Top Obama Adviser Sought Names of Trump Associates in Intel | Hacker News Reader

Top Obama Adviser Sought Names of Trump Associates in Intel

bloomberg.com

22 pointsxname25 comments

This situation is (obviously) very political. It also illustrates well how "broad" intelligence gathering can be used as a political weapon. We all have our beliefs on the current and previous administrations, but I think it's vital to view these events from a minority viewpoint. If this tactic was used against you or your preferred political party, would it be acceptable?

Indeed, it should come as no surprise when the Trump team does some unmasking of their own.

9th paragraph ->

   This suggests Rice's unmasking requests were likely within the law.

You're somewhat cherry-picking the quote. The point of that paragraph was to draw attention to the vague requirements present for unmasking:

> But Rice's multiple requests to learn the identities of Trump officials discussed in intelligence reports during the transition period does highlight a longstanding concern for civil liberties advocates about U.S. surveillance programs. The standard for senior officials to learn the names of U.S. persons incidentally collected is that it must have some foreign intelligence value, a standard that can apply to almost anything. This suggests Rice's unmasking requests were likely within the law.

7th paragraph ->

Last month when she was asked on the "PBS NewsHour" about reports that Trump transition officials, including Trump himself, were swept up in incidental intelligence collection, Rice said: "I know nothing about this," adding, "I was surprised to see reports from Chairman Nunes on that account today."

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