The move comes after Trump said in February that he had cancelled security clearances from his predecessor, Joe Biden. He confirmed the move in the latest announcement, adding that it has also revoked security clearances for the “other members” of the Biden family, the BBC reported.
“I have determined that it is no longer in national interest for the following individuals to access the classified information,” reads Trump’s memorandum.
Former US presidents and top security officials usually maintain security clearance as courtesy.
Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former Republican MPs Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger were also listed for those who lost their security clearance and Fiona Hill, the first Trump administration’s former Russian advisor.
Other names were Jake Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Mark Zaid, Norman Eisen, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, Andrew Weissman and Alexander Vindman.
Trump previously elicited security clearances from more than four dozen former Intelligence officers who accused him of interfering in the 2020 election without providing evidence.
In 2021, Biden – serving the then-president – banned his defeated rival Trump from accessing Intelligence briefings, citing his “unsteady behavior.”
MA/PR