The National Security Agency (NSA) announced an investigation into allegations raised by Tucker Carlson, that the agency spied on the Fox host.
QUICK FACTS:
- The NSA’s Inspector General will open an investigation into what it described as an “alleged targeting” of a U.S. member of the media after Fox News host Tucker Carlson claimed the agency spied on him earlier this year, according to The Hill.
- The announcement did not specifically mention Carlson by name.
- A source close to the investigation told The Wall Street Journal on Tuesday that the review is in fact related to Carlson’s claims, according to American Military News.
WHAT THE NSA INSPECTOR GENERAL SAID:
- The inspector general said in a statement on Tuesday that the agency was officially conducting a “review related to recent allegations that the NSA improperly targeted the communications of a member of the U.S. news media.”
- The NSA was “examining NSA’s compliance with applicable legal authorities and Agency policies and procedures regarding collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities, including unmasking procedures.”
- The statement also said the NSA is examining, “whether any such actions were based upon improper considerations.”
- “If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider other issues that may arise during the review,” the statement went on to say.
BACKGROUND:
- Media such as CNN had called Carlson’s claims “unsubstantiated,” noting that Biden’s White House “dismissed Carlson’s allegations.”
- CNN also claimed that Carlson “has a history of peddling conspiracy theories.”
