DHS warns of Uvalde copycats, more political violence ahead of mid-terms – TUE 7Jun2022

DHS warns of Uvalde copycats, political violence ahead of mid-terms. Biden invokes Defense Production Act to boost clean energy. US vows “forceful response” if N. Korea resumes nuke tests.

NATIONAL NEWS

DHS warns of Uvalde copycats, more political violence ahead of mid-terms

The Department of Homeland security has issued a memo to law enforcement warning of increasing online traffic promoting political violence. The memo specifically cites online forums where extremists are encouraging more mass shootings, like the recent events in Uvalde, TX, and Buffalo, NY. Many mass shooters have participated in forums that promote racist ideas like “white replacement”. The memo also predicts that extremists will use these ideologies to stoke more violence ahead of the mid-terms.

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Biden invokes Defense Production Act to boost clean energy

President Biden has issued an executive order invoking the Defense Production Act to boost domestic manufacture of clean energy equipment like solar panels. The order also aims to increase production of energy saving components like insulation, transformers, heat pumps and electrical grid components. 

Most of these orders will take time to make any impact in the current energy market. However, Biden has also suspended tariffs on imports of solar panels from Asia (excluding China) for two years. This will make solar panels more affordable for consumers in the immediate term.

Gas and other fossil fuels are at record high prices across the globe. Sanctions on Russian oil are pushing economies to accelerate plans to convert to clean energy. President Biden also recently invoked the Defense Production Act to boost production of batteries for electric vehicles.

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Related: Experts predicting widespread power outages across the US this summer.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

US vows “forceful response” if N. Korea resumes nuke tests

Over the weekend, North Korea conducted several missile tests. In response, American and South Korean forces launched 8 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles into the sea on Monday morning. Today, 20 American and South Korean fighter jets flew over the sea in South Korea’s western coast in another show of force.

American and South Korean officials have also speculated that North Korea may soon resume nuclear testing. US Dep. Sec. of State Wendy Sherman also warned today that the US would meet any new nuclear testing with a “forceful response”.

North Korea has long maintained that its nuclear and missile programs are a response to provocative military brinksmanship by the US and South Korea, including naval drills just off their shores.

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