President Donald Trump has pulled security clearances from 37 current and former intelligence officials who, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, “have abused the public trust.”
Gabbard announced the revocation of the more than three dozen security clearances on Tuesday. The Trump-appointed head of the intelligence community accused the officials of politicizing or weaponizing intelligence to advance specific agendas, leaking classified intelligence without permission, failing to follow analytic tradecraft standards, and/or engaging in other conduct undermining national security.
“The President has directed that, effective immediately, the security clearances of the following 37 individuals are revoked,” a memo posted by Gabbard stated.
“Their access to classified systems, facilities, materials, and information is to be terminated forthwith. Any contracts or employment with the U.S. Government by these 37 individuals is hereby terminated. Any credentials held by these individuals must be surrendered to the appropriate security officers,” it added.
Some of the officials affected were involved in the January 2017 intelligence community assessment ordered by then-President Barack Obama. The report was meant to undermine Trump’s 2016 election victory by suggesting Russia interfered to help him defeat Hillary Clinton without evidence. Gabbard made this case when she declassified new evidence of the assessment last month.
Among the 37 people whose security clearances were revoked are Stephanie O’Sullivan and Vinh Nguyen, both of whom assisted former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper in creating the 2017 intelligence report on Russia’s alleged collusion with Trump.
Also on the list were Andrew Cedar and Andrew Miller, among the national security officials who signed a September 2019 letter supporting the first impeachment inquiry into Trump. Miller, who served on Obama’s National Security Council, later worked for the Biden administration at the State Department as a specialist in Israeli-Palestinian affairs.
“Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right,” Gabbard said. “Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold.”
“Our Intelligence Community must be committed to upholding the values and principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and maintain a laser-like focus on our mission of ensuring the safety, security, and freedom of the American people,” she added.
Critics took issue with Tuesday’s action, arguing it acts as a form of political retribution against intelligence officials who have opposed Trump.
GABBARD REVOKES SECURITY CLEARANCES FOR BRAGG, BLINKEN, AND OTHER BIDEN OFFICIALS
“Pure politicization of security clearance process,” national security lawyer Mark Zaid, whose security clearance was revoked by Trump earlier this year, wrote on X. “These are unlawful decisions that deviate from decades of precedent. Completely unprofessional that individuals are targeted in way that impacts their careers, yet they are not notified before leaking memo to friendly media.”
In March, the president revoked several clearances belonging to former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Zaid, and others perceived as Trump’s political opponents. Zaid, who specializes in national security and whistleblower cases, later sued the Trump administration over the retaliatory move.
