The Navy’s top intelligence man hasn’t been able to access any secrets for more than two years — but, he still has a job.
One senator wants to know why.
Vice Adm. Ted “Twig” Branch has been barred from reading, seeing or hearing classified information since November 2013. That’s when the Justice Department revealed that his name had surfaced in a corruption investigation involving a foreign defense contractor and of Navy personnel.
Navy leaders suspended Branch’s access to classified materials, fearing he would be indicted. The Navy’s director of intelligence operations has also been barred from accessing the documents. Neither man has been charged, but they’ve also yet to be cleared.
The ruling means Branch cannot meet with senior intelligence leaders to talk about sensitive matters. He can’t get secret mission updates from his own staff either. The Washington Post reports a security sweep for classified documents must be done before Branch can enter some of his colleagues’ offices just to make sure he doesn’t see anything secret.
If Branch is cleared, it could take months to restore his security clearance.
Virginia Senator Mark Warner (D) is pressing the Navy to make a move.
“I am concerned about the impact that the admirals’ continued presence in these roles while lacking a clearance might have on the Navy’s operational effectiveness,” Warner wrote to Navy Secretary Ray Mabus last week. “Moreover, I see this issue as inconsistent with the broader intelligence community practices that require rank-and-file intelligence officers to maintain security clearances to perform their jobs.”
Warner wants to know what actions the Navy intends to take.
For its part, the Navy has tried to replace Branch twice in more than year, but there’s been no follow through to the Senate which would confirm the new chief. It’s not clear when or if there will be a nominee for the position. If Branch stays in the job until the summer, he’ll qualify to retire as vice admiral.
U.S. Navy photo/Heath Zeigler/Released
