It's maybe possible I2O didn't require clearances when Mudge was a PM. Certainly at least since they moved to their current location everyone who works in the

It's maybe possible I2O didn't require clearances when Mudge was a PM. Certainly at least since they moved to their current location everyone who works in the building or for the organization is cleared*. Most programs themselves are unclass, and there are lots of collaborations in fundamental research where it's completely open, not even controlled unclass (CUI). That doesn't imply anything about the PM's clearance status. Not sure why a PM would go out of their way to talk about clearance status unless they were specifically planning for classified discussions. Your point about having a clearance not being some huge deal is certainly true though. *Some support service people like janitorial may not be - I don't know, but then those people are escorted by people who are.