DIGGING A HOLE

Secret Service Hires Lacked Clearance

Hired without completing security check.

Several dozen new Secret Service officers hired in the wake of multiple White House security lapses have taken on sensitive roles without finishing the required national security clearance process, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing two government officials familiar with the situation. Secret Service Director Joseph P. Clancy reportedly discussed the problem privately with Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), who raised concern after hearing some of the new hires had been present at White House meetings where classified material was shared. Clancy has promised to fix the error as the agency works through an "administrative backlog" due to the influx of new hires, a Secret Service official said Tuesday. Secret Service spokesman Brian Leary said Clancy has hired additional administrative staff to issue all outstanding clearances by Friday.