Information security

Nothing admirable about leaking classified information

In May 2017, as FBI director, Comey gave classified information to his friend on the faculty of Columbia Law School, Daniel Richman. Clapper, in January 2017, also during his official post, leaked highly sensitive information about the infamous Steele dossier to CNN.

These seemingly little actions have big effects.

The effectiveness of the executive branch depends to a great degree on secrecy. As The Federalist explains: in foreign policy, where “there frequently are occasions when days, nay, even when hours, are precious,” which “may turn the most favorable tide into a course opposite to our wishes,” secret action is required. Such situations cannot be taken to the public but must sometimes be settled immediately. A barrier from public judgment, secrecy must be protected.

Secrecy is required for prosecuting crimes domestically as well. When the executive’s capacity for secrecy is undermined, we witness the recent spectacle of Oakland, California’s mayor revealing Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s plan for an imminent raid on illegal aliens. Humiliated law enforcement cannot be respected.