Exclusive US state workers with the best security permits have not been given output briefings, sources say

By Timothy Gardner and Jonathan Landai

Washington (Reuters) – Some US state workers with the best security permits launched in mass cuts observed by Elon Musk in recent weeks have not received standard briefings to go out and advise what to do if they approach foreign opponents, four sources told Reuters.

The lack of so-called “read out” for permissions, rejected by the Ministry of Musk in February, can increase the risk of security as they deal with secret information about everything-from the management of nuclear weapons to the protection of the energy network by the opponents and the security of the international employees.

The dismissed employees with the most secret permits usually receive a final security briefing that reminds them of the non-disclosure agreements that they have signed when they have received the authorization. They would also sign forms recognizing that the disclosure of any kind of classified information is illegal and will turn to their laptops, the sources that spoke on condition of anonymity said.

Two sources with the best security permits rejected by the DOG, one at the Ministry of Energy and a former senior employee at the US Agency for International Development, told Reuters that they were not considered.

Another worker, still at DOE, said several of the 28 workers fired on February 14 at the National Nuclear Security Administration, which led the nucleus of the nation, had permission and had not been considered. The fourth source is a person familiar with the USAID situation.

Both sources of DOE said that laptops of the fired workers were cut off from access to the department’s data, but that they were not required to submit these immediately.

There were more than 1.25 million state workers, contractors and others who have conducted treatment of air conditioning since October 2019, according to the latest unclassified report published on the US Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC).

It is not known how fired they were from Dodge without giving the final security.

A DOE spokesman said the department “is taking the right steps to ensure that all recently rejected energy officials are reminded of their obligations to the United States as defined by the Federal Law.”

The State Department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Kevin Carroll, a former Undercover CIA employee who is now a Fluet lawyer, said the failure to hold final briefings for US employees who hold the most acute permits is “a horrible risk of counterintelligence.”

“When you are read from the program, they remind you that you have agreed to keep information confidential and this will violate the espionage law if you don’t,” he said.

The briefing officials also instruct the output staff what to do if they turn from a foreign intelligence service and offer money to provide classified materials.

The US government is on an increased signal for foreign opponents trying to steal US data and technology and recruit Americans as spies.

“Foreign spies routinely present themselves as commercial head hunters on professional network sites to target personnel or information collection persons,” NCSC published on X on February 25th.

US law enforcement officers have long stated that Chinese spy agencies are using social media accounts to try to hire Americans with access to government and trade secrets.

“Pkichli”

Mark Zaid, a lawyer specializing in the National Security Act, said that “any deviation” of established security practices could create concerns.

“Friends and quick bold Doge actions, and in particular, his young, inexperienced uncertainty employees create serious and unnecessary security risks,” Zaid said.

None of the employees with security permits for nuclear secrets have been properly considered, the current source of DOE said. These employees can be directed by foreign opponents for nuclear espionage and may be vulnerable to approaches as they have lost their source of income, the source said.

Elon Musk and SpaceX are confronted with at least three federal reviews whether they have complied with the federal reporting rules aimed at protecting national security, the New York Times reported in December.

In 2019, the Pentagon examined Musk’s security permit after billionaire smoked marijuana in the show of comedian Joe Rogan live. Such examinations usually occur after cases of potential violation occur, said Pentagon officials. Musk was able to apply to restore his security permission, sources said. Musk told X that he had agreed to do arbitrary drug tests for three years.

Musk did not immediately answer a request for comment.

The dismissed USAID specialist with the most secretive work permit designed to prevent conflicts and strengthen stability in Southeast Asia, and the Middle East said they were terminated without being given the standard security briefing or signing forms.

The specialist started on USAID about eight years ago as a contractor before being hired full -time at a civil service position at the Bureau of Conflict Prevention and Stabilization.

The worker, terminated on February 24, needed permission to access classified intelligence reports that helped to make “informed strategic decisions” about reducing poverty and humanitarian programs for people who could otherwise be driven by extremism.

(Timoti Gardner and Jonathan Landai Report, additional reporting by Marisa Taylor, Editing by Deep Babington)