Trump revokes Blinken and Sullivan's access to classified information

US President Donald Trump has issued an executive directive to strip security clearances from a group of political opponents, including ex-Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former US national security aide Jake Sullivan. 

This latest action is seen as a continuation of Trump's efforts to punish those he accuses of election interference and mishandling classified information, Caliber.Az reports, citing US media.

In an exclusive interview with The Post, Trump explained that Blinken, who played a key role in the controversial “Dirty 51” letter that falsely labelled Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation, is at the top of the list. “Bad guy. Take away his passes,” Trump stated, referring to the former Secretary of State, whose security clearances will be revoked along with Biden’s and the 51 ex-intelligence officials who signed the infamous letter.

The president’s decree will bar these individuals from entering federal buildings, courthouses, and law enforcement facilities. This includes prohibiting access to significant New York locations like the Thurgood Marshall and Daniel Patrick Moynihan courthouses, the Metropolitan Correctional Center, and the Jacob Javits Federal Building, which houses the FBI’s New York field office.

Additionally, Trump’s administration is targeting former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, both of whom have been involved in key investigations against Trump. Former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann and lawyer Mark Zaid, known for his association with the Trump impeachment proceedings, are also among those facing security clearance revocation.

Trump’s actions are viewed as a symbolic gesture, though it could affect the ability of these officials to carry out their duties, particularly in legal and law enforcement settings. Critics argue that the move could be more disruptive than impactful for those affected, but Trump maintains that this is a necessary step to hold government figures accountable.

For the record, Trump’s earlier actions included cutting off Joe Biden’s access to intelligence briefings, a move he justified by expressing a lack of trust in his predecessor handling sensitive information.

By Khagan Isayev