Oliver L. North: Mission No. 1 for the U.S. House of Representatives: US National Security

Last week we discovered that classified documents were found at various locations where President Joe Biden lives. “inadvertently,” “unintentionally” Oder “mistakenly” “stored” Oder “misplaced” them. In the media circus that followed, all those verbs and adjectives were used.

Although the actual classification levels, subject matter, title, and quantity of these documents have not been released yet, Biden’s enemies and friends have raced to the nearest microphone to pontificate about how serious or small Old Joe’s problem or to suggest remedial action. The Washington Post proposes a unique solution. The government should categorize fewer documents. Really.

Here are the basics for most Americans who will not see a classified document: There is a classification system. There are three levels: Secret, Confidential and Top Secret. The levels are established by executive branch directives based on the sensitivity of the information — and how much damage to our national security/interests would be likely if that information is disclosed to our enemies or potential adversaries.

The security clearance granted to individuals who are a member of the elite group is what limits access to classified documents and electronic files. “need to know.” And those individuals are obligated to ensure proper security for the information — e.g., a government-approved safe or repository. There are special requirements. “categories” Oder “compartments” Sensitive information. For documents marked “Sensitive Information”, only very limited access is granted. “Top Secret Sigma” — dealing with nuclear weapons programs.

Lengthy print, broadcast and online op-eds are prognosticating about the gravity of what all this means — legally and politically. At a press conference last Thursday, Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker, criticized the Biden administration. “… treating law differently based upon your political beliefs.” Merrick Garland was Biden’s lawyer general and appointed Robert Hur (former President Donald Trump had appointed him U.S. attorney for Maryland) as independent special counsel to investigate Biden’s classified documents case.

Rep. Jim Jordan (R.OH), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter Friday to the attorney general requesting that he be removed from the position. “all documents and communications” The following is a joint statement by the Justice Department, FBI, and White House about the “mishandling of classified documents” “… the appointment of a special counsel.”

Garland appointed an independent special counsel to examine every aspect of the matter “Biden’s Classified Documents Scandal,” It is, as one headline said over the weekend, important. This is an issue of U.S. security. Old Joe claims that he kept classified material. “with my Corvette in a locked garage” It won’t blow over like a summer storm. Old Joe might not be able to recall what documents he had, or why they were kept where. His handlers and he need to make sure that no one has a TOP SECRET cover sheet.

The Constitution gives Congress the right and responsibility to investigate the executive branch and provide oversight. I know. It’s been done. That’s what I did.

However, Congress has other options. “the power of the purse” Other far more grave threats to American citizens than the latest Biden impasse are to be rectified

The existence of the despots who control China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea is at grave risk.

The millions who have invaded across our nonexistent southern border are a humanitarian catastrophe — and deadly for the fentanyl that has already killed more than 150,000 Americans.

Russia’s silent buildup in Belarus of military force is in preparation for a spring offensive towards Ukraine. This requires rapid delivery of weapons from the U.S.A. and NATO.

Biden’s duplicitous diplomacy to lift sanctions on Iran’s ayatollahs will allow them to acquire nuclear weapons and the means of delivery — placing the U.S. and Israel in grave danger.

Our armed forces have been woefully underprepared to stop war and make it more likely.

The 222 Republicans who make up the U.S. House of Representatives cannot allow the Biden paper chase distract them from their No. Our national security is our number one mission.

Oliver L. North is a combat-decorated U.S Marine and No.1 bestseller author. He also founded Fidelis Media LLC. Visit www.olivernorth.com to learn more. His latest book “The Giant Awakes” is available discounted at www.faithfultext.com.

Credit: likedavid Pixabay