Trump Revokes Security Clearances of Former Opponents Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton

In a dramatic move that’s already lighting up the political sphere, President Donald Trump has revoked the security clearances of a roster of prominent figures, including Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and President Joe Biden. The White House released a memo on Friday outlining the decision, claiming it was "no longer in the national interest" for these individuals to access classified information.

The list of names is extensive and reads like a who’s who of Trump’s critics and political adversaries. It includes figures like Antony Blinken, Liz Cheney, Adam Kinzinger, and even members of Biden’s family. Trump’s memo also extends to less obvious choices like Fiona Hill and Alexander Vindman, both of whom were involved in Trump’s first impeachment trial. This isn’t just a security clearance revocation; it’s a full-blown political statement wrapped in bureaucratic language.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard had already taken similar steps earlier this month, pulling clearances from individuals tied to the now-infamous Hunter Biden "disinformation letter." She confirmed that the 51 signers of the letter also had their clearances rescinded. Gabbard’s move set the stage for Trump’s broader action, which includes revoking unescorted access to secure U.S. government facilities for those on the list.

Adding fuel to the fire, Trump recently announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he was also stripping Secret Service protection from Hunter Biden and Ashley Biden. "Hunter Biden has had Secret Service protection for an extended period of time, all paid for by the United States taxpayer," Trump wrote. He criticized the size of the detail, which reportedly included 18 agents for Hunter and 13 for Ashley, calling it "ridiculous." Effective immediately, both Bidens would no longer receive Secret Service protection.

Reactions to the memo have been predictably polarized. Some of those named, like Mark Zaid and Norman Eisen, shrugged off the news, claiming it wasn’t the first time their clearances had been revoked. Adam Kinzinger, never one to mince words, posted a video calling Trump a "dumba--" and mocking the decision, noting that he has been retired from the military for over a year and doesn’t even hold a clearance anymore. If Trump’s aim was to shake things up, it’s safe to say he’s succeeded.

This latest development comes amid ongoing tensions between Trump and Biden, with both administrations making controversial decisions about protecting their respective families. Federal law mandates life-long Secret Service protection for former presidents and their spouses, but their children lose this benefit upon leaving office unless otherwise extended. Both Trump and Biden had previously granted extended protection for their offspring, but Trump’s decision to revoke it for the Bidens signals a stark departure from this precedent.

What’s clear is that Trump is once again unapologetically using his presidential authority to settle political scores—or, as his critics would argue, to stoke chaos. Love him or hate him, the man knows how to keep the spotlight firmly on himself.