7 Deadly Sins for Security Clearance Holders and Applicants
This article was updated to reflect 2026 policy changes and national security developments. Obtaining a security clearance is required for any federal employees or contractors who…
The Bottom Line of Guideline F: Your Personal Finances Impact Your Security Clearance Eligibility
Adopting a Lifestyle Compatible with Classified Work One of the more painful moments for a security clearance lawyer is watching Department Counsel, sworn to strip your client’s…
Trump admin reshaping federal employee discipline, firing rules
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Federal News Network) — The rules governing discipline and removal procedures for federal employees are on track for a major overhaul. A slew of proposed…
DHS IG investigating reassignments of senior staff under Noem
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Federal News Network) — The Department of Homeland Security inspector general is investigating whether DHS ran afoul of laws and regulations when it forced…
Can I Get Security Clearance Without a Sponsor? Getting Your Foot in the Door
When it comes to obtaining a security clearance, you absolutely must have a sponsor. A Security Clearance is not like a Driver’s License, which is issued to an individual who…
OPM finalizes ‘Nixonian’ rule centralizing and enabling some federal firings
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Government Executive) — The Office of Personnel Management this week finalized new regulations granting the agency the power to remove federal workers…
The Origins of SEAD-4: Defining and Working within The Circle of Trust
Signed by then Director of National Intelligence, James E. Clapper, in June 2017, SEAD-4 is the common regulatory rubric for all Executive branch elements with Security programs…
How a CIA officer convinced US government to give him $40M in gold bars — as new allegations about his past are revealed
WASHINGTON, D.C. (New York Post) — A wannabe spy convinced the CIA to give him $40 million in gold bars by claiming it was for “work-related expenses” — and it was…
Trump Takes Aim at Press Leaks With NDAs for Federal Workers
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Bloomberg Law) — Federal employees would sign nondisclosure agreements to discourage them from leaking government information to the press and the public,…
Two Pentagon workforce decisions are raising new concerns about capacity and consent
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Federal News Network) — Congressional scrutiny of the Department of Defense’s clearance backlogs comes as the Pentagon again asks civilian employees to…