FBI Investigates Hacking Attempt on Top Trump Advisor Susie Wiles

The incapacitating message scandal underscores significant concerns over digital security within the highest ranks of U.S. government.

The FBI is currently investigating a potential hacking incident involving Susie Wiles, the White House chief of staff and a close advisor to former President Donald Trump, as reported by sources affiliated with CBS. Wiles has claimed that her personal phone was hacked, leading to impersonators utilizing her contacts to reach out to prominent officials in the U.S. According to CBS, the impersonated messages raised eyebrows among recipients when they were asked to switch their conversation to platforms such as Telegram, which may indicate a covert activity.

A spokesperson from the White House confirmed that the cybersecurity of all staff is treated with utmost seriousness, and emphasized that this incident is under active investigation. While the exact timeframe for when these messages were disseminated remains unclear, initial reports from the Wall Street Journal have indicated that the impersonation event targeted Wiles' personal device rather than her government phone. Notably, the high-profile targets of the impersonated messages included U.S. senators, state governors, and leading business figures.

Wiles holds the distinction of being the first female chief of staff in the White House and has been viewed as an essential player behind Trump's re-election efforts. This is not the first time she has found herself involved in cybersecurity discussions; previously, three individuals from a cyber espionage unit linked to Iran's Revolutionary Guards were indicted for executing cyberattacks against the Trump campaign team, which Wiles led.

In response to this latest security breach, FBI director Kash Patel stated that the agency treats any threats against presidential staff and their cybersecurity with the utmost seriousness. Protecting the secure communications of administration officials is a pressing priority for the FBI as they work to safeguard the integrity of governmental interactions critical to the President's mission.