The Washington Post reports that the White House has prepared draft documents for revoking more security clearances.
Days after the White House announced that President Trump is revoking former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance, the Washington Post reports Trump is getting ready to do the same for other individuals as well.
"The White House has drafted documents revoking the security clearances of current and former officials whom President Trump has demanded be punished for criticizing him or playing a role in the investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election, according to senior administration officials," the Post noted Friday.
"Trump wants to sign 'most, if not all' of them, said one senior White House official, who indicated that communications aides...have discussed the optimum times to release them as a distraction during unfavorable news cycles," the Post 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."
Sanders noted that Trump was also "evaluating action with respect to the following individuals: James Clapper, James Comey, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bruce Ohr."
"Security clearances for those who still have them may be revoked, and those who have already lost their security clearance may not be able to have it reinstated," the statement added. 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."
