this post was submitted on 21 Feb 2025
764 points (98.6% liked)

politics

20365 readers
3363 users here now

Welcome to the discussion of US Politics!

Rules:

  1. Post only links to articles, Title must fairly describe link contents. If your title differs from the site’s, it should only be to add context or be more descriptive. Do not post entire articles in the body or in the comments.

Links must be to the original source, not an aggregator like Google Amp, MSN, or Yahoo.

Example:

  1. Articles must be relevant to politics. Links must be to quality and original content. Articles should be worth reading. Clickbait, stub articles, and rehosted or stolen content are not allowed. Check your source for Reliability and Bias here.
  2. Be civil, No violations of TOS. It’s OK to say the subject of an article is behaving like a (pejorative, pejorative). It’s NOT OK to say another USER is (pejorative). Strong language is fine, just not directed at other members. Engage in good-faith and with respect! This includes accusing another user of being a bot or paid actor. Trolling is uncivil and is grounds for removal and/or a community ban.
  3. No memes, trolling, or low-effort comments. Reposts, misinformation, off-topic, trolling, or offensive. Similarly, if you see posts along these lines, do not engage. Report them, block them, and live a happier life than they do. We see too many slapfights that boil down to "Mom! He's bugging me!" and "I'm not touching you!" Going forward, slapfights will result in removed comments and temp bans to cool off.
  4. Vote based on comment quality, not agreement. This community aims to foster discussion; please reward people for putting effort into articulating their viewpoint, even if you disagree with it.
  5. No hate speech, slurs, celebrating death, advocating violence, or abusive language. This will result in a ban. Usernames containing racist, or inappropriate slurs will be banned without warning

We ask that the users report any comment or post that violate the rules, to use critical thinking when reading, posting or commenting. Users that post off-topic spam, advocate violence, have multiple comments or posts removed, weaponize reports or violate the code of conduct will be banned.

All posts and comments will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This means that some content that violates the rules may be allowed, while other content that does not violate the rules may be removed. The moderators retain the right to remove any content and ban users.

That's all the rules!

Civic Links

Register To Vote

Citizenship Resource Center

Congressional Awards Program

Federal Government Agencies

Library of Congress Legislative Resources

The White House

U.S. House of Representatives

U.S. Senate

Partnered Communities:

News

World News

Business News

Political Discussion

Ask Politics

Military News

Global Politics

Moderate Politics

Progressive Politics

UK Politics

Canadian Politics

Australian Politics

New Zealand Politics

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Summary

Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old DOGE staffer recently promoted to a senior adviser role in the State Department, is reportedly the grandson of former KGB spy Valery Martynov.

Martynov was executed in the Soviet Union after being exposed as an FBI informant. Coristine, an alleged former cybercriminal, previously worked in the General Services Administration and now has potential access to sensitive diplomatic data.

Concerns have been raised over his background and apparent lack of a security check.

The situation fuels fears about foreign influence in U.S. government operations.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 26 points 23 hours ago* (last edited 23 hours ago) (6 children)

I don’t get this angle.

So his grandparent was someone who on being exposed to the American way of life converted to the American side, helped America, and was killed by the Soviets for it. And they’re what, worried this previous generations pro-American views will somehow influence the kid today?

Go with them being a cybercriminal thing, not some bizzaro sins of the father nonsense.

[–] eugenevdebs@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 42 minutes ago

I don't care who someone's family is, their actions are what defines them.

If someone was the son of Hitler and they did massive charity work, I don't care. If someone was the child of Theodore Roosevelt and murdered someone, I don't care.

It's weird that being the grandson of some random KGB is what matters here more than the fact they are aiding a fascist take over. Like it's in their DNA.

My grandfather on my mother's side was a Nazi. We're unsure of it was willing or "everyone had be in Nazi Germany." I still fight for the rights of minorities everywhere. His actions don't speak for mine. Nor my mother's.

[–] Aqarius@lemmy.world 4 points 9 hours ago

The angle is that the Overton window shifted so far right that the disagreement is now which foreigners (and secret, domestic foreigners) are to blame for the country's decline.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.world 9 points 14 hours ago (1 children)

It's the kind of thing you'd have to disclose before getting a security clearance. And the FBI would be the ones to decide if it's okay. Not Elon.

[–] KinglyWeevil@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 6 hours ago

If it was your parent, definitely. They don't ask about grandparents. I don't know there's a place on the SF-86 for you to insert this info.

[–] nieminen@lemmy.world 2 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

For real, what are the chances he even met his Grandpa.

[–] Deceptichum@quokk.au 5 points 19 hours ago (1 children)

Zero.

This kid is 19 and the USSR collapsed 34 years ago.

[–] nieminen@lemmy.world 1 points 19 hours ago

I mean, I've seen several TV shows and movies that show that spycraft is definitely hereditary. That means that it's definitely the case for big balls.... Right?.....

[–] unemployedclaquer@sopuli.xyz 1 points 19 hours ago

same but it's still super interesting on its own. spy stories and such. but also these Dept of Gastroenterology guys are not looking so vetted or reliable.

[–] CoffeeJunkie@lemmy.cafe 1 points 19 hours ago

My thoughts exactly. 🙄 This is ridiculous non-news.