The Ukrainian army claims to have deployed artificial intelligence (AI) honeytraps to entice Russian soldiers into giving away key strategic information, such as the number of Russian troops in an area, the amount of military equipment on site, and the success or failure of attacks.
“We tend not to bother with the horny ones,” says “Masha”. “The more horny he is, the less likely he is to talk about anything else.”
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The two Ukrainian women use AI images and the pseudonyms Angelina and Masha. They are employed by the Ukrainian firm Molfar to target Russian men in occupied territory, with some online relationships with Russian troops reportedly lasted up to a year.
The two women revealed to the The Times how stupid the Russian “orcs” – as they call them – were willing to do almost anything in return for the ladies’ attention and affection. Officers, they say, were usually too smart to fall for the ruse.
“We’re looking for information about number of troops, information on the amount of military equipment, the success or lack of success of some attacks, their problems with food and equipment.”
– “Angelina”
Sometimes the girls receive more than just flirtation, however, with pictures and videos of dead or captured Ukrainian servicemen being sent by braggadocios Russians.
“I’ve had a boyfriend for a very long time,” Angelina concluded, without going into how she explains her text and phone call flirtations with Russian men to said boyfriend.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Allies of U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) have spent tens of millions to bail out his reelection campaign, but new polling shows him falling to third place behind challengers Ken Paxton and Wesley Hunt.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas Sen. John Cornyn, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX), and the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC).
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The GOP primary’s first round of voting is scheduled for early March, with a potential runoff in late May in Texas.
🎯IMPACT: Cornyn could fail to make the runoff; challengers like Paxton and Hunt are gaining momentum among GOP voters.
IN FULL
U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) could lose his reelection bid without even making it to the general election, according to new polling of the Republican primary race in which he will face Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) and Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX). With just weeks to go before the initial March vote—and the race likely going to a runoff in May—Cornyn trails both Paxton and Hunt, meaning he may not advance to the next round of the primary contest.
The J.L. Partners poll, released on Thursday, shows Paxton, an ally of President Donald J. Trump, leading the field with 27 percent of the vote, followed by Hunt at 25.7 percent. Meanwhile, Cornyn has fallen behind Hunt, at 25.5 percent. An additional 21.7 percent of voters say they remain undecided on which candidate they will back.
Notably, the polling in the primary race has narrowed from late last year, with a December survey showing Paxton at 29 percent and Cornyn and Hunt tied at 24 percent. The inability of Cornyn to generate significant movement in his polling numbers, despite allied SuperPACs spending upwards of $50 million in support of his campaign, suggests the 74-year-old Republican could face the toughest reelection bid in his nearly 24 years in the U.S. Senate. Conversely, the Lone Star Liberty PAC—backing Paxton—has spent just one percent of what Cornyn’s allies have.
Throughout the campaign, Sen. Cornyn has sought to portray him as an ally to President Donald J. Trump, while personally attacking Paxton and branding him a “fraud.” However, Paxton’s record as a Trump supporter is solid, while Cornyn previously argued against the America First leader standing for reelection in 2024 and lobbied Congress not to oppose the lawfare campaign against him. The National Pulse reported in May of last year that, in an effort to keep Trump from endorsing in the primary race, a SuperPAC backing Cornyn hired former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor.
Despite the overwhelming money advantage and support from key GOP figures and political organizations like the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Cornyn has trailed Paxton in polling for most of the race. With it unlikely that any of the candidates will secure a majority of the vote outright in March, a runoff election will be held in May. If Cornyn cannot move ahead of either Hunt or Paxton, he’ll be eliminated from the race—with the top two candidates advancing. The winner of the runoff will face either Democrat state Rep. James Talarico or Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) in November’s general election.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Maryland man has been arrested and charged with attempted murder in connection with an alleged plot targeting Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Colin Demarco, a 26-year-old Maryland resident, and Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred in August 2025 at Vought’s residence in Northern Virginia. Demarco was arrested last month and is being held in Arlington County.
💬KEY QUOTE: Demarco admitted he wanted to confront Vought about Project 2025, expressing fears of a “fascist takeover,” and stating that President Donald J. Trump’s 2024 election victory was the “lowest point in his life.”
🎯IMPACT: The arrest and subsequent charges are the latest notable instance of political violence tied to Democrat claims that President Trump and Republicans are “fascists.”
