Chapter 683
Treason
Century City, Beverly Business Club.
Brian rushed to Los Angeles and immediately went to see Hawke, asking, "How is the situation?"
The two sides have already started fighting, and it will not stop until one side falls.
Hawke glanced at the sun sinking in the west and said, "Regina has left Washington, held a press conference, and alerted the FBI. Tom Emer has received the news, and based on feedback from the White House, Tom Emer is preparing to take some special measures."
Brian wasn't surprised and asked, "Through the FBI or the Department of Homeland Security?"
Hawke said, "It should be the Department of Homeland Security. The White House has more control over DHS, so they will probably send people over directly. Of course, the FBI will also take measures, and Jennifer will probably be the first to be affected."
“That’s great.” Brian’s face lit up with joy. “We’re ready, the media and cameras are all set, to expose Tom Emer’s abuse of power to the entire American public.”
This is an internal election, not an attack on a small country. He added, "The California National Guard may also receive orders, but I have personally been there and can guarantee that the National Guard will not move."
Hawke nodded: "The White House is basically transparent to us."
There was no way around it; if there was even the slightest movement from the Oval Office, he could receive seven or eight intelligence reports from different people.
Today, after Regina arrived in Los Angeles, Hawke even received a call from his chief of staff.
The hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding and subsidies already allocated for the AI Manhattan Project are incredibly attractive.
With more funds arriving later, it will be even more attractive.
Most importantly, Tom Emmer's boat looks like it's about to sink.
The more this happened, the more eager the people on board were to change ships.
In particular, another ship had already gotten close.
Brian said, "We have people in key positions across all the major law enforcement agencies in Washington."
This is also a series of promises that Tom Emer made in the last election in order to win over the Los Angeles Group.
Because he still needs the support of the Los Angeles Group in this election, these key positions have remained unchanged. However, the Los Angeles Group, as an ally, has upheld the consistent American tradition on the international political stage—betraying its allies.
From Supreme Court justices to independent prosecutors to Congress, the Los Angeles Group has lobbied too many people, and any unusual moves will be blocked.
There are three hours left until Regina's press conference.
Hoover Institution, Washington, D.C.
Deputy Director Dandra, who was in charge of personnel, received instructions from the White House and sat at his desk in a dilemma: should he do what the president asked or not?
He thought about it carefully and realized that he was able to sit in this position because of Tom Emmo's appointment and because he was a member of Tom Emmo's camp. If a new president were to be appointed, he would definitely have to give up this position.
Fortunately, the people in charge of the bureau's daily operations are also our own people.
Dendera had no choice but to take the draft personnel appointments, sign them directly, and call his assistant in: "Send them out and implement them as soon as possible."
The assistant sent it out for the routine procedures, and the appointment letter was quickly placed on the desk of Robert, the deputy director in charge of day-to-day operations.
The deputy director shook his head after reading it; Los Angeles had anticipated this change.
Robert had no choice; his family business was already tied to the AI Manhattan Project and the return to the moon program.
He picked up the phone, called Chief Derek, explained the situation, and asked, "How should we handle this?"
Derek, a member of Attorney General Hughie's faction, said directly, "Give the president face, don't reject it outright, suppress it."
“Okay.” Robert had no objections, hung up the phone, called his assistant, and said, “Tell Dendera that Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, and changing the person in charge of Los Angeles requires a meeting to discuss it. I have already proposed to the higher-ups to convene a committee as soon as possible.”
The assistant went to make a phone call to inform them.
There are still two and a half hours until the press conference.
At the White House, Tom Emerson received feedback from Hoover Tower, and his expression turned extremely grim.
Although I was mentally prepared, I was still furious when it happened.
Tom Emer said angrily, "I'm going to fire them all!"
“That’s your right,” the chief of staff reminded him, “but getting through to Congress won’t be easy.”
Tom Emer sat down on the sofa chair. The Attorney General was Hugh Sr., Brian's father-in-law.
He said, "The Secretary of Justice must be replaced."
The chief of staff said, "It can't be now."
Tom Emer stared at him.
