In a bold move, President Donald Trump‘s administration announced the cancellation of security clearances for 37 current and former national security officials. The reason? They have allegedly engaged in the “politicization or weaponization of intelligence.” This is just one part of the ongoing attempt by the White House to target officials viewed as obstructive to their goals.
Earlier in March, Trump had already revoked the security clearances of several political adversaries, including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and other notable figures like Hillary Clinton and Liz Cheney.
Key Takeaways
In a memo shared on X, previously known as Twitter, Tulsi Gabbard made some intense allegations against the affected individuals, accusing them of manipulating classified information and breaching their ethical obligations. She emphasized that holding clearance is a privilege and that those who prioritize personal interests over the nation’s well-being have shattered the trust placed in them.
According to the memo, the individuals in question breached their responsibilities by using intelligence for personal and political agendas and failing to safeguard classified information. It highlights a pressing concern over the integrity and impartiality required in the intelligence community.
Among those having their clearances yanked are various names, including Andrew Cedar, Beth E. Sanner, and many others, all of whom are now stripped of access to classified materials and are facing immediate termination of contracts and employment.
The directive necessitates a prompt report to the Office of the Director of National Intelligence once the revocations are finalized. Interestingly, several of the officials had left the government years prior, many being part of the investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, which is a sore spot for the Trump administration.
Public Reactions
Tulsi Gabbard commented on X that the integrity of the intelligence community is vital to protecting American values and the public’s safety. She asserted that intelligence professionals must remain unbiased, factual, and uphold the truth in their duties.
Moreover, Gabbard underlined that these jobs come with noteworthy responsibilities. Any violation of standards may not only compromise given missions but can also jeopardize the safety of American citizens.
Mark Zaid, a national security lawyer who had his clearance rescinded by Trump, voiced his discontent, stating that such actions are not aligned with longstanding policies meant to prevent these kinds of aggressions.
