Security Clearance Catch-22 Reaches Top Levels of Government With Acting ODNI Director Appointment

Bill Pulte’s appointment as Acting ODNI Director spotlights a common “Catch-22” in the clearance world: clearances are typically granted and maintained based on a job’s need-to-know, not as a standalone credential. The piece underscores how this system can complicate hiring and appointments even at the highest levels of government.