Donald Trump, in his capacity as the President-elect, has chosen Sebastian Gorka as the new White House National Security Council’s counterterrorism chief. This decision has, however, sparked a flurry of apprehension among security experts due to Gorka’s previous failure to secure a security clearance during the early stages of Trump’s initial term.
In August 2017, after seven months of service, Gorka was compelled to leave his position as a lower-level White House staff member. This decision was made after officials were informed that he would not pass his background investigation, according to sources who spoke to CBS News.
The question now is whether Gorka’s past security clearance issues will obstruct his appointment to this more senior role. While his new position as deputy assistant to the president and senior director for counterterrorism does not require Senate confirmation, his previous role in the Trump administration also did not.
CBS News has been informed by a Trump transition source that Gorka currently holds an active security clearance with the U.S. government. However, it remains unclear whether Gorka has received the standard temporary clearance typically granted to appointees as they prepare to take on their government roles and prior to their more comprehensive FBI background investigation.
Despite any recommendations about clearances, it’s ultimately up to Trump who serves on his national security team in the White House. Brian Hughes, a representative for the Trump transition, defended Gorka’s qualifications, asserting that “Dr. Gorka has decades of experience working on matters of national security, irregular warfare, and counterterrorism.”
However, former law enforcement and intelligence officials have suggested to CBS News that Gorka’s prior security issues should still serve as a warning sign. Unless there is a grace period allowing them to re-enter the process and mitigate the issue, someone who has been disqualified should not be granted a position of trust in the government, says Stephen Laycock, former executive assistant director for the FBI’s intelligence branch.
As Trump’s choice for such a crucial role in counterterrorism, Gorka would be at the heart of serious decisions involving elite U.S. forces. This position requires access to some of the most sensitive, compartmentalized intelligence in the U.S. government.
Gorka’s appointment has raised concerns among some critics who fear that his return could indicate a more chaotic approach to managing the White House, reminiscent of the first Trump administration’s challenges. For Trump, process and discipline are often overlooked in favor of absolute loyalty, says Chris Whipple, an author and former “60 Minutes” producer.
