America isn’t going to fall from the outside. The enemies are from within.
And now a bombshell arrest of a federal government mole puts Capitol Hill on lockdown.
Triggering an FBI Investigation
In March, the FBI received a tip that someone was willing to provide classified information to a friendly foreign government, leading investigators to Nathan Laatsch, a civilian DIA employee since 2019. Working in the Insider Threat Division with top secret security clearance, Laatsch allegedly expressed discontent with the Trump administration in an email to the FBI, stating he didn’t “agree or align with the values” of the administration and was prepared to share “completed intelligence products, some unprocessed intelligence, and other assorted classified documentation.”
Over a three-day period, he transcribed classified information onto a notepad at his desk, covertly removing it from his workspace in preparation for sharing, according to the DOJ.
Executing a Covert Sting Operation
The FBI launched an undercover operation, with an agent posing as a foreign government official to engage Laatsch. He communicated multiple times with the agent, confirming his readiness to share classified information.
The DOJ reported that on or around May 1, Laatsch was observed depositing an item at a prearranged northern Virginia park for the “foreign government to retrieve.”
FBI agents recovered a thumb drive containing a message from Laatsch and typed documents marked Secret or Top Secret, with his message stating he was sharing “a decent sample size” of classified information to demonstrate his access.
On May 7, after learning the thumb drive was retrieved, Laatsch messaged the undercover agent, appearing to seek something in exchange.
The next day, he specified interest in “citizenship for your country” because he didn’t expect things in America “to improve in the long term,” adding he was “not opposed to other compensation” but not in need of “material compensation.”
Culminating in Arrest
On May 14, the undercover FBI agent informed Laatsch that the “foreign government” was ready for additional classified information.
Between May 15 and May 27, Laatsch transcribed more sensitive data, concealing notes in his clothing to smuggle them out of the DIA facility.
On Thursday, May 29, he arrived at another prearranged location in northern Virginia to deliver the documents.
The FBI arrested him immediately after receiving the materials.
Laatsch is set to make his first court appearance on Friday, May 30, in the Eastern District of Virginia, facing charges related to the attempted disclosure of classified information.
This case highlights the rapid response of law enforcement to a potential national security breach, with the FBI’s sting operation thwarting Laatsch’s alleged efforts to share sensitive information.
