Politics
Handala hacker group claims FBI chief Kash Patel was hacked
WASHINGTON — An Iran-linked cyber threat group known as Handala hacking group has issued new claims of an impending breach targeting U.S. federal systems, alleging that sensitive information connected to Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, has already been compromised.
In a series of messages published on its Telegram channel, the group asserted that it had gained access to accounts associated with Patel and warned that additional intrusions were “coming soon.”
The posts included what appeared to be personal and professional materials attributed to the FBI director, alongside statements mocking U.S. cybersecurity defenses and describing them as ineffective.
The claims surfaced shortly after U.S. authorities, including the U.S. Department of Justice, announced enforcement actions targeting the group, including the seizure of associated web domains and the offering of a reported $10 million reward for information leading to the identification or capture of its leadership.
Handala has also claimed responsibility for a separate cyber intrusion involving Lockheed Martin. However, the company has publicly denied any breach, stating that its systems remain secure and emphasizing confidence in its “multi-layered information security architecture.”
Federal officials have strongly condemned the group’s actions. Both the FBI and the Department of Justice have pledged to pursue those responsible, vowing to “hunt down every actor” involved in the campaign. Despite these warnings, the group has continued to release statements online, framing U.S. countermeasures as attempts to suppress its activities.
At this time, U.S. authorities have not publicly confirmed the validity of the group’s claims regarding any breach involving the FBI or Director Patel.
The situation remains under close review as cybersecurity experts and federal investigators work to assess the credibility and scope of the alleged intrusions.
Politics
Charlie Kirk Advocated Against War With Iran Prior Publicly Assassinated by Pro Israelis
“He looked me in the eye and he said … Joe, stop us from getting into a war with Iran.”
Former National Counterterrorism Center Director Joe Kent has publicly questioned aspects of the investigations into the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump during a 2024 campaign rally in Butler.
Speaking in an interview with Tucker Carlson, Kent outlined concerns regarding what he described as unresolved issues and investigative limitations encountered during his time in government.
The interview marked his first public appearance since departing the Trump administration.
Kent emphasized that he is not alleging responsibility by any specific country or group but argued that certain “data points” and timelines merit further examination.
He referenced the July 2024 arrest of Asif Merchant, who was accused of involvement in a foiled assassination plot tied to Iran, noting that the arrest occurred just one day before the shooting at Trump’s Butler rally involving Thomas Matthew Crooks.
Kent suggested that investigators should have been allowed to more fully explore any potential connections, though he acknowledged that no definitive link has been established.
According to Kent, efforts by the National Counterterrorism Center to pursue certain investigative leads were limited.
He also cited reports that oversight officials, including the Department of Homeland Security’s inspector general, faced challenges in examining aspects of the Butler incident.
During the discussion, Kent further addressed the killing of Charlie Kirk, describing it as a case that, in his view, warranted deeper scrutiny.
He stated that while the suspect, identified as Tyler Robinson, has been characterized as a lone actor, there were additional leads and potential lines of inquiry that were not fully pursued before jurisdiction shifted to state authorities.
Kent also pointed to publicly available online activity suggesting that some individuals may have had prior knowledge of the attack, arguing that such information should have been thoroughly investigated to determine whether others were involved. However, he acknowledged that no conclusive evidence of a broader conspiracy has been confirmed.
Throughout the interview, Kent stressed that his concerns center on investigative transparency and the need to examine all credible leads, particularly in cases involving national security implications.
He stated that interagency coordination challenges and limitations in information sharing may have hindered a more comprehensive review.
Tucker Carlson responded by noting the sensitivity of the issues discussed and the likelihood that such claims would face scrutiny, while also expressing support for continued efforts to seek clarity and accountability.
Officials have not publicly confirmed many of the claims discussed in the interview.
Both cases remain subjects of ongoing public interest, with authorities maintaining that investigations are conducted based on available evidence and within established legal frameworks.