Trump strips Harris, Clinton, others of security clearances

President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of his former Democratic election rivals, Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with several other top former officials.

The move follows Trump’s February decision to revoke the security clearance of his predecessor, Joe Biden. In his latest announcement, Trump confirmed that action and added that he was also stripping security access from “any other member” of the Biden family.

“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information,” Trump stated in an official memorandum.

Former U.S. presidents, vice presidents, and senior security officials traditionally retain their security clearances as a courtesy after leaving office, allowing them to offer advice and insights on national security matters. Trump’s decision marks a significant departure from that practice and is expected to fuel political controversy.

While the administration has not provided further justification for the move, critics argue that it is politically motivated and aimed at undermining Trump’s opponents. Supporters, however, claim it is a necessary step to safeguard national security.

The full list of officials affected by the decision has not yet been released, but the revocations signal a shift in how security access is handled under Trump’s presidency. The White House has not commented on whether additional revocations are under consideration.