Is it possible to "unmask" a person who doesn't have a mask?

[kentuck]

Republicans are talking a lot about someone in the White House being "unmasked" by the surveillance from the FBI. We assume they are talking about General Michael Flynn?

But, the question should be, why does he have a "mask" in the first place?

His mask was that he was working as an "unregistered" foreign agent at the same time he was serving in the White House as National Security Adviser. He was receiving all of our top secret information in his position.

So, if he was "unmasked", is that a bad thing?

[underpants]

1. I thought their "unmasking" was about the leakers

but I could be wrong.

[Phoenix61]

2. Masking refers to how a person's name is reported in surveillance documents

For example, if there is a warrant to conduct surveillance on a Russian and that is surveillance captures the Russian talking to an American, that American's name should be masked, so it might be reported as Person 1. In some instances, that name may actually be reported ie unmasked, but there is a process for that to happen. What they want to know is who made that decision.

[kentuck]

3. How could they argue against "unmasking"....

if someone might be a national security risk?

I would think there would be an obligation to make the name public or whatever it required to get rid of the bastard.

[Phoenix61]

4. IMO, their concern was whether or not the process for unmasking was followed

I think it's a valid question. The same way a defense attorney questions if evidence against his client was legally obtained. Do I think it's putting party before country? Absolutely! They are showing what little weasels they really are.

[kentuck]

5. The sooner they "unmask" Trump, the better.

In my opinion.

[Phoenix61]

6. Absolutely!