Democrat asks intel agencies if they’re surveilling members of Congress – The Hill
Rep. Anna EshooAnna Georges EshooHillicon Valley: Zuckerberg acknowledges failure to take down Kenosha military group despite warnings | Election officials push back against concerns over mail-in voting, drop boxes Democrat asks intel agencies if they're surveilling members of Congress Overnight Health Care: Supreme Court to hear ObamaCare arguments 1 week after election | NYC positive COVID-19 tests hit record low MORE (D-Calif.), a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, asked two intelligence agencies on Friday if surveillance has been conducted on members of Congress in the last decade.
In a letter to the heads of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), Eshoo raised alarm over allegations in a book published earlier this year by journalist Barton Gellman. The book includedclaims about an NSA surveillance tool used by former contractor Edward Snowden to allegedly search for communications associated with a House member's publicly listed official email address where constituents can contact their office.
Eshoo further pointed to a claim from Snowden in the book that he wiretapped the internet communications" of the so-called Gang of Eight theheads of the House and Senate Intelligence committees and top party leaders in both chambers as well as the Supreme Court. But the claim appeared to be untrue because Snowden couldn't find the private email addresses belonging to the lawmakers and Supreme Court justices.
Eshoo expressed alarm about the allegations, saying such surveillance could violate constituents' privacy and threatened the separation of powers.
"The surveillance of Congressional and judicial communications by the executive branch seriously threatens the separation of powers principles of our Constitution. While no member of Congress, Supreme Court Justice, or any other individual is above the law, their communications, like those of all Americans, should only be collected by the government pursuant to a specific warrant authorized by an independent court as part of a criminal or intelligence investigation," Eshoo wrote.
Neither the ODNI nor the NSA immediately returned requests for comment.
The California Democrat asked the ODNI and NSA to answer a series of questions by Sept. 28, pressing the agencies on how many times in the last decade an intelligence community employee or contractor has conducted surveillance including "contents of communications, metadata or any other information" on members of Congress, federal judges, Supreme Court justices or any other employees of either the legislative or judicial branches.
She also asked if "technical safeguards" are in place to prevent intelligence community employees or contractors from using databases to search for information about people in the legislative or judicial branches without legal authorization.
"Our system of government is premised on the fundamental idea of separation of powers. Three co-equal branches of government with constitutionally prescribed checks and balances maintain independent spheres of government," Eshoo wrote.
There is precedent of U.S. intelligence agencies spying on members of Congress and their staff.
In 2014, a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) inspector general report found that its officers spied on Senate Intelligence Committee investigators preparing a report on the agency's interrogation program.
The CIA also acknowledged in 1975that it had kept files on then-Rep. Bella Abzug (D-N.Y.), dating back to when she served as a lawyer for a client that appeared before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. The CIA also said that it had kept counterintelligence files on at least three other members of Congress as part of its operations against critics of the Vietnam War.
The Justice Department in 2013 charged Snowden of violating the Espionage Act for disclosing details of highly classified government surveillance programs. Snowden has remained in Russia in the years since then to avoid prosecution.
See the original post here:
Democrat asks intel agencies if they're surveilling members of Congress - The Hill
- CISA, NSA, and Partners Issue Annual Report on Top Exploited Vulnerabilities - HSToday - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Where Will The Top Amateurs at NSA Yamaha Land After the Team Closes? - Vurbmoto - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- CISA, NSA, FBI and International Partners Publish Guide for Protecting Communications Infrastructure - HSToday - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Main players backing Syrian government have been weakened by other conflicts, NSA Sullivan says - NBC News - December 5th, 2024 [December 5th, 2024]
- Trump's incoming NSA Mike Waltz wants US to dance cheek-to-check with India - The Times of India - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- What Trump's NSA Nominee Said On India's Pivotal Role In The 21st Century - NDTV - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Exclusive: Nakasone on exploding pagers, life after the NSA and another possible government job - The Record from Recorded Future News - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023 - BleepingComputer - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- CISA, NSA, and Partners Issue Annual Report on Top Exploited Vulnerabilities - National Security Agency - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- 6 Principles of Operational Technology Cybersecurity released by joint NSA initiative - Security Intelligence - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- It's official FBI, CISA, and NSA reveal the most exploited vulnerabilities of 2023 - TechRadar - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Donald Trump picks Mike Waltz as US NSA: What it means for China and India - The Times of India - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Who is Mike Waltz, Donald Trump's new NSA pick? What are his ties to India Caucus? - Firstpost - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- NSA should not oversee the management of national facilities RexDanquah - Citi Sports Online - November 14th, 2024 [November 14th, 2024]
- Trudeaus NSA admits to leaking secret intel alleging Indias interference to Washington Post - Firstpost - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- White House dials NSA Ajit Doval: Here's what happened in the call - The Economic Times - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- NSA Doval Stresses Need For Stable Indo-Pacific In Phone Call With US Counterpart Sullivan - News18 - October 31st, 2024 [October 31st, 2024]
- Director-General of NSA calls for continued support from government - GhanaWeb - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- 5G Non Standalone Nsa Architecture Market to Reach USD 240.0 - openPR - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- NSA meets with Minister Muir and DAERA to discuss industry concerns - Meat Management - October 21st, 2024 [October 21st, 2024]
- NSA cyber chief: Espionage is now Russias focus for cyberattacks on Ukraine - The Record from Recorded Future News - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA Investigating If Chinese Hackers Breached US Telecoms - Yahoo Finance - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA Issues Updated Guidance on Russian SVR Cyber Operations - National Security Agency - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- News - Honoring the Stars and Stripes: NSA Philadelphia Hosts Dignified Flag Disposal Ceremony - DVIDS - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA's Program for Nursing Mothers in the Workplace Considered a Model for USG - National Security Agency - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA investigating hack of three major telecommunications companies - Baltimore Sun - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- Honoring the Stars and Stripes: NSA Philadelphia Hosts Dignified Flag Disposal Ceremony [Image 8 of 8] - DVIDS - October 11th, 2024 [October 11th, 2024]
- NSA Hiring Over a Thousand in the Next Year - ClearanceJobs - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- What Its Really Like to Work at NSA - National Security Agency - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- US Elections: Former NSA John Bolton Claims Both Harris And Trump Do Not Qualify To Be President | NewsX Exclusive - NewsX - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- Honoring the fallen: Bells toll for Americas heroes at NSA Mechanicsburg - American Military News - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- How often should you turn off your phone? Heres what the NSA says - PCWorld - October 4th, 2024 [October 4th, 2024]
- NSA and Allies Issue Advisory about PRC-Linked Actors and Botnet Operations - HSToday - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- NSA warns that Active Directory is an "exceptionally large and difficult to defend" attack surface - The Stack - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- News - Honoring the Fallen: Bells Toll for Americas Heroes at NSA Mechanicsburg - DVIDS - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- National Storage Affiliates Trust (NYSE:NSA) Given Average Recommendation of "Reduce" by Brokerages - MarketBeat - September 28th, 2024 [September 28th, 2024]
