View in Browser February 26, 2025 Federal Bureau of Investigation Daily News Briefing (In coordination with the Office of Public Affairs) Email Public Affairs to subscribe to the Daily News Briefing. Mobile version and archive available here. Table of Contents IN THE NEWS • President Trump Suspending Active Security Clearances of Lawyers Who Are Working With Jack Smith • President Trump Appoints Former Secret Service Agent Dan Bongino as FBI Deputy Director, Prompting Controversy Over Past Criticisms • Sen. Blackburn Requests Unredacted Epstein Files, Director Patel Vows Cooperation as AG Bondi Faces Bipartisan Pressure • Continued Reporting: Director Patel to Lead Both FBI and ATF, Pledges Constitutional Focus and Crime-Fighting Resolve COUNTERTERRORISM • Continued Reporting: FBI Says 'Mass Casualty Attack Thwarted' With Arrest of 21-Year-Old in Texas COUNTERINTELLIGENCE • Alabama Man Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Violating U.S. Sanctions on Iran • Artificial Intelligence and State-Sponsored Cyber Espionage • Continued Reporting: UK's Encryption Backdoor Demand Sparks Global Cybersecurity Concerns as Apple Withdraws Advanced Data Protection • Opinion: DOGE Is Risking a National Security Nightmare CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS • To Identify Suspect in Idaho Killings, FBI Used Restricted Consumer DNA Data • Attorneys for Buccaneers' Rachaad White Say FBI Is Investigating an Extortion Attempt Against Him • Man Who Was Mad About Chinese Spy Balloon Faces Sentencing for Threatening Ex-Speaker McCarthy • Woman Will Plead Guilty in Scheme to Defraud Presleys and Sell Graceland • New York Detective Did Jobs for the Mafia on the Side, Prosecutors Say • Alleged Cocaine Quality Control Tester for Mexican Drug Cartel Extradited to U.S. • Numerous Victims Say They Lost Everything in Timeshare Purchasing Scam With Phony Business Address • Karen Read Case: Defense Confirms It Paid Crash Experts Hired by FBI After Trial • Man Wanted by FBI Atlan