Former Intel Chiefs: White House Using Security Clearances As A 'Political Tool'
6 years, 7 months ago

Former Intel Chiefs: White House Using Security Clearances As A 'Political Tool'

NPR  

Former Intel Chiefs: White House Using Security Clearances As A 'Political Tool' Enlarge this image toggle caption Joe Raedle/Getty Images Joe Raedle/Getty Images Updated at 11:40 a.m. ET About a dozen top former intelligence officials are speaking out after the White House revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, a vocal critic of President Trump. Sponsor Message In the statement from ex-intelligence officials, former CIA Director William Webster and others call Trump's move on Brennan "unprecedented" and caution against using security clearances as a political tool. The White House announced Thursday that it was revoking the former CIA director's clearance because of what press secretary Sarah Sanders called "unfounded and outrageous allegations."

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History of this topic

US: Donald Trump pulls security clearance for Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, cites, ‘no longer in national interest’
1 week ago

US: Donald Trump pulls security clearance for Hillary Clinton, Kamala Harris, cites, ‘no longer in national interest’

Live Mint  

On Good Friday, US President Donald Trump followed through on his threat to revoke the security clearances of his predecessor, Joe Biden, and several senior former White House and national security officials. As reported by AFP, the individuals whose access to classified information was revoked included Biden, his family members, and Vice President Kamala Harris, who had been Trump's opponent …

Former CIA director anticipates allies might hold back intelligence from U.S.
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Former CIA director anticipates allies might hold back intelligence from U.S.

Raw Story  

Former CIA director John Brennan is concerned that President-elect Donald Trump will appoint people who will burn relationships with international leaders. "So, I can tell you that there is quite a bit of concern within CIA, and I know within FBI and other non-policy organizations, that if you have somebody who is just used as a political tool of Donald …

Trump administration removes experts from Defense Policy Board
4 years, 4 months ago

Trump administration removes experts from Defense Policy Board

CNN  

CNN — Several high profile members of the Defense Policy Board were removed on Wednesday by the Trump administration, in yet another purge of longstanding foreign policy experts and national security establishment figures in the final days of the Trump era, according to three defense officials. The Defense Policy Board is an outside advisory group of former high profile national …

Spies and the White House have a history of running wild without congressional oversight
5 years, 6 months ago

Spies and the White House have a history of running wild without congressional oversight

Salon  

At the heart of the current crisis over President Donald Trump’s dealings with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is an intelligence whistleblower whose information has finally made it into public view. In the 1970s, between information uncovered in the Watergate hearings and some key investigative journalism, the lid blew off the intelligence agency’s secrecy about the CIA’s many covert interventions both …

Jared Kushner identified as the White House official who was denied security clearance
5 years, 11 months ago

Jared Kushner identified as the White House official who was denied security clearance

LA Times  

Washington Post The senior White House official whose security clearance was denied last year because of concerns about foreign influence, private business interests and personal conduct is presidential son-in-law Jared Kushner, according to people familiar with documents and testimony provided to the House Oversight Committee. Kushner was identified only as “Senior White House Official 1” in committee documents released this …

Kushner dismisses concerns over White House security clearance process: "A lot of crazy accusations"
5 years, 11 months ago

Kushner dismisses concerns over White House security clearance process: "A lot of crazy accusations"

Salon  

Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Donald Trump and one of his senior advisers, dismissed concerns raised by a whistleblower about the White House's security clearance process, saying the president's administration has faced "a lot of crazy accusations" since Trump took office two years ago. Kushner, a presidential adviser, sat for a rare interview with Fox News host Laura Ingraham …

Jared Kushner 'granted top-level security clearance against advice of White House specialists'
6 years, 2 months ago

Jared Kushner 'granted top-level security clearance against advice of White House specialists'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Jared Kushner obtained a top-level security clearance to work in …

House Democrats investigate White House security clearances
6 years, 2 months ago

House Democrats investigate White House security clearances

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — A powerful House committee now led by Democrats is opening an investigation into how security clearances have been handled in President Donald Trump’s White House and 2016 presidential transition. The inquiry by the House Oversight and Reform Committee, announced Wednesday, takes direct aim at some of those closest to the president over the past two years, including former …

