From: allin
Recent events involving classified documents found in the possession of past and current U.S. presidents highlight a systemic issue within the American government regarding the classification of information [01:12:31]. With Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and Hillary Clinton all having been ensnared in classified document controversies, a re-evaluation of the current classification system is suggested [01:12:31][01:12:45].
The Overclassification Argument
There is a growing concern that the U.S. government is overclassifying documents [01:12:48].
- Government Accountability: Since the passage of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), the government can avoid accountability and public scrutiny by simply labeling any document as classified [01:12:58]. This has led to an “overclassification problem” [01:12:52].
- Default Classification: It appears that almost everything handed to a president or vice president is now classified [01:13:16].
- Lack of Declassification: The U.S. government rarely declassifies anything, with records from events like the Kennedy assassination still classified decades later due to agencies like the CIA “filibustering” their release [01:13:27]. It is argued that most documents do not need to remain classified after five years, and an automatic declassification process should be considered unless a document is actively reclassified [01:14:04].
- In business, very few documents remain sensitive or trade secrets five or even twenty years later, in contrast to government practices [01:14:17].
Specific Instances
- Biden’s Documents: President Biden’s classified documents were found in various locations, including an office, a library, and his garage (which was locked) [01:10:48][01:11:03]. A special counsel, Robert Hur, has been appointed to investigate [01:11:57]. Questions include why they were moved, what they pertain to, and if they relate to the Biden family’s business dealings in Ukraine and China [01:12:06].
- Trump’s Documents: Donald Trump’s documents at Mar-a-Lago were locked in a basement, which the FBI initially seemed okay with before changing their minds [01:11:20][01:16:10].
- Commonalities: Both Biden’s and Trump’s documents were mixed with personal effects and mementos [01:15:48]. The argument is that if one works in government, nearly all handled documents are classified [01:15:52].
Implications and Consequences
The pervasive issue of overclassification has several significant implications:
- Hindrance to Elected Officials: The current system creates extreme disincentives for politicians to operate normally [01:17:16].
- Politicians are discouraged from using email due to past controversies [01:16:37].
- They are advised to “never touch a document” or accept one handed to them, instead requiring access in secure “clean rooms” without notes or cameras [01:16:44].
- This makes it “impossible for them to act like normal people” [01:17:17].
- Benefit to “Permanent Government”: This system primarily benefits “Insiders,” or the “permanent government” (also referred to as the “Deep State”), by enabling them to control information and marginalize elected officials [01:17:22].
- Political Tool and Hyper-Partisanship: The classified document issue has become a tool for hyper-partisanship, with both sides attacking each other for the same perceived offenses [01:18:13].
- Discourages Public Service: The intense scrutiny and legal complexities surrounding government service discourage qualified individuals from entering politics [01:18:40]. Business professionals’ past dealings are investigated, and cabinet positions involve divesting assets, though potentially tax-free [01:18:42][01:19:54].
The fundamental issue is that cabinet heads and ambassadors are often “figureheads” who cannot effectively manage their departments because they cannot fire staff, leading to a lack of accountability within the bureaucracy [01:27:32][01:28:02].