Republican senators question FBI over Trump’s choice of Kash Patel for Iran hacking attempt
Premiere on Fox: Registered nurse Thom Tillis is seeking answers from the FBI after President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI was reportedly hacked by Iranian hackers.
“For an Iranian-backed group to target the potential next director of the FBI is extremely alarming. Equally concerning is the dissemination of sensitive and potentially classified information about the attack to The speed of the news media,” the North Carolina senator wrote to FBI Deputy Director Paul Abate on Monday.
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Thom Tillis (left) questions the FBI about reports of a cyberattack on Kash Patel and the speed with which the media learned about it. (Reuters)
Multiple media reports last week said that Kash Patel, Trump’s nominee to be the FBI director in the new administration, was the target of Iranian hackers.
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In response to reports of the hacking attempt, Trump transition spokesman Alex Pfeiffer told Fox News Digital: “Kash Patel was the first person in the Trump administration to fight the terrorist regime in Iran. A key figure who will implement President Trump’s policies and protect the United States from its adversaries.
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Patel has been meeting with senators on the Hill. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
In his letter, Tillis pointed to various law enforcement sources apparently connected to the news publication.
“As you know, the FBI and other intelligence agencies must maintain confidentiality to keep the American people safe from enemies at home and abroad. The release of this information raises significant national security and personal safety concerns,” he wrote.
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Tillis asked Abbate how the information was leaked. (Photo by Anna Chanmemaker/Getty Images)
The Republican asked Abate a series of questions, including whether FBI employees shared information about the cyberattack with the media or third parties who might provide information to the media.
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The FBI told Fox News Digital it received the letter but had no further comment.
Patel has been touring Capitol Hill and meeting with senators in an effort to drum up support before Trump takes office in January.
