'Retribution': Critics slam Trump admin’s decision to revoke security clearance of intelligence officials

19 Aug 2025, 21:51 by https://www.facebook.com/17108852506 · AlterNet

U.S. President Donald Trump looks at Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, on the day of Gabbard's swearing in ceremony, in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 12, 2025. REUTERS/Nathan Howard

Ailia Zehra
August 19, 2025 | 05:51PM ETBank

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, acting on the directive of President Donald Trump, revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence officials Tuesday. Many of these officials had focused on Russian interference or foreign threats to U.S. elections

In a post with a memo she shared on the social platform X, Gabbard mentioned “continued adherence to the principles and responsibilities of our profession,” emphasising that holding a clearance is “a privilege, not a right” and suggesting the removed officials had violated those standards.

Among those affected were Shelby Pierson, known for warning Congress about Russian meddling in 2020 and now serving as a senior official at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency; a senior CIA analyst working undercover; and Vinh X. Nguyen, a data scientist at the NSA. These individuals had played prominent roles in analyzing foreign election threats.

This action appears to align with an ongoing campaign by Gabbard, and fully supported by Trump, to challenge what they view as flawed or politically tainted intelligence — particularly pertaining to allegations of Russian influence in the 2016 election.

Gabbard has framed her actions as part of a broader effort to remedy the politicization of the intelligence community, calling some intelligence assessments a result of disloyal or partisan agendas.

However, critics argue the move is an effort to shift attention back to the 2016 election — a contest Trump won — and away from ongoing scrutiny of issues like the scandal related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The development led to strong reactions on social media.

The Economist's Defense Editor Shashank Joshi said in a post on X: "Absolutely horrific decision. Ongoing politicisation of intelligence, creating incentives in the IC to avoid telling WH things it doesn’t want to hear. 'President Trump revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former national security officials, many of whom worked on Russia analysis or foreign threats to U.S. elections.'"

He added: "Says it all- they know this is an indefensible art of self harm that they can’t realistically explain or justify."

Journalist Pam Fessler said: "Another example of the Trump administration doing what it accuses others of doing, politicizing intelligence. More retribution against people doing their jobs and telling the truth."