On Friday, former President Donald Trump announced that he is revoking Joe Biden’s security clearance and halting his daily intelligence briefings. This move, Trump said, is in retaliation for Biden’s decision to block Trump from receiving similar briefings after he left office in 2021.
In a post on his social media platform, Trump explained his decision shortly after arriving at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach. It has long been customary for former presidents to continue receiving intelligence briefings, yet Trump revealed that Biden had used his position to instruct the intelligence community to withhold critical national security information from him after taking office.
When Biden assumed the presidency in January 2021, he publicly stated that he believed Trump should not have access to intelligence briefings due to his “erratic behavior” and concerns over the potential for Trump to leak sensitive information. In addition, after an FBI raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in 2022, which resulted in the seizure of classified documents, Trump faced numerous charges related to the unlawful retention of those materials. Trump has denied any wrongdoing, and the charges were later dismissed after the special counsel’s appointment was ruled illegal.
In his post on Friday, Trump pointed out that Biden’s access to intelligence briefings no longer serves a legitimate purpose. He emphasized that Biden had already shown his tendency to mishandle classified information and questioned the need for him to continue receiving such sensitive material. The post also referenced a report, which alleged that Biden struggles with memory issues and suggested that even at his best, he was unfit to handle classified data.
The decision follows a series of similar actions Trump has taken during his presidency. Shortly after taking office in 2017, Trump ordered the revocation of security clearances for dozens of former intelligence officials, many of whom had openly opposed him. Notably, former National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and other officials who were key figures in the Trump administration had their security details cut after leaving office, despite continuing threats against them.
Trump’s administration also saw a notable shift in how former officials were treated with regard to security protections. In one example, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revoked the security clearances of General Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and ordered an investigation into whether Milley should be demoted.
In addition to revoking Biden’s security clearance, Trump also issued an executive order to strip 51 former intelligence officials of their clearances. These individuals, including John Bolton, had signed a 2020 letter that falsely suggested the Hunter Biden laptop story was part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Trump’s order highlighted this misstep and labeled the signatories as complicit in spreading false information.
In his final remarks on the matter, Trump declared, “Joe, you’re fired. I will always prioritize our nation’s security, and I won’t allow anyone to undermine that mission.”
This bold action from Trump is yet another reminder that he is committed to putting America first—standing strong against those who undermine his presidency and working to protect national interests above all else.