Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Mystery Energy Attacks Linked To Illness Suspected Near White House
CNN: US Investigating Possible Mysterious Directed Energy Attack Near White House
Federal agencies are investigating at least two possible incidents on US soil, including one near the White House in November of last year, that appear similar to mysterious, invisible attacks that have led to debilitating symptoms for dozens of US personnel abroad. Multiple sources familiar with the matter tell CNN that while the Pentagon and other agencies probing the matter have reached no clear conclusions on what happened, the fact that such an attack might have taken place so close to the White House is particularly alarming. (Williams and Herb, 4/29)
Politico: U.S. Probing Suspected Directed-Energy Attack On Government Personnel In Miami
In Miami, several people reported symptoms similar to those exhibited by American spies and diplomats in Cuba starting in 2016 that became known as “Havana syndrome,” three people said. It was unclear which agency the people in the Miami incident belonged to. Officials are also investigating two similar incidents — one last year involving a senior National Security Council official walking to his car from the south lawn of the White House known as the Ellipse, and another in 2019 involving a separate NSC official walking a dog in Alexandria, Va., the people said. (Seligman, Desiderio and Banco, 4/29)
Politico: Pentagon Investigated Suspected Russian Directed-Energy Attacks On U.S. Troops
The Pentagon has briefed top lawmakers on intelligence surrounding suspected directed-energy attacks against U.S. troops, and officials identified Russia as a likely culprit, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter. The Defense Department had been investigating the incidents, including those targeting its personnel around the world, since last year, according to four former national security officials directly involved in the probe. (Swan, Desiderio, Seligman and Banco, 4/22)
In other news from the White House —
NPR: White House Seeks To Give Back California's Smog-Busting Powers
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Monday it is preparing to restore California's right to set its own vehicle emissions standards, in a widely anticipated reversal of Trump-era policies. The decision, which will take several months to be finalized, reaffirms the Golden State's powerful position as an environmental regulator after the Trump administration in 2019 had sought to remove California's powers to set its own emissions standards. (4/26)
