Tulsi Gabbard strips security clearances from 37 former and current intelligence officials

President Trump’s intelligence director is revoking the security clearances of more than three dozen former and current officials on claims they “abused the public trust” by manipulating or politicizing intelligence. Here’s what you need to know about the mass clearance revocations:

The clearance revocation announcement

Gabbard targets officials for alleged intelligence manipulation:

• Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said some officials leaked classified information without authorization
• “Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right,” Gabbard posted Tuesday on X
• “Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust”
• List detailed in memo included assortment of former Biden administration officials and handful of current officials

The employment termination directive

All government contracts and jobs terminated for targeted individuals:

• “Any contracts or employment with the U.S. government by these 37 individuals is hereby terminated,” Gabbard wrote in memo
• “Any credentials held by these individuals must be surrendered to the appropriate security officers”
• Officials will no longer be able to work at National Security Agency and intelligence agencies
• Move prevents continued access to classified information and government employment

The “deep state” purge effort

Action part of broader Trump administration strategy:

• Gabbard’s move part of aggressive efforts to root out so-called “deep state” officials that might not deliver on Trump’s agenda
• Coincides with renewed scrutiny of “Russiagate” episode in which Democrats and Trump opponents claimed 2016 campaign colluded with Moscow
• Special counsel Robert Mueller report found no criminal conspiracy between campaign and Russian actors
• Intelligence officials broadly concluded Russians meddled in 2016 contest, including hacking and leaking operation targeting Democratic officials

The Russia narrative examination

Trump takes issue with Russian interference conclusions:

• Trump takes umbrage at idea that Russians helped him win presidency
• Gabbard renewing efforts to examine how Russian-collusion narrative took hold
• Trump and team suggested former President Barack Obama and top officials engaged in “treason” after 2016 election
• Claim Obama officials used Russia narrative to undermine Trump’s first term

The potential criminal action

Current administration threatens prosecution:

• Current administration said those officials might face criminal action as part of their probe
• Have not tried to bring charges as of yet
• Obama spokesman said “bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction”
• Trump administration said serious concerns about how officials handled classified information and whether they selectively leaked it

The Democratic pushback claims

Opposition says move is distraction tactic:

• Democrats say Trump dredging up Russiagate to distract from issues like “Epstein files”
• Reference supposed set of government-held records related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein
• Epstein was underage sex trafficker who died in prison in 2019
• Suggest timing designed to divert attention from other controversies

The constitutional mission statement

Gabbard frames action as protecting American values:

• “Our Intelligence Community must be committed to upholding the values and principles enshrined in the U.S. Constitution”
• Claims need to “maintain a laser-like focus on our mission of ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people”
• Positions clearance revocations as necessary for national security integrity
• Suggests targeted officials compromised intelligence community mission

The legal criticism

National security lawyer condemns clearance process politicization:

• Mark Zaid, national security lawyer who sued over Trump administration’s revocation of his own clearance, condemned Gabbard’s move
• “Pure politicization of security clearance process,” Zaid posted on X
• “These are unlawful decisions that deviate from decades of precedent”
• Legal expert suggests actions violate established security clearance procedures and protocols

Read more:

• Tulsi Gabbard as national intel chief strips security clearances from 37