FBI Investigates Cybersecurity Breach Involving White House Chief of Staff
Washington D.C., Friday, 30 May 2025.
The FBI is probing a security breach where Susie Wiles’ phone was hacked, leading to impersonations of her contacting top officials, raising urgent cybersecurity concerns in the government.
Details of the Impersonation Incident
The breach of cybersecurity was initiated by an unknown individual or group who accessed the personal cellphone of Susie Wiles, Chief of Staff to former President Donald Trump. Using AI-generated technology, the impersonators reached out to various prominent figures, including Republican lawmakers, governors, and business executives. These individuals received messages purportedly from Wiles, requesting sensitive information such as lists of pardon candidates and cash transfers [1][2][3].
Extent and Consequences of the Breach
The communications were identifiable by their use of unusually formal language and grammatical errors, which were atypical of Wiles’ known communication style. This raised suspicions among some recipients, prompting them to question the authenticity of the messages. Reportedly, artificial intelligence was used to mimic Wiles’ voice in phone calls, adding an extra layer of deception [1][2][3].
Response from the White House and FBI
The FBI launched an investigation on May 29, 2025, in response to this breach. FBI Director Kash Patel underscored the seriousness with which threats to the President, his staff, and U.S. cybersecurity are treated. A White House spokesperson reiterated this concern, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to resolve the issue [1][4][5].
Broader Implications for Cybersecurity
The incident raises significant concerns regarding the security of personal communications for individuals at the highest levels of government. The use of advanced technologies such as AI in cyberattacks is becoming increasingly prevalent, pointing to a need for robust cybersecurity measures. The impersonation scheme has highlighted vulnerabilities that need urgent addressing to prevent future incidents [1][5].