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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For real, what are the chances he even met his Grandpa.
Zero.
This kid is 19 and the USSR collapsed 34 years 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?..
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.
My thoughts exactly. 🙄 This is ridiculous non-news.