Should intelligence agency employees with security clearances face harsher penalties for corruption than ordinary citizens?

Context

Intelligence agency employees with security clearances occupy a unique position in government: they access classified information vital to national security and are entrusted with secrets that could endanger lives if compromised. The question of whether they should face harsher penalties for corruption than ordinary citizens reflects a tension between accountability and the special responsibilities their roles demand. This debate has intensified following high-profile cases of cleared officials committing fraud, espionage, or theft, raising questions about whether existing penalties adequately deter misconduct among those with the greatest access to sensitive material.