Judge Blocks DOGE, Whistleblowers Talk USAID and COVID-19 Bioweapon

[system]

Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/judge-blocks-doge-whistleblowers-talk-usaid-and-covid-19-bioweapon/

US Politics

President Trump has reportedly revoked former President Joe Biden’s security clearance, stopping his access to daily intelligence briefings. Trump cited Biden’s previous action in 2021, where Biden revoked Trump’s access to classified information following the January 6 Capitol events. Trump announced this decision on Truth Social, referencing a report by Special Counsel Robert Hur on Biden’s alleged mishandling of classified information. This action highlights ongoing tensions between the two administrations regarding access to sensitive national security information. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that this move is politically motivated and could set a dangerous precedent, while some Republicans support it, citing Biden’s handling of classified information as justification.

In another development, Trump has directed all federal agencies to compile lists of employees who have received less than a “fully successful” performance rating in the past three years, with the potential for immediate termination. This directive is part of Trump’s effort to streamline federal operations and address perceived inefficiencies within the government workforce. Federal employee unions have raised concerns that this could lead to politically motivated purges, while supporters argue it could improve government efficiency.

Meanwhile, a federal judge, Paul Engelmayer, has temporarily blocked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, from accessing personal financial data held by the Treasury Department. This injunction, which affects Trump administration officials, including Musk, is based on cybersecurity and privacy concerns. The decision follows a lawsuit by 19 state attorneys general and underscores ongoing legal challenges to the Trump administration’s efforts to reform federal operations. Some view the ruling as a necessary check on executive power, while others criticize it as judicial overreach.

Additionally, a whistleblower has alleged that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) concealed operations from Trump, fearing program shutdowns. The whistleblower, Dr. Mark Moyer, claims that USAID funneled business to insiders and retaliated against those exposing corruption. This allegation comes amid scrutiny of USAID’s activities and the Trump administration’s attempts to overhaul federal agencies. USAID has denied these allegations, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Health

A whistleblower from China’s Wuhan Institute of Virology has claimed that COVID-19 was engineered as a bioweapon with U.S. funding. The whistleblower, Chao Shan, alleges that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) financed research at the Wuhan lab, leading to the virus’s creation. These claims contribute to the ongoing debate about the origins of COVID-19 and the role of international funding in gain-of-function research. While some support the lab leak theory, others, including many scientists, argue for a natural zoonotic origin.

In a related matter, Trump has appointed Dr. Gerald Parker, a veterinarian with experience in biodefense and public health preparedness, to lead the Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy. This office, established under the 2022 PREVENT Pandemics Act, aims to prepare the U.S. for biological threats. Dr. Parker’s appointment has drawn mixed reactions, with some questioning his veterinary background while others commend his expertise in the “One Health Approach.” His immediate challenges include addressing the spread of bird flu and the Ebola outbreak in Uganda. Supporters highlight his experience with zoonotic diseases, while critics express concerns over the continuation of vaccine policies.

Geopolitics

A bipartisan bill is being introduced to ban the use of China’s DeepSeek AI on U.S. government devices. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood are spearheading the “No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act,” aiming to prevent the Chinese Communist Party from accessing sensitive U.S. information through DeepSeek. The bill reflects concerns about Chinese surveillance and data privacy, with similar bans already in place in Texas, Taiwan, Italy, and Australia. The White House is currently assessing the national security risks posed by DeepSeek, which has been linked to Chinese state-owned enterprises. Critics argue that such bans could stifle innovation, while supporters emphasize the need for stringent data protection.

Sources

Trump Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance, Citing Precedent and Classified Info Probe

“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances, and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings.”

Source | Submitted by Walberga

Judge Engelmayer’s Ruling Sparks Controversy: Judicial Overreach or Constitutional Safeguard?

This is lawfare at its most brazen: a raw, partisan power grab dressed up in legalese.

Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon

Trump Taps Veterinarian Dr. Gerald Parker to Lead Pandemic Preparedness Office Amid Criticism and Concerns

President Trump has selected Gerald Parker, a veterinarian and former top-ranking federal health official, to head the White House’s pandemic office, two U.S. officials tell CBS News.

