A junior sailor has been punished after he tried to access President Joe Biden’s restricted medical records while searching through a government database in February, the U.S. Navy revealed Tuesday.
The incident took place on Feb. 23, and the unidentified sailor searched “Joseph Biden” three times, a U.S. official told ABC News.
“On February 26, 2024, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command (NMRTC) Fort Belvoir was notified of an unauthorized access to medical records by an active-duty service member,” the U.S. Navy said in a statement. “A Sailor assigned to NMRTC Fort Belvoir searched the name ‘Joseph Biden’ in MHS Genesis, the Military Health System’s electronic health record, out of curiosity. A co-worker reported the Sailor’s breach of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).”
President Joe Biden exits Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., following his routine annual physical, on Feb. 28, 2024.
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images, FILE
It’s unknown what records the sailor may have pulled up but it was not Biden’s record, according to the Navy.
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service immediately began an investigation after they were alerted about the search and the probe concluded on April 24, according to the Navy.
The sailor was administratively punished and continues to serve in the Navy, the U.S. official said.
President Joe Biden walks out of the White House before boarding the Marine One presidential helicopter on Feb. 28, 2024 in Washington, DC. “I’m going to Walter Reed to get my physical,” Biden told reporters as he left the executive mansion.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE
“The president was informed within hours of White House staff being notified by the Department of Defense,” a White House official told ABC News about the incident.
Biden underwent his physical on Feb. 28, two days after this investigation began. The White House official said the physical was “previously planned and was not impacted by this incident.”
ABC News’ Justin Gomez contributed to this report.
A Navy sailor’s attempt to access President Biden’s restricted medical record has raised concerns about security breaches and privacy violations within the military. The incident, which occurred last week, has sparked a debate about the level of access that service members should have to sensitive information about high-ranking officials.
The sailor, who has not been identified, allegedly attempted to access President Biden’s medical records without authorization. The attempt was quickly detected by security personnel, who launched an investigation into the incident. It is unclear what motivated the sailor to try and access the president’s medical records, but the incident has raised questions about the security protocols in place to protect sensitive information within the military.
Access to classified or restricted information is tightly controlled within the military, with strict protocols in place to ensure that only authorized personnel can view sensitive documents. In the case of President Biden’s medical records, access is limited to a small number of individuals who have been granted clearance to view such information. The fact that a lower-ranking sailor was able to even attempt to access the president’s medical records highlights potential weaknesses in the security measures in place.
The incident has also raised concerns about the privacy of high-ranking officials within the military. President Biden, like all individuals, has a right to privacy when it comes to his personal medical information. Unauthorized access to his medical records could not only violate his privacy rights but also potentially compromise his security and well-being.
In response to the incident, the military has launched a review of its security protocols and procedures to ensure that similar breaches do not occur in the future. The sailor involved in the incident is facing disciplinary action, and it is likely that additional safeguards will be put in place to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Overall, the Navy sailor’s attempt to access President Biden’s restricted medical record serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict security measures and respecting the privacy rights of high-ranking officials. It also highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and oversight to prevent security breaches within the military.
