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FYSA - Health & Safety: In PA, CO, and MD, reported February 24th; highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) surged with PA as the epicenter, affecting over 7.45 million birds since late January. This includes large commercial egg-layer culls of 2.6 million and 1.4 million in Lancaster County, plus turkey and broiler losses, with nationwide 8.97 million birds impacted in the past 30 days. Gov. Josh Shapiro deployed extra USDA personnel and resources for response. Debrief: Citizen...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - National Security | Government Oversight: Nationwide on February 27th; President Trump directed all federal agencies to immediately cease use of Anthropic's AI technology, including its Claude model, with a six-month phase-out period. The Pentagon was reportedly heavily reliant on Claude and had deployed AI assets across the Department of War. Anthropic recently refused to accede to the Department of War's demand for "any lawful use" without exceptions, asserting that the government sought to remove its prohibitions on mass domestic surveillance and fully autonomous weapons amid the potential $200 million contract. Anthropic said, "The Department of War will only contract with AI companies who accept 'any lawful use.' We can't agree to this." Anthropic further advised they support "the lawful use of Claude- with only two exceptions: Mass domestic surveillance [and] Fully autonomous weapons". The Pentagon denied intending such uses and states that federal law already bars them while requiring only unrestricted lawful access. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth designated Anthropic a "supply-chain risk to national security," barring federal agencies and contractors from future business with the company and warning of major civil and criminal consequences if Anthropic does not cooperate during the phase-out. POTUS released a statement saying, "THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WILL NEVER ALLOW A RADICAL LEFT, WOKE COMPANY TO DICTATE HOW OUR GREAT MILITARY FIGHTS AND WINS WARS!...The Leftwing nut jobs at Anthropic have made a DISASTROUS MISTAKE trying to STRONG-ARM the Department of War, and force them to obey their Terms of Service instead of our Constitution...Anthropic better get their act together, and be helpful during this phase out period, or I will use the Full Power of the Presidency to make them comply, with major civil and criminal consequences to follow." Debrief: This executive action reinforces presidential control over national security tech procurement, potentially pushing toward AI providers without ethical or bias restrictions to maintain military edge, which citizens concerned with self-sufficiency and preparedness should view as a signal to diversify personal tech dependencies and stay informed on alternative open-source AI tools amid escalating government-tech conflicts that could limit civilian access to advanced innovations. The incident could point to a potential attempt to conduct AI powered surveillance and the fallout could also lead to tech driven stoc...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Update: The Department of War (DoW) has reached an agreement to partner with OpenAI following its prior order to phase out Anthropic and the extended directive that read, "Effective immediately, no contractor, supplier, or partner that does business with the United States military may conduct any commercial activity with Anthropic." OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the deal with the DoW to deploy its models on classified military networks. OpenAI concurred with Anthropic's concerns, saying, "Two of our most important safety principles are prohibitions on domestic mass surveillance and human responsibility for the use of force, including for autonomous weapon systems." However, OpenAI justified the deal, saying, "The DoW agrees with these principles, reflects them in law and policy, and we put them into our agreement." Debrief: This swift pivot demonstrated how rapidly access to frontier AI capabilities could be curtailed or extended depending on perceived alignment with federal objectives. OpenAI defended the deal by stating the DoW agreed to reflect their safety principles in law, policy, and possibly contract terms (perhaps embedding the prohibitions on mass surveillance and human-in-the-loop for lethal force into the agreement's technical stack and contractual language), while the "any lawful use" scope for other applications appears to be the default under existing U.S. law and DoD policy rather than a novel exception carved out in this specific deal. This arrangement illustrates how government can rapidly pressure or blacklist private AI companies into compliance (or exclusion) through national-security designations and contractor mandates. The government does need such AI power to maintain dominanc...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - National Security / Terrorism: Nationwide, February 28–March 2nd, the FBI announced that the bureau's counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams on elevated alert nationwide. This followed coordinated U.S.-Israel airstrikes on Iran, including the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and retaliatory attacks that killed three U.S. service members. The FBI advised in part that "Counterterrorism and intelligence teams" were placed "on high alert" and JTTFs throughout the country are working 24/7, as always, to address and disrupt any potential threats to the homeland." The directive activates Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) across the U.S. to intensify monitoring and prevent retaliatory attacks. Experts have warned of possible activation of Iran-linked sleeper cells. The alert's relevance was underscored by the March 1, mass shooting in Austin, TX where a naturalized U.S. citizen Ndiaga Diagne, originally from Senegal, drove an SUV and opened fire with a handgun and rifle at a bar. The attack killed two people and injured 14 others (three critically). Diagne was fatally shot by responding Austin police officers. The FBI is investigating the incident as potential terrorism due to indicators, including a sweatshirt reading "Property of Allah," an Iranian flag shirt, and images of Iranian leaders found in his vehicle. Debrief: The near-immediate occurrence of the Austin attack after the FBI's elevated alert de...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

