Stephen Collinson, CNN: Trump moves to silence critics
Washington (CNN)President Donald Trump's latest gambit to choke off the flow of information for past spy chiefs who have criticized him is a disturbing move that again exposes an imperious streak out of place in American democracy.
The President's threat to rip security clearances from some of the nation's most decorated former intelligence officials may turn out to be a classic Trumpian distraction play that whips up a media storm and drowns out stories that are damaging to the White House.
But the idea that it is being seriously contemplated will send a chilling effect throughout Washington.
The wielding of presidential power to punish prominent critics would take this White House perilously closer to potential abuses of executive authority -- perhaps moving it onto territory not tested by any commander in chief since Richard Nixon.
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WNU Editor: I can understand having one's security clearance during a transition period to help an incoming administration .... but once that transition is over and you are no longer with the governemnt .... that security clearance should be revoked.
18 comments:
It's crazy that this is even a topic in the first place. Due to a scheme allowing administrative personnel to retain their classification after they leave office, to allow media pundits to talk to current administrators; we get to have this conversation. Ugh, total shame!
Access rules should be universal. the overriding concept is need-to-know. If you're out of government, you don't have that.
The does seem to be a loose Trump in that administration. Sorry I meant to say cannon.
And what did we get when this crowd were employed and used this clearance? Scandalously redacted high school level appearing "documents" of various collusions now shown to be untrue, Lisa and what's his name, Brenner's I know but can't speak in public hearings [or elsewhere], in short, an unwarranted credibility in the eyes of too many. The aura of integrity in the FBI and other agencies that has been in place for generations is shattered due to their outright dishonesty in some in instances and in others questionable honesty. Brenner's 1984 newspeak in testimony, Holder's gun running failure in Mexico coverup attempts and too many more to mention. Scandal after scandal. All in service to us. What frauds. Maybe some of them should be investigated by Mueller; hasn't he run out of windows to peer through yet? Here's a new direction for his increasingly costly and widening J. Edgar Hoover experiment in "fact" gathering and investigation; I bought three Russian stamps from a Russian immigrant who had a stamp and coin collecting shop in 1953 when I was seven years old.
Fortunately obama is not here anymore to reward them for their "selfless sacrifice in service to America" with a newly minted obama free-dumb medal.
So yes, yank their clearance.
the good news?
we do not have roger to give us what the professionals are doing. they are not always right. but then any terror attacks on our nation recently? so easy to badmouth by those who sit on their butts and bitch. I know some in intel at present time and they are outstanding people
At least one of those who is to possibly lose his clearance noted on tv that having left his intel job he no longer had that clearance. So this may all be a lot of twitter nonsense, meaningless, but giving the pro-Trump people something to babble about.
True Roger they were a lot of idiots. The new crowd = a crowd of new idiots.
Anon #2,
It's the vast number of people who are outstanding and dedicated people in various government agencies whose efforts are tarnished by the ones I mentioned.
I made no specific mention of them as they number in the millions. I assumed people understood that. The people I know do.
Roger
Bob, no argument there. Look at the antics of some of Trump's appointments, now fired.
Roger
They have no jobs so it's not clear why they could enter any building without reason.
It last for 2 years after separation for the revolving door as private consultants.
These clowns are using it as a way to gleen "need to know" info w/o in theory legal ramifacations fr sources.
As we know with Ms Clinton you can completely ignore any misuse of classified info.
Rather odd, no, that those named were all those who had something bad to say about Trump and Russia? now think about this: if Intel is to be used as a political weapon by Trump, then intel will be a bit reticent about what they give to the president, esp. since he seems so close to Putin
Ok some sense is needed. As an MSNBC reporter admitted past officials use their security clearance to make money as talking heads, consultants and influence makers, ie lobbyists.
Why should the govt allow these people to access top secret info then make money off it? I'm shocked at this practice and didn't know it existed. Of course they should lose access the second they resign or are fired.
You need to show us that they are allowed to have highly classified information once they no longer work for the govt instead of accusing them of having and using former security clearance. After all, Trump has allowed some without clearance to be around highly classified materials if family members and that seems ok with Trumpublicans
He may do this. He may not do this. Odds now (Las Vegas) HE WILL NOT BUT AS USUAL LOVES TO THREATEN
It does not matter if they possess classified materials or not, once not in employment where it is deemed necessary to have clearance for your work your clearance should be revoked. If you are recalled to service for consultation etc, it is a small matter to reinstate.
I shall add, no one has a right to a security clearance.............no one.
Some semblance of consistency is required from administration to administration and while once the transition has been completed you might think there is no further need for the outgoing to have any level of security clearance but in the normal course actually there is.
That need is deepened when you consider the laissez-faire manner in which Trump conducted the transition.
That need is for the existing people to have access to the key people who have experience and knowledge beyond what is documented in how certain things came about and discussions around decisions that can be most informative should that information be needed to facilitate further decisions.
The level of clearance may need addressing but to simply say that the new team is ready to deal with all and sundry matters surrounding all security issues is incorrect. This is particularly true given Trump et al.
Now why the Congressional level liar Clapper, who should be in jail, has clearance isn't at all a mystery. People who have held such positions have lots of dope on certain people, Presidents, Congressmen and women to protect them.
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