaccine." 
CNN Brasil "reported that the volunteer was a 28-year-old man who lived in Rio de Janeiro and died from 
COVID-19 complications," though Brazilian health authority Anvisa "provided no further details, citing medical 
confidentiality of those involved in trials." 
The Washington Post <https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/coronavirus-oxford-astrazeneca-
vaccine-trial-death/2020/10/21/3f5bedac-13c0-11eb-ad6f-36c93e6e94113_stoty.html> (10/21, McCoy, 14.2M) 
reports that the National Health Surveillance Agency "said the international safety committee had recommended 
the trial continue." The Post says, "The death of the patient casts more uncertainty over trials that were 
suspended last month after a patient developed an unexplained illness." The Wall Street Journal 
<https://www.wsj.com/articles/volunteer-in-astrazeneca-oxford-coronavirus-vaccine-trial-dies-in-brazil-
11603306508> (10/21, Magalhaes, Pearson, Subscription Publication, 7.57M) also reports. 
Spain Is First European Country To Surpass 1M Cases. 
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Reuters <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-spain/terrible-situation-spain-first-european-
nation-to-top-l-million-covid-19-cases-idUSKBN2762M7> (10/21, Gutierrez, Dominguez) reports, "Spain 
became the first Western European country to exceed 1 million COVID-19 infections on Wednesday, doubling 
its tally in just six weeks despite a series of increasingly stringent measures to control the second wave of the 
virus." Data from the health ministry showed the "the infection rate accelerated to frequently exceed 10,000 
cases a day from late August, hitting a new peak of more than 16,000 last week," with many blaming 
"impatience to be rid of state-imposed restrictions meant to contain coronavirus contagion, or weariness with 
social distancing guidelines" and "deeply entrenched political polarization" for the increase. 
Czech Republic To Tighten COVID Restrictions Amid Spike. 
The New York Times <https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/world/the-czech-republic-will-close-shops-and-
further-tighten-rules-to-stem-its-outbreak.html> (10/21, Specia, 18.61M) reports that "the Czech Republic on 
Wednesday, responding to an influx in cases that in mid-October made it the country with the highest 
coronavirus transmission rates in Europe, announced plans to close most shops and further tighten restrictions on 
movement." The country last week "closed schools, bars, restaurants, and clubs," implementing a curfew for 
"places serving takeout food." Through November 3, "nonessential shops will also be closed and people will be 
urged to keep contact to a minimum." Prime Minister Andrej Babis "apologized to the nation, saying the steps 
were necessary to prevent the health system from being overwhelmed." 
Turkey Reportedly Considering Resuming Coronavirus Restrictions. 
Reuters <https://wwvv.reuters.corniarticle/us-health-coronavirus-turkey/turkey-mulling-a-return-to-coronavirus-
curbs-as-infections-soar-idUSKBN27611N> (10/21, Coskun, Devranoglu) reports that an anonymous senior 
official revealed that Turkey may reimpose certain measures to curb a resurgence of COVID-19 infections, 
including stay-at-home orders for youth and older citizens or weekend lockdowns. Vice President Fuat Oktay 
"said later on Wednesday that there were regional rises and falls in COVID-19 cases depending on how much 
citizens were adhering to personal hygiene and social distancing measures, but no restrictive measures were on 
tap." The official "said draconian measures like `a full lockdown' were not on the agenda," with any new 
restrictions having "a `narrower scope' to "protect the economy." 
Colombia Faces Protests Over Pandemic Response. 
The AP <https://apnews.corniarticle/international-news-virus-outbreak-colombia-
38ddca8ela5abec18489c08bdad6b47f> (10/21) reports, "Protesters filled a historic square in Colombia's capital 
Wednesday to demonstrate against the government's handling of a wide range of issues including the economic 
fallout of the pandemic and implementation of the peace accord." The coronavirus "had largely put a halt to 
demonstrations this year, but organizers were hoping to renew momentum after the government lifted six months 
of strict quarantine measures aimed at containing the virus." Colombia "is on track to reach 1 million confirmed 
virus cases this week," and "though President Ivan Duque's approval rating has improved during the pandemic, 
the country remains divided on a host of issues." 
State Department Approves Sale Of Weapons Systems To Taiwan. 
