URGENT
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has made the decision to revoke the security clearance of former President Joe Biden and halt his daily intelligence briefings as a form of retaliation against his political opponents.
Trump announced on Friday that Biden no longer required access to classified information and justified his actions by pointing to a similar move made by the Democrat during his tenure.
“This precedent was set in 2021, when the Intelligence Community (IC) was directed to prevent the 45th President of the United States (MYSELF!) from accessing National Security details, a courtesy usually extended to former Presidents,” Trump stated in a message on Truth Social.
Trump also raised doubts about Biden’s ability to handle sensitive information, referring to a report by special counsel Robert Hur that portrayed the Democrat’s memory as unreliable and limited.
In a nod to his famous catchphrase from “The Apprentice” TV show, Trump added in capital letters: “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED.”
Biden has not responded to Trump’s actions as of now.
Shortly after assuming office, Biden expressed his belief that Trump should not receive intelligence briefings due to his attempts to reverse the outcome of the 2020 election, ultimately leading to the January 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol.
“I don’t see any reason for him to receive intelligence briefings,” Biden stated in an interview with CBS News. “What benefit does it serve to give him such information? What impact does he have, besides the risk of revealing sensitive details?”
Former US presidents have traditionally been granted intelligence briefings, but the decision to provide access lies solely with the sitting president.
Trump faced four criminal charges related to his efforts to challenge the election results, including conspiracy to defraud the US and conspiracy against citizens’ rights, before the case was dropped following his re-election.
During his administration, Trump revoked the security clearances of numerous critics and adversaries, such as Mark Milley, a retired army general who privately labeled the Republican as “fascist to the core,” and over 50 former intelligence officials who signed a letter incorrectly claiming that emails from Hunter Biden’s laptop were part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
