The Weekly Briefing 🇺🇸
Struck and Killed
Child Grooming Cases Reopened
The London Metropolitan Police have launched a sweeping review of 9,000 child sexual exploitation cases spanning 15 years, following a national audit that found group-based abuse was more widespread and underreported than previously understood, according to the BBC. The Met said the cases cover abuse within families, peer groups, institutions, and other settings beyond the stereotypical “grooming gang” model. The force reported solving three times more child exploitation cases in the past year, charging 134 suspects, and training 11,000 officers in improved investigative methods. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called for full transparency, saying victims had been “woefully let down” by authorities, while police leaders pledged to “leave no stone unturned” in holding offenders accountable. 🔗 More here
Officers Kill Crime Spree Suspect
A violent crime spree across Charlotte ended in an officer-involved shooting Thursday night that left the suspect dead, WCNC Charlotte reports. Police say 28-year-old Joseph Andrade opened fire on North Hoskins Road, wounding two people — including 32-year-old Justin Carlton, who later died after being caught in the crossfire. Ring camera footage captured the chaos outside a nearby home, showing the crash and gunfire that erupted moments before officers arrived. Resident Jesse Ortiz said he opened his door and came face-to-face with the armed suspect, describing the scene as “like a movie.” After fleeing, Andrade allegedly kidnapped a woman and led police on a chase that ended at Morehead Street and Freedom Drive, where he exchanged gunfire with officers and was killed. CMPD investigators believe the attacks were random, with no known connection between Andrade and the victims. 🔗 More here
Rise in Left-Wing Terrorism
A new analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) suggests left-wing terrorism incidents may have outpaced right-wing ones in early 2025 — the first time in decades — though researchers warn the data is limited and open to interpretation, NPR reports. The study found five left-wing attacks and one right-wing attack in the first half of the year, but experts stress the small sample size makes broad conclusions premature. The report follows the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk and comes amid heightened political tensions and fears of growing extremism. Analysts say right-wing violence has declined since the Trump administration took office, while left-wing plots have slightly increased — possibly tied to anti-government and environmental movements. Counterterrorism researchers caution against overstating a shift, noting that domestic terrorism overall remains diffuse and increasingly personal, with fewer large-scale attacks but more ideologically mixed motives. 🔗 More here
Who Owns World Cup Security
FIFA clarified that the U.S. government holds ultimate responsibility for security at all 2026 World Cup venues after President Donald Trump suggested matches could be moved from “unsafe” cities such as Boston. “Safety and security are the governments’ responsibility,” FIFA said in a statement emphasizing that host nations determine what’s necessary for public safety. Trump’s comments — citing unrest in Boston and implying he could relocate games — drew a sharp response from local leaders, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, who said the city’s World Cup agreements are locked in by contract. The U.S. is slated to host 78 of 104 matches in the expanded 48-team tournament. Trump also hinted he might consider moving the 2028 Olympics from Los Angeles if security concerns persist. ⚽️ More here
Mark Lamb Enters Race
Former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb — a friend of The Weekly Briefing and guest on The Briefing Room podcast (below) — has entered the race for Arizona’s 5th Congressional District, vacated by Rep. Andy Biggs. Known nationally as the “American Sheriff,” Lamb is a law-and-order conservative whose profile has grown through media appearances and commentary on policing and border security.
Needle Exchange Face Scrutiny
Across the country, syringe exchange programs that were originally designed to combat the spread of HIV and hepatitis C are now under increasing scrutiny, The Washington Post reports. Supporters say the programs save lives and connect people to treatment, but critics argue they enable addiction and create safety and quality-of-life issues in communities. In Indiana — once the site of a devastating HIV outbreak — local leaders are debating whether it’s time to rethink harm-reduction efforts that distribute needles and other supplies to drug users. Federal policy has shifted, with the Trump administration reaffirming that taxpayer dollars should not fund materials that “promote or facilitate drug use.” Public health experts warn of potential spikes in disease if programs close, while many conservatives insist that real recovery comes from accountability, treatment, and prevention — not from policies that normalize illegal drug use. 💉 More here
AI Mistakes Doritos for a Gun
Baltimore police released bodycam footage showing officers detaining a 16-year-old student after an AI-powered gun detection system misidentified his bag of Doritos as a weapon. The Omnilert software, used in school surveillance cameras, triggered a false alert that led armed officers to respond to Kenwood High School. No weapon was found, and the teen was quickly released. Omnilert called it a “false positive” but defended the system’s design to “prioritize safety through rapid verification.” Police said officers acted appropriately given the alert. 🔗 More here
Gun Rights for Marijuana Users
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether Americans who regularly use marijuana can legally own guns, The Associated Press reports. The case stems from a Texas man charged with a felony for having a firearm while admitting to being a habitual marijuana user. A lower court struck down the federal ban, citing the Court’s 2022 ruling expanding gun rights, but the Justice Department is appealing. The government argues regular drug users pose public safety risks, while defense attorneys say the law unfairly targets millions since marijuana remains federally illegal despite state legalization. The case is expected to be argued in early 2026, with a ruling by summer. 😶🌫️ More here
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