April 23, 2025 • 8 mins
In Episode 136 of the U.S. News Daily Brief, Michelle begins with a welcome and introduction before delving into the legal developments surrounding Thomas G. Ehr, discussing the consequences he faces. The episode then examines stock market fluctuations in response to recent economic comments by Trump, analyzing the broader impacts on the financial landscape. Michelle also explores legal challenges against Trump's federal media policies, highlighting ongoing battles and their potential outcomes. The episode wraps up with a look at the Department of Homeland Security's erroneous deportation order, considering its implications for immigration policy and affected individuals.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Welcome back to U.S.
(00:01):
News Daily, your go-to update on the latesthappenings across the United States.
I’m your host, AI Michelle, and this is aMagicPod, produced by PodcastAI.
Want to create your own MagicPod?
Click the link in the show notes.
Alright, let’s dive in.
First up...
(00:23):
In a significant legal development, a longtimeassociate of a former defense contractor has
pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud theUnited States.
According to court documents and statementsmade in court, Thomas G.
Ehr was involved in a scheme that resulted in asubstantial tax loss to the government.
From 2009 until around 2022, Ehr worked onbehalf of a defense contractor who co-owned a
(00:50):
business supplying jet fuel to United Statestroops in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Ehr's role included managing severalentertainment projects funded by the business's
profits and participating in variousinvestments, including a sixty million dollar
real estate investment in Tulum, Mexico, and afifty million dollar fuel infrastructure
(01:11):
project.
Ehr was aware that the defense contractor ownedfifty percent of the business since its
inception and controlled hundreds of millionsof dollars in profits.
Despite this, Ehr agreed to conceal thecontractor's ownership by falsely claiming that
the contractor's wife had founded the company.
This deception was intended to obstruct theInternal Revenue Service's ability to assess
(01:35):
and collect taxes on the contractor's income,which included profits from contracts with the
United States Department of Defense.
As a result of this conspiracy, the contractorevaded taxes on more than three hundred fifty
million dollars of income, causing a tax lossto the United States of approximately one
hundred twenty-eight million dollars.
(01:57):
Ehr himself also failed to file tax returnsfrom 2010 to 2015 and did not pay taxes owed
from 2010 to 2023, contributing to a furthertax loss of over seven hundred thousand
dollars.
Ehr is the sixth defendant associated with thedefense contracting company to plead guilty.
Previous guilty pleas include Charles Squires,James Robar, Ronald “Ron” Thomas, Zachary
(02:22):
“Zack” Friedman, and Robert Dooner, all of whomwere convicted of tax evasion.
Ehr faces a maximum penalty of five years inprison for the conspiracy count and one year
for the tax count, along with potentialsupervised release, restitution, and monetary
penalties.
Sentencing will be determined by a federaldistrict court judge, who will consider the
(02:45):
United States Sentencing Guidelines and otherstatutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the InternalRevenue Service Criminal Investigation and the
Special Inspector General for AfghanistanReconstruction, with international assistance
from His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs of theUnited Kingdom and the Joint Chiefs of Global
(03:05):
Tax Enforcement.
Turning to the economy, the United States stockmarket and the dollar have taken a significant
hit after former President Donald Trumplaunched a verbal attack on Federal Reserve
Chair Jerome Powell.
The criticism comes amid heightened marketvolatility and concerns over the central bank's
monetary policy decisions.
(03:27):
Trump accused Powell of mishandling interestrates and suggested that the Federal Reserve's
actions are harming the United States economy.
The comments have added fuel to an alreadytense economic climate, with investors closely
monitoring the Federal Reserve's next moves.
In response to Trump's remarks, the stockmarket saw a sharp decline, with major indices
(03:50):
such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average andthe S&P 500 experiencing considerable drops.
The dollar also weakened against other majorcurrencies, reflecting investor uncertainty.
Economic analysts are weighing in on thepotential long-term impacts of Trump's
comments, noting that they could furtherundermine confidence in the Federal Reserve's
(04:13):
ability to steer the economy throughchallenging times.
This latest development raises questions aboutthe independence of the Federal Reserve and its
role in guiding the United States monetarypolicy.
A federal judge has ruled against formerPresident Donald Trump's efforts to close down
the Voice of America, an international newsservice funded by the federal government.
(04:35):
Judge Royce Lamberth stated that the Trumpadministration's actions to halt the
broadcaster's operations were illegal.
The judge ordered that the broadcaster'scapacity be restored to its previous levels,
before funding was slashed and personnel werelaid off.
Voice of America, along with Radio Free Asiaand Middle East Broadcasting Networks, is
(04:55):
funded by the federal Agency for Global Media.
These broadcasters have been at the center ofcontroversy, with the Trump administration
accusing them of promoting a "leftist bias" andbeing insufficiently "pro-American." Lawyers
for Voice of America have maintained that thebroadcaster aims to report the news
"truthfully, impartially, and objectively."
