President Trump announced he is revoking Joe Biden’s security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings, mirroring a decision Biden made against him four years ago.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. He added, “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED,” referencing his famous catchphrase from The Apprentice.
Trump has already revoked the security clearance of more than 50 former intelligence officials whom he accused of interfering in the 2020 election in Biden’s favor.
In a Friday evening post, Trump stated that Biden “set this precedent in 2021 when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing National Security details, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents.” He argued that Biden “could not be trusted with sensitive information,” citing a Justice Department inquiry that found Biden mishandled classified files but did not warrant criminal charges. The investigation also noted Biden’s memory lapses, including difficulty recalling major life events such as the year his son, Beau, passed away and his tenure as vice president. Biden previously dismissed this characterization.
Biden, who has largely stayed out of the spotlight since leaving office last month, did not immediately respond to Trump’s decision. The BBC reached out to Biden’s talent agency, which recently signed him, but received no immediate comment.
In 2021, Biden became the first president to block his predecessor from receiving classified intelligence briefings, arguing that Trump was untrustworthy due to his “erratic behavior,” even before the January 6 Capitol riot. “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing?” Biden said at the time. “What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”
In 2022, federal agents found classified documents at Trump’s Florida residence, leading to charges of willfully retaining defense information. He pleaded not guilty, and the case was later dropped after his re-election.
Since returning to office, Trump has continued to revoke security clearances and protections for officials tied to the Biden administration. Those affected include former top U.S. military commander Mark Milley, a vocal Trump critic, whose security clearance and detail were withdrawn. New Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has also ordered a review of Milley’s conduct and military rank.
Trump has similarly removed security protections for former chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci, who led the U.S. Covid-19 response, calling the decision “very standard.” He previously revoked security protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and ex-National Security Adviser John Bolton.
Additionally, Trump has ordered the clearance revocation of dozens of former intelligence officials, including two ex-CIA directors, who signed a 2020 letter suggesting that reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop were Russian disinformation. The laptop, later confirmed as real, contained evidence of drug use, prostitution, and foreign business dealings.
