Newsletter 8-12-25: Restoring Order in DC, The M18, An End to Debanking

Good morning, friends. It’s Tuesday, August 12, 2025, and welcome to your En Bloc Press subscriber newsletter. In this issue:

Trump Bans Banks From Discriminating Against Gun Companies

President Trump signed an executive order barring banks from cutting ties with lawful gun businesses, reversing policies dating back to Barack Obama and Operation Choke Point.

Arrest Made in Death of Airman at F.E. Warren AFB Involving Sig Sauer M18

Perhaps the gun did not "just go off" after all...

Trump Invokes D.C. Home Rule Act, Set to Deploy National Guard in Law-And-Order Push

Federal control of D.C.’s police and National Guard deployment ordered after violent unrest in the capital.

• Minnesota Supreme Court Greenlights Homemade Firearms Without Serial Numbers
• Encryption Made for Police and Military Radios May Be Easily Cracked
• New: Vortex Ranger 3000 10×42 Laser Range-Finding Binoculars
• Leapfest 2025 – 40 Years of International Airborne Camaraderie and Competition
• Barnes Bullets Unveils Barnes Reserve: Hand-Loaded Precision for Niche Hunting Cartridges

And more...

Trump Bans Banks From Discriminating Against Gun Companies

In Short: President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing federal banking regulators to stop politicized or unlawful debanking, requiring that institutional decisions be based on objective, risk-based factors rather than “reputational risk.”

While not specifically limited to the gun industry, it covers discrimination against lawful businesses based on political or religious beliefs—provisions likely to benefit firearms companies targeted in past efforts like Obama's Operation Choke Point.

• The move reverses years of pressure from anti-gun groups and former administrations, particularly under Operation Choke Point, which used the concept of "reputational risk" to pressure banks into cutting ties with gun industry businesses.
• Operation Choke Point, started under the Obama administration, categorized gun dealers alongside high-risk businesses like Ponzi schemes and escort services, despite them operating legally and conducting background checks.
• Even after the program ended in 2017, anti-gun advocacy groups continued to pressure financial institutions, prompting the executive order to block what is considered ideological discrimination against lawful gun-related enterprises.

Jump to Source: Trump Bans Banks From Discriminating Against Gun Companies

Arrest Made in Death of Airman at F.E. Warren AFB Involving Sig Sauer M18 (P320)

In Short: An arrest has been made in the shooting death of Airman Brayden Lovan at Wyoming's F.E. Warren Air Force Base. The incident, which re-ignited a firestorm of social media criticism of the Sig M18/P320 platform, now appears to be a bit more complex than the gun "just going off" randomly. (Whether or not Sig can recover from their absolutely catastrophic handling of the PR around the P320 remains to be seen.)

In a statement released Friday, an Air Force spokesperson confirmed that an unnamed individual has been arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, obstruction of justice, and making a false official statement.

Key Details:

• An arrest was made in the shooting death of Airman Brayden Lovan at F.E. Warren AFB on July 20, involving the Sig Sauer M18.
• The arrest involves manslaughter and making a false official statement.
• The Sig Sauer M18, the military version of the P320, is under scrutiny for possible accidental or spontaneous discharges.
• Air Force Global Strike Command has paused M18 use, and the US Air Force initiated a service-wide inspection.

Jump to Source: Arrest Made in Death of Airman at F.E. Warren AFB Involving Sig Sauer M18 (P320)

Trump Invokes D.C. Home Rule Act, Set to Deploy National Guard in Law-And-Order Push

In Short: President Trump announced he is invoking the D.C. Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police under federal control and deploy the National Guard in response to escalating crime and unrest in Washington, D.C.

Predictably, libs have been crying, inconsolable, frantic. Noted fatso Rachel Bitecofer offered an interesting tweet (below) ahead of the announcement, making it plain that the entrenched bureaucracy of the left is still having trouble wrapping their heads around the fact that Donald Trump would not be "seizing control of Washington DC," but rather that he formally controls the executive branch of the federal government, which operates out of The Capitol city of Washington, D.C.

Her sentiment is equally as absurd as if she were to frantically tweet that I was going to "seize control of my couch" so that I could watch TV in my own living room.

