
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) is demanding accountability after a serious cybersecurity breach exposed months of FBI agents’ call and text records with confidential informants. The hack, traced back to a previous cyberattack on AT&T’s public safety network, has raised concerns about the agency’s capacity to safeguard sensitive information.
In a strongly worded letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray, Schmitt condemned the FBI’s failure to protect its operations. He warned that this breach could discourage confidential sources from collaborating with the bureau in the future due to fears of exposure and retaliation.
🚨Yesterday, there was an unprecedented hack of sensitive FBI information that compromises the Bureau’s ability to do its job and keep Americans safe. We must confirm @Kash_Patel and begin the much needed reform of the Bureau. My letter to the FBI below. pic.twitter.com/9VyvqkOnwS
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) January 17, 2025
💥GOP Senator Sounds Alarm💥
FBI Hit with 'Unprecedented Hack' Your Data at Risk?"Attention all!
A GOP Senator has just blown the whistle on what could be one of the largest breaches in FBI history. Sensitive files, possibly including your personal information, might be… pic.twitter.com/LwepIruBMk— ProperlyRebel (@ProperlyRebel) January 18, 2025
Schmitt also used the incident to criticize the Biden administration’s lax approach to cybersecurity. He pointed to past actions, including the raid on President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, as evidence that the FBI has been misdirected in its priorities under the current leadership.
FBI agents’ calls and texts exposed in AT&T hack sparking espionage fears as ‘sensitive’ info and informants are leaked #FBI #AT&Thttps://t.co/Isb4vDBM3I
— Pauline Bieniek (@BieniekPauline) January 18, 2025
I wonder if any sensitive files that could be used to hold FBI personnel accountable for partisan or illegal practices disappeared during this apparent hack. https://t.co/VtewWfOqJZ
— Fingers Mcknee (@FingersMcknee) January 18, 2025
The Missouri senator called for the immediate confirmation of Kash Patel to a key federal position, emphasizing Patel’s commitment to rooting out corruption and restoring accountability. Schmitt argued that Patel’s leadership is crucial for addressing security failures within the FBI.
@FBI not hard to hack yourself with all the passwords
— Crocker🔰 (@DJcrocker) January 17, 2025
The FBI can hack your home computer "lawfully".
This is a start.
Where does it end?
Are you okay with Elon snooping around your laptop if Kush okays it?https://t.co/VyxzL5xpxB
— Roy.G.Biv (@Roy_G_Biv_3rd) January 17, 2025
The FBI acknowledged the data breach and stated that efforts are underway to minimize the risks to confidential informants. The agency is reportedly investigating how the breach occurred and working to bolster its cybersecurity defenses.
AT&T, whose compromised system allowed the breach, confirmed its cooperation with federal authorities to contain the damage. The company suffered a major hack in 2022 that exposed data from over 109 million accounts, raising alarms about private-sector vulnerabilities impacting national security.