President Donald Trump signed a memo on Monday evening in the Oval Office that grants interim security clearances to a list of staffers provided by the White House Counsel. The memo states that these individuals are immediately granted interim Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) security clearances for a period not exceeding six months.
According to the order, the White House Counsel is required to provide the White House Security Office and Acting Chief Security Officer with a list of personnel who will receive these interim clearances. The memo further specifies that these individuals will have immediate access to the facilities and technology necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the office for which they have been hired.
This move is significant as it allows the designated staffers to handle classified information and access secure areas while their full security clearances are being processed. Interim clearances are typically granted when there is a need for individuals to start work immediately but have not yet completed the full clearance process.
It is important to note that interim clearances are temporary and subject to review and approval for full security clearances within the specified timeframe. The memo underscores the administration's commitment to ensuring that essential personnel can begin their duties promptly while adhering to security protocols.
