I worked in federal government consulting in DC for several years. During that time, I worked with nine different government agencies, three of which were intelligence agencies that required a top-secret full-scope poly clearance. As a partner in charge of a practice, I received notifications when practitioners in our firm and several other smaller firms that we partnered with were approved or denied clearances, or had their clearances revoked.
The most common reasons for denial or loss of a security clearance are illegal drug use and excessive alcohol consumption; personal conduct issues such as dishonesty, associating with criminals, sexual harassment; financial issues such as excessive debt, fraud, tax evasion; and international issues such as possessing dual citizenship, sharing a house with a person who is connected with a foreign government, or having substantial financial interests in other countries.
So, here’s why I’m having difficulty sleeping at night. There’s no way that several of Trump’s picks to run government agencies, serve as ambassadors or top administrators could qualify for a secret clearance—let alone a top-secret one. So how weird is it that Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence—the umbrella agency for all intelligence agencies; Kash Patel, for FBI Director; Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to run the largest government agency—Defense—; Kristi Noem for Department of Homeland Security; and Charles Kushner, for Ambassador to France, are under consideration for these extremely sensitive, high-powered posts? (The misdeeds of RFK Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary would require a whole separate column.)
And then there is Donald J. Trump himself—a man who will have access to the nuclear codes—who checks three out of four boxes for most common denials of security clearances.
For many years, I witnessed the complexity, sophistication and expertise high-level officials in these agencies possessed. I saw the detail and extreme care they used when discussing tradecraft and highly sensitive matters. And I saw time after time the importance they gave in ensuring that individuals in their employ understood their commitment to telling “truth to power.”
Now let’s take a cursory look at the cast of characters who are being considered for high level posts in Trump’s second administration.
Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s choice for Director of National Intelligence, would oversee 18 intelligence agencies with a total budget of $100 billion dollars. In the past, Gabbard has blamed the U.S. for the war in Ukraine, and she has met twice with Syrian’s authoritarian leader Bashar al-Assad. She has claimed that she doubts Assad used chemical weapons even though the U.S. has overwhelming evidence that he has done so. There is no way that Gabbard could get a security clearance. Add that to the fact that she has no intelligence experience.
Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI Director, was formerly a government lawyer in the Justice Department and rose to some top national security positions inside the Pentagon and White House. He also helped Trump try to overturn the 2020 election. In his memoir, Patel accused the FBI and 60 specific people of being part of the “deep state.” He has made clear that he is on Trump’s retribution train to seek out and prosecute Trump’s perceived adversaries. Patel has no experience managing large groups of people. The FBI has approximately 35,000 employees. Many former FBI officials project that dozens of career FBI employees will take early retirement or resign should Patel be confirmed as FBI Director.
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick to head the Department of Defense, also has never managed large groups of people. The Department of Defense has more than a million employees and a budget of approximately $776 billion. Through poor financial mismanagement, Hegseth has run two small nonprofits into the ground. For sure he checks at least three of the four boxes for security clearance denials, including drug and alcohol abuse, sexual harassment, and financial mismanagement. In the past, he has said he wants to get rid of “woke generals,” doesn’t think women belong in combat, and mocks LGBTQ and transgender members of the military.
Kristi Noem, Trump’s pick for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, is currently governor of South Dakota. She has been accused of misusing her position to help her daughter which resulted in a settlement of $200,000. She is banned from nine tribal reservations because she accused them of running drug cartels. She used taxpayer money to send the National Guard to the Mexican border at least five times as a publicity stunt. Her office has experienced massive turnover, and the state government is involved in a massive corruption scandal involving former employees. And then there is, of course, the fact that she killed her dog. And oh, by the way, she has no law enforcement experience.
Trump has selected Charles Kushner, a major donor to his 2024 campaign and his son-in-law’s father, as his pick for Ambassador to France—a highly coveted prize. Kushner pleaded guilty to 16 counts of tax evasion and admitted to hiring a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law. Trump pardoned Kushner after he served two years in prison. There is no way this guy could get a security clearance. And his reward for all his wrongdoings—serving in one of the most coveted ambassadorial stations in the world and living in a stunningly lavish estate. What kind of message does it sent to France when the U.S. sends a convicted felon as its representative? (You may also remember that Kushner’s son, Jared Kushner, was denied a security clearance in Trump’s first administration but Trump overruled the rejection. During Trump’s first administration, Kushner took several trips to Saudi Arabia. Six months after Trump left the White House, Kushner secured a $2 billion investment from a fund led by the Saudi crown prince.)
