DoJ IG Horowitz Details the Systemic Issues with the Security Clearance Process Used to Silence and Retaliate Against Whistleblowers

EXCERPT:

HOROWITZ: "Thank you for inviting me to testify today. Whistleblowers perform an important public service and no employee should suffer reprisal for bringing forward information that they reasonably believe is evidence of waste, fraud, abuse, or a violation of law. As we've seen, employees with a security clearance are particularly vulnerable to retaliation because an employee's due process protections and right to appeal a security clearance suspension or revocation are more limited. Moreover, such employees can remain suspended without pay for lengthy periods of time before having an ability to contest the security clearance action.”