Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Biden, Harris, and Other Political Opponents
In a controversial move late Friday, President Donald Trump issued a presidential memo revoking security clearances for several prominent Democratic figures, including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The sweeping order also targets other political adversaries such as former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, former Illinois Rep. Adam Kinzinger, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led the fraud prosecution against Trump.
Trump justified the decision by stating, “I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information.” The memo extends to Biden’s entire family, though it remains unclear what formal security clearances, if any, some of these individuals held.
The decision to bar Biden from intelligence briefings is widely viewed as a retaliatory act after Biden, during his presidency, denied Trump access to classified information in 2021. At the time, Biden cited Trump’s “erratic behavior” as a national security concern. Historically, former presidents have been granted access to intelligence briefings as a courtesy, but they do not hold official security clearances.
Trump’s directive also orders all executive departments and agencies to revoke unescorted access to secure government facilities for those named in the memo. Furthermore, it prohibits them from accessing classified information through congressional privileges from their past tenures.
Earlier this week, Trump took another unprecedented step by terminating Secret Service protection for Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley Biden. Critics have decried the decision as a vindictive attack against his political rival’s family, raising concerns over the politicization of national security measures.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from political analysts and lawmakers who warn of the dangerous precedent it sets. “This is yet another example of Trump using his position to punish political enemies rather than govern in the best interests of the nation,” said one senior intelligence official, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
While Trump’s supporters argue that the action prevents political opponents from improperly accessing sensitive information, detractors see it as a clear abuse of power designed to settle scores rather than uphold national security.
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Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Biden, Harris, and Other Political Opponents