RSN: Bob Bauer | Why Do Former Presidents Have Access to Classified Information?
03 October 22 Live on the homepage now! Reader Supported News Bob Bauer | Why Do Former Presidents Have Access to Classified Information? Bob Bauer, The Atlantic Bauer writes: "The current laws and norms are badly in need of reform." The current laws and norms are badly in need of reform. T he investigation into Donald Trump’s possession of classified presidential records at his Mar-a-Lago residence will eventually reach a conclusion about whether laws were violated and criminal penalties apply. Buried far in the background, though, is another set of questions about the laws themselves—conferring rights and benefits on former presidents—and the related norms and practices that provide them with access to classified national-security information. The events of the past few weeks have made it clear that the current laws and norms governing former presidents’ access to classified material require reconsideration and reform. Former presidents can obtain classified material fr...