President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances from prominent political figures including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Hillary Clinton, raising questions about whether this unprecedented move safeguards national security or represents political retaliation.
Key Insights
- Trump issued a formal White House memorandum revoking security clearances for multiple political opponents, citing “national interest” concerns.
- The directive blocks access to classified information, secure government facilities, and intelligence briefings for the named individuals.
- Among those affected are former President Biden, VP Harris, Hillary Clinton, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and prosecutors who brought cases against Trump.
- The order also terminates Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden, ending taxpayer-funded security details that included up to 18 agents.
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had previously revoked clearances for signers of the Hunter Biden “disinformation” letter.
Unprecedented Security Clearance Revocation
In a sweeping action outlined in a formal White House memorandum, President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances from numerous political figures, including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The directive, addressed to heads of executive departments and agencies, explicitly restricts these individuals from accessing classified information and secure government facilities. The order extends beyond high-profile politicians to include prosecutors who brought cases against Trump and members of the Biden family.
The memorandum specifically states: “I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information: Antony Blinken, Jacob Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Mark Zaid, Norman Eisen, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, Andrew Weissmann, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Cheney, Kamala Harris, Adam Kinzinger, Fiona Hill, Alexander Vindman, Joseph R. Biden Jr., and any other member of Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s family.” The directive instructs agencies to immediately revoke active security clearances and rescind access to sensitive information.
Intelligence Access Suspended
The action represents a significant departure from tradition regarding former presidents’ access to intelligence. Former President Biden will no longer receive the President’s Daily Brief, a courtesy typically extended to former commanders-in-chief to maintain continuity in national security awareness. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had previously taken similar action against “the 51 signers of the Hunter Biden ‘disinformation’ letter,” laying the groundwork for the broader revocations that followed in Trump’s memorandum.
The memorandum also contains provisions requiring executive departments and agencies to notify private entities if any of the named individuals received security clearances through private employment. This measure could potentially affect post-government employment opportunities for those named, particularly in defense, intelligence, or government contracting sectors where security clearances are often required or valuable for employment.
Secret Service Protection Terminated
In a related move, Trump has also announced the termination of Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden. “Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States Taxpayer. There are as many as 18 people on this Detail, which is ridiculous! Please be advised that, effective immediately, Hunter Biden will no longer receive Secret Service protection. Likewise, Ashley Biden who has 13 agents will be taken off the list,” Trump stated in his announcement.
This decision aligns with federal law, which provides lifelong Secret Service protection for former presidents and their spouses but does not automatically extend to adult children after a president leaves office. Both Trump and Biden had previously extended protection for their children before leaving office, a discretionary action that Trump has now reversed for the Biden family. The removal of these details will shift substantial personnel resources within the Secret Service and eliminate the associated taxpayer expense.
Sources:
- Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Joe Biden and Other Huge Names
- Rescinding Security Clearances and Access to Classified Information from Specified Individuals
- Trump revokes security clearances of former opponents Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton
