DONALD Trump, the US President, followed through on Friday with a pledge to revoke the security clearances of his predecessor Joe Biden and several senior former White House and national security officials.
Among those stripped of their access to classified information were Biden, members of his family, and Kamala Harris, the former vice-president and Trump’s political rival.
The list also included Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state and defeated presidential candidate, as well as Antony Blinken, Biden’s secretary of state, and Jake Sullivan, his national security adviser.
In a memorandum circulated to government agencies by the White House communications office, Trump declared that these individuals should no longer have access to sensitive materials.
He also ordered that they be denied unescorted access to secure government facilities.
Traditionally, former US presidents and senior officials retain security clearances as a courtesy, which can be helpful for consulting roles in the private sector.
However, Trump has remained openly hostile towards Biden, continuing to falsely allege that his predecessor orchestrated fraud to win the 2020 election. Trump frequently lashes out at Biden in public statements.
Ironically, Trump himself faced scrutiny over mishandling classified documents during the period between his first and second terms when sensitive materials were discovered at his Mar-a-Lago resort. That investigation concluded after Trump resumed office.
The move also targeted prominent political figures from Biden’s Democratic administration and even included Liz Cheney, a Republican and outspoken critic of Trump. Fiona Hill, a British-born intelligence expert who served in Trump’s own administration, was also named, along with Alexander Vindman, a retired US Army officer originally from Kyiv who clashed with Trump over concerns about White House dealings with Russia.
This unprecedented decision underscores Trump’s willingness to use security clearances as a political tool against both opponents and critics.
–BTA Media
