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Donald Trump Revokes Security Clearances and Details

Donald Trump Revokes Security Clearances and Details

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 Biden’s 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 Bolton’s 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 Trump’s first administration. He reportedly referred to Trump as a “fascist” and “wannabe dictator,” 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  Milley’s rank. 

Ramifications of Trump’s Retribution

Trump’s 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 Trump’s wrath should they go against him. 

Beyond  the political implications  of Trump’s 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 Trump’s 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.