Trump revokes clearances: A sweeping tit‑for-tat escalation
Donald Trump has revoked access to classified materials for several prominent Democratic Party politicians. The list includes Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and Hillary Clinton, as well as some Republicans who have criticized the new administration.
"I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information," Trump stated in a memo released on Friday.
He then listed 15 of his adversaries and officials from Biden's era, including Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Republican Congresswoman Liz Cheney, who has been critical of the new administration's actions, former Republican Party member and outspoken Trump critic Adam Kinzinger, Trump critic and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who pursued Trump on charges of fraud, as well as the entire family of former President Biden.
Also losing their clearances were Biden's former national security adviser Jake Sullivan and Fiona Hill, a Russia expert who served on the National Security Council during Trump's first term.
It is unclear what level of security clearance some of the individuals named in the memo possessed.
"Tit for tat" move
Trump announced plans to revoke Biden's security clearance back in February. On March 10, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard stated that, in accordance with Trump's directive, access was revoked for Blinken, James, and other former Biden administration officials.
Revoking Biden's access to classified information is seen as a "tit for tat" move. In 2021, it was Biden who revoked Trump's security clearance. He justified the action by stating that Trump could not be trusted due to his unpredictable behaviour.
In the past, former U.S. presidents were informed about certain matters and had access to confidential information as a courtesy, even though they often did not hold formal security clearance. With access to secret information, they could, however, advise sitting presidents on matters of national security and foreign policy.
Trump also mentioned in his memo that he has "also direct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States Government facilities from these individuals."
Earlier this week, Trump announced that he is ending Secret Service protection for Biden's children, Hunter and Ashley, with immediate effect. Trump's critics view this decision as an attempt at revenge against a former rival.
