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Graphic shows officials who face losing security clearance or have had clearance revoked.
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U.S.

Trump threat to security clearances of critics

By Duncan Mil

August 16, 2018 - President Donald Trump on Wednesday revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, citing a constitutional responsibility to protect classified information. Brennan had become a sharp critic of Trump.

The Associated Press reports that Trump cited “erratic conduct and behaviour” by President Barack Obama’s CIA director as justification for revoking Brennan’s security clearance. Trump also accused Brennan of “lying” and “wild outbursts.”

At a news conference last month in Finland, Trump stood alongside Russian President Vladimir Putin and openly questioned U.S. intelligence agencies’ conclusions that Moscow tried to influence the 2016 election in his favour. Afterwards, Brennan criticised Trump’s performance as “nothing short of treasonous” and accused him of being “wholly in the pocket of Putin.”

On Wednesday, Brennan tweeted a response to Trump’s decision to revoke his security clearance: “This action is part of a broader effort by Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans, including intelligence professionals, about the cost of speaking out. My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent.”

Sources
PUBLISHED: 16/08/2018; STORY: Graphic News; PICTURES: Associated Press, C-Span
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