Report: German Chancellor Compares NSA to Communist Stasi During Heated Exchange With Obama

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly compared the NSA's spying tactics to those of the Stasi, a ruthless communist secret police force, during an angry conversation with President Barack Obama.

Furious over reports that the U.S. had listened to her personal mobile phone, Merkel reportedly confronted Obama. "This is like the Stasi," she said, according to the Guardian.

President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrive at the G8 Summit (Photo: AP)

Merkel also told Obama it is clear that the NSA can't be trusted due to the massive amount of information Edward Snowden was able to leak, the New York Times reports.

Snowden is scheduled to testify on NSA spying to a European parliament inquiry next month. U.S. lawmakers are upset over the decision and are pressuring the EU to cancel the testimony.

Rep. Mike Rodgers (R-Mich.) told the Guardian that inviting Snowden, "who is wanted in the U.S. and has jeopardized the lives of U.S. soldiers," was irresponsible of the European parliament. When asked about Merkel's alleged conversation with Obama, Rogers called it a "conversation that may or may not have occurred."

(H/T: Drudge)

–

[related]