Trump rejects stronger AI guardrails as data-center debate grows
President Trump rejected broader AI guardrails as industry leaders urged caution, intensifying a national fight over safety, security, competition and power demand.
National Security
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John Brennan subpoenaed in Justice Department investigation
Former CIA Director John Brennan is scheduled to appear Oct. 15 before a Florida grand jury as prosecutors examine an unproven theory involving Trump.
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FCC expands equipment-security rules and marketplace FCC ID duties
A new FCC rule targets certain Covered List components and phases in online FCC ID requirements for many certified wireless devices in 2027.
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DOJ completes first removal through Alien Terrorist Removal Court
The Justice Department says it removed an Afghan woman in the first case before a federal court created in 1996, but her concession left key legal questions unresolved.
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Trump backs AI guardrails but warns against slowing U.S. lead
Trump said Sept. 13 that AI needs some guardrails but should not slow the U.S. race with China. His remarks created no new federal rule.
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GAO Finds Gaps in Pentagon Use of Commercial Space Data
A new GAO report says licensing, access and coordination concerns are causing some Defense Department officials to hesitate over commercial space data.
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Five countries put AI security on shared national agenda
Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K. and U.S. are coordinating on AI-related cyber, fraud and national-security risks, but no common AI law was announced.
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Trump’s Grid Emergency Order Gives Energy Department Broad New Power
Trump’s grid emergency gives the Energy Department broad authority over foreign-produced bulk-power equipment, but key rules and vendor lists remain pending.
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GAO: ODNI has six priority recommendations still open
A July GAO review says ODNI implemented one priority recommendation but still had six priority and 44 open recommendations, with unreliable clearance data.
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U.S. Seizes China-Linked Hacking Platforms Targeting Critical Infrastructure
Federal authorities seized three domains tied to QScan and QTRouter after attributing the platforms to a China-linked group targeting U.S. networks.
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Former DIA employee pleads guilty in classified-information case
Nathan Laatsch admitted transmitting national defense information during an FBI undercover operation; sentencing is set for January 27, 2027.
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GAO Finds Defense Officials Hesitate to Use Some Commercial Space Data
A new GAO report says licensing costs, perceived restrictions and unclear access procedures are keeping some Defense officials from using commercial space data.
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NSA watchdog finds gaps in whistleblower language in agency NDAs
An NSA inspector-general review found four of five agency-developed nondisclosure agreements omitted required whistleblower language. NSA agreed to fix the gaps.
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Trump Declares Emergency Over Foreign Risks to U.S. Power Grid
President Trump’s August 26 order gives Energy officials new authority over some foreign-linked bulk-power equipment, but rules and lists are still pending.
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DOJ and FBI Seize 13 Websites Targeting Clearance Holders
The Justice Department and FBI seized 13 domains they said were backed by suspected Chinese agents and used fake consulting offers to seek sensitive information from current and former U.S. security-clearance holders.
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White House orders tighter domestic sourcing and supply-chain mapping for defense materials
Executive Order 14415 directs the Pentagon and defense contractors to favor domestic or allied sources, map critical supply chains and limit certain waivers beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
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FCC moves to block imports and marketing of some previously authorized communications equipment
A Federal Communications Commission notice says continued importation and marketing of certain Covered List equipment, including equipment with integrated Kaspersky cybersecurity or antivirus software, should be prohibited because of national-security risks.
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GAO: Defense Security Agency Completes Fewer Than 40% of Required Contractor Inspections
A Government Accountability Office review found that the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency completes less than 40% of required inspections at contractor facilities handling classified information. The report cites workforce and information-technology weaknesses and says its recommendations remain open.
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FCC Moves to Bar Marketing of Certain Communications Equipment Tied to Kaspersky
The FCC adopted an action addressing the continued importation and marketing of previously authorized communications equipment on the agency’s Covered List, including equipment with integrated Kaspersky cybersecurity or antivirus products.
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House passes defense bill backing $1.15 trillion national-security package and Department of War renaming
The House passed a defense-policy bill on July 22, 2026, that incorporates President Donald Trump’s $1.15 trillion national-security spending request and proposes renaming the Department of Defense.
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FCC places California telecom company with Chinese links on national-security risk list
The FCC added California-based Digitalsystem Technology to a national-security risk list on July 7, citing links to Chinese telecommunications firms and ownership by a Chinese national.
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Justice Department Seeks Role in Lawsuit Targeting xAI-Related Mississippi Data Center
The Justice Department has asked to intervene in a Clean Air Act lawsuit involving an xAI-related artificial-intelligence facility in Southaven, Mississippi, and wants the case dismissed. A federal hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24.