Donald Trump has expressed his reasons for why Joe Biden should not be entrusted with sensitive information after Biden’s security clearance was revoked, preventing him from attending intelligence briefings.
Although former presidents of the United States are generally granted access to classified intelligence briefings as a matter of courtesy, Trump’s recent decision marks a departure from this tradition.
Donald Trump, the 47th President of the United States, announced earlier this week that former President Joe Biden would no longer have the security clearance necessary to attend such meetings.
In a message shared on Truth Social on February 7, Trump stated that there was “no need” for Biden to maintain access to classified information. Consequently, the government would “immediately” revoke Biden’s security clearances and cease his daily intelligence briefings.
Trump attributed this action to a precedent he claimed was set by Biden in 2021, alleging that Biden had directed the Intelligence Community to deny Trump, the 45th President, access to national security details, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents.
Trump further elaborated on his reasoning, suggesting that Biden cannot be trusted with sensitive information.
The post by Trump continued: “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 – JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
This “poor memory” comment refers to a report by special counsel Robert Hur from February of the previous year, which described Biden as a “well-meaning, elderly man” with a “poor memory,” citing an incident where Biden allegedly struggled to recall the year his son Beau passed away from cancer, according to the BBC.
At that time, Biden denied these claims, asserting to reporters: “I’m well-meaning, and I’m an elderly man, and I know what the hell I’m doing.” A transcript later indicated that Biden was not directly questioned about the timing of his son’s passing.
The revocation of security clearance is not limited to Biden. Trump signed an executive order aimed at “holding former government officials accountable for election interference and improper disclosure of sensitive government information.”
The order mandates the revocation of any active or current security clearances held by individuals including “the former intelligence officials who engaged in misleading and inappropriate political coordination with the 2020 Biden presidential campaign; and John R. Bolton.”
Others who have had their security clearance revoked include former top US military commander Mark Milley, who has criticized Trump, former chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci, along with Trump’s own former National Security Advisor John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.