A United States Department of Homeland Security employee has reportedly been placed on administrative leave and will have her security clearance revoked after accidentally adding a journalist to an email that included information about upcoming Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
The unnamed employee has reportedly been working within the DHS since former President George W. Bush was in office, according to a report from NBC News.
She is accused of inadvertently adding a journalist to an email that contained “unclassified details” about ICE operations that would be taking place in Denver, Colo. The alleged incident took place in late January 2025, and she quickly rectified her mistake once it was identified, according to anonymous officials, per the publication.
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Although the journalist reportedly agreed to keep the information — described as “law enforcement sensitive” — private, someone else on the email chain alerted leadership in the DHS.
The outlet reported that the staffer was put on leave and asked to sit for a polygraph test and to give up her personal phone. The revoking of her security clearance could make it difficult for her to continue a career in homeland security, but she will have 30 days to make an appeal regarding the decision, according to the report.
PEOPLE reached out to the DHS for comment, but they did not immediately respond.
The revelation of the incident comes shortly after The Atlantic‘s editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg was added to a group chat with several high-ranking White House officials on March 11. In the chat, alleged information about pending U.S. strikes on Yemeni rebels was shared.
National security adviser Michael Waltz took “full responsibility” for the gaffe. “A staffer wasn’t responsible,” he told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham on March 25. “I built the group … My job is to make sure everything’s coordinated.”
Speaking with NBC News on March 25, President Donald Trump voiced support for Waltz, saying, “Michael Waltz has learned a lesson, and he’s a good man.” He described the situation as his team’s “only glitch” and said that it was “not a serious one.”
On March 26, The Atlantic responded by sharing screenshots of the alleged messaging thread, which also included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance and others.
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Former ICE chief of staff Jason Houser highlighted the difference in how the two situations were handled while speaking to NBC News. “It’s staggering hypocrisy,” he said, noting that the staffer was “mission-focused.”
“Targeting a career official who dedicated her service to protecting public safety and enforcing the law — while excusing political appointees who leaked sensitive war plans — shows this administration punishes integrity and protects recklessness. That doesn’t just betray her, it weakens every public servant who risks their career to do the right thing,” he added.
Mary McCord, a former top official in the Justice Department’s national security division seemingly agreed, telling the outlet that Waltz’s error should “be taken at least as seriously.”
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