Posted on 07/24/2018 6:02:11 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Washington (CNN) -- President Donald Trump's latest gambit to choke off the flow of information for past spy chiefs who have criticized him is a disturbing move that again exposes an imperious streak out of place in American democracy.
The President's threat to rip security clearances from some of the nation's most decorated former intelligence officials may turn out to be a classic Trumpian distraction play that whips up a media storm and drowns out stories that are damaging to the White House. But the idea that it is being seriously contemplated will send a chilling effect throughout Washington. The wielding of presidential power to punish prominent critics would take this White House perilously closer to potential abuses of executive authority -- perhaps moving it onto territory not tested by any commander in chief since Richard Nixon.
Singling out dissenting former public servants in this way is a norm-busting power play that might seem tame in political systems ruled with an iron grip by Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, who Trump admires. But it would be fueled by a strongman's instinct that both those leaders might recognize.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
This article is utter nonsense.
Not a damn thing will change cuz the FBI and CIA leaks like crazy.
I think the chaos is what POTUS is looking for. He wants to get the debate going. This is a recurring tactic that has always worked well for him. When the chips settle he has decimated his opponents and they haven’t landed a glove. This White House has accomplished amazing things so amateur hour might a superficially appealing but ill considered label.
President Trump is also all about branding. By associating the known two who were fired for malfeasance (and don’t have clearance) with the others, he brands the rest with the same brush. All the fish in this barrel stink.
Yes, what you said. I noted that the MSM last night was reporting that POTUS was doing this “...to retaliate against his critics...”, which ignored his right and reasons for toing this.
“toing this” = “doing this” (need more coffee)
Except many of the leaks are coming out the WH. Which is why I figure it’s official disinformation to allow the claim fake news.
The reason they have them is because traditionally it’s been the norm so these former high-level people can be used by the government as consultants, etc if needed.
These people are obviously not needed by the government.
Revoke their clearances.
How does cutting off a security clearance choke off information, unless they are leaking like a sieve?
I don’t know why FORMER federal officials have ever been allowed to keep their security clearances. I don’t know why any former official should have access to ANY classified material,
other than material from a time they in were in office, handed to them in an official government meeting/hearing during which they are asked to comment on that material.
We have for far too long been treating former officials, particularly presidents, like royalty - a privileged class.
I would also revoke the lifetime secret service protection for former presidents and their immediate families. They can all - every single one of them - afford to hire their own. I think Trump might even support legislation to do that.
No former official, Dem or GOP, should have a security clearance once he’s left office. If he was fired, it should be revoked that instant and he should be escorted out. If he’s retired, it should be revoked that day, and when he leaves the building, he turns in all work-related material and ID. I’m astounded to find out that it has ever been otherwise.
None of the clowns have a legitimate need to know in any situations where an active/up to date Secret or Top Secret clearance is needed.
When they left their government positions, their clearances were turned off like a night switch.
Again, they have “zero need to know” in our current government where security clearances are needed.
It should have been his first move, right after the GE (General Election) in 2016.
The author seems to think the security clearance is some sort of retirement present
Security Clearances are based on "a need to know". Even if you have a clearance and you do not have a demonstrated "a need to know", then you do not get access to classified information, regardless of the level of your clearance.
All of us peons who have held security clearances in the course of our jobs, get debriefed and the clearance deactivated when we leave the job, because we no longer have the "a need to know". These treasonous SOBs certainly should not be accessing classified information so they can "talk authoritatively" on TV or cocktail parties. The very fact that these traitors STILL have clearances is a primary reason why the chicoms and russkies seem to have no problems getting our technology and secrets.
And that's just the opening opening sentence. As the late great R.Lee Ermey, in the role of Sgt. Hartman, said "I didn't know they could stack sh*t that high!"
A former CIA director has no right to see classified info asshat.
A former CIA director has “zero need to know”, even to what is on the CIA lunch menu for that day.
He isn’t silencing anyone. He is taking security clearances from those who no longer work for the US government. That should have been the policy all along.
Until President Trump was elected, I had no idea that people kept their security clearances after moving on. I have no idea why we would do this..... It sure seems ludicrous to me
Fixed it.
Remove security clearances from known liars, leakers, and sore losers with a grudge.
-PJ
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