Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin attempted to clarify the Trump administration's decision to deny a French scientist entry into the U.S., saying he was in possession of concealed "confidential information" he kept on his electronic device.
McLaughlin was pushing back against claims from the French government that he was blocked because of critical messages he posted against President Trump.
"The French researcher in question was in possession of confidential information on his electronic device from Los Alamos National Laboratory — in violation of a non-disclosure agreement— something he admitted to taking without permission and attempted to conceal," she wrote on social platform X, in response to a post from a French analyst.
"Any claim that his removal was based on political beliefs is blatantly false," McLaughlin added.
The back-and-forth came after Philippe Baptiste, France’s minister for higher education, said Thursday that the scientist, who was set to attend a conference in Houston, was denied entry and deported due to his messages that criticized the Trump administration's policies on research.
The academic, whose name was not revealed, was on assignment for the National Center for Scientific Research, according to Baptiste.
“This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because this researcher’s phone contained exchanges with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy,” Baptiste told multiple outlets.
“Freedom of opinion, free research and academic freedom are values that we will continue to proudly uphold,” he added. “I will defend the possibility for all French researchers to be faithful to them, in compliance with the law.”
Upon his arrival in the U.S., the academic underwent a random inspection during which his computer and phone were allegedly examined.
He also faced allegations of sending messages that "showed hatred towards Trump and could be deemed as terrorism," as reported by Agence France-Presse (AFP), referencing another source close to the situation.
All charges against him have since been dismissed, according to the international outlet.
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