News Information and Media Site: Trump’s most formal attack on the Jan. 6 investigation so far

OCTOBER 19, 2021

Hey. Hope your day is off to a nice start. I wanted to drop in and let you know that this week's Incoming is going to be a bit shorter than usual. For the next few days, my team at BuzzFeed News is getting together to focus on how to keep the newsroom glowing and growing. Because of that, I'll be away from my keyboard more than usual. Starting Oct. 25, we'll be back with our regularly scheduled newsletter programming! Thank you as always, Alexa

THE BIG STORY

A data sleuth challenged a powerful COVID scientist. Then he came after her.

Didier Raoult (left) and Elisabeth Bik. Mark Harris for BuzzFeed News; Getty Images

Elisabeth Bik calls out bad science for a living. The former scientist turned science detective has a sharp eye for spotting errors buried in arcane academic papers, particularly when it comes to duplicated images.

"She's the Liam Neeson of scientific integrity," said Brian Nosek, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Open Science. "She has a remarkable eye for detection ... it has a magician-like quality in some cases."

Bik's efforts to clean up the field of scientific research are immense: Since 2014, she's contributed to the retractions of at least 594 papers and 474 corrections. But when COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic, she made a daunting enemy.

In the last year, microbiologist Didier Raoult has become one of the world's biggest champions of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment against COVID. He heads a leading infectious disease research institute in France and has a Twitter following of over 850,000, more than twice that of the country's health minister.

And after being called out by Bik for inconsistencies in his research, he's used online harassment and questionable legal force to threaten her career — at a time where scientific watchdogs are more vital than ever.

STAYING ON TOP OF THIS

Donald Trump is suing to stop the House committee investigating Jan. 6 from getting his records

The House's Jan. 6 committee sent records requests in August to the National Archives seeking a broad range of materials from the Trump administration related to the Capitol riots. In response, the former president is going to court, arguing that the requests are unconstitutionally overbroad and violate separation of powers principles.

The types of records include messages involving high-level officials across the executive branch, information about personnel changes, and communications about Trump's "Stop the Steal" speech, which took place shortly before the bulk of his audience marched over to the Capitol. Former presidents can try to designate their records as privileged, but that only gets enforced if the current officeholder backs it. President Joe Biden has declined to back Trump's claim that these records are legally off-limits.

The case represents the former president's latest, and arguably most formal, attack on the Jan. 6 investigation so far. Unless a court intervenes, the archives are set to produce the documents to the committee by Nov. 12.

SNAPSHOTS

Vaccinated vulnerable people are still at risk for COVID-19. Here are the ways to mitigate that risk this holiday season. The death of former US secretary of state Colin Powell from COVID complications underscores the importance of precautions for older and immunocompromised individuals.

New Capitol surveillance footage shows a breach by Jan. 6 rioters from start to finish. These are the key moments worth watching to understand the scale of conflict between the police officers and insurrectionists.

Rebel Wilson opened up about the frustrating public "obsession" with her body rather than her career. "In 2019, I had, like, four movies come out, two which I produced and one, Jojo Rabbit, which got nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. Yet I get more press the following year when I do nothing except lose weight."

Apple launches powerful new MacBook Pros and new AirPods. The new computer model is faster than any previous laptop from Apple.

FACT CHECK: DOGS >>> CATS

Photos of dogs around the world that will make you go, "Wow, I need to get a dog!"

With over 180 photos of canines, the 2021 book Magnum Dogs is an ideal crossroads between the Magnum photo agency's professional eye and some real nice pups. The book features four-legged friends around the world in five chapters: Streetwise, Best in Show, It's a Dog's Life, At the Beach, and Behind the Scenes. Here are a few of our favorites.

Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue, New York City, 1983 Thomas Hoepker

London, 1960 Bruce Davidson

Barcelona, Spain, 2000 Martin Parr

Kochi, Japan, 2003 Hiroji Kubota

Good morning! Eat something that nourishes you today,

Alexa

📝 This letter was edited and brought to you by Alexa Lee and BuzzFeed News. You can always reach us here.

👉 Your support of BuzzFeed's journalism does not constitute a charitable donation, and your contribution is not eligible for a tax-deduction. This is part of an effort to explore a deeper relationship with our most active supporters.

🔔 Want to be notified as soon as news breaks? Download the BuzzFeed News app for iOS and Android (available in Canadian, UK, Australian, and US app stores).

💌 Did a friend forward you this email? Sign up to get BuzzFeed News in your inbox!