Former intelligence officials slam Trump for using security clearance as a 'political tool'
by Diana Stancy Correll
| August 17, 2018 08:59 AM
A dozen former intelligence officers condemned President Trump’s “ill-considered and unprecedented remarks and actions†after he revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, and said security clearance decisions should be founded on national security instead of “political views.â€
The group of former officers — including former Director of Central Intelligence Robert Gates, former CIA Director Michael Hayden, and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper — said the White House’s move was politicizing these clearances.
“We have never before seen the approval or removal of security clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case,†the former officials wrote in their statement late Thursday. “Beyond that, this action is quite clearly a signal to other former and current officials.â€
The group acknowledged that Brennan has been vocal about his views on national security issues, but said yanking his security clearance was an effort to “stifle free speech.â€
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