Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Clinton, Harris, and Others
In a late-night memorandum on Friday, former President Donald Trump rescinded existing security clearances and access to classified information for a group of former officials, including ex-Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Kamala Harris.
Executive Order Cites National Interest
The executive memo stated, “I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information.” It further directed “every executive department and agency head to take all additional action as necessary and consistent with existing law to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals and to immediately rescind their access to classified information.”
No Immediate Comment from Clinton and Harris Representatives
Representatives for both Harris and Clinton did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday evening.
Broader Restrictions on Access
The directive specifies that the named individuals – a total of 15 – will be denied access to classified briefings and restricted from entering secure U.S. government facilities without supervision.
List of Officials Impacted
Among those listed in the order are prominent figures such as:
- Former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger
- Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken
- Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
- New York Attorney General Letitia James
- Members of the Biden family
Past Clearance Revocations
It is noted that numerous individuals included in Trump’s memo had already had their security clearances revoked earlier in the month by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.
Clinton’s Clearance History
The State Department previously indicated in 2018 that Clinton, who was defeated by Trump in the 2016 presidential election, had her security clearance withdrawn at her own request that year. It remains unclear whether her clearance was subsequently reinstated.
Biden’s Intelligence Access
Trump had previously announced in February that he was terminating former President Joe Biden’s access to intelligence information.
Secret Service Detail for Biden’s Children
Earlier in the week, Trump also stated his intention to end Secret Service protection for President Biden’s adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden.
Earlier Actions on Intelligence Officials
Notably, among the initial actions taken at the start of January, Trump rescinded the security clearances of at least 50 former intelligence officials who had signed a letter during the 2020 campaign. That letter suggested that materials from a laptop purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden bore the “classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”