Attorney General Pam Bondi begins dismantling Biden-era gun policies
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Monday that she would rescind a Biden-era gun policy that yanked licenses from federally licensed firearm dealers if they intentionally falsified records or sold weapons without running a background check.
The policy — known as the 'zero-tolerance' policy — was viewed by conservatives as a punitive rule that stripped law-abiding gun sellers of their licenses for making simple mistakes on forms. But Biden administration officials said the rule was intended to crack down on 'rogue gun dealers.' They said it specifies that officials would only revoke licenses if sellers committed willful violations of the federal Gun Control Act, not for paperwork errors.
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Politico
42 minutes ago
- Politico
Trump's cyber EO kills Biden-era digital ID policies
With help from John Sakellariadis and Maggie Miller Driving the day — A new cyber directive from the Trump administration takes aim at a Biden-era order that would've strengthened the country's digital identity infrastructure. Experts say this could leave the U.S. more vulnerable to increased fraud and cybercrime. HAPPY MONDAY, and welcome to MORNING CYBERSECURITY! I hope everybody had a very nice weekend! I'm glad I was able to soak up the sun ahead of the next few days of rainy weather. Follow POLITICO's cybersecurity team on X at @RosiePerper, @johnnysaks130, @delizanickel and @magmill95, or reach out via email or text for tips. You can also follow @POLITICOPro on X. Want to receive this newsletter every weekday? Subscribe to POLITICO Pro. You'll also receive daily policy news and other intelligence you need to act on the day's biggest stories. Today's Agenda The Federal Communications Bar Association holds a virtual Privacy and Consumer Protection symposium on 'The Shifting Privacy and Consumer Protection Landscape.' Noon. The House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee holds a markup of the FY2026 Homeland Security bill. 6 p.m. Happening This Week On Tuesday — The House Intelligence Committee's Central Intelligence Agency Subcommittee holds a hearing on CIA's fiscal year 2026. 10 a.m. On Thursday — The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee holds a markup vote on nominations, including Sean Cairncross to be White House national cyber director and Sean Plankey to be director of CISA. 10 a.m. At the White House NEW CYBER EO — A new cyber executive order signed by the Trump administration on Friday targets 'problematic elements' of two cybersecurity directives by previous administrations, including the removal of a Biden-era order focused on digital identity measures to combat fraud and cybercrime. According to a fact sheet released along with the order, the order would undo portions of previous cyber directives — one signed by former President Barack Obama in 2015 and another signed by former President Joe Biden just before he left office in January. The action includes proposed changes to Biden's executive order on digital identity documents, which experts say is a step in the wrong direction. The U.S. needs to strengthen its online identity security efforts to prevent fraud and cyberattacks by state-sponsored hacking groups, according to Jeremy Grant, a former NIST cyber official and coordinator at Better Identity Coalition. 'Chinese state-sponsored attackers have stolen billions through identity-centric attacks,' he added. — Out with the old: Biden's January executive order established a pathway for the federal government to issue digital identification documents, including mobile driver's licenses, to access public benefits. It also detailed how state and federal governments could implement those changes. Grant told MC that the digital ID components were viewed by the cybersecurity sector as 'common-sense, modest measures' that would improve the security of identity systems that are used to protect much of Americans' information in cyberspace. 'There was some optimism … that when the EO came out, it was at least the initial kernel of a strategy to address deficiencies in digital identity infrastructure.' President Donald Trump's Friday night order eliminated the digital ID elements from Biden's directive, calling it a 'mandate for U.S. government-issued digital IDs for illegal aliens that would have facilitated entitlement fraud and other abuse.' But Biden's order did not mandate that the government issue digital identity documents, Grant clarified, despite Trump's claims. — National security concerns: Trump's order revoking the digital ID framework also doesn't offer any replacement measures, which experts say could leave Americans more vulnerable. There have been increased reports of state-sponsored hackers using stolen identities and deepfakes to gain access to critical networks — including North Korean operatives using spoofed identities to infiltrate U.S. tech companies and funnel money to the regime's nuclear program. 'When you look every year at why bad things happen in cyberspace and how, some sort of compromise to identity is at the root of almost every major breach, and is really fueling a lot of cybercrime that we see today,' Grant said. He added that without clear guidelines in place for a secure system to develop and issue digital IDs, similar instances of fraud against U.S. critical infrastructure and the private sector are likely to continue. Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation, told your host that the digital ID elements of Trump's order are focused on immigration when it should be looking at Chinese companies 'rapidly taking over this industry globally.' China is 'actually providing digital ID services for U.S. state and local governments and law enforcement,' he added. — What comes next: Trump's pick for White House national cyber director, Sean Cairncross, is scheduled to have a confirmation vote in the Senate on Thursday. In a hearing last week, Cairncross testified that his office would take the lead on cyber policy in the U.S., and he promised to surround himself with 'smart people' to enact effective cyber policy. Experts say it's likely that the discussion on digital identification will be revisited once Cairncross is confirmed. 'I think the national cyber director will lead a broad review of how to better secure U.S. national critical infrastructure and the issue of improving public-private collaboration to improve security,' Montgomery told your host. 