The chief of staff said, "The Attorney General has the authority to launch an investigation against the President..."
Tom Emer leaned back in his chair, thought for a moment, and asked, "We still can't get in touch with Regina?"
The chief of staff nodded slightly.
“She actually dared to frame me for rape.” Tom Emmer made up his mind: “Issue a statement in the name of the White House that Regina stole international secrets, colluded with foreign terrorist forces, and is suspected of treason, and order the Department of Homeland Security to arrest her immediately.”
The chief of staff took note of it.
Tom Emer wasn't finished yet; he added, "Is Randall, whom we have with the California National Guard, still there?"
The National Security Advisor chimed in, "General Randall has been in California."
Mobilizing the National Guard was no small matter. Tom Emer glanced at the time and knew that in order to control the situation, he had no choice but to take drastic measures.
He said, "Order Randall to deploy the National Guard into Los Angeles to assist the Department of Homeland Security in its counterterrorism mission!"
The movements of everyone present instantly froze.
It's not impossible to bypass the governor and give orders directly to the National Guard, but the subsequent reactions could lead to very serious consequences.
Tom Emer said sternly, "Do as I say."
The group left one after another, first to carry out Tom Emmer's instructions.
Not long after, some of the people who left the White House took out other secure phones and made calls to Los Angeles.
…………
At the Delaware Club, Joseph quickly entered the meeting room and met Dillon and Rodriguez, who were waiting there.
He asked, "Have you figured it out?"
Rodriguez said, "Our people at the FBI are pretty much certain that Tom Emer's assistant, Regina, suddenly left Washington for Los Angeles and filed a police report, claiming that she was sexually assaulted and raped by Tom Emer while on duty, and that she reportedly provided underwear stained with Tom Emer's DNA."
Dillon added: "Feedback from all sides indicates that Tom Emmer was completely unprepared for the Los Angeles Group's betrayal and was caught off guard, especially by the Regina incident."
Joseph hadn't expected things to turn out this way so suddenly. Even Tom Emmanuel would have been stunned by such a sudden change.
They'll be confused for at least a while. Joseph asked, "What measures has Tom Emer taken so far?"
Dillon said, "Our sources within the Department of Homeland Security reported that Tom Emmer, acting on behalf of the White House, issued a statement claiming that Regina had stolen state secrets, colluded with foreign terrorist forces, and was suspected of treason, and ordered the Department of Homeland Security to immediately arrest her."
Joseph nodded. "It seems he's not doing well."
Dillon added, "There's another piece of news, which isn't entirely certain, but it seems the California National Guard has received orders from the White House."
Joseph frowned slightly, lost in thought.
Rodriguez asked, "Should we take advantage of this opportunity..."
“No, we can’t go after Tom Emmo.” Joseph had finally gotten a chance to deal with the serious infighting within the Elephant Party. “I’ve seen the recent news and the information you’ve gathered. Judging from the current situation, Tom Emmo is at a disadvantage.”
Dillon completely agreed: "Crihi should have fallen into the hands of the Los Angeles Group. The illegitimate child scandal has had a huge impact. Now that Regina has turned around and bitten back, Tom Emmer will have a tough time getting through this."
He opened his narrowed eyes wide and said, "The Los Angeles Group is not easy to deal with. Once we let them grow bigger, we will face an even more troublesome opponent than Tom Emmo. Since Tom Emmo can't withstand it, we will give him a push from behind."
“That makes sense.” Rodriguez understood easily: “We need to keep the Elephant Party embroiled in internal strife.”
Joseph thought for a moment and said, "Notify our people in the Department of Homeland Security to secretly assist Tom Emmer and help them go to Los Angeles, preferably to escalate the conflict between the two sides and cause a direct confrontation."
Dillon said, "The Los Angeles Group must have people in the Department of Homeland Security as well. Tom Emer needs our help."
Joseph did not hesitate at all; he was absolutely a competent politician.
A few months ago, the incident caused by Tom Emer directly tore Joseph’s family apart. As a result, his eldest son’s brain cancer worsened, and he remained in a coma in the intensive care unit for a long time, relying on artificial intervention to keep his life.