2nd Amendment Brief: National Summary

BLUF: SCOTUS declined to hear a challenge to the federal ban on gun ownership by nonviolent felons, leaving that restriction intact; the Court received numerous new Second Amendment petitions on open carry bans and industry liability; litigation strategies continue that could reshape federal firearms regulation, including a new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act.

》Nationwide on March 2nd; the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral argument in United States v. Hemani (24‑1234), a case challenging the constitutionality of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), the federal prohibition on firearm possession by unlawful users of controlled substances such as marijuana. In argument, several justices expressed skepticism about treating marijuana use as grounds for disarmament and compared historical analogues to laws disarming “habitual drunkards,” while acknowledging the difficulty of applying Bruen’s historical test to modern drug use. Debrief: A decision narrowing § 922(g)(3) could restore firearm rights to large numbers of otherwise lawful gun owners in states where marijuana is legal, limit Congress’s authority to disarm based on conduct without violent history, and recalibrate how courts apply historical tradition standards to modern regulatory categories.

》Nationwide on March 2nd; the Supreme Court declined to hear Vincent v. Bondi, a challenge to the federal ban on gun ownership by individuals with nonviolent felony convictions under the Gun Control Act of 1968. The case involved a Utah resident with a 2008 fraud conviction who argued the prohibition violated the Second Amendment, but the Court’s denial leaves the lower court ruling upholding the ban in place. The lower courr upheld the Gun Control Act of 1968 which bans firearms for felons. Debrief: By refusing review, the Court preserved a longstanding federal prohibition on firearm possession by nonviolent felons, signaling enduring deference to categorical disqualifications in some contexts despite Bruen’s historical‑tradition test, and maintaining a major prohibited person category.

》Nationwide on February 27th and March 6th conference lists; SCOTUS received multiple new Second Amendment cert petitions, including challenges to (1) the federal felon‑in‑possession ban, (2) state laws authorizing industry liability suits that may conflict with the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), (3) Illinois’ open‑carry ban, and (4) a local Oregon public carry restriction with a concealed‑carry defense. Semiautomatic weapons and standard capacity magazine ban challenges are also under conference consideration. Debrief: The surge of petitions reflects strategic gun‑rights litigation aimed at broadening doctrinal challenges to both federal and state firearms restrictions; if the Court grants any of these, it could further refine or expand Bruen and Second Amendment jurisprudence.

》Nationwide on February 26th; the National Rifle Association and allied plaintiffs filed Roberts v. ATF in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, a third lawsuit contesting the constitutionality of the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) post‑tax repeal by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The co...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Supply Chain: Following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, an effective “closure” of the Strait of Hormuz has emerged, a chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of global oil shipments and significant LNG traffic. The disruption has halted most tanker movement due to vessel attacks, insurer coverage withdrawals, and a blockade environment created by IRGC threats, while Qatar has halted LNG operations at Ras Laffan, which accounts for about 20% of global LNG supply. The conflict has pushed Brent crude up around 7% to highs near $83 per barrel (settling roughly $81–$83), increased U.S. natural gas prices by about 5%, and driven daily LNG tanker freight rates up more than 40%. U.S. gasoline averages have climbed to $3.11–$3.20 per gallon (up roughly 11–18 cents from the ~$2.94–$3.00 pre-spike level). Auto supply chains are also facing 15–25% increases in petrochemical feedstock costs for plastics, rubbers, and adhesives, along with higher logistics and shipping expenses due to rerouting. Delays in Asian component shipments, including EV batteries and semiconductors, are potentially stranding parts and squeezing just-in-time production, with analysts warning of vehicle price increases and reduced parts availability if disruptions persist into summer 2026. Debrief: U.S. citizens face higher gasoline and natural gas costs that add pressure to household budgets and inflation (roughly $0.25 per gallon for every $10-per-barrel increase in crude). Vehicle prices also face upward pressure from elevated input and logistics costs, along with potential parts shortages. This environment may encourage fue...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Privacy: A joint investigation by "major" news organizations in Swden revealed that footage from Meta's Ray-Ban AI-powered smart glasses is being reviewed by human data annotators at subcontractor Sama in Nairobi, Kenya. Over seven million pairs of the glasses have been sold. Contractors described seeing highly intimate content. This includes people using the bathroom, getting undressed or fully naked (often appearing unaware they were recording), engaging in sexual activity, as well as other sensitive actions such as conducting financial transactions. Debrief: These revelations highlight severe privacy risks for users of always-on wearable cameras. Sensitive personal moments can be unintentionally recorded and exposed to foreign workers without clear consent. Meta's planned rollout of the "Name Tag" f...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Cybersecurity Brief: National Summary

