I’m not sure who is the bigger idiot: the 22-year-old active-duty American soldier who tried to sell classified information to Russia in exchange — not for money — but for Russian citizenship, or the individual(s) who awarded him the top-secret security clearance that gave him access to the data in the first place.

But that’s what Taylor Adam Lee is charged with having done while stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Lee was arrested on August 6th and charged under the Espionage Act with attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary, as well as violation of the Arms Export Control Act. Specifically, the Justice Department says that Lee “transmitted export-controlled technical information on the M1A2 Abrams Tank online and offered assistance to the Russian Federation.” [Joe Walsh, CBS News, August 6, 2025.]

He is said to have written online — online!! — earlier this year that “the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weaknesses. . . . At this point I’d even volunteer to assist the Russian federation [sic] when I’m there in any way.” [Id.]

Then this genius — with the top-secret security clearance, mind you — had an in-person meeting with someone he “believed to be a representative of the Russian government,” to whom he delivered an SD card with technical data and other information on Abrams tanks. He also allegedly discussed with that individual the possibility of giving Russia a piece of hardware from the tank. [Id.]

On July 31st, he delivered what appeared to be the hardware to a storage unit in El Paso, Texas. He then messaged his “Russian” contact: “Mission accomplished.” [Todd South, Army Times, August 7, 2025.]

Steven J. Jensen, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, said in a statement:

“Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favor of providing national defense information to the Russian government. The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to justice those who seek to undermine it.“ [Id.]

And Brigadier General Sean F. Stinchon, Commanding General of Army Counterintelligence Command, added:

“This arrest is an alarming reminder of the serious threat facing our U.S. Army. Thanks to the hard work of Army Counterintelligence Command Special Agents and our FBI partners, Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice, and we will continue to protect Army personnel and safeguard equipment.” [Id.]

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These things happen from time to time, both in the military and the civilian world. Even with the most careful vetting techniques, someone with a questionable history or personality quirk that should set off alarms will occasionally slip through unnoticed. And someone like Lee, who holds his Specialist rank because of his technical expertise and access to classified information, is a tempting target for foreign adversaries.

But I’m having difficulty understanding how a tech-savvy 22-year-old, apparently intelligent enough to hold a Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance, could be so stupid as to post his grievances against the Army and his willingness to assist Russia . . . on the freakin’ internet!!!

Someone really should have told this guy that what happens in Vegas no longer stays in Vegas.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
8/9/25