Trump suggests he revoked former CIA chief's security clearance because of the Russia investigation


When the White House announced Wednesday that President Trump had revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, the stated rationale was Brennan's purported "erratic conduct and behavior" and "unfounded and outrageous allegations — wild outbursts on the internet and television — about this administration."
Since Trump said he was also considering revoking the security clearances of nine other high-ranking intelligence and law enforcement officials, all of whom have publicly criticized him, most people assumed this was an unprecedented and autocratic-style act of retribution and a warning to other critics in the intelligence and law enforcement communities. Trump suggested to The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that in fact he was targeting officials specifically involved in the investigation of his campaign and Russia now being overseen by Special Counsel Robert Mueller.
Brennan presented evidence to Trump right before his inauguration about Russia interfering in the 2016 election, and Trump once again called into question the legitimacy the investigation upon which that intelligence assessment was based. "You know, in theory I'm not under investigation ... I'm not a target. But regardless, I think that whole — I call it the rigged witch hunt — is a sham." Trump told the Journal. "And these people led it!" he added. "So I think it's something that had to be done."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Trump's statement, briefly dated July 26, "made no suggestion Mr. Brennan gave away classified information or revealed national secrets, a common reason for revoking security clearances," the Journal noted. Trump made his list of targets sound personal. "I don't trust many of those people on that list," he told the Journal. "I think that they're very duplicitous. I think they're not good people." The feeling is probably mutual.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
July 13 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Sunday's political cartoons include new TSA rules, FEMA cuts, and Volodymyr Zelenskyy complimenting Donald Trump's new wardrobe
-
5 weather-beaten cartoons about the Texas floods
Cartoons Artists take on funding cuts, politicizing tragedy, and more
-
What has the Dalai Lama achieved?
The Explainer Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader has just turned 90, and he has been clarifying his reincarnation plans
-
Trump set to hit Canada with 35% tariffs
Speed Read The president accused Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney of failing to stop the cross-border flow of fentanyl
-
Mahmoud Khalil files $20M claim over ICE detention
Speed Read This is the 'first damages complaint' brought by an individual targeted by the Trump's administration's 'crackdown' on Gaza war protesters
-
Trump threatens Brazil with 50% tariffs
Speed Read He accused Brazil's current president of leading a 'witch hunt' against far-right former leader Jair Bolsonaro
-
AI scammer fakes Rubio messages to top officials
Speed Read The unknown individual mimicked Rubio in voice and text messages sent to multiple government officials
-
SCOTUS greenlights Trump's federal firings
speed read The Trump administration can conduct mass federal firings without Congress' permission, the Supreme Court ruled
-
New tariffs set on 14 trading partners
Speed Read A new slate of tariffs will begin August 1 on imports from Japan, South Korea, Thailand and more
-
Elon Musk launching 'America Party'
Speed Read The tech mogul promised to form a new political party if Trump's megabill passed Congress
-
Judge blocks Trump's asylum ban at US border
Speed Read The president violated federal law by shutting down the US-Mexico border to asylum seekers, said the ruling