Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard Revokes Security Clearances of 37 US Intelligence Officials
37 US intelligence officials, including the former CIA director, John Brennan, and the former director of national intelligence, James Clapper, are no longer authorized to retain their security clearances, according to a letter sent out by Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard. The move is an unprecedented step that is likely to increase the tension between President Trump and the intelligence community. Representative Gabbard, who serves on the House Homeland Security and Foreign Affairs Committees, stated that the officials' clearances were revoked as quick response to their public comments and political opposition to the Trump administration, which she claims creates a security risk. Brennan and Clapper have been vocal critics of the president, with Brennan having directly accused Trump of treason. Representative Gabbard's letter reads, "You, in particular, have demonstrated such disregard for the law, and such an inability to separate your own political views from intelligence analysis, that you are unwilling or unable to protect the safety of our nation. I feel it is therefore necessary to revoke your security clearance and to inform my colleagues in Congress of your conduct.
Former Officials Respond
In a joint statement, former officials who had their clearances revoked said that they plan to appeal the decision, and they believe it is a political act by the administration to silence dissent and punish them for speaking out about the president's misconduct. It is still unclear whether the president has the legal authority to withdraw security clearances from these former officials.
