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The Guardian
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Secret Service and US military engineers face scrutiny over raising river water level for Vance's birthday
The US Secret Service and US military engineers are facing scrutiny after Adam Schiff, the California senator, demanded they answer questions about the Trump administration's recent decision to change the water level of a lake in Ohio to facilitate a family boating trip for JD Vance on his birthday. The Secret Service has said that it requested the outflow of the Caesar Creek Lake in Ohio be changed shortly before the vice-president's 2 August trip so that his security detail could safely navigate the Little Miami River, which the lake feeds into. The story was first reported by the Guardian last week. The Secret Service also said that neither Vance nor his staff knew that it had made the request. In a letter to Pete Hegseth, the secretary of defense, and army corps of engineers leadership, Schiff suggested the use of funds to alter the outflow of the lake for personal use may have been inappropriate, and said he wanted information on the process and documentation of the decision. 'The misuse of public water resources for the vice-president's family is particularly offensive considering this administration's cuts to federal agencies, cuts which are already harming outdoor recreation opportunities for American families,' Schiff wrote. The Guardian reported last week that was not unprecedented for military engineers in Louisville, Kentucky, who have jurisdiction over the area, to modify water outflows to accommodate public use – for example, for use in community river events and training for emergency responders. Regulations regarding requests for so-called 'deviations' – or any changes to normal practices – require approval and documentation that demonstrates why the deviation is justified. This process also ensures that risks associated with any deviation – including a flood risk or other environmental impact – is detailed. The USACE said in a statement last week that the Secret Service request 'met the operational criteria outlined in the Water Control Manual for Caesar Creek Lake and did not require a deviation from normal procedures'. But in his letter, Schiff accused the army corps leadership of improperly leveraging access to public services for personal use and waiving standard documentation that is required to identify and justify risks associated with the deviation. 'Accordingly, I request an explanation of this USACE action and a commitment to no longer using federal resources for such unjustified and frivolous purposes,' Schiff wrote. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion The California Democrat also pointed to the Trump administration's 'frivolous release' of billions of gallons of water from California reservoirs as another instance in which the army corps executed 'questionable abuses'. The water was released following an executive order from the White House for the alleged purpose of helping to fight the Los Angeles fires, though the army corps allegedly and reportedly knew the release would not be delivered to southern California directly. Vance's communications director, Will Martin, has defended the canoe trip in an article on Breitbart, saying Democrats were trying to 'turn it into a story about elitism'. He accused Democrats who were critical of Vance for benefiting from public infrastructure for his birthday trip of having 'no clue how normal families operate' and that the idea of a family canoeing together is 'completely foreign to them'. 'The far-left media is desperate to smear Vice-President Vance and they've hit a new low by attacking him for enjoying his birthday with his wife and kids,' Martin said, referring to the Guardian.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown target of death threat
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown was the target of a recent death threat that prompted police to provide him and his family with a security detail. A source familiar with the investigation tells CP24 that the threat was made via email to the mayor's office two to three weeks ago, and that his wife and son were also mentioned. Speaking at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Brown deferred a question about the threat to Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich. 'The reality is we have received and are investigating a threat that was made not just against the mayor, but his family as well, and so because of the nature of that threat, we felt it was prudent, out of an abundance of caution, to supplement him with police security,' Milinovich said. The source said that the security detail around Brown and his home lasted for two weeks, and because of what they described as the 'success' of the investigation, police have since pulled back. Milinovich didn't reveal much about the ongoing probe, but confirmed the threat came from 'within' Canada. 'I believe that we are very close to being able to share additional details, but to share them at this point potentially could jeopardize the investigation,' he said. In a follow-up question, Brown said that while he didn't want to interfere with the ongoing investigation, he has 'great confidence' in Peel police. 'I feel safe because we have a great police force in Peel Region. This is not the first time I've received a death threat. I did so a number of years ago. I'm sure it won't be the last, and it certainly won't change my approach,' he said. Police didn't say why Brown may have been targeted, but the source confirmed the threat is not related to his vocal support for the Tamil community. With files from Beatrice Vaisman
CTV News
15-07-2025
- CTV News
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown target of death threat: source
Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown was the target of a recent death threat that prompted police to provide him and his family with a security detail, CP24 has learned from a source familiar with the investigation. The source tells CP24 that the threat was made via email to the mayor's office two to three weeks ago. Speaking at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Brown deferred a question about the threat to Peel Regional Police Deputy Chief Nick Milinovich. 'The reality is we have received and are investigating a threat that was made not just against the mayor, but his family as well, and so because of the nature of that threat, we felt it was prudent, out of an abundance of caution, to supplement him with police security,' Milinovich said. This is a developing news story. More details to come. With files from Beatrice Vaisman
Reuters
17-06-2025
- Health
- Reuters
US Homeland Security Secretary taken to hospital, is conscious, CNN reports
June 17 (Reuters) - U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Washington, DC, on Tuesday where she was conscious and has spoken with her security detail, CNN reported.
