June 4, 2021: DeJoy Under FBI Investigation; UN Report: AI Drone Attacked Humans; Biden Boosts Overseas Vaccine Shipments

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TODAY'S HEADLINES:


There’s a new scandal nipping at the heels of Donald Trump’s
favorite Postal Service bureaucrat, Louis DeJoy. And – bad news
for him – it involves the Federal Bureau of Investigation.


Meanwhile, a United Nations report from Libya
reveals that, possibly for the first time, a drone powered by
artificial intelligence selected, pursued and attacked human
targets – all on its own. That’ll be enough about the wonders of
technology, thanks.


And lastly, the Biden administration is stepping
up US shipments of coronavirus vaccines to foreign countries in a
big way. It’s an overdue but welcome measure to fight the virus
in places where it’s still spreading out of control.


THESE ARE THE STORIES YOU NEED TO KNOW:


He’s one of Trump’s last holdovers, but maybe not for long. The
Washington Post reports that the FBI is investigating Postmaster
General Louis DeJoy in connection with campaign fundraising
activity involving his former business. FBI agents in recent
weeks interviewed current and former employees of DeJoy and the
business, asking questions about political contributions and
company activities. Prosecutors also issued a subpoena to DeJoy
himself. A DeJoy spokesman confirmed the investigation but
insisted DeJoy had not knowingly violated any laws. The inquiries
could signal legal peril for the controversial head of the
nation’s mail service – though DeJoy has not been charged with
any crimes. Asked yesterday whether President Joe Biden believed
DeJoy should step down, White House press secretary Jen Psaki
said Biden would leave the process to the Department of Justice.


The Post says DeJoy – who was appointed to run the Postal Service
by its board of governors last May – has been dogged by
controversy for almost his entire time in office. Soon after
starting in the job, he imposed cost-cutting moves that mail
carriers blamed for creating backlogs across the country.
Democrats accused the prominent GOP fundraiser, who personally
gave more than $1.1 million to Trump’s reelection campaign and
the Republican


Party, of trying to undermine his own organization because of
Trump’s distrust of mail-in voting. And they were totally right
about that. But it seems it’ll be other, previously hidden
misdeeds that bring down this dastardly saboteur. Hey, whatever
does the trick.


UN Report: AI Drone Attacked Humans


This preview of the next Terminator movie comes from the New York
Times. A military drone that attacked soldiers during a battle in
Libya’s civil war last year may have done so without human
control, according to a recent report commissioned by the United
Nations. The drone, which the report described as a lethal
autonomous weapons systems, was powered by artificial
intelligence. It was used by forces backed by the government
based in Tripoli, the capital, against enemy militia fighters as
they ran away from rocket attacks. The fighters were hunted down
and remotely engaged by the drone, according to the report. It
did not say whether there were any casualties or injuries. The
weapons systems, it said, were "programmed to attack targets
without requiring data connectivity between the operator and the
munition: in effect a true fire, forget and find capability.: The
Kargu-2 was built by STM, a defense company based in Turkey.


The Times says the report has been sent to a UN sanctions
committee for review. The drone, a Kargu-2, was used as soldiers
tried to flee. Once in retreat, they were subject to continual
harassment from the drone, according to the report, which was
written by the UN Panel of Experts on Libya. Zachary Kallenborn,
a researcher who studies drone warfare at the University of
Maryland, said the report suggested that for the first time, a
weapons systems with artificial intelligence capability operated
autonomously to find and attack humans. What a landmark. Oh boy.


Biden Boosts Overseas Vaccine Shipments


This global pandemic update comes from the Associated Press.
President Biden announced yesterday that the US will donate a
first tranche of twenty five million doses of surplus vaccine
overseas through the UN-backed Covax program. The donation
promises infusions for South and Central America, Asia, Africa
and others at a time of glaring shortages abroad and more than
ample supplies at home. The doses mark a substantial – and
immediate – boost to the lagging Covax effort, which to date has
shared just seventy six million doses with needy countries. The
announcement came just hours after World Health Organization
officials in Africa made a new plea for vaccine sharing because
of an alarming situation on the continent, where shipments have
ground to a near halt while virus cases have spiked.


The AP says that overall, the White House has announced plans to
share eighty million doses globally by the end of June. Of the
first nineteen million donated through Covax, approximately six
million doses will go to South and Central America, seven million
to Asia and five million to Africa. The remaining six million in
the initial distribution will be directed to US allies and
partners. In a statement, Biden said, "As long as this pandemic
is raging anywhere in the world, the American people will still
be vulnerable. And the United States is committed to bringing the
same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have
demonstrated at home.". Remember, this isn’t over until it’s over
everywhere.


AND NOW FOR SOME QUICKER QUICKIES:


The Guardian reports that the Ethiopian government has brushed
aside international calls for a ceasefire in the province of
Tigray, saying its forces will soon eliminate all armed
opposition. The UN said earlier this week that more than ninety
percent of people in Tigray need emergency food aid. Between the
starvation and the atrocities, it’s a true horrorshow.


ABC News reports that workers at a South Dakota meatpacking plant
that became a coronavirus hotspot last year are considering a
strike after contract negotiations between Smithfield Foods and
the union have stalled. The Sioux Falls chapter of the United
Food and Commercial Workers Union said workers have risked their
health and lives throughout the pandemic, arguing the company
should do more for its employees. Who can argue?


According to Politico, federal prosecutors are examining whether
Representative Matt Gaetz obstructed justice during a phone call
he had with a witness in the sex-crimes investigation of the
Florida congressman. The obstruction inquiry stems from a phone
call the witness had with Gaetz’s ex-girlfriend. At some point
during the conversation, the ex-girlfriend patched Gaetz into the
call. Awkward!


The AP reports that George P. Bush this week launched his next
political move: a run for Texas attorney general in 2022. Bush,
who has served as Texas’ land commissioner since 2015, is the son
of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. He is the last of the Bush
family still in public office. Now that’s worth a good clap.


AM QUICKIE - JUNE 4, 2021


HOSTS - Sam Seder & Lucie Steiner


WRITER - Corey Pein


PRODUCER - Dorsey Shaw


EXECUTIVE PRODUCER - Brendan Finn