Summary4 min read

The Daily Scoop Podcast – Episode Summary

Episode: Alleged ICE, DHS location data purchases come under scrutiny of Democrats
Date: March 4, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Overview

This episode focuses on recent developments concerning the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) alleged warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data, which have drawn new scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers. Additionally, the episode covers the departure of Robert Costello, Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Congressional Scrutiny of DHS and ICE Location Data Purchases

(00:22–03:56)

Democratic Lawmakers Demand Inquiry
- Over 70 Democrats from both the House and Senate are urging DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari to investigate ICE’s purchase of Americans’ location data without warrants.
- The requested investigation aims to determine:
  - Whether ICE is buying illegally obtained data (01:12)
  - How the data is being used
  - If there are adequate employee access audits to prevent abuse
  - What policies govern the use of such sensitive data
Quote – On the Sensitivity of Location Data
- "Location data is extremely sensitive and can reveal someone's religion, their political views, medical conditions, addictions and with whom they spend time. It's for that reason that ordinarily the government must obtain a warrant from a judge in order to demand such data from phone or technology companies." (Lawmakers’ letter, read by Billy Mitchell, 01:39)
Background:
- In 2023, an Inspector General report had already found Customs and Border Protection, ICE, and the Secret Service violated federal law by purchasing and using location data without warrants (02:23).
- The report highlighted failures in privacy policy adherence and a lack of supervisory oversight, such as:
  - Shared accounts
  - Ad hoc record maintenance
  - No supervisory review of data use (02:32)
- Recommendations in that report included discontinuing the use of commercial telemetry data until proper privacy impact assessments were performed and implementing compliance controls (02:49).
Resumption of Data Procurement:
- Although ICE had ended a data procurement program following the 2023 probe, public contracting documents suggest they have since resumed the practice (03:12).
Broader Oversight Efforts:
- The new letter follows a similar effort from late February, where a House oversight subcommittee questioned DHS's contracts with vendors like Penlink and Paragon, both known for mobile device access capabilities (03:25).

2. Leadership Shakeups at CISA

(03:56–04:49)

Robert Costello Departs as CISA CIO
- After nearly five years in the role and 18 years at DHS, Robert Costello announced his exit on LinkedIn (03:58).
- His departure follows reported internal tensions and recent transfer orders for possible reassignment. There were conflicting accounts, including suggestions that former acting CISA director Madhu Ghattamakala may have attempted to force him out (04:03).
- House Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino (R-NY) publicly supported Costello’s tenure: “It was good that an earlier reported attempt to move Costello out of the CISA CIO job had fallen short.” (paraphrased, 04:11)
Costello’s Contributions and Attitude
- As CIO, Costello pushed for technological advancement, recruitment via strong tech, and was a public advocate for emerging tools and AI at CISA (04:15).
- Quote – On His Tenure:
  - "Serving as CIO at CISA has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together we strengthened our cybersecurity posture, modernized critical systems and built capabilities that will endure. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished as a team." (Robert Costello in LinkedIn post, read by Billy Mitchell, 04:25)
Broader Agency Changes
- CISA has recently named Nick Anderson as acting director following Ghattamakala’s transition to DHS headquarters.
- The nomination of Sean Planky to lead CISA remains stalled.
- Acting Chief Human Resources Officer Kevin Diana reportedly has also received transfer orders (04:43).

Notable Quotes

“Location data is extremely sensitive and can reveal someone's religion, their political views, medical conditions, addictions and with whom they spend time.” (Lawmakers’ letter, 01:39)
"Serving as CIO at CISA has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together we strengthened our cybersecurity posture, modernized critical systems and built capabilities that will endure." (Robert Costello, LinkedIn post, 04:25)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:22 – Scrutiny of ICE and DHS location data procurement
01:39 – Lawmakers’ letter on sensitivity of location data (notable quote)
02:23 – 2023 IG report findings
02:49 – Recommendations and compliance issues
03:12 – Allegations DHS/ICE resumed data purchases
03:25 – Reference to vendor contracts and broader Congressional concern
03:56 – Robert Costello announces exit from CISA
04:25 – Costello’s farewell statement (notable quote)
04:43 – Further CISA leadership changes

Episode Tone

The tone is urgent and informative, highlighting bipartisan oversight and transparency concerns in DHS and ICE data procurement practices, while also addressing ongoing leadership changes and challenges at CISA that may impact federal cybersecurity and technology strategy moving forward. Host Billy Mitchell maintains a concise, journalistic style throughout.

