Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina has expressed deep concerns following reports of an Iranian hacking attempt targeting Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for FBI Director. In a letter to FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate, Sen. Tillis described the incident as 'extremely alarming' and highlighted the rapid dissemination of sensitive information to the media.
Multiple news outlets recently reported that Patel, a key figure in the Trump administration's efforts against the Iranian regime, was the subject of a cyberattack orchestrated by an Iranian-backed group. Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer emphasized Patel's role in implementing policies to safeguard America from adversaries.
Sen. Tillis underscored the importance of maintaining confidentiality within law enforcement and intelligence agencies to ensure national security. He raised questions about potential leaks of information regarding the cyberattack and urged the FBI to address these concerns promptly.
While the FBI acknowledged receiving Sen. Tillis' letter, the agency refrained from providing further comments on the matter. Patel, meanwhile, has been engaging with senators on Capitol Hill to garner support ahead of Trump's inauguration in January.
The incident has sparked discussions about cybersecurity measures and the need for enhanced vigilance against foreign threats. Sen. Tillis' inquiry seeks to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the hacking attempt and reinforce the importance of safeguarding sensitive information within government agencies.
