The revenge tour of President Trump proceeds unabated.
Late last Friday, he released a memo revoking security clearances and access to classified information for several former adversaries, including Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, Joseph R. Biden Jr., and “any other member of Joseph R. Biden Jr.’s family.”
Earlier in February, Mr. Trump had expressed his intention to withdraw his predecessor’s access to classified intelligence briefings as a form of payback—Mr. Biden had done the same to him shortly after he left office, following the events of January 6 at the U.S. Capitol.
Numerous individuals who have had disputes with Mr. Trump were listed in Friday’s memo. Some of these names had already been identified by Trump officials as likely candidates for revocation of their security clearances, so their mention in the memo was not entirely unexpected. However, the full list felt like an enumeration of adversaries.
Included were New York’s top law enforcement officials, Letitia James (the Attorney General of New York) and Alvin L. Bragg (Manhattan’s District Attorney), both of whom have taken significant actions against Mr. Trump.
The memo also named prominent figures associated with Mr. Trump’s first impeachment in 2019, during which he attempted to compel Ukraine to investigate Mr. Biden. Among those mentioned were Fiona Hill, a leading foreign policy expert who testified during the impeachment hearings; Alexander Vindman, a lieutenant colonel who also provided testimony; and Norman Eisen, an attorney who managed that impeachment process.
Additionally, the memo included the only two Republicans who participated in the House Select Committee delving into the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack: Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.
“I further instruct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States government facilities from these individuals,” Mr. Trump’s memo asserted. “This action encompasses, but is not limited to, receiving classified briefings, including the President’s Daily Brief, as well as access to classified information held by any member of the intelligence community due to the named individuals’ prior service in Congress.”
Since his return to office, Mr. Trump has utilized memos akin to the one released on Friday to target individuals who have sought to hold him accountable or have otherwise opposed him. These memos have been varied in their impact; earlier this week, he issued one that revoked security protections for Mr. Biden’s adult children, Ashley and Hunter.
Last month, Mr. Trump also canceled security clearances for Antony J. Blinken, the former Secretary of State, and Jake Sullivan, the former National Security Adviser (both of whom were reiterated in Friday’s memo).
Mr. Trump has additionally removed the security details of his former aides. Within hours of his inauguration, he targeted John Bolton, his former National Security Adviser who became a critic. Subsequently, he took similar actions against Mike Pompeo, his former Secretary of State, and another aide, Brian Hook.
