In a significant blow against the deep state, Nathan Vilas Laatsch, an IT specialist formerly employed by the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), was arrested for trying to transmit classified national security information to a foreign government.
For context, Trump has faced significant problems with government employees leaking classified information to the press or foreign actors. Members of the Trump cabinet, such as DHS Secretary Krisit Noem and Border Czar Tom Homan, have indicated that these serious intelligence leaks will not be taken lightly and leakers can expect to face harsh punishments.
In any case, Laatsch said that he was willing to share classified information with someone he believed to be a foreign agent because he didn’t “agree or align with the values of this administration.” According to the leaker, he didn’t “expect[] things here to improve in the long term,” and so was “willing to share classified information.”
Recounting the events, the Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said, “On May 1, FBI surveillance observed Laatsch proceed to the specified location and deposit an item. Following Laatsch’s departure, the FBI retrieved the item, which was a thumb drive later found to contain a message from Laatsch and multiple typed documents, each containing information that was portion-marked up to the Secret or Top Secret levels.”
Reacting to the news, a prominent social media account took to X on May 29, 2025. The account posted, “Today the FBI and the Justice Department announced the arrest of Nathan Vilas Laatsch, a 28 year old Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) employee for attempting to transmit classified information to a friendly foreign government. ”
Provifding additional context, they said, “Laatsch, who held aTS/SCI clearance, said that he had “completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation” that he wanted to send. He said his reasoning for the decision was because he did not align with the current Trump administration’s policies.”
Concluding the explanation, the user wrote, “The FBI was subsequently tipped off and made contact with Laatsch under the guise of the aforementioned foreign government. Laatsch would end up transcribing and smuggling out classified products on 2 occasions to who he thought was an official of the friendly foreign government, and was arrested today after the second exchange.”
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In the comments under the posts, conservatives expressed their anger with the deep state operative. One such comment said, “Another Deep State operative who thinks they get to determine US policy, not the elected President in whose Executive branch they work. This is the anti-Trump mindset that enabled General Milley to call the head of the Chinese Communist Party military and make promises.”
Angered by the apparent treason, one user noted, “The punishment for treason is harsh. Maybe it should be enforced. I think actually enforcing the law would lower the instances of these unelected narcissists undermining the Constitution of the United States.” Building on this point, another said, “These people who betray their government should be jailed for life with no parole. Don’t know how Presidents can offer them clemency when they are about to step down.”