National Archives Blunder Exposes Rep. Mikie Sherrill's Sensitive Military Records in Major Privacy Breach

A significant breach of privacy has sent shockwaves through Washington, D.C., as the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) mistakenly released the complete, unredacted military service record of Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey. The sensitive information, which included details like her social security number, date of birth, and highly personal medical records, was handed over to a Republican opposition researcher in an administrative error the Archives has openly acknowledged.

The incident came to light after the researcher, who had requested Sherrill's military records under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), received far more than the publicly releasable information.

Sherrill, a former Navy pilot and a prominent figure in Congress, is known for her distinguished military service. The exposure of such detailed personal and medical data is a severe violation of privacy, raising alarm bells about the security protocols at one of the nation's most critical record-keeping institutions.

Upon realizing the grave error, NARA promptly admitted responsibility.

In a statement, the Archives acknowledged that an employee had inadvertently released the complete service record, rather than the redacted version permissible under FOIA. This admission underscores a systemic failure that allowed highly personal information of a sitting member of Congress to fall into unauthorized hands, even if unintentionally.

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Sherrill's office reacted strongly to the breach, expressing deep concern over the exposure of her personal information. As a public servant and a veteran, Sherrill's military service is part of her public profile, but the release of her private health and identifying details crosses a clear line. The incident highlights the vulnerability of personal data, even when entrusted to federal agencies, and the potential for such errors to be exploited.

This misstep by the National Archives is not an isolated incident.

NARA has faced scrutiny in the past regarding its handling of sensitive documents and information requests. The current incident involving Rep. Sherrill's records will undoubtedly lead to calls for a thorough review of the Archives' data handling procedures, employee training, and security measures to prevent similar breaches from occurring in the future.

For lawmakers and the public, the question remains: if a Member of Congress's sensitive records can be so easily exposed, what assurances do ordinary citizens have about their own protected information held by government entities?