US: Donald Trump pulls security clearance for Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, cites, ‘no longer in national interest’

On Good Friday, US President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to revoke the security clearances of his predecessor, Joe Biden, and several senior former White House and national security officials.

As reported by AFP, the individuals whose access to classified information was revoked included Biden, his family members, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who had been Trump’s opponent in the presidential race.

Also, on the list were former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, as well as Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.

Also Read: Bill Clinton’s top 12 golden rules of politics – Practical, witty, and eye-opening

In a memorandum to agency heads and distributed by the White House communications office, Trump said the named officials should no longer be allowed access to classified material.

“I hereby direct every executive department and agency head … to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals,” Trump said.

“I also direct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States Government facilities from these individuals.”

Former US presidents and national security officials traditionally retain a security clearance as a courtesy, and some find it useful in seeking employment with private contractors.

Also Read: Kamala Harris emerges as clear frontrunner for 2028 Democratic Party nomination: New poll

Despite losing the 2020 election, Donald Trump, who continues to falsely claim that Joe Biden conspired to steal the election, remains enraged with his predecessor and regularly attacks him, AFP reported.

Trump himself was investigated for violating security protocols after his first term, due to his storing of classified White House documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort during the period between his first and second terms.

I hereby direct every executive department and agency head … to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals.

The investigation into Trump’s handling of classified documents was closed after he returned to office. Many of the individuals on Trump’s list were prominent political appointees from his Democratic predecessor’s administration.

However, former Republican lawmaker and outspoken Trump critic Liz Cheney was also included.

Fiona Hill, a British-born intelligence analyst who worked under both Democratic and Republican administrations, including as an advisor in Trump’s White House, was also targeted. She is joined by her former colleague, Alexander Vindman, a retired senior officer in the US Army from Kyiv, who became a target of Trump after raising concerns about White House interactions with Russia.

(This is a developing story)

(With inputs from agencies)