President Donald Trump on Saturday revoked security clearances for several prominent figures, including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The White House stated that Monaco played a key role in the Department of Justice’s response to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, while James and Bragg pursued legal cases against Trump. This decision followed Trump’s revocation of former President Joe Biden’s security clearance, citing Biden’s own decision to revoke Trump’s access upon taking office and a 2024 report by special counsel Robert Hur on Biden’s handling of classified information.
Traditionally, former presidents have been granted access to top-level classified information and daily intelligence briefings to stay informed on national security matters and provide counsel when needed. However, Biden’s earlier decision to deny Trump access to briefings due to the Capitol riot set a precedent now mirrored by Trump’s actions. The move underscores the ongoing political tension between the two leaders, marking a significant departure from past practices regarding security clearances for former presidents and key officials.