A watchdog for the National Security Agency on Tuesday said it is commencing an investigation into claims that the NSA targeted a member of the press following accusations from Fox News host Tucker Carlson that it spied on his show’s private correspondence.
The National Security Agency Office of the Inspector General announced Tuesday it is conducting a review of “recent allegations that the NSA improperly targeted the communications of a member of the U.S. news media,” though the office did not name a particular member of the press.
“The OIG is examining NSA’s compliance with applicable legal authorities and Agency policies and procedures regarding collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities, including unmasking procedures, and whether any such actions were based upon improper considerations,” the watchdog wrote in a statement Tuesday. “If circumstances warrant, the OIG will consider other issues that may arise during the review.”
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The NSA OIG did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request to identify the media member.
Last month, Carlson claimed that the NSA illegally leaked private messages to members of the media after he contacted the Kremlin to arrange an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a report from Axios said. Days prior to the findings, Carlson initially alleged the NSA was spying on his program in an attempt to remove his show from on-air broadcasting.
In late June, the NSA issued a rare statement in response to Carlson, calling his remarks “untrue.”
“This allegation is untrue,” a spokesperson said at the time. “Tucker Carlson has never been an intelligence target of the Agency and the NSA has never had any plans to try to take his program off the air.”
“We target foreign powers to generate insights on foreign activities that could harm the United States,” the statement continued. “With limited exceptions (e.g. an emergency), NSA may not target a US citizen without a court order that explicitly authorizes the targeting.”
Carlson’s allegations, which were shared with millions of viewers on the air, drew the attention of several high-profile lawmakers, many of whom demanded further inquiries into the government body’s purported conduct, despite the agency’s retort. In July, Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul highlighted a number of requests in a letter sent to NSA Director General Paul Nakasone.
“I write to you to demand that you investigate the National Security Agency’s (NSA) alleged spying and unmasking of Tucker Carlson, as well as any leaks of his private emails from the NSA to other reporters,” Paul wrote at the time.
Paul further insisted that Carlson, who has not offered evidence in support of his claims, is entitled to the “freedom of the press protections guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.”
Prior to Paul’s demands, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy directed Republicans on the Intelligence Committee to investigate the NSA over concerns of “politicization.”
A top NSA lawyer picked by former President Donald Trump argued there has been a “disturbing trend” at the agency following the Biden administration’s move to sideline Michael Ellis, McCarthy said. The California Republican also insisted that the agency has “refused to deliver information requested by the Republican Members on the House Intelligence Committee” in reference to Carlson’s claims.
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“The NSA cannot be used as a political instrument, and House Republicans will ensure accountability and transparency,” McCarthy said at the time.
Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Republican, has also called for an independent inspector general investigation into Carlson’s allegations.
