THE GROWING ISSUE:  A few days ago we alerted you to a story, in its infancy, that was growing, a story of profound importance that could turn into a major scandal.  Despite the holiday, the story continues to grow.  Alert members of Congress are demanding answers, and in the weeks ahead we may learn more about why one of our leading diplomats, a man who reports to the president, has been stripped of his security clearance and had his salary stopped.  This is, as we told you, a very big deal, no matter where you sit politically.  From Fox: 

Republican senators and the powerful head of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas., are leading the charge to secure answers about the Biden administration’s special envoy for Iran allegedly mishandling classified documents. 

President Biden's special envoy for Iran, Robert Malley, has been stripped of his security clearance and placed on unpaid leave until an investigation is completed. 

McCaul sent a detailed information request letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken last week. 

The Texas Republican wrote that Malley’s suspension earlier this year raises "serious concerns both regarding Malley’s conduct and whether the State Department misled Congress and the American public."

McCaul noted, "While the suspension of Special Envoy Malley’s clearance is independently troubling, our concern is compounded by the State Department’s failure to respond to the Committee’s efforts to conduct oversight of its negotiations with and policy toward Iran.

Since April 11, 2023, the Committee has repeatedly requested Special Envoy Malley’s testimony, which the Department has not fulfilled, despite Special Envoy Malley’s numerous press engagements dating back to May 30, 2023."

Malley declined to appear before the committee due to illness of a close family member, according to McCaul’s letter. However, "At no point did the Department indicate that Special Envoy Malley’s security clearance was suspended or under review, or that he was being investigated for potential misconduct," wrote the congressman.

He added "The Department’s failure to inform Congress of this matter demonstrates at best a lack of candor, and at worst represents deliberate and potentially unlawful misinformation."...

..Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., issued a Twitter thread with questions about Malley’s alleged misconduct and when Biden and Blinken first had knowledge of the accusations against the special envoy.

Hagerty also asked, "Why did they allow Malley to continue in his diplomatic role while under investigation?"

The Tennessee senator further wrote, "Malley’s contacts with Hamas & other extremist groups raised concerns in the past. Knowing his background & views, why did @Potus and & @SecBlinken select Malley for this sensitive position in the first place?"

COMMENT:  Having worked in one of the security services I can tell you that being stripped of your security clearance is about as bad as it gets.  It's like the US Government saying to you, "We believe you've done something awful, and we don't want you around."  It's not something you'd wish to bring home to your children.

We await answers.  While Republicans are carrying the ball right now, I'd imagine some Democrats will soon express their own concern.  This is national security.  There has got to be some bipartisanship, and there often is.

July 4,  2023