Calls are growing for Congress to take action to limit Trump’s ability to revoke security clearances.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) said in a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, “This is very dangerous to our democracy and to a free society. Vindictive moves such as this represent an even further drift into authoritarianism by the Trump Administration, and an urgent need for bipartisan, pro-American, pro-democracy stands by my colleagues in Congress. I call on Speaker Ryan, Majority Leader McCarthy, Minority Leader Pelosi and Minority Whip Hoyer to take a strong, unified stand on behalf of our nation, and to propose a legislative remedy to limit the President’s unfettered power to use this process to weaken our intelligence resources and capabilities.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein called out Trump’s petty and thin-skinned behavior, “The president’s decision to revoke John Brennan’s security clearance and threat to do so with others harms our national security and once again shows how petty and thin-skinned President Trump truly is.”
Rep. Adam Schiff tweeted that Trump broke the law when he revoked Brennan’s security clearance:
In adding John Brennan to his enemies list, Trump demonstrates again how deeply insecure and vindictive he is — two character flaws dangerous in any President.
An enemies list is ugly, undemocratic and un-American. I also believe this action to silence a critic is unlawful. https://t.co/bfOhThIWfq
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) August 15, 2018
Lest there be any doubt, the President lays bare that he is punishing Brennan for doing his job to protect the nation from Russian interference.
Just as with the firing of Jim Comey, the President made clear the official justification is just a pretext — in this case, revenge. https://t.co/42hkX7I4SL
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) August 16, 2018
Congress Must Check Trump
The Brennan security clearance revocation is a perfect example of why voters want a Congress that will act as a co-equal branch of government and check Trump. The Republican-led current Congress is going to shrug at Trump’s latest lawbreaking and turn a blind eye, but in 81 days voters will go to the polls, and each moment of unchecked Trump behavior is another reminder to voters of why they must elect a Democratic Congress in November.
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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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