Dustin Volz
@dustinvolz
Washington correspondent for The New York Times focused on cyber conflict, digital espionage and intelligence. Prior stops at WSJ, Reuters, National Journal.
Today's front page of @nytimes.com: YEARS OF NEGLECT LED UP TO ATTACKS ON WATER SUPPLY _____ U.S. Ignored Warnings _____ A Federal and State Rush After Officials Blame Iran for Hackings
It's important to note the FBI's own public service announcement, published late Thursday evening, prominently notes "at least seven states" have reported since last weekend attempts to compromise water systems (Rockwell PLCs) "and some of that activity degraded water operations"
Wyden cites subpoenas against NYT reporters as a reason for his vote against Jay Clayton to oversee U.S. intelligence agencies, saying there are “credible allegations that he provided false testimony … about intimidation subpoenas sent about New York Times reporting.”
On today’s front page of The New York Times: Trump Enlists Spy Agencies In ‘20 Grudge Federal Push to Revive Voting-Fraud Claims www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/u...
Truly incredible to see Mullin say that this activity was hidden from Trump (and Biden) when John Ratcliffe gave a televised address saying this in October 2020:
Former officials have noted the irony in Trump’s dismantling election security efforts that had been either created or strengthened during his first term. Most crucially, he has purged his admin of people who will push back on bogus claims. We are in a different place than we were in 2020.
In a statement, CIA calls @wyden.senate.gov's letter referring to deep concerns he has about unspecified CIA activities a "badge of honor."
Slowly but surely, workers are surrendering some of the WFH freedom that once eased them into and out of the weekend. www.wsj.com/lifestyle/wo...
Green, asked if Volt Typhoon has already succeeded in deterring the U.S. from defending Taiwan, says "absolutely yes" the U.S. should and could still do so. "And would it be hard and extremely costly? Absolutely yes."
Speaking this morning at Vanderbilt, Rep. Mark Green, chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, compares Chinese infrastructure hacks to Russia placing a satchel charge next to a cell tower that could blow up at anytime. Also reiterates telco hacks remain ongoing.
Thrilled and honored to share this @sabew.bsky.social award for our Salt Typhoon reporting with a team of tremendously talented colleagues. sabew.org/2025/03/2024...
White House officials messed up by listing on a website the wrong man in charge of the FBI. Instead of correcting the error, the White House let it stand. www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Statement from Travis LeBlanc, a board member who had several more years remaining in his term. "The Board’s partisan shift will ultimately undermine not only the mission of the agency, but public trust and confidence in the ability of the government to honor privacy rights..."
"I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” Coughenour, an appointee of Ronald Reagan, said. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Speaking to Bloomberg this morning, Jake Sullivan says Chinese hacking US infra and telecoms is "dramatic in their scope and scale, and we take them deadly seriously." U.S. has sent a message to CCP that a physically destructive cyberattack would be met w/ "severe consequences."
Depressing reporting from Semafor on the state of things at Washington Post, where "daily traffic last year reached a nadir of just a quarter of what it was at its peak in January 2021."
Fascinating. PunchbowlNews reports that DNI nom Tulsi Gabbard has softened her stance on surveillance power FISA 702, which she repeatedly voted against in Congress. Gabbard now says reforms to 702 have assuaged her concerns.
Had missed this. Last month, during his FBI town hall address, Director Chris Wray said the Salt Typhoon compromises of U.S. telcos may be China's "most significant cyber espionage campaign in history."
Biden has scheduled Jimmy Carter's state funeral for Thursday, Jan. 9, and proclaimed it national day of mourning. U.S. flags will fly at half-staff for 30 days.
I read Jonathan Alter’s biography of Jimmy Carter a few years ago. It was simply amazing how he never stopped going 100% in all that life offered: learning to downhill skill at 62, climbing Kilimanjaro at 64, picking up snorkeling at 90. RIP.
This story is incredible—Evan Gershkovich spent nearly 500 days in prison as a diplomatic hostage and turned around and wrote an expose on the secret Russian unit responsible for depriving him of his freedom.
Fourteen North Korean nationals have been indicted in a conspiracy to steal U.S. identities in order to get remote IT jobs to enrich the DPRK regime and fund its nuclear weapons program. The FBI shared this poster of the alleged scammers and is offering up to $5 million for info leading to arrest.
FBI Director Chris Wray to FBI workforce: "After weeks of careful thought, I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down."
Almost time for that big stretch into the Thanksgiving holiday weekend
There are 2.3 million Americans working for the federal government in civilian jobs, constituting less than 2% of the total U.S. workforce. They work as everything from nurses in Veterans Affairs hospitals and park rangers in Yellowstone to guards in federal prisons. www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...