Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Saadi: There were concerns that Lahham would be placed under administrative detention.
Al-Saadi: The Israeli occupation authorities could not prove any allegations leveled against Nasser Lahham.
Lawyer Oussama al-Saadi: The oppressive Israeli measures of delaying Lahham's release had vengeful motives.
Nasser Lahham's lawyer said the journalist was released without any conditions or restrictions, adding that the conditions in which he was kept were terrible.
The Israeli occupation authorities release Al Mayadeen Palestine bureau chief Nasser al-Lahham.
Local Syrian sources: An Israeli airstrike targeted a tank and artillery battalion in the city of Izraa in the Daraa countryside
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in eastern Lebanon: 12 martyrs and 5 wounded in Israeli raids targeting the outskirts of Wadi Fa'ra in the northern Bekaa Valley
Local Syrian sources: More than 10 Israeli raids targeted Sweida, with information about more than five casualties from the Internal Security Forces
Local Syrian sources: Initial reports indicate that approximately 15 people were killed or wounded at the al-Radwan family's guest house in Sweida following a direct exchange of gunfire
Israeli media, citing Israeli political sources, reported that the Shas movement is expected to withdraw from the government within less than 24 hours

FBI arrests intel worker over leak plot tied to Trump

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 30 May 2025 14:50
4 Min Read

A Defense Intelligence Agency employee was arrested for allegedly trying to leak classified documents to a foreign country, citing opposition to Trump’s policies.

Listen
  • x
  • A seal reading
    A seal reading "Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation" is displayed on the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building in Washington, DC, Aug. 9, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

An IT employee at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has been arrested for allegedly attempting to leak classified material to a foreign government, citing his disillusionment with former President Donald Trump and the direction of US policy.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest on Thursday, identifying the suspect as Nathan Villas Laatsch, who worked in the DIA’s Insider Threat Division.

According to court documents and an FBI affidavit, Laatsch reached out via email to what he believed was a representative of a “friendly foreign government,” offering to share sensitive intelligence data.

“The recent actions of the current administration are extremely disturbing to me,” he allegedly wrote, adding, “I do not agree or align with the values of this administration and intend to act to support the values that the United States at one time stood for.”

Unbeknownst to Laatsch, the recipient of his email was an FBI agent posing as a foreign official. The agency initiated a controlled sting operation to monitor communications and collect evidence.

According to the affidavit filed by Special Agent Matthew T. Johnson, the undercover agent replied, “Good afternoon, I received your message and share your concerns,” establishing a backchannel that led to the eventual arrest.

Laatsch, who served in a division responsible for detecting insider threats, was taken into custody on Thursday in northern Virginia after delivering materials to the undercover agent at a prearranged meeting location.

Laatsch cited Trump-era disillusionment in leak attempt

Related News

Netherlands launches $58mln fund in quest to recruit top researchers

EU drops digital tax plans in concession to Trump, Big Tech pressure

Documents filed with the court reveal that Laatsch expressed a calculated and ideological motivation for his actions.

“I’ve given a lot of thought to this before any outreach, and despite the risks, the calculus has not changed,” he allegedly wrote in further communications.

“I do not see the trajectory of things changing, and do not think it is appropriate or right to do nothing when I am in this position.”

He also reportedly told investigators that he had requested citizenship in the foreign country and no longer had confidence in the trajectory of the United States. His identity and affiliations with the intelligence community intensified concern over the risks of insider leaks.

Authorities did not disclose the exact nature or contents of the materials Laatsch attempted to share, citing national security concerns. However, the DOJ confirmed that the classified information had been handed over during a covert FBI meeting that followed a multi-week surveillance operation. He is expected to appear in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday for his initial hearing.

The DOJ stressed the seriousness of the breach, particularly given Laatsch’s role in a unit specifically designed to monitor for insider threats within the intelligence apparatus.

DOJ, FBI warn of rising insider threat risks

“This case underscores the persistent risk of insider threats,” said FBI Director Kash Patel in a statement posted to X.

“The FBI remains steadfast in protecting our national security and thanks our law enforcement partners for their critical support.”

The investigation is being led by the FBI Washington Field Office, with assistance from DOJ prosecutors specializing in national security cases.

If convicted, Laatsch could face significant prison time under statutes governing the unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

The case adds to a growing list of recent incidents involving government employees accused of betraying national security protocols, often motivated by political or ideological grievances. The DOJ has signaled it will continue to prioritize these cases amid increasing polarization and institutional distrust across the US intelligence community.

  • US President Donald Trump
  • US Defence Intelligence Agency
  • Defense Intelligence Agency
  • DIA
  • FBI
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025
This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows damage after an Iranian attack at the al Udeid Airbase outside of Doha, Qatar, June 25, 2025 (Planet Labs PBC via AP)

Satellite images show Iran attack damaged US comms dome in Qatari base

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025
An Israeli soldier abandons an excavator during an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades. Arabic text reads "The moment the soldier fled", July, 10, 2025 (Al Qassam Military Media)

Israeli media rue al-Qassam footage, alarmed by fighters among troops

  • Politics
  • 11 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Syrian government forces deploy at the Mazraa village on the outskirts of city of Sweida, where clashes erupted between Bedouin clans and Druze factions, southern Syria, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Gulf-backed negotiations underway in Syria's Sweida to end clashes

UN: 798 Palestinians killed while trying to reach aid in Gaza
Palestine

UN: 798 Palestinians killed while trying to reach aid in Gaza

A damaged car is seen at a field that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in Nabi Sheet village, in Lebanon's eastern Bekaa Valley, Wednesday, August 21, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Hezbollah condemns Israeli Bekaa massacre, urges action from Lebanon

Palestinians walk next to the closed humanitarian aid distribution center of UNRWA, the UN agency helping Palestinian refugees in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip, on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli regime cuts electricity, water supplies to UNRWA Gaza offices

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS