US President Donald Trump has announced that he is revoking former President Joe Biden’s access to classified government information and ending his daily intelligence briefings.
Trump made the announcement on Friday, Feb. 7, in a post on his social media platform shortly after arriving at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach for the weekend.
“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information. Therefore, we are immediately revoking Joe Biden’s Security Clearances and stopping his daily Intelligence Briefings,” Trump wrote.
He claimed Biden set this precedent in 2021 when he directed the Intelligence Community (IC) to deny Trump access to national security details, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents.
Trump also referenced the special counsel report on Biden’s handling of classified documents, stating, “The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information.”
He concluded his post with: “I will always protect our National Security — JOE, YOU’RE FIRED. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
Trump has previously revoked security clearances for over four dozen former intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter suggesting that the Hunter Biden laptop controversy resembled a “Russian information operation.” He has also withdrawn security details from former government officials who have criticized him, including his ex-secretary of state, Mike Pompeo—who faces threats from Iran—and former infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci.
Biden has yet to comment on the decision.
It’s worth noting that Biden revoked Trump’s access to intelligence briefings after the former president attempted to overturn the 2020 election and incited the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. At the time, Biden argued that Trump’s “erratic” behavior made him unfit to receive classified information.
In an interview with CBS News, Biden declined to “speculate out loud” about potential risks but made it clear he opposed Trump continuing to receive briefings.
“I just think there is no need for him to have intelligence briefings,” Biden said. “What value is there in giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the possibility that he might slip and say something?”
In 2022, federal agents searched Trump’s Florida residence and seized boxes of classified documents. He was later indicted on multiple felony counts for allegedly hoarding classified materials and obstructing FBI efforts to recover them. Trump pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.
A judge ultimately dismissed the charges, ruling that the special counsel who filed them was unlawfully appointed. The Justice Department abandoned its appeals after Trump’s election victory in November.
