Two years ago, I urged Congress and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to let me brief them on U.S. government evidence of alleged pulsed microwave attacks by Russia. These attacks, linked to Havana Syndrome, have harmed hundreds of U.S. personnel, including my family and me. Following my op-ed, the State Department retaliated against me, intensifying after I commended House Intel Chairman Rick Crawford for letting me testify about the Havana Syndrome coverup.
During my testimony, I expected the committee to fulfill its promise to hold officials accountable for negligence and denied medical care, which worsened our traumatic brain injuries, especially my children’s. Several officials, both injured and not, testified about the Intelligence Community and State Department coverup. The committee has now produced a significant report that would typically result in accountability.
However, Crawford has not released this crucial report, betraying the injured and those retaliated against for testifying. The committee leadership suggests the CIA’s slow declassification process as the reason. Yet, Congress allowing such delays, deferring to those it should investigate, is inexcusable. This situation worsens as the committee seems guided by the White House, which might not want the report released due to possible ties to Russia’s attacks on U.S. personnel.
Many, including myself, believe that evidence of Russian involvement exists but is withheld by the State Department and Intelligence Community. I seek the truth, not deference to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and urge the committee to exercise independence and oversee this matter seriously. The lack of action sets a worrisome precedent for all U.S. citizens.
Until Congress holds Putin accountable, he may continue to receive invitations to the U.S., despite the role Russia played in energy attacks causing severe injuries to U.S. personnel. Consider this each time such invitations occur.
Mark Lenzi, a former spokesman for the New Hampshire Republican Party and country director for the International Republican Institute, works for the State Department’s Diplomatic Security Service. Currently, he receives treatment for traumatic brain injuries at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center due to service-related injuries. His views are personal and not reflective of the U.S. government.