WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump announced on Friday the revocation of former President Joe Biden's security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings, citing what he described as payback for Biden's actions against him two years prior. This latest decision reinforces Trump's narrative of retaliation against perceived rivals, as he openly declared, “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,” on his Truth Social platform.
Trump's decision arrives shortly after he arrived at his Mar-a-Lago residence for the weekend, during which he expressed his stance on Biden's intelligence access. He asserted, “He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents.” This statement underlines Trump's perspective on the former presidents' tradition of receiving intelligence briefings.
While Biden's camp has remained largely silent on Trump's latest move, it casts light on the simmering tensions between the two parties. Back in 2021, shortly after taking office, Biden decided to cut off Trump's intelligence briefings, citing concerns over Trump’s credible behavior following the January 6 Capitol riots, which Biden described as erratic. At the time, Biden said, “I just think there is no need for him to have the intelligence briefings. 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?”
Trump's revocation of Biden's security status mirrors previously established actions, as he has removed security clearances from dozens of former intelligence officials who criticized him during and after the 2020 election. These officials have often faced backlash when they signed letters questioning the integrity of Trump's ties to Russia and other allegations.
According to Trump, the rationale behind revoking Biden's access also stemmed from the findings of special counsel Robert Hur, who investigated Biden's handling of classified documents. Trump referenced the report, alleging it concluded Biden suffered from “poor memory” and could not be trusted with sensitive information, highlighting the contentious political environment both men inhabit. “The Hur Report revealed...could not be trusted with sensitive information,” Trump stated emphatically, fueling discontent and division along partisan lines.
Trump's returning to political relevance has been coupled with dramatic retributions against his critics. Since taking office, he has also retracted security clearances from notable figures, including former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former national security adviser John Bolton, both of whom have publicly noted their discontent with the Trump administration.
Throughout this back-and-forth between Trump and Biden, the traditional protocols of presidential biographies have come under scrutiny. While access to classified information has made former presidents national security insiders, it is technically at the sitting president's sole discretion whether to provide security clearance. This means Trump retains legal machinery to withhold Biden’s access even as it draws severe political ramifications.
With the country caught between Democratic and Republican tensions, Trump's latest action serves not just as political theater but as emblematic of how the clearing of intelligence pathways might have consequences for national discourse. It raises questions over security, ethics, and the complexity of alliances even after presidential terms have ended, as the dynamics between ex-presidents continue to play out on the national stage.
Given the tensions surrounding these perpetual political games, Biden has previously expressed hesitance about Trump's involvement with national security, which remains one of the most sensitive subjects for Americans. “I just think there’s no need for...the intelligence briefing,” Biden reiterated at the time, illustrating his reluctance to allow Trump any opportunity to leak important information.
With Trump's pronouncements continuing to provoke, the question remains how this dynamic will evolve not just for Biden and Trump, but for how former administrations interact moving forward. What could be told through the lens of security clearance revocations is as important as the conversations occurring behind closed doors as former leaders engage with each other and with the public.
This development is part of the broader narrative encompassing Trump's return to the political scene, increasingly reminiscent of his former presidencies. Emulating the mantra he established, Trump remains adamant: “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED!” underscoring his intent to fortify his actions against Biden and future potential rivals.
Despite the categorical shifts and emotive language surrounding national security, the implication for typical democratic processes and transitioning power stands unaddressed. While there might be short-term satisfaction for Trump's supporters, these machinations pose long-term challenges to the integrity of governance and public trust.