BLUF: Cyber threats tied to geopolitical conflict and instability are affecting critical infrastructure, particularly financial systems and federal cyber defense agencies as federal cybersecurity leader is removed from top role at CISA.

》U.S. banks and financial institutions are on heightened alert for cyberattacks as geopolitical tensions escalate with Iran, with analysts warning that Iran‑aligned hackers could conduct disruptive operations such as distributed denial‑of‑service (DDoS) attacks against financial networks. Credit rating organizations warned, "Iran could increase its cyberattacks against Western entities, including banks." Industry groups and intelligence assessments indicate that financial systems—considered critical infrastructure due to their role in payment processing and markets—are historically frequent targets during geopolitical crises. Organizations including FS‑ISAC and SIFMA are coordinating monitoring and resilience planning across the sector to mitigate potential operational disruptions.

》The acting director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) was reassigned to a role within the Department of Homeland Security, marking another leadership change at the federal agency responsible for protecting government networks and U.S. critical infrastructure from cyber threats. The shift comes as the agency faces operational strain due to staffing reductions and budget constraints, raising concerns about its ability to coordinate national cyber defense and infrastructure protection efforts during a period of heightened cyber risk.

Debrief: (CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Civil Unrest: Nationwide on March 7th; participants gathered in 150+ cities across the country as part of a coordinated "Save Our Children" (and Protect our Kids) rally series involving peaceful protests demanding accountability for alleged elite involvement in child trafficking, cover-ups related to Epstein files, and lack of arrests for high-profile pedophiles. Protesters mostly avoided any direct political party messaging as organizers advised they are "not for one political party or the other. It's got nothing to do with politics for us. It's just basically us, trying to get people on the same page. United we stand, divided we fall." Signs included references to #ADRENOCHROME, accusations against government agencies like the FBI, CIA, and CPS in child trafficking, and slogans such as "NO TAXATION W/O PEDOPHILE ANNIHILATION." While most participants remained neutral some wore -pro-MAGA hats and Guy Fawkes masks. Debrief: These events highlight persistent public concern over child exploitation and perceived institutional failures to address high-level trafficking networks, potentially amplifying calls for transparency in ongoing investigations and legislative efforts like those in recent Sena...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Civil Unrest: In NYC, NY on March 7th; during an anti-Islam protest organized by alt-right influencer Jake Lang outside Gracie Mansion, the official residence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani (NYC's first Muslim mayor), clashes erupted between about 20 protesters and roughly 120 counter-protesters (Muslims and reports of Antifa) involving pepper spray from the anti-Islam side followed by counter-protesters throwing two ignited suspicious devices described by NYPD as IEDs made of jars wrapped in black tape containing nuts, bolts, screws for shrapnel and a fuse, producing smoke and flames but failing to fully detonate or cause injuries. NYPD arrested six people including suspects Emir Balat (18) and Ibrahim Nikk (19) who handled/threw the devices, with one shouting "Allahu Akbar" during arrest, prompting bomb squad response and FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force involvement. Debrief: This incident highlights escalating risks of violence at ideologically charged protests in urban areas, where homemade incendiary/shrapnel devices could have caused mass casualties if properly constructed, underscoring the need for citizens to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and support law enforcement in countering domestic extremism regardless of political or religious motivation while avoiding vigilante responses that fuel further escalation. Alt-right protesters us...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)