I’ve never understood why it’s not a requirement for people who decide to run for senator, representative, governor, president, etc., to first be required to undergo a background check similar to the one thousands of government employees must pass to qualify for certain government positions. If we did so, it might have prevented the George Santos (R-NY) debacle and so many others.
Who among this ragtag team do you think will tell “truth to power?” How will America learn the truth of what’s really happening around the world? (Should you think I’m overreacting about the upcoming difficulty of knowing the true story, just this weekend, Trump blamed the Texas-born U.S. veteran terrorist who killed 14 people in New Orleans on illegal immigrant invasions. He also hosted a documentary screening at Mar-a-Lago—a film about asking Congress to overturn the 2020 election results where Peter Navarro, Michael Flynn, John Eastman, and Rudy Guiliano were present—all of whom continued to tout the stolen election lie.)
Keep in mind that the General Miley’s and John Kelly’s of the world will be long gone in this next Trump administration. The band of sycophants who remain is frightening to say the least. And how likely is the Republican-led Senate to vote against these nominees? I’m not holding my breath.
All in all, to say I’m disappointed in America is an understatement. The first time around, I gave us a pass. Trump’s win was a bit of an adventure into the unknown. Not this time. This time it’s on us.
Maria Grant was the principal-in-charge of the federal human capital practice of an international consulting firm. While on the Eastern Shore, she focuses on writing, reading, music, and nature.
Melisa Gosnell says
Thank you. Troubling times ahead. Great read. Thanks for your efforts. Please keep posting!
Maria Grant says
Thanks for your message. Much appreciated.
Matt LaMotte says
Someone recently commented to me that the American people have chosen him, so they hoped the MAGA’s enjoy the next four+ years of chaos and disaster; because that’s what they’re going to get. To paraphrase, “when you hire a clown, you get the circus!”
Wilson Dean says
People who occupy the important and sensitive government positions mentioned in this article should have proven records of good judgment, solid experience,respect of peers, and demonstrated insight. Those chosen by Trump have none of these characteristics nor do they have any coherent strategy to constructively run the organizations and posts they will likely assume. This, in turn, reflects the absence of any such strategy Trump will bring to the White House other than to create chaos without a clear end game.
Perhaps, as you mention Maria, the scariest aspect of this is the likelihood none of these individuals will speak “truth to power.” Unlike during the first Trump Administration when there were innumerable patriotic people willing to step up to contest Trump’s wildest ideas, this time around the adults have left the room.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Yes,I believe this is the reason abominable people have been nominated for these positions: to destroy
the agencies.
Trump could not care less, he only ran to avoid prison. He is totally controlled by those who financially benefit
from his incapacitated state; deregulation and tax breaks for those richest in our nation. The Middle Class will be
hollowed out, but so what? They are “stupid and expendable MAGAs” who will always vote to “own the Libs”.
Hey GOP, we have the popcorn out and are already appalled at your stupidity.
Reed Fawell 3 says
“Keep in mind that the General Miley’s and John Kelly’s of the world will be long gone in this next Trump administration.”
Thank Goodness.
Willard Tod Engelskirchen says
Please recall that the Donald put both of them in his administration.
Maria Grant says
Yes but also recall that a host of those former appointees have claimed they would never work with him again because they consider him a threat to democracy.
Deirdre LaMotte says
LOL, oh yes, thank God men who have fought for our nation and are 4 star Generals, who actually
understand the world, are gone. You know why? They called Trump out for what he is, a Fascist idiot.
Lena Gill says
Well said. I agree with Maria Grant’s evaluation of each candidate. Foreign governments will not share secrets with us, and the US will be ridiculed abroad.
Mac Sommerlatte says
The Constitutional North Star which directed our moral compass has fallen from the sky and somehow replaced by an individual with no morality and has a clinical diagnosis of narcissism and sociopathy. And yet people line up behind this pathological liar. I am finding it difficult to continue relationships with folks with whom I thought we shared values when they celebrate this egregious, dangerous behavior. My grandmother’s words ring in my ears, “be careful of those you associate with since you will be judged by the company you keep.” The population of these liars you discuss in key positions will make it difficult for the institutions to keep this anti-democratic, Natzi behavior in check. Your clarion call has reinforced the reason not to sleep well since our vaunted shining city on the hill is being set on fire rather than being further developed to address real problems.
