Classified Russiagate Binder Missing as 2017 Intelligence Unmasking Debate Intensifies

Recent revelations from journalist John Solomon have refocused attention on the controversial "unmasking" practices of U.S. intelligence agencies in 2017, coinciding with reports that a highly classified binder related to the Russiagate investigation has gone missing. Solomon recounted a pivotal encounter where he was told he was "at the tip of a very large iceberg" concerning a "political dirty trick" involving communications exposure. This narrative aligns with ongoing scrutiny of the intelligence community's actions during that period.

The incident described by Solomon reportedly occurred in 2017, shortly after he reported on a surge in "unmaskings" of American citizens' private communications. According to Solomon, two unidentified men approached him, stating, > "'We can't tell you who we are, but you're at the tip of a very large iceberg, and we hope you drill into it.'" They further elaborated that > "our agencies were asked to participate in one of the greatest political dirty tricks in history."

"Unmasking" refers to the process by which the identities of U.S. persons, whose communications are incidentally collected during surveillance of foreign targets, are revealed to authorized intelligence officials. This practice is legal and routine, with thousands of such requests made annually, requiring a "need to know" for intelligence purposes. However, the process became a point of contention, particularly concerning former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, with some alleging political motivations behind certain unmasking requests.

Despite these allegations, a Justice Department inquiry (the Bash report) found no substantive wrongdoing or improper reasons for unmasking requests related to the 2016 election and transition. The U.S. intelligence community, including the CIA, FBI, and NSA, concluded in a January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an influence campaign to undermine the U.S. democratic process and help Donald Trump. The controversial Steele dossier was included as an annex to the ICA to inform officials of its existence, though it was not used as a basis for the ICA's core judgments.

John Solomon, known for his work with Fox News and later as editor-in-chief of Just The News, has been a prominent voice in the "Russiagate hoax" counter-narrative, which seeks to delegitimize the findings of Russian interference. His reporting has been criticized by some progressive outlets for a perceived conservative bias and for advancing pro-Trump conspiracy theories. The ongoing debate underscores deep partisan divisions regarding the integrity and objectivity of intelligence operations.

The disappearance of a classified binder containing raw intelligence on Russian election interference at the end of the Trump administration adds another layer to the complex narrative. This binder reportedly held sensitive information, including sources and methods, that informed the U.S. government's assessment of Russian efforts to influence the 2016 election. The missing document raises concerns among intelligence officials about potential exposure of national security secrets.