New Delhi: In a move that is likely to deepen political divide in the US, President Donald Trump has revoked former President Joe Biden’s security clearance, effectively cutting off his access to classified intelligence briefings. Trump announced the decision on his social media platform, Truth Social.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s security clearances and stopping his daily intelligence briefings,” Trump wrote. He cited a Justice Department report that questioned Biden’s memory, arguing that the former president “could not be trusted with sensitive information”.
Trump justified the decision
Trump justified the decision by pointing to Biden’s actions in 2021, when he barred Trump from receiving intelligence briefings after leaving office.
“Biden set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community to stop the 45th President of the United States — me — from accessing details on national security,” Trump stated. Biden has not publicly responded to the revocation of his clearance.
Donald Trump’s post on his social media platform Truth Social: “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances, and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings. He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents. The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from “poor memory” and, even in his “prime,” could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Antony Blinken’s security clearance revoked too
Biden is not the only former official targeted by Trump’s administration. The White House confirmed that security clearances for several top officials from Biden’s administration have also been revoked, including former secretary of state Antony Blinken, former national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and former deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco.
The revocations come as part of a broader effort to curtail the influence of Biden-era officials and his most vocal critics.
According to reports, Trump personally instructed his administration to strip Antony Blinken of his clearance, calling him a “bad guy” adding that his removal was necessary for national security. The New York Post reported that Trump intends to block these officials from accessing any federal properties, limiting their influence.
