The Seattle Times
WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he revoked the
security clearances of several former Democratic officials and legal authorities, following his
decision earlier in the week to do the same for former President Joe Biden.
In an exclusive interview with the New York Post, Trump stated that the move was intended to
“punish” eight high-profile Democrats by preventing them from accessing classified information
or entering federal facilities. The officials include: Antony Blinken, Biden’s Secretary of State,
Letitia James, New York Attorney General, Alvin Bragg, Manhattan District Attorney, Jake
Sullivan, former National Security Adviser, Lisa Monaco, Biden’s Deputy Attorney General, as
well as Andrew Weissmann, Mark Zaid, and Norm Eisen, lawyers involved in Trump-related
investigations.
Trump’s decision follows Biden’s 2021 move to revoke his predecessor’s security clearance,
citing concerns about Trump’s “erratic behavior” and the potential for disclosing sensitive
information. While former presidents typically retain access to intelligence briefings, Trump
claimed in a Friday post that Biden deliberately blocked him from receiving national security
updates after leaving office.
Letitia James and Alvin Bragg have both led legal efforts against Trump. James successfully
pursued a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump’s real estate company, resulting in a judgment
exceeding $500 million, which Trump is currently appealing. Bragg prosecuted Trump in the
hush money case involving Stormy Daniels, leading to a conviction on 34 counts of falsifying
business records. Trump has maintained his innocence and is also appealing that case.
James is additionally spearheading a new lawsuit against Trump’s Department of Government
Efficiency (DOGE) over its access to sensitive Treasury Department payment systems.
Trump told the Post that revoking security clearances would strip the officials of their ability to
enter federal buildings, including U.S. attorney’s offices in New York. However, the Post
characterized the move as largely symbolic, as most of those named do not rely on security
clearances for their current roles.