FYSA: The Department of Justice released a formal fact sheet outlining the scope, limits, and legal basis of its ongoing Jeffrey Epstein files release following "backlash" on the redactions and removals of previously uplaoded files. The fact sheet asserts that DOJ is redacting only information “required by law,” including identifying information of victims and minors, and explicitly states that “NO redactions have been or will be made to protect famous individuals or politically exposed persons.” The DOJ further acknowledged that some images were temporarily removed after release because it received requests from alleged victims and their attorneys, explaining that the materials were pulled “out of an abundance of caution” and would be re-released with legally required redactions. A...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Update: On December 23rd, the Department of Justice released another batch of additional unclassified documents related to Jeffrey Epstein under the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The newly posted material includes investigative records, emails, flight logs, photographs, and administrative files from prior federal probes, with many pages partially redacted to protect victims’ identities and comply with privacy and grand jury laws. The DOJ stated the release was part of a rolling disclosure process rather than a single bulk dump and emphasized that the presence of names or images in the files does not indicate criminal wrongdoing. Lawmakers and transparency advocates from both parties criticized the continued redactions and staggered release schedule, arguing that key materials remain withheld and that the disclosures have not fully resolved questions about Epstein’s network, prior prosecutorial decisions, or the extent of government knowledge before his death. The documents include multiple mentions and records involving well-known politicians and public figures, including President Trump, who appeared in flight logs and internal emails showing he flew on Epstein’s private jet multiple times (8 times, including 4 with Maxwell) in the 1990s. Trump was also mentioned in a postcard from Epstein to Nassar (Team USA doctor and convicted pedophile) that said “our president” (presumed to reference Trump) had a “love for young, nubile girls.” Another tip submitted to the FBI claimed a victim’s uncle forced a 13-year-old victim to do something (it was redacted what she was forced to do) with men on a boat. One man was named Donald Trump, and he was claimed to have witnessed a murder of the victim’s newborn child. The DOJ has labeled sensational claims “unfounded and false”; Trump has denied wrongdoing. The files also contain material mentioning or showing other prominent individuals such as former President Bill Clinton, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor), and other celebrities, largely in photos and media clips, with officials emphasizing that inclusion of a name or image does not imply guilt. Much of the mentions of Trump that claim wrongdoing were obtained in 2020 ahead of the presidential elections, which the DOJ suggests were submitted falsely to “hurt” Trump. The new file drop also contained iternal DOJ emails from 2019 where investigators were discussing the existence of “10 co-conspirators” prior to Epstein’s arrest, and a separate 2020 email indicating prosecutors drafted a memo identifying “co-conspirators we could potentially charge,” suggesting federal authorities considered additional criminal targets beyond Epstein before his death. The DOJ also released video that appeared to recreate Jeffrey Epstein’s suicide in his Manhattan jail cell, briefly causing public confusion before officials clarified it was not real footage. The video showed a tim...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - 2nd Amendment: In CA; the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and allied plaintiffs filed a reply brief in federal court challenging California’s restrictions on firearm access for adults aged 18 to 20, arguing the state failed to meet the historical-tradition test required by the Supreme Court’s Bruen decision. The brief asserts that founding-era evidence shows young adults were “expected to be armed — not barred from the firearms marketplace,” and contends that California improperly relies on late-19th-century laws that cannot ove...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Government Oversight: Internal FBI emails made public through congressional inquiry show bureau officials expressing explicit doubts about whether probable cause existed before seeking the warrant to search President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence, with one FBI official writing, “I don’t believe we have sufficient probable cause yet,” and another warning that the case was “not there” at the time the warrant was being pursued. Despite these concerns, the warrant application moved forward after direction from senior Department of Justice leadership under the Biden Admin...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Field Notes – Terrorism: On December 23rd, pro-Islamic State (ISIS) media outlets released new posters and online materials threatening attacks against Christians during the global holiday season and declaring that Christians “do not deserve kindness.” The ISIS multi-language Halummu media outlet, with an English translation by the pro-ISIS Sarh Al-Khilafah Foundation, depicted a bomb beside Santa Claus and an image of an ISIS militant holding a rifle. Translations published by the Middle East Media Research Institute’s Jihad and Terrorism Threat Monitor showed the propaganda emphasizing “lone wolf” action rather than centralized operational direction. The content, circulated via ISIS-aligned channels, depicted the Christmas period as an opportunity for violence and called on supporters to target gatherings and celebrations associated with the holiday, employing language intended to inflame religious tensions and motivate isolated actors to engage in attacks. On December 25th, ISIS circulated new guidance in issue 527 of its al-Naba media outlet, further encouraging attacks during the Christmas holiday period, directly urging violence against Christian and Jewish communities and advocating simple, easily executed methods such as vehicle attacks, knife assaults, and small-arms violence in crowded civilian environments. The messaging identified churches, holiday gatherings, retail areas, and transportation nodes as preferred targets, portraying the broader holiday season as symbolically significant and operationally advantageous. Supporters were urged to act on their own or in very small groups, with the publication referencing prior incidents to argue that individual actors can generate outsized impact without formal coordination. The same release also included claims of hundreds of attacks worldwide over the previous six months and a multi-thousand casualty figure, numbers presented without external verification.

