February 8, 2025 – In a significant move of political retribution, U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked former President Joe Biden’s access to intelligence briefings, citing “no need” for his predecessor to hold security clearances.
Trump’s decision, announced on Friday, is a direct response to Biden’s 2021 move to bar him from receiving classified information after leaving office. “He set this precedent,” Trump declared on Truth Social, arguing that Biden’s “fuzzy” memory—highlighted in Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report—made him unfit to handle sensitive intelligence.
The move is part of a broader crackdown by Trump, who has already revoked intelligence briefings for critics, including retired General Mark Milley and over 50 former intelligence officials. His administration has also stripped security details from former allies such as Mike Pompeo and John Bolton.
Biden has yet to comment on the decision, but former White House officials dismissed the move as political theater. “This will not lower the price of eggs,” remarked Andrew Bates, alluding to Trump’s focus on inflation.
Under U.S. policy, former presidents traditionally receive intelligence briefings at the discretion of the sitting president. However, Trump’s actions mark an unprecedented expansion of presidential authority to revoke access as a tool of political retribution.
Source: Al Jazeera
