Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence officials, sharing the list in a move that prompted swift criticism that the Trump administration was politicizing clearances.
Among those on the list are several Biden administration officials, including Maher Bitar, who joined the National Security Council (NSC) after previously working for then-House Intelligence Committee Chair Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) amid the first Trump impeachment. Bitar has since returned to Schiff’s office, but he has captured the attention of right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who has complained on the social platform X about his retention of a clearance.
Emily Horne, an NSC spokesperson under Biden, also had her clearance revoked, as did Brett Holmgren, who most recently served as assistant secretary of State for intelligence and research and is married to former Biden White House counsel Dana Remus.
Gabbard, without evidence, accused those listed of politicizing or leaking intelligence or “committing intentional egregious violations of tradecraft standards.”
She said the move came at the direction of President Trump.
“Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold. In doing so, they undermine our national security, the safety and security of the American people and the foundational principles of our democratic republic,” Gabbard wrote on X.
The announcement was quickly condemned by national security professionals, including others who have had their clearances revoked by Trump.
“Can you say ‘Privacy Act violation’? I certainly can. Further proof of weaponization and politicization. The vast majority of these individuals are not household names & are dedicated public servants who have worked across multiple presidential administrations,” said Mark Zaid, a national security attorney who has represented clients who have had clearance revoked and also had his own clearance stripped under Trump.
Zaid noted that the move was first published by the New York Post ahead of the public announcement by Gabbard.
“Pure politicization of security clearance process. These are unlawful decisions that deviate from decades of precedent. Completely unprofessional that individuals are targeted in [a] way that impacts their careers, yet they are not notified before leaking memo to friendly media,” he wrote on X.
Larry Pfeiffer, who served as senior director of the White House Situation Room and chief of staff at the CIA, said the decision would only undercut U.S. intelligence.
“The skill and talent that Trump and Gabbard deprive the US national security and intelligence communities, govt & private sector, is huge. Makes one wonder who they are really working for, directly, indirectly, or as useful idiots,” he wrote on X, ending the post with a Russian flag.
The list also cuts clearances for those who have spoken in the media about various Trump administration decisions.
Beth Sanner, a longtime national security official who also served during the first Trump administration, has commented on Trump’s policies through her role as a national security analyst at CNN.
Charles Kupchan, who worked at NSC under the Clinton and Obama administrations, and Sarah Vinograd, who was at NSC under former President Obama and at the Department of Homeland Security under former President Biden, have also recently commented on Trump’s foreign policy moves.
Trump has revoked security clearances for a number of officials, including those who signed on to a letter saying the Hunter Biden laptop had the hallmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign, as well as the clearances of attorneys working at major law firms.
