[Windflier]

Why should anyone maintain a security clearance of any kind after they’ve left government service?

It’s a revelation to me that anyone does. I had no idea this was common practice.

[Lean-Right]

Government contractors move from
place to place. They might work
for a private company for a couple
years, and then again enter the
government sector. Complete background
checks are very expensive and time
consuming. This is why clearances
are time rated. Top secret clearances
are up for review every five years,
a secret level clearance is up for
review every ten years.
Trump is revoking clearances, which
means these rats will never again
be able to obtain a government position
where a security clearance is required.

[central_va]

If an ex government employee is actually employed in a job with Uncle Sam AND has a "need to know" then I can see why. There are thousands of civilian employees with TS clearances.

Working for an alphabet news agency is the opposite of "need to know"!