Clearance revocations expanded from access control into a recurring opponent-targeting tactic
Reporting and findings
- reported
Associated Press documented the expansion of clearance and access revocations across former officials and other critics, described their practical effect as uneven, and reported critics' retaliation concern; the retaliation motive remains attributed criticism rather than an adjudicated fact.
- Associated Press: A look at those Trump has targeted in tactic of revoking security clearancesTarget chronology, practical effects, and attributed retaliation criticism
- documented
On 2025-01-20, Donald Trump revoked security clearances of specified former intelligence officials and directed revocation of John Bolton’s clearance and access to classified information.
Corrects claim:batch-200:former-official-security-clearances-2025
Summary and current status
The first order named former intelligence officials and John Bolton. Later actions reached prosecutors, lawyers, firms, and other critics, while practical effects varied because some targets no longer needed access.
Revocations broadened to additional critics; operational effect varies by target and employment.
People and organizations
- Holding Former Government Officials Accountable For Election Interference And Improper Disclosure Of Sensitive Governmental Informationexecutive action under legal and impact review
- Donald J. Trumppresident who issued the action
Relationships in this file
- Donald J. Trumprevoked former officials’ access throughHolding Former Government Officials Accountable For Election Interference And Improper Disclosure Of Sensitive Governmental Information