
I must admit, I'm somewhat happy at this point, that in this case at least no willfully ignorant moron was appointed.
Lowered expectations kicking in ...
Donald Trump's nominee for a critical DoD cybersecurity role sports a resume that outshines many of his past picks, despite previously suspended security clearance. Katie Arrington served a single two-year term in the South Carolina state House of Representatives from 2017 to 2019. She said in a LinkedIn post yesterday that …
The President has ultimate authority in deciding who should have a clearance. Therefore, I'm sure she'll be granted the access she needs to do her job. All that happens during the onboarding process.
Whether her issues were considered before her hiring is another matter entirely. Probably considered a plus to poke the Biden administration in the eye....
If you were one of the people howling about how Hillary should be "locked up" for using a private email server to email stuff containing classified information you've certainly become a lot more cavalier about someone who has proven they are unqualified to handle classified information.
Unfortunately most of Trump's cabinet, and of course Trump himself, would never pass an FBI background check and be granted a security clearance if normal procedure were followed.
Hate to see government clearances being abused if this is true. The ability to pass a background check and maintain a TS/SCI clearance can be key to an individual's career path. I would hope a proper investigation would yield the facts either way regarding this case and if it was found to not be kosher, I would hope that would lead to some changes in the process as well.
When it comes to national security, SOP is to err on the side of caution. If you don't this is how it works, you have no business in any role that requires a clearance. They don't have any requirement to tell you why you might be suspended, why you might suddenly be cleared or your clearance revoked. Even if you are brought up on charges, chances can be slim that you will be given an explanation.
I've only had the most rudimentary of background checks when I worked in sound/lighting and did some Presidential speeches. Several work mates were given a down check and were not allowed on site. No explanation, but I expect that drug charges, etc were a factor given the sex/drugs/rockNroll sort of lifestyle of "roadies". We were given a lesson sheet on how to behave. No joking about anything. If you make the sunglasses and earpiece gang nervous, they'll just walk you out unless you make them really nervous whereupon it can be worse.