In a bold and unprecedented move, President Donald Trump has officially revoked the security clearances of former President Joe Biden, his family, and a host of other high-profile figures, citing national security concerns.
The decision, outlined in a memo signed on Friday, March 21, strips Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and several top officials of their access to classified intelligence briefings. Trump justified the action as being “in the national interest,” claiming that Biden and others on the list cannot be trusted with sensitive information.
This decision marks a significant departure from longstanding tradition, where former presidents and senior officials are granted continued access to intelligence briefings to facilitate collaboration between past and present administrations. In his memo, Trump declared, “I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information.”
Trump’s move comes in response to Biden’s 2021 decision to revoke Trump’s own access to intelligence briefings—a first in U.S. history. At the time, Biden cited Trump’s “erratic behavior” as the reason, questioning the value of providing him with sensitive information. Trump, however, has framed his decision as a necessary measure to protect national security, pointing to an inquiry into Biden’s handling of classified documents that raised concerns about the 82-year-old’s memory and ability to safeguard sensitive information.
The list of individuals affected by Trump’s memo is extensive and includes prominent figures from both political and legal spheres. Alongside Biden and his family, the blacklist features former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Also targeted are Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both of whom have pursued legal actions against Trump, as well as anti-Trump Republicans Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney.
In a particularly pointed move, Trump has also revoked security clearances for key figures involved in his impeachment trials, including Alexander Vindman, Fiona Hill, and Mark Zaid. Additionally, Andrew Weissmann, a lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, and Norman Eisen, a former special counsel to the House Judiciary Committee during Trump’s impeachment, have been barred from accessing classified information.
The memo directs all executive departments and agencies to take immediate action to revoke the security clearances of the named individuals and rescind their access to classified information. It also orders the revocation of their “unescorted access” to government facilities, effectively cutting them off from sensitive materials and intelligence briefings.
Trump’s decision has reignited tensions between past and present administrations, setting the stage for another explosive political showdown. Critics argue that the move is politically motivated, aimed at settling scores with those who have opposed or investigated Trump. Supporters, however, contend that it is a necessary step to safeguard national security and prevent the misuse of classified information.
As the fallout from this decision unfolds, it underscores the deepening divide in American politics and raises questions about the future of bipartisan cooperation on national security matters.
