I agree it's ridiculous (though not in the way you meant), but he is telling the truth. I don't doubt that there are facilities which are watched as closely as you describe, but not all are. I have worked in a SCIF where the only thing stopping me from bringing in a phone was the fact that I said I wouldn't, and I keep my word.

I've been to tiny embassies and I was thoroughly searched and anything remotely looking like an electronic device was temporarily confiscated.

They usually make a big deal out of it.

This in embassies between friendly nations!

Again, I don't doubt that some facilities do have that level of scrutiny. I'm simply saying that not all do.

I added “most of the time” to match my experience. If the entire building is a SCIF, I’ve usually left my phone in the car. If it’s just a room in a building, they usually have lockers outside and use the honor system.

It's not universal though: [https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/10/the-republican-scif-i...]