In a significant escalation of his security policy, US President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of dozens of officials linked to the previous administration, including former President Joe Biden. Trump justified the decision on Truth Social, stating, “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information.”
Notable Figures Affected
Apart from Biden, other high-profile officials who lost their security clearances include:
Anthony Blinken – Former Secretary of State
Jake Sullivan – Former National Security Adviser
Lisa Monaco – Biden’s Deputy Attorney General
Mark Milley – Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Understanding Security Clearance
A security clearance grants individuals access to classified government information and facilities. The clearance process involves background checks, interviews, and sometimes polygraph tests to ensure that the individual is trustworthy and reliable.
Who Needs Security Clearance?
Security clearances are typically required for:
Federal employees in national security departments (e.g., Department of Defense, CIA, NSA)
Military personnel handling defense strategies and intelligence
Private contractors working in defense, technology, and government consulting
Government agency employees involved in sensitive policymaking
Levels of Security Clearance
The U.S. security clearance system consists of three levels:
Confidential – The lowest level, requiring a seven-year background check, renewed every 15 years.
Secret – Covers information that could cause serious damage to national security. Requires a ten-year background check, with 25% of applications undergoing further investigation.
Top Secret – The highest clearance level, requiring an extensive background investigation, credit history check, and personal interviews. It is reevaluated every five years.
Presidential Security Access
Unlike government officials, a sitting U.S. president does not require a security clearance. The president has automatic access to nearly all classified information, with the sole exception of nuclear secrets, which require congressional approval for declassification. Traditionally, former presidents retain access to intelligence briefings as a courtesy. However, this practice was broken in 2021 when Biden barred Trump from intelligence briefings, citing “erratic behavior.”
Political Fallout
Trump’s move follows Biden’s unprecedented decision in 2021 to block Trump’s intelligence access. Now, Trump has turned the tables, arguing that Biden “set the precedent” and accusing him of having memory issues that compromise security.
With tensions rising in Washington, this decision could have lasting political and security implications as the 2025 administration reshapes national security policies.