With very few exceptions, I would think, an official’s primary administrative assistant would have the same clearance as that official. They have to constantly get files and such for their boss. It wasn’t a stretch for me to believe that Margaret could carry the file from the CIA to the White House. As for Leo having the correct clearance for that, yes, he did, and it probably hasn’t been revoked. But he’s only an advisor to the President now, and that, I would think, lowers his need-to-know level a few notches. That’s also an important part is gaining access to classified information.
The file Nancy showed Sam did have some blacked-out stuff, but not nearly as much as Kate’s record did IIRC. I’ll have to go back and check that episode again to be sure. But she did say that both of them could go to jail for her showing it to him. The record was in her custody, and she wasn’t supposed to show it to anyone else. Just like Kate’s record being in CJ’s custody, and I’m sure if the CIA knew she was showing that file to someone who was documented as a subject of a case listed in that file, there would have been an explosion in the small feline population over at Langely.
Leo blamed himself because he never knew the back story that he was set up by the Florida Senator and CIA. If you know someone’s weakness, it can be exploited to your advantage. And Leo has always been honest about how little control he had over his drinking.
Kate’s black eye could have been because of the Andy guy, but I’m thinking it was from her at-the-time husband. Just a hunch on my part, and it probably will never be discussed again.