Former SecState Clinton Can't Remember

For John, BLUF:  Yes she was in charge.  At what point should she have resigned?  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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Clinton told FBI she didn't understand classified intel

From the unfriendly Washington Examiner and Reporter Sarah Westwood, a quick update on the FBI Friday afternoon data dump.♠

Here is how the article starts off:

Hillary Clinton suggested to FBI investigators in a July interview that she had little understanding of classified information when she served as secretary of state.

Clinton told FBI agents she could not remember ever receiving any training for how to preserve federal records or treat classified material.

"Clinton could not give an example of how classification of a document was determined," the FBI wrote in its notes.

This indicates either Ms Clinton is prevaricating or that she is having problem remembering things.

Neither is good.

At some other blog post this was pointed out:

Executive Order 13526 of December 29, 2009, "Classified National Security Information", lays out the rules for classification of information, protection of the information and its declassification.

Based upon past understanding [and EO 13526, Sec 1.3 (a) (2)], the Secretary of State has original classification authority. So, if the United States is in negotiations with Lower Slabbovia over certain landing rights for aircraft engaged in supporting military operations in Afghanistan or Iraq, the Secretary of Stzte could classify the fact of and contents of the negotiations as TOP SECRET, perhaps because the Government of Lower Slobbovia wanted it that way. In a way she is her own boss.

So, Ms Clinton was in charging of classifying material, all material, in the Department of State. That is what "original classification authority" means.  If she said it was Top Secret, it was.  If she said it was only Confidential, then that was its classification.

She was apparently in charge, but didn't know where the clue bag was.

Hat tip to Memeorandum.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  Mother Jones, or at least Mr Kevin Drum, seem to thing the "Friday Afternoon Data Dump" is just a myth, as shown here, "Friday Afternoon News Dumps: Myth or Reality?".  Don't you believe it.