Trump’s Name Appears on U.S. Institute of Peace Ahead of Rwanda–Congo Deal Signing 
China’s Expanding Maritime Military Presence Alarms Taiwan and Japan 
Taiwan Signals Openness to Renew Ties with Honduras as Election Unfolds 
Maduro Confirms “Respectful” Call With Trump, Signals Openness to Diplomatic Dialogue 
Taiwan Opposition Criticizes Plan to Block Chinese App Rednote Over Security Concerns 
Honduras Election Turmoil Deepens as Nasralla Alleges Fraud in Tight Presidential Race 
Trump Administration Halts Immigration, Green Card, and Citizenship Processing for 19 Countries 
UN Chief Says Gaza Operation “Fundamentally Wrong” as Concerns Over War Crimes Grow 
Australia Progresses AUKUS Review as U.S. Affirms Strong Support 
U.S. Defense Chief Pete Hegseth Defends Controversial Second Strike on Suspected Drug-Smuggling Vessel 
UN General Assembly Demands Russia Return Ukrainian Children Amid Ongoing Conflict 
Drones Spotted Near Zelenskiy’s Flight Path in Ireland Trigger Security Alert 
Trump Administration Tightens H-1B Visa Vetting With New Focus on Free Speech and Censorship 
Michael Dell Pledges $6.25 Billion to Boost Children’s Investment Accounts Under Trump Initiative 
Hong Kong Faces Low Turnout in “Patriots-Only” Election Amid Public Grief After Deadly Fire 
U.S. Repatriation Flight Carrying 266 Venezuelan Migrants Lands in Caracas 
Cuba Reaffirms Anti-Drug Cooperation as Tensions Rise in the Caribbean 
Months since the Capitol riots last January 6, hundreds of the insurrectionists and alleged insurrectionists have already been identified and arrested. One of the defendants in the ongoing cases surrounding the insurrection recently pleaded for leniency.
Last week, Law & Crime reported that one of the defendants in the January 6 insurrection, Maryland-based Robert Reeder, is trying to plead for leniency after pleading guilty to unlawful parading, picketing, or demonstrating in the Capitol building. Reeder told a federal judge that he should receive a lighter punishment as he is a registered Democrat and not a supporter of the disgraced former President Donald Trump. Reeder made the claims the same time prosecutors pointed out Reeder in a video seemingly chanting “Fight for Trump” and wearing the MAGA hat during the insurrection.
“Mr. Reeder is not politically active, is not and has never been a member of any right-wing or anti-government or extremist group and has unfortunately been publicly grouped with many others whose views he abhors. Mr. Reeder is a registered Democrat and was not a Trump supporter, although he did like the patriotic spirit that he believed that President Trump was trying to instill in Americans,” wrote Reeder’s defense attorney Robert C. Bonsib in a memo.
Reeder was identified for his involvement when the Office of State’s Attorney for Harford County in Bel Air, Maryland, tipped the FBI to a possible facial recognition of one of the rioters present at the Capitol.
Despite the failed attempt to derail Congress’ certification of Joe Biden’s victory, warnings of a repeat of what happened on January 6 have been made since. But as the country tackles the Delta Variant of the coronavirus, many officials, including the Department of Homeland Security, have warned that there may be a possible rise in domestic terrorism.
Last week, the DHS released a bulletin that listed down the types of threats that may emerge in the country as cases continue to rise, according to Slate. The bulletin noted that the challenges faced during the pandemic may see increased societal strains and tensions that would drive domestic extremist figures to commit more violence this year. The bulletin goes on to note that domestic extremists are using online platforms more and more to spread extremist narratives while promoting violence.