IN FULL
A Maryland man was formally charged on Thursday with attempted murder for allegedly plotting to assassinate Russell Vought, the director of the Trump administration’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Project 2025 architect. “Colin Demarco, 26, of Rockville, MD is charged with Attempted Murder, Criminal Solicitation to Commit Murder, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Wearing a Mask in Public to Conceal Identity,” the Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) announced, adding, “He was taken into custody at his residence on January 16 and later extradited to the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
In August last year, Demarco allegedly appeared outside Vought’s Northern Virginia home and was observed by a neighbor exhibiting suspicious behavior. According to the ACPD, “A witness reported observing a male suspect, who was wearing a surgical mask and rubber gloves, carrying a backpack and appeared to be concealing a firearm under his shirt, on the victim’s porch. The suspect subsequently approached the witness and inquired about the victim before leaving the scene.”
The ACPD states that officers were dispatched to the residence, but a canvass of the area did not turn up a suspect. However, a home surveillance camera captured an image of Demarco, leading to his eventual identification by law enforcement. Consequently, police executed search warrants for digital records associated with the suspect, including “digital evidence that the suspect had obtained directions to the victim’s residence, had information detailing locations of firearms possessed by a relative, and had a guide detailing tips to prevent criminal detection.”
Notably, court documents state that in the days prior to Demarco traveling to Vought’s home, the 26-year-old made numerous posts online attempting to solicit others to carry out the murder of the OMB director. Demacro eventually decided to carry out the assassination himself, the charging documents allege.
After his arrest, Demarco admitted to being in Arlington last August, but claimed he was job hunting and denied carrying a weapon or intending to harm Vought. He did, however, admit he wanted to confront Vought about Project 2025, expressing fears of a “fascist takeover,” and stating that President Donald J. Trump’s 2024 election victory was the “lowest point in his life.”
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. State Department disclosed that China has conducted secret nuclear tests, violating global commitments against testing.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: China conducted at least one secret nuclear test on June 22, 2020, with the U.S. government revealing the incident on Friday, February 6, 2026.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The PLA sought to conceal testing by obfuscating the explosions because it recognizes these tests violate test-ban commitments.” – U.S. Under Secretary of State Thomas DiNanno
🎯IMPACT: China’s nuclear arsenal is rapidly expanding, with projections of over 1,000 warheads by 2030, raising global security dangers.
IN FULL
The Trump administration revealed on Friday that it possesses evidence indicating China has been conducting secret nuclear weapons tests, including one on June 22, 2020, in violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) of 1996. Thomas DiNanno, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, disclosed the information during the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, stating that Beijing sought to conceal the tests to avoid scrutiny.
“Today, I can reveal that the U.S. government is aware that China has conducted nuclear explosive tests, including preparing for tests with designated yields in the hundreds of tons,” DiNanno stated, continuing, “The PLA sought to conceal testing by obfuscating the explosions because it recognizes these tests violate test-ban commitments.”
The under secretary added that China used decoupling techniques to reduce the effectiveness of seismic monitoring and hide its activities. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) prohibits all nuclear weapons test explosions, though neither the U.S. nor China has formally ratified it.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has committed to vastly expanding his country’s nuclear arsenal, with warheads now numbering around 600 and increasing by approximately 100 per year. Concerningly, Russia has supported Beijing’s buildup by aiding in the development of weapons-grade fissile material. Satellite imagery has identified around 300 missile silos in northern China, with over 100 reportedly loaded with intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S.
In response to ongoing clandestine nuclear tests conducted by China and Russia, President Donald J. Trump instructed the Pentagon late last year to resume nuclear testing “on an equal basis” with both countries. However, DiNanno said that the President also intends to pursue a new nuclear arms control agreement since the expiration of the NEW START treaty this past Thursday. The new treaty would include China, as well as Russia, with only the latter having been a party to the NEW START agreement.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The State Department issued a warning for American citizens to leave Iran ahead of indirect nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran in Oman.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: US State Department, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Adm. Brad Cooper.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: February 6, 2026, in Muscat, Oman.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I would say he should be very worried. Yeah, he should be. As you know, they’re negotiating with us.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: Rising tensions between the US and Iran, with the potential for renewed military action if negotiations fail.
