Former President Donald Trump has announced that he is revoking former President Joe Biden’s access to intelligence briefings, marking a significant move in the ongoing political rivalry between the two leaders. This decision, made public on Friday, stems from Trump’s assertion that there is "no need" for Biden to retain his security clearances. Trump’s announcement comes as a response to Biden’s previous decision to revoke Trump’s access to classified information after he left office.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed his frustration, stating that Biden had set a precedent in 2021 when he directed the Intelligence Community to deny Trump access to national security details, a privilege typically extended to former presidents. Trump further criticized Biden’s reliability with sensitive information, referencing a report by special counsel Robert Hur that described Biden’s memory as "fuzzy" and noted his difficulty recalling significant dates, including those related to his late son Beau and his tenure as vice president.
Adding a touch of his characteristic flair, Trump concluded his announcement with a nod to his reality TV past, declaring in capital letters, "JOE, YOU’RE FIRED." This statement was echoed by Steven Cheung, the White House director of communications, who shared Trump’s post on social media with a similar sentiment.
Traditionally, former presidents have received intelligence briefings at their request, but such access is granted at the discretion of the sitting president. Notably, Biden had previously stated that he believed Trump should not have access to intelligence briefings due to his actions surrounding the 2020 election and the subsequent Capitol riot on January 6, 2021. In an interview shortly after taking office, Biden questioned the value of providing Trump with such briefings, expressing concern that Trump might inadvertently disclose sensitive information.
This latest development is part of a broader pattern during Trump’s presidency, where he has stripped security clearances from various critics and rivals, including military leaders and intelligence officials who opposed him. Trump’s administration has also revoked the security details of former allies who fell out of favor, showcasing a willingness to use access to classified information as a tool in his political arsenal.
As of now, Biden has not publicly responded to Trump’s revocation of his intelligence access. The political landscape continues to be charged as both leaders navigate the ramifications of their actions and the ongoing tensions that define their relationship.