President Donald Trump announced Friday evening on his Truth Social platform that he has revoked former President Joe Biden's security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings. Trump stated there was "no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information."
Trump accused Biden of setting a precedent in 2021 when he instructed the intelligence community to stop providing Trump with details on national security, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents. Trump justified his decision by claiming Biden "could not be trusted with sensitive information," citing a Justice Department inquiry into Biden's storage of classified files. The investigation concluded that while criminal charges were not necessary, it characterized Biden as having a poor memory, a portrayal Biden rejected.
The former president, who recently signed with a talent agency after leaving office last month, did not immediately respond to Trump's decision. In 2021, Biden had denied Trump access to classified intelligence briefings, an unprecedented move, due to concerns about Trump's "erratic behavior" even prior to the January 6th Capitol riot.
Since returning to office, Trump has taken additional steps to revoke security clearances and protections of officials linked to the Biden administration. These actions include revoking the clearance and detail of former top US military commander and Trump critic Mark Milley, whose conduct has been ordered to be investigated by the new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump also revoked the security detail of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the US COVID-19 response, stating everyone couldn't have lifelong security protection due to government service.
Furthermore, Trump has revoked security protection for some of his former officials, including ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton. The president also revoked the security clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials, including two ex-CIA directors, who signed a 2020 letter suggesting reports about Hunter Biden's laptop were a Russian hoax, although the computer and its data were later verified as authentic.
Trump accused Biden of setting a precedent in 2021 when he instructed the intelligence community to stop providing Trump with details on national security, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents. Trump justified his decision by claiming Biden "could not be trusted with sensitive information," citing a Justice Department inquiry into Biden's storage of classified files. The investigation concluded that while criminal charges were not necessary, it characterized Biden as having a poor memory, a portrayal Biden rejected.
The former president, who recently signed with a talent agency after leaving office last month, did not immediately respond to Trump's decision. In 2021, Biden had denied Trump access to classified intelligence briefings, an unprecedented move, due to concerns about Trump's "erratic behavior" even prior to the January 6th Capitol riot.
Since returning to office, Trump has taken additional steps to revoke security clearances and protections of officials linked to the Biden administration. These actions include revoking the clearance and detail of former top US military commander and Trump critic Mark Milley, whose conduct has been ordered to be investigated by the new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Trump also revoked the security detail of Dr. Anthony Fauci, who led the US COVID-19 response, stating everyone couldn't have lifelong security protection due to government service.
Furthermore, Trump has revoked security protection for some of his former officials, including ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton. The president also revoked the security clearances of dozens of former intelligence officials, including two ex-CIA directors, who signed a 2020 letter suggesting reports about Hunter Biden's laptop were a Russian hoax, although the computer and its data were later verified as authentic.
