Trump Pulls Blinken’s Security Clearance
In a move that is sure to send shockwaves through Washington, former President Donald Trump has revealed his plan to strip security clearances from a list of key figures tied to the Biden administration and what he describes as politically motivated legal attacks against him.
Speaking to The New York Post, Trump made it clear that these individuals—many of whom played direct roles in efforts to undermine his presidency—will no longer have access to the privileges that come with holding a security clearance.
At the top of the list is former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whom Trump labeled a “bad guy” for allegedly orchestrating the infamous letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials, dismissing Hunter Biden’s laptop as potential “Russian disinformation.” That letter, issued just weeks before the 2020 election, was widely criticized as an attempt to shield Joe Biden from political fallout. Trump’s message regarding Blinken was clear: “Take away his passes.”
But Blinken is just the beginning. Trump’s list includes at least seven others, each of whom played a role—directly or indirectly—in efforts that sought to discredit or legally target him. Among them is Jake Sullivan, Biden’s former National Security Advisor, who not only held a prominent role in the administration but also worked for Hillary Clinton and helped push the now-debunked Russian collusion narrative.
Trump’s list also extends to figures outside the Biden administration, particularly those leading legal actions against him. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York Attorney General Letitia James—both of whom have been at the forefront of high-profile cases against Trump—are included.
Their cases, including the hush-money trial, have drawn criticism from both sides of the aisle, with even Democratic Senator John Fetterman acknowledging the legal battles are politically driven.
Additionally, Lisa Monaco, Deputy Attorney General under Merrick Garland, is named for her role in the Biden Justice Department’s aggressive response to January 6th. Andrew Weissmann, the lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller’s Russia probe, also makes the list, a reminder of the years-long investigation that ultimately failed to prove collusion between Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.
Rounding out the names are attorney Mark Zaid—who represented the CIA whistleblower at the center of Trump’s first impeachment—and Norm Eisen, special counsel to Democrats during the impeachment proceedings.
The move is significant, as stripping security clearances would not only revoke access to classified information but also prevent these individuals from entering federal buildings—effectively cutting them off from sensitive areas of government.