President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearance of former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan, the White House said, denying the frequent critic of the President any access to sensitive information, The Hill reported.
“Historically, former heads of intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been allowed to retain access to classified information after their government service so that they can consult with their successors,” press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, reading a statement from Trump.
“At this point in my administration, any benefits that senior officials might glean from consultations with Mr. Brennan are now outweighed by the risk posed by his erratic conduct and behavior,” she quoted Trump as saying.
Sanders accused Brennan of “lying” and “wild outbursts.”
She also claimed Mr. Brennan had “leveraged his status” to make unfounded allegations.
Mr Brennan has since fired a broadside of his own, attacking moves to isolate Trump’s opponents as an attempt to suppress freedom of speech.
“It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent.”
The former CIA director told MSNBC that revoking his security clearance was “an abuse of power.”
“I’m expressing my concern about what I think is a politically motivated action by Mr. Trump,” he said. “I do believe that Mr. Trump decided to take this action, as he’s done with others, to try and intimidate or suppress any criticism of him or his administration. Revoking my security clearances is his way of trying to get back at me. But I think I have tried to voice the concerns of millions of Americans about Mr Trump’s failures, in terms of fulfilling the responsibilities of that sacred and solemn office of the presidency.”
Following the US President’s summit last month with Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Mr. Brennan, who headed the CIA under President Barack Obama, described Mr. Trump’s behavior as “nothing short of treasonous.”
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