,
9 tweets,
4 min read
Read on Twitter
A lot of discussion in the press about #CodeWord-level security clearance & whether Presidential phonecalls with foreign leaders should receive it.
A brief thread, to help clear up some inaccurate reporting (and some *very* inaccurate White House messaging: <1/8>
A brief thread, to help clear up some inaccurate reporting (and some *very* inaccurate White House messaging: <1/8>
#CodeWord clearance is a subset of #TopSecret clearance:
-It does *not* require a special codeword to access. That's just what it is called. It is more formally called #SCI, for Sensitive Compartmented Information.
<2/8>
-It does *not* require a special codeword to access. That's just what it is called. It is more formally called #SCI, for Sensitive Compartmented Information.
<2/8>
#CodeWord/SCI-level clearance is held by many people throughout the Executive Branch, Congress, & outside contractors.
There are a number of sub-compartments within SCI, some of which are more tightly held than others.
I am not allowed to tell you what they are.
<3/8>
There are a number of sub-compartments within SCI, some of which are more tightly held than others.
I am not allowed to tell you what they are.
<3/8>
(Why can't I tell you what the sub-categories of #CodeWord/SCI clearance are?
Because I-- unlike certain people in the Executive Branch-- follow the rules).
<4/8>
Because I-- unlike certain people in the Executive Branch-- follow the rules).
<4/8>
Why are presidential conversations w/foreign leaders typically *not* classified at Codeword?
-Classification is (or should be) based on need: Is the info derived from sensitive collection methods? A presidential phonecall is not (unless SCI info is discussed on the call).<5/8>
-Classification is (or should be) based on need: Is the info derived from sensitive collection methods? A presidential phonecall is not (unless SCI info is discussed on the call).<5/8>
Presidential conversations w/foreign leaders generally *need* to be shared across govt: That's the only way for US officials to know how to carry out what the leaders have decided. Slapping a #Codeword designation on a call is not normal: It defeats the whole purpose
<6/8>
<6/8>
Even in (rare) cases where #CodeWord/SCI-level intel is discussed on a presidential phonecall, the normal procedure would be to redact these portions, and keep as much of the read-out as possible at low classification: That's how bureaucracy can follow up on action items. <7/8>
Bottom line:
1. There is no legitimate rationale for classifying the #Ukraine phonecall at #CodeWord/SCI level. Same may be true for calls w/leaders of #Russia & #SaudiArabia.
2. Classification is meant to protect the secrets of the nation. Not those of the President.
<8/8>
1. There is no legitimate rationale for classifying the #Ukraine phonecall at #CodeWord/SCI level. Same may be true for calls w/leaders of #Russia & #SaudiArabia.
2. Classification is meant to protect the secrets of the nation. Not those of the President.
<8/8>
@threadreaderapp unroll please