Source | Submitted by richcabot

Bipartisan Bill Targets DeepSeek AI to Shield U.S. Government Devices from Chinese Surveillance

Bipartisan Bill Would Ban DeepSeek AI On US Government Devices

Source

Obama-Appointed Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump Officials’ Access to Treasury Records Over Cybersecurity Concerns

Obama-Appointed Judge Blocks Trump Admin Officials’ Access To ‘Sensitive’ Treasury Records, Cites ‘Cybersecurity Risk’

Source

Wuhan Whistleblower Claims COVID-19 Engineered as Bioweapon with U.S. Funding

Musk revealed that USAID “funded bioweapon research, including COVID-19, that killed millions of people.”

Source

Trump Directs Federal Agencies to Identify Underperforming Employees for Potential Termination

President Trump has ORDERED all federal agencies to provide lists of “poor performing” employees

Source

Whistleblower Alleges USAID Concealed Operations from Trump, Claims Corruption and Retaliation

USAID HID OPERATIONS FROM TRUMP

Source

In addition to sources submitted by community members, the following were also used in the creation of this report: The Hill, The Washington Post, The Guardian, Politico, The New York Times, Reuters, CBS News, South China Morning Post, TechCrunch, Lawfare, The Federal Times, The American Prospect, and The Intercept.

[jpeabody]

@system

a federal judge, Paul Engelmayer, has temporarily blocked the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, from accessing personal financial data held by the Treasury Department.

[My speculation and opinion]

The reported Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) issued by District Judge PAUL A. ENGELMAYER (U.S. Dist. Ct. of the Southern District of NY) of February 8, 2025, appears to be based on a false factual predicate submitted by the Plaintiff’s (certain State AGs) – and is part of and perpetuating the disinformation that DOGE Team members were given “access” to Treasury data bases and the ability to “tinker” with the same.

Link: Judge orders sweeping restriction on DOGE access to sensitive Treasury payment systems - POLITICO

Link: (TRO) gov.uscourts.nysd.636609.6.0.pdf

Obvious disinformation can be seen from both the referenced Politico Report (02/08/2025) and the Bloomberg interview and reporter’s questions of Treasury Secretary Bessent. See Link: (Bloomberg interview of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent of 2/6/2025) See Link: https://x.com/i/status/1887573668571607389

From the specific and detailed answers from Bessent in the indicated Bloomberg interview it is abundantly clear that limited and ONLY authorized Treasury employees have access and been granted access to Treasury records, and that access has been READ-ONLY, and the ability to change (“tinker”) with the Treasury records resides with the Federal Reserve.

From the Court Order it can be seen that the requested injunction appears to be based on a (knowingly?) false predicate submitted to the Court by certain State AGs – facts and assertions that appear to be unsupported by adequate evidence and honest or logical legal reasoning.

The specific TRO has three (3) parts:

(i) Restrain Treasury/Trump from “granting access to any Treasury Department payment record, payment systems, or any other data systems maintained by the Treasury Department containing personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees” to non-authorized and non-Treasury personnel. This part of the Order has ZERO impact or effect on DOGE activities – because the DOGE Team does not have access or been given access to data systems maintained by Treasury!

(ii) Restrain Treasury/Trump from “granting access to all political appointees, special government employees, and government employees detailed from an agency outside the Treasury Department, to any Treasury Department payment record, payment systems, or any other data systems maintained by the Treasury Department containing personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees”. Again, this part of the TRO has ZERO impact or force and effect on DOGE activities – because the DOGE Team has not been granted access to data systems maintained by Treasury (as apparently falsely asserted or implied by certain Plaintiffs (State AGs).

(iii) Treasury/Trump “ordered to direct any person prohibited above from having access to such information, records and systems but who has had access to such information, records, and systems since January 20, 2025, to immediately destroy any and all copies of material downloaded from the Treasury Department’s records and systems, if any”. This part of the TRO has ZERO impact or legal force or effect (relative to DOGE) – because the DOGE Team was never granted access to data systems maintained by Treasury, did not download materials and is NOT in possession of specific legally protected “personally identifiable information and/or confidential financial information of payees” – as apparently FALSELY alleged by Plaintiffs (certain State AGs) in the Complaint filed in the U.S. District Court.

State AG’s that may have knowingly submitted false evidence that potentially has misled the Court need to be referred for disciplinary action, removal from office and/or disbarment, as appropriate (I think).

It is also interesting to note that the TRO was issued by the Judge after the Bloomberg Bessent interview – which raises the question whether the Judge was misled by Plaintiffs’ assertions in the Complaint filed with the Court.

And of course, POLITICO and other MSM need to be unapologetically continually exposed for disseminating disinformation and for being DS sponsored opportunist puppets – that are part of a crypto-authoritarian system of hierarchical dominance and control.

JP