Trump revokes security clearances for top diplomat, security official under Biden

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida - US President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances for Mr Antony Blinken, the former secretary of state, and Mr Jake Sullivan, the former national security adviser, White House officials said on Feb 8.

The move came a day after Mr Trump said he had revoked the security clearance for his predecessor Joe Biden, stopping his access to daily intelligence briefings.

Mr Trump also revoked security clearances for Mr Biden’s deputy attorney-general Lisa Monaco, who helped coordinate the Department of Justice’s response to the Jan 6, 2021, attacks on the US Capitol, the officials said.

He also removed the clearances of the New York Attorney-General Letitia James and Manhattan district attorney Alvin Bragg who led cases against Mr Trump, the officials said.

While the revocations may not have immediate impacts, it is another sign of the growing rift in Washington.

Former US presidents have traditionally received intelligence briefings so they can advise incumbent presidents on national security and foreign policy.

In 2021, Mr Biden revoked the security clearance for Mr Trump, who was then a former president.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth in January revoked the personal security detail and security clearance for General Mark Milley, a retired Army general and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Gen Milley, who served as the top US military officer during some of Mr Trump’s first presidential term, became a leading critic of him after retiring as a four-star general in 2023 during Mr Biden’s administration.

Many of Mr Biden’s diplomats had worked with incoming Mr Trump officials in the weeks before Jan 20, when Mr Trump took office, on issues including Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Mr Blinken could not be immediately reached for comment. REUTERS