What is a TS/SCI Document?

[BlacklightShade]

TS = Top Secret (TS). he highest security classification. "Top Secret shall be applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure of which reasonably could be expected to cause 'exceptionally grave damage' to the National Security that the original classification authority is able to identify or describe." [citation]

SCI = Sensitive compartmented information (SCI) is a type of United States classified information concerning or derived from sensitive intelligence sources, methods, or analytical processes. All SCI must be handled within formal access control systems established by the Director of National Intelligence.[citation]

SCI is not a classification. SCI clearance has sometimes been called "above Top Secret,"

• These are the highest classification of secret documents in the United States
• Documents can only be viewed in designated areas (not a golf course)
• A US president cannot unilaterally declassify a TS/SCI document

Everything You Need To Know About TS/SCI Clearance

To view TS/SCI documents you must:

• Must be sponsored by government agencies such as the FBI or CIA require some level of security clearance for the people they employ.
• Must pass a background check
• Must pass a polygraph test
• Must complete adjudication
• Must keep up with reinvestigation

[abc3643]

30 years ago, I was working in an "FFRDC" - a "Federally-Funded Research and Development Corporation" - a fancy term for a non-profit "think tank" which gives advice to the Federal government or other designated customers.

The one I worked for did a lot of work for the US Air Force.

As a "Member of the Technical Staff", I had a Department of Defense clearance. But, when I was new to all of this, this is how they explained to me the difference between Secret and Top Secret.

"If it (the fact or bit of data) can be used to describe the system, then it is classified as Secret.
If it can be used to defeat the system, then it is classified as Top Secret."

Trump can't keep his mouth shut. If he was in the mob, they'd "whack him". But, he's his own mob boss - a made guy - so he doesn't get whacked...

But he will by the rival families: The States of New York, Georgia, and the Federal Government.

[legalboxers]

documents the former occupant of the white house and who keeps crying "BUT HILLARYS EMAILS".. and "OBAMAS BIRTH CERTIFICATE" should not of had them in his possession.

[Anonymous]

Oh come on Blacklightshade, everyone knows there are 38 levels of secret above top secret and that the best sort of secret is 'most secret'.

Or 'cosmic' if you are a nut case.

[DryGermanGuy]

The Qanon fools would beg to differ, no? 😂🤡

[AviatorTom]

You answered the question for us. What other opinion are you looking for?

[RealMarek]

The president has the power to declassify any document, so unless the espionage act was somehow broken after he left office I don’t see how charges can go anywhere.

[abc3643]

Yes and no.
Presidents can declassify documents, but there's a formal process involved. It's not a simple hand-waving gesture.

Besides, the violations that ex-President Trump may have committed apply, whether or not documents are classified. In other words, the classification status of any documents he may illegally have is irrelevant.

[abc3643]

This is from The New York Times on 15 AUG 2022 trying to explain the Espionage Act:
www.nytimes.com/.../...ge-act-explainer-trump.html

"The [Espionage Act] criminalizes the unauthorized retention or disclosure of information related to national defense that could harm the United States or aid its enemies. It was enacted decades before the executive branch established the current system of classifying national security secrets.

In normal circumstances, a document protected by the Espionage Act is almost certainly classified. But because the two protection systems, executive branch classification and the Espionage Act, work in parallel, a document does not need to be classified to be protected by the act."

[BlacklightShade]

@RealMarek Also, handling of any department of defense materials is a category of its own, classified or not.

[OnTheLevel]

Is there a question here?

[pizzalovershouse]

Good to know