:: POTUS is THE classification authority for the United States. Information is classified and security clearances are issued by derivative authority from him. ::
One thing that has made me wonder...
Does that extend to an Article 1 classified info.
Can POTUS declass congresses “classified” information or is such subject to separation of powers?
A “yes” answer here would explain why some documents are not flowing from the Executive Branch to the Legislative.
Schiff still hasn’t released IG Michael Atkinson’s testimony.
I always wondered why it wasn’t demanded by POTUS’s defense team...
Can POTUS declass congresses classified information or is such subject to separation of powers?
No, it does NOT extend to Article I information. He can't DECLAS material originating within the Congress. They have sole control over that information.
He has absolute authority over Article II (Executive Branch) material provided to the Congress.
This is why classified briefing material is provided to Congress in writing and not in person. This way if a Congresscritter (Adam Schiff for Brains) discloses the info, they will have committed a federal felony and can be arrested for it.
If Schiff for Brains releases classified testimony, it gets legally murky. You'll need a legal beagle for that.
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)