Trump threatens to revoke another former CIA official's security clearance over his 'mental condition'
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump threatens to revoke another former CIA official's security clearance over his 'mental condition'

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Donald Trump has threatened …

Former Intel Officials Defend John Brennan In Wake Of Revoked Security Clearance
6 years, 7 months ago

Former Intel Officials Defend John Brennan In Wake Of Revoked Security Clearance

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Several former intelligence officials have come to the defense of former CIA Director John Brennan, whose security clearance was revoked last week as part of what seems to be an effort by President Donald Trump to retaliate against his critics. “I think, though, that the common denominator among all of us that have been speaking up is …

Trump planning to 'revoke security clearances as punishment for critical White House officials'
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump planning to 'revoke security clearances as punishment for critical White House officials'

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Trump wants to sign “most, if not …

Trump and Brennan swap insults
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump and Brennan swap insults

Associated Press  

Donald Trump said he “allowed” the White House counsel and other personnel to fully cooperate with Robert Mueller’s probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Political Hack Trump tweeted that Brennan “will go down as easily the WORST” CIA director in history and called him “a loudmouth, partisan, political hack who cannot be trusted with the secrets to our …

Trump warns he’ll revoke clearance of Justice Dept official
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump warns he’ll revoke clearance of Justice Dept official

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Friday that he suspects he’ll “very quickly” revoke the security clearance for a Justice Department official whose wife worked for the firm involved in producing a dossier on Trump’s ties to Russia. That was followed late Thursday by a joint letter from 15 former senior intelligence officials calling Trump’s action “ill-considered and unprecedented.” They …

The Latest: 60 more ex-CIA officials criticize Trump
6 years, 7 months ago

The Latest: 60 more ex-CIA officials criticize Trump

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Latest on President Donald Trump and the revoking of security clearances : 5:40 p.m. Sixty former CIA officials are joining a chorus of national security professionals denouncing President Donald Trump’s decision to yank the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, one of the president’s harshest critics. Trump says he expects to soon revoke the security …

Former US security leaders blast Trump for yanking clearance
6 years, 7 months ago

Former US security leaders blast Trump for yanking clearance

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. security officials issued scathing rebukes to President Donald Trump on Thursday, admonishing him for yanking a top former spy chief’s security clearance in what they cast as an act of political vengeance. In an opinion piece in The New York Times, former CIA Director John Brennan said Trump’s decision, announced Wednesday, to deny him access to …

Trump yanks ex-CIA chief’s clearance, hitting vocal critic
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump yanks ex-CIA chief’s clearance, hitting vocal critic

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly revoked the security clearance of ex-CIA Director John Brennan on Wednesday, an unprecedented act of retribution against a vocally critical former top U.S. official. “And these people led it!” He added: “So I think it’s something that had to be done.” That connection was not in a statement issued earlier Wednesday in which Trump …

After Brennan, 9 others face losing security clearances, too
6 years, 7 months ago

After Brennan, 9 others face losing security clearances, too

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Wednesday acted on a threat and revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, citing a constitutional responsibility to protect classified information. Trump calls the investigation a “witch hunt.” A look at the 10 individuals: JOHN BRENNAN In a written statement, Trump cited “erratic conduct and behavior” by President Barack Obama’s CIA …

13 former U.S. spy chiefs accuse Trump of trying to stifle free speech and politicize intelligence
6 years, 7 months ago

13 former U.S. spy chiefs accuse Trump of trying to stifle free speech and politicize intelligence

LA Times  

Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, center, is among those who signed a letter criticizing President Trump’s action. Trump did so, she said, because of questions about his “objectivity and credibility” and his “erratic conduct and behavior.” In his statement, Trump said he also was considering revoking security clearances for other critics, including Clapper and Hayden, former national security …

Trump Revokes Clearance Of Ex-CIA Boss Brennan, Puts Other Critics On Notice
6 years, 7 months ago

Trump Revokes Clearance Of Ex-CIA Boss Brennan, Puts Other Critics On Notice

NPR  

Trump Revokes Clearance Of Ex-CIA Boss Brennan, Puts Other Critics On Notice Enlarge this image toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images Alex Wong/Getty Images Updated at 5:54 p.m. "The issue of Mr. Brennan's security clearance raises larger questions about the practice of former officials maintaining access to our nation's most sensitive secrets long after their time in government has ended," Trump …

