It appears that secretive and highly classified information has been accessed from Hilary Clinton’s private email server during her mandate as secretary of state.
According to a letter by top Inspector Gen. Charles McCullough, emails involving “special access programs” (SAP) have been identified. The information leading to the current Democratic presidential front-runner email server is classified as beyond “top secret”.
According to a former senior law enforcement officer, SAP material is the most sensitive of the sensitive. It is impossible that one could not recognize it when they see it. The situation could digress even further. Such an event represents a potential violation of USC 18 Section 793, ‘gross negligence’ in the handling of secure information under the Espionage Act.
According to State Department and intelligence officials, there was sensitive information within the messages which were blacked out before being released to the public. A court order under the Freedom of Information Act compels the State Department to turn over Clinton’s 50,000 government-related emails. Though severely censored, most of them have already been released as the last batch is due on the 29th of January.
The content of the emails which has not been disclosed is of lesser importance. What matters most is the potential breach of federal law. It is well known that information intelligence and security are sensitive matters. Allowing domestic access to such sensitive information poses a threat to our national security. Even more surprising is finding an executive order signed in 2009, during Clinton’s first year as secretary of state. The order says that: “the number of persons who ordinarily will have access will be reasonably small and commensurate with the objective of providing enhanced protection for the information involved.” One can’t help but wonder what does “reasonably small” mean in actual numbers and what are the names on the list.
Clinton is known for repeatedly claiming not to have sent or received any information marked as classified during her position as secretary of state. Such claims have also been made while under oath. While obvious incriminating evidence towards perjury is yet to be found, it is clear that classified information bled into emails from her personal server in Westchester County, N.Y.. Sending such sensitive information over unencrypted channels makes it easy for foreign intelligence agencies to intercept it. Such carelessness in handling matters of national security is unacceptable and should not go unsanctioned.
How do you think her presidential campaign is going to be affected? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
