Washington, D.C. – U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday followed through on his threat to revoke the security clearances of his predecessor, Joe Biden, and several high-profile former White House and national security officials.
The list of individuals stripped of their access to classified information includes Biden, his family members, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who was Trump’s Democratic rival in the last presidential election. Other notable names include former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Biden’s Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan.
In a memorandum distributed by the White House communications office, Trump ordered executive department and agency heads to enforce the revocations immediately.
“I hereby direct every executive department and agency head … to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals,” the president stated.
He also ordered the withdrawal of unescorted access to secure government facilities for those on the list.
Traditionally, former presidents and senior officials retain security clearances as a courtesy, often aiding them in advisory roles or private sector employment. However, Trump, who has persistently alleged that Biden stole the 2020 election, has taken an unprecedented step in denying his predecessor such access.
Trump’s decision comes despite his own history of security breaches. He was previously investigated for mishandling classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort, though the probe concluded after his return to office.
The move predominantly targets figures from Biden’s Democratic administration but also includes Republican critics, such as former lawmaker Liz Cheney. Among the affected officials are Fiona Hill, a former intelligence analyst who served under multiple administrations, and Alexander Vindman, a retired Army officer who raised concerns over Trump’s dealings with Russia.
The revocation of security clearances could impact the careers of those affected, particularly in advisory or consulting roles requiring classified access. It also marks a significant departure from previous presidential norms, further escalating tensions between Trump and his political rivals.
As the administration implements the directive, the affected officials have yet to publicly respond to the decision.
