(FiveNation.com)- A disturbing new report says the National Security Agency under the administration of Barack Obama spied on politicians in Europe.
A Danish media outlet recently reported that the NSA used resources that were provided by the intelligence agency in Denmark to conduct the espionage. The investigation into the incident resulted in the Dunhammer Report, which says the NSA did more than just abuse the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act by spying on private citizens.
The new report follows the revelations uncovered as part of whistleblower Edward Snowden’s admissions. Now, though, the NSA apparently was also spying on politicians in Europe, and that includes Angela Merkel, the chancellor of Germany.
In 2013, Merkel made clear statements that it would be unacceptable if the NSA were spying on her.
The Danish media outlet reported that the U.S. and Denmark relationship went much further. The two intelligence agencies came to an agreement so that the NSA was allowed to set up shop on the Island of Amager, south of Copenhagen.
The NSA apparently didn’t just spy on Merkel and German officials, though. They also allegedly spied on government officials with some of America’s allies, including Sweden, Norway and France.
On Monday, Emmanuel Macron, the president of France, responded to the reports by saying:
“It, very clearly, is not acceptable between allies, even les so between allies and European partners. I care about the relationship of confidence that unites Europeans and Americans, and we thus have to do everything in our power for our common security.”
Ironically, the person who commented about Snowden’s report in 2013 was Jen Psaki, who was serving as the spokesperson for the State Department. She now serves as President Joe Biden’s White House press secretary. Back then, she said:
“More allegations will surface given the quantity of classified information leaked by Mr. Snowden. I want to set the precedent, or set the point I guess, from here today that we have no plans to lay out our tactics or further specific details from here. We feel as you’ve heard us say a couple of times that the best place to have these conversations is with our allies, with our diplomatic partners. Those will continue, and we’ll address pieces as they come.”
The most troubling aspect of these latest allegations is that Obama had promised in 2014 that the U.S. would stop any espionage practices against its allies, following the Snowden report. Early in 2014, Obama promised:
“I’ve made clear to the intelligence community that unless there is a compelling national security purpose, we will not monitor the communications of heads of state and government of our close friends and allies. I’ve instructed my national security team, as well as the intelligence community, to work with foreign counterparts, to deepen our coordination and cooperation in ways that rebuild trust going forward.”
Apparently, though, he didn’t live up to those promises.
The Dunhammer Report doesn’t say why Obama’s administration felt like it needed to spy on allies of the U.S. at the time.
