Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Mark Warner (D–VA) on Sunday warned that the recent online leaks of classified U.S. military and intelligence documents by an airman working out of the Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts could have been prevented with better oversight and reform of the secret–keeping process.
The airman in question, 21–year–old Jack Teixeira, was arrested on April 13 and has been charged with unauthorized retention and transmission of national defense information and willful retention of classified documents. It is believed he was driven by a desire to impress friends online.
“We actually have to have, I believe, Congress intervene,” Warner said on ABC‘s “This Week“ Sunday. “And we have to do a better job.”
He asserted that there was an over–classification of documents and a lack of a single authority overseeing the system who could enforce uniform regulations such as restrictions on how many copies someone can make, as well as the ability of too many people with clearances to access documents unnecessarily.
“We way over–classify documents,” Warner said. “Once we get to that highest level of classification, we maybe have too many folks taking a look at them. Over 4 million people with clearances. So, let‘s classify less.”
Warner suggested that another solution would be oversight and urged “continuous vetting“ of those with clearances, which he indicated could include review of ongoing social media activity. He also expressed concern about the apparent use of the digital platform Discord, which is used for private chat rooms.
Meanwhile, Warner was asked about the prolonged absence of his fellow Senate Intelligence Committee member and California Senator Dianne Feinstein, who is currently recovering at home after being diagnosed with shingles in February. Some lawmakers have called on her to step down in recent weeks, given that her absence has stalled the process to confirm President Joe Biden‘s judicial nominees.
“I‘m hopeful that Dianne will return as soon as possible,” Warner said. “She‘s been a great senator, but my hope is she‘ll get back to work as soon as possible.”
It remains to be seen if the government will take Warner‘s advice and if Feinstein will return to the Senate floor, but these issues demonstrate the urgent need for reform of the secret–keeping process and more oversight of those with access to classified documents.