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

Civil Unrest / Societal Collapse / Citizen Actions / Extremism Brief: National Summary

BLUF: National Guard targeted in D.C.; NYPD clash with anti-ICE; anti-ICE activists stage symbolic protests and disrupt operations in multiple cities; pro-Palestinian groups demonstrate on holidays amid ongoing tensions; alt-right marches draw counter-protesters and highlight ideological clashes; Antifa-linked actions escalate at federal facilities; Antifa and communist activists target Christian business; anti-ICE activists disrupt federal enforcement and rally against deportations in multiple cities.

》In Washington, DC; far-left activists continue to confront National Guard troops who are walking patrol. Protesters and individual activists are recording troops at close range while accusing them of following illegal orders and violating the Constitution. The ongoing incidents come after two Guardsmen were shot in the capital...

》In Lower Manhattan, NYC, NY; law enforcement arrested multiple people after hundreds of anti-ICE rioters were filmed throwing trash cans, debris, and other objects at NYPD officers and obstructing federal agents near a government facility during demonstrations against ongoing immigration enforcement operations...

》In Plano, TX on December 13th; anti-Islam protesters marched in opposition to the immigration of Islamic persons into the U.S. The group, mostly composed of alt-right activists, held signs reading “ban Sharia law,” “Muhammad was a pedophile,” and “Americans against Islamification.” The group wore body armor and helmets and chanted “send them back”...

》In Denver, CO; Antifa-aligned activists with Denver Communists have continued direct actions against The Drip Café, a Christian nonprofit coffee shop, targeting the business because of its publicly stated beliefs on sex and gender. Local reporting shows organizers have used social media to coordinate protests...

》In St. Paul, MN on December 11th; anti-ICE agitators mobilized to interfere with ICE removal enforcement operations, surrounding agents, yelling insults, and aiding subjects in evading capture. Footage showed protesters obstructing access, leading to confrontations...

》In Boston, MA on December 16th; anti-ICE activists marked the 252nd anniversary of the Boston Tea Party with a protest against ICE and deportations, led by transgender and immigrant activists. They compared themselves to the Founding Fathers and dumped ice into the harbor as a symbolic gesture...

》In Portland, OR on December 22nd; Antifa and anti-ICE demonstrators clashed outside an ICE facility, with reports of riots involving Patriots counter-protesters. Footage from live streams showed escalating chaos, including foreign flags and open defiance against federal agents...

》In New York City, NY on December 25th; pro-Palestinian extremists protested outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Christmas Day, waving flags and chanting despite a ceasefire in Gaza. The group disrupted holiday activities...