'Digital ID services will inevitably be part of that.' On The Hill FIRST IN MC: AI HEARING ON THE DOCKET — The House Homeland Security Committee's cyber panel will hold a hearing this week on efforts to implement artificial intelligence to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity defenses. The hearing, scheduled for Thursday, will include witnesses from Microsoft, as well as cybersecurity firms Trellix, Cranium and Securin. 'Whether it is machine learning, generative AI, or now agentic AI — AI is evolving rapidly and must be developed with secure by design principles in mind so we can harness its full potential,' subcommittee Chair Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.) said in a statement. — What's next: The cyber sector has long warned of hackers using AI to enhance cybercrime. Most recently, a cybercriminal used AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. 'While the advancement of artificial intelligence could provide new tools to America's adversaries and cybercriminals, AI can also be a tool to enhance our nation's detection and defense against threats to our networks,' Garbarino said in a statement. VOTES INCOMING — In addition to Cairncross, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will hold a markup this week for a confirmation vote on Trump's other top cyber pick, Sean Plankey, to lead CISA. Plankey, a first-term Trump administration cyber alum, was also supposed to testify at the hearing but was removed from the schedule over missing paperwork. Both nominees have received support from government officials and the private sector. Plankey is expected to glide through his nomination hearing and vote, but lawmakers told your host last week that the committee should not vote on Plankey's nomination before he has a chance to testify in an official hearing — which may not happen. The International Scene 'TREASURY' OF SECRETS — Iran's intelligence minister claimed on Sunday, without any evidence, that Tehran has gathered an 'important treasury' of information on Israel's nuclear program. Per the Associated Press, Esmail Khatib said members of Iran's Intelligence Ministry obtained 'strategic, operational and scientific intelligence' on the Israeli government, and that it was 'transferred into the country with God's help.' Khatib's remarks come after Iranian state television claimed on Saturday, also without any evidence, that Iranian intelligence officials had seized sensitive documents. Israel has not yet acknowledged any Iranian operation, though Israelis have been arrested for allegedly spying for Iran during Israel's war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. People on the Move Hilco Global has hired former Rep. Patrick Murphy and Alexander Niejelow, former director for cybersecurity policy on Obama's National Security Council. Quick Bytes WECHAT — Russian counterintelligence is examining data from a popular Chinese social media app to track people who might be in contact with Chinese spies, Aaron Krolik and Paul Sonne report for The New York Times. MAKING IT WORSE? — Misha Glenny writes for the Financial Times that AI progress could be turbocharging cybercrime. INVITED IN — The Department of Government Efficiency can have unimpeded access to the sensitive Social Security data of millions of Americans, the Supreme Court ruled Friday, writes POLITICO's Josh Gerstein. Chat soon. Stay in touch with the whole team: Rosie Perper (rperper@ John Sakellariadis (jsakellariadis@ Maggie Miller (mmiller@ and Dana Nickel (dnickel@
Axios
an hour ago
- Axios
Threats to Tesla's revenue are piling up
Tesla faces fresh risks to a big income stream: sales of regulatory credits to other automakers under vehicle emissions and efficiency rules. Why it matters: Tesla's credit sales were $595 million last quarter and totaled $3.36 billion in the five quarters through Q1 of 2025. The credits are awarded to companies like Tesla that exceed emissions standards. Producers of gas-powered vehicles buy them to help meet various CO2 and mileage standards. The latest: Republicans on the Senate's commerce committee late last week proposed ending civil penalties under the Transportation Department's fuel economy rules. It's part of the committee's portion of the budget "reconciliation" bill — the top GOP and White House legislative priority. The provision would "modestly" cut auto prices by ending penalties on automakers that now "design cars to conform to the wishes of DC bureaucrats rather than consumers," a GOP summary states. The intrigue:"This Senate action would effectively end the market for CAFE credits," Chris Harto, a senior policy analyst at Consumer Reports, tells Axios via email. Dan Becker, who heads the Safe Climate Transport Campaign at the Center for Biological Diversity, noted: "Why buy credits if Trump gives you a get out of CAFE free card?" Driving the news: Separately, DOT on Friday issued an "interpretive rule" that bars consideration of EVs when it sets these mileage rules. It's a step toward crafting replacement standards, DOT said. This paves the way for less aggressive requirements — and less need for buying credits. State of play: Several buckets of credits benefit Tesla, the dominant U.S. EV seller. EPA emissions standards, Transportation Department fuel economy mandates, and California's ambitious clean cars program all provide opportunities. European emissions rules also generate credits. The big picture: The regulatory credit market was already facing risks before all the news late last week. EPA is planning to rescind Biden-era EPA carbon emissions rules for model years 2027 and onward. The House-passed reconciliation bill and the Senate GOP proposal would also nix them. And the House bill pulls back Biden-era DOT mileage rules. Both chambers have passed measures that end EPA's approval of California's auto emissions rules. Threat level: Potential loss of credit revenues comes at a perilous time for Tesla. Its sales have slumped in recent quarters, and CEO Elon Musk's rightward turn and alliance with Trump are among the reasons why, analysts say. The House plan ends $7,500 consumer purchase subsidies for EVs under the Democrats' 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. By the numbers: Credit revenues exceeded Tesla's overall profit last quarter — in other words, it would have been in the red without them. Yes, Q1 was atypically weak for Tesla, but consider Q4 of 2024, when Tesla reported $2.13 billion in profits that were helped along by $692 million in credit sales. In Q3, those numbers were $2.17B and $739M, respectively. Friction point: More broadly, the meltdown of Tesla CEO Elon Musk's relationship with Trump also creates new and unpredictable risks for the billionaire entrepreneur's business empire.
Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
New DOT rule could mean you spend $600 more on gas each year
The United States is a pretty car-dependent country, and we are also a country with a lot of cars that are not the most fuel-efficient in the world, including a substantial number of pickup trucks and large SUVs that guzzle gas. Since we do use a lot of gasoline, it's probably not surprising that the U.S. Energy Information Administration says that gas is consistently the type of energy that we devote the largest portion of our household energy spending to. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter In fact, the Consumer Expenditure survey shows that the average annual household spending on gas came in at around $2,148 per year in recent years. This is more than the amount that we're spending on natural gas, electricity, and fuel oil combined. There's no getting around the fact that you're going to have to keep putting gas in your car if you live the typical American lifestyle and aren't ready to abandon it for a walkable city and public transportation. Unfortunately, for those of us who are frequent drivers, it is entirely possible that fuel costs are going to rise. In fact, a new final rule issued by the Department of Transportation recently could mean that Americans end up spending around $600 more on gas each year than original projections suggested they would. Here's why gas spending may be higher than anticipated. The DOT action that is going to have an impact on your gas consumption came last Friday. On June 6, 2025, the DOT officially declared that Joe Biden had exceeded his authority as president when establishing fuel economy rules while in office. Specifically, under the Biden Administration, the DOT had put a rule in place that was finalized in 2024 that required manufacturers to improve fuel economy by 2% per year for passenger cars made between 2027 and 2031 and by 2% annually for SUVs and other light trucks made from 2029 to 2031. Related: New DOT rule could worsen trucker shortage, cause delivery delays Now, the DOT claims the Biden Administration did not properly exercise its authority when setting those fuel economy rules because it set them based on the assumption that there would be increased usage of electric vehicles regardless of what the emissions standards required. A statement accompanying the DOT's rule publication explained that the problem with the Biden administration's actions was that current statutory requirements prohibit the consideration of electric cars when the government establishes fuel efficiency requirements. The DOT says that the Biden Administration ignored that limitation and assumed a high number of consumers would switch to EVs. This new declaration has opened up the door for the Trump Administration to rescind the Biden standards and put in their own looser limits. When the Biden Administration established the stricter fuel efficiency standards, that rule was expected to save consumers more than $600 in gas costs each year, as well as help to fight climate change. Without those new standards going into effect, though, the $600 in savings promised by Biden's plan is not likely to materialize. Consumers will have to spend that extra money instead, since car makers are no longer going to be required to make such drastic cuts to the fuel that common vehicles use. Related: Major trucking company files Chapter 11 bankruptcy While spending $600 more per year on fuel costs doesn't sound very appealing, those who support the Trump Administration's actions believe that the order will give consumers more choice. Many car makers had their hands severely tied in trying to meet the Biden administration's standards, which would likely either force them to increase costs or to change the kinds of vehicles they were producing. They won't be subject to these rules anymore and can continue making cars that consume more gasoline, which, frankly, appear to be the cars many Americans want. "We are making vehicles more affordable and easier to manufacture in the United States. The previous administration illegally used CAFE standards as an electric vehicle mandate," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement regarding the rule change. More Economic News: Tesla, Elon Musk make drastic decision amid U.S.-China trade warMajor U.S. automaker makes harsh decision in the wake of tariff tussleTariffs will devastate this entire industry Still, those hoping car makers would have been inspired to find new ways to improve fuel efficiency may be disappointed in the fact that some key incentives that could have prompted those changes are now disappearing. Related: Veteran fund manager unveils eye-popping S&P 500 forecast The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
