Trump revokes security clearances for former Biden officials
3 Min Read
Alongside these revocations, Tulsi Gabbard confirmed that the President's Daily Brief (PDB) is no longer being provided to former President Joe Biden.
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President Donald Trump waves to the media as he walks on South Lawn of the White House, in Washington, Sunday, March 9, 2025. (AP)
US President Donald Trump has ordered the revocation of security clearances for several high-ranking officials from the Biden administration, barring them from accessing classified information, according to US National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard on Monday.
Among those affected are former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, both of whom prosecuted Trump in legal cases, have also had their security clearances revoked, Gabbard announced on social media.
Alongside these revocations, Gabbard confirmed that the President's Daily Brief (PDB) is no longer being provided to former President Joe Biden. Traditionally, past presidents are granted continued access to intelligence updates, but Trump's decision marks a significant departure from this precedent.
The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restrict access to sensitive government information from individuals it considers a security risk or politically adversarial. While Trump's administration has not explicitly justified the decision, it is expected to escalate political tensions—especially since two of the individuals affected, James and Bragg, led criminal investigations into Trump.
The White House has framed the decision as an anti-corruption measure, arguing that former officials abused public trust and should no longer have access to classified information. The move is also linked to a broader push to investigate "improper disclosure of sensitive governmental information" and election-related actions taken by Biden-era officials, as outlined in a White House statement.
Read more: Trump revokes Biden’s security clearance in recent act of 'revenge'
The decision has already sparked backlash from civil liberties organizations. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) condemned the move, warning that it could have a chilling effect on free speech and dissent. Legal analysts have also raised concerns, arguing that the action sets a dangerous precedent, undermining democratic norms and due process.
Furthermore, Trump has also taken steps to target law firms associated with past investigations into his presidency. He has ordered the suspension of security clearances for attorneys at Perkins Coie, a law firm involved in Democratic-funded opposition research into Trump's alleged ties with Russia during the 2016 election.
