Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Political Adversaries Amid Controversy
Trump's revocation of security clearances impacts major political figures, including Biden and Clinton, amid accusations of political retaliation.
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President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is pulling security clearances for a string of high-profile public officials, continuing his streak of imposing petty punishments on those he regards as his political enemies.
Trump revokes security clearances for Biden, Harris, Clinton, and other political foes
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The revocations are "largely a symbolic action" but could also block Trump's rivals from entering federal buildings, The Times reported.
Trump nixes security clearances for Biden, Harris, Clinton, other enemies
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The practical effects of the move are likely minimal.
Trump revokes classified access for Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton and others
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Trump had announced the revocation of Biden’s security clearance in a Feb. 7 social media post, adding that Biden “set this precedent in 2021” by revoking Trump’s access to intelligence briefings, “a courtesy provided to former Presidents.”
Trump Revokes Security Clearances For Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Among Others
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Trump determined it was “no longer in the national interest” for said individuals to still hold “any active security clearance” or “unescorted” access to government facilities.
Trump Revokes Security Clearance for Biden, Harris, and More
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More broadly, the security clearance revocations issued on Friday appear to correlate with a cherrypicked list of the president’s political enemies, including the New York attorney general, Letitia James, and the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, both of whom prosecuted Trump during the Biden era.
Trump revokes security clearances for Biden, Harris and other political enemies
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There is really no precedent this large of a president, you know, removing security clearances from so many folks that have openly said or warned against his return to the White House.
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Few former presidents have requested such briefings, though the late President George H.W. Bush—a former director of Central Intelligence during the Gerald R. Ford administration—was known to do so.
Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Harris, Clinton, Other Top Democrats
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While the revocations may not have immediate impacts, it is another sign of the growing political rift in Washington as Trump seeks revenge on his perceived enemies.
Trump pulls security clearances for Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton
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The security clearance memo comes just days after Trump announced that he was stripping Hunter and Ashley Biden of their Secret Service protection.
Trump revokes security clearances of former opponents Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton
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The actions included one rescinding the security clearances of several former Biden officials and political opponents.
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Summary
In a controversial political maneuver, Trump revoked security clearances for over a dozen adversaries, including Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Hillary Clinton. Citing national interest, this directive follows Biden's 2021 revocation of Trump's clearance, seen by many as retaliation. The affected list expands to include key figures from Trump's impeachment trial, legal adversaries, and Republican critics like Liz Cheney. While critics regard the action as symbolic given many have not held active clearances for years, it emphasizes ongoing tensions. Trump also previously revoked protections for Biden's children and has targeted former aides.
Perspectives
Trump's revocation of security clearances for multiple Democrats and Republican critics is seen as a retaliation against political opponents and a sign of escalating political divisions in Washington.
The memo issued by Trump claims that it is no longer in the national interest for these individuals to access classified information, indicating Trump's desire to limit the influence of those he perceives as threats.
The actions taken against former President Biden, Kamala Harris, and others reflect a broader pattern of Trump seeking to assert control over the narrative surrounding his presidency and maintain loyalty among his supporters.
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