Donald Trump Revokes Security Clearances and Details of Political Opponents
President Donald Trump has swiftly implemented a series of executive orders on immigration, foreign policy, gender-affirming care, national security, and more. In a groundbreaking decision, he issued an executive order revoking the security clearances of approximately 50 former intelligence officials.
Trump stated that the clearances were revoked because the individuals had penned a 2020 open letter suggesting that Russia was involved in spreading allegations about Joe Bidenâs son to influence the election outcome.
Trump also revoked the security clearance of his former national security advisor, John Bolton, alleging that Bolton disclosed sensitive security information in his memoir. Bolton, however, denies that any of the information compromised national security.
Security Details of High Profile Opponents Also Get the Boot
In addition to revoking Boltonâs security clearance, Trump also terminated Secret Service protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and General Mark Milley.
Milley, a former US general who Trump nominated as the nation’s top military officer in 2018, saw his standing decline toward the end of Trumpâs first administration. He reportedly referred to Trump as a âfascistâ and âwannabe dictator,â while Trump, in turn, accused him of treason.
On his final day in office, Former president Joe Biden issued a pardon to Milley, shielding him from criminal and military prosecution. However, the pardon does not prevent an inspector general investigation, which could potentially result in a reduction of Milleyâs rank.
Ramifications of Trumpâs Retribution
Trumpâs critics argue that revoking security clearances and canceling secret service protection does not serve national security interests but is instead an act of political retaliation. Additionally, Democrats worry that such retribution may discourage senior military officials from doing their jobs properly, as they will be afraid of incurring Trumpâs wrath should they go against him.
Beyond the political implications of Trumpâs new orders, revoking security details raises concerns about the physical safety of those affected. Milley and several other senior military officials were assigned security details after Iran vowed retaliation for their role in the 2020 strike that killed top Iranian commander Qassem Soleimani, an operation carried out under Trumpâs orders.
Two prominent Republican senators, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a long-time Trump supporter, have joined Democrats in calling for the reinstatement of security details.
Both have voiced concerns that the Iranian threat remains ongoing, and removing the security details of those targeted puts their lives at risk while also complicating future military recruitment efforts.
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