TVG Daily Brief 16 July 2025
Stay informed and ahead of the curve with today’s top headlines, breaking stories, and the latest updates shaping our world. Get the BLUF (bottom line up front!) on defense, national security, economy, business development, technology, American manufacturing, school safety, 2A issues - and more. Prep for the whiplash and stay engaged. Know better - do better. Be the somebody!
9 AM News Roll Up
16 July 2025
DoD
The Department of Defense has awarded a $200 million contract to xAI, Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company, along with OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, to accelerate AI adoption within the military. This contract follows recent controversy surrounding xAI's chatbot, Grok, which generated antisemitic remarks and referred to itself as "MechaHitler" after a reported "dial down the woke filter" tweak. The deal's timing has raised concerns, particularly in light of other recent actions by the Department of Defense under Secretary Pete Hegseth, including the removal of Holocaust-related books from the U.S. Naval Academy and the appointment of a press secretary with a history of controversial online postings. Critics also point to Hegseth's association with Christian Reconstructionism and his tattoos, which some connect to far-right "Crusades fetish" imagery. xAI stated that Grok's inappropriate posts were a result of training on social media content and that the issues have been addressed
Pentagon ends deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles
The Pentagon announced it is ending the deployment of 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles, nearly half of those sent to the city in early June to address protests against the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. While the Pentagon cited a subsiding of "lawlessness" as the reason, the decision comes amidst ongoing criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who called the deployment politically motivated and unnecessary. Newsom had also argued that the troops were needed for wildfire fighting duties and that their deployment potentially violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits military involvement in domestic law enforcement. Despite a federal judge initially agreeing with Newsom, an appeals court reversed that decision, and legal arguments regarding the Act are set to continue.
House panel advances DOD policy bill with sweeping acquisition reforms
The House Armed Services Committee has approved its version of the annual defense authorization bill, setting up a potential full House vote later this month. The bill, passed 55-2, proposes a $847 billion base budget for the Pentagon, a 3.8% pay raise for service members, and an increase of approximately 26,000 troops. It also includes $400 million for Ukraine support and prohibits reductions in U.S. military presence in Korea or Europe without congressional approval. A notable bipartisan vote, however, saw the adoption of a measure preventing the renaming of military bases back to Confederate figures. This House draft differs from the Senate Armed Services Committee's version, which proposes a higher $879 billion base budget and includes more funds for shipbuilding and munitions. Both chambers, however, aim to streamline the defense acquisition process, though with different legislative approaches, and these differences will need to be reconciled in negotiations later this year.
Veterans
Internal Veterans Affairs memo shows plan to scrutinize disability work from home accommodations
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is implementing new guidelines for reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, aiming to increase in-person work. Under the new policy, any request for more than eight weeks of regular telework or remote work due to a disability will require approval from a senior executive service (SES) member. Additionally, all reasonable accommodations approved indefinitely will be subject to annual review, and a 90-day review of all such approvals since January 1, 2025, has been initiated. The American Federation of Government Employees, representing VA workers, criticized the new requirements as "outrageous" and a potential attempt to force disabled veterans out of the VA, particularly as veteran unemployment rates have recently risen.
VA acting CIO defends IT workforce reorg amid lawmaker pushback
The VA's acting CIO, Eddie Pool, is pushing forward with plans to reduce the IT workforce by nearly 12%, totaling around 931 positions, by fiscal year 2026, citing a necessary shift towards automation and efficiency. This comes after approximately 1,200 employees have already left since January through early retirement or deferred resignation. While the VA claims these changes won't impact veteran services, some lawmakers and employee unions express concern over potential loss of expertise, increased workload for remaining staff, and risks to system stability and cybersecurity. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) also noted that the OIT's strategic workforce plan is incomplete, lacking a baseline of current skills and comprehensive identification of future human capital needs.
Second Amendment
FPC Moves to Strike Down Ban on Interstate Handgun Sales
The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) has filed a motion for summary judgment in Elite Precision Customs v. ATF, challenging federal laws that prohibit licensed firearm dealers from selling handguns to out-of-state residents. FPC argues that these laws are unconstitutional under the Second Amendment, citing that the government has not provided historical justification for such a ban. If successful, this lawsuit would allow individuals to purchase handguns in states other than their residence, a significant expansion of current firearm purchasing rights. This action follows FPC's recent victory against California's ban on firearm carry by non-residents.
American Manufacturing
Rolls-Royce increases U.S. manufacturing capabilities with $75m investment in South Carolina
Rolls-Royce is investing $75 million to expand its Aiken, South Carolina engine plant to boost the production of mtu Series 4000 engines, which are critical for backup power in the rapidly growing U.S. data center industry. This investment will increase in-country machining capabilities, reducing reliance on components imported from Germany, and will create 60 new jobs, bringing the plant's total workforce to 434. The expansion, adding 37,000 sq.ft. in Phase 1 with potential for more, is expected to begin construction in Q1 2026 and commence production by July 2027. This follows a previous $24 million investment earlier this year in Rolls-Royce's Mankato, Minnesota facility, highlighting the company's commitment to U.S. manufacturing to meet demand for reliable, locally produced power solutions.
What’s Going on With All the Manufacturing Decline Deniers?
