The Timing: In the age-old dance between the government and the press, timing is everything. It’s no coincidence that unfavorable news or potentially damaging reports often find their way into the public domain on Fridays. This tactic, colloquially known as the “Friday news dump,” is a well-worn strategy employed by savvy government officials. Releasing controversial news just before the weekend, when newsrooms are winding down and the public is turning its attention to personal pursuits, can lessen the immediate impact of a story. By the time Monday rolls around, the churn of the 24-hour news cycle often means that another headline has taken its place, or the initial furor has lost its edge. While we can’t know for sure if this was calculation or coincidence, releasing this report on a Friday plays into an age-old government strategy.