President Trump doubted a report that said the U.S. government had concluded Israel was likely responsible for spying devices found near the White House last year.
Trump told reporters Thursday that he “would find that hard to believe” the Israelis were spying on the U.S. because his relationship with the country “has been great.”
“I don’t believe that. No, I don’t think the Israelis were spying on us,” he said. “I wouldn’t believe the story.”
Trump then acknowledged “anything is possible.”
The cellphone surveillance devices, known as “StingRays,” are able to intercept communications and track the location of phones.
Former intelligence officials told Politico that a forensic analysis of the devices led the U.S. to believe Israeli spies had placed them near the White House and other sensitive areas around Washington, D.C.
The cell-site simulators were likely used in an attempt to spy on Trump as well as those close to the president, a former official said, though it was unclear if the attempts were successful.
The Israeli government has denied the accusations.
The Trump administration has not taken any steps to punish or condemn the Israeli government for its actions, a former top intelligence official said.
