Stories from Washington D.C. · United States

US agencies have identified approximately 30 million dollars in sanctions evasion involving companies and individuals linked to Iran. The agencies stated that these funds were moved through online networks to bypass existing sanctions. The report indicates that funds are being used to support Iranian military operations and activities in the Middle East. The source notes that these financial flows are being used to bypass international sanctions.

A Government Accountability Office report found the Treasury Department failed to follow key IT security protocols last year. The GAO stated the department did not configure security tools to identify or block unencrypted payment information. This failure resulted in a DOGE employee improperly sending data outside the Bureau of Fiscal Service payment systems. The report follows an investigation into how staff gained access to these systems. The Treasury also did not hold the DOGE staffer accountable for following IT security rules prior to the issuance of a laptop. The department has agreed to Government Accountability Office recommendations to improve data protection controls.

The EPA, FBI, CISA, and NSA issued a joint cybersecurity advisory regarding Iranian-affiliated cyber attacks targeting water systems. The advisory notes that the federal cyber strategy lacks specific details for state and local government implementation. The advisory warns of escalating threats to critical infrastructure. Pentagon officials noted that the majority of funds have been allocated toward munitions. The source noted that after May 1, following 60 days from the first attack, Trump will no longer be able to order military operations without Congressional approval. The report notes the Iranian regime has sentenced 21 people to death and arrested at least 4,000 others in the last two months. Pentagon reports indicate that the ongoing war with Iran has incurred costs of $25 billion to date. Democrats in Congress are criticizing the high costs of the conflict with Iran.

Molly Hemingway's new book reports that Justice Alito urged liberal members of the Supreme Court to slow-walk their dissents in the Dobbs abortion case. The book suggests this was done with the hope that the court's composition would change.

Senator Nyamu has introduced legislation aimed at regulating the use of artificial intelligence.

The US Secretary of Defense addressed a US House Committee regarding $150 billion in Pentagon spending. The response follows inquiries into military force committee reports. The source noted the Secretary of Defense provided these answers to the US House of Representatives. The Pentagon confirmed a presidential statement two days after it was made. Media reports indicated that the Defense Department was surprised by the President's remarks at that stage. Other NATO allies are expected to view the situation warily.

The Pentagon's acting comptroller estimates the cost of Operation Epic Fury at approximately $25 billion. Donald Trump has reportedly indicated a preference for a long-term blockade of the Strait of Hormuz over resuming military bombings to exert economic and strategic pressure on Iran. Analysts suggest the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps may face potential collapse or cessation of operations due to increased pressure. There are indications of divisions within the Iranian regime's ranks. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps' role remains unclear in the current decision-making framework, according to the report. President Trump is reportedly waiting to see how developments unfold and whether Iranian leadership will make specific decisions.

The United States is receiving a $3 billion commitment to increase its shipbuilding capacity. Democratic Congressman Joe Courtney stated the commitment is viewed by the American tech industry. The investment occurs amid tensions between the US and Britain regarding support for the Iran War. A member of the US Congressional Committee overseeing AUKUS signaled Australia may need to provide more funding to the defense pact in the future. The source noted the commitment is viewed as a move for the industry. The United States currently builds less than 0.1% of the world's ships, while China accounts for 47% of global shipbuilding. US munitions stockpiles are reported as low, with a lack of capacity to rapidly re-stock. The US military buildup has produced thousands of new ships, submarines, and missiles, but manufacturing capabilities have atrophied.

The US Treasury is launching a cybersecurity information-sharing initiative specifically for the digital asset industry. This program aims to provide cybersecurity intelligence to the crypto sector at no cost to improve industry-wide security standards.

A US investigation is examining the risk of drug cartel infiltration into public procurement processes. The probe focuses on companies that allegedly continued receiving contracts between 2023 and 2025 despite being linked to the Sinaloa cartel.