Former US President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of several high-profile individuals, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. This move comes after Biden had previously revoked Trump’s security clearance in 2021, citing his “erratic behavior”.
Trump announced his decision to revoke the security clearances of his former political opponents and other high-ranking officials, stating that they “no longer have a need for access to classified information”. This decision affects not only Biden, Harris, and Clinton but also several other former officials, including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger, and Fiona Hill, a former Russia advisor during Trump’s presidency.
The list of individuals who have had their security clearances revoked also includes former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and several other former officials who served during the Trump administration. Trump had previously revoked the security clearances of over 40 former intelligence officials, claiming they had helped Biden win the 2020 presidential election, although he provided no evidence to support this claim.
It is worth noting that former US presidents and high-ranking security officials typically retain their security clearances as a matter of courtesy, allowing them to continue to access classified information. However, Trump’s decision to revoke these clearances marks a significant departure from this tradition. The move has been seen by some as a political gesture, rather than a decision based on national security concerns.
Sources:
BBC News