IN FULL
The U.S. State Department has put out an urgent advisory urging American citizens to “leave Iran now”, coinciding with indirect discussions in Oman between U.S. and Iranian officials concerning Iran’s nuclear program. The alert, posted late Thursday by the virtual U.S. embassy for Iran, recommended that people there prepare an exit plan “that does not rely on U.S. government help” and, if departure isn’t possible right away, to “keep a low profile”.
This latest warning comes after the Islamic Republic carried out a harsh crackdown on large-scale protests last month, leading to thousands of deaths among demonstrators during a period of deteriorating economic conditions. President Donald J. Trump has previously warned he will intervene to prevent the regime from killing demonstrators en masse.
Oman’s government has acknowledged that an initial session of indirect talks took place, with participants including Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, President Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Also present was Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), joining alongside Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi. This inclusion of a senior military figure represents a change from earlier diplomatic engagements.
“The consultations focused on preparing the appropriate circumstances for resuming the diplomatic and technical negotiations by ensuring the importance of these negotiations, in light of the parties’ determination to ensure their success in achieving sustainable security and stability,” the Omani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
In a Wednesday interview with NBC News, President Trump said of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, “I would say he should be very worried.” He went on to state that he had “heard” Iran is working to revive its nuclear program, and that he would not hesitate to direct U.S. bombers to “do their job again” if required, referring to U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities last year.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to analyze vaccine monitoring data and uncover potential adverse effects.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., vaccine researchers, and AI experts.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The AI tool has been under development since late 2023. The work is part of HHS operations in the United States.
🎯IMPACT: The development of this AI tool could highlight relations between reported vaccine injuries and cases of autism and other health issues.
IN FULL
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is developing a generative artificial intelligence (AI) tool intended to analyze vaccine safety data, identify patterns, and generate hypotheses about potential adverse effects, according to the department’s AI inventory report for 2025. The project has been in development since late 2023 and reflects a broader push within HHS to modernize public health surveillance.
The initiative has drawn attention in part because it is moving forward under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has long argued that vaccine safety monitoring should be expanded and made more transparent. Kennedy has pushed for changes to the childhood vaccination schedule, removing several vaccines, including those for COVID-19, influenza, and hepatitis A and B, from the recommended list, and has called for reforms to both the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and the federal Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. Supporters say these moves reflect an effort to restore public trust by more closely scrutinizing vaccine risks alongside benefits. VAERS, established in 1990, allows healthcare providers and members of the public to submit reports of health problems that occur after vaccination.
The debate around the AI tool intersects with Kennedy’s broader campaigns questioning aspects of establishment vaccine science, including his repeated calls for renewed investigation into autism and vaccines. Kennedy has argued that the issue has not been fully or transparently examined and has cited animal studies and other research as justification for continued scrutiny.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) has refused to comply with a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into a video she and other congressional Democrats produced, urging U.S. service members to resist what they called “illegal orders.”
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senator Elissa Slotkin, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and five other Democratic lawmakers with military or intelligence backgrounds.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The controversy stems from a video released last year; Slotkin’s refusal was announced on Thursday via a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
💬KEY QUOTE: “They are purposely using physical and legal intimidation to get me to shut up.” — Sen. Slotkin.
🎯IMPACT: The DOJ will now likely weigh whether to issue subpoenas to sitting members of Congress who refuse to sit for voluntary interviews regarding the video.
IN FULL
Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) announced on Thursday that she will not comply with a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into a video she and five other Democrat lawmakers released last year in which they urged members of the U.S. military to ignore what the group characterized as “illegal orders.” The video prompted swift backlash from the Trump administration, with the President himself calling the Democrat message “seditious.” Secretary of War Pete Hegseth admonished Democrats for releasing the video, stating it was a “politically-motivated influence operation” that undermined trust in the military’s chain of command.
“Today, I sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro informing them that I will not be sitting down with them for their inquiry over a 90-second video I filmed in November,” Slotkin wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, with an accompanying video elaborating further on her decision. The Michigan Democrat stated, “They are purposely using physical and legal intimidation to get me to shut up. But more importantly, they’re using that intimidation to deter others from speaking out against their administration.”
