This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/usa/531695-watchdog-nsa-spying-carlson/

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Intel watchdog to probe allegations NSA spied on Fox’s Tucker Carlson, despite agency’s denial – reports Intel watchdog to probe allegations NSA spied on Fox’s Tucker Carlson, despite agency’s denial – reports
(17 days later)
The inspector general for the NSA will investigate whether the spy service targeted Fox host Tucker Carlson for surveillance, several outlets reported, after the agency denied the charge with a carefully worded statement in June.The inspector general for the NSA will investigate whether the spy service targeted Fox host Tucker Carlson for surveillance, several outlets reported, after the agency denied the charge with a carefully worded statement in June.
National Security Agency IG Robert Storch announced the move on Tuesday, saying his office would look into whether the agency “improperly targeted the communications of a member of the US news media.” While the statement stopped short of citing Carlson by name, unnamed officials told CBS News and the Wall Street Journal that the probe will center on the Fox host.National Security Agency IG Robert Storch announced the move on Tuesday, saying his office would look into whether the agency “improperly targeted the communications of a member of the US news media.” While the statement stopped short of citing Carlson by name, unnamed officials told CBS News and the Wall Street Journal that the probe will center on the Fox host.
The investigation will review the NSA’s compliance with federal law and its own policies pertaining to “collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities,” as well as “unmasking procedures,” Storch said, referring to steps the NSA must take to ‘unmask’ the identity of American intelligence targets.The investigation will review the NSA’s compliance with federal law and its own policies pertaining to “collection, analysis, reporting, and dissemination activities,” as well as “unmasking procedures,” Storch said, referring to steps the NSA must take to ‘unmask’ the identity of American intelligence targets.
A spokesperson for Fox News said the outlet is “gratified to learn the NSA’s egregious surveillance of Tucker Carlson will now be independently investigated,” calling the alleged targeting of the host “entirely unacceptable.”A spokesperson for Fox News said the outlet is “gratified to learn the NSA’s egregious surveillance of Tucker Carlson will now be independently investigated,” calling the alleged targeting of the host “entirely unacceptable.”
Carlson first claimed that he was spied on during a segment of his show in June, saying a “whistleblower” approached him with evidence the NSA had collected his private communications. The host has so far offered few details on the whistleblower or how they obtained the evidence. Carlson first claimed that he was spied on during a segment of his show in June, saying a “whistleblower” approached him with evidence the NSA had collected his private communications. The host has so far offered few details on the whistleblower or how they obtained the evidence. 
Within 24 hours of the segment, the NSA issued a rare public statement denying Carlson’s charge, insisting it is legally barred from spying on American citizens. However, the careful wording of the denial did not preclude what is known as ‘incidental collection,’ or when a spy agency grabs the communications of a US citizen who happens to be in contact with a legal foreign intelligence target. Carlson later revealed that he had been in the process of setting up an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time of the alleged NSA spying, while Axios reported that US officials had learned of those plans.Within 24 hours of the segment, the NSA issued a rare public statement denying Carlson’s charge, insisting it is legally barred from spying on American citizens. However, the careful wording of the denial did not preclude what is known as ‘incidental collection,’ or when a spy agency grabs the communications of a US citizen who happens to be in contact with a legal foreign intelligence target. Carlson later revealed that he had been in the process of setting up an interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the time of the alleged NSA spying, while Axios reported that US officials had learned of those plans.
READ MORE: ‘Entire paragraph of lies’: Carlson fires back at NSA after spy organization claims he is NOT their target in ‘non-denial denial’READ MORE: ‘Entire paragraph of lies’: Carlson fires back at NSA after spy organization claims he is NOT their target in ‘non-denial denial’
More recent reporting by the Record also suggests Carlson’s identity was indeed ‘unmasked’ by the NSA, though the outlet noted that his name merely came up in communications between third parties and that he was not spied on deliberately or by way of incidental collection. It remains unclear who mentioned Carlson’s name, or why they are under surveillance.More recent reporting by the Record also suggests Carlson’s identity was indeed ‘unmasked’ by the NSA, though the outlet noted that his name merely came up in communications between third parties and that he was not spied on deliberately or by way of incidental collection. It remains unclear who mentioned Carlson’s name, or why they are under surveillance.
The new IG probe comes after Republican lawmakers urged for further investigation into the spying charges, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Senators Rand Paul (Kentucky) and Marco Rubio (Florida) also joined those calls, with Paul saying the NSA was responsible for a “long train of abuses” against American citizens while voicing skepticism in its “carefully worded denial.” On Tuesday, Rubio praised Storch’s upcoming investigation, calling it an “important step toward ensuring public confidence” while urging the NSA to be “as transparent as possible so it doesn't fuel further public suspicion and distrust.”The new IG probe comes after Republican lawmakers urged for further investigation into the spying charges, including House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. Senators Rand Paul (Kentucky) and Marco Rubio (Florida) also joined those calls, with Paul saying the NSA was responsible for a “long train of abuses” against American citizens while voicing skepticism in its “carefully worded denial.” On Tuesday, Rubio praised Storch’s upcoming investigation, calling it an “important step toward ensuring public confidence” while urging the NSA to be “as transparent as possible so it doesn't fuel further public suspicion and distrust.”
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!
Dear readers and commenters,
We have implemented a new engine for our comment section. We hope the transition goes smoothly for all of you. Unfortunately, the comments made before the change have been lost due to a technical problem. We are working on restoring them, and hoping to see you fill up the comment section with new ones. You should still be able to log in to comment using your social-media profiles, but if you signed up under an RT profile before, you are invited to create a new profile with the new commenting system.
Sorry for the inconvenience, and looking forward to your future comments,
RT Team.