Gina Heslop
Donald Trump has made a major decision regarding Joe Biden, breaking a long-standing tradition that all former U.S. presidents have enjoyed.
Trump has revoked Biden’s security clearance and his access to daily intelligence briefings, a privilege that past presidents typically continue to receive after leaving office. Trump justified his decision by saying that Biden “could not be trusted” with sensitive information.
Trump announced his decision on his social media platform, Truth Social, where he wrote, “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information.”
He also used a phrase from his former reality TV show The Apprentice, writing, “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED.” Trump has been using this phrase often as he continues to remove officials from Biden’s administration.
One of Trump’s main reasons for revoking Biden’s clearance is that Biden had previously denied him intelligence briefings after the 2020 election.
When Biden took office in 2021, he instructed the Intelligence Community (IC) to stop providing Trump with national security updates. Trump now argues that Biden set a precedent with that decision, and he is simply following the same rule.
Another reason Trump cited was Biden’s handling of classified documents. There has been an investigation into whether Biden improperly stored and managed sensitive government files.
Trump pointed to the Hur Report, which suggested that Biden had memory problems and cognitive issues. He wrote, “The Hur Report revealed that Biden suffers from ‘poor memory’ and, even in his ‘prime,’ could not be trusted with sensitive information.
I will always protect our National Security.” Trump is using this argument to justify why Biden should not have access to classified materials.
In 2021, when Biden refused to grant Trump intelligence briefings, he explained that Trump’s “erratic behavior” made it too risky.
Biden questioned the usefulness of giving Trump access to national security updates, saying, “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing? What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?” Now, Trump is using a similar justification to block Biden’s access.
This move is a major shift in presidential tradition, as former leaders are usually given intelligence briefings as a courtesy.
Trump’s decision signals his intention to reshape policies and take control of national security decisions in his new administration.
He has called this period “America’s golden age” and appears determined to break away from past norms.
