America Accused a French Scientist of Espionage
Political
French Minister Philippe Baptiste expressed regret over the entry ban imposed on a French scientist who criticized Trump. Washington, however, stated that the ban was not due to criticism of Donald Trump but because the scientist was attempting to transport classified nuclear secrets.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security denied the claims by French authorities that the scientist had been stopped at the U.S. border and expelled due to his critical remarks about Donald Trump. This statement was published by the French news agency AFP on Friday, March 21.
"Any claim that his deportation was based on political beliefs is completely false," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in its statement.
"The French scientist in question was found with classified information from the Los Alamos National Laboratory stored on his electronic device, which constitutes a violation of the non-disclosure agreement. He admitted to taking the data without authorization and attempting to conceal it," the statement added.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory, located in New Mexico, was established in 1943 by Robert Oppenheimer to develop the first atomic bomb. Research on nuclear weapons continues there to this day.
A diplomatic source from AFP stated that the scientist was engaged in space research. He arrived at Houston Airport on March 9 and was subjected to a random security check. According to the source, border officers examined his work laptop and phone and reportedly found messages that "expressed hatred toward Trump and could be classified as terrorism." As a result, his devices were confiscated, and he was sent back to Europe on March 10.
Another AFP source reported that the researcher was accused of storing "messages containing hate speech and conspiracy theories" and was warned that the FBI might open an investigation. However, the case was ultimately closed.
"Any claim that his deportation was based on political beliefs is completely false," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in its statement.
"The French scientist in question was found with classified information from the Los Alamos National Laboratory stored on his electronic device, which constitutes a violation of the non-disclosure agreement. He admitted to taking the data without authorization and attempting to conceal it," the statement added.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory, located in New Mexico, was established in 1943 by Robert Oppenheimer to develop the first atomic bomb. Research on nuclear weapons continues there to this day.
A diplomatic source from AFP stated that the scientist was engaged in space research. He arrived at Houston Airport on March 9 and was subjected to a random security check. According to the source, border officers examined his work laptop and phone and reportedly found messages that "expressed hatred toward Trump and could be classified as terrorism." As a result, his devices were confiscated, and he was sent back to Europe on March 10.
Another AFP source reported that the researcher was accused of storing "messages containing hate speech and conspiracy theories" and was warned that the FBI might open an investigation. However, the case was ultimately closed.
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