Rooster, the first thing I thought about reading that sequence was that a "clean" action, as opposed to a "dirty" action, was authorized by the President.
Not "cleaning" the swamp in general but rather some kind of specific operation possibly relating to Snowden, who was referenced in a previous drop.
I think "dirty" and "clean" ops are some kinda spy talk. I like Tom Clancy novels. Telling Snowden it was a "clean" op may be letting him know a lot about the operation as far as danger goes?
Just a theory.
I think clean = legal. Dammit.
I think you are correct. That “CLEAN” vs “DIRTY” op make the most sense.
Could “clean op” also mean that the op went without a hitch, whatever it was?