After his predecessor did the same to him four years ago, US President Donald Trump stated that he is revoking Joe Biden’s security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings.
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information.”
The Republican included a nod to his signature line from the reality TV series The Apprentice, saying, “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED.”
Trump has accused over four dozen former intelligence officials of interfering in the 2020 election in favor of Biden and has already revoked their security clearances.
Trump stated on Friday evening that Biden “established this precedent in 2021 when he directed the Intelligence Community (IC) to prevent the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing National Security details, a privilege extended to former Presidents”.
He stated that Biden “could not be trusted with sensitive information,” referencing a justice department investigation into the Democrat’s handling of classified files. This inquiry concluded that, although criminal charges were unwarranted, Biden had a poor memory.
According to the inquiry, Biden could not remember important life events, including the year his son Beau passed away and the time he served as Barack Obama’s vice president. At the time, Biden rejected that characterization.
The ex-president, who has stepped back from public attention since his recent departure from office, did not immediately react to Trump’s actions on Friday.
The BBC got in touch with Biden’s talent agency, which has recently signed him, but there was no immediate response.
Biden prevented Trump from getting classified intelligence briefings in 2021, marking the first instance of an ex-president being denied such information, which is usually provided as a courtesy.
He defended the action by stating that Trump was untrustworthy due to his “erratic behaviour”, even prior to the 2021 US Capitol riot, which Democrats blamed on Trump during the final days of his first term.
Federal agents found classified documents in Trump’s Florida residence in 2022, leading to charges against him for willfully retaining defense information. He entered a not guilty plea, and following his re-election, the case was eventually dropped.
Trump has moved to rescind the security clearances and protections of other senior officials associated with the Biden administration since returning to office.
Those whose security clearance and detail have been withdrawn include former high-ranking US military commander Mark Milley, who has openly criticized Trump.
Newly appointed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered an investigation into Milley’s “conduct” and a review of his military grade.
Trump has also removed the security detail of Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser to the president and leader of the US Covid-19 response.
Trump remarked at that time that the decision was “very standard” and noted that it wasn’t feasible for everyone who worked for the government to receive lifelong security protection.
Last month, he terminated security protection for his own former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and for his former National Security Adviser, John Bolton.
Additionally, the president has mandated the revocation of security clearances for dozens of former intelligence officials, which includes two former directors of the CIA.
In 2020, they endorsed a letter proposing that reports concerning a laptop belonging to Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, were part of a Russian hoax.
However, the computer was genuine; its wealth of data included proof of drug abuse, prostitution, and international business transactions.
