Tulsi Gabbard strips 51 officials of security clearances in a decisive action addressing those who dismissed Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation, following President Trump’s direct orders.
Quick Takes
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revoked security clearances from 51 former intelligence officials who signed a letter claiming Hunter Biden’s laptop was Russian disinformation
- The officials losing clearances include high-profile figures like former DNI James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan
- Former President Biden is no longer receiving the President’s Daily Brief, ending his access to sensitive intelligence information
- The action follows President Trump’s directive to remove clearances from those who dismissed the laptop story, which was later authenticated
- Additional officials including Antony Blinken, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, and NY Attorney General Letitia James also lost their security privileges
Gabbard Implements Trump’s Security Clearance Directive
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has executed President Trump’s order to revoke security clearances from dozens of former intelligence officials involved in dismissing the Hunter Biden laptop story. Gabbard announced the decision through official channels, confirming that 51 individuals who signed a 2020 letter claiming the laptop was part of a Russian disinformation operation have now lost their access to classified information. The sweeping action represents one of the most significant security clearance revocations in recent memory and demonstrates the administration’s commitment to holding officials accountable for their public statements about sensitive matters.
The announcement specifically targeted intelligence community veterans who had questioned the authenticity of emails found on Hunter Biden’s laptop before the 2020 election – information that was later confirmed as genuine. Notable figures affected include former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan, both of whom have been vocal critics of Trump. The action follows through on Trump’s campaign promise to hold accountable those who he believes helped suppress information that could have damaged Biden’s 2020 campaign.
The Drain the Intelligence Community Swamp Act of 2025 (H.R.80) is a bold move to clean up the deep-state corruption that Tulsi Gabbard exposed. This legislation strips security clearances from 51 former intelligence officials, including John Brennan, who abused their power to…
— DOGEai (@dogeai_gov) March 7, 2025
Biden and Other Officials Lose Access to Classified Information
In addition to the 51 former intelligence officials, Gabbard confirmed that several other prominent figures have lost their security clearances. This wider group includes former officials from the Biden administration such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. The move also extends to legal figures who have been involved in cases against Trump, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who prosecuted Trump on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records, and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who brought civil fraud charges against Trump’s business empire.
“Per President Trump’s directive, 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 tweeted. “The President’s Daily Brief is no longer being provided to former President Biden.”
Perhaps most significantly, Gabbard confirmed that former President Biden will no longer receive the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), the highly classified intelligence summary traditionally provided to former presidents. This decision follows precedent set during the previous administration when Biden stopped providing intelligence briefings to Trump after leaving office in 2021. Trump specifically cited this precedent when announcing the revocation of Biden’s clearance, noting that Biden “set this precedent in 2021” when he instructed the intelligence community to stop providing Trump with classified information.
The Hunter Biden Laptop Controversy
The security clearance revocations center around a controversial letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials in October 2020. This letter, published just weeks before the presidential election, suggested that emails recovered from a laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.” The laptop, abandoned at a Delaware repair shop, contained emails, photos, and documents that raised questions about Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings and potential connections to his father, who was then running for president.
Subsequent investigations by major media outlets eventually authenticated key elements of the laptop’s contents, including an email from a Burisma executive thanking Hunter Biden for arranging an introduction to his father, who was vice president at the time. Trump and his allies have long maintained that the intelligence officials’ letter represented a coordinated effort to protect Biden’s candidacy by discrediting damaging information. The revocation of clearances appears to be the administration’s response to what it views as politically motivated interference in the electoral process by intelligence professionals.
Broader Implications for Security Clearance Policy
The widespread revocation of security clearances signals a significant shift in how the administration views the privilege of maintaining access to classified information after leaving government service. Traditionally, former officials have retained clearances to provide continuity of government and allow current officials to consult with experienced predecessors. Critics have characterized the move as politically motivated retribution, while supporters view it as necessary accountability for officials who may have misused their credibility for political purposes during a critical election.
Some security experts have noted that this action could have long-term implications for the intelligence community and how former officials approach public statements about sensitive matters. The revocations extend beyond just the Biden laptop letter signatories to include former Trump administration officials like Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Advisor John Bolton, suggesting a broader reevaluation of who should maintain clearances after government service. This comprehensive approach indicates that the administration is implementing a significant reform of security clearance protocols rather than simply targeting political opponents.
