
<p>President Trump issued an Executive Order that stripped 51 intelligence officials of their security clearance. ; It means that they are no longer entitled to security briefings – or more importantly, available to consult with government intelligence officials on current security matters. ; ; While most of them are nameless below the public radar officials, a few are top officials of U.S. intelligence agencies – including former CIA director John Brennen and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. ; Since they are former officials, there is no real downside to lifting their clearance.</p>



<p>Of course, the anti-Trump media describes the cutting off of the security clearances as simply retribution. ; ; I suspect that is certainly part of Trump’s motivation. ; But in this case, I think Trump has solid grounds for his action.</p>



<p>Let us first consider what these folks did. Under the guidance of then Secretary of State Antony Blinken, this group of intel professionals committed an unforgivable action. They signed a public letter stating that the Hunter Biden laptop was a Russian hoax. That was a lie. They ignored the facts &#8230; the truth. They simply followed the propaganda script being spread by the White House. </p>



<p>They put their names to a public document that was 100 percent untrue – and for only one reason, to provide political help to the Biden campaign. They certainly knew it was a lie – especially such top officials as Blinken, Brennan, Clapper and others.</p>



<p>Every one of those who signed the letter had committed the worst wrong intel officials can do. They willfully spread false information for partisan political purposes – propaganda.</p>



<p>If it is retribution, it is well-deserved retribution. In fact, I think merely removing their security clearances is insufficient punishment for what they did. I would launch an investigation – Congress or Department of Justice – starting with Blinken. </p>



<p>Did he abuse his power as Secretary of State in promoting the lie as a part of a political campaign? We are told that the Secretary of State is non-political. Did He violate the Hatch Act?</p>



<p>How did it happen that the FBI and other incumbent officials also spread the lie at the behest of the White House? ; It was a cover-up – so what did they know and when did they know it?</p>



<p>If all they suffer is a loss of security clearance and concomitant damage to their reputation, they are getting off easy.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

Trump strips Intel alums of security clearance