Attorneys for Sen. Slotkin delivered two letters on Thursday, one informing U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro that Slotkin will not sit for a voluntary interview and instructed Pirro’s office to preserve documents for what they described as “anticipated litigation.” A second letter, delivered to Attorney General Pam Bondi, also stated that the Michigan Senator will not cooperate with the DOJ investigation and instead demanded that Bondi terminate the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) inquiry into the video.
The National Pulse reported last month that Slotkin’s colleague, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)—who also appeared in the video—filed a lawsuit against the Department of War (DOW) and War Secretary Hegseth over action to demote him and cut his retirement pay as a consequence of the video. Notably, the DOJ’s requests have so far been voluntary, but prosecutors may escalate by issuing subpoenas.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) rejected the GOP-backed Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE) Act, comparing it to Jim Crow, despite overwhelming public support for voter ID laws.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chuck Schumer, Democratic voters, Republican lawmakers, and President Donald J. Trump.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Schumer made the comments on Thursday during an appearance on MS NOW.
💬KEY QUOTE: “It will not pass the Senate. You will not get a single Democratic vote in the Senate. We’re not reviving Jim Crow all over the country.” – Chuck Schumer
🎯IMPACT: The SAVE Act faces strong opposition from Senate Democrats, despite overwhelming voter support for voter ID.
IN FULL
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said February 5 he was surprised to learn that a huge majority of Democratic voters support nationwide voter ID requirements, but insisted that he will oppose Republican efforts to enact such laws regardless. During an interview, Schumer was presented with data showing that around 71 percent of Democrat voters back voter ID rules.
The Senate Minority Leader argued that the measures are designed to limit access to the ballot rather than protect elections. “It’s Jim Crow 2.0,” he claimed, adding: “What they’re trying to do here is the same thing that was done in the South for decades: to prevent people of color from voting,” he said. “If you can’t find a proper ID, you will be discriminated against. This is vicious and nasty.”
The comments came as Republicans push the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections. Under the bill, acceptable documentation would include REAL-ID-compliant identification, a passport, or a birth certificate. The legislation would also bar states from registering voters without proper identification. Schumer vowed that Democrats will block the bill in the Senate, saying, “It will not pass the Senate. You will not get a single Democratic vote in the Senate. We’re not reviving Jim Crow all over the country.”
Despite opposition from Democratic leaders, voter ID laws continue to draw broad public support. Polling has consistently shown that Americans want photo identification requirements, along with other election measures such as paper ballots, early voting options, and making Election Day a national holiday. Support for voter ID crosses party lines among the general public, with massive majorities of Republicans, independents, and even Democrats backing the policy.
President Donald J. Trump has long promoted voter ID as a way to secure elections and made it a central issue in his 2024 campaign. Republicans in Congress and state legislatures are also pressing for proof-of-citizenship and voter ID laws, arguing they are necessary to protect election integrity and public confidence in elections.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump issued a full endorsement of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of Japan’s legislative election.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Sanae Takaichi, and Japanese voters.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The endorsement comes ahead of Japan’s February 8, 2026, legislative election. A meeting at the White House is scheduled for March 19, 2026.
💬KEY QUOTE: “SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN! Good luck on your very important Sunday Vote.” – Donald Trump
🎯IMPACT: The endorsement highlights the strong U.S.-Japan relationship and emphasizes the shared priorities of Trump and Takaichi in national security, trade, and immigration.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump issued a high-profile endorsement Thursday for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, calling Sunday’s snap Japanese legislative election “very important” and praising Takaichi as someone who has “already proven to be a strong, powerful, and wise Leader.”
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote that “The Great Country of Japan is having a very important Legislative Election on Sunday, February 8, 2026. The results of this Election are very important to the future of Japan.” He specifically highlighted Takaichi’s leadership and commitment to her country, saying she “truly loves her Country” and was impressive during his recent visit.
Trump also emphasized the close cooperation between the United States and Japan, noting that “the United States and Japan have worked closely together on making a very substantial Trade Deal, one that strongly benefits both Countries.”
Reiterating his support, the President wrote that “Prime Minister Takaichi is someone who deserves powerful recognition for the job she and her Coalition are doing and, therefore, as President of the United States of America, it is my Honor to give a Complete and Total Endorsement of her, and what her highly respected Coalition is representing.” He added a rallying message to Japanese voters: “SHE WILL NOT LET THE PEOPLE OF JAPAN DOWN! Good luck on your very important Sunday Vote.”
