The Malley Investigation, Simplified

The⁤ Mysterious Case ​of Robert Malley: What Really Happened?

In mid-May, a group of senators ⁢began quietly asking questions after the Biden administration’s Iran envoy Robert⁣ Malley was ‌a ​no-show at a classified briefing on negotiations surrounding a revamped Iran nuclear deal.

As the top diplomat involved ‍in talks with Tehran, Malley’s failure to appear before Congress drew questions from lawmakers and senior staffers. At ⁤the time, Biden ​administration officials told ‍lawmakers that Malley ⁣was on extended personal leave, sources say.

Just a month later, it became clear⁣ that Malley was the ⁢subject of an investigation into his alleged ‌mishandling‍ of ​classified‍ information, a charge so serious‌ that the probe was later handed off from the State Department office responsible for ⁣diplomatic security to ‌the FBI. Washington’s national security rumor mill ⁢has⁤ been swirling ever since, though details about Malley’s alleged transgression remain unclear.

What are the possibilities? The Washington Free Beacon spoke with a ‍half-dozen current ⁣and former national security officials ​to shed light on the situation.

Leaking Classified Material to Foreign Adversary

The most serious possibility is that Malley intentionally passed classified materials ‌to Iran or ⁣another⁢ foreign nation.

Iranian press reports‌ indicate that Malley was ‌holding secret ‌talks with Iranian diplomats ⁣at the⁣ United ​Nations, perhaps⁣ without authorization from the State Department. Malley, in fact,⁢ has a history of holding unsanctioned meetings with America’s enemies,​ including in⁤ 2008, when he was fired from⁤ the Obama⁤ campaign for conducting talks with the Iranian-backed ⁢terror group Hamas. In addition‍ to mishandling ​classified information, officials can‌ have their security clearances ⁢revoked ⁢if they ⁢fail to disclose contacts with‍ foreigners.

The Tehran Times, a pro-regime mouthpiece, ‍ claimed earlier this month⁤ that Malley engaged in “suspicious interactions with unofficial advisors of Iranian descent,” and that his ‍security clearance was ⁤initially pulled in late April. The disclosure of these ​details in the ​Iranian press indicates that sources in Tehran may know more ‌about the⁤ situation⁤ than those‌ in the American media.

Leaking Classified Information to Pro-Tehran ​Advocates

Sources who spoke to the‍ Free Beacon indicated that Malley may have leaked⁣ classified information to a network of pro-Tehran advocates who supported the Obama administration’s⁢ Iran deal. Malley and others involved in⁢ the ⁣original Iran deal routinely briefed this group to ensure they reiterated the Obama ⁣administration’s talking points about the deal.⁢ The collection‌ of Iran deal ⁢supporters and those sympathetic to⁢ the⁣ hardline regime came ​to be ⁤known as the ⁤”echo chamber.”

Sources say Malley may have resumed briefing the echo chamber ⁤as President Joe Biden ⁣pushes⁣ to resurrect the‍ Iran deal,⁤ and that during⁤ one⁤ such briefing ⁣he⁣ may have leaked information he was not authorized to disclose.

The Tehran Times, ⁣in ‍its July report, claimed ‌that Malley is routinely in contact with a slew of Iranian-regime advocates, such as the Quincy Institute’s Trita Parsi, and that these allies act as middlemen for negotiations with the Iranian government.

This theory has also gained traction in the American media.

Unintentional Mishandling of Classified Information

It is also possible Malley mishandled classified information, which would carry a less severe charge. If⁢ Malley misplaced⁢ a ​document or failed to secure a piece ⁣of information, the State ‍Department’s diplomatic security section could revoke his ⁢clearance pending an investigation, according to⁣ current and ‍former government officials.

The Clinton​ administration’s ambassador to Israel, Martin Indyk, ⁤had ‍his security clearance revoked in 2000 after the FBI began investigating charges he accessed classified information from an ‍unauthorized‌ laptop.

However, in Inydk’s⁢ case, the State Department was transparent about the charges. The Biden administration has provided no⁢ public information ​ about the investigation into⁤ Malley, and ⁣will not even publicly confirm that his security clearance is ⁣revoked. Malley​ himself revealed that ‍news to reporters last month.

One national​ security official who⁣ spoke to the Free ⁤Beacon said ⁢that after three months of silence, ⁤”there is no good explanation” for the ongoing secrecy ‌surrounding Malley’s situation. Several ⁢sources also said they were hard⁢ pressed to think of a similar case‍ in⁤ which ‍a top ⁤American diplomat was removed from their post for security ⁤reasons.

An Unrelated Infraction

It is ⁤also possible ​that Malley’s security clearance was pulled for ⁤an issue unrelated to his work on the Iran ⁢portfolio. Any ​sort⁤ of criminal activity—from drug use to a⁤ run-in⁢ with‌ the‌ police—is grounds for an investigation by Diplomatic Security, the State Department’s in-house enforcement agency.

Questionable Timing

The State Department maintained that​ Malley‍ was on extended leave until around June 29, two months⁢ after‍ his security clearance was suspended, according to one former diplomat familiar with the situation.⁤ During that time, Malley was still ‌conducting activities in his official ⁣role, in violation of‌ State Department protocols.

Malley was spotted at the ⁤James Foley Legacy Foundation dinner on May​ 3, and spoke ⁢with the family members of Iranian⁤ hostages,‌ according to ‍one source ‌who was⁣ also at⁤ the event.

The diplomat also held an interview with NPR‍ on May 30,⁢ and was introduced as the ‍special⁣ envoy for Iran. ⁤Malley also tweeted from his official State Department account during the time he was reportedly ​on leave.

Republican ‌senators are already pulling ‍at⁤ this thread, with 17 lawmakers calling on ⁢the State Department‍ to “conduct an independent investigation into ⁣whether State Department officials complied with all appropriate laws and‍ regulations” when they removed Malley ⁢from his posting.

Gabriel Noronha, a senior Iran adviser at the State Department in the‍ Trump⁢ administration, said it appears “the State ⁣Department’s playbook was to⁣ pretend⁣ nothing was amiss and ⁣hope they⁣ could cover up Malley’s security ‍clearance suspension permanently. It ​was only when ⁤it⁢ was publicized ⁣that the⁤ Department ‌put Malley on unpaid leave, allowing him access to sensitive ⁣spaces ⁤and responsibilities for months beforehand.”