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Transcript2 lines

[00:00]
A
Today on the Daily Scoop Podcast from the Scoop News Group alleged ICE and DHS location data purchase come under scrutiny from Democrats and CISA CIO Robert Costello has exited the agency. It's Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast, where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. And now let's dive into the day's top headlines. More than 70 Democrats in the House and Senate are pushing the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general to open a new investigation into the agency's warrantless purchases of Americans location data. In a letter sent Tuesday, the lawmakers tasked IG Joseph Kfari with investigating whether Immigrations and Customs Enforcement is purchasing illegally obtained location data about Americans, how that data has been used, whether audits of employee access to uncover abuse are occurring, and the policies governing data usage. The Democrats said in their letter, quote, location data is extremely sensitive and can reveal someone's religion, their political views, medical conditions, addictions and with whom they spend time. It's for that reason that ordinarily the government must obtain a warrant from a judge in order to demand such data from phone or technology companies. The letter comes nearly three years after an initial IG report found that Customs and Border Protection, the Secret Service and ICE violated federal law through warrantless purchase and use of location data. As part of that 2023 report, the watchdog office said the DHS components did not adhere to established privacy policies, nor did they develop sufficient guardrails before procurement and use. Khfari pointed to shared accounts, ad hoc record maintenance and no supervisory review of usage. The IG recommended that ICE discontinue use of commercial telemetry data until privacy impact assessments were completed, as well as suggesting the development and implementation of compliance controls. Despite ICE ending a program in 2023 that centered on Americans cell phone data. After the probe, public contracting documents indicate the DHS component has since resumed the practice, according to lawmakers. The oversight attempt by Democrats via Tuesday's letter is the latest in a series of moves designed to rein in dhs' data gathering and sharing agenda. In late February, more than a dozen members of a House oversight subcommittee expressed concern in a letter to Secretary Kristi Noem regarding cell phone data procurement. Similar to the newest letter, these lawmakers pointed to reports of DHS contracts with Penlink and Paragon vendors known to provide access to mobile devices. In other news, the chief information officer of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security agency announced his departure Tuesday, ending his nearly five year run at CISA. Robert Costello, an 18 year veteran of the Department of Homeland Security, posted about the move on LinkedIn. Costello's tenure had recently grown turbulent with conflicting accounts of whether the since departed acting director of cisa, Madhu Ghattamakala, had tried to force him out. Costello last week received transfer orders for possible reassignment to another agency. Costello had supporters on the Hill and elsewhere, with House Homeland Security Chairman Andrew Garbarino, Republican of New York, saying as recently as last month that it was good that an earlier reported attempt to move Costello out of the CISA CIO job had fallen short. As CIO at the agency, Costello advocated for top notch tech as a recruiting boon. He has been involved in efforts to respond to vulnerabilities within CISA and has sometimes served as a public face for the agency at events, touting new tools designed to enhance CISA services and arguing for greater use of artificial intelligence in his role. He said in his LinkedIn post, serving as CIO at CISA has been one of the greatest privileges of my career. Together we strengthened our cybersecurity posture, modernized critical systems and built capabilities that will endure. I am incredibly proud of what we accomplished as a team. Costello did not indicate his next plans beyond leaving the federal government and a commitment to service and to the nation. His move isn't the only recent shakeup at the agency. CISA recently got a new acting director, Nick Anderson, to replace Ghautta McCalla after the former acting director left for a DHS headquarters post as the nomination of Sean Planky to lead SZA continues to stall. On top of that, the acting Chief Human Resources Officer Kevin Diana also reportedly received transfer orders. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com
[04:52]
B
thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop Podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, D.C. adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back tomorrow with more top headlines. Until then, I'm your host. As always, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.