In an unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has signed a memo allowing his office to grant temporary top secret security clearances to White House staff without conducting the usual background checks. This decision has raised concerns among experts and senators, who warn that it could pose a significant national security risk.
According to the memo, the backlog of security clearance applications is hindering the White House’s ability to function, leading Trump to grant interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances to a list of individuals. However, senators on the Senate Intelligence Committee have not been provided with the list of individuals receiving these clearances, and Republicans have been largely dismissive of the potential dangers.
The move has been met with criticism from experts, who argue that the usual background checks are in place for a reason. Without these checks, it is possible that individuals with questionable backgrounds or loyalties could gain access to sensitive information. The decision has also raised questions about the potential consequences for national security and the safety of the country.