》In Minneapolis, MN on December 20th; thousands marched along Lake Street in a massive anti-ICE rally condemning “Operation Metro Surge” and arrests targeting immigrant communities, including Somalis. Protesters braved cold weather, chanting support for immigrants...

》In Ewing, NJ on December 19th; dozens of anti-ICE activists lined up inside a Home Depot, purchasing ice scrapers then returning them in a symbolic protest accusing the store of cooperating with immigration agents...

》In Elgin, IL from December 6–8; anti-ICE protesters confronted ICE agents during an operation, throwing snowballs after agents used force; tear gas was deployed to disperse the crowd...

》In Monrovia, CA on December 9th; demonstrators stalled a Home Depot by mass-purchasing and returning cheap ice scrapers, marching aisles and forcing temporary closure while accusing the chain of complicity in raids...

》Nationwide throughout December; “No Sleep for ICE” actions saw activists protesting noisily outside hotels housing agents, aiming to disrupt rest amid surges in arrests and deportations...

Debrief: 400+ a...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Current Events Brief: Israel Influence

BLUF: Underreporting Israeli propaganda campaign influences AI and civil discourse as Nvidia invests “second home” facility in Israel.

On December 18th, Nvidia announced plans to invest in a major new research and development campus in Kiryat Tivon, northern Israel, describing the country as a strategic “second home” for the company. The project, part of a broader multi-billion-shekel expansion including a large server/data center facility, is expected to significantly deepen Nvidia’s presence in Israel, create thousands of jobs, and make the site one of its largest R&D hubs outside the United States, with construction scheduled to begin in 2027 and initial occupancy targeted around 2031.

In September, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded a U.S.-based digital influence campaign through a contract structured via the German advertising firm Havas Media Network. Havas subcontracted the work to Clock Tower X, an Ohio-based digital strategy firm registered as a foreign agent under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act. Initial unverified claims indicated Israel’s intent was to “build new websites designed to influence how artificial intelligence systems, including ChatGPT, frame issues by training them on large datasets.” Clock Tower X is reported to be using a tool called MarketBrewAI to “adjust algorithms and boost the visibility of content online.” The purpose of this, according to the reporting, is to push certain narratives more prominently online. Department of Justice filings show the contract was valued at approximately $6 million. The campaign’s stated purpose was to combat antisemitism in the United States and improve Israel’s online image. Clock Tower X was tasked with producing and amplifying digital content across websites, social media platforms, and other online channels, with a focus on reaching younger audiences, including Generation Z. Internal filings referenced goals of generating at least 50 million impressions per month as part of a broader Israeli government effort to influence U.S. public discourse during a period of heightened international attention.

