Israel accused of planting mysterious spy devices near the White House

[left-of-center2012]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Politico

The U.S. government concluded within the last two years that Israel was most likely behind the placement of cell-phone surveillance devices that were found near the White House and other sensitive locations around Washington, D.C., according to three former senior U.S. officials with knowledge of the matter.

But unlike most other occasions when flagrant incidents of foreign spying have been discovered on American soil, the Trump administration did not rebuke the Israeli government, and there were no consequences for Israel’s behavior, one of the former officials said.

The devices were likely intended to spy on President Donald Trump, one of the former officials said, as well as his top aides and closest associates -- though it’s not clear whether the Israeli efforts were successful.

President Trump is reputed to be lax in observing White House security protocols. POLITICO reported in May 2018 that the president often used an insufficiently secured cell phone to communicate with friends and confidants. The New York Times subsequently reported in October 2018 that “Chinese spies are often listening” to Trump’s cell-phone calls, prompting the president to slam the story as “so incorrect I do not have time here to correct it.” (A former official said Trump has had his cell phone hardened against intrusion.)

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/12/israel-white-house-spying-devices-1491351?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=0000014e-f115-dd93-ad7f-f91513e50001&nlid=630318

[Historic NY]

1. Frenemies??????????

[aquamarina]

2. Cue the chorus...

BUT HER EMAILS...........

[Me.]

3. And Yet We Contimue To Give Them Billions

and how were they able to get on the WH grounds? Seems like everything is lax over there now.

[Harker]

4. To say that Trumpsky is "reputed to be lax"

in observing security protocols avoids the issue that he's known to cheerfully hand sensitive information to nations hostile to this one.

[machoneman]

5. This could be good for the USA. They know as a result what NOT to tell Trumpyboy.

[question everything]

6. With such a volatile administrtion

Israel, and other nations would be negligent if they did not do this..

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

7. Is the Xtian right is okay with this?

[lagomorph777]

8. Photo of spy device in White House

[DeminPennswoods]

9. The reality is Israeli foreign policy is always to put

Israel's national interest first regardless of who their current allies or enemies are. The US would be wise to recognize this and adapt our foreign policy as necessary.

[MosheFeingold]

10. There is zero evidence presented that Israel did this

It could be anyone: China, England, Germany, Russia, Israel, Japan, France, and Turkey are equally likely. Even India.

It could even be a non-state actor, like a corporation (Google, various defense contractors) or even an advanced criminal organization like a drug Cartel.

Or a political actor like the RNC (or DNC, although I doubt we are that capable). Or some dirty trick politico that works for whomever pays them.

The leap to blaming Israel, sans evidence, is, candidly, antisemitic.

"Oh there is something sneaky going on! Must be the Joooos!"

Disgusting.

[Ghost Dog]

11. Yes this article is clearly antiseptic and should be banned

and Político hounded out of existence.

[ffr]

12. It could have also been some fat guy playing with his computer on his bed.

No spies. Fake news.



p.s. two can play at that game.

[Omaha Steve]

13. After a review by forum hosts....LOCKING

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