President Donald Trump ordered the removal of security clearances from several high-profile political figures on Saturday, including Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
The directive also applies to multiple other individuals, primarily Democrats, who will now be barred from accessing classified information and certain federal buildings.
According to a report from the New York Post, Bragg and James are among eight Democratic officials whose security clearances have been revoked. The move effectively prevents them from accessing classified materials and restricts their entry into federal facilities.
Trump confirmed the decision in an interview, stating, “This is to take away every right they have, including that they can’t go into federal buildings.”
The order is part of a broader effort by Trump to remove access to sensitive information from individuals he deems untrustworthy or politically motivated.
One of the most notable names on the list is former Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken played a key role in the controversial letter signed by 51 intelligence officials that falsely suggested Hunter Biden’s laptop had “all the classic earmarks of a Russian information operation.”
That letter, released in the weeks leading up to the 2020 presidential election, was widely criticized for misleading the public about the authenticity of the laptop’s contents, which contained evidence of Hunter Biden’s foreign business dealings and personal misconduct.
Trump’s directive follows his recent revocation of former President Joe Biden’s access to classified information and secure federal buildings. The decision to strip Biden of these privileges was seen as unprecedented, but Trump defended it as necessary to protect national security.
In addition to Bragg, James, and Blinken, Trump’s order also targets former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
Sullivan was a key figure in pushing the now-debunked Trump-Russia collusion narrative during the 2016 presidential election and later served as a top foreign policy advisor to Hillary Clinton.
He was instrumental in promoting the Steele dossier, a document that has since been discredited. Sullivan later played a crucial role in the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions, including the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Lisa Monaco, another target of the security clearance revocation, served as Biden’s Deputy Attorney General and was heavily involved in the Department of Justice’s investigations into Trump.
She played a significant role in overseeing legal actions related to the January 6 Capitol riot, including the prosecution of Trump allies and participants in the protests.
The decision to revoke these security clearances has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that Trump is using his authority to target political opponents.
Supporters, however, contend that individuals who have actively worked to undermine Trump’s presidency and promote false narratives should not have continued access to classified information.
Bragg and James have been at the forefront of legal battles against Trump. Bragg, the Manhattan DA, led the prosecution in the hush money case against Trump, securing a conviction on multiple felony counts.
Letitia James, as New York’s Attorney General, pursued a civil fraud case against Trump and his business empire, resulting in a court ruling that ordered Trump to pay over $450 million in penalties.
While the security clearance revocations are largely symbolic for some individuals—such as Bragg and James, who likely have little need for classified information in their roles—the move signals Trump’s ongoing efforts to counteract what he sees as politically motivated legal actions against him.
The White House and the affected individuals have yet to respond to the directive. However, legal challenges to the decision may emerge in the coming days as the Biden administration and Democratic officials consider their options.
Trump’s actions mark a significant escalation in the ongoing political battles between his administration and key Democratic figures. With the 2024 election cycle in full swing, the move is expected to fuel further debate over the use of executive authority and the boundaries of presidential power.