Trump FBI director chooses Kash Patel as target of Iranian hackers

Politics
By William

By SARAH EWALL-WICE, SENIOR AMERICAN POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM IN WASHINGTON, DC

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President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the FBI Kash Patel (pictured) was reportedly the target of an Iranian hack. Patel was informed by the agency that he had been targeted, two sources told CNN on Tuesday.

According to one of the sources, the hackers may have gained access to some of Patel's communications. Trump's transition team responded to the hacking report with a statement to CNN, but did not directly address its details.

According to one of the sources, the hackers may have gained access to some of Patel’s communications. Trump’s transition team responded to the hacking report with a statement to CNN, but did not directly address its details.

“Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration's efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and, as FBI director, will implement President Trump's policies to protect America from adversaries,” spokesman Alex Pfeiffer said. Patel previously served in the first Trump administration as chief of staff to the acting secretary of Defense, having also served on his National Security Council.

“Kash Patel was a key part of the first Trump administration’s efforts against the terrorist Iranian regime and, as FBI director, will implement President Trump’s policies to protect America from adversaries,” spokesman Alex Pfeiffer said. Patel previously served in the first Trump administration as chief of staff to the acting secretary of Defense, having also served on his National Security Council.

Trump announced on November 30 that Patel was his choice to become the next director of the FBI, replacing current director Christopher Wray. This isn't the first time members of Trump's team have been targeted by foreign hackers.

Trump announced on November 30 that Patel was his choice to become the next director of the FBI, replacing current director Christopher Wray. This isn’t the first time members of Trump’s team have been targeted by foreign hackers.

1733316282 293 Trump FBI director chooses Kash Patel as target of Iranian

Trump’s son Donald Trump Jr. has also said he was informed by the agency that he was “one of Iran’s top targets,” according to CNN. In late September, the Justice Department unsealed an indictment accusing three Iranian hackers of targeting Trump campaign officials and others in an attempt to interfere in the U.S. election.

CNN previously reported that Trump's pick for deputy attorney general Todd Blanche (pictured), one of his personal lawyers in the New York hush money case, was informed by the FBI last month that he was being tapped by Chinese hackers.

CNN previously reported that Trump’s pick for deputy attorney general Todd Blanche (pictured), one of his personal lawyers in the New York hush money case, was informed by the FBI last month that he was being tapped by Chinese hackers.

The hackers were able to obtain some voice recordings and text messages from the phone, but the information was not related to Trump, according to their source. In October, the Trump campaign was informed that Chinese hackers had targeted the phones used by Trump and newly elected Vice President JD Vance, according to a New York Times report.

The hackers were able to obtain some voice recordings and text messages from the phone, but the information was not related to Trump, according to their source. In October, the Trump campaign was informed that Chinese hackers had targeted the phones used by Trump and newly elected Vice President JD Vance, according to a New York Times report.

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