President Trump met with Rand Paul on Monday to discuss Paul’s desire to see John Brennan lose his security clearance. But, President Trump was already considering such a move, but with a slight twist.
He is considering lifting the security clearances for G.W. Bush CIA Director Michael Hayden, former Obama National Security Adviser Susan Rice, fired FBI Director James Comey, fired Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe and former Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. When asked if Obama’s and Biden’s clearances were under review, Sarah Sanders replied no. The clearances are being reviewed for different reasons for the different people who stand to lose theirs.
White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced at Monday’s press briefing that President Donald Trump is reviewing the process to revoke the security clearances of several Deep State critics for abusing their post-government retention of security clearances by lying about Trump and Russia, as well as politicizing and monetizing their security clearances.
The issue was brought up earlier Monday by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) who said he would be meeting with Trump about revoking the security clearance of John Brennan, reported TGP’s Cassandra Fairbanks.
NBC’s Ken Dilanian makes Sanders’ point about monetizing security clearances, “Security clearances are a valuable commodity. By making this threat, @realDonaldTrump is seeking to levy a financial penalty on @JohnBrennan and Clapper. There are also public policy reasons that former intel leaders remain cleared–so they can help their successors.”
“Security clearances are a valuable commodity. By making this threat, @realDonaldTrump is seeking to levy a financial penalty on @JohnBrennan and Clapper. There are also public policy reasons that former intel leaders remain cleared–so they can help their successors.”
Security clearances are a valuable commodity. By making this threat, @realDonaldTrump is seeking to levy a financial penalty on @JohnBrennan and Clapper. There are also public policy reasons that former intel leaders remain cleared–so they can help their successors.
— Ken Dilanian (@KenDilanianNBC) July 23, 2018
From CNN: “Sanders says Trump is considering revoking security clearances for some ex-intelligence chiefs including John Brennan, James Comey, James Clapper, Michael Hayden, Susan Rice and Andrew McCabe”
From ABC News: “Press Sec. Sanders tells @TerryMoran: “The president doesn’t like the fact that people are politicizing agencies and departments that are specifically…not meant to be monetized off of security clearances.”
Press Sec. Sanders tells @TerryMoran: "The president doesn't like the fact that people are politicizing agencies and departments that are specifically…not meant to be monetized off of security clearances." https://t.co/NkJuIoyFEp pic.twitter.com/jLdsxwGePv
— ABC News (@ABC) July 23, 2018
The piggy bank is about to feel the hammer. But more importantly, this country should not let so many corrupt people continue to handle classified material.