November 2019

8. From the Maine Woods to the D.C. Swamp

“This is my last hope to really bring the integrity back into our office.” —Tricia Newbold to the House Oversight Committee

By Colin W. Sargent

The first miracle is, how does a girl from Madawaska rise to become a senior security specialist in the Executive Office of the President? Young women and men across the state will appreciate knowing how to chart those stars! The next miracle is, when your moment of truth comes, will you be equal to it?

So often a person from Maine is called upon to be the conscience of our country. On 23 March 2019, Tricia P. Newbold, “at great personal risk,” came before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform “to expose grave and continuing failures of the White House security clearance system,” according to a memorandum from the late Elijah Cummings (D-MD), chair of the committee. Twenty-five Trump Administration officials were first denied security clearances; Newbold was one of the specialists who issued the security denials. But a wand was waved, and suddenly they received overrides. According to the Washington Post, Newbold began to keep a list of Trump staffers receiving security overrides “in 2018.”

“In an administration in which too many have chosen the path of least resistance—silence—Tricia Newbold decided to put principle first and speak out,” says Ned Price, former National Security Council spokesman under President Obama, who has worked with Newbold.

“As a native of Madawaska, Tricia’s integrity and willingness to stand up for what she believes is right are a testament to her Aroostook County values,” Senator Susan Collins says. “Whistleblowers have played a vital role over the decades in bringing to the attention of Congress wrongdoing, fraud, and abuse.  By speaking up, Tricia hopes to ensure that Americans can have confidence that decisions to grant, deny, or revoke security clearances are based solely on established guidelines.”

Since her appearance, Newbold has disappeared from the public eye.

Global Intel reports Newbold “earns around $120,000 a year and began with the government earning less than $30,000.” She started her career with the Clinton Administration in 2000, then continued during the George W. Bush Administration, the Barack Obama Administration, and now the Trump Administration. She’s 40 and lives in Severn, Maryland. Her parents still live in Madawaska.

“She was a very smart and determined student who did not want special privileges or special treatment. Her friends were helpful, lifting her up when necessary, so she could do ‘things’ by herself and not have someone do it for her,” says Gisèle Dionne, Superintendent of Schools, Madawaska. “I taught the physical sciences. I’m thrilled that you’re naming Tricia. She’s very deserving.”