The primary purpose of Presidential Policy Directive 19 regarding whistleblower protection is to ensure that which individuals can report fraud, waste, and abuse without retaliation?

• A. Employees in the Intelligence Community or those with national security eligibility
• B. All federal employees
• C. Private sector contractors
• D. State and local government workers

Answer: (A)

This question focuses on who Presidential Policy Directive 19 protects when someone reports fraud, waste, and abuse without retaliation. PPD-19 is centered on individuals within the Intelligence Community or those who have national security eligibility. It ensures that these particular personnel can come forward about wrongdoing without fear of retaliation, recognizing their unique roles and access to sensitive information.

That scope is what makes the answer correct: it targets employees in the Intelligence Community or anyone with national security eligibility. It does not extend to every federal employee, private sector contractors, or state and local government workers, who are outside the policy’s protective scope. In practice, other whistleblower protections may apply to those groups, but PPD-19 specifically shields those with national security responsibilities.