Staff Reports
A recent report has suggested that the U.S. Coast Guard, under the tenure of the recently ousted Commandant Linda Fagan, put national security at risk through sheer incompetence. The report follows the days right after President Trump made the call to relieve Fagan of her duties, reportedly due to her inordinate preoccupation with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives rather than focusing on the core missions of the Coast Guard. It raises the question: how much damage can an organization take when it prioritizes progressive agendas over essential operational security?
In a thorough investigation, the Homeland Security inspector general found serious lapses in cybersecurity practices. It turned out that three critical computer systems used by the Coast Guard failed to follow due cybersecurity procedures and were left wide open for hacks from foreign adversaries. This catastrophic blunder not only exposed Coast Guard secrets but also put Department of Defense (DoD) networks in jeopardy. Apparently, this was just another instance of bureaucratic nonsense where priorities are misplaced – a real shocker, right?
Specifically, the report outlined how Coast Guard leadership neglected basic cybersecurity controls. These weren’t just minor oversights; they were glaring blind spots. They failed to restrict access to sensitive accounts, let physical access to server rooms run amok, and neglected the development of robust contingency plans for disaster recovery. In short, they were the equivalent of leaving a candy shop open in a room full of toddlers. In an age where hacking threats from places like China and Russia are at an all-time high, one would think keeping things secure would be top of mind. Alas, the DEI focus left the ship wide open for attack.
The investigation even revealed that the security situation was so loose that automated entry control systems to server rooms weren’t functioning correctly and key access was handed out like party favors. Imagine that – a critical area meant to secure sensitive data was left unguarded, like a refrigerator full of leftovers at a family reunion, just waiting to be raided. And let’s not forget, there were actual vulnerabilities already exploited by adversaries in the past, raising the stakes even higher, yet this element evidently wasn’t enough to inspire any sort of urgency among leadership.
Coast Guard left sensitive data vulnerable to adversaries under Biden-era commandanthttps://t.co/tkvwXXiBvw
— Biff Smallberries (@B_Smallberries) February 14, 2025
In light of these findings, the Coast Guard has claimed they recognize the seriousness of the issues disclosed in the report and have vowed to take corrective actions. But one might wonder how deeply ingrained these issues have become and whether simply announcing an intention to fix things will be enough. With the stakes this high, it’s essential to have leadership that puts national security first instead of engaging in questionable social agendas that could lead to disastrous outcomes.
In the grand scheme, this debacle serves as yet another reminder that federal agencies, when distracted by an excessive focus on social narratives, often neglect the core mission of keeping the nation safe. With adversaries constantly probing for vulnerabilities, it’s imperative that all branches of the military not only recognize their cybersecurity obligations but fully commit to executing them—unless, of course, they’re too busy organizing another DEI committee meeting.
