LEFT: J.D. Vance (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) RIGHT: Greg Edgreen
Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) is extremely doubtful of a new report linking Havana Syndrome to Russia.
For years, U.S. national security personnel and their family members have complained about sudden-onset symptoms of ear pain, headaches, nausea, and a loss of balance, among others, but the government has denied that there is significant evidence linking the symptoms to other countries. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence has stated that it “is very unlikely a foreign adversary is responsible” for the symptoms, instead attributing them to “preexisting conditions, conventional illnesses, and environmental factors.”
New evidence compiled by 60 Minutes, Der Spiegel, and The Insider, however, suggests that Russia may be behind the experiences of these Americans, which has been labeled as “Havana Syndrome.”
Greg Edgreen, who led the Pentagon’s investigation into Havana Syndrome, stated that he believes that Russia is responsible for the attacks, and that the government set the evidentiary bar for the investigations too high.
“You know, if my mother had seen what I saw, she would say, ‘It’s the Russians, stupid,'” he argued.
The report also linked Russian operatives and U.S. personnel who have suffered from Havana Syndrome and pointed to a study that found that the brain damage sustained by victims was likely caused by “directed pulsed (radio frequency) energy.”
Vance did not present any substantial arguments to refute Edgreen or any of the other evidence compiled against Russia in the story, but he did ponder that it “feels like a lot of journalists have lost their minds,” before caricaturing the story.
“‘Have you guys heard that Putin, working with Trump and the saucer people, has started attacking with unseen beams?'” continued Vance.
“Have you guys heard that Putler, working with Drumpf and the saucer people, has started attacking with invisible lasers? “
— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) April 1, 2024
Neither 60 Minutes nor The Insider’s stories included any reference to former President Donald Trump working with Russian President Vladimir Putin or “lasers.”
Vance’s reflexive defense of Russia is particularly notable given his opposition to aiding Ukraine in its defensive war against the longtime U.S. adversary, even identifying defunding Ukraine as his second biggest priority in the Senate.
