A woman was denied top-secret security clearance

 

A woman was denied top-secret security clearance due to her close family ties to an authoritarian dictator of a hostile foreign country. The Defense Department's Office of Hearings and Appeals released a document detailing the case, which highlights the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the denial.

The applicant, who remains anonymous, is a naturalized US citizen in her 30s, married to an American citizen, and has worked for defense contractors for several years. Despite her own loyalty and trustworthiness, the administrative judge, Edward Loughran, ruled that her family connections pose a potential conflict of interest and heightened risk of foreign exploitation.

The country in question, referred to as "Country X," is known to support international terrorism, conduct cyberattacks, and engage in espionage against the US. The applicant's close relative is the dictator of this country, and although she and her family have no contact with their relatives still living in Country X, the judge deemed the risk too great.

Loughran acknowledged that the applicant is "intelligent, honest, loyal to the United States, a model employee, and a current clearance holder with no evidence of any security problems." However, he ultimately decided that her family connections outweighed her individual qualifications.

Dr. Marek Posard, a military sociologist at the RAND Corporation, believes the country in question is likely North Korea, given the details provided in the document. He notes that the information suggests the applicant may be related to Kim Jong Un, the North Korean dictator.

Posard emphasizes that the denial is not a reflection on the applicant's character but rather a risk assessment based on her extended social network. He explains that security clearance decisions consider not only the individual but also their potential vulnerabilities and connections that could be exploited by hostile foreign actors.

The case highlights the complexities and challenges of evaluating security clearance eligibility, particularly when dealing with individuals from countries with hostile intentions towards the US. While the applicant's loyalty and trustworthiness are not in question, her family ties pose a risk that the US is unwilling to accept.