In light of tonight’s reports about the scores of WH staffers still on interim security clearances, here’s a quick thread on background investigations and WH security clearances, b/c there’s a lot of confusion out there. 1/
As everyone now knows, background investigations on WH staffers are conducted by the FBI (OPM does most others in govt). The results of those investigations are reports known as BIs. BIs typically serve a few distinct functions. Two are relevant here. 2/
1) they’re essentially vetting tools for the WH, used to determine whether someone is suitable for WH employment; and 2) they provide the basis for the adjudication of a security clearance. 3/
The FBI makes no decisions as to either. It collects facts & provides a report to both the WH Counsel’s Office & the WH security office. WH lawyers & others in the WH make suitability determinations; the security office adjudicates clearances. 4/
Lots of people start with interim clearances b/c full investigations take time, and interim clearances can be granted very quickly. Full investigations can take a long time – a year not uncommon – but on senior staffers they’re typically much faster. 5/
If senior staffers are still on interim clearances well over a year into the admin, there are a few possible explanations. 1) these staffers have been slow to fill out paperwork, respond to FBI requests for interviews, or provide the FBI with additional information; 6/
or 2) the investigations have unearthed things that require follow-up; or 3) the security office is really backed up for some reason; or 4) in some cases the security office doesn’t think it can grant a clearance but hasn’t actually issued a denial, on the assumption that ...7/
... the politicals in the WH will decide that whatever flags came up in the investigation are disqualifying for employment, in which case there's no need to deny a clearance. But the politicals haven't acted, so the interim clearance stays in effect. 8/
In sum: the number of interim clearances being reported seems *really* high. But we don't know why. Could be b/c staffers aren't taking the process seriously; could be b/c the investigations have turned up tons of flags. Both are concerning. /end
