Trump revokes security clearances from political adversaries Harris, Clinton, and others
Donald Trump's Contentious Approach to Security Clearances
President Donny T took a bold move at the close of a Friday night, ordering federal agencies to strip security clearances from more than a baker's dozen of his political foes, including ex-VP Kamala Harris and ex-Sec-State Hillary Clinton. The memo read:
"I hereby command every executive department and agency head to take all essential actions, in line with existing laws, to revoke any active security clearances of the mentioned individuals and to immediately bar their access to classified intel."
This move marked a fresh instance of Trump yanking security clearances from political adversaries. In February, he stated he was cancelling former Prez Joe Biden's security clearance and ceasing his daily intelligence briefs, and he has employed similar tactics to curb high-profile law firms[1].
Friday's memo officially scrapped Biden's security clearance, as well as others Trump had announced were in the process of being dropped, and prohibited the Biden family from accessing classified info[2].
Unsurprisingly, Trump also yanked clearances from the two Republicans on the House committee scrutinizing his role in the January 6, 2021 uprising, former Wyo Rep. Liz Cheney and former Ill Rep. Adam Kinzinger.
Earlier this month, DNI Tulsi Gabbard declared she had stripped the security clearances of several individuals mentioned in the memo, including key Biden officials, ex-Sec-State Antony Blinken and ex-NSA Advisor Jake Sullivan. Additionally, two lawyers who filed lawsuits against Trump, NY AG Letitia James and Manh DA Alvin Bragg, were affected[3].
During his reign, Trump's stance on security clearances courted controversy, particularly when it came to his political adversaries. A notable instance includes former CIA Director John Brennan and ex-DNI James Clapper, among others. In July 2018, Trump floated the idea of revoking security clearances of several high-ranking intelligence officials who had been critical of him[4]. In August 2018, Trump officially revoked Brennan's clearance, a move interpreted as a response to Brennan's public criticism of Trump[5].
Individuals Touched by Revocation or Consideration of Revocation:- John Brennan: Former CIA Director. Clearance revoked.- James Clapper: Former DNI. Considered for revocation.- Michael Hayden: Former CIA and NSA Director. Considered for revocation.- Susan Rice: Former National Security Adviser. Considered for revocation.- Sally Yates: Former Acting Attorney General. Considered for revocation.- James Comey: Former FBI Director. Considered for revocation.- Andrew McCabe: Former Acting FBI Director. Considered for revocation.- Peter Strzok: Former FBI Agent. Considered for revocation.- Lisa Page: Former FBI Lawyer. Considered for revocation.
Trump's policy on security clearances often seemed to be fueled by criticism and perceived political opposition rather than solely based on national security considerations.
In the polarized realm of politics, Representative Adam Kinzinger and former Wyoming Representative Liz Cheney, both members of the House committee investigating Donald Trump's role in the January 6, 2021 uprising, had their security clearances revoked by Trump in 2024. This move by Trump is reminiscent of his decision to revoke the security clearance of former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in February, as part of his strategy to bar high-profile law firms from accessing classified information. Prior to this, Trump had also announced the revocation of security clearances for key Biden officials, Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, among others.