(05:18):
Judge Lamberth's ruling also addressed theadministration's cuts to Radio Free Asia and
Middle East Broadcasting Networks, orderingtheir capacities restored while related
lawsuits continue.
However, the judge denied similar requests forRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open
Technology Fund.
The Trump administration's efforts to dismantleprograms and agencies it deemed ideologically
(05:43):
non-compliant have faced criticism.
Kari Lake, a Trump ally, was appointed head ofthe Agency for Global Media, which oversees
these broadcasters.
The administration's abrupt closure of Voice ofAmerica in March was criticized by Judge
Lamberth as a "hasty, indiscriminate approach."
The ruling has been celebrated by a labor unionrepresenting workers at the Agency for Global
(06:08):
Media as a "powerful affirmation of the rolethat independent journalism plays in advancing
democracy and countering disinformation." Voiceof America, founded during World War II to
counter Nazi propaganda, has historically beenused to project pro-United States views
globally during the Cold War.
In a concerning turn of events, AldoMartinez-Gomez, a United States-born resident
(06:33):
of California, has received an alarming emailfrom the United States Department of Homeland
Security, warning him to leave the countryimmediately.
Martinez-Gomez, born in Paradise ValleyHospital in National City and raised in Chula
Vista, was shocked to receive the notice, whichgave him only seven days to depart the United
States.
(06:53):
The email, sent on April 11, 2025, stated, "Ifyou do not depart the United States
immediately, you will be subject to potentiallaw enforcement actions that will result in
your removal from the United States." Itfurther warned, "Do not attempt to remain in
the United States — The federal government willfind you."
Martinez-Gomez, who works full-time for anonprofit organization assisting individuals in
(07:20):
immigration court, is now facing the same fearsas the people he helps.
He expressed his concerns, saying, "Where dothey want me to go?
I was born in National City.
I was raised in San Diego County my wholelife."
A senior official from the Department ofHomeland Security responded to inquiries,
(07:40):
explaining that "Customs and Border Protectionused the known email addresses of the alien to
send notifications.
If a non-personal email — such as an Americancitizen contact — was provided by the alien,
notices may have been sent to unintendedrecipients."
Martinez-Gomez is taking precautions, preparingfor the worst.
(08:01):
"I've had to make contingency plans with mymom, something I never thought I'd have to do,"
he stated.
"I've been protecting myself and talking topeople and doing interviews.
I'm not seeking fame or attention, I just wantto bring light to this issue because I'm not
trying to be one of the government’s mistakes."
This incident highlights the confusion anddistress caused by erroneous deportation
(08:24):
orders, affecting even United States citizens,and underscores the need for clarity and
accuracy in communication from governmentagencies.
Welcome back to U.S.
(00:01):
News Daily, your go-to update on the latesthappenings across the United States.
I’m your host, AI Michelle, and this is aMagicPod, produced by PodcastAI.
Want to create your own MagicPod?
Click the link in the show notes.
Alright, let’s dive in.
First up...
(00:23):
In a significant legal development, a longtimeassociate of a former defense contractor has
pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud theUnited States.
According to court documents and statementsmade in court, Thomas G.
Ehr was involved in a scheme that resulted in asubstantial tax loss to the government.
From 2009 until around 2022, Ehr worked onbehalf of a defense contractor who co-owned a
(00:50):
business supplying jet fuel to United Statestroops in Afghanistan and the Middle East.
Ehr's role included managing severalentertainment projects funded by the business's
profits and participating in variousinvestments, including a sixty million dollar
real estate investment in Tulum, Mexico, and afifty million dollar fuel infrastructure
(01:11):
project.
Ehr was aware that the defense contractor ownedfifty percent of the business since its
inception and controlled hundreds of millionsof dollars in profits.
Despite this, Ehr agreed to conceal thecontractor's ownership by falsely claiming that
the contractor's wife had founded the company.
This deception was intended to obstruct theInternal Revenue Service's ability to assess
(01:35):
and collect taxes on the contractor's income,which included profits from contracts with the
United States Department of Defense.
As a result of this conspiracy, the contractorevaded taxes on more than three hundred fifty
million dollars of income, causing a tax lossto the United States of approximately one
hundred twenty-eight million dollars.
(01:57):
Ehr himself also failed to file tax returnsfrom 2010 to 2015 and did not pay taxes owed
from 2010 to 2023, contributing to a furthertax loss of over seven hundred thousand
dollars.
Ehr is the sixth defendant associated with thedefense contracting company to plead guilty.
Previous guilty pleas include Charles Squires,James Robar, Ronald “Ron” Thomas, Zachary
(02:22):
“Zack” Friedman, and Robert Dooner, all of whomwere convicted of tax evasion.
Ehr faces a maximum penalty of five years inprison for the conspiracy count and one year
for the tax count, along with potentialsupervised release, restitution, and monetary
penalties.
