Washington DC [US], February 9: The White House announced on its X account that it is revoking President Joe Biden’s security clearances and halting his daily intelligence briefings, citing concerns about his ability to manage sensitive information. This decision also references a 2021 action by Biden to limit former President Donald Trump’s access to classified information, setting a precedent now extended to Biden.
The statement on X read: “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. 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. The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from poor memory and, even in his prime, could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security – JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!“
The practical effect of Trump’s claim to revoke Biden’s security clearance remains unclear. Former presidents typically do not hold security clearances after leaving office. While they have access to classified information as president, they lose this access once they depart, as reported by CNN.
Trump’s action to restrict Biden’s access to intelligence briefings mirrors Biden’s 2021 decision to limit Trump’s access after the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol, which Biden justified by citing Trump’s erratic behavior.
Trump further argued that Biden’s 2021 decision to restrict his access set a precedent that Trump now views as unfair. Additionally, Trump referred to the Hur Report, which, though it did not charge Biden with a crime, depicted him as a forgetful commander-in-chief who failed to protect highly sensitive classified information, according to CNN.