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Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:01 PM

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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Reply Does Pres. Biden have the authority to revoke and/or deny security clearances? If so, (Original post)
Samrob Apr 2023 OP
Ocelot II Apr 2023 #1
louis-t Apr 2023 #2
Marius25 Apr 2023 #3
mopinko Apr 2023 #4

Response to Samrob (Original post)

Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:06 PM

1. Maybe not, because members of Congress don't have security clearances in the first place.

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/

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Response to Ocelot II (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:39 PM

2. I would expect that security clearance can only be taken away by

the agency that gave it in the first place.

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Response to Samrob (Original post)

Fri Apr 14, 2023, 06:42 PM

3. Unclear answer.

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.

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Response to Samrob (Original post)

Fri Apr 14, 2023, 07:39 PM

4. can he have her investigated?

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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