Donald Trump has just revoked a significant privilege from Joe Biden—one that every past president has received—stating that Biden “could not be trusted.”Trump is determined to overturn many of his predecessor’s policies and usher in what he calls “the golden age of America” under his leadership.Now, in a clear rebuke to Biden, Trump has announced that he is revoking the former president’s security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings, asserting that Biden “can’t be trusted.”He wrote on his Truth Social platform: “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information.”
Donald Trump has revoked Joe Biden’s security clearance
“JOE, YOU’RE FIRED,” the Republican quipped, referencing his famous catchphrase from The Apprentice—a phrase he has frequently used while removing Biden-era government staff.Trump’s decision comes as he claims Biden did the same to him in 2021, marking the first time a former president was barred from receiving intelligence briefings.He wrote that Biden “set this precedent” when “he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents.”Trump also argued that Biden “could not be trusted with sensitive information,” citing an inquiry into the handling of classified documents that described the 82-year-old as having poor memory.He wrote: “The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security.”
Biden removed Trump from access in 2021
All former presidents are traditionally granted access to classified intelligence briefings as a courtesy, but Biden revoked Trump’s access in 2021.Biden cited Trump’s “erratic behavior” as the reason for the decision, stating: “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”Trump has also revoked security clearances for dozens of former intelligence officials, including ex-CIA directors, many of whom he accused of interfering in the 2020 election in favor of Biden.Among those affected is top U.S. military commander Mark Milley, a vocal critic of Trump.The new defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reportedly ordered an investigation into Milley’s “conduct” and a review of his military rank, according to the BBC.Additionally, former chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci has been stripped of access to security briefings. Fauci, who led the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic, was removed from access rights, which Trump described as a “very standard” procedure.
