US President Donald Trump has announced that he is withdrawing Joe Biden’s security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings, following his predecessor’s actions four years ago.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform.“JOE, YOU’RE FIRED,” the Republican added in a reference to his catchphrase on the reality TV show, The Apprentice.
Trump has already revoked the security clearances of over four dozen former intelligence personnel whom he accuses of interfering with the 2020 election in Biden’s favour.
On Friday evening, Trump tweeted that Biden “set this precedent in 2021, when he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop the 45th President of the United States (ME!) from accessing details on National Security, a courtesy provided to former Presidents”.He said Biden “could not be trusted with sensitive information”, citing a justice department examination into the Democrat’s storage of classified files.
It found that, while there was no need to file criminal charges, Biden had a bad recall.
According to the research, Biden was unable to recollect major life events such as the year his son, Beau, died and his tenure as Barack Obama’s vice president.
Biden disputed the description at the time.The former president, who has spent some time away from the spotlight since leaving office last month, did not immediately reply to Trump’s move on Friday.
The BBC called Biden’s talent agency, which had recently signed him, but there was no instant response.
In 2021, Biden prevented Trump from receiving classified intelligence briefings, the first time an ex-president had ever been refused such material, which is usually provided as a courtesy.
He justified the move by claiming Trump could not be trusted due to his “erratic behavior,” even before the 2021 US Capitol riot.
The Democrats accused Trump of encouraging his supporters during the final days of his first term.
“What value is giving him an intelligence briefing?” Biden said at the time. “What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”
In 2022, federal authorities uncovered classified files in Trump’s Florida house, and he was charged with willfully hoarding defense material.
He pled not guilty, and the case was eventually dismissed once he was re-elected.
Since returning to power, Trump has made efforts to withdraw the security clearances and safeguards of several top officials associated with the Biden administration.
Former senior US military commander Mark Milley, an outspoken Trump critic, has had his security clearance and detail revoked.
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