It is becoming more and more evident that the individuals serving at the highest level of the U.S. government have failed in their duty to safeguard the nation’s security. Recent investigations have revealed that Joe Biden, Mike Pence, Hillary Clinton, and former FBI director James Comey have been involved in mishandling and improperly storing classified documents, thus compromising the country’s secrets. However, according to special prosecutor Jack Smith’s filing on Thursday, Donald Trump distinguished himself by excessively retaining national security documents.
The Intelligence Community and the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, who risk their lives to protect our country, expect the chief executive to set a good example. It has been alleged that Trump kept 70 boxes of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort. According to prosecutors, Trump had an informal filing system and used dozens of boxes to accumulate and store records during his presidency. When his term ended in January 2021, approximately 85 to 95 of these boxes were taken from the White House to Mar-a-Lago, his residence in Palm Beach, Florida. They were later placed in a storage room.
Smith emphasizes that no one is in the same situation as the person being discussed.
Why is it important to properly store and handle classified material, and how can this be achieved? Firstly, classified documents contain valuable information on the sources and methods used to gather intelligence, which adversaries would be keen to learn about in order to prevent the U.S. from obtaining crucial information in the future. Therefore, it is crucial that classified material is only accessed in designated areas such as sensitive compartmented information facilities (SCIFs), and when it is no longer needed, it should be either destroyed or securely stored in approved containers and areas. Ideally, a shredder authorized for the level of classification should be used to ensure complete destruction. Secondly, exposure of classified material could potentially reveal the U.S.’s plans and capabilities, thereby exposing vulnerabilities to those who seek to harm the country. Thirdly, if discovered by malicious actors, such information could be used to gather further intelligence or apply pressure on the holder. Lastly, if adversaries were able to access classified materials, they could potentially obtain indicators and warnings regarding the U.S.’s intentions towards them.
Public administrators who serve as leaders have a fundamental duty to gain and preserve the trust of the public they serve. Regardless of whether they are career government employees, political appointees, or politicians, individuals who require access to classified information must understand the importance of safeguarding such information to protect their nation’s secrets. Consequently, it is crucial to establish a universal standard that applies to everyone, including government employees, political appointees, and politicians. This standard should not show favoritism or grant exemptions based on an individual’s involvement in national security matters.
According to a report in 2022, approximately 4.2 million individuals held security clearances in the United States. The U.S. government has three levels of classification beyond unclassified: confidential, secret, and top secret. Out of those with clearances, the majority held secret clearances, granting them access to sensitive information that could have significant consequences. Around 1.3 million individuals had access to top secret information, which poses an even greater risk to national security.
The leaking of classified information goes beyond any particular political party, as both Trump and Biden have been found to possess documents at the secret and top-secret levels. It is concerning that they not only mishandled these documents by keeping them when they no longer had a need for them, but also failed to store them properly. This raises questions about who could have gained access to this sensitive information, which could potentially pose serious threats to the security of the country. According to Smith, while Biden, Clinton, Comey, and Pence’s cases of mishandling classified documents bear some resemblance to this case, none of them are alleged to have intentionally retained a large collection of highly sensitive and confidential materials, repeatedly tried to prevent their lawful return, and engaged in a multifaceted scheme of deception and obstruction.
Professionals in the Intelligence Community receive annual training to emphasize the importance of handling sensitive information correctly. They learn about implementing effective strategies to prevent mishandling and improper storage of classified material.
Leadership by example is a crucial responsibility for those in positions of authority. Regardless of political affiliation or the nature of their appointment, whether elected, political appointee, or career government employee, all individuals with access to classified information must recognize their duty to safeguard such documents and should be held to the same high standard. This commitment starts with the President of the United States. It is imperative to put an end to the mishandling and improper storage of classified materials. Those working in the national security sector rely on individuals with security clearances, regardless of their position’s level, to handle sensitive information appropriately. We advocate for enhanced protocols for offboarding high-ranking officials, ensuring that these procedures meet the required standards, irrespective of their powerful roles.
