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‘Complete breakdown at every level’: Senate Homeland Security Committee releases report

Suzanne Downing
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7
‘Complete breakdown at every level’: Senate Homeland Security Committee releases report

On the one-year anniversary of one of the most brazen attempts on the life of Donald Trump, the US Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on Sunday released its final report on the attempted assassination during campaign rally in Butler, Penn. The report sharply criticized the United States Secret Service for what it described as “a complete breakdown of security at every level.”

The report, issued by Committee Chairman Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, outlines a series of intelligence and procedural failures that nearly cost Trump his life on July 13, 2024, when a gunman opened fire from a rooftop overlooking the rally, injuring four people, including Trump, and killing firefighter Corey Comperatore.

According to the report, Secret Service agents received a report of a suspicious individual with a rangefinder on the rooftop of the American Glass Research building 25 minutes before shots were fired. Despite this, no action was taken to clear or secure the location. The report found that key intelligence was not shared with agents protecting Trump, coordination with local law enforcement was deficient, and critical assets, including counter-sniper teams, were missing from the scene.

Following the attack, the Committee, along with the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, launched a yearlong bipartisan investigation. Over 17 transcribed interviews were conducted, and more than 75,000 pages of documents were reviewed. A preliminary report was released in September 2024; the final report incorporates new evidence and details systemic failures.

Among the Committee’s findings:

  • Secret Service denied multiple requests for additional personnel and resources to protect Trump during the campaign.
  • No personnel have been terminated as a result of the failures in Butler. Six were formally disciplined, some as late as July 2025. In at least two cases, the disciplinary decisions were reduced from the original recommendations.
  • Then-Director Kimberly Cheatle falsely testified to Congress that all asset requests had been approved for the rally.
  • Despite prior intelligence, counter-sniper teams were absent at a July 9, 2024, rally in Doral, Florida, contrary to authorized protocol.
  • Advance agents operated under vague directives, leading to poor site control and miscommunication.
  • A failure to transmit crucial intelligence regarding the rooftop threat to Trump’s protective detail meant no action was taken to delay his appearance.
  • Coordination with local law enforcement was described as insufficient from planning through execution of the event.

Sen. Paul criticized the lack of accountability, noting that only through subpoenas did the Committee gain visibility into internal disciplinary actions. The report warns that the structural issues uncovered, ranging from poor communication to lapses in leadership, must be corrected to prevent future threats against high-profile public figures.

As part of the report’s release, the Committee published subpoenaed documents, disciplinary records, and transcribed interviews in an effort to promote transparency. The addendum also includes a summary of procedural changes implemented by the Secret Service in the wake of the Butler attack. Here are the documents released today:

FINAL REPORT: [HERE]

COMMITTEE STAFF SUMMARY OF USSS POLICY CHANGES: [HERE]

USSS RECORDS: 

  1. USSS DISCIPLINARY CHART: [HERE]
  2. USSS SUMMARY OF ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIONS : [HERE]
  3. PITTSBURGH FIELD OFFICE SAIC DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTS: [HERE]
  4. PITTSBURGH FIELD OFFICE ATSAIC DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTS: [HERE]
  5. COUNTER-SNIPER TEAM LEAD DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTS: [HERE]
  6. LEAD ADVANCE AGENT DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTS: [HERE]
  7. SITE COUNTERPART DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTS: [HERE]
  8. SITE AGENT DISCIPLINARY DOCUMENTS: [HERE]

INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPTS: These transcribed interviews were conducted during the 118th Congress. References to offices reflect the leadership structure of the Committee in the 118th Congress, and not the current leadership structure of the Committee. In these documents, references to “HSGAC Minority” refer to now Chairman Paul’s staff. References to HSGAC majority refer to now Ranking Member Peters’ staff. References to PSI Minority refer to now Chairman Johnson’s staff. References to PSI Majority refer to now Ranking Member Blumenthal’s staff. 

  1. DTD 2ND SUPERVISOR: [HERE]
  2. PI RESPONSE AGENT: [HERE]
  3. HERCULES 1 CS: [HERE]
  4. CS RESPONSE AGENT:[HERE]
  5. USSS SECURITY ROOM AGENT: [HERE]
One year after Trump dodged a bullet in Butler, Penn., Iran places bounty on president’s head

Bear Paw Parade marks 40 years of tradition, and a surprising disruption

Suzanne Downing
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77
Bear Paw Parade marks 40 years of tradition, and a surprising disruption

The Bear Paw Parade celebrated its 40th anniversary on Saturday with all the charm and energy locals have come to love. From pageant princesses and football teams to candy-tossing floats and grinning kids lining the route, the annual event felt as youthful and joyful as ever.

