The Daily Scoop Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Customs and Border Protection personnel — not U.S. troops — used military laser to shoot object near El Paso
Date: February 13, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Overview

This episode covers two major breaking stories affecting U.S. government operations:

• The use of a military laser by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to destroy an object near El Paso, Texas, rather than U.S. troops, sparking interagency debates.
• The IRS’s controversial move to reassign non-tax-based personnel into customer-facing tax roles amid ongoing workforce reductions.

Billy Mitchell walks listeners through these developments and shares insider reactions and implications for government, defense, and the federal workforce.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Military Laser Response to Border Threat Near El Paso

Segment start: [00:19]

• CBP, Not Troops, Took Action:
  CBP personnel used a military laser to shoot down an object near El Paso, Texas. Although Joint Task Force Southern Border (the US military’s border mission) was present, only CBP staff—trained by the military—operated the equipment.
  • “Customs and Border Protection personnel, not American service members, shot down an object with a military laser earlier this week near El Paso, Texas...” (Billy Mitchell, [00:23])
• Authorization & Transfer of Equipment:
  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth greenlit the transfer of a military counter-drone system to CBP. The exact system remains unidentified publicly.
  • “A source familiar with the situation told Defense Scoop that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the transfer of a military counter drone system to cbp.” (Billy Mitchell, [00:56])
• Pentagon–FAA Tension:
  The incident created friction between the Defense Department and the FAA. A planned 10-day flight restriction issued by the FAA ended after just a few hours, underscoring the confusion and urgency.
  • “The operation reportedly caused interagency turmoil between the Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration, prompting the latter to issue a 10 day flight restriction that lasted only hours...” (Billy Mitchell, [01:13])
• Cartel Drone Breaches:
  According to a Trump administration official, the action was in response to cartel drones breaching U.S. airspace.
  • “A Trump administration official had told Defense Scoop that Mexican cartel drones breached US Airspace and that the Defense Department took action to disable the drones.” (Billy Mitchell, [01:38])
• Commercial Travel Not Threatened:
  Officials emphasized that the situation didn’t pose a threat to commercial air traffic.
  • “The FAA and Pentagon determined there is no threat to commercial travel.” (Billy Mitchell, [01:44])
• Departmental Silence:
  Defense did not comment and referred media to CBP, which also did not immediately respond.

2. IRS Reassignments Amid Workforce Cuts

Segment start: [01:59]

• Involuntary Employee Moves:
  The IRS is executing a plan to temporarily reassign employees from IT and human capital offices to the Taxpayer Services Division, intended to support operations during the busy tax season.
  • “Multiple IRS employees for the agency's IT and human capital office were informed Monday that they were assigned to a 120 day involuntary detail to the agency's Taxpayer Services Division as either a customer service representative or as a tax examiner.” (Billy Mitchell, [02:11])
• Nature and Duration:
  The detail is set for 120 days starting February 22 and may be extended.
• No Direct Taxpayer Calls:
  Most re-tasked staff will not interact with taxpayers directly or answer phones.
  • “Neither position will require direct engagement with taxpayers or answering phones, adding that the tax filing season is the most important time of the year for the agency.” (Billy Mitchell, [02:29])
• Organizational Turmoil:
  The move follows prior sudden staff reassignments within the IRS, particularly 1,000 IT staffers late last year.
• Employee Reactions:
  Feedback was mixed: - Skepticism:
  - “How do you think Joe Taxpayer will feel about people with no tax experience handling their taxes?” (Anonymous IRS IT employee, [02:50]) - Supportive Perspective:
  - “The move is ultimately to help support taxpayers no matter where we work.” (Non-IT staffer, [03:01])
• Training Plans:
  Training for the new assignments begins February 23, with supervisors receiving an additional 9 weeks of instructor-led training plus 4 weeks of on-the-job support.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On CBP’s laser use:
  “Troops with Joint Task Force Southern Border were not authorized to shoot down drones in the area. The task force, which works hand in hand with federal law enforcement and serves as the primary military entity for the US-Mexico border mission, trained CBP personnel on the equipment who used it during the incursion.” (Billy Mitchell, [00:37])

• Insight from IRS staff:
  “How do you think Joe Taxpayer will feel about people with no tax experience handling their taxes?” (Anonymous IRS IT employee, [02:50])

• Leadership perspective on reassignments:
  “Training will begin February 23rd and employees can expect to receive FAQs for common questions. The agency sent another notice to management Thursday stating that the supervisory roles will receive about nine weeks of instructor led training followed by four weeks of on the job instructor support.” (Billy Mitchell, [03:15])

Timestamps for Major Segments

• CBP's Use of Military Laser Near El Paso: [00:19] – [01:54]
• IRS Employee Reassignments and Fallout: [01:59] – [03:37]

Tone & Style

Billy Mitchell’s delivery is clear, concise, and neutral, focused on untangling bureaucratic actions and providing insights direct from government sources. Where staff express concern or optimism, their own words are used, reflecting an objective, news-driven tone.

This summary offers a thorough guide to the episode’s most significant developments for professionals following federal workforce and technology news.