Morning Note

Law enforcement has arrested a U.S. special forces soldier for allegedly using classified information to bet on Nicolás Maduro’s removal from office. Authorities say the soldier “participated in the planning and execution of the U.S. military operation to capture Nicolás Maduro,” giving him access to valuable nonpublic information. 

Gannon Ken Van Dyke allegedly bet $33,034 on the Maduro operation on Polymarket and earned at least $409,000 when the wagers hit. He made 13 bets between December 27 and January 26, the DOJ says. He is charged with “unlawful use of confidential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud, and making an unlawful monetary transaction."

If Van Dyke is guilty, then he definitely broke the law. At the same time, there is something gross about the justice system targeting a soldier who put his life on the line, but looking the other way when greasy politicians use their insider information to enrich themselves every day. If prosecutors suddenly want to bust insider traders, Congress would be an excellent place to start.

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