President Donald Trump has revoked former President Joe Biden's security clearance and access to classified intelligence briefings, BBC News reported Friday, marking a significant shift in traditional post-presidential protocols.
Trump announced the decision on his Truth Social platform, declaring that Biden should no longer receive classified information. "There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information," Trump wrote, BBC News reported.
The move follows Trump's broader initiative to revoke security clearances from more than four dozen former intelligence officials whom he accused of interfering in the 2020 election in Biden's favor.
In his social media post, Trump referenced Biden's 2021 decision to deny him access to classified briefings – a unprecedented move at the time. Trump pointed to the recent Justice Department investigation into Biden's handling of classified documents, which noted concerns about Biden's memory but declined to pursue criminal charges.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has initiated additional security-related measures, including an investigation into former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley's conduct and a review of his military grade, BBC News disclosed.
The security clearance revocations extend beyond Biden, affecting several former officials. Among those impacted is former chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci, who led the US COVID-19 response. Trump characterized these broader security clearance changes as "very standard," explaining that government service does not guarantee lifetime security protection.
Trump has also withdrawn Secret Service protection for former National Security Adviser John Bolton and ended security detail for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, according to BBC News.
The president's actions include revoking security clearances of numerous former intelligence officials who had previously dismissed reports about Hunter Biden's laptop as potential Russian disinformation – reports that were later authenticated.
