General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Pentagon Says Trump Was Never Supposed To Share Picture Of Damaged Iranian Launchpad [View all]SpankMe
(2,956 posts)And there are OpSec protocols that have been violated here on multiple levels.
1. Classified data must always remain in a SCIF unless being moved between SCIFs in a sealed satchel by a courier.
2. An unclassified, uncontrolled camera (any recording device not approved for classified storage) may not be brought into a SCIF. Certain unclassified electronic devices are permitted in SCIFs under strict conditions, but must have cameras, WiFi/Bluetooth, microphones, external ports, etc., disabled. These devices are registered with paperwork and are given serial numbers by Security.
3. A device - such as a cell phone or camera - that is approved for classified storage may not be connected to any unclassified network - the Internet in particular.
In this case, we have a classified picture that was removed from a SCIF to an unclass area to be photographed by an uncleared camera, or an uncleared camera was brought into a SCIF to take a picture of a classified image. Neither of these acts falls under the "POTUS-may-declassify-anything-he-wants" rules.
The uncleared camera was then connected to the Internet and then the classified image was transmitted.
This was a multi-step effort to take data known to be classified and distribute it on unclassified channels.
I suppose we could say this constitutes declassification of this one image by POTUS. But, what about all the other OpSec violations that likely occurred to get that image out? To the extent that those violations may have caused data spills unintended by POTUS - or even unknown by him - can we still say that any other spilled classified data is permissible as "declassified by POTUS"?
If his cell phone caught other classified images or sounds during the transaction that he doesn't know are there and which could later leak out by hacking or inadvertent transmission, then does this fall under POTUS declassification principles?
My answer is - no.
This is an impeachable offense, in my opinion. Of not for the release of the image itself, then certainly due to the violations of security protocols.