White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced that Trump has revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan because he criticized Trump
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Sanders said during the White House press briefing:
I have decided to revoke the security clearance of John Brennan, former director of the central intelligence agency. Historically, former heads of intelligence and law enforcement agencies have been allowed to retain access to classified information after their government service so they can consult with their successors regarding matters about which they may have special insights. Neither of these justifications supports Mr. Brennan’s continued access to classified information. First, at this point in my administration any benefits that senior officials might glean from consultations with Mr. Brennan are outweighed by the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behavior. Second, that conduct and behavior has tested and far exceeded the limits of any professional courtesy that may have been due to him.
Mr. Brennan has a history that calls into question his objectivity and credibility. In 2014, for example, he denied to Congress that CIA officials under his supervision him properly accessed the computer files of congressional staffers. He told the council of foreign relations the CIA would never do such a thing. The inspector general contradicted Mr. Brennan directly concluding that agency officials indeed improperly accessed congressional staffers’ files. More recently, Mr. Brennan told Congress that the intelligence community did not make use of the so-called Steele dossier in an assessment regarding the 2016 election. An assertion contradicted by at least two other senior officials in the intelligence community and all of the facts.
Additionally, Mr. Brennan has recently leveraged his status as a former high-ranking official with access to highly sensitive information to make a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations, wild out burse bursts on the internet and television about this administration. His recent conduct characterized by frenzied commentary is inconsistent with access to the nation’s most closely held secrets and facilities, the aim of our adversaries which is to sow division and chaos. Maintaining access to our nation’s most sensitive secrets long after their time has ended, it’s particularly inappropriate when former officials have transitioned into highly partisan positions and seek to use real or perceived access to sensitive information to validate their political attacks. Any access granted to our nation’s secrets should be in furtherance of national not personal interests. For this reason, I have also begun to review the more general question of the access to classified information by government officials. As part of this review, I am evaluating action with respect to the following individuals. James Clapper, James Comey, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan rice, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bruce Orr.
James Brennan Criticized Trump
All of the people that Sanders listed have one thing in common. They have all criticized Trump for doing nothing about the Russian attacks on the US election. It is laughable that Trump would criticize anyone for erratic behavior. Look beyond the personal smears in the statement and the real reason for Trump’s actions is obvious. The President is looking to discredit any national security expert who has been involved or vocal about the Russia investigation.
Trump is trying to silence the nation’s national security experts. As the Russia noose tightens, Trump is going to desperate and extreme measures in an all-out effort to save his presidency.
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Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
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