By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The leaders of a House of Representatives investigation into alleged Russian meddling in the presidential election quizzed FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Mike Rogers for more than two hours.

Details of the meeting, which was behind closed doors, was “successful,” members of the committee said.

“Today’s hearing provided our committee members with a valuable opportunity to ask follow-up questions from the open hearing,” Rep. Mike Conway, R-Texas, and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., said in a joint statement. “We remain committed to working with the FBI as they continue their investigation to ensure that no stone is unturned.”

ABC News reports that the committee’s next steps include interviewing witnesses and holding open hearings with former CIA Director John Brennan, former National Intelligence Director James Clapper and former acting Attorney General Sally Yates.

The investigation involves potential links between President Trump’s campaign and the Russian government. The key question is whether the campaign conspired with Russia to upend the election. 

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly fired back Thursday at Sen. Bob Casey Jr.’s “outrageous” tweets about a recent deportation.

The Democrat from Pennsylvania rallied against the deportation of a Honduran mother and her 5-year-old son.

“Twitter: it’s urgent,” Casey tweeted. “I just found that a young child & mother who came to U.S. seeking refugee will be sent back to Honduras today.”

Casey added: “What I won’t do: stand by silently as a vulnerable child and his mother are sent to their possible death.”

Kelly was not happy, McClatchy reports.

“You can’t pick and choose the laws you follow,” Kelly said Thursday. “I can’t pick and choose the laws I enforce.” 

Kelly added that multiple courts, including the Supreme Court, denied the woman’s stay in the U.S.

Photo via Wikipedia.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The TSA warned the nation’s trucking companies and their drivers to be careful because terrorists are increasingly using stolen trucks worldwide as a method of attack.

The six-page report, obtained by CBS News, indicates that terrorists killed 173 people and injured another 667 in 17 vehicle-ramming attacks worldwide. 

The most deadly vehicle-ramming attack came in Nice, France last year, when at least 84 people were killed by a truck that drove through a crowd celebrating Bastille Day.

The report warns of indicators that suggest terrorists are planning to resort to vehicle-slamming in the U.S.

The American Trucking Association issued this statement to CBS News: “There is no more dedicated, professional and patriotic group of people than truck drivers, so our industry is disturbed by the possibility that someone would use our vehicles as weapons.Much of what is in this TSA guidance – avoiding area of congestion due to special events, exercising awareness of suspicious activity and practicing common sense safety and security habits – are already hallmarks of industry best practices. The commercial trucking industry deploys significant security measures like vehicle tracking, alarms and specialized locks, as well as ongoing driver awareness training and driver vetting.”

File photo of guns, via ATF

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The ATF released a disturbing new report that shows national firearm theft and losses in gun shops increased 20% in 2016. 

The report indicates that 18,394 weapons were stolen last year, and a vast majority were pistols, rifles, revolvers and shotguns.

“Losses and thefts of firearms have increased dramatically in terms of the gun stores,” ATF Special Agent Michael Knight told WHNT19 News. 

He added: “Also, what has increased extremely, at a high rate, is the armed robberies, and this is a violent crime. This means that the public could potentially be at arms length of the criminal element who are focusing on these gun stores.”

Georgia led the nation with 1,539 stolen or missing firearms in 2016. Florida followed with 1,260 and Texas with 1,247.

Hawaii, by contrast, reported just three stolen or missing firearms.

Other Stories of Interest

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• Homeland Security Struggles to Handle Immigration Who Overstay Visas
• FBI Agents Visit 2 Boston-Area Locations in State Investigation
• What’s ‘Disturbing’ about FBI Director’s Comments on WikiLeaks
• FBI to Aid in Investigation of Couple Murdered in Belize
• Border Patrol Chief Visits Alma Mater Santana High