Summary4 min read

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.

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Transcript5 lines

[00:00]
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Today on the Daily Scoop podcast from the Scoop News Group, Customs and Border Protection personnel, not US Troops, used a military laser to shoot an object near El Paso, Texas, and the IRS moves operations employees to tax services for filing season amid ongoing workforce cuts. It's Friday, February 13, 2026. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. And now let's dive into the day's top headlines. U.S. customs and Border Protection personnel, not American service members, shot down an object with a military laser earlier this week near El Paso, Texas, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation. 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 MECH Mexico border mission, trained CBP personnel on the equipment who used it during the incursion. 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. Sources did not identify the specific laser system that was used. U.S. border Patrol falls under CBP. 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 into Wednesday. CBS News reported that the military planned to use counter drone technology near Fort Bliss, Texas, which is near El Paso International Airport. The FAA and Pentagon were expected to meet later this month to discuss the operation, but the military moved forward with the operation on its own. 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. The official added that the FAA and Pentagon determined there is no threat to commercial travel. The Defense Department declined to comment and referred questions to cbp, which did not respond for comment by publication. Turning now to other news, the IRS moved forward this week with plans to involuntarily move employees with no direct tax experience to perform customer service and analysis duties for this year's filing season. According to email notices obtained by FedScoop, multiple IRS employees for the agency's IT and humid 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. The detail, effective February 22, could be extended beyond the four month period, per the notice. Joseph Ziegler, the agency's chief of internal Consulting, stated in a notice that 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. It's unclear how many employees were affected by the temporary reorganization, but it follows a series of shakeups and losses for the agency. Among Those impacted were IT employees who were among a group of about 1,000 staffers abruptly moved from the IRS's Office of the Chief Information Officer to the Office of the Chief Operations officer last December. FedScoop spoke with one IRS IT employee who requested the condition of anonymity to speak freely, who said, how do you think Joe Taxpayer will feel about people with no tax experience handling their taxes? Other employees are taking the task in stride. However, one non IT staffer impacted by the reassignment said the move is ultimately to help support taxpayers no matter where we work. Monday's notice stated that 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. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the.
[04:23]
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Daily Scoop Podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington.
[04:36]
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D.C. adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help.
[04:39]
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Put the show together and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back next week with more top headlines.
[04:45]
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Until then, I'm your host Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.