National Security

Trump Adviser Sebastian Gorka Threatens Legal Action Over Tweets

6:34pm February 24, 2017

by David Welna

Sebastian Gorka is British-born, Hungarian-educated, and a self-described expert on Islamists — who doesn't speak Arabic. As Trump's deputy assistant, he has his boss' ear and security experts' ire.

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in February in Los Angeles. The mayor of the city has asked ICE agents not to identify themselves as police during operations.

Los Angeles Officials To ICE: Stop Identifying Yourselves As Police

6:26pm February 24, 2017

by Rebecca Hersher

The mayor of Los Angeles co-signed a letter to the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency requesting that its agents not identify themselves as "police" during operations in the city.

In late 2015, the Obama administration began checking the social media accounts of Syrian refugees seeking to come to the U.S. The practice has continued and may be expanded under the Trump administration.

Trump Administration Weighs Increased Scrutiny Of Refugees' Social Media

5:59pm February 24, 2017

by Greg Myre

The Obama administration began checking social media accounts of prospective Syrian refugees more than a year ago. Such steps could expand as President Trump prepares a new executive order on vetting.

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An instructor at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., carries VX nerve agent inside a special chamber used for training in 2003.

VX: The Nerve Agent Used To Kill Kim Jong Nam Is Rare And Deadly

4:46pm February 24, 2017

by Geoff Brumfiel

A colorless, odorless liquid, similar in consistency to motor oil, VX kills in tiny quantities that can be absorbed through the skin. It is among the deadliest chemical weapons ever devised.

White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, seen here walking toward the Oval Office in January, had been in touch with the FBI over media reports about Trump associates and contacts with Russia, according to a senior administration official.

White House Asked FBI To Publicly Refute Reports Trump Associates Had Russia Contacts

4:35pm February 24, 2017

by Brian Naylor

Director James Comey refused to publicly respond to the media reports even as he dismissed them privately, a senior administration official says. The official says the FBI initiated the discussion.

TV screens in Seoul, South Korea, show images Wednesday of Kim Jong Nam, the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Chemical Weapon Found On Body Of North Korean Leader's Half-Brother

12:32pm February 24, 2017

by Elise Hu

Malaysian police said VX nerve agent — classified as a weapon of mass destruction — was found on Kim Jong Nam's body. South Korea says North Korea ordered the hit.

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Edward Price resigned from his position at the CIA on Feb. 14 after working there since 2006.

Disgusted By Trump, A CIA Officer Quits. How Many More Could Follow?

6:00pm February 23, 2017

by Mary Louise Kelly

Ned Price made a big public exit in protest of President Trump. Other CIA workers say they want to wait and see. Tension between the White House and the intelligence community is simmering.

A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agent passes along a section of border wall in Hidalgo, Texas.

Trump's Plan To Hire 15,000 Border Patrol And ICE Agents Won't Be Easy

8:25am February 23, 2017

by Brian Naylor

Applicants have to go through "extreme vetting" including a grueling polygraph exam. In the past, Customs and Border Protection has had trouble retaining agents.

Career CIA Analyst Ned Price Quits Rather Than Serve Trump Administration

4:28pm February 22, 2017

by Mary Louise Kelly

Ned Price worked at the CIA from 2006 until last week. He says he quit because, "I reluctantly concluded that I cannot in good faith serve this administration as an intelligence professional." NPR talks to Price about his decision and asks whether others may follow.

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Journalist: Trump Is 'Openly Dismissive' Of The Intelligence World

2:02pm February 22, 2017

Mark Mazzetti of The New York Times says that when it comes to national security, President Trump "doesn't trust the civilian national security establishment and they don't trust him."

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