Why Do Retired Feds Get to Keep Their High Security Clearances? These Should Be Subject to Yearly Reviews and Revoked if the People Involve Start Working for the Media

I was surprised to hear that President Trump had revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, but not because I’m against Trump or in the Democratic “resistance.”   I’m just surprised that he had a clearance, given his new job.

No wonder we have so many security leaks coming out of Washington.  

According to the Washington Post, lifelong security clearances have been informally granted for a long time, especially in the intelligence agencies.  This practice should be ended for those who join the media, or become politicians (and should have to go through background checks again).  This would apply to John Brennan, who works for ABC News and MSNBC as a security consultant and analyst.

I do think it’s important for CIA Directors and other heads of agencies to be able to consult with their predecessors for advice, but if those predecessors work for the media, they shouldn’t have the same clearance as in their working days.

The security classification system needs a major overhaul, and a clearer understanding of what the expectations are need to be explained to classification-holders.