It appears that what goes around, comes around—especially in politics. President Donald Trump, fresh off his second inauguration, announced that he was pulling former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and ending his access to daily intelligence briefings. And in classic Trump fashion, he did it with a zinger straight out of The Apprentice: “Joe, YOU’RE FIRED.”
Trump made the declaration on Truth Social while en route to his Florida retreat, Mar-a-Lago, setting off a media firestorm. “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” he wrote. “Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings.” He then threw in a bit of historical context, adding, “He set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents.”
A Taste of His Own Medicine?
Biden had previously revoked Trump’s access to intelligence briefings shortly after taking office in 2021, citing concerns over Trump’s “erratic” behavior following the January 6th Capitol riot. In an interview at the time, Biden dismissed the need for Trump to receive intelligence updates, saying, “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”
Fast-forward four years, and it seems Trump took notes. With Biden now on the receiving end, the former president had little to say in response—at least, not immediately. However, his allies have already begun crying foul, arguing that Trump’s decision is purely political retribution. Andrew Bates, Biden’s former White House senior deputy press secretary, quipped, “This will not lower the price of eggs.”
The Hur Report and Biden’s ‘Fuzzy Memory’
Trump further justified his decision by pointing to last year’s special counsel report on Biden’s handling of classified documents. Known as the Hur Report, it described Biden’s memory as “fuzzy” and possessing “significant limitations.” The report noted that Biden struggled to recall key dates, including the death of his own son, Beau, and even his tenure as vice president.
“Even in his ‘prime,’ he could not be trusted with sensitive information,” Trump wrote, citing the report’s findings. He then closed his announcement with a familiar rallying cry: “I will always protect our National Security—JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Former Presidents and Intelligence Briefings: A Tradition Upended?
Traditionally, former presidents have been granted access to intelligence briefings at the discretion of the sitting president. The practice, though not codified into law, has been considered a bipartisan courtesy, allowing past commanders-in-chief to remain informed on global affairs in case their counsel is needed. However, that tradition began unraveling in 2021 when Biden took the unprecedented step of revoking Trump’s access.
While Biden’s decision was based on national security concerns, Trump’s move appears to be, at least in part, a matter of political score-settling. The fact remains, however, that Biden’s legal standing to challenge the revocation is virtually nonexistent. As sitting president, Trump holds the final authority over intelligence access.
More Revocations on the Way?
Biden is not the only one to have his clearance pulled under Trump’s second administration. Reports indicate that Trump has also revoked access for former military and intelligence officials who publicly criticized him, including retired General Mark Milley and over 50 former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter suggesting that Hunter Biden’s laptop had the hallmarks of Russian disinformation.
Additionally, Trump has reportedly removed the security details of some former officials, including ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former national security adviser John Bolton. Clearly, this is more than just a one-off revocation—it’s a full-scale purge.
A Grudge or a Genuine Concern?
Political analysts are divided on Trump’s motives. Some argue that he is simply leveling the playing field after Biden broke tradition in 2021. Others believe that the move is rooted in genuine concerns over Biden’s cognitive state and ability to handle sensitive information. Either way, one thing is clear: Trump is relishing every moment.
Will this be the final chapter in the Biden-Trump security clearance saga, or is this just the beginning of a new era of political payback? Given Trump’s flair for the dramatic, don’t be surprised if more fireworks are on the horizon.
