President Donald Trump has announced the revocation of former President Joe Biden’s security clearance, cutting off his access to daily intelligence briefings.
Trump made the announcement on Friday, Feb. 7, via his social media platform, shortly after arriving at Mar-a-Lago for the weekend.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s security clearances and stopping his daily intelligence briefings,” Trump wrote.
Trump justified the move by referencing Biden’s decision in 2021 to block him from receiving intelligence briefings after leaving office, a courtesy traditionally extended to former presidents.
He also cited the special counsel report on Biden’s handling of classified documents, stating: “The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information.”
Trump concluded his post with a signature phrase: “I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump’s History of Revoking Clearances
This is not the first time Trump has stripped security clearances from former officials. In the past, he revoked access for more than four dozen intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter suggesting that the Hunter Biden laptop controversy bore the hallmarks of a “Russian information operation.”
He also removed security details assigned to protect critics, including his former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, who faces threats from Iran, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former infectious disease expert.
Biden’s 2021 Decision to Block Trump’s Briefings
Biden has yet to comment on the decision, but in 2021, he justified blocking Trump from receiving intelligence briefings after the January 6 Capitol riot, citing Trump’s “erratic” behavior as a national security risk.
In a CBS News interview, Biden questioned the necessity of providing Trump with classified information, stating: “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”
Trump’s Classified Documents Case
Trump himself faced scrutiny over classified records when federal agents searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in 2022, recovering boxes of classified documents. He was indicted on felony charges related to mishandling classified information but pleaded not guilty.
A judge later dismissed the charges, ruling that the special counsel’s appointment was illegal, and the Justice Department dropped appeals following Trump’s re-election.
What’s Next?
With Biden now cut off from intelligence briefings, the move adds another layer to the already tense political battle between the two leaders as the country gears up for the next election.
