“Protect the Public’s Trust (PPT), a government watchdog, recently lodged a complaint with the Department of Justice, expressing concerns over a photo the White House posted on its Instagram account on October 18. The photo, captured during President Biden’s visit to Israel, depicted him meeting with members of Delta Force, the elite U.S. Army counterterrorism unit. The image was posted without obscuring the faces and tattoos of these personnel, leading to worries about potential security risks and whether it might have violated the Espionage Act.
In hindsight, the White House promptly removed the photo after realizing the potential danger it posed to the identities of these Delta Force members. While it is possible that this was an innocent oversight by an inadequately trained staff member, it raises questions about the administration’s decision-making and competence. In an era where the safety of our special forces is paramount, even minor lapses in security protocols cannot be ignored.
Delta Force is typically shrouded in secrecy due to the nature of its missions. Therefore, the inadvertent exposure of their identities on social media was a cause for concern. Protect the Public’s Trust is rightly calling for an investigation into this incident to ensure such lapses don’t recur.
Furthermore, this incident has occurred in the context of a broader dissent within the Biden administration regarding U.S. policy towards Israel. Recent events, such as the discovery of a Department of Homeland Security employee’s previous affiliations and a State Department official’s resignation in protest of American Israel policy, have underscored internal divisions. These divisions are worrisome, particularly when dealing with delicate international matters.
In sum, while President Biden’s trip to Israel might have been perceived as a political move to boost his approval ratings, the inadvertent release of the Delta Force photo only fueled concerns about his administration’s competency and the need for better handling of sensitive information. Protecting the security of our elite military units should always be a top priority, and this incident calls for a thorough investigation and improvement in internal procedures.”
