Executive Summary
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has revoked the security clearances of at least 37 current and former national security officials.
- The revocations stem from accusations that these individuals politicized intelligence, failed to protect classified information, and engaged in unprofessional assessment tradecraft, particularly regarding the 2016 Russian election interference assessment.
- This action is part of a broader effort by senior Trump administration officials to challenge and discredit the intelligence community’s 2017 assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election, drawing criticism for perceived politicization.
The Story So Far
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s revocation of security clearances is part of a broader effort by senior Trump administration officials to challenge and discredit the intelligence community’s 2017 assessment of Russian interference in the 2016 election. This action aligns with Director Gabbard’s past claims of a “treasonous conspiracy” by the Obama administration and comes amidst criticism that these moves politicize the intelligence community and target political opponents.
Why This Matters
- Director Tulsi Gabbard’s revocation of security clearances for 37 national security officials, including those tied to the 2016 Russia assessment, marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to challenge and discredit the intelligence community’s findings. This action not only impacts the careers of the individuals involved but also intensifies the contentious debate over the politicization of intelligence, raising fundamental questions about the perceived neutrality and integrity of the intelligence apparatus.
Who Thinks What?
- Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, supported by the Trump administration, believes that the revoked security clearances are a necessary step because the individuals politicized intelligence, failed to protect classified information, and engaged in unprofessional assessment tradecraft, asserting that holding a security clearance is a privilege, not a right.
- Critics of Director Gabbard and President Trump contend that these actions are intended to divert attention from other matters and to target political opponents, arguing that Gabbard has misrepresented intelligence community findings and is weaponizing the intelligence community against political adversaries.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has revoked the security clearances of at least 37 current and former national security officials, an action she confirmed on social media Monday. The move, first reported by the New York Post, impacts individuals involved in assessing Russia’s efforts to influence the 2016 election and members of former President Joe Biden’s National Security Council. A memo obtained by CNN accused these individuals of politicizing intelligence, failing to protect classified information, and engaging in unprofessional assessment tradecraft.
Background and Context
The memo, circulated on Monday, stated that holding a security clearance is a privilege, not a right, and that those who betray their oath have broken trust. The impacted individuals held positions across various government agencies, though it remains unclear if all still held active clearances at the time of the announcement.
This decision by Director Gabbard is part of a broader series of actions by senior Trump administration officials. These efforts aim to challenge and discredit the intelligence community’s 2017 assessment regarding Russian interference in the 2016 election.
Director Gabbard has previously released documents alleging a “treasonous conspiracy” by the Obama administration, including former President Barack Obama. She has also made criminal referrals to the Justice Department related to these claims.
Criticism and Allegations
Critics of Director Gabbard and President Trump contend that these actions, including the release of Russia investigation documents, are intended to divert attention from other matters, such as the Jeffrey Epstein files, and to target political opponents.
Specifically, critics point to instances where Director Gabbard has been accused of misrepresenting intelligence community findings. She has cited 2016 assessments to claim Russians did not alter election results, despite the intelligence community never concluding that votes were physically changed. Furthermore, she declassified and released a Republican House Intelligence Committee report that questioned the intelligence community’s assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin favored Trump over Hillary Clinton.
While Director Gabbard states her priority is to depoliticize the intelligence community, her critics argue that her actions instead weaponize it against political adversaries.
The revocation of these security clearances by Director Gabbard marks a significant development in the ongoing dispute over the intelligence community’s assessments of foreign election interference. The move underscores persistent tensions between elements of the Trump administration and parts of the intelligence apparatus, drawing both support for accountability and criticism for perceived politicization.
