President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances for several of his political rivals, including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in a presidential memo issued late Friday.
“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information,” Trump wrote in the directive, which named 15 individuals.
The list also included Secretary of State under Biden, Antony Blinken, former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who led a civil fraud case against Trump.
It is unclear what formal level of access some of the individuals currently held. The move follows earlier remarks from Trump in February, when he said he intended to revoke Biden’s clearance.
National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard confirmed on 10 March that access for Blinken, James, and others had already been rescinded under Trump’s instructions.
Trump said the decision applies not only to classified material but also bars the individuals from unescorted entry to secure government facilities.
The memo specifies that the order covers access derived from prior congressional roles and executive appointments, closing a practice where former officials were occasionally consulted on national security issues.
In 2021, then-President Biden denied Trump access to classified intelligence, citing concerns about his “erratic behaviour.” Until then, former presidents had often received briefings as a courtesy, though without formal clearances.
In a separate move earlier this week, Trump withdrew Secret Service protection for Biden’s children, Hunter and Ashley. The decision was sharply criticised by opponents, who described it as politically motivated.
Trump’s sweeping order underscores an ongoing shift in norms surrounding post-office privileges and marks a deepening of partisan divisions over national security policy.
