DNI Tulsi Gabbard Revokes Security Clearances from Former Officials, Including President Biden
Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has revoked the security clearance of former President Joe Biden, along with several other current and former officials. The move, announced on social media platform X, was carried out in accordance with a directive from President Donald Trump.
Gabbard’s statement read:
"Per @POTUS directive, I have revoked former President Joe Biden’s security clearance, and revoked clearances and access to classified information for Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, Fiona Hill, and Alexander Vindman."
This announcement marks a significant development in the current administration’s approach to managing access to classified materials among former government figures. The list of individuals includes former Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Representatives Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, and two former national security officials—Fiona Hill and Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman.
As Director of National Intelligence, Gabbard holds the authority to determine who may access classified materials based on national security considerations. The revocation of a former president’s clearance is highly unusual and underscores the degree of discretion exercised by the DNI under the president’s direction.
The individuals named have been involved in key moments in recent U.S. political history. Harris served as vice president under Biden; Clinton was a 2016 presidential candidate and secretary of state under the Obama administration; Cheney and Kinzinger served on the House January 6 Committee; Hill and Vindman were both witnesses in the first impeachment inquiry of then-President Trump.
Public response to the announcement has been mixed. Supporters argue that the revocations reflect a tightened national security posture, while critics contend that the decision could be interpreted as politically motivated. The action has sparked debate across news outlets and social media regarding the role of security clearances, their revocation procedures, and the precedent this may set for future administrations.
The directive and its implementation continue to prompt legal, political, and institutional discussions about the appropriate balance between access to intelligence, national security, and political impartiality.