President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden are shown at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2025. Photo credit: Melina Mara—APPresident Donald Trump has followed through on his pledge to revoke security clearances for ex-President Joe Biden. A memo titled “Rescinding Security Clearances and Access to Classified Information from Specified Individuals” was issued late on Friday. In the memo, Trump directed the revocation of security clearances for Biden, certain Biden Administration officials, and other political adversaries, citing that it was no longer in the national interest for them to maintain such privileges.The memo stated that the named individuals were to have their access to any active security clearance or unescorted entry to government facilities rescinded. This action encompassed the receipt of classified briefings, like the President’s Daily Brief, and access to classified information within the Intelligence Community that they may have had due to their past roles in Congress.The list of those affected included Biden, members of Biden’s family, former Vice President Kamala Harris, 2016 opponent Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, and former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Republican figures Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, as well as attorney Mark Zaid, Fiona Hill, Norman Eisen, Alexander Vindman, Andrew Weissmann, and others were included in the memo.Some individuals on the list had already seen their security clearances revoked earlier by the new Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard.Simply put, security clearance is a determination made by the State Department regarding an individual’s permission to access classified national security information based on their job responsibilities.
The security clearance process and vetting actions are essential for individuals in key positions such as the President, Vice President, and members of Congress. Their election grants them significant security clearance privileges without the need for extensive vetting.
Congress has established three levels of security clearance: “confidential,” “secret,” and “top secret.” Even after leaving office, former Presidents and officials are often granted access to classified information as a courtesy. However, in 2021, President Biden revoked former President Trump’s security clearance due to concerns about his behavior surrounding the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
Trump had previously announced his intention to revoke Biden’s security clearance, citing reasons on his social media platform, Truth Social. Subsequently, Trump also removed Secret Service protection for Biden’s adult children and withdrew security details for former officials like Mike Pompeo and John Bolton.
Heidi Gilchrist, a national security expert and former CIA analyst from Brooklyn Law School, points out that losing security clearance can have serious consequences for government officials, potentially affecting their careers. She raises concerns about the political implications of such actions by the President.
While the President has the authority to revoke security clearances, Gilchrist suggests that there may be legal implications, possibly involving the violation of the First Amendment. She believes that this situation could prompt courts to intervene, despite their usual reluctance to review security clearance decisions.
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