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DC 20510?6225

November 19, 2019

Michael T. Evanoff

Assistant Secretary

Bureau of Diplomatic Security
US. Department of State

2201 Street, NW.
Washington, DC. 20520

Dear Assistant Secretary Evanoff,

1 write today to raise grave concerns about the use of unsecure personal telecommunication
devices by senior of?cials of the Department to conduct sensitive national security business and
to request an investigation by the Bureau of Diplomatic Security into these allegations,
including, if warranted, appropriate disciplinary action. As the senior Diplomatic Security
professional at the State Department, you are responsible for the Department?s information
security and counter?intelligence missions. I assume you share my alarm.

Testimony during the House?s impeachment inquiry last week revealed that US. Ambassador to
the European Union, Gordon Sondland, conducted a highly sensitive conversation with the
President of the United States using his personal cell phone. As he made the call, he was at lunch
on the terrace of a restaurant in Kyiv, Ukraine with embassy staffers and Ukrainians present and
well within earshot. This incident is a serious security breach that raises signi?cant
counterintelligence concems as well as concerns about State management of information security
issues more generally. In an area of the world where kompromat, ?compromising information,?
is a political norm, with longstanding and sophisticated roots, this episode is staggering in its
recklessness.

I am sure you recall the embarrassment, political fallout, and of?cial US apology that followed
the February 2014 YouTube release of the telephone call of a Department of State Assistant
Secretary, a call that was intercepted in Ukraine, and that you appreciate the national security
import of this breach and share my deep concern.

More troubling, Ambassador Sondland?s security breaches are not isolated. Numerous other
reports allege widespread use of personal cell phones as a regular means to communicate on
highly sensitive matters among and between numerous senior State Department political
appointees of the current administration, as well as between those of?cials and other of?cials
elsewhere in the U.S. government, including President Trump himself.

I recognize that determinations about the appropriate use of communication equipment as well as
the sensitivity of information under discussion can be complex and subjective. However, given
the importance of this issue and the apparent culture of indifference to classi?cation matters and

information security emanating from President Trump, I request your of?ce immediately
undertake a review of communication security at the Department?including the use of personal
cell phones?by all political appointees at the Department of State, assess any security breaches,
incidents or infractions, make recommendations, and take appropriate disciplinary action.

I would appreciate a reaponse laying out your plans to investigate this matter, including scope
and timeline, by December 2, 2019. Thank you for your attention to this matter and I look
forward to your prompt response.

Sincerer,

     

obert Menendez
Ranking Member