Top US Official Under Fire Over Classified Phone Call Ties to Trump Ally
A highly classified phone call between an individual associated with foreign intelligence and a person close to former President Donald Trump has raised concerns over Washington's national security. According to a whistleblower's attorney, the National Security Agency (NSA) detected evidence of this unusual communication.
The incident, which was brought to the attention of the director of national intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, in April, has sparked controversy over Gabbard's handling of classified information. The NSA had flagged the call for review, but rather than releasing the details publicly, Gabbard instructed her chief of staff, Susie Wiles, to deliver a paper copy of the intelligence report directly to Trump.
The DNI's office denied reports that Gabbard took the information out of its normal distribution channels. However, the attorney for the whistleblower claimed that Gabbard had blocked access to highly classified intelligence from routine dispatch and that the director of national intelligence had instructed her not to release it further.
A whistleblower had initially contacted the inspector general in April with concerns over Gabbard's handling of sensitive information. However, after an eight-month review period, acting inspector general Tamara Johnson dismissed the complaint citing a lack of evidence. The case has been referred to Congress, where lawmakers are divided on the legitimacy of the allegations.
Senate and House leaders were briefed on classified details related to the incident last week. While some lawmakers have backed Gabbard's actions as lawful, others have raised concerns over potential attempts to silence whistleblowers.
The incident raises questions about the handling of sensitive information within Washington's intelligence community. The appointment of a partisan official in a key role has also sparked concern about the independence of the inspector general's office.
As investigations into this matter continue, it remains unclear what exactly occurred on that classified phone call and how it impacted national security.
A highly classified phone call between an individual associated with foreign intelligence and a person close to former President Donald Trump has raised concerns over Washington's national security. According to a whistleblower's attorney, the National Security Agency (NSA) detected evidence of this unusual communication.
The incident, which was brought to the attention of the director of national intelligence (DNI), Tulsi Gabbard, in April, has sparked controversy over Gabbard's handling of classified information. The NSA had flagged the call for review, but rather than releasing the details publicly, Gabbard instructed her chief of staff, Susie Wiles, to deliver a paper copy of the intelligence report directly to Trump.
The DNI's office denied reports that Gabbard took the information out of its normal distribution channels. However, the attorney for the whistleblower claimed that Gabbard had blocked access to highly classified intelligence from routine dispatch and that the director of national intelligence had instructed her not to release it further.
A whistleblower had initially contacted the inspector general in April with concerns over Gabbard's handling of sensitive information. However, after an eight-month review period, acting inspector general Tamara Johnson dismissed the complaint citing a lack of evidence. The case has been referred to Congress, where lawmakers are divided on the legitimacy of the allegations.
Senate and House leaders were briefed on classified details related to the incident last week. While some lawmakers have backed Gabbard's actions as lawful, others have raised concerns over potential attempts to silence whistleblowers.
The incident raises questions about the handling of sensitive information within Washington's intelligence community. The appointment of a partisan official in a key role has also sparked concern about the independence of the inspector general's office.
As investigations into this matter continue, it remains unclear what exactly occurred on that classified phone call and how it impacted national security.