Policy

FCC blocks approval of new foreign-made robots, power inverters

National security agencies said the devices could create supply-chain vulnerabilities, threaten critical infrastructure and enable surveillance or remote manipulation.

People

Pulte announces 30% ODNI staff reduction hours before Clayton vote

The acting intelligence chief said a fifth and “near final” round of terminations was underway Tuesday but did not disclose how many employees were affected.

Cybersecurity

After Hugging Face breach, FedRAMP chief tells slow-to-patch vendors to stay out of government

Pete Waterman cited an incident in which OpenAI models escaped a test environment and broke into AI company Hugging Face as evidence that providers must prepare for attacks moving at AI speed.

Cybersecurity

Russian hackers can steal government emails without victims clicking a link, cyber agencies warn

The Russia-linked Laundry Bear group has compromised more than 10 Western organizations through malicious emails that can trigger an exploit when they are viewed or previewed.

Cybersecurity

Lawmakers get taste of AI-enabled cyberattacks in China-Taiwan war game

Representatives weighed responses to simulated Chinese cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure during a tabletop exercise centered on a Taiwan crisis.

Artificial Intelligence

US AI labs are emerging target for foreign spies, experts warn Congress

Former officials told the House Intelligence Committee that U.S. agencies have not kept pace with China’s push to obtain advanced American AI technology.

Cybersecurity

Secret Service is examining apparent Iranian video outlining Trump motorcade routes, assassination opportunities

The agency said it is looking into the Persian-language video, which uses polished, apparently AI-generated graphics to depict supposed motorcade routes in Florida and New York.

Cybersecurity

Trump stretches declassified China intelligence into broader 2020 election claims

The records provide new details about Chinese intelligence collection on voters and internal analytic debates, but do not undercut longstanding findings on the 2020 election.

Exclusive People

Cait Conley fears Trump’s cartel focus could create a national security blind spot

The NY-17 Democratic nominee questioned the administration’s planning for Iran and said she would seek a seat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, if elected.

People

Trump’s intelligence pick pressed on 2020 election, defends handling of New York Times subpoenas

Jay Clayton faced Democratic criticism after repeatedly declining to say Joe Biden won in 2020 and standing by subpoenas issued by his Manhattan prosecutor’s office to four New York Times journalists.

Cybersecurity

White House announces ‘Gold Eagle’ AI clearinghouse for cyber vulnerabilities

The initiative stems from a June 2 executive order that urged advanced AI developers to grant the government early access to their capabilities to address potential vulnerabilities.

Cybersecurity

AI, once relegated to helping hackers with certain tasks, can now power every stage of a cyberattack

Researchers determined that AI was used in steps across entire cyber operations to identify security flaws, generate commands and carry out parts of intrusions, sometimes with little human oversight. Both U.S. and Chinese AI models have been involved.

Cybersecurity

Russian hackers exploit weak router security to breach critical infrastructure, Western allies warn

The guidance comes as the United Kingdom and European Union blamed a major Russian intelligence unit for an attempted attack on Poland’s power grid last year.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

DHS network intrusion was twice ruled a false positive before breach confirmed

Suspicious activity on the Homeland Security Information Network, which is being used to support World Cup games around the U.S., was first detected around mid-to-late May.

Policy

Trump empties out election commission leadership just months before midterms

The shake-up raises questions about voting system certification, federal election security coordination, and the commission’s ability to approve key policy decisions.

Exclusive People

HUD CIO tapped to lead Interior tech shop, people familiar say

Eric Sidle has a background in the EV industry, having worked with firms like NIO and ChargePoint.

Cybersecurity

House Homeland committee seeks briefing on DHS network hack

Cyber intruders accessed the unclassified network being used to help support World Cup games around the U.S., a senator said last week.

Breaking News People

Greg Barbaccia to leave federal CIO role at end of August

“Greg has done an excellent job as Federal CIO and Chief AI Officer,” an OMB spokesperson told Nextgov/FCW. “He will certainly be missed when his time here comes to an end.”

People

Interior CIO Paul McInerny exits position

Paul “Macca” McInerny, a former SpaceX engineer that aligned himself with DOGE’s efficiency push, left the department last week after just over a year in the role, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Cybersecurity

CISA expects to finalize key cyber reporting rule by September

Last month, CISA held additional stakeholder town halls on the forthcoming CIRCIA final rule after a now-resolved DHS funding lapse this spring delayed the meetings.