President Donald Trump has decided to revoke security clearances from his previously defeated Democratic election rivals, Kamala Harris and Hillary Clinton,as well as a number of other former officials and critics.
In February, the president said he was revoking security clearance for his predecessor Joe Biden. His order confirmed that decision, adding that he was also revoking the security clearance of “any other member” of the Biden family.
“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information,” President Trump’s memorandum read.
Former US presidents and top security officials usually keep their security clearance as a courtesy.
Donald Trump ordered department and agency leaders to “revoke unescorted access to secure United States government facilities for these individuals.”
“This action includes, but is not limited to, receipt of classified briefings, such as the President’s Daily Brief, and access to classified information held by any member of the intelligence community by virtue of the named individuals’ previous tenure in the Congress,” the order stated.
For several named figures, the loss of access to classified material and spaces will have a more symbolic impact.
It may limit the materials they are able to review, or restrict access to some government buildings or secure facilities.
The lawyers and prosecutors named by Donald Trump, however, could potentially face roadblocks in accessing or reviewing information for their cases or clients.
Donald Trump’s revocations focus on top Biden administration officials, as well as prominent political critics and attorneys who have challenged Trump or his allies in court.
Joe Biden’s secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, and deputy attorney general Lisa Monaco all lost their clearances.
President Trump also targeted two of his own former officials from his first term: Fiona Hill and Alexander Vindman, who testified during his first impeachment trial that began in 2019.
He also revoked access for high-profile Republican critics, former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
They were the only two Republican lawmakers who joined a House investigation into Donald Trump’s role in the January 6, 2021, attack on Congress.
Both also voted to charge Donald Trump in his second impeachment, which a Democratic-led US House of Representatives instigated after the riot. Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate on the charge of inciting the January 6 riot.
He has also singled out top legal opponents in his latest decision on security access. His order revoked clearance for New York attorney general Letitia James, who brought multiple lawsuits against Trump and his businesses.
Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted and won Donald Trump’s criminal hush money case in 2024, also lost his clearance.
