Transparency and Classification

We must strive for the highest level of transparency in the U.S. government to restore public trust in our institutions. Regardless of the specific methods we use, transparency is essential for reinforcing accountability and faith in government operations.

One crucial step toward this goal is providing detailed visibility into how taxpayer dollars are used. By offering granular insights into government spending, we can identify and address waste, fraud, and inefficiencies. Transparency in budgeting and resource allocation would go a long way toward solving many of the public’s concerns about government waste.

Another significant issue eroding trust in government is the over-classification of information. While it is reasonable to classify information to protect sources and methods, there are instances where information has been classified for less justifiable reasons—such as to avoid public embarrassment or shield agencies from accountability. This practice undermines trust and hinders informed public discourse.

Review and Reform the Classification Process: We must take a closer look at the overall classification system to ensure that information is classified only when necessary. This includes regular reviews of classified materials to determine if continued classification is warranted.

Classification Certification Program: Implementing a stricter certification program for classified access can help control who receives top-secret clearance. The current system often grants high-level clearance to far too many individuals, which increases the risk of security breaches. We need to ask tough questions:

Who has access to classified information?

Why do they need it?

Is their access justified?

Improved Security Protocols: With the repeated issue of classified documents being mishandled, we need to ensure that secure facilities are enforced and that only essential personnel have access to sensitive information. This includes audits and stronger enforcement of document handling protocols.

Transparency in government spending and improved oversight of classified information are critical to restoring public confidence. By implementing these reforms, we can strike a balance between protecting national security and maintaining an open, accountable government that serves the people, not its own interests.