President Donald Trump has revoked security clearances for his political rivals, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, along with a host of other critics and legal opponents. This sweeping decision has sent shockwaves through Washington, stripping access from some of the country’s most high-profile political figures and legal minds.
Trump had previously revoked the security clearance of President Joe Biden in February, but his latest order goes even further, targeting members of Biden’s inner circle and several outspoken Trump adversaries.
“I have determined that it is no longer in the national interest for these individuals to access classified information,” Trump declared in an official memorandum. The order extends beyond former presidents and top officials, including prominent attorneys and former lawmakers who have openly challenged Trump in court or Congress.
Among those affected by Trump’s directive are Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco. Also on the list are Republican critics Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger—both of whom voted to impeach Trump after the January 6 Capitol riot. Additionally, Trump revoked security access for Fiona Hill and Alexander Vindman, former officials who testified against him during his first impeachment trial.
But the crackdown doesn’t stop there. Trump has also taken aim at the legal figures who have pursued cases against him. New York Attorney General Letitia James, who secured a massive civil fraud judgment against Trump in 2024, has had her clearance stripped. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who led the hush-money case against Trump, was also included in the purge.
Attorney Norm Eisen, known for his lawsuits against Trump’s policies, and former prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who played a key role in investigating Trump during his first term, have also lost their access to classified information. Even Mark Zaid, a high-profile whistleblower attorney, was named in Trump’s sweeping order, though he claims he has yet to receive official confirmation.
The move marks a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing battle against those who have challenged him, both legally and politically. For many on the list, the revocation may be more symbolic than practical, as some had not actively used their security clearances for years. However, for attorneys and prosecutors handling sensitive cases, losing security access could present serious obstacles.
Trump has justified the move by pointing to Biden’s 2021 decision to block him from receiving intelligence briefings after leaving office. He has also accused dozens of intelligence officials of interfering in the 2020 election, although he has yet to provide evidence to support these claims.
With his latest order, Trump has drawn a clear line in the sand, targeting not only his past political opponents but also those who could pose a legal threat to his future. As reactions pour in, critics argue that this is yet another example of Trump using presidential powers to settle personal and political scores.
