President Donald Trump has ordered the revocation of security clearances for several high-profile individuals, including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, New York Attorney General Letitia James, and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg[1][3][4]. This action, taken on February 8, 2025, follows Trump’s earlier decision to revoke former President Joe Biden’s security clearance[2].
The list of affected individuals also includes:
- Former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan
- Former Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco
- Attorneys Andrew Weissmann, Mark Zaid, and Norm Eisen[3][6]
Trump stated that this move is intended to “take away every right they have, including they can’t go into [federal] buildings”[1]. While the practical impact on state-level officials like James and Bragg may be limited, it could affect their access to certain federal facilities, including U.S. Attorney’s offices[3].
This decision has sparked debate, with critics viewing it as a political move, while supporters see it as a response to perceived weaponization of offices against Trump[8]. The long-term implications of this action on government operations and future administrations remain to be seen.
Citations:
[1] https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/3315045/trump-revoking-security-clearances-blinken-bragg-letitia-james-report/
[2] https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/after-joe-biden-donald-trump-removes-security-clearances-for-antony-blinken-jake-sullivan-and-other-officials-who-tangled-with-him-7668124
[3] https://www.newsweek.com/trump-revokes-security-clearance-letitia-james-alvin-bragg-2028357
[4] https://kfgo.com/2025/02/08/trump-revokes-security-clearances-for-top-diplomat-security-official-under-biden/
[5] https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-removes-antony-blinken-letitia-230834056.html
[6] https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/donald-trump-antony-blinken-security-clearances-b2694787.html
[7] https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-removes-antony-blinken-letitia-james-alvin-braggs-security-clearances-among-others
[8] https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/donald-trump-security-clearances-weaponized/2025/02/08/id/1198367/
[9] https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2025-02-08/trump-revokes-security-clearances-for-top-diplomat-security-official-under-biden
[10] https://nypost.com/2025/02/08/us-news/trump-stripping-the-security-clearances-from-a-new-hit-list-of-antagonists-including-ny-ag-letitia-james-da-alvin-bragg/
[11] https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/02/08/trump-revokes-security-clearances-blinken-james-bragg/78364862007/