President Trump accused former CIA and FBI official Philip Mudd of becoming “totally unglued and weird” on Monday, responding to a recent appearance on CNN where he went head-to-head with conservative speaker Paris Dennard regarding the White House’s decision to revoke former CIA agent John Brennan’s security clearance.
After Fox News’ Sean Hannity aired a clip of men engaging in a contentious discussion Friday over whether those with higher security clearances are paid more once they leave the public sector and move to consulting work, Trump said Mudd is “in no mental condition” to have a clearance.
“Just watched former Intelligence Official Phillip Mudd become totally unglued and weird while debating wonderful @PARISDENNARD over Brennan’s Security Clearance,” Trump tweeted Monday evening. “Dennard destroyed him but Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance. Should be REVOKED? @seanhannity.”
[Related: White House drafts documents to revoke more security clearances: Report]
Just watched former Intelligence Official Phillip Mudd become totally unglued and weird while debating wonderful @PARISDENNARD over Brennan’s Security Clearance. Dennard destroyed him but Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance. Should be REVOKED? @seanhannity
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2018
Mudd and Denner clashed over whether security clearances from former U.S. officials meant higher salaries in consulting jobs. After some back-and-forth, Mudd eventually lashed out at Dennard and told him to “get out.”
“You get more money as a consultant for having the security clearance. Stop acting like that doesn’t happen,” Dennard said.
“We’re done. We’re done. GET OUT!” Mudd yelled in response.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders revealed last week that Brennan’s security clearance had been revoked. In a statement explaining the move against Brennan, a vocal critic of the president, Trump cited the “risks posed by his erratic conduct and behavior.”
Trump’s administration has said it is reviewing the clearances possessed by other ex-officials who have criticized the president, including former national security adviser Susan Rice and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
[Also read: Mark Warner files amendment to block Trump from removing critics’ security clearances]
