Americans need to be aware of the consequences that the White House’s decision to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance will have on free speech, ex-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said Wednesday.
“The larger issue here to me throughout has been infringement on First Amendment rights, and I think people ought to think seriously about that,” Brennan said during an interview on CNN.
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders announced Wednesday that President Trump had pulled Brennan’s clearance, claiming his “erratic behavior” should disqualify him from having access to sensitive information. The development follows the administration naming a number of former intelligence and law enforcement officials who had come under review, including Clapper, after speaking out about the president.
[More: Senate GOP mixed on revoking Brennan’s security clearance]
The White House’s “unprecedented” move called into question “the appropriateness of being critical” of Trump, Clapper said, slamming the administration for “making up the criterion as they go.” Many ex-officials hold on to their clearances so they can consult for the government based on their past experience rather than for access to current intelligence, he said.
“I don’t plan to stop speaking about, when I’m asked, my views on this administration,” Clapper added, saying he had also supported some of Trump’s actions.
Clapper served former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George H.W. Bush.
