In a stunning move Friday, President Donald J. Trump issued a sweeping memorandum ordering the revocation of security clearances and access to classified information for more than a dozen high-profile individuals, including President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and a number of former intelligence and law enforcement officials.
The directive, sent to all executive departments and agency heads, cites national interest concerns and directs officials to take “all additional action as necessary” to ensure that the named individuals no longer have access to classified materials or secure U.S. government facilities.
The individuals named in the memorandum include:
- President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
- Vice President Kamala Harris
- Secretary of State Antony Blinken
- National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
- Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco
- New York Attorney General Letitia James
- Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg
- Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
- Former Rep. Liz Cheney
- Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger
- Fiona Hill (former National Security Council official)
- Alexander Vindman (retired Army Lt. Colonel)
- Attorney Mark Zaid
- Attorney Norman Eisen
- Prosecutor Andrew Weissmann
- As well as any member of the Biden family holding access to classified information.
“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for the following individuals to access classified information,” Trump wrote in the memorandum.
The memo specifically revokes access to classified briefings, including the President’s Daily Brief, as well as unescorted access to secure facilities.
The move effectively strips former officials of the traditional courtesies often extended to previous presidents, vice presidents, and senior officials — a norm upheld under past administrations regardless of party affiliation.
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Critics immediately denounced the action as politically motivated retaliation targeting Democrats and Trump opponents. Others, including supporters of the president, hailed it as a necessary national security measure aimed at preventing leaks and restoring public trust in the intelligence community.
While the president has broad authority to determine who may access classified information, legal experts anticipate challenges to the decision’s scope and potential implications for executive precedent.
The individuals named in the memo have been central figures in various investigations, prosecutions, or political opposition to Trump during and after his first term. Letitia James and Alvin Bragg, for example, were involved in civil and criminal cases against the former president in New York. Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney served on the House January 6th Committee, while Jake Sullivan and Antony Blinken are among the most senior officials in the current Biden administration.
The memorandum notably directs agencies to also inform any private entities employing these individuals that their government clearances have been rescinded — a move that could affect consulting, defense, and think tank roles that require access to sensitive data.
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The announcement follows other recent actions by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping the federal bureaucracy and targeting perceived politicization of U.S. institutions, including the Department of Justice and the intelligence community.
The White House has previously signaled that it is undertaking a broader review of security clearances and access among former government officials, especially those with ties to what Trump has termed the “deep state” or “weaponized bureaucracy.”
It remains unclear whether the Biden administration or any of the named individuals plan to challenge the decision. Several have declined comment as of Saturday morning. However, constitutional and national security law scholars say the issue is likely to raise new legal questions about the limits of presidential authority in revoking access to classified information for political opponents and former officials.
While unprecedented in scale, Trump’s move is consistent with his broader campaign promise to “drain the swamp” and “restore accountability” to federal agencies.
The memorandum concluded with a disclaimer that it does not create any enforceable rights or benefits against the government, underscoring its administrative nature.
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