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In a significant cyber-espionage campaign linked to the Chinese government, hackers have allegedly targeted the phone communications of top US political figures, including Eric Trump and Jared Kushner. According to sources familiar with the matter, this breach extends to both the Republican and Democratic parties and has affected dozens of individuals.

Among the notable targets are former President Donald Trump, his running mate JD Vance, and staff affiliated with the Harris-Walz campaign. High-ranking Democrats, including the staff of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, were also compromised, suggesting the hackers cast a wide net in their espionage efforts.

The extent of the breach appears far more severe than initially reported, with officials disclosing that hackers may have had access to call and text data for several months in some cases. The FBI has begun notifying those affected by the breach. The New York Times first reported the targeting of Eric Trump and Kushner.

The cyber-attacks were executed through incursions at major US telecom firms such as AT&T, Lumen, and Verizon. US officials are treating this incident as one of the most alarming national security hacks in recent memory. The timing of the campaign, just days before a critical US election, further complicates the investigation given its high-stakes nature.

Unlike previous cyber-attacks aimed at influencing elections, such as the Iranian breach of the Trump campaign, the Chinese hackers seem focused on gathering intelligence rather than interfering with the electoral process. The targets mainly included senior officials from both political parties, raising concerns in Washington about potential espionage motives from Beijing.

Some experts believe the hackers sought other sensitive information, including wiretap warrant requests made by the Justice Department. The sophisticated nature of the hacks has made them difficult to detect and eradicate, with the hackers blending into benign internet traffic.

In response to the breach, the FBI has been monitoring the hackers' activities within US telecom networks. This surveillance has turned into a game of cat and mouse, as the hackers take additional steps to evade detection.

The White House has activated an interagency team to oversee the response, signaling the gravity of the situation. Concurrently, a Department of Homeland Security-led group began investigating the root causes of the Chinese hacking campaign.

On Capitol Hill, the breach's sensitivity has led to minimal public discussion among lawmakers. Sen. Mark Warner, chair of the intelligence committee, emphasized the committee's daily monitoring of the situation but refrained from elaborating on details due to the breach's serious nature.

The ramifications of this campaign are expected to extend into the next administration, whether it will be led by Trump or Harris, underscoring the persistent challenges of cybersecurity threats. The US government continues to address the fallout from earlier sophisticated hacks, such as the Russian infiltration of SolarWinds software.

As the US grapples with these ongoing cybersecurity threats, allies like the United Kingdom are scrutinizing their own networks for potential breaches, highlighting the extensive implications of these cyber-attacks on national and global security.