In Other Brews…

• Several state and federal agencies, including the FBI, are investigating “offensive and racist text messages" sent to predominantly young Black Americans following the election. The anonymously sent messages were reported in multiple states, including Alabama, California, Maryland, New York, and Tennessee. Authorities say the attack should be easy to trace; the U.S. regulates texts, unlike social media and email. 

• Investors are enjoying new views after last week’s big climb. Friday afternoon, the S&P 500 crossed 6,000 and the Dow Jones crossed 44,000––both intraday records. Bitcoin crossed $80,000 for the first time and Tesla rejoined the $1 trillion club after its stock surged 24% following the election. 

• The DOJ has filed charges in murder-for-hire plots by Iran against then-candidate Trump and an American journalist critical of Iran. Court documents allege an Iranian official ordered the monitoring and assassination of Trump to avenge the death of an Iranian leader killed by the U.S. in 2020. Two men were arrested; a third is believed to be in Tehran. 

• Israeli soccer fans were attacked in Amsterdam Thursday following a night game between an Israeli and a Dutch team. The match brought hours of street disturbances between pro-Palestine and pro-Israel groups, which erupted into violence after the game; people on scooters reportedly beat Israeli fans and pelted them with fireworks. Officials say ~30 people were injured, and 62 were arrested.

• A FEMA worker was fired for directing workers to avoid homes with Trump-supporting yard signs while assisting hurricane survivors in Florida. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell did not identify the employee but called their actions “reprehensible” and a “clear violation” of the agency’s values. Gov. DeSantis (FL-R) ordered an investigation, condemning the action as “targeted discrimination.”