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Join Telegram ChannelFIRST ON FOX: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., is seeking answers from the FBI after President-elect Donald Trump's pick to lead the bureau was reportedly targeted by Iranian hackers.
“The fact that an Iranian-backed group has targeted the potential next director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is extremely alarming. The speed with which sensitive and potentially classified information about this attack has spread to media is also alarming,” the statement said. The North Carolina senator wrote a letter Monday addressed to FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate.
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Thom Tillis, left, questioned the FBI about a reported cyberattack on Kash Patel and how quickly the media learned about it. (Reuters)
Multiple media outlets reported last week that Kash Patel, whom Trump chose to be his nominee for FBI director in his new administration, had been the target of an Iranian hacking attempt.
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In response to reports of the hacking attempt, Trump transition spokesperson Alex Pfeiffer told Fox News Digital: “Kash Patel played a key role in the first Trump administration's efforts against the regime Iranian terrorist and will implement President Trump's policies to protect America from adversaries. Director of the FBI.”
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Patel met with senators on the Hill. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)
In his letter, Tillis pointed to various law enforcement sources who apparently communicated with news publications.
“As you know, it is imperative that the FBI and other intelligence agencies maintain confidentiality to ensure that the American people are safe from enemies at home and abroad. The release of this information raises concerns major issues in matters of national security and personal security,” he wrote.
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Tillis questioned Abbate about how the information was disseminated. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
The Republican asked Abbate a series of questions, including whether FBI employees shared information about the cyberattack with the media or with third parties who might have passed it on to the media.
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The FBI told Fox News Digital it received the letter but had no further comment.
Patel has toured the Capitol and met with senators as he seeks to shore up support ahead of Trump's inauguration in January.