How dumb can the “intelligence” agencies be? This is about the only thing they could have done that might raise the ire of the politicians enough to do something to rein them in. They could have broken all the rules they wanted, engaged in all their usual dirty tricks, as long as they didn’t ruffle the politicians’ feathers, but no, they could not resist.
My guess is its not the department but a few well placed /paid operatives !
Time to clean house!