Sentencing will be determined by a federaldistrict court judge, who will consider the
(02:45):
United States Sentencing Guidelines and otherstatutory factors.
The case is being investigated by the InternalRevenue Service Criminal Investigation and the
Special Inspector General for AfghanistanReconstruction, with international assistance
from His Majesty’s Revenue & Customs of theUnited Kingdom and the Joint Chiefs of Global
(03:05):
Tax Enforcement.
Turning to the economy, the United States stockmarket and the dollar have taken a significant
hit after former President Donald Trumplaunched a verbal attack on Federal Reserve
Chair Jerome Powell.
The criticism comes amid heightened marketvolatility and concerns over the central bank's
monetary policy decisions.
(03:27):
Trump accused Powell of mishandling interestrates and suggested that the Federal Reserve's
actions are harming the United States economy.
The comments have added fuel to an alreadytense economic climate, with investors closely
monitoring the Federal Reserve's next moves.
In response to Trump's remarks, the stockmarket saw a sharp decline, with major indices
(03:50):
such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average andthe S&P 500 experiencing considerable drops.
The dollar also weakened against other majorcurrencies, reflecting investor uncertainty.
Economic analysts are weighing in on thepotential long-term impacts of Trump's
comments, noting that they could furtherundermine confidence in the Federal Reserve's
(04:13):
ability to steer the economy throughchallenging times.
This latest development raises questions aboutthe independence of the Federal Reserve and its
role in guiding the United States monetarypolicy.
A federal judge has ruled against formerPresident Donald Trump's efforts to close down
the Voice of America, an international newsservice funded by the federal government.
(04:35):
Judge Royce Lamberth stated that the Trumpadministration's actions to halt the
broadcaster's operations were illegal.
The judge ordered that the broadcaster'scapacity be restored to its previous levels,
before funding was slashed and personnel werelaid off.
Voice of America, along with Radio Free Asiaand Middle East Broadcasting Networks, is
(04:55):
funded by the federal Agency for Global Media.
These broadcasters have been at the center ofcontroversy, with the Trump administration
accusing them of promoting a "leftist bias" andbeing insufficiently "pro-American." Lawyers
for Voice of America have maintained that thebroadcaster aims to report the news
"truthfully, impartially, and objectively."
(05:18):
Judge Lamberth's ruling also addressed theadministration's cuts to Radio Free Asia and
Middle East Broadcasting Networks, orderingtheir capacities restored while related
lawsuits continue.
However, the judge denied similar requests forRadio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the Open
Technology Fund.
The Trump administration's efforts to dismantleprograms and agencies it deemed ideologically
(05:43):
non-compliant have faced criticism.
Kari Lake, a Trump ally, was appointed head ofthe Agency for Global Media, which oversees
these broadcasters.
The administration's abrupt closure of Voice ofAmerica in March was criticized by Judge
Lamberth as a "hasty, indiscriminate approach."
The ruling has been celebrated by a labor unionrepresenting workers at the Agency for Global
(06:08):
Media as a "powerful affirmation of the rolethat independent journalism plays in advancing
democracy and countering disinformation." Voiceof America, founded during World War II to
counter Nazi propaganda, has historically beenused to project pro-United States views
globally during the Cold War.
In a concerning turn of events, AldoMartinez-Gomez, a United States-born resident
(06:33):
of California, has received an alarming emailfrom the United States Department of Homeland
Security, warning him to leave the countryimmediately.
Martinez-Gomez, born in Paradise ValleyHospital in National City and raised in Chula
Vista, was shocked to receive the notice, whichgave him only seven days to depart the United
States.
(06:53):
The email, sent on April 11, 2025, stated, "Ifyou do not depart the United States
immediately, you will be subject to potentiallaw enforcement actions that will result in
your removal from the United States." Itfurther warned, "Do not attempt to remain in
the United States — The federal government willfind you."
Martinez-Gomez, who works full-time for anonprofit organization assisting individuals in
(07:20):
immigration court, is now facing the same fearsas the people he helps.
He expressed his concerns, saying, "Where dothey want me to go?
I was born in National City.
I was raised in San Diego County my wholelife."
A senior official from the Department ofHomeland Security responded to inquiries,
(07:40):
explaining that "Customs and Border Protectionused the known email addresses of the alien to
send notifications.
If a non-personal email — such as an Americancitizen contact — was provided by the alien,
notices may have been sent to unintendedrecipients."
Martinez-Gomez is taking precautions, preparingfor the worst.
(08:01):
"I've had to make contingency plans with mymom, something I never thought I'd have to do,"
he stated.
"I've been protecting myself and talking topeople and doing interviews.
I'm not seeking fame or attention, I just wantto bring light to this issue because I'm not
trying to be one of the government’s mistakes."
This incident highlights the confusion anddistress caused by erroneous deportation
(08:24):
orders, affecting even United States citizens,and underscores the need for clarity and
accuracy in communication from governmentagencies.
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