Unprecedented Clearance Revocations: Trump Strips Biden, Blinken, Harris, and More of Access to Classified Info
- Trump restricts access to classified data for Biden, Blinken, and Harris
In a bold, polarizing move, former President Donald Trump has taken back the security clearances of his predecessor, Joe Biden, current Vice President Kamala Harris, and several other prominent political figures. This action, according to a White House statement, is no longer in the best interest of the nation.
This dramatic move extends to 15 individuals, with names including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and even former adversary Hillary Clinton. The most striking aspect of this revocation is the entire Biden family's exclusion.
Trump has delivered instructions to relevant agency heads to immediately rescind these clearances, barring the affected individuals from even glimpsing classified data. They'll also have no unaccompanied access to secure federal facilities, effectively locking them out of sensitive areas.
Given early hints from Trump, signaling his intent to block opponents from handling classified data, this development is hardly unexpected. Many have viewed this move as part of a long-simmering revenge plot, emerging since Trump's return to the White House in 2025.
Trump's Revenge Play
The fallout for Biden means he'll no longer receive daily intelligence briefings. Trump justified this action in February by citing Biden's 2021 denial of access to certain security information, a response to Trump's erratic behavior following the Capitol attack.
Historically, former presidents are granted a certain clearance for consultation purposes. Trump's decision to break from this tradition is seen by critics as a petty, vindictive act, while the White House maintains it's all about safeguarding national security.
- Donald Trump
- Joe Biden
- Security Clearance
- Although former President Donald Trump has denied security clearance to his predecessor, Joe Biden, he may no longer receive daily intelligence briefings, hindering his continued access to sensitive information.
- The absence of security clearance for Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as other political figures, potentially limits their ability to consult classified data in the future.
- Despite criticism labeling his decision petty, Donald Trump's revocation of security clearances for several prominent figures, including Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, could restrict their access to secure federal facilities beyond 2025.