But this year’s celebration came with an unexpected twist. A group of “no circumcision” protesters disrupted the family-friendly atmosphere with graphic signage and costumes featuring blood-red stains over their pants. Their presence rattled many parade-goers, prompting calls to local law enforcement.

Police responded quickly but, after assessing the situation, determined the protest fell under constitutionally protected free speech. No arrests or citations were made.

The festival managers posted about the incident on Facebook:

A Note to Our Bear Paw Festival Attendees

Well folks… we knew Bear Paw would bring surprises — but today brought something none of us anticipated.

During what should’ve been a joyful, family-friendly afternoon full of music, parades, and festival fun, a group of demonstrators chose to share a very specific message about circumcision. While we absolutely respect the right to free speech, this was not the time or place for such content.

Our team quickly contacted the Anchorage Police Department’s non-emergency line. Officers responded promptly and professionally. Because of the public nature of our event, removal was not possible, but the situation remained peaceful and was monitored closely. No injuries occurred, and the festivities continued as planned.

To our families, vendors, performers, and incredible volunteers — thank you for your patience, understanding, and keeping cool under very strange circum….stances. We recognize this disruption was unwelcome and out of line with the spirit of Bear Paw.

We are actively reviewing our safety protocols and public space policies to better protect the joyful, inclusive atmosphere we all value.

Thank you for sticking with us — and for helping keep Bear Paw all about community, celebration, and just the right amount of weird.

—The Bear Paw Festival Team

Despite the jarring display, the spirit of Bear Paw endured, and Must Read Alaska captured photos of the festivities that carried on, undeterred by the brief disruption:

New protest movement hits Alaska: Circumcision
Eagle River Wolves football team.
Make A Wish Foundation volunteers.
Ghostbusters.
Spiderman
Lots of candy was thrown to kids.

Bringing home the bacon — together: Alaska farmers explore co-op for Palmer slaughterhouse

Suzanne Downing
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9
Bringing home the bacon — together: Alaska farmers explore co-op for Palmer slaughterhouse

The Alaska Division of Agriculture is inviting farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural stakeholders to a special listening session on July 17, from 6-8 pm., to explore the formation of a cooperative centered on the Palmer slaughter plant.

The meeting will be held both in-person at 1801 S Margaret Dr., Suite 12, Palmer, and online via Zoom (link here Meeting ID: 945 7520 9433, Passcode: 0LR7bU).

The focus of the session is to discuss the feasibility of forming a co-op to provide a long-term solution for managing and operating the Palmer facility in a way that supports Alaska’s livestock producers.

Barbara Johnson from the University of Alaska Anchorage’s co-op development group will deliver a 10–15 minute presentation on the core values and seven guiding principles of cooperative organizations.

A cooperative, or co-op, is a business or nonprofit owned and operated by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit. In agriculture, co-ops are often used to pool resources, share costs, and give members greater control over the processing and distribution of their products. Unlike private corporations that earn profit for shareholders, co-ops exist to serve their members—who are also their owners.

The seven principles that typically guide cooperatives include:

  1. Voluntary and open membership
  2. Democratic member control
  3. Member economic participation
  4. Autonomy and independence
  5. Education, training, and information
  6. Cooperation among cooperatives
  7. Concern for community

Slaughterhouses are vital infrastructure for livestock producers, but they are expensive to operate and require consistent demand, economies of scale, and regulatory compliance. In many Lower 48 states, agricultural co-ops have successfully taken over or built processing facilities that serve local and regional producers, giving them more control over processing schedules, quality standards, and pricing.

In places like Montana, Wisconsin, and Missouri, co-ops have enabled small-scale producers to band together to operate meat processing facilities that meet USDA standards. These cooperatives often benefit from public-private partnerships, grant funding, and strong member commitment to shared goals.

In Alaska, where food security and local meat production remain ongoing challenges, a co-op model for the Palmer plant could provide producers with a sustainable, community-driven alternative to government or private-sector management.

Following Johnson’s presentation, attendees will be invited to participate in an open discussion about how a cooperative might work in the Mat-Su region, who might participate, and what structure would best support local needs. Input from this session will help shape future meetings and decisions about forming a formal cooperative and determining its scope of work.

The Division of Agriculture is encouraging anyone interested in the future of Alaska’s agricultural economy to attend and share their thoughts—whether they are producers, consumers, educators, or advocates.

Craig City Council considers controversial ‘Indian Country’ ordinance

Suzanne Downing
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Craig City Council considers controversial ‘Indian Country’ ordinance

The city council in Craig is considering an ordinance that would symbolically declare the community to be “Indian Country,” a term with specific legal meaning under federal law. While the ordinance is still under discussion, it’s on the July 17 agenda and has already drawn attention for its potentially far-reaching legal and political ramifications.

