Kash Patel, Trump’s pick to lead FBI, has been targeted in an Iranian hack, sources say
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Kash Patel will replace Christopher Wray as the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. (FBI)(AP)
Kash Patel, a key ally of President-elect Donald Trump and his pick to lead the FBI, has recently been targeted in a cyberattack linked to Iranian hackers, according to sources familiar with the matter. The FBI informed Patel that he was one of the targets of the hack, which is believed to have compromised some of his communications.
Sources told CNN that hackers gained access to Patel’s communications, although the full extent of the breach remains unclear. Patel, who has held prominent roles in the Trump administration, including overseeing counterterrorism efforts, was reportedly unaware of the attack until he was alerted by the FBI.
Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer confirmed Patel’s role as a key figure in the administration’s fight against the Iranian regime but declined to comment on the specifics of the hacking incident. “Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration’s efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and will implement President Trump’s policies to protect America from adversaries as the FBI Director,” Pfeiffer said in a statement, emphasizing Patel’s continued commitment to national security.
The hacking incident involving Patel is part of a broader pattern of foreign cyberattacks targeting members of Trump’s inner circle. In recent months, the FBI has informed multiple Trump associates of similar breaches. One high-profile case involved Todd Blanche, one of Trump’s lead attorneys and now his pick for deputy attorney general. In a separate hacking campaign, Chinese hackers reportedly tapped Blanche’s cellphone, according to three sources familiar with the investigation. The Chinese government has denied any involvement in the attack, but the breach raised concerns about the growing risk of foreign interference in American political affairs.
Blanche’s case is not the first involving Trump’s legal team. Earlier in the year, CNN reported that attorney Lindsey Halligan had been targeted in another Iranian hacking operation. This suggests that foreign adversaries, particularly from Iran, have been actively attempting to monitor and disrupt the activities of Trump’s legal and political allies.
In addition to Patel and his legal team, other members of Trump’s inner circle have also been warned about potential Iranian cyberattacks. Donald Trump Jr., for instance, has stated that the FBI informed him that he was “one of the top targets” of Iranian hackers. The cyberattacks are seen as part of a broader effort by the Iranian government to undermine Trump and his associates, using digital means to gather information and possibly influence political outcomes.
Iran’s cyber activities have been a cause for concern in recent years, with the country increasingly targeting individuals connected to the Trump administration. In addition to Patel, other notable figures who have been targeted include Roger Stone, a longtime ally of Trump. In June, Iranian hackers breached Stone’s email account and used it to attempt to access the email account of a senior official in Trump’s 2020 campaign. Investigators have described this as a sophisticated hacking operation, but the Iranian government has denied any allegations of interference in the U.S. electoral process.
The frequency and intensity of these attacks have raised alarms among U.S. officials, particularly given the proximity of the 2024 presidential election. Cybersecurity experts have warned that foreign actors, especially state-backed hackers, could continue to target key figures and institutions as a means of gathering intelligence and potentially swaying public opinion.
Despite the Iranian government’s denials, these cyberattacks have led to increased scrutiny of the country’s online activities. U.S. intelligence agencies have been closely monitoring Iran’s cyber operations, which they believe are part of a larger strategy to exert influence over American political affairs. These operations often involve a combination of espionage and disinformation, as evidenced by the breach of Stone’s email and subsequent attempts to access Trump campaign officials’ communications.
As these cyberattacks continue, the U.S. government remains vigilant in its efforts to protect its officials from foreign interference. The FBI’s warning to Patel is just one example of the ongoing battle between U.S. officials and foreign hackers, particularly those aligned with adversarial regimes like Iran. The threat of foreign cyberattacks is expected to grow in the coming years, as political tensions and geopolitical rivalries continue to shape the digital battlefield.
In the face of these threats, U.S. lawmakers and cybersecurity officials are urging more robust measures to safeguard American individuals and institutions from foreign hacking campaigns. The situation highlights the vulnerability of public figures to digital threats, especially as the world becomes more interconnected and reliant on technology. As the 2024 election approaches, the stakes are higher than ever in the fight to protect the integrity of American democracy from foreign interference.
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