Donna's Clearance Revoked — Josh Promises to Fix It
Plot Beats
The narrative micro-steps within this event
Donna informs Josh that Michael Gordon from the NSA is here to see him without an appointment.
Josh meets Michael Gordon, who reveals he's here regarding Donna Moss.
Michael explains that Donna's interview in a teen magazine raised red flags at the NSA.
Josh defends Donna, insisting the interview was a joke and she knows nothing about missiles.
Michael informs Josh that Donna's credentials are revoked until the matter is resolved.
Who Was There
Characters present in this moment
Protective and urgent on the surface, masking irritation and a rising anxiety about bureaucratic exposure; uses flippancy to steady himself.
Josh receives Michael, argues to minimize the issue, defends Donna fervently, attempts to negotiate, then calls Donna to shelter her and promises to resolve the matter. He alternates bluffing humor with genuine urgency to control institutional fallout.
- • Contain and minimize the security/political fallout for Donna and the White House.
- • Prevent operational disruption by getting Donna's credentials reinstated quickly.
- • Protect Donna's reputation and his team's stability.
- • Donna is innocent and was duped by a workplace joke.
- • Personal networks and pressure (Cochran's office, contacts) can resolve procedural problems.
- • Public exposure of such an incident will be politically harmful if not contained.
Confused and deflated with rising anxiety and embarrassment; trusts Josh but is scared by the sudden loss of access and looming unexplained seriousness.
Donna is the subject of the conversation: she notifies Josh of Michael's arrival, listens to Josh's later phone call in disbelief, and is told to go home. She appears confused and anxious, suddenly made the center of an institutional investigation.
- • Understand what she did and why her credentials are being revoked.
- • Comply with instructions to avoid escalating the situation.
- • Preserve her job and reputation.
- • She did not intentionally reveal anything sensitive and was the victim of a joke.
- • Josh will protect and resolve the situation for her.
- • Going home and lying low is the safest immediate option.
Guarded and businesslike; restrained professionalism with a hint of impatience at being pushed for classified detail.
Michael (NSA) arrives unannounced, reads the constraints of classification, refuses to give specifics to Josh, and delivers the procedural decision to revoke Donna's credentials pending resolution. He leaves without dramatics, enforcing institutional rules.
- • Enforce NSA security protocols and protect classified information.
- • Initiate an immediate administrative containment (revocation) to prevent potential compromise.
- • Avoid divulging classified details to non-cleared personnel.
- • The safety of classified material trumps individual staff convenience or PR concerns.
- • Chain-of-command and clearance rules must be respected, even with White House staff.
- • A temporary revocation is the correct precaution until vetting completes.
Objects Involved
Significant items in this scene
The published teen‑magazine interview is the inciting artifact: a short piece containing Donna's offhand remark about a missile that attracted NSA scrutiny. It functions as the external, public clue that triggered classification concern and administrative action.
Donna's White House credentials are the operational lever: Michael announces they will be revoked pending investigation, converting a personal embarrassment into a practical barrier to access and a symbol of institutional sanction.
Location Details
Places and their significance in this event
Wisconsin is invoked by Josh as Donna's hometown — used as character evidence to argue she lacks knowledge of missile matters. It functions as a grounding biographical detail intended to humanize Donna and defend her ignorance.
The Capitol is invoked in Donna's magazine remark (a missile in the Capitol). In the event, the Capitol functions as the sensitive site named in the offhand comment, amplifying the seriousness because the joke referenced a high‑value, symbolically charged seat of government.
The Beach is offered by Josh as a metaphorical refuge: he tells Donna to 'go to the beach' as shorthand for lying low and decompressing. In the event it functions as suggested emotional sanctuary rather than a literal solution.
Organizations Involved
Institutional presence and influence
The White House (represented by staff interactions and concern for institutional exposure) is the implicit stakeholder: the incident threatens staff access, operational continuity, and public image. While the NSA physically enforces the revocation, the White House must manage personnel, PR, and political consequences.
Narrative Connections
How this event relates to others in the story
"Josh's commitment to fixing Donna's issue parallels Bartlet's resolution to own the Rooker mistake, both showing accountability."
"Josh's commitment to fixing Donna's issue parallels Bartlet's resolution to own the Rooker mistake, both showing accountability."
"Josh's commitment to fixing Donna's issue parallels Bartlet's resolution to own the Rooker mistake, both showing accountability."
Key Dialogue
"MICHAEL: "Suit yourself, but until this is straightened out, I'm going to have to revoke her credentials.""
"JOSH: "I would vouch for Donna with my life. She doesn't know about missiles. She's from Wisconsin!""
"JOSH: "You got to go home." / "Don't worry about this. I'm going to fix this.""