Is The Invasion Of SCIF Cover for Espionage?

[Skraxx]

It needs to be considered that this is more than just a "disruption" but quite possibly actual infiltration by an espionage operation.

[MineralMan]

1. Nah. It just uncovers the idiocy of Gaetz and the other GOOPers.

[Skraxx]

4. I wouldn't be so sure

They are still in there, a russian spy would find that access to be very valuable.

[apnu]

5. Maybe, maybe not

Its possible these idiots knew not what they were doing, but its also possible other bad actors infected their phones before hand, especially possible if the phones are Android devices. I am in tech support, there is nothing worse than an idiot and a wide open android phone, it will get infected. How fast depends on how dumb the person is, the dumber the person is the faster they get infected with something.

Or, if they aren't infected now, you bet the bad guys will be sniffing around their phones and accounts now. Again the same ratio of stupidity to acceleration of infection or account breach is in effect here.

[MineralMan]

6. It's just a childish stunt by those Republicans.

Eventually, they'll leave and the hearing will resume. They're just making a statement. They don't realize what the statement is they're making, though.

In reality, there's no classified information on display in that room today. They were going to question someone. If that person brought any papers with him or her, I'm sure they're not in there now that the committee members have left the room.

It was just a stunt for the cameras.

[bdamomma]

9. was it really a stunt???

I'm just getting to this news, is this really serious that the Republicans and Matt Gaetz get arrested for pulling this illegal stunt.

[MineralMan]

10. I haven't heard anything about any arrest.

That seems unlikely, actually. Members of Congress are immune from arrest when doing Congressional business or traveling to and from the chambers. That is usually extended well beyond those two situations.

I don't think any arrests are imminent.

[bdamomma]

11. did this area

have classified material? should arrests be made???

[MineralMan]

12. It is supposed to be a secure area. However, I don't know if any classified

materials are involved today. Unless the witness brings them in, I doubt it. However, the testimony might include things that are classified, which is why the hearing is being held in the SCIF.

[bdamomma]

14. thanks for filling me in MineralMan

I hope Ms. Pelosi among others are on top of this.

[MineralMan]

15. I'm sure it will be discussed.

I'm not sure there will be a resolution for the issue, though.

[bdamomma]

17. check out this article.

https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a29563472/matt-gaetz-storm-scif-republicans-adam-schiff/

[apnu]

16. Sure it was a stunt

But doesn't change my point. Nobody really knows if those phones are clean and not carrying some nasty payload. The device user doesn't have to be aware he's carrying malware or some other payload.

[MineralMan]

18. There are cell phones everywhere in the House chambers.

Everyone has at least one. I even have one. Is mine loaded with malware? It is an Android, so...

Unless someone planted a physical bug in the room, I think the danger will be over once they all depart.

[Skraxx]

20. And You Give Them The Benefit of the Doubt? Why?

How do you know: A. No one is planting a bug, B. Their cell phones (or god only knows what other devices they may have on them) aren't comprising the rooms security right now? They've been in there for quite some time. Even knowing the layout of the room is a huge security breach that our adversaries might find useful.

You have no idea whether this is just a dumb stunt. Many of these folks are severely comprised by Russia and obviously doing their bidding. How do you know it stops with just "a dumb stunt"?

[MineralMan]

21. Well, OK, then.

I'm in Minnesota, so I can't run over and warn anyone. If you're that concerned, why not send an email to someone who is there to let them know they're in danger?

Actually, I'm pretty sure there are people there who can assess the risks and act accordingly.

[Skraxx]

22. Really? You Can't Run Over There from Minnesota? Oh well.

Don't think I asked you too, but I'll file that information accordingly. Thanks for the discussion though!

[guillaumeb]

2. As witting or unwitting agents of a foreign power? eom

[apnu]

3. Maybe, we don't know.

The only security option for the folks running the SCIF is to consider that as a fact and act accordingly. In the absence of data, you have to assume the worst possible outcome.

[NBachers]

7. They'll need to do a full sweep of the place after the goons are thrown out.

[IADEMO2004]

8. My thought too.

[struggle4progress]

13. They should be reminded on the rules governing the secure location, together with the standards

of behavior expected for House members, and these matters should be referred to the Ethics Committee for its recommendation

[Tiggeroshii]

19. Still wrapping my heads around how somebody could raid a SCIF and things are just going to be okay

for them. In the normal world that's subject to fines/ prosecution, or at least losing your job...