President Donald Trump revoked the security clearances of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and former President Joe Biden’s inner circle.
After having his own access to classified information revoked in February 2021, Trump has returned the favor, revoking access for his rivals after taking office a second time. A Friday memorandum from the White House added a slew of new names to the list, including Harris, Clinton, former Republican Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, former Biden aide Fiona Hill, former Director of European Affairs for the United States National Security Council Alexander Vindman, and other members of former President Joe Biden’s family.
The list included figures whose access to classified information had already been revoked, including Biden, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former national security adviser Jake Sullivan, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, attorney Mark Zaid, attorney Norman Eisen, and former Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Weissman. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced their security clearance revocation on March 10.
Gabbard noted that the 51 signers of the Hunter Biden “disinformation” letter had their security clearances revoked as well, though two of them have since died.
Most of those listed have distinguished themselves as prominent Trump critics.
In addition to revoking security clearances of Biden allies, the president also stripped the security protections of some of his own former officials. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former aide Brian Hook, and former national security adviser John Bolton all had their security protection revoked.
The revocation of rivals’ security clearance or access to classified information was rare before February 2021, when Biden revoked the privilege for Trump, citing his “erratic behavior.” Trump has used the precedent against Biden, his inner circle, and other prominent critics.
“He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents. The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information,” Trump said in a Feb. 7 post on Truth Social.
“I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” he concluded.
GABBARD REVOKES SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR BRAGG, BLINKEN, AND OTHER BIDEN OFFICIALS
The new round of revocations comes as reports surfaced that Biden is looking to reenter the political arena. NBC News reported that the former president has met with some Democratic leaders, offering to help campaign and fundraise. Despite ducking out of the national spotlight, he has been traveling back and forth between Delaware and Washington for meetings in federal government-provided office spaces.
Trump was asked about the prospect of Biden returning to national politics on Friday, to which he responded, “I hope so.”