Now is definitely not the time to revoke security clearances (opinion)
6 years, 8 months ago

Now is definitely not the time to revoke security clearances (opinion)

CNN  

Editor’s Note: Theresa Payton is the CEO of Fortalice Solutions – a cybersecurity and intelligence firm, the former White House chief information officer under President George W. Bush, and star of the CBS reality show “Hunted.” The views expressed in this commentary are her own. In July, it reached a new level when White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said …

White House wants to revoke James Comey's security clearance 'for making political statements'
6 years, 8 months ago

White House wants to revoke James Comey's security clearance 'for making political statements'

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The White House has said it is considering revoking the …

On Defense Over Russia, Trump Could Get Another Boost From House Intel Panel
7 years ago

On Defense Over Russia, Trump Could Get Another Boost From House Intel Panel

NPR  

On Defense Over Russia, Trump Could Get Another Boost From House Intel Panel Enlarge this image toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images The White House could look for another political booster shot on Thursday if its allies on the House intelligence committee give more detail about how they cleared President Trump's campaign of colluding with Russia's attack on …

Top US intelligence director Ezra Cohen-Watnick fired amid latest lay-offs in White House
7 years, 7 months ago

Top US intelligence director Ezra Cohen-Watnick fired amid latest lay-offs in White House

Firstpost  

Cohen-Watnick was part of the Trump Transition team and he joined the National Security Council of the White House along with Trump’s first National Security Adviser Michael Flynn, Washington: Ezra Cohen-Watnick, a top intelligence director and a national security aid to the US President Donald Trump has become the latest person to be fired amid an ongoing shake-up at the …

Report: Trump Asked Intel Heads To Push Back On FBI Russia Probe
7 years, 10 months ago

Report: Trump Asked Intel Heads To Push Back On FBI Russia Probe

NPR  

Report: Trump Asked Intel Heads To Push Back On FBI Russia Probe Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images President Trump asked two top U.S. intelligence chiefs to push back against the FBI's investigation into possible collusion between Russia and his presidential campaign, the Washington Post reported Monday evening. According to the Post, the president made …

CIA's White House liaison abruptly fired -- after he clashed with Flynn loyalist in cahoots with Nunes
7 years, 11 months ago

CIA's White House liaison abruptly fired -- after he clashed with Flynn loyalist in cahoots with Nunes

Raw Story  

The CIA’s liaison to the White House was abruptly fired from his role after clashing with National Security Council member Ezra Cohen-Watnick, one of three sources who provided documents to House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes. What happened to him was f*cked up.” Cohen-Watnick’s unlikely rise to central figure in the House Intelligence Committee’s tumultuous investigation in Russian interference in …

Barack Obama aide Susan Rice denies using intel to spy on Donald Trump advisers
7 years, 11 months ago

Barack Obama aide Susan Rice denies using intel to spy on Donald Trump advisers

India TV News  

Susan Rice, the top national security adviser to former President Barack Obama, says it is “absolutely false” that she and other Obama administration officials used intelligence reports to spy on Trump associates for political purposes. According to a U.S. official, Trump national security aides discovered after the inauguration that Rice asked that the identities of the Republican’s advisers be “unmasked.” …

Trump administration sought to enlist intelligence officials, key lawmakers to counter Russia stories
8 years, 1 month ago

Trump administration sought to enlist intelligence officials, key lawmakers to counter Russia stories

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Acting at the behest of the White House, the officials made calls to news …

U.S. intelligence report says Putin targeted presidential election to ‘harm’ Hillary Clinton’s chances
8 years, 2 months ago

U.S. intelligence report says Putin targeted presidential election to ‘harm’ Hillary Clinton’s chances

LA Times  

President-elect Donald Trump tapped into the frustrations of the widely ignored white working class. “We further assess Putin and the Russian government developed a clear preference for President-elect Trump.” They “aspired to help President-elect Trump’s election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton,” the report adds. “While Russia, China, other countries, outside groups and people are consistently trying to break …

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