A wave of security clearance revocations has swept through Washington as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard strips access from dozens who downplayed the Hunter Biden laptop story. Everyone involved in scandals ranging from the Hunter Biden laptop to the Russia hoax of 2016 is getting what they deserve.
At a glance:
• DNI Tulsi Gabbard has revoked security clearances for dozens of current and former officials, including the 51 signers of the Hunter Biden “disinformation” letter
• Top Biden administration officials Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, and Lisa Monaco had their clearances stripped
• New York officials Letitia James and Alvin Bragg, who pursued legal cases against Trump, also lost access to classified information
• Former President Biden will no longer receive the President’s Daily Brief
• The action follows President Trump’s Executive Order targeting those who “weaponized” intelligence against him
Trump Delivers on Campaign Promise
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced sweeping security clearance revocations targeting dozens of former officials who claimed Hunter Biden’s laptop had “earmarks” of Russian disinformation. The move fulfills one of President Trump’s first Executive Orders upon returning to the White House in January.
“I have revoked security clearances and barred access to classified information for Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Mark Zaid, Norman Eisen, Letitia James, Alvin Bragg, and Andrew Weissman, along with the 51 signers of the Hunter Biden ‘disinformation’ letter,” Gabbard announced. “The President’s Daily Brief is no longer being provided to former President Biden.”
The revocations specifically target the intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter suggesting the Hunter Biden laptop story had hallmarks of Russian disinformation. Their claims were later contradicted when former FBI employees testified in 2023 that the laptop was genuine and not disinformation.
Legal Officials Targeted
Among those losing security clearances are New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, both of whom pursued high-profile cases against Trump. James secured a civil judgment against Trump for business fraud, while Bragg’s office prosecuted Trump on 34 counts related to hush money payments in 2024.
A spokesperson for James dismissed the revocation, stating: “What security clearance? Anyway, this is just another attempt to distract from the real work the Attorney General is doing to defend the rights of New Yorkers and all Americans.”
President Trump has characterized legal actions against him as politically motivated attacks. In his Executive Order, he described the signatories as having “willfully weaponized the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions.”
Wider Implications
The security clearance revocations extend beyond the Hunter Biden laptop signatories to include staff at law firms associated with former special counsel Jack Smith.
Mark Zaid, an attorney affected by the revocations, questioned the process in a social media post, writing: “Hmmm, so where are my due process protections? You are familiar with Executive Order 12,968, are you not? Still in effect!” His comments suggest potential legal challenges may emerge from those impacted by the sweeping action.
The Biden laptop controversy has continued to reverberate through Washington since 2020. Hunter Biden was later convicted of criminal tax and gun charges but received a pardon from his father before leaving office.
