Donald Trump has officially revoked security clearances from Joe Biden and other key figures, citing concerns over national security.
Trump removes security clearances for biden and top officials
On March 21, Trump signed a memo rescinding security access for several individuals, including former President Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Hillary Clinton.
This move removes their ability to attend classified intelligence briefings.
Traditionally, former presidents and senior officials retain access to these briefings. This allows them to advise sitting presidents on sensitive national issues.
However, Trump argued that this privilege should no longer apply to those on his list.
Trump cites Biden’s 2021 decision as precedent
Trump defended his action by pointing to Biden’s 2021 decision, which blocked him from intelligence briefings. Biden justified this by stating Trump’s ‘erratic behavior’ posed a security risk.
At the time, Biden questioned the value of briefing Trump, suggesting he might ‘slip and say something.’
Now, Trump has used a similar justification, claiming Biden’s ‘poor memory’ makes him unfit to handle classified information.
Who lost security clearance?
The list includes several prominent figures:
– Joe Biden and his family
– Kamala Harris (Former Vice President)
– Hillary Clinton (Former Secretary of State)
– Antony Blinken (Secretary of State)
– Jake Sullivan (National Security Advisor)
– Lisa Monaco (Deputy Attorney General)
– Alvin Bragg and Letitia James (New York prosecutors investigating Trump)
– Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney (Anti-Trump Republicans)
– Alexander Vindman and Fiona Hill (Key impeachment witnesses)
– Andrew Weissmann and Norman Eisen (Legal figures involved in Trump investigations)
Trump’s official statement on security clearances
Trump justified his decision by stating it was ‘no longer in the national interest’ for these individuals to access classified information.
His memo directed government agencies to immediately revoke any active security clearances.
Previously, Trump claimed on Truth Social that Biden set a precedent by blocking his national security access, a courtesy for former presidents.
However, Biden justified the move, citing Trump’s “erratic behavior” and risk of disclosure.
Trump, in turn, argued that Biden was untrustworthy with sensitive information, referencing an inquiry highlighting his “poor memory.”
Additionally, he ordered that these individuals lose ‘unescorted access’ to government facilities and intelligence briefings.
He wrote on his social media platform: “I hereby direct every executive department and agency head to take all additional action as necessary and consistent with existing law to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals and to immediately rescind their access to classified information.”
“In the event that any of the named individuals received a security clearance by virtue of their employment with a private entity, the United States Government entity that granted the security clearance should inform the private entity that these individuals’ ability to access classified information has been revoked,” he added.
What this means for future administrations
This decision sets a precedent that future presidents may follow. Security clearances have long been granted as a courtesy, but Trump and Biden have now used them as a political tool.
With tensions high between both parties, national security policies may continue to change based on political affiliations.
Whether future administrations will uphold or challenge this precedent remains uncertain.
However, one thing is clear—security clearances have now become another battleground in American politics.