The Home Rule Act allows for the federalization of D.C.’s police because Washington, D.C. is not a state but a federal district under Congress’s constitutional authority (Article I, Section 8). The Act specifically gives the U.S. president emergency authority to assume control over the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in situations like riots, major civil disturbances, or threats to federal property and government functions.

• On August 11, 2025, President Trump announced he is invoking the D.C. Home Rule Act to take federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deploy the National Guard across Washington, D.C., framing the move as a major effort to restore law and order.
• He declared, "This is Liberation Day in D.C. — and we're going to take our capital BACK," following up on social media by promising that crime, homelessness, and lawlessness would "DISAPPEAR."
• The decision comes after a chaotic weekend incident where a large group of youths reportedly discharged firearms, launched fireworks, and rode dirt bikes near the Capitol, prompting federal agency involvement.
• Trump's executive order from earlier in 2025 established the "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force," aimed at increasing law enforcement presence and beautifying public areas in response to ongoing crime and disorder.
• Amid ongoing violence and lawlessness in D.C., a former government worker known as "Big Balls" was recently attacked, fueling arguments against progressive policies and increasing support for federal intervention.

Jump to Source: Trump Invokes D.C. Home Rule Act, Set to Deploy National Guard in Law-And-Order Push

Minnesota Supreme Court Greenlights Homemade Firearms Without Serial Numbers

In Short: The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that it is legal under state law to possess homemade firearms without serial numbers, as long as federal law does not require them. The ruling effectively allows law-abiding residents to build and possess ghost guns, so long as other legal requirements are met.

Note that this ruling is not an endorsement of ghost guns by the Minnesota Supreme Court, but rather a concession that a legislative gap exists. State lawmakers will likely try to "fix" this gap in the future; this is a win, but possibly only for now.

Jump to Source: Minnesota Supreme Court Greenlights Homemade Firearms Without Serial Numbers

Vortex Ranger 3000 10×42 Laser Range-Finding Binoculars

In Short: Vortex's new Ranger 3000 10x42 binoculars combine powerful optics with laser range finding, offering three ranging modes and target modes, a maximum reflective range of 3,000 yards, and features such as a red OLED display, tripod compatibility, and a weather-resistant design.

Key Details:

• Equipped with three ranging modes: Horizontal Component Distance, Line of Sight, and SCAN, plus three target modes: Normal, First, and Last.
• Priced at $1,200, each unit includes a GlassPak harness, neck strap, covers, lens cloth, and a CR123 battery.

Jump to Source: First Look: Vortex Ranger 3000 10×42 Laser Range Finding Binoculars

Barnes Bullets Unveils Barnes Reserve: Hand-Loaded Precision for Niche Hunting Cartridges

In Short: Barnes Bullets has launched Barnes Reserve, a premium line of hand-loaded ammunition designed to meet the needs of discerning shooters looking for high-end offerings in niche hunting cartridges. Availability is exclusive to the Barnes website.

• Initial offerings include hard-to-find calibers, such as .257 Weatherby Magnum and 6.8 Western, priced between $99 – $119 per box.

Jump to Source: Barnes Bullets Unveils Barnes Reserve: Hand-Loaded Precision for Niche Hunting Cartridges

Ghislaine Maxwell's Grand Jury Transcripts Won't Be Unsealed, Judge Rules

In Short: District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer denied the Justice Department's request to unseal grand jury transcripts in Ghislaine Maxwell's sex trafficking case, ruling that their release would not provide any meaningful new information.

• Engelmayer determined that releasing the materials would not reveal any meaningful or new information, calling the government's reasoning "demonstrably false."
• After reviewing the documents, the judge concluded there were no "special circumstances" to justify the exceptional step of unsealing grand jury materials.
• This decision comes amid increased public scrutiny over the government's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

Jump to Source: Ghislaine Maxwell's Grand Jury Transcripts Won't Be Unsealed, Judge Rules

Netanyahu Expands Scope of Planned Gaza Takeover, Says Israel Has 'No Choice but to Finish the Job'

In Short: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expanded the military operation in Gaza to include central regions and Muwasi, aiming to fully defeat Hamas and establish an alternative civil administration, amid growing international calls for Palestinian statehood and criticism over the humanitarian crisis.

