Trump Revokes Biden’s Intelligence Briefings in Retaliation Move
Former President Donald Trump has announced the revocation of Former President Joe Biden’s access to classified intelligence, citing a precedent set by Biden in 2021.
Trump’s Announcement
On Friday, shortly after arriving at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, Trump made the declaration via his social media platform.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s security clearances and stopping his daily intelligence briefings.” — Donald Trump
Trump justified the decision as payback, referring to Biden’s 2021 order that blocked Trump’s access to intelligence briefings after leaving office.
Background: Biden’s 2021 Decision on Trump
In 2021, Biden revoked Trump’s intelligence briefings due to concerns about his behavior following the 2020 election and his role in the January 6 Capitol riot.
In an interview with CBS News at the time, Biden expressed concerns about Trump’s access to classified information:
“What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?” — Joe Biden
Trump’s Recent Actions Against Critics
Trump’s latest move is part of his broader effort to punish political opponents and critics. In recent months, he has:
- Revoked security clearances for over 50 former intelligence officials who suggested that the Hunter Biden laptop controversy resembled a “Russian information operation.”
- Stripped security details from former government officials, including:
- Mike Pompeo, his former Secretary of State, who faces threats from Iran.
- Dr. Anthony Fauci, the infectious disease expert who frequently clashed with Trump during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trump’s Classified Documents Controversy
Trump’s decision to revoke Biden’s briefings comes despite his own legal troubles related to classified documents. In 2022, federal agents searched Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home and seized boxes of classified records. He was later indicted on multiple felony counts for allegedly hoarding classified materials and obstructing the FBI’s recovery efforts.
A judge later dismissed the charges, ruling that the special counsel who brought the case was illegally appointed. The Justice Department did not appeal after Trump won re-election in November.
Firing the U.S. Archivist
In a related move, Trump also dismissed Colleen Shogan, the U.S. Archivist, according to White House aide Sergio Gor. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) had played a key role in flagging Trump’s classified document issues to the Justice Department.
Shogan, the first woman to serve in the role, was not in office at the time Trump’s records issue surfaced, but Trump had already vowed in early January to replace her.
Trump Cites Biden’s ‘Poor Memory’
Trump also referenced Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on Biden’s handling of classified materials, which noted Biden’s “poor memory” and suggested he struggled to recall key events, including when his son Beau Biden passed away or when he served as Vice President.
“The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information.” — Donald Trump
Trump ended his post with a signature catchphrase:
“I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!“
Legal Authority to Revoke Access
As the sitting president, Trump has full authority to determine whether a past president retains access to intelligence briefings. Biden had exercised this same authority in 2021.
Trump’s Team Reacts
Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, echoed the announcement on social media, quoting lyrics from Ray Charles’ song:
“Hit the road Jack and don’t you come back no more!”
