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A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employee is facing severe consequences after accidentally including a reporter in a group email containing sensitive information about an upcoming Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation. The incident occurred in late January and involved unclassified but sensitive details, such as the timing and locations of the operation in the Denver area. According to NBC News, the employee realized the mistake immediately and contacted the reporter, who agreed not to disclose the information. The ICE operation proceeded without any issues.
Despite the reporter's agreement, the error was reported to higher-ups at DHS, leading to the employee being placed on administrative leave. The agency plans to revoke her security clearance, which could end her career in homeland security. The employee, who has served in various DHS roles since the George W. Bush administration, has 30 days to appeal the decision.
This incident has sparked discussions about the inconsistent handling of security breaches within the Trump administration. For instance, a separate case involved Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharing military plans in a group chat, yet he faced no repercussions.
The White House and DHS have not commented on the incident.