Under federal law, “Indian Country” is defined as land within Indian reservations, dependent Indian communities, or Indian allotments where title has not been extinguished.

In Alaska, this designation is particularly complex due to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, which largely eliminated reservation lands in favor of transferring property to Native-owned corporations.

The 1998 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Alaska v. Native Village of Venetie reinforced this framework, ruling that most lands conveyed under ANCSA do not qualify as Indian Country unless specifically held in federal trust.

Craig is home to the federally recognized Craig Tribal Association, which exercises certain sovereign powers, including limited regulatory authority on tribal matters. However, the city council, operating as a municipal government under Alaska state law, does not have the authority to legally establish “Indian Country” status. That designation can only be made by Congress or the US Department of the Interior, typically through a formal land-into-trust process.

If passed, the ordinance would likely serve as a symbolic assertion of tribal identity and sovereignty, rather than a legally enforceable change. Legal experts note that such a declaration could face challenges in court, especially if interpreted as an attempt to extend tribal jurisdiction over non-Native residents or private property.

The State of Alaska has historically opposed expansions of tribal authority that appear to conflict with the structure established under ANCSA. A recent example includes the state’s legal challenge to a 2023 federal decision to take land into trust for a tribe in Juneau, a move that created Alaska’s second officially recognized Indian Country land area after the Annette Island Reserve. The state has also intervened in an Indian Country case involving a casino on a small parcel of land in Eklutna.

Should the tribe itself wish to pursue formal recognition of land as Indian Country, it would need to submit a land-into-trust application to the DOI. While a 2016 court ruling reinstated the eligibility of Alaska tribes to petition for trust land status, each request undergoes extensive review and is subject to objections from state authorities or private interests.

The proposed ordinance may spark public debate within the Craig community, which includes both Native and non-Native residents. While some may view it as a meaningful affirmation of tribal sovereignty, others may raise concerns about legal uncertainty, potential shifts in governance, or impacts on property rights.

Craig, on Prince of Wales Island, has a population of about 1,036, with about 164 of those residents being Alaska native.

Ultimately, any substantive change in Craig’s legal status as Indian Country would depend not on local ordinance, but on federal action.

One square block: State legal action asks feds to resolve Indian Country in downtown Juneau

Coast Guard Arctic District welcomes new commander in Juneau ceremony

Suzanne Downing
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2
Coast Guard Arctic District welcomes new commander in Juneau ceremony

The US Coast Guard’s newly renamed Arctic District held a change-of-command ceremony Friday in Juneau, marking a significant leadership transition as Rear Adm. Bob Little assumed command from Rear Adm. Megan Dean. Dean had been in the role since June 9, 2023, and before that was the Coast Guard Director of Governmental and Public Affairs, responsible for external engagement with Congress, the media, and other inter-governmental entities. She is returning to DC to her new assignment as the Assistant Commandant for Operations Integration and Response Policy.

Arctic District: Coast Guard renames District 17

Rear Adm. Little most recently served as director of the Joint Interagency Task Force West, where he focused on countering transnational criminal organizations and narcotics trafficking. In his new role, Little will oversee Coast Guard operations across Alaska, the North Pacific Ocean, Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean. His responsibilities encompass a broad array of missions including search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, environmental protection, and national defense.

The Arctic District is composed of more than 2,500 active duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary personnel. From its headquarters in Juneau, the District coordinates with national and international partners to support a full range of Coast Guard missions across one of the most challenging and strategically vital regions of the world.

Coast Guard Commandant relieved of her duty over DEI emphasis, rather than mission objectives

Anchorage encampment ordinance postponed to next Assembly meeting

Suzanne Downing
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11
Anchorage encampment ordinance postponed to next Assembly meeting

A proposed ordinance that would restrict camping in public parks, next to trails and schools, and some other areas across Anchorage was postponed Friday during a special meeting of the Anchorage Assembly. The measure will now be considered next week.

The proposal, which drew opposition during its final scheduled hearing, would make it a criminal offense to camp within 200 feet of roads, trails, railroads, and other rights-of-way. The restricted zone expands to 500 feet in proximity to schools and playgrounds.

Currently, vagrant encampments are lining greenbelts and trails throughout Anchorage, making them unsafe for families. Last week, the city announced it had removed 744,000 pounds of debris from Davis Park, where an encampment has been present on and off for years. Meanwhile, fire after fire has been extinguished by the Anchorage Fire Department in greenbelt encampments.

In addition to regulating camping locations, the ordinance includes provisions that would criminalize the unauthorized construction of structures on public land. In some encampments, there is de facto homesteading going on with multi-story structures built by the community of thieves and drug addicts.

The Assembly will take up the measure again at a regular meeting scheduled for July 15.

