Tulsi Gabbard, the Director of National Intelligence, announced the revocation of security clearances for 37 current and former U.S. officials, alleging they politicized intelligence for personal gain. This directive, said to be backed by President Donald Trump, targets individuals who served under Democratic presidents, including Joe Biden and Barack Obama.
In a memo shared on social media, Gabbard emphasized that being granted security clearance is a privilege, warning those who prioritize their interests over national duty have breached public trust. Clearances are crucial for accessing sensitive information and sometimes necessary for roles in the private sector, particularly in defense.
While Gabbard's memo highlighted the revocations as necessary to uphold integrity in intelligence, it did not specify individual charges. This action follows similar past measures by the Trump administration against high-profile figures, including Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris, amidst ongoing debates over intelligence assessments regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Democrats have criticized this latest move as politically motivated, dismissing claims as distractions from pressing issues facing the administration and Trump's controversy-laden history. A spokesperson for Obama described the allegations as a bizarre attempt to deflect attention from a turbulent political landscape.
