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In a sweeping move, President Donald Trump issued a Friday night memo revoking security clearances and classified information access for several former high-ranking officials, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and other prominent figures.
“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information,” the executive memo states.
Trump ordered all executive departments and agencies to revoke any active security clearances held by the named individuals and immediately block their access to classified briefings and secure government facilities unless escorted.
Who Is Affected?
The 15 individuals named in the directive include:
- Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State
- Kamala Harris, former Vice President
- Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, former Republican lawmakers
- Antony Blinken, former Secretary of State
- Jake Sullivan, former National Security Adviser
- Letitia James, New York Attorney General
- All members of the Biden family
Many of these figures have been outspoken critics of Trump, and some were involved in investigations or policies opposed by his administration.
Existing Security Revocations
Many of the individuals listed had already lost their security clearances earlier this month under an order by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Clinton, for example, voluntarily withdrew her clearance in 2018, though it is unclear if it was later reinstated.
Escalating Security Moves
This latest action follows Trump’s February decision to revoke former President Joe Biden’s access to intelligence briefings. Earlier this week, Trump terminated Secret Service protection for Biden’s two adult children, Hunter and Ashley Biden.
Additionally, one of Trump’s first executive actions in January was to strip security clearances from at least 50 former intelligence officials who had signed a 2020 letter questioning the legitimacy of Hunter Biden’s laptop contents, suggesting they had the “classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”
Political and Security Implications
The move to revoke security clearances for former officials—particularly those who previously held top national security roles—has sparked concerns about political retaliation and the long-term implications for access to intelligence in future administrations.
Representatives for Clinton and Harris did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
As Trump continues to reshape security policies, the decision is likely to fuel further political divisions in Washington, particularly as his administration takes increasingly aggressive steps against former officials associated with the Biden administration.
