U.S. President Donald Trump has announced plans to revoke Joe Biden’s security clearance and restrict his access to daily intelligence briefings. Trump justified the decision by pointing out that Biden had taken similar action against him four years ago during his presidency.
“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,” Trump added in a reference to his catchphrase on the reality TV show, The Apprentice.
Trump has already rescinded the security clearance of over 50 former intelligence officials, alleging that they interfered in the 2020 election to support Biden.
Trump took to social media on Friday evening, stating that Biden had “set this precedent in 2021” when he directed the Intelligence Community (IC) to deny the 45th U.S. president (referring to himself) access to national security briefings—a privilege typically extended to former presidents.
Trump further argued that Biden “could not be trusted with sensitive information,” referencing a Justice Department investigation into Biden’s handling of classified documents. While prosecutors decided against filing criminal charges, the report highlighted concerns about Biden’s memory lapses.
The investigation noted that Biden struggled to recall key life events, including the year his son, Beau, passed away and the period he served as vice president under Barack Obama. Biden strongly refuted this characterization at the time.
Since leaving office last month, Biden has maintained a relatively low profile and did not immediately respond to Trump’s announcement. The BBC reached out to Biden’s talent agency—where he recently signed a deal—but no immediate response was provided.
In 2021, Biden became the first U.S. president to block his predecessor from receiving classified intelligence briefings. He justified the decision by citing Trump’s “erratic behavior,” even prior to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, for which Democrats held him responsible in the final days of his administration.
“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 agents discovered classified documents at Trump’s Florida residence, leading to charges against him for willfully retaining defense information. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the case was ultimately dismissed following his re-election.
Since resuming office, Trump has moved to strip security clearances and protections from several high-profile officials linked to the Biden administration.
Among those affected is former U.S. military chief Mark Milley, a vocal critic of Trump, whose security clearance and protection detail have been revoked. Additionally, newly appointed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered an investigation into Milley’s conduct and a review of his military rank.
Trump has also rescinded security protection for Anthony Fauci, the former chief medical adviser who led the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Defending the decision, Trump stated that lifetime security protection for former government officials was not a standard practice.
Last month, Trump ended security protection for his former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and withdrew Secret Service coverage for his ex-National Security Adviser, John Bolton.
Additionally, he has ordered the revocation of security clearances for dozens of former intelligence officials, including two former CIA directors.
These individuals had signed a 2020 letter suggesting that reports about a laptop allegedly belonging to Hunter Biden were part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
However, subsequent investigations confirmed the laptop’s authenticity, revealing evidence of drug use, prostitution, and foreign business dealings.
