Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of national intelligence, made headlines on Monday by announcing a significant move to revoke security clearances and restrict access to classified government information for several prominent officials and lawyers. This decision was reportedly made at the directive of President Donald Trump, who had previously expressed his intention to target those he deems ‘antagonists.’ Among those affected are Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Mark Zaid, Norman Eisen, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, Andrew Weissman, and the 51 signers of a letter related to Hunter Biden’s case. Additionally, former President Biden will no longer receive The President’s Daily Brief.
Mark Zaid, an attorney representing a CIA analyst involved in Trump’s 2019 impeachment over a controversial phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed concern about the lack of due process in this decision. He referenced Executive Order 12,968, which governs security clearances, questioning whether the proper procedures were followed.
In an exclusive interview earlier, Trump had indicated his plans to take such action against those he perceives as adversaries. This move has sparked debate over the implications for due process and the potential chilling effect on government transparency.
The individuals targeted include key figures in the Biden administration, such as Blinken and Sullivan, as well as legal professionals like James and Bragg, who have been involved in high-profile cases against Trump’s associates. Lisa Monaco, a prominent lawyer known for her work in national security, is also among those affected.
This decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the Trump loyalists and the Biden administration, with critics arguing that it sets a dangerous precedent for political interference in government operations.