The former CIA director and MSNBC contributor that called Trump a traitor has now had his security clearance revoked by President Trump.
John Brennan is no longer able to access confidential information, and he is furious. Brennan spoke to NBC Nightly News and said, “I’ve seen this type of behavior and actions on the part of foreign tyrants and despots. I never ever thought I would see it here in the United States.”
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the White House press secretary, read a statement from President Trump to reporters on Wednesday.
“Mr. Brennan’s lying and recent conduct characterized by increasingly frenzied commentary is wholly inconsistent with access to the nation’s most closely held secrets and facilities, the very aim of our adversaries which is to sow division and chaos. Mr. Brennan has recently leveraged his status as a former high-ranking official with access to highly sensitive information to make a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations — wild outbursts on the Internet and television — about this Administration.“
Brennan has been incredibly critical of President Trump in the past and has proven to “sow division and chaos.” Listen to his comments on MSNBC when talking about Trump’s meeting with Putin.
Brennan isn’t the only one that is being singled out. Sanders also mentioned that the administration is looking into the possible revoking of other individuals. People like former FBI Director James Comedy, Susan Rice and Michael Hayden, the former director of the NSA could also see their security clearance revoked.
Press secretary Sanders told reporters that there is a bigger issue than just John Brennan. She said, “More broadly, the issue of Mr. Brennan’s security clearance raises larger questions about the practice of former officials maintaining access to our nation’s most sensitive secrets long after their time in government has ended.”
Brennan claims that Trump is trying to attack freedom of speech.
This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. 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. https://t.co/TNzOxhP9ux
— John O. Brennan (@JohnBrennan) August 15, 2018
Trump’s point about people holding their security clearance after they leave the government is a good one we should think about. If a man worked at a restaurant and had access to free fries all day, he couldn’t just go in an eat fries after he left the employment of the restaurant.
Brennan doesn’t plan to go away. He is planning to continue to fight the president, but now he has to do it without his security clearance.
What do you think? Did Brennan deserve to have his clearance revoked? Let us know in the comments.