*WASHINGTON – US President Donald Trump on Wednesday revoked the securityclearance of former Central Intelligence Agency director John Brennan, andwarned several other prominent critics they too risk being blacklisted.*
In a highly unusually directive, Trump claimed that Brennan — a formerstation chief in Riyadh who rose to lead the formidable spy agency — hadbecome “erratic.”
Brennan is a frequent Trump critic. Just hours before Trump issued theedict, the former CIA chief had accused the Republican leader of failing“to live up to minimum standards of decency, civility, & probity.”
And after Trump’s surprise decision was made public at a White Housebriefing, Brennan quickly hit back, accusing the president of trying tocurb free speech in a “politically motivated” action that he said should“gravely worry all Americans.”
In his statement, Trump suggested the ex-spy chief had tossed around“unfounded and outrageous allegations — wild outbursts on the internet andtelevision — about this administration” and engaged in “increasinglyfrenzied commentary.”
Brennan, who has briefed Republican and Democratic presidents, could nowlose access to classified information — a courtesy usually afforded toformer senior officials of all political stripes.
The White House has been besieged by a scandal over a former aide’stell-all memoir in recent days and often tries to defuse crises by stokingnew controversy.
It said that eight other officials could also lose their clearances,including former director of national intelligence James Clapper, formerCIA director and four-star general Michael Hayden and ex-FBI director JamesComey.
The individuals were accused — without details — of politicizing andmonetizing their public service and security clearances.
“Historically, former heads of intelligence and law enforcement agencieshave been allowed to retain access to classified information after theirgovernment service so that they can consult with their successors,” Trump’sstatement read.
“At this point in my administration, any benefits that senior officialsmight glean from consultations with Mr Brennan are now outweighed by therisk posed by his erratic conduct and behavior.”
He later tweeted “John Brennan is a stain on the Country, we deserve betterthan this,” quoting the author of a new book that claims Trump’spredecessor Barack Obama attempted to sabotage his presidential campaign.‘Banana republic behavior’
Following the president’s summit last month with Russia’s Vladimir Putin,Brennan — who headed the CIA under Obama — described Trump’s behavior as“nothing short of treasonous.”
The move to pull his security clearance prompted immediate outrage,including from Brennan himself.
“This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedomof speech & punish critics,” Brennan fired back.
“It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligenceprofessionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth farmore than clearances. I will not relent.”
In an interview with MSNBC, for which he works as an analyst, Brennan said:“If Mr Trump believes this is going to lead me to just go away and bequiet, he is very badly mistaken.”
Former secretary of state John Kerry accused Trump of “putting personalpetty politics ahead of patriotism and national security.”
“You expect this banana republic behavior in the kind of countries that theState Department warns Americans not to travel to, but not at home in theUSA,” Kerry tweeted.
National security lawyer Brad Moss said it is not certain that Trump canlegally rescind clearances on the grounds stated by the White House.
Hayden said Trump’s threat would have “no impact on what I think, say orwrite.”
He went on to tell CNN that “it’s almost as if they wanted us to implicitlysign a no disparagement agreement” — a reference to gag orders which Trumpoften insists on for civilian staff.
Comey meanwhile released a statement saying security clearances “should notbe used as pawns in a petty political game,” while praising Brennan as a“devoted public servant.” – APP/AFP