But all of these can be temporarily set aside in the face of political opportunism.
Joseph then asked, "Can we get in touch with reliable people in the California National Guard?"
Dillon said, "General Andrew has a history with us; his son is currently working at the Donald Party's National Youth Headquarters."
The networks of influential figures, woven from kinship, blood ties, and money, extend throughout all parts of society.
Joseph gave the order directly: "Contact him. If Tom Emer is really going to mobilize the National Guard, give him a push."
He also needs to prepare for the possible direct competition that may follow: "If possible, it would be best to collect some more evidence that Tom Emer may have violated regulations or laws."
Dillon nodded and went to the information room to call his contact.
Joseph then said to Rodriguez, "Contact the media that are on our side and launch a media offensive at any time."
He thought for a moment, then picked up the phone and called Illinois Senator Obama.
Although the two are rivals within the Donald Party, they share the same stance on this matter.
Moreover, they largely agree that the Los Angeles Group is more difficult to deal with than Tom Emer.
…………
California, Army National Guard Base.
An officer ran up to the Humvee armored vehicle, saluted the person standing by the door, and said, "General, the special operations team is assembled and ready to go. Requesting instructions."
General Randall ordered, "Proceed to Los Angeles."
Nearly two hundred National Guard soldiers boarded their vehicles, and the convoy of Humvees and armored vehicles headed toward the base gate.
From a nearby tower, General Andrew gazed into the distance and said to his trusted subordinates, "Have our men boarded the vehicles as well?"
The officer replied, "One of our squads has joined them. Once we get into downtown Los Angeles, and find the right opportunity, one of them will open fire."
Andrew nodded with satisfaction: "Their escape route is not a problem; everything has been arranged over there."
The officer said, "I have given a detailed explanation, and they all understand it."
Andrew said no more, and could only sit back and watch the two sides fight to the death.
But he soon discovered that things were not quite as he had imagined.
The base gates suddenly closed, and even more soldiers and vehicles blocked the way.
The sound of propellers turning came from afar. Andrew raised his binoculars and looked out, discovering that several armed helicopters were flying toward the base.
Armed helicopters are the nemesis of armored vehicles.
The voice of California National Guard Army Commandant Lucius came through the base's loudspeaker: "I order the convoy to abandon its mission and return to the barracks immediately."
Randall frowned, unwilling to give up so easily. He picked up the radio and said, "My unit is carrying out an emergency counter-terrorism mission ordered by the President..."
Lucius replied, "The governor has ordered that the California National Guard not leave their posts."
The National Guard is under the dual leadership of the president and the governor. According to normal procedures, if the president wants to mobilize the National Guard, he needs the consent of the governor of the state in which the National Guard is located.
However, in special circumstances, the president can issue directives.
Randall still wanted to explain.
Multiple armed helicopters have already taken up attack positions.
Lucius stated bluntly, "Do you intend to commit treason?"
He bypassed Randall and gave the order directly: "I am General Lucius, Commandant of the California National Guard Army. I now order all units to return to their barracks. No one may leave without my written order. Violators will be severely punished!"
Some members of the convoy were aware of the situation, and Humvees and armored vehicles gradually broke away from the group and returned to their base.
Once someone takes the lead, a chain reaction will quickly follow.
Randall looked back, sighed softly, and ordered, "Return to the base."
Meanwhile, there was still half an hour before the press conference was scheduled to begin.
Hundreds of media reporters, having received the news, arrived early at the Beverly Business Club to attend this special press conference.
The club staff had already set up the lobby as a press conference venue.
Two film crews have set up cameras on Twitter.
To prevent signal interference, West Coast Technologies deployed an encrypted communications satellite.
Two Fox News television broadcast vans drove up, each with several security personnel stationed around it.
Several specialized teams from Butterfly Security Company successively launched drones to investigate nearby apartments.
Anti-drone equipment has also been deployed and placed at several high points within the clubhouse.
In the clubhouse's command center, Erica and Jennifer each sat in front of a large screen, waiting for certain people to arrive. (End of Chapter)