The endorsement comes as Japan prepares for a snap general election on February 8, 2026, to elect all 465 members of the lower house of its national legislature, the House of Representatives. The vote will shape the country’s political direction and could confirm the governing coalition’s mandate.
Takaichi, who became Prime Minister after winning the leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and forming a coalition last year, is widely expected to secure victory in the election. Her campaign emphasizes economic stability, national security, and strengthening Japan’s role on the international stage. She has also expressed a decidedly anti-mass migration stance, vowing to crack down on criminal migrants in the country,
Trump’s endorsement underscores Washington’s strategic interest in continuity in Tokyo’s leadership. Trump also noted he looks forward to hosting Prime Minister Takaichi at the White House on March 19.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump suggested immigration enforcement could benefit from a “softer touch” following federal operations in Minnesota.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, federal agents, anti-ICE activists Alex Pretti and Renee Good, White House Border Czar Tom Homan, and state and local authorities in Minnesota.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Late 2025 through early 2026 in Minnesota.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough.” – Donald J. Trump
🎯IMPACT: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a partial drawdown of federal agents in Minnesota, citing increased cooperation with local authorities.
IN FULL
President Donald J. Trump has said that recent clashes between federal agents and far-left agitators in Minnesota have prompted him to consider a “softer” approach to immigration enforcement. During an interview, Trump was asked what he learned from the federal immigration operation in Minneapolis–St. Paul area following the fatal January shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good during confrontations involving federal agents and anti-ICE agitators.
“I learned that maybe we can use a little bit of a softer touch, but you still have to be tough,” Trump said. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deployed approximately 3,000 federal agents to Minnesota in what it described as the largest immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. Trump said he had personally reached out to state and local leaders during the operation. “I’ve called the Governor. I’ve called the Mayor [of Minneapolis], spoke to them, had great conversations with them,” he said. “And then I see them ranting and raving out there, literally, as though a call wasn’t made. We’ve done a great job everywhere.”
According to the administration, those conversations led to increased cooperation from Minnesota officials. Trump has said that Gov. Tim Walz (D) agreed to work with White House Border Czar Tom Homan to facilitate the transfer of illegal immigrants with criminal records from local jails into federal custody, reducing the need for large-scale street arrests.
Homan announced that this “unprecedented cooperation” would allow DHS to scale back its presence in the state. “Given this increase in unprecedented collaboration and as a result of the need for less law enforcement officers to do this work in a safer environment, I have announced, effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people,” Homan said.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Education has launched two investigations into a Tufts University program over potential violations of federal privacy laws related to student data collection and sharing with the possible intention to influence American elections.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of Education, Tufts University, the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), and the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE).
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigations were announced on Thursday, with the program operating out of Tufts University.
💬KEY QUOTE: “American colleges and universities should be focused on teaching, learning, and research—not influencing elections.” — Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
🎯IMPACT: Both investigations center on potential violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which grants students and their legal guardians the right to control the disclosure of personal data.
IN FULL
The U.S. Department of Education revealed on Thursday that it has launched two investigations into a program at Tufts University that may be illegally collecting and sharing student information to influence elections. The department’s Student Privacy Policy Office (SPPO) is examining whether the National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement (NSLVE) complies with federal privacy laws.
The NSLVE program is able to access student data from thousands of campuses through various partnerships. Federal officials say they are concerned that this data may be shared with third-party political organizations aiming to influence American elections. An investigation has also been launched into the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), which collaborates with NSLVE and has access to data from numerous colleges.
Both investigations center on potential violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which grants students and their legal guardians the right to control the disclosure of personal data. Notably, the partnership between NSLVE and NSC was pushed by the former Obama government as part of an effort to boost student voter participation in elections.
“American colleges and universities should be focused on teaching, learning, and research—not influencing elections,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated. She accused the former Biden government of encouraging institutions to share student data recklessly, adding that the department is revoking all Biden-era guidance that promoted such practices.
NSLVE provides reports to over 1,000 campuses to analyze student voting and registration rates, while NSC collects personal information, enrollment details, and academic records from nearly all U.S. colleges. Consequently, the Department of Education has issued guidance reminding institutions of their privacy obligations under FERPA, warning that using NSLVE data could place them in violation of federal law.
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