US President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and ending his access to intelligence briefings, calling it a direct response to Biden’s decision to do the same to him in 2021.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “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. He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the intelligence community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (me!) from accessing details on national security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents. The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from “poor memory” and, even in his “prime,” could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our national security — Joe, you’re fired. Make America Great Again!”
Trump added that Biden had set the precedent by instructing the intelligence community to cut off Trump’s access after leaving office.
Biden revoked Trump’s intelligence briefings in 2021, citing concerns over his “erratic behaviour” following the January 6 Capitol attack.
At the time, Biden questioned whether Trump could be trusted with sensitive information and was quoted by CBS News saying, “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?”.
Now, Trump is citing similar concerns over Biden’s cognitive abilities. In his post, Trump referenced special counsel Robert Hur’s report on Biden’s handling of classified documents, which described the 82-year-old’s memory as “poor” and “faulty”.
Trump’s decision follows a series of similar moves targeting officials who have opposed him. He previously revoked security clearances of more than 50 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter suggesting the Hunter Biden laptop story had hallmarks of Russian disinformation. According to AP, he also rescinded security details for former officials, including ex-secretary of state Mike Pompeo and Dr Anthony Fauci.
By US law, the sitting president has full discretion over whether former presidents receive intelligence briefings. While such access has traditionally been extended as a courtesy, Biden’s 2021 decision marked a break from precedent, which Trump is now following.
