Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper announced Monday that his office is taking two immediate steps to stop potential employees with security clearances from leaking unauthorized national security information.
Clapper is “mandating that a question related to unauthorized disclosure of classified information be added to the counterintelligence polygraph used by all intelligence agencies that administer the examination (CIA, DIA, DOE, FBI, NGA, NRO, and NSA),” a press release from his office stated. And two, he is requesting that the Intelligence Community Inspector General “lead independent investigations of selected unauthorized disclosure cases when prosecution is declined by the Department of Justice.”
The Intelligence Community Inspector General will establish and lead a task force of specialized inspectors general to “conduct independent investigations, pursuant to his statutory authority and in coordination with the Office of the National Counterintelligence Executive. This will ensure that selected unauthorized disclosure cases suitable for administrative investigations are not closed prematurely,” it also stated.
“These efforts will reinforce our professional values by sending a strong message that intelligence personnel always have, and always will, hold ourselves to the highest standard of professionalism,” said Clapper. “It is my sincere hope that others across the government will follow our lead. It is the right thing to do on behalf of the American people and in the interest of our national security.”
“All IC leaders are reinforcing this same message and fully cooperating as we take steps to address this critically important issue, which has profound implications for current and future intelligence capabilities and our nation’s security,” said Clapper.
Sara A. Carter is The Washington Examiner’s national security correspondent. She can be reached at [email protected].
