- President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of high-profile Democratic officials, including Antony Blinken, Letitia James and Alvin Bragg, restricting their access to sensitive information and federal buildings.
- This action is viewed as a symbolic gesture by Trump, aimed at retaliating against perceived political adversaries and those who opposed him, following his revocation of former President Joe Biden's security clearance.
- The revocation could hinder the official duties of James and Bragg, particularly their ability to enter critical federal facilities in New York, which are essential for their roles in prosecuting and investigating cases involving Trump.
- Legal experts and former Trump associates describe the move as more symbolic than practical, serving as a public insult rather than a significant deterrent to the affected officials' work.
- The list of individuals affected by the revocation includes other notable critics of Trump, such as Jake Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Andrew Weissman, Mark Zaid and Norm Eisen, highlighting the broader political implications of this action.
President Donald Trump announced he is revoking the security clearances of several high-profile Democratic officials, including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
The revocation of security clearances is a significant step, as it not only limits the officials' access to sensitive information but also restricts their entry into federal buildings, including courthouses and law enforcement facilities. This move is seen as a symbolic gesture by Trump, aimed at retaliating against what he perceives as political adversaries and those who have opposed him during his tenure and beyond.
This latest action follows Trump's revocation of former President Joe Biden's security clearances, which he justified by saying, "I don't trust him." The move against Blinken, James and Bragg is particularly significant given their roles in legal and law enforcement actions that have directly affected Trump and his associates.
Blinken, a key figure in the Biden administration, was involved in the "Dirty 51" letter, a statement signed by former intelligence officials that criticized the reporting on Hunter Biden's laptop, which was published by the New York Post. James and Bragg, both from New York, have been at the forefront of legal actions against Trump, with Bragg prosecuting Trump in the "hush money" case and James bringing a civil fraud case against the former president.
Impact on official duties
The revocation of security clearances could have practical implications for the affected officials, particularly for James and Bragg. According to the New York Post, the loss of their clearances could hamper their ability to carry out their official duties by prohibiting them from entering critical federal facilities in New York, including the Thurgood Marshall and Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouses, the Metropolitan Correctional Center and the Jacob Javits Federal Building, which houses the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) New York field office. They will also be barred from the U.S. Attorney's offices in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
However, Robert Costello, a former lawyer for Michael Cohen and a defense witness in Trump's "hush money" trial, described the move as more symbolic than consequential.
"It's more an insult and a slap in the face than a real deterrent," Costello told the Post.
The list of individuals targeted by Trump extends beyond Blinken, James and Bragg. It includes former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and other figures who have been critical of Trump, such as Andrew Weissman, Mark Zaid and Norm Eisen.
Tim Parlatore, a former Trump attorney, noted that the action is largely symbolic and difficult to enforce, especially for New York officials. However, he acknowledged that it could have a "major impact" on Zaid's legal practice, given his focus on national security issues.
The revocation of security clearances for Blinken, James Bragg and other prominent Democrats by Trump is a significant political maneuver that underscores the ongoing tensions and divisions within the U.S. political landscape. (Related: Trump revokes security details for former advisers Pompeo and Hook amid ongoing Iran threats.)
Head over to Trump.news for similar stories.
Watch the video below that talks about Trump "winning" since he assumed office.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
Trump revokes Secret Service protection for former adviser John Bolton amid ongoing Iranian threat.
Trump lawyers file motion to DISMISS president-elect's hush money case in NYC.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.
