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Samrob

(4,298 posts)
Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:01 PM Apr 2023

Does Pres. Biden have the authority to revoke and/or deny security clearances? If so,

he had better get busy revoking some in the House and Senate. Their public statements alone seem to be enough to revoke some clearances. Yes, they are entitled to free speech but not entitled to top security clearance.

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Does Pres. Biden have the authority to revoke and/or deny security clearances? If so, (Original Post) Samrob Apr 2023 OP
Maybe not, because members of Congress don't have security clearances in the first place. Ocelot II Apr 2023 #1
I would expect that security clearance can only be taken away by louis-t Apr 2023 #2
Unclear answer. Marius25 Apr 2023 #3
can he have her investigated? mopinko Apr 2023 #4

Ocelot II

(115,683 posts)
1. Maybe not, because members of Congress don't have security clearances in the first place.
Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:06 PM
Apr 2023
Unlike officials at federal agencies, lawmakers do not have security clearances per se, experts said. Rather, members of Congress are by tradition deemed inherently trustworthy [Ha, ha!] by dint of the offices they hold, although they are subject to punishment under the House ethics code for revealing classified information. The maximum penalty, which would require a two-thirds vote by the House, is expulsion.

Neither their fellow lawmakers nor any president could take that fundamental presumption of trustworthiness away from them.

“If they remain Members, then they retain eligibility for access to classified information,” Steven Aftergood, a leading expert on government secrecy with the Federation of American Scientists, said in an email. “But if they engaged in constitutionally prohibited actions, then they should be expelled from Congress altogether.”
https://rollcall.com/2021/01/12/when-it-comes-to-security-clearances-rules-for-others-dont-apply-to-congress/

louis-t

(23,292 posts)
2. I would expect that security clearance can only be taken away by
Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:39 PM
Apr 2023

the agency that gave it in the first place.

 

Marius25

(3,213 posts)
3. Unclear answer.
Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:42 PM
Apr 2023

While Biden has ultimate authority over security clearances, members of Congress technically get them by default just for being elected members of Congress.

It would likely invoke a Separation of powers issue that the Supreme Court would strike down if he tried.

I do, however agree that it's another sign of our completely broken system of government that a blatant traitor like Marjorie 3names Green can openly defend people who commit treason and espionage against the US, and still keep her access to classified info.

mopinko

(70,090 posts)
4. can he have her investigated?
Fri Apr 14, 2023, 07:39 PM
Apr 2023

i mean, tfg w pick up the phone, and moles would take a hard look.
the pres isnt SUPPOSED to tell doj what to do, but he can. others have.

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