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Trump And Kash Patel Targeted By Who?

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Trump’s cabinet clearly needs more protection.

Kash Patel, the former senior Trump administration official and President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the FBI, recently revealed that he had been targeted in a cyberattack by Iranian hackers. These hackers reportedly gained access to some of Patel’s communications, raising serious concerns about the security of high-profile figures associated with Trump.

This latest attempt by Iranian cyber operatives to infiltrate the inner circle of Trump’s team is part of a broader pattern of hostile actions from Tehran. In September, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted three members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) for hacking into the Trump campaign. These hackers not only leaked sensitive information to media outlets but also sought to undermine Trump’s campaign by targeting staffers and even officials involved in President Joe Biden’s campaign. According to the DOJ, this “wide-ranging hacking campaign” used sophisticated tactics, including fake online identities and phishing emails, to steal classified data and disrupt American political processes.

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The scope of the attack against Patel also highlights the ongoing tensions between the U.S. and Iran, particularly after the January 2020 airstrike that killed Iranian General Qassem Soleimani. The DOJ’s indictment revealed that the hacking efforts began soon after that moment, indicating a long-term and coordinated effort by Iran to disrupt American leadership and influence the political landscape.

Patel, a New York native and a staunch ally of President Trump, has an extensive background in national security. He served as a senior adviser on the National Security Council, as the chief of staff to the acting Secretary of Defense, and later as an official in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Trump has nominated Patel to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term runs through 2027. However, for Patel to assume the post, Wray would either have to step down or be removed, and Patel’s appointment would require Senate confirmation.

This attack underscores the rising threats posed by foreign adversaries, particularly Iran, and highlights the need for stronger security measures to protect the integrity of our political system. Patel’s nomination and the broader hacking efforts remind us of the urgent need to take action against foreign interference in American democracy.