Trump Strikes Back, Revokes Security Clearances from Top Democrats

"Trump’s action isn’t retaliation—it’s putting an end to the weaponization of the American people’s government."

President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances for a slate of high-profile political opponents—including top Democrats—who have long abused their influence to undermine his presidency and policies.

Trump’s memo states plainly that maintaining their access is no longer in the national interest.

“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information: Antony Blinken, Jacob Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Mark Zaid, Norman Eisen, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, Andrew Weissmann, Hillary Clinton, Elizabeth Cheney, Kamala Harris, Adam Kinzinger, Fiona Hill, Alexander Vindman, Joseph R. Biden Jr., and any other member of Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s family. Therefore, I hereby direct every executive department and agency head to take all additional action as necessary and consistent with existing law to revoke any active security clearances held by the aforementioned individuals and to immediately rescind their access to classified information. I also direct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States Government facilities from these individuals.

This action includes, but is not limited to, receipt of classified briefings, such as the President’s Daily Brief, and access to classified information held by any member of the Intelligence Community by virtue of the named individuals’ previous tenure in the Congress.

In the event that any of the named individuals received a security clearance by virtue of their employment with a private entity, the United States Government entity that granted the security clearance should inform the private entity that these individuals’ ability to access classified information has been revoked.

This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.”

Here is some background on the key figures named in the memo:

• Hillary Clinton: As Secretary of State, she used a private email server to handle classified material, prompting an FBI investigation. In 2016, her campaign funded Russian disinformation that became the Steele dossier, which was later used to justify FBI surveillance of Trump associates. She has since publicly called Trump an "illegitimate president" and denied that he won after his first election.

• Kamala Harris: As a U.S. Senator and later as Vice President, Harris supported the Mueller investigation and voted to convict Trump in both of his impeachment trials. She has publicly accused Trump of inciting violence and undermining democratic institutions, while absurdly labeling him a ‘fascist.’

• Joe Biden: As President, Biden oversaw the DOJ’s rampant lawfare campaign against Trump and his associates. He covered up the investigation into his son’s foreign influence peddling schemes and criminal prosecution. His White House coordinated with the legal attacks on his presidential rival during the 2024 campaign.

• Liz Cheney: As Vice Chair of the House January 6th Committee, Cheney voted to impeach Trump and pushed for criminal referrals against him. She frequently criticized Trump’s conduct related to the 2020 election and January 6, and lost her GOP primary in 2022 largely due to her anti-Trump stance.

• Antony Blinken: As Secretary of State under Biden, Blinken was cited in congressional testimony as having encouraged former intelligence officials to sign a 2020 letter dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story as potential Russian disinformation—days before the final presidential debate between Trump and Biden.

• Jake Sullivan: Sullivan served as a senior policy adviser to Hillary Clinton during her 2016 campaign and later as National Security Adviser under Biden. He was mentioned in the Durham investigation for promoting claims of a secret Trump-Russia connection involving Alfa Bank, which were found to be unsubstantiated.

• Adam Kinzinger: As a Republican member of the January 6th Committee, Kinzinger voted to impeach Trump and pushed for criminal charges. He has made frequent media appearances critical of Trump, accusing him of leading an "authoritarian movement." He did not seek reelection in 2022 after seeing what happened to Liz Cheney.

• Lisa Monaco: Deputy Attorney General under President Biden. Oversaw DOJ operations including prosecutions related to January 6 and investigations involving Trump. Has defended the independence of special counsels pursuing Trump, including the illegally appointed Jack Smith.

• Mark Zaid: National security attorney who represented the whistleblower whose complaint led to Trump’s first impeachment over the Ukraine phone call. Publicly advocated for impeachment as early as 2017, and was involved in litigation against Trump administration policies.

• Norman Eisen: Former Obama White House ethics czar and counsel to House Democrats during Trump’s first impeachment. Played a key role in shaping the legal case against Trump over the Ukraine matter. Vocal Trump critic in media and legal commentary, especially regarding January 6 and Trump’s alleged business violations.

• Letitia James: New York Attorney General. Brought a civil fraud lawsuit against Trump, his family, and the Trump Organization alleging decades of financial misrepresentation. Ran a vehement anti-Trump campaign in 2018 and had repeatedly pledged to ‘get Trump.’

• Alvin Bragg: Manhattan District Attorney who led the first-ever criminal prosecution of a former U.S. president. Indicted Trump in 2023 over alleged falsification of business records related to a hush-money payment. Faced criticism for running a politicized campaign and for leading a sham prosecution.

• Fiona Hill: Former National Security Council official specializing in Russia. Testified as a key witness during Trump’s first impeachment. Slammed Trump for pressuring Ukraine’s president to release authentic information on the Bidens’ corruption.

• Alexander Vindman: Former Army Lieutenant Colonel and NSC staffer. Reported concerns over Trump’s July 2019 phone call with Ukraine’s president, which triggered the ‘whistleblower’ complaint and first impeachment. Testified against Trump during the House inquiry. After leaving the military, became a vocal critic of Trump and his allies in media and public forums.

This isn’t just smart politics—it’s a matter of national security. These individuals abused their access to classified material and weaponized information to attack a sitting or former president.

Trump’s action isn’t retaliation—it’s putting an end to the weaponization of the American people’s government.