Anti-Trump Defense IT Specialist Arrested For Attempting to Provide Classified Information to Foreign Government Because He Did Not “Agree or Align with the Values of This Administration”
An IT specialist working with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) was arrested for attempting to provide classified national defense information to a foreign government. This incident highlights concerns regarding insider threats within government agencies.
• Nathan Vilas Laatsch, 28, from Alexandria, Virginia, was arrested for trying to share classified information because he disagreed with the current administration's values.
• He became a civilian employee of the DIA in 2019, holding a Top Secret security clearance and working in the Insider Threat Division.
• The FBI launched an operation after receiving a tip that Laatsch had offered classified information to a foreign government in March 2025.
• Laatsch communicated through email, expressing his willingness to share classified information, including completed intelligence products and unprocessed intelligence.
• After several exchanges with an FBI agent, who he believed was affiliated with the foreign government, Laatsch transcribed classified information over a three-day period.
• On May 1, 2025, the FBI observed Laatsch deposit a thumb drive containing a message and multiple classified documents at a public park for retrieval by the foreign entity.
• In subsequent communications, Laatsch indicated he wanted citizenship in the foreign country in exchange for continuing to provide information.
• Between May 15 and May 27, Laatsch repeatedly transcribed more classified notes while logged into his classified workstation and concealed the notes in his clothing to exfiltrate the information.
Laatsch's actions demonstrate a serious breach of trust and security protocols within the DIA. His motivations were linked to a personal disagreement with the administration rather than financial gain. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing threat posed by insiders within government positions.
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