Karma is a harsh mistress.
On Friday, President Trump canceled former President Joe Biden’s security clearances and stopped his daily intelligence briefings. The president took to his Truth Social account to announce the move.
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— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) February 7, 2025
His post reads in full:
There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances, and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings. He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents. The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from “poor memory” and, even in his “prime,” could not be trusted with sensitive information. I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!
The president brings up an excellent point. A president, once retired, is just an ordinary citizen. There is no reason why they should continue to receive classified intelligence briefings; they have no reason to be kept up to date on classified matters of national intelligence on which they have no ability to act. But, objectively, is there any reason why, when a person leaves a position requiring such a clearance, that said security clearance is yanked until, if and when, they are in another position where such a clearance is necessary? In the case of presidents, that will essentially be never – and in the case of Joe Biden, it’s unlikely he would recognize classified material even if he tripped over the boxes of it stored in his garage.
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Also, an ex-president still has staff and family members, and it’s probably a gross understatement to point out that certain of Joe Biden’s relatives, like his ne’er-do-well son, should not be in any position to see, hear, or read classified materials.
See Related: Pure Gold: John Brennan Bellyaching About His Security Clearance Being Pulled Over Laptop Intel Letter
Hegseth Pulls Milley’s Security Detail and Orders Review to Consider Grounds for Demoting Him
Former President Biden did indeed set this precedent; in his own words:
Hey Joe,
Thanks for setting this precedent. pic.twitter.com/75S0LKqQlp
— MAZE (@mazemoore) February 7, 2025
At that time, Biden cited Donald Trump’s “erratic behavior unrelated to the insurrection.” (Pro tip: There was no insurrection.)
Joe Biden, in a fit of pique, started this ball rolling, and now it’s run him over. But there’s a larger point here. This should be routine; it should be understood from the outset by any president and, indeed, anyone who holds a security clearance. Namely, once a president leaves office, they are a private citizen in full – no security clearance, no classified briefings. The same should apply to any politician, any appointed or hired government employee or staffer; anyone who holds a security clearance should understand that the clearance is contingent on that person holding a position that requires it. Whenever that person retires, resigns, or fails to be reelected, their security clearance should be pulled as a matter of course.
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Thank you, Joe Biden, for finally establishing one policy that makes some sense – even if that wasn’t your intent.
