Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper said it is a “petty thing” for President Trump to consider revoking the security clearances of ex-government officials who have been critical of his administration.
“It’s kind of a sad commentary where for political reasons, this is kind of a petty way of retribution, I suppose, for speaking out against the president, which I think on the part of all of us, are borne out of genuine concerns about President Trump,” Clapper told CNN on Monday.
Clapper was reacting to White House press secretary Sarah Sanders’ remarks to reporters during Monday’s White House press briefing that the president is weighing taking away the security clearances of six former intelligence and national security officials who have spoken out against him.
The six officials Sanders named are: Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, former FBI Director Jim Comey, former National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and former national security adviser Susan Rice.
Sanders claimed the officials “politicized and in some cases monetized” their access to classified information. The president, she said, is “exploring these mechanisms” to strip the officials of their security clearances.
Clapper told CNN he learned his security clearance was in flux when the media did and said he has not received any information regarding alleged violations of rules related to the protection of classified information.
However, Clapper said whether he has a security clearance has no bearing on his views of Trump.
“The security clearance has nothing to do with how I or any of us feel about the president,” he said. “And I don’t get the briefings. I don’t have access to any classified information. It’s frankly more of a courtesy that former senior officials in the intelligence community are extended a courtesy of keeping a security clearance.”
Hayden, too, said if his security clearance were to be revoked, it would not impact his statements.
“I dont go back for classified briefings. Won’t have any effect on what I say or write,” Hayden tweeted.
I dont go back for classified briefings. Won’t have any effect on what I say or write
— Gen Michael Hayden (@GenMhayden) July 23, 2018
A spokeswoman for McCabe said the former No. 2 at the FBI had his security clearance deactivated when he was fired in March.
“Andrew McCabe’s security clearance was deactivated when he was terminated, according to what we were told was FBI policy. You would think the White House would check with the FBI before trying to throw shiny objects to the press corps…” Melissa Schwartz, the spokeswoman, tweeted.
Andrew McCabe’s security clearance was deactivated when he was terminated, according to what we were told was FBI policy. You would think the White House would check with the FBI before trying to throw shiny objects to the press corps… https://t.co/ZOKJDChpeP
— Melissa Schwartz (@MSchwartz3) July 23, 2018
A source told the New York Times that Comey does not have a security clearance and has not had one for around a year. He was fired by Trump in May 2017.
Revelations about the security clearances come after Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., suggested in a pair of tweets Monday morning that Brennan was cashing in on his security clearance. Paul said he intended to ask Trump to revoke the former CIA director’s security clearance.
Brennan has been a vocal opponent of the president. Following Trump’s joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week, Brennan said the president’s comments then were “nothing short of treasonous.”
