The Trump administration on Tuesday revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former national security officials, escalating a campaign of retribution against members of the US intelligence community viewed as political adversaries.
A memo released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused those targeted of engaging in the “politicization or weaponization of intelligence,” failing to safeguard classified information, and disregarding professional analytic standards.
The list includes officials who left government service years ago, some of whom held senior positions while others worked in lower-profile roles.
Several have been openly critical of Trump or were involved in matters that have long drawn his ire, including the intelligence community’s conclusion that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to support his candidacy.
The move highlights Trump’s deep mistrust of the intelligence establishment, particularly figures linked to prior Democratic administrations.
It also continues a pattern of using security clearance revocations to punish critics, including dozens of former officials who questioned the handling of the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.
“This is unlawful and unconstitutional,” said national security lawyer Mark Zaid, whose clearance was among those revoked. “It deviates from decades of established practice meant to prevent precisely this kind of abuse.”
Gabbard defended the decision on social media, arguing that a clearance is a “privilege, not a right.”
In recent weeks, she has also declassified years-old documents intended to cast doubt on the validity of the 2016 Russian interference assessment.
Several affected officials said they only learned of the revocations through media reports and are now weighing legal action.
Critics warn the move could silence dissent within the intelligence community and further politicize national security.
