White House officials said that former national security advisor Jake Sullivan and former secretary of state Antony Blinken had their security clearances revoked by US President Donald Trump, reports RTE.
The action was taken a day after Mr. Trump announced that he had denied his predecessor Joe Biden access to daily intelligence briefings by rescinding his security clearance.
Additionally, according to authorities yesterday, Mr. Trump revoked security clearances for Lisa Monaco, Mr. Biden’s Deputy Attorney General, who assisted in organising the Department of Justice’s response to the attacks on the US Capitol by Mr. Trump supporters on January 6, 2021, reports RTE.
They said that Mr. Trump also revoked the clearances of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who spearheaded prosecutions against Mr. Trump.
The revocations are another indication of the widening divide in Washington, even if they might not have an immediate effect. In order to assist current presidents on international and national security matters, former US presidents have historically been provided with intelligence briefings, reports RTE.
When Mr. Trump was a former president in 2021, Mr. Biden terminated his security clearance.
Last month, retired Army general and former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley’s personal security detail and security clearance were withdrawn by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, reports RTE.
After retiring as a four-star general in 2023 during Mr. Biden’s administration, Mr. Milley, who was the top US military official for a portion of Mr. Trump’s first term as president, turned became one of his most vocal opponents.
In the weeks leading up to Mr. Trump’s inauguration on January 20, several of Mr. Biden’s diplomats had collaborated with incoming Mr. Trump officials on matters such as Russia’s war in Ukraine, reports RTE.
It was not immediately possible to get in touch with Mr. Blinken for comment.
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