James Comey tweeted hours after the White House said President Trump was revoking John Brennan's clearance.
Former FBI Director James Comey on Thursday tweeted a statement regarding President Trump's revocation of former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance. Comey wrote: "Once again this president is sending a message that he will punish people who disagree with him and reward those who praise him." "This president befriends and praises despots and dictators like Putin and Kim Jong-un…and…disrespects, threatens, and calls enemies: a war hero like John McCain, members of our country's free press, and devoted public servants like John Brennan," Comey added.
"American voters must not shrug off or be distracted from the terrible behaviors of this president, who…always puts his own interests above those of the United States of America," Comey continued. White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders opened Wednesday's press briefing by reading a statement from the president. In addition to announcing the decision to revoke Brennan's clearance, the statement accused Brennan of leveraging "his status as a former high-ranking official with access to highly sensitive information to make a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations…about this administration." Brennan, who has been a vocal critic of the Trump administration, soon after said in a tweet, "This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent."