Meg Olmert says
Thank you for sharing your time and expertise to validate your deep concern. I and many others share it. It won’t be long till we have hard proof of the grave damage these people will gladly do. And with “fact-checking,” destroyed, there will be no account and no one accountable. Slouching towards Bethlehem to be born.
Michael Davis says
Thank you. I hope ou continue to post essays like this one. National security used to be a bipartisan issue. President Trump puts personal loyalty to him over loyalty to country.
Robin Westre says
I worked at NSA many years ago and understand the necessity of security clearances. It is unfathomable to me that the president of the United States doesn’t need a security clearance. Anyone connected to the White House can be ushered in by the president even though they couldn’t pass a security clearance. Congressmen/women should get a security clearance as well and no one who was an election denier should even be allowed in the hallowed doors of the Capitol. The fact that there is no investigation into Jared Kushner’s 2 billion from the Saudis is had to understand. And what happened to the ethics committee in Congress? I can’t sleep at night either. Thank you for your post.
Sam Willson says
51 members of the intelligence community signed a letter stating Hunter Biden’s laptop ‘had all the earmarks of Russian disinformation’. They clearly knew it wasn’t Russian disinformation. The majority of people outside of DC no longer trust any of these agencies.
Deirdre LaMotte says
The ill informed millions who voted for Trump and who “no longer trust” government agencies do so because the agencies
deal in facts, not Trump propaganda.
These MAGAS, like Trump himself, would not know the IRS from the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
But they are fine in their stupidity as long as a felon is leading their sorry lives.
Sam Wilson says
So you think Hunter Biden’s Laptop was in fact Russian disinformation?
Deirdre LaMotte says
Seriously? When was H. Biden an elected official? And nothing from the laptop has revealed illegal or unethical behavior by Joe Biden as vice president …
Meanwhile Trump’s children have reeped and continue to reep billions through their time as government hires. Crickets from the far right who are all on Russian payrolls, anyway.
When did it become OK for a felon to serve as Commander in Chief?
When did this nation decide to be co governed by an unelected Ketamine addicted Billionaire?
Ah, you may want to examine facts and one’s obligations as a citizen.
Sam Wilson says
You are not answering the question. And are missing my point. The intelligence agentcies clearly lied. Why would they try to present the laptop as Russian?
Maria Grant says
You are right. As I understand it, 51 former intelligence officials (some still with active contracts) cast doubt on the Hunter laptop crediting it with possible Russian disinformation. That was wrong. It was also wrong for a former FBI informant to make up a multimillion bribery scheme involving Biden, Hunter, and a Ukrainian energy company. Smirnov has recently been sentenced to six years in prison.
Sam Wilson says
I had not seen the story about Smirnov. it is so hard to decipher what is true and what is manipulation. In my opinion the more information the better. I’ll look into it – thanks!
Maria Grant says
Thanks for your gracious reply!
Mickey Terrone says
Hello Maria. The trouble with Trump and his ne’re-do-wells is that they were not assembled effectively manage the various aspects of the federal government. They were dissembled to dismantle the US government and effectively establish an oligarchy.
These people are now in position to take apart all the protections afforded to consumers and the environment. The Trump-Musk bromance is clearly Musk’s purchase of massive day to day influence to remove any governmental check or oversight on the interests of big business (with the aid and abetment of the GOP-controlled House).
With much of the oblivious Republican rank and file still in a disbelieving stupor that Trump is being unfairly convicted of various crimes and support his evasion of trial for the January 6th American debacle. The prospect of Trump never facing trial for which hundreds of others have either been convicted or admitted guilt is such an obvious, abhorrent miscarriage of justice that supporters of Trump ought to be considered his accomplices.
When taken as a whole, every patriotic American should be uncomfortable enough to lose sleep over the prospect of concentration camps, undoing the integrity of the Justice Department, undermining NATO (while penalizing its members individually) and likely impacting the electoral process beyond repair.
Perhaps the most worrisome aspect of all this is that somany otherwise good people have such blind, and I mean utterly blind, faith in this amoral, pathological liar. America truly has lost its moral compass.
Maria Grant says
Thank you so much for your insightful comments. I would love to hear your thoughts about how to change the current trajectory.