President Biden terminated his predecessor President Trump’s security clearance or classified briefings shortly after taking office in 2021 on account of the latter’s role in the January 7 attack on the US Capitol to prevent a joint sitting of US Congress from certifying Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
US President Donald Trump has revoked his predecessor Joe Biden’s security clearance, barring him from receiving classified intelligence briefings in what appears to be a direct response to his own 2021 exclusion.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” Trump wrote on Truth Social on Friday. “Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s security clearances and stopping his daily intelligence briefings.”
Trump justified the move by pointing to Biden’s decision to strip him of similar access in 2021. “He set this precedent when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing National Security details,” he wrote.
The former president also referenced the recent Hur Report, which raised concerns about Biden’s memory, arguing that even in his “prime,” Biden could not be trusted with sensitive information.
“JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” Trump added.
Traditionally, former US Presidents receive classified briefings on a limited basis, mainly before major foreign trips, speeches on foreign policy, or meetings with world leaders. However, Biden revoked Trump’s access in early 2021, citing his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
At the time, Biden questioned the value of briefing Trump, telling CBS News, “What value is there in giving him an intelligence briefing?”
Since returning to the White House in January, Trump has removed security clearances for several former officials, including retired General Mark Milley, who once described him as “fascist to the core,” and over 50 former intelligence officials who dismissed reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation.
The security clearances of Trump’s former allies-turned-rivals, such as ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former National Security Adviser John Bolton, have also been revoked.