Debrief: The expansion of the Israeli footprint reflects a strat...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Field Notes - Global Conflict / National Security: In Tehran, Iran, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned of a “harsh and discouraging” response to any future attacks after President Trump warned the United States could strike again if Iran attempts to rebuild its nuclear program. The comments were made following discussions with Israeli leadership and framed around preventing Iran from restoring nuclear capabilities damaged during a 12-day conflict in June 2025. During that conflict, U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iranian nuclear and missile facilities, Iranian officials reported nearly 1,100 deaths, and Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel that killed 28 people. Iran also launched missiles toward the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest U.S. military installation in the region, in a direct response to U.S. strikes, with most missiles intercepted and no reported casualties. Debrief: Subsequent U.S. claims that Iran’s nuclear program was severely set back have been questioned by some lawmakers and intelligence assessments. The Iranian response has caused some outlets and conflict reporting to assert that the U.S. and Iran have entered into a war. Tensions have increased since December 27th, with the President of Iran saying, “We are in a full-scale war with the U.S., Israel and Europe,” and Trump res...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Government Oversight / Major Crime: On December 31st, President Trump announced the withdrawal of National Guard forces from Chicago, Los Angeles, and Portland after asserting that crime declined during their presence and attributing that reduction to the deployments themselves. He said federal involvement prevented further deterioration in those cities and warned that forces could return in "a much different and stronger form, when crime begins to soar again - Only a question of time!" The announcement followed a recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, focused on Illinois, that limited the administration’s ability to deploy National Guard units into states without expanded legal authority or state consent, particularly in support roles tied to federal immigration enforcement. Debrief: (CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Field Notes - Global Conflict: In Caracas, Venezuela, on January 3rd; videos show 7+ strikes, with residents reporting seeing bright flashes and hearing multiple explosions across the capital, with early reports indicating possible strikes near military and infrastructure sites including Fort Tiuna and La Carlota Air Base. Venezuelan authorities had not issued an official statement at the time of reporting, and no casualties or damage assessments were confirmed, but video shows at least 7 sites were hit. Separately, social media monitoring accounts reported sightings of U.S. Army CH-47G Chinook and other U.S. military aircraft over Caracas and suggested the explosions may be linked to U.S. airstrikes; these claims remain unconfirmed and were not independently verified. The situation is rapidly developing, but initial indications are that the U.S. has attacked the mai...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Update: The White House announced, “The United States of America has successfully carried out a large-scale strike against Venezuela and its leader, President Nicolas Maduro, who has been, along with his wife, captured and flown out of the country. This operation was done in conjunction with U.S. law enforcement." The Secretary of State advised Maduro was "arrested by U.S. personnel to stand trial on criminal charges in the United States.” The Venezuelan government responded to the operation, saying that “civilian and military localities of the city of Caracas, capital of the Republic, and the states of Miranda, Aragua, and La Guaira” wer...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

Recall Brief: National Summary

BLUF: Active recalls include ground beef in CA, CO, ID, MT, PA, and WA; multiple FDA-regulated products stored at a Minnesota distribution facility; dog biscuits in CO, IA, KS, MO, TX, MT, and NE; and ready-to-eat kielbasa in WA, OR, and CA due to contamination and sanitation concerns.

》For those in CA, CO, ID, MT, PA, and WA; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service announced a recall of roughly 2,855 pounds of grass-fed ground beef produced by Mountain West Food Group, LLC, after routine testing detected possible E. coli O26 contamination. The affected 16-ounce packages were distributed to retailers. Consumers were advised to discard or return the product and to cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F. Debrief: Consumers should check freezers and recent purchases, practice strict cooking hygi...

》Nationwide, the FDA ordered a recall of all FDA-regulated products held at Gold Star Distribution, Inc. due to rodent and bird contamination and insanitary storage conditions. Affected items may include human fo...

》Pet owners in CO, IA, KS, MO, TX, MT, and NE may be impacted by a Consumers Supply Distributing recall of specific Country Vet and Heartland Harvest dog biscuits after testing found potential Salmonella contamination. The products were sold through farm and feed retailers in multiple states and pose an infection risk t...

》For those in WA, OR, and CA; FSIS recalled approximately 1,930 pounds of Olympia Provisions ready-to-eat holiday kielbasa due to possible metal contamination discovered by a consumer. The pr...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)

FYSA - Civil Unrest: In Atlanta, GA; a Fulton County Superior Court judge formally dismissed RICO charges against far-left “extremists” indicted as alleged co-conspirators in the Stop Cop City movement, concluding a prosecution initiated in 2023 that accused dozens of activists and rioters of participating in an organized criminal enterprise opposing the city’s planned public safety training facility, known as Cop City, to its opposition. The dismissal followed an oral ruling issued from the bench in September, in which the judge stated the charges would be thrown out, with the written order entered this week to make the decision final. Court records show the case experienced extended delays, shifting prosecutorial approaches, and procedural deficiencies over more than two years, during which many defendants had not yet gone to trial. The di...(CLASSIFIED, get briefs in real-time unredacted by joining at www.graymanbriefing.com)