Internal NSA documents have uncovered a scandal where employees used government communication systems for explicit personal discussions about gender transitions and fetishes, with the activities seemingly encouraged by controversial DEI initiatives at the agency.
Key Takeaways
- NSA employees used the government Intelink messaging system for explicit chats about polyamory, transgender surgeries, and other personal sexual topics
- Activities directly violated NSA usage policies which prohibit non-mission related communications on official platforms
- The inappropriate discussions were reportedly legitimized under the agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
- Critics argue these activities raise serious concerns about professionalism and a potential shift away from critical national security priorities
- The Trump administration has already begun to dismantle these DEI structures and terminate employees involved
Explicit Chats Discovered on Government Systems
The National Security Agency, America’s premier signals intelligence organization responsible for protecting the nation’s most sensitive communications, is facing scrutiny after internal documents revealed employees used official communication systems for explicit personal conversations. According to reporting from City Journal, chat logs show agency employees engaged in discussions about polyamory, transgender surgeries, and other sexual topics on the government’s Intelink messaging program, which is intended for official business only.
Tulsi just fired every NSA employee that participated in that creepy group chat. Over 100 people. She's not messing around. Love it. pic.twitter.com/F9mRwpnXQg
— Clint Russell (@LibertyLockPod) February 26, 2025
These revelations have sparked concerns about both the misuse of taxpayer resources and the potential impact on national security operations. The communications included detailed discussions of intimate personal matters that had no connection to the agency’s intelligence mission. This activity directly violates established NSA protocols regarding the use of official communication platforms, as confirmed by agency officials themselves. “All NSA employees sign agreements stating that publishing non-mission related material on Intelink is a usage violation and will result in disciplinary action”, stated an NSA press official.
DEI Initiatives Under Scrutiny
The report suggests these inappropriate communications were tacitly enabled through the agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. According to the City Journal investigation, the NSA had implemented various DEI programs including LGBTQ+ employee resource groups and organized meetings discussing topics such as “Privilege” and “Pride.” These initiatives, while ostensibly designed to create a more inclusive workplace, appear to have been leveraged to justify conversations that would otherwise clearly violate agency standards.
One NSA source quoted in the investigation expressed alarm about individuals with top-secret clearances participating in these types of discussions. “These are folks with top secret clearances believing they are IT!” the source stated, referring to employees discussing gender transitions and identity issues. This highlights the clash between personal expression and the professional standards expected of intelligence personnel with access to the nation’s most sensitive information.
Potential Consequences and National Security Concerns
The scandal raises significant questions about leadership, governance, and mission focus at one of America’s most critical security agencies. Intelligence professionals and government watchdogs have voiced concerns that the prioritization of DEI initiatives may be coming at the expense of the agency’s core national security objectives. The Trump administration has already begun to dismantle such DEI structures and terminate employees who participated in these inappropriate discussions.
This controversy comes at a time when U.S. intelligence agencies face unprecedented challenges from foreign adversaries. Critics argue that the NSA needs personnel focused on countering sophisticated cyber threats from nations like China and Russia rather than engaging in personal discussions on government systems. The investigation by Christopher F. Rufo and Hannah Grossman from the Manhattan Institute brings these issues to light as part of a broader examination of how DEI policies may be affecting government operations.
