Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made headlines on Friday night by revoking the security clearance of former President Joe Biden. This decision also extended to several other prominent figures, including former Vice President Kamala Harris and former Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
Gabbard announced the revocations via Twitter, stating that the action was taken under a directive from President Biden. The list of individuals whose clearances were revoked includes not only Biden and Harris but also Hillary Clinton, Adam Kinzinger, Fiona Hill, and Alexander Vindman. Notably absent from Gabbard’s announcement were former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, raising questions about the criteria used for these decisions.
The revocation of security clearances follows a White House memo issued last week that requested these actions. This move has sparked discussions about security protocols and the implications of such revocations, especially for individuals who have held high office and dealt with sensitive information.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions, with supporters of Gabbard praising her for taking a stand, while critics argue that it could undermine national security by limiting access to experienced individuals. As the political landscape continues to shift, the ramifications of these revocations will likely be a topic of debate in the coming days.
