Carol D. Leonnig of the Washington Post reports:
A rush to recruit additional Secret Service officers in the wake of numerous White House security lapses has led to a new problem: Several dozen of the fresh arrivals have been posted in sensitive positions without completing the required national security clearance process, according to two government officials familiar with the situation.
Even as we have come to expect revelations of nearly sublime government incompetence (the VA, the TSA, etc.) the Secret Service stands out. Fence jumpers making it all the way into the White House, rowdy overseas parties with local hookers, etc. And now, this. Which is especially troubling since:
Agents and officers, as part of their work guarding the White House grounds and protecting the president and top aides, are sometimes present for meetings and briefings where classified information is discussed.
And:
A Secret Service official said four to five dozen officers lacked security clearances last week before the issue was brought to Clancy’s attention. A little more than two dozen of those were posted at the White House, the official said.