Trump announces 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico, citing trade imbalance

SENIOR CONTRIBUTOR
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Trump announces 30% tariffs on EU and Mexico, citing trade imbalance

By DAN MCCALEB | THE CENTER SQUARE

President Donald Trump on Saturday said he will impose 30% tariffs on imported goods from the European Union and Mexico in his latest move to balance trade between the U.S. and other countries.

The tariffs are set to go into effect Aug. 1.

Saturday’s announcement comes a day after the U.S. Department of Treasury released a report Friday showing that tariff revenue helped revenue in the month of June exceed expenses by $27 billion.

“We have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with The European Union, and we have concluded we must move away from these long-term, large, and persistent, Trade Deficits, engendered by your Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies, and Trade Barriers,” Trump wrote in the letter to the EU and posted on his Truth Social account. “Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal.”

The 30% tariff on EU goods is higher than expected. EU trade ministers are scheduled to meet Monday and could agree to increase tariffs on U.S. goods as retaliation.

In his letter to Mexico, Trump said the U.S. neighbor to the south has helped stem the flow of illegal narcotics and people from entering the country but added that it needed to do more to prevent North America from being a “Narco-Trafficking Playground.”

Earlier in the week, Trump announced new tariffs on several other countries, including 20% tariffs on imports  from the Philippines; 25% on Brunei and Moldova; 30% on Algeria, Iraq and Libya; and 50% on Brazil.

All of the new tariffs announced this week are scheduled to go into effect Aug. 1.

Alaska to receive $1.8 million in latest national opioid settlement

Suzanne Downing
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13
Alaska to receive $1.8 million in latest national opioid settlement

Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor announced Friday that the State of Alaska will receive approximately $1.8 million as part of a sweeping $720 million nationwide settlement with eight opioid manufacturers. The companies were accused of producing and distributing opioid medications that contributed to the nationwide opioid epidemic.

This agreement marks the latest in a series of settlements with pharmaceutical companies over their roles in fueling the public health crisis that has devastated communities across the country. With this settlement, Alaska has now secured nearly $102 million in total funds from opioid-related litigation.

The eight companies involved in this latest round of settlements and the amounts they will contribute nationally are:

  • Mylan (now part of Viatris): $284.4 million over nine years
  • Hikma: $95.8 million over one to four years
  • Amneal: $71.8 million over ten years
  • Apotex: $63.7 million in a single year
  • Indivior: $38 million over four years
  • Sun: $31 million over one to four years
  • Alvogen: $18.7 million in a single year
  • Zydus: $14.9 million in a single year

The majority of the settlement funds will be allocated to abatement efforts, including prevention, treatment, and recovery services, n states and communities across the nation. Some of the companies will also provide either free pharmaceutical products or monetary equivalents in addition to the cash payments.

As part of the agreement, seven of the companies (excluding Indivior) will face strict restrictions on opioid-related business practices. These include bans on marketing or promoting opioids, prohibitions on producing pills with more than 40 milligrams of oxycodone, and mandatory monitoring systems to flag suspicious orders. Indivior, which manufactures medication to treat opioid use disorder, has agreed to cease manufacturing or selling opioid products for the next decade, though it may continue distributing treatments for addiction.

The settlement was negotiated by a coalition of Attorneys General from North Carolina, California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, and Virginia. Broad participation by states helped trigger the next step in the legal process — a sign-on period during which local governments will be invited to join and formalize their participation in the agreement.

Attorney General Taylor praised the outcome as another step toward holding companies accountable and bringing resources to Alaska communities still grappling with the opioid crisis.

Anchorage doctor declares run for governor

Suzanne Downing
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36
Anchorage doctor declares run for governor

An Anchorage doctor has thrown his name in the ring for governor. Matt Heilala is born and raised in Alaska, has fished Cook Inlet, skippered in Bristol Bay, is a physician, and says he is tired of extreme partisan politics. He has been a supporter of many Republican candidates in the past, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan, and Congressman Nick Begich.

Heilala is father of two adult children and has four grandchildren.

“Elected officials can respect differing opinions, build trust, and find common ground without abandoning principles. The Outrage Industrial Complex thrives on tearing us apart, and too many politicians exhibit outright contempt for those who disagree with them. That’s not who we are,” he said in his statement. “I’m running with a strong belief in common sense and courage, to bring us together, and to put Alaska first— always. We can, we must, and we will reject the division, rebuild trust, and shape a brighter future for a stronger, more productive Alaska economy.”

He said he intends to work with all legislators and Alaskans to make that happen.

His campaign launch joins a field of Republicans that include Bernadette Wilson, Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom, former state Sen. Click Bishop, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, and the probable candidacies of Attorney General Treg Taylor and Revenue Commissioner Adam Crum.

Former Lt. Gov. Craig Campbell joins Bernadette Wilson campaign, calls her the leader Alaska needs
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