- Lack of Standard Stadiums: NSA boss sacked, facilities closed - What has been said and done so far - GhanaWeb - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- NSA and Allies Issue Advisory about PRC-Linked Actors and Botnet Operations - National Security Agency - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- UTEP Establishes Collaboration with DoD, NSA to Help Enhance U.S. Semiconductor Workforce - The University of Texas at El Paso - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- The NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a week - here's why - ZDNet - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- NSA Publishes Cyber Advisory on China-Linked Threat Actors - Executive Gov - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- Former NSA Director Nakasone opens new institute at Vanderbilt to train right type of leader - Washington Times - September 21st, 2024 [September 21st, 2024]
- ACR lauds legislation that would fine insurers for delayed NSA payments - AuntMinnie - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- NSA threatens lawsuit over election rigging allegation, demands apology - Pulse Nigeria - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- NSA explains its work with private sector on election security and fighting foreign cyber threats - Washington Times - September 16th, 2024 [September 16th, 2024]
- NSA to debut podcast to boost public awareness of classified missions - Nextgov/FCW - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- In Beijing, Bidens NSA Calls Out Chinas Destablising Actions, Openly Supports Philippines - Hindustan Times - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Why the NSA advises you to turn off your phone once a week - ZDNet - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Getting into rhythm: NSA places high expectations on themselves for 2024 - Suffolk News-Herald - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- NSA readying podcast to share untold stories of codebreakers missions - Washington Times - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Trump govt stopped aid to Pakistan over ISI's 'undeniable complicity' with terrorists: Ex-US NSA - Hindustan Times - August 31st, 2024 [August 31st, 2024]
- Top NSA researcher tapped to lead Pentagons UAP investigation hub - DefenseScoop - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- NSA Releases Guide to Combat Living Off the Land Attacks - Infosecurity Magazine - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- With a little help from the National Archives, NSA finally releases Grace Hopper lecture. Watch it here. - MuckRock - August 27th, 2024 [August 27th, 2024]
- Trump administration NSA H.R. McMaster says there was "inconsistency" in foreign policy - CBS News - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- 'Putin exploited Trump's ego and insecurities': Former NSA in new book - The Times of India - August 25th, 2024 [August 25th, 2024]
- NSA calls for urgent Government action on illegal sheep imports - Meat Management - August 14th, 2024 [August 14th, 2024]
- Sheikh Hasina Resignation LIVE Updates: Ex Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina Meets NSA Ajit Doval At Hindon Airbase - NDTV - August 5th, 2024 [August 5th, 2024]
- NSA Claims It Cant Watch an Important Tape It Recorded in the 1980s - Gizmodo - July 17th, 2024 [July 17th, 2024]
- Letter to NSA Sullivan Requesting Assessment of Information Russia Has Shared with the PRC on U.S. Weapons Capabilities in Ukraine - Select Committee... - July 17th, 2024 [July 17th, 2024]
- The NSA Is Defeated By A 1950s Tape Recorder. Can You Help Them? - Hackaday - July 17th, 2024 [July 17th, 2024]
- Letter to NSA on Microsoft's Billion Dollar Partnership with UAE Firm G42 - Select Committee on the CCP | - July 17th, 2024 [July 17th, 2024]
- NSA Fast Pitch World Series kicks off with Skills Competition & Heavy Hitters Camp, featuring College World Series Champions from the University... - July 17th, 2024 [July 17th, 2024]
- NSA contractor bilked government for hundreds of hours she never worked - Washington Times - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- Signals intelligence has become a cyber-activity - The Economist - July 6th, 2024 [July 6th, 2024]
- OpenAI adds former NSA chief to its board - CNBC - June 15th, 2024 [June 15th, 2024]
- Former head of NSA joins OpenAI board - The Verge - June 15th, 2024 [June 15th, 2024]
- Former NSA Head Joins OpenAI Board and Safety Committee - RetailWire - June 15th, 2024 [June 15th, 2024]
- Former NSA head joins OpenAI board and safety committee - TechCrunch - June 15th, 2024 [June 15th, 2024]
- OpenAI Appoints Cybersecurity Expert And Retired US Army Genera With NSA Pedigree To Board, Enhancing AI ... - Benzinga - June 15th, 2024 [June 15th, 2024]
- Former NSA head Paul Nakasone to helm national security institute at Vanderbilt - The Record from Recorded Future News - May 15th, 2024 [May 15th, 2024]
- US is still chasing down pieces of Chinese hacking operation, NSA official says - The Record from Recorded Future News - March 18th, 2024 [March 18th, 2024]
- 6 CISO Takeaways from the NSA's Zero-Trust Guidance - Dark Reading - March 18th, 2024 [March 18th, 2024]
- St. John's M.S. in Cyber and Information Security Earns Key NSA Validation - St John's University News - March 18th, 2024 [March 18th, 2024]
- Senate votes to confirm Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh to lead CYBERCOM and NSA/CSS - United States Cyber Command - December 23rd, 2023 [December 23rd, 2023]
- NSA Highlights AI, Partnerships in 2023 Cyber Review - MeriTalk - December 23rd, 2023 [December 23rd, 2023]
- NSA Publishes 2023 Cybersecurity Year in Review - National Security Agency - December 23rd, 2023 [December 23rd, 2023]
- Senate votes to confirm Lt. Gen. Timothy Haugh to lead CYBERCOM and NSA/CSS - National Security Agency - December 23rd, 2023 [December 23rd, 2023]
- NSA Reiterates Achievements in AI & Defense Against Russia, China in 2023 Cybersecurity Review - Executive Gov - December 23rd, 2023 [December 23rd, 2023]
- NSA appoints new Cyber Command head | SC Media - SC Media - December 23rd, 2023 [December 23rd, 2023]