“The POTUS does not get or need a security clearance.”
Unfortunately, this is true. Elected officials are “cleared” by their election to office. I know it isn’t right, but that is the way it currently is.
>>> Elected officials are “cleared” by their election to office. <<<<<
It’s all very simple. All classification authority emanates from the President, who obviously cannot and does not “clear” himself.
Congress, as an independent branch of government, is not subject to the classifications established by the POTUS. Members of Congress do not need clearance to view classified materials (although staffers do, and there are some minimal House and Senate rules regarding the handling of classified materials).
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April 17, 1995
EXECUTIVE ORDER 12958
CLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Sec. 1.4. Classification Authority. (a) The authority to classify information originally may be exercised only by:
(1) the President;
(2) agency heads and officials designated by the President in the Federal Register; or
(3) United States Government officials delegated this authority pursuant to paragraph (c), below.
(c) Delegation of original classification authority.
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March 25, 2003
EXECUTIVE ORDER 13292
FURTHER AMENDMENT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 12958, AS AMENDED,
CLASSIFIED NATIONAL SECURITY INFORMATION
Sec. 1.3. Classification Authority. (a) The authority to classify information originally may be exercised only by:
(1) the President and, in the performance of executive duties, the Vice President;
(2) agency heads and officials designated by the President in the Federal Register; and
(3) United States Government officials delegated this authority pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.