Bethesda, Maryland – A Year in Reflection

About a year ago, I expressed my concerns about the State Department and the CIA’s handling of what’s become known as the “Havana syndrome.” This involves a mysterious condition linked to a pulse microwave attack that has affected not just me, but also my family and over 120 US government colleagues and their families.

The Biden administration reacted quickly—though, perhaps not thoughtfully—with proof-seeking and retaliation. I was removed from my position at the US Embassy in Helsinki, where I oversaw technical security for some of the most important embassies around the globe. As a sort of punishment, I was reassigned to a lesser post in Washington, which felt more like being sidelined than genuinely serving my country.

But the backlash continued. In June, Emmy Award-winning journalist Katherine Hellidge aired an interview exposing waste and misconduct within the State Department, including issues related to the Havana syndrome. Less than 12 hours later, I found myself on administrative leave, cut off from both the department and my email. It seems clear to me that this was retaliation for shining a light on information that the State and CIA were — and still are — reluctant to share with Congress.

Having spent time in Afghanistan and working closely with the military, I have immense respect for Tarshi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence. So, I feel compelled to reach out to her, urging the release of significant information the government has about the biological effects of pulsed microwave radiation exceeding 1 milliwatt per square centimeter. Information on weapon systems known to inflict injuries related to Havana Syndrome is crucial, particularly regarding my family’s experience, including attacks we faced in Guangzhou, China.

The government claims it can’t disclose certain information due to “health privacy issues.” Honestly, that’s ridiculous. I’ve signed numerous waivers and permissions. For instance, I even asked the government not to hinder the release of an MRI funded by taxpayers, which shows how high-level pulsed microwave radiation has affected my brain.

There’s a lot of information out there on these attacks that the CIA and State Department have overly classified and suppressed. It’s almost a joke — the way they fumbled with issues linked to the previous administration. It’s ironic that Trump pointed out America’s weakness in the context of the war in Ukraine. I can’t help but think that the Biden administration’s lack of a strong response to these attacks has emboldened figures like Vladimir Putin, leading him to believe that people like myself—who have Russian language skills—won’t face repercussions for their actions in Ukraine.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio likely has no idea how much his officials have worked to prevent me from speaking my truth today before the House Intelligence Committee. Their attempts were thwarted, thank goodness, by Chairman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.), who stood up against the bullying. I’m grateful for his support, which allowed me to testify this week.

While my testimony to the Intelligence Committee is a step forward, I believe there’s more to address. I’m eager to speak to the House Committee on Surveillance and Government Reform, as well as the new task force focused on federal secrecy. Honestly, I see this last group as potentially pivotal in shedding light on the information about the pulsed microwave attacks that have cast a shadow over my life and my family’s.

Gabbard has passionately talked about how the US government has previously hidden intelligence for political gain, leading to a serious decline in public trust regarding our intelligence community.

A glaring example of this is the cover-up surrounding Havana syndrome. While my family received a significant amount of compensation for a diagnosed traumatic brain injury, when pressed on why taxpayer dollars were used for this, the government’s response was essentially dismissive.

When people are harmed in the line of service, I rely on Gabbard to help declassify and release the necessary documents on Havana syndrome, so taxpayers can understand the reality of these issues and I can share my experiences with Congress.