Trump Has Revoked Former CIA Director John Brennan’s Security Clearance
Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Politics News John Brennan
President Trump has revoked former Obama administration CIA director John Brennan’s security clearance after Brennan’s harsh criticisms of Trump.
During a Wednesday press briefing, secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, “Mr. Brennan has a history that calls into question his objectivity and credibility.” She went on to say:
Historically, former heads of intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been allowed to retain access to classified information after their government service so that they can consult with their successors regarding matters about which they may have special insights and as a professional courtesy. Neither of these justifications supports Mr. Brennan’s continued access classified information.
Trump listed his reasons for stripping Brennan of security clearance:
Donald Trump’s list of accusations about John Brennan today:
“Erratic conduct and behaviour”“Frenzied commentary”“Wild outbursts on the internet and television”Monetizing his official position
– Told lies— Daniel Dale (@ddale8) August 15, 2018
Yes, those are really his accusations. Despite how ridiculous a projection that list is, Brennan does have a history of harshly criticizing Trump, which is extremely rare for a former CIA director. Here are a few of his recent jabs at Trump:
It’s astounding how often you fail to live up to minimum standards of decency, civility, & probity. Seems like you will never understand what it means to be president, nor what it takes to be a good, decent, & honest person. So disheartening, so dangerous for our Nation. https://t.co/eI9HaCec1m
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) August 14, 2018
Donald Trump’s press conference performance in Helsinki rises to & exceeds the threshold of “high crimes & misdemeanors.” It was nothing short of treasonous. Not only were Trump’s comments imbecilic, he is wholly in the pocket of Putin. Republican Patriots: Where are you???
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) July 16, 2018
Mr. Trump: Your hypocrisy knows no bounds. Jim Clapper is a man of integrity, honesty, ethics, & morality. You are not. Jim Clapper served his country for over a half century, including in Vietnam. You did not. By your words & behavior, you diminish the Office of the Presidency. https://t.co/bYlmZInDoM
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) April 28, 2018
In an April interview with NPR, Brennan defended his criticisms of Trump:
Mr. Trump is a very different person from anybody in my memory that was elected president of the United States. And the things that I said, I stand behind them. I think he is dishonest. He lacks integrity. He has very questionable ethics and morality. And he views the world through a prism of how it’s going to help Donald Trump. And I just think that he has not fulfilled the responsibilities of the president of the United States office.
Ultimately, his criticisms of Trump led to the revoking of his security clearance. Paul Ryan’s recently claimed that Trump was simply “trolling” people with threats of stripping their security clearance …
Remember: Paul Ryan said just last month that Trump is just “trolling people, honestly,” when he threatened to revoke the security clearances of his critics. (via CBS) pic.twitter.com/fLSoX3mf6U
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) August 15, 2018
… aaand he was wrong. Again.
However, Trump’s decision to revoke Brennan’s security clearance doesn’t come as a surprise after the White House announced plans to strip his clearance last month. At Wednesday’s press briefing, Sanders also released the names of other Trump critics from whom the White House plans to revoke security clearance:
.@PressSec says Trump is expanding list of critics he’s reviewing for security clearance revocations: James Clapper, James Comey, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bruce Ohr
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) August 15, 2018
UPDATE: Brennan has responded.
This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent. https://t.co/TNzOxhP9ux
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) August 15, 2018