Security clearance policy can be complicated, but one thing has been constant: the process is designed to be administrative, not political. That’s why the recent headlines about security clearances being revoked by executive order or announced publicly by ODNI stand out.
Historically, presidents and senior intelligence officials have not singled out specific individuals to lose their clearances. Revocations usually occur through the established administrative process, where applicants have due process rights and the ability to respond. But today, we’re witnessing something unusual.
Presidential authority over clearances is clear—executive orders form the foundation of the system itself. However, using that authority to revoke a single person’s clearance is an unprecedented move. The 2018 revocation of John Brennan’s clearance under the Trump administration marked a turning point, and the recent wave of actions shows how the clearance process can be pulled into the political spotlight.
For the roughly 15,000 investigations moving through DCSA in any given quarter, this doesn’t change the reality of the process. Clearance holders should focus on following workplace rules, avoiding politicization, and adhering to established guidelines. Due process protections remain in place for the average applicant, and there is little risk of losing eligibility by presidential decree.
While revoking clearances by executive order is definitely a new one, the politicization of security clearances is not. It traces back to the post-9/11 era, when national security policies and politics began to overlap more directly. Following the 9/11 attacks scrutiny over the IC took a decidedly political bent (again, not wholly unprecedented – ever heard of J. Edgar Hoover?) What makes today different is the visibility and direct use of executive authority to revoke clearances by name.
In short: No, this isn’t normal. Yes, these are unprecedented times in the security clearance process. But for those navigating the clearance process, the best step is to stay informed and focus on compliance—not the political headlines.
