In a dramatic move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and several top national security officials, effectively cutting them off from classified information.
The decision, announced in a White House memorandum on Friday, also strips clearance from high-profile figures including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jacob Sullivan, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Even former Republican lawmaker and outspoken Trump critic Liz Cheney made the list.
“I hereby direct every executive department and agency head to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals,” Trump’s memo stated, further ordering the removal of their unescorted access to secure government facilities.
Traditionally, past presidents and senior officials retain security clearances as a courtesy, but Trump—who has repeatedly accused Biden of election fraud—appears to be taking an aggressive stance against his political adversaries.
The move is especially ironic given Trump’s own past security controversy. During the period between his first and second term, he was investigated for keeping classified White House documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort. However, that probe was dropped after he reassumed office.
The list also includes Fiona Hill, a British-born intelligence analyst who served under multiple administrations, and Alexander Vindman, a retired U.S. Army officer who clashed with Trump over concerns about White House dealings with Russia.
Trump’s decision has already sparked heated debate, with critics calling it a politically motivated purge, while his supporters argue it’s a necessary step to protect national security.
