Dem: Trump ‘placing politics over our national security’ by revoking Brennan’s clearance

A Democratic lawmaker tore into President Trump’s decision Wednesday to revoke former CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance, saying Trump was “placing politics over our national security.”

“By making the unprecedented move of revoking [Brennan’s] security clearance @realDonaldTrump is placing politics over our national security and is an action expected of a dictator not an American President,” Rep. Frank Pallone Jr. (D-N.J.) wrote in a tweet.

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In another tweet, Pallone wrote that the action was “wholly unnecessary.”

“Former CIA Directors only retain their clearance to assist those currently in that position. Former Director Brennan is not currently accessing files unless asked to by the current director/administration,” he said.

By making the unprecedented move of revoking #JohnBrennan ’s security clearance @realDonaldTrump is placing politics over our national security and is an action expected of a dictator not an American President

— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) August 15, 2018

This is a wholly unnecessary action – former CIA Directors only retain their clearance to assist those currently in that position. Former Director Brennan is not currently accessing files unless asked to by the current director/administration.

— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) August 15, 2018

In revoking Brennan’s security clearance, Trump accused the ex-CIA chief of leveraging his former government status to make “unfounded and outrageous” claims about the administration.

Brennan has been a frequent critic of Trump during his presidency, often blasting him on Twitter. Most recently, Brennan on Tuesday said Trump will never understand “what it takes to be a good, decent, & honest person” after Trump called former White House aide Omarosa Manigault Newman a “dog.”

Trump has been accused of retaliating against Brennan over the former Obama administration official’s vocal criticism of him on social media and in media interviews.

Trump is also reviewing security clearances for several other former intelligence officials who have criticized him. They include former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former FBI Director James Comey, former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, former FBI agent Peter Strzok, former FBI lawyer Lisa Page and Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr.