IC Oversight & Policy — 2026-07-22

Watchdog Urges Acting DNI Pulte to Revoke Security Clearances for Former Jack Smith Prosecutors Over SCIF Protocol Violations

BLUFCASA's clearance-revocation request is unlikely to prompt DNI action within 90 days, serving instead as political ammunition to undermine Smith's prosecutorial team ahead of Clayton's confirmation.

The Center to Advance Security in America (CASA), a watchdog group led by attorney James Fitzpatrick, sent acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte a letter Tuesday urging him to review and potentially revoke security clearances for six former members of Jack Smith's special counsel team: Molly Gaston, Thomas Windom, Carli Rodriguez-Feo, Julie Edelstein, William O'Neil, and Stephanie Van Buskirk 1. The letter cited internal DOJ messages released this month by Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley describing an instance in which an individual accessed classified material without confirmed "need to know" and an April 2024 incident in which a SCIF used by Smith's office was left unsecured overnight 12. CASA requested a clearance-eligibility review under Guideline K of federal adjudicative standards, covering improper handling or safeguarding of protected information 1. The released correspondence did not conclude classified information was compromised or allege criminal wrongdoing by the named individuals, and Grassley separately asked DOJ to determine by Wednesday whether the incidents were investigated and whether evidence in Smith's Mar-a-Lago prosecution was affected 12.

Analysis
Pulte is unlikely to act on CASA's request within the next 90 days, since ODNI clearance reviews move slowly and the released DOJ messages stop short of alleging compromise or criminal conduct. Moderate confidence reflects a single documented SCIF lapse and one access-control gap, thin indicators for a Guideline K revocation against six named attorneys. Any action would likely follow, not precede, DOJ's own response to Grassley's Wednesday deadline on whether evidence in the Mar-a-Lago case was affected. The request functions as another lever in the broader congressional effort to discredit Smith's team ahead of Clayton's confirmation vote.
2 sources
  1. ODNI urged to revoke security clearances for ex-Jack Smith team - Washington Examiner
  2. Bill Pulte is urged to revoke security clearances for ex-Jack Smith team members - Denver Gazette

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