Former President Donald Trump has taken significant action by revoking the security clearances of several prominent Democrats. This decision affects notable individuals such as former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who have been critical of Trump.
In a recent statement, Trump expressed his disapproval of Blinken, saying, “Bad guy. Take away his passes.” Blinken, who serves as President Biden’s Secretary of State, has drawn Trump’s ire over various issues during his administration.
Letitia James and Alvin Bragg have previously been involved in legal actions against Trump, particularly around prosecutions in New York. Recently, James’s office filed a lawsuit on behalf of 18 Democratic state attorneys general concerning the Department of Government Efficiency’s access to the Treasury Department’s payment system.
Along with Blinken, Trump also revoked the clearances of former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and several attorneys known for their opposition to Trump, such as Andrew Weissmann and Norm Eisen. Eisen has been involved in legal actions against Trump, including representing anonymous FBI agents seeking to block the identification of those involved in the January 6 investigations.
This decision follows Trump’s earlier action against President Biden, where he removed Biden’s security clearance and access to classified information. Trump justified this action by referencing concerns about Biden’s capability to handle sensitive information, citing a report that suggested Biden suffers from poor memory.
Trump framed his decisions as being driven by a desire to prioritize national security, stating, “I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” As the situation unfolds, many onlookers are weighing the implications of these actions in a politically charged atmosphere ahead of the 2024 elections.