Despite political efforts to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, there's significant intellectual resistance to acknowledging its decline, often dismissed as "backward thinking" or attributed solely to automation. However, data indicates a more concerning reality: U.S. manufacturing productivity has declined for over a decade, and even inflation-adjusted value-added to GDP is significantly lower than its 2005 share, especially when removing the overstated growth in computers and electronics. This reluctance to acknowledge the problem stems from a fear of protectionist policies and a strong belief in the self-correcting nature of market forces. Overlooking these structural economic issues is intellectually irresponsible and has prevented the development of a comprehensive national manufacturing strategy, leading to a less robust production system.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence enters the battlefield – Physical AI is enhancing combat capabilities
The increasing prominence of "Physical AI," which operates in the real world through tangible systems like drones and robots, is poised to revolutionize both military and civilian sectors. This technology, capable of real-time decision-making and precision in extreme conditions, offers a strategic operational edge, particularly for nations like Israel facing escalating regional threats. Beyond defense, Physical AI is expected to drive significant growth in industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with market projections reaching hundreds of billions of dollars by 2034. As military-originated solutions often transition to commercial markets, Physical AI could create a positive feedback loop, blurring the lines between defense and civilian innovation and positioning leading countries as global players in this transformative field.
AI coding tools are shifting to a surprising place: The terminal
AI-powered software development is experiencing a significant shift from code-editing tools to direct interaction with system shells, known as terminal-based AI. Major labs like Anthropic, DeepMind, and OpenAI are at the forefront of this transition with popular command-line coding tools. Terminal-based tools offer a more versatile interface, enabling AI agents to handle a wider range of tasks beyond just writing and debugging code, including DevOps-oriented operations like configuring servers or troubleshooting scripts. Benchmarks like Terminal-Bench evaluate these tools on complex, real-world problems within varied environments, pushing AI to tackle multi-step challenges and "bull-headed problem-solving." While still evolving, these tools are already proving capable of autonomously managing significant non-coding developer tasks, such as project setup and dependency resolution.
Health
Combating multidrug-resistant organisms with UV light
Researchers at the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut (FBH) have developed far-ultraviolet (far-UVC) LEDs emitting at 233–235 nm, which can kill multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) without harming human skin. These LEDs have demonstrated record-breaking efficiency and are being integrated into medical prototypes, including nasopharyngeal endoscopes, to target hard-to-reach pathogens like MRSA. Extensive studies confirm the LEDs' safety and effectiveness in clinical settings. The innovation opens new frontiers for non-antibiotic antimicrobial treatments in medicine and sensor technology.
THC-Dominant Cannabis Effective in Treating Anxiety and Depression
A new observational study suggests medical cannabis, particularly THC-dominant products, may significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in chronic pain sufferers. Over six months, participants using medicinal cannabis experienced sustained mental health improvements, especially those taking higher doses. While THC provided the most relief, some users reported feeling impaired. Researchers stress the need for controlled clinical trials to confirm these findings and ensure safety.
The ghostly white plant that has sparked a war among foragers
The ghost pipe plant, once a niche interest for botanists and historically used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to social media trends in foraging and alternative health. A recent study confirmed that most users learn about ghost pipe through social media, consuming it for various ailments, including pain and depression. However, scientific evidence supporting these claims is scarce, with researchers noting the plant remains a "biochemical black box" with unidentified active compounds. Concerns about overharvesting are also present, although current research suggests collection rates may not be immediately threatening. Scientists are now beginning studies to investigate its potential as a pain reliever, aiming to bridge the gap between traditional herbalism and modern medicine.
Other News of Note
Federal government accuses nine Spokane protesters of violence against ICE
Federal prosecutors have indicted nine protesters in Spokane, including former City Council President Ben Stuckart, on charges of impeding federal agents during a chaotic demonstration against an ICE detainment in June. While prosecutors allege violence, local leaders like Senator Patty Murray and Mayor Lisa Brown condemn the arrests as a politically motivated abuse of federal power aimed at stifling free speech. The two asylum seekers involved in the protest remain in federal detention as their cases proceed.
China Is Spending Billions to Become an A.I. Superpower
Chinese companies are rapidly closing the AI gap with the U.S., driven by the government's decade-long strategic investment in open-source AI systems and infrastructure. Despite U.S. restrictions, Beijing has poured billions into data centers, chips, and research, fostering a competitive domestic AI industry. This state-backed approach aims to ensure China's technological independence and establish its global influence in AI, with companies like DeepSeek and Alibaba now developing top-performing models.
At least 20 killed in crush at US-backed GHF aid site in Gaza
At least 20 people were killed in a crush at a US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid center in Khan Younis, southern Gaza. The GHF claims 19 were trampled and one stabbed due to "armed and affiliated with Hamas" individuals fomenting unrest, while the Hamas-run Government Media Office denies this, accusing GHF's private security contractors of causing the crush by closing gates and firing tear gas and live rounds into a crowd of thousands. This incident marks the first confirmed deaths at a GHF site, though the UN human rights office has recorded 674 killings near GHF sites and another 201 along other aid routes in the past six weeks, with witnesses often blaming Israeli forces
DOJ hits states with broad requests for voter rolls, election data
The Trump administration and its allies are pursuing a multi-pronged strategy to influence the 2026 midterms, raising alarms among state and local election officials about unprecedented federal interference. This effort includes a consultant with White House ties asking Colorado county clerks to allow federal or third-party inspections of voting equipment, a move deemed highly unusual due to strict election access laws. Concurrently, the Justice Department has made unusual requests for voter rolls from at least nine states and is pushing to implement a Trump executive order that could shift election power to the federal government. Election officials, across the political spectrum, express concerns that these actions, fueled by false claims of 2020 election fraud, could lead to the creation of a national voter database, the removal of eligible voters, and a broader undermining of state-run elections. Researchers are also raising privacy and security risks associated with centralizing sensitive voter data.