Trump Moves to Revoke Security Clearances of John Bolton, Former Intelligence Officials Over Hunter Biden Laptop Letter
The executive order, signed just hours after Trump's inauguration for a second term, is among his first major actions targeting individuals he views as political adversaries. The order claims that the letter's signatories "willfully weaponized the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions."
Trump's directive accuses the officials of undermining public trust, stating that their actions during the 2020 election represented "an egregious breach of trust reminiscent of a third world country." The president further alleged that their involvement damaged confidence in national security professionals dedicated to protecting the country.
Key Figures Targeted by Trump's Order
The letter in question was signed by 51 former intelligence officials in October 2020, following a New York Post report on emails recovered from a laptop purportedly belonging to Hunter Biden. The signatories included:
Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper
Former CIA and NSA Director Michael Hayden
Former CIA Director John Brennan
Trump's order instructs the director of national intelligence, in consultation with the CIA, to revoke their clearances if still active. Two of the letter’s original signatories have since passed away.
John Bolton's Security Clearance Targeted
The order specifically mentions Bolton, who served as Trump’s national security adviser during his first term. Trump accused Bolton of publishing sensitive information in his tell-all book, claiming it posed the "grave risk" of exposing classified material.
Trump has consistently challenged the 2020 presidential election results, falsely claiming the contest was "totally rigged." His latest executive actions continue his efforts to target officials he believes worked against his administration.
Stay updated with the latest developments on Trump's executive orders and their potential impact.
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