The Israeli Security Cabinet approved five guiding principles for ending the war, including the disarming and demilitarization of Hamas, the return of hostages, Israeli security control in Gaza, and the formation of a new civil administration not led by Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.

• Over 400,000 military reservists may be called up by Defense Minister Israel Katz to carry out the operation.
• Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's goal is not to occupy Gaza but to "free" it, and thanked former President Trump for continued U.S. support.
• Amid these developments, countries like France, the UK, Canada, and Australia have moved toward recognizing a Palestinian state, with Australian PM Anthony Albanese calling a two-state solution “humanity’s best hope” and reaffirming Hamas as a terrorist group.

Jump to Source: Netanyahu Expands Scope of Planned Gaza Takeover, Says Israel Has 'No Choice but to Finish the Job'

Related: Satellite Photo Shows Israel Military Buildup Near Gaza

In Short: Satellite imagery from August 7, 2025, showed a significant Israeli military buildup proximal to the Karni crossing near northeastern Gaza, suggesting preparations for a large-scale ground offensive.

The Karni crossing, once a key terminal for aid and goods, has been incorporated into Israel's Iron Wall as part of an ongoing blockade strategy following its closure in 2011 and demolition in 2022.

Jump to Source: Satellite Photo Shows Israel Military Buildup Near Gaza

Trump Strikes Deal, Making US Firms Pay 15% Tax on China Chip Sales

In Short: Donald Trump has brokered a deal requiring US chipmakers like NVIDIA and AMD to pay the US government 15% of their China sales, raising concerns about national security, corporate margins, and potentially compromising efforts to limit China's AI advancement.

This deal comes ahead of a now-delayed August 12 deadline for a broader US-China trade agreement and has raised concerns among national security experts about its implications for US tech leadership and security.

• Critics warned that the agreement undermines existing export curbs meant to prevent US technology from fueling China's frontier AI capabilities, which may pose greater long-term risks.
• Analysts are concerned the deal could damage corporate profit margins and sets a troubling precedent for government interference in private sector international sales.
• Geoff Gertz from the Center for a New American Security called the deal “wild,” highlighting the confusion it brings to the country's stated national security priorities.
• To be clear, this is a revenue‑sharing conditional on export licensing, not a general corporate tax.

Jump to Source: Trump Strikes “wild” Deal Making US Firms Pay 15% Tax on China Chip Sales

Encryption Made for Police and Military Radios May Be Easily Cracked

In Short: Encryption used in police and military radios has been found to contain serious vulnerabilities—both in the original TETRA algorithm and a widely endorsed end-to-end encryption layer—making sensitive communications potentially easy to eavesdrop on.

Researchers from Dutch security firm Midnight Blue discovered a major vulnerability in an end-to-end encryption method used to secure sensitive communications in police, military, and intelligence radios.

• The encryption, meant to enhance security on top of the flawed TETRA standard, compresses a 128-bit key down to just 56 bits, significantly weakening its strength and making it easier to crack.
• It's unclear which devices use this vulnerable encryption, or whether users—including critical national security teams—are aware of the risk.
• The flawed end-to-end encryption was endorsed by ETSI in 2023 to mitigate earlier-discovered backdoors in the TETRA radio system, which has been in use since the 1990s by manufacturers like Motorola, Damm, and Sepura.
• ETSI initially advised using this end-to-end solution after researchers revealed that the original TETRA encryption had a built-in backdoor, putting global critical infrastructure communications at risk.

Jump to Source: Encryption Made for Police and Military Radios May Be Easily Cracked

Son of Largest US Donor to Israel Now Owns CBS

In Short: David Ellison, the son of Oracle founder and pro-Israel billionaire Larry Ellison, has acquired Paramount Global, giving him control over CBS News, with reported plans to shift its editorial direction towards a more conservative, pro-Trump and pro-Israel stance.

There is also speculation that "IDW" fan favorite Bari Weiss, known for her zealous support of Israel, is poised to take a leading editorial role at CBS, and may be planning to oversee newsroom bias and steer political coverage.

Larry Ellison, David's father, has long-standing ties to both the U.S. and Israeli security states, having made Oracle a key contractor to intelligence agencies and personally donating tens of millions of dollars to the Israeli Defense Forces, including a record $16.6 million pledge.

Jump to Source: Israel’s Biggest US Donor Now Owns CBS

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