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Reuters <https://wwvv.reuters.com/article/us-usa-taiwan-arms/u-s-state-department-approves-1-8-billion-in-
potential-arrns-sales-to-taiwan-pentagon-idUSKBN27638I> (10/21, Brunnstrom) reports the Pentagon said 
Wednesday that the State Department "has approved the potential sale of three weapons systems to Taiwan 
including sensors, missiles and artillery that could have a total value of $1.8 billion." The AP 
<https://apnews.com/article/beijing-south-china-sea-tibet-hong-kong-china-
dfcdbe74f62cabf060f53aa9ddab4ab4> (10/21) reports the State Department announced "it had greenlighted the 
sale of 135 precision land attack missiles, associated equipment and training to Taiwan to improve its defense 
capabilities." The Department said in a statement, "This proposed sale serves U.S. national, economic and 
security interests by supporting the recipient's continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a 
credible defensive capability.... The proposed sale will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in 
maintaining political stability as well as military balance and economic progress in the region. The recipient will 
be able to employ a highly reliable and effective system to increase their warfighting effectiveness as needed, 
which can counter or deter aggressions by demonstrated precision against surface targets." Bloomberg 
<https://www.bloomberg.corn/news/articles/2020-10-21/state-department-approves-1-7-billion-in-new-weapons-
for-taiwan?smd=premium> (10/21, Capaccio, 4.73M) provides similar coverage. 
Pompeo Unveils Further Steps To Isolate China And Prevent Spread Of Propaganda. Reuters 
<https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-china-pompeo/pompeo-says-u-s-designates-six-more-chinese-media-
firms-as-foreign-missions-idUSICBN2762D0> (10/21, Pamuk, Brunnstrom) reports that on Wednesday, 
Secretary of State Pompeo announced that the State Department is "designating the U.S. operations of six more 
China-based media companies as foreign missions, a move he said was aimed at pushing back against 
communist propaganda." In addition, Pompeo "also told a State Department news conference the United States 
would launch a dialogue on China with the European Union on Friday and that on Sunday he would begin a trip 
to India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Indonesia." Pompeo "said he expected the meetings would include 
discussions about how 'free nations can work together to thwart threats posed by the Chinese Communist 
Party."' 
State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said on Fox Across America <https://radio.foxnews.com/fox-
news-talk/fox-across-america-with-jimmy-failla> (10/21), "One of the ways in which...we've made some 
actions over the past year is, why do we have these Chinese propaganda organizations that are directed, 
employed by the Chinese Communist Party in the United States, masquerading as media outlets?" She said, 
"We're designating them the same as we would the Chinese Embassy, for example. We're saying you're a 
foreign mission, you're a part of the Chinese government," adding "It's vitally important, I think, that we reset 
the relationship with China." 
Navarro: CCP Must Be Held Accountable For "Death And Destruction" Imposed On American People. Asked on 
KTLK-AM <https://www.iheart.com/podcast/139-justice-drew-28004901/episode/hour-3-garbage-trucks-peter-
72827796/> Minneapolis (10/21, 7K) about second term strategies regarding China, Director of Trade and 
Manufacturing Policy Navarro said, "Clearly, what we need to do is address those seven deadly structural sins 
the way President Donald J. Trump has been doing, which is to stand up to China — he's the only President who's 
ever done that — using tools like tariffs and sanctions.... We are at a situation now where the Chinese Communist 
Party has inflicted trillions of dollars of costs on our economy, sent tens of millions of Americans to the 
unemployment line, and killed, killed over 200,000 Americans. So in a second term, the second thing that has to 
be dealt with is holding this Chinese Communist Party accountable for the death and destruction and cost they've 
imposed on the American people." 
Grenell Engaged In Talks Aimed At Persuading Maduro To Step Down. 
The New York Times <https://vvww.nytimes.com/2020/10/21/us/politics/grenell-maduro-venezuela-trump.html> 
(10/21, Vogel, Jakes, 18.61M) reports Richard Grenell "quietly embarked on a pre-election mission last month 
that was at least partly intended to persuade President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela to give up power." Grenell, 
who is "a close Trump ally" and "a vocal and combative supporter of President Trump's re-election campaign, 
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