🐝 Axios PM: Double-sting op

Plus: The U.K.'s new boss | Monday, October 24, 2022

Open in app View in browser   Presented By Walmart   Axios PM By Mike Allen · Oct 24, 2022 Happy Monday! Today's PM — edited by Justin Green — is 407 words, a 1.5-minute read. ⚡️Bulletin: Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas temporarily blocked an Atlanta grand jury subpoena seeking testimony from Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in an investigation of possible criminal efforts to overturn the 2020 election.     🐝 1 big thing: Double agent sting Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks at a press conference at the Department of Justice today. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images   Suspected Chinese intelligence officers were duped by a U.S. double agent, Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed today. 🚨 Why it matters: The Justice Department unveiled sweeping charges today in three different cases against Chinese intelligence officers. "That includes espionage, harassment, obstruction of our justice system and unceasing efforts to steal sensitive U.S. technology," Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said. 🐝 The two Chinese suspects allegedly tried to "steal files and other information" from prosecutors investigating a Chinese telecommunications company, identified by AP as Huawei. "The defendants believed that they had recruited the U.S. employee as an asset, but in fact, the individual they recruited was actually a double agent, working on behalf of the FBI." Zoom out: FBI Director Christopher Wray said the sweeping charges show that China's "economic assaults and their rights violations are part of the same problem," AP reports. "They try to silence anyone who fights back against their theft — companies, politicians, individuals — just as they try to silence anyone who fights back against their other aggressions."     2. Ukrainian monastery in ruins Photo: Carl Court/Getty Images A monastery and warehouse lie in ruins yesterday after being destroyed during fighting in Slovyansk, Ukraine.     A message from Walmart Walmart has spent nearly $1B with veteran-owned businesses     Walmart is strengthening its commitment to American jobs and communities by investing in products made, grown or assembled in America. Last year, the company sourced over $1 billion in goods from veteran-owned businesses, like Grind Goods. Learn more about Walmart's commitment.     3. Catch up quick Photo: Maja Smiejkowska/Reuters Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak, pictured above today in London, will become the U.K.'s first prime minister of color and of South Asian descent. Go deeper. WNBA star Brittney Griner "does not expect miracles" at her appeal hearing scheduled for tomorrow, her lawyers said in a statement to Reuters. Go deeper. "Drink less dirty vodka:" Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba mocked Russian claims about dirty bombs and said, "Russians often accuse others of what they plan themselves." Go deeper. Scoop: Democrats are deploying their party's biggest assets in Pennsylvania. President Biden and former President Obama will barnstorm the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas on Nov. 5, Axios Sneak Peek co-author Hans Nichols reports.     ⚾️ 4. Astros and Phillies celebrate Photo: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Above: Martin Maldonado of the Houston Astros celebrates last night in New York after sweeping the Yankees to advance to the World Series. Below: Philadelphia Phillies fans cheer for pole-climbers last night outside Philadelphia City Hall. "The Phillies are the first sixth seed to reach a World Series," ESPN reports. Photo: Alexa Mencia/Axios     A message from Walmart Walmart is supporting the creation of over 750,000 new American jobs     "Lives are getting better because we are in business with Walmart." — Haith Johnson, CEO of Le'Host Hair & Wigs Walmart is committed to supporting over 750,000 jobs, like Le'Host, through its $350B commitment to U.S. manufacturing, based on estimates from Boston Consulting Group. Learn more.   Thanks to Sheryl Miller for copy editing today's newsletter. Are you a fan of this email format? It's called Smart Brevity®. Over 300 orgs use it — in a tool called Axios HQ — to drive productivity with clearer workplace communications.   Axios thanks our partners for supporting our newsletters. If you're interested in advertising, learn more here. Sponsorship has no influence on editorial content. Axios, 3100 Clarendon B‌lvd, Arlington VA 22201   You received this email because you signed up for newsletters from Axios. Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.   Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get Axios in your inbox.   Follow Axios on social media: