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Trump moves to silence critics (by revoking security clearances)
Collusion News Network ^ | Updated 7:20 AM ET, Tue July 24, 2018 | Stephen Collinson

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 ...


TOPICS: Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: boycotttimewarner; cheeseandwhine; clinton; cnn; dnctalkingpoints; fakenews; mediabias; nationalsecurity; obama; timelies; trump; trumpdoj
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Security clearance is a privilege, not a right.
1 posted on 07/24/2018 6:02:11 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If he were muzzling critics, he’d have Jim Acosta institutionalized.


2 posted on 07/24/2018 6:03:04 AM PDT by jimfree (My18 y/o granddaughter continues to have more quality exec experience than an 8 year Obama.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

why should the known Communist ex-head of the CIA still have a security clearance?

I can’t set foot inside of my former employers’ offices without an escort and no longer have computer access.


3 posted on 07/24/2018 6:04:19 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Spygate's clock began in 2015 - what did President Obama know and when did he know it)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Note the dishonesty. “choke off the flow of information from past spy chiefs.” They can keep talking any time or place, just without the privilege of security briefings that they do not deserve.


4 posted on 07/24/2018 6:05:19 AM PDT by jimfree (My18 y/o granddaughter continues to have more quality exec experience than an 8 year Obama.)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

They should all be in jail. Why the even have their security clearance still, is rather quite shocking.


5 posted on 07/24/2018 6:05:58 AM PDT by LibFreeUSA
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To: E. Pluribus Unum
Stephen "Seditionboy" Collinson weighs in.

There's a nice tree and a rope waiting for you, Seditionboy....

6 posted on 07/24/2018 6:07:41 AM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Hey, Collinson, these dirtbags were not Trump critics; they were trying to overthrow the duly elected President of the United States.

Comey, Brennan, Clapper, McCabe, and the rest of the cabal committed sedition and they should all be locked up.


7 posted on 07/24/2018 6:09:32 AM PDT by july4thfreedomfoundation (Washington is NOT a swamp.....It's a cesspool!)
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To: a fool in paradise

I agree. Why does someone no longer working for the US require a security clearance? I had a TS clearance much of my life, but I’m retired and I no longer have one. Oh golly! What a shock!

Something about “need to know”...

And these former intelligence people are actively working to illegally overthrow the government. If it were me, I’d be thinking “jail”.


8 posted on 07/24/2018 6:10:15 AM PDT by Mr Rogers (Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

There go all the “unnamed sources.”


9 posted on 07/24/2018 6:11:12 AM PDT by Arm_Bears (Hey, Rocky--Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!)
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To: jimfree
The President's threat to rip security clearances from some of the nation's most decorated former intelligence officials

On the plus side, the President forced Stephen to take the time to write this article, and for that time, Seditionboy won't be ripping the clothes from little boys and sodomizing them, as is his wont.

10 posted on 07/24/2018 6:11:24 AM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Good.

The quicker the better.

5.56mm


11 posted on 07/24/2018 6:11:50 AM PDT by M Kehoe
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To: Mr Rogers

And nail-studded baseball bats.


12 posted on 07/24/2018 6:12:19 AM PDT by kiryandil (Never pick a fight with an angry beehive)
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To: Mr Rogers

I think back to Clinton’s crony using his post-term access privileges to remove and destroy compromising notes relating to the 9-11 attacks and the Clinton administration.


13 posted on 07/24/2018 6:12:46 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (Spygate's clock began in 2015 - what did President Obama know and when did he know it)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

I guess the question is why announce it they way they did during briefing. It should have be done discretely and quietly.


14 posted on 07/24/2018 6:13:31 AM PDT by joesbucks
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Seems to me they can talk all they want...

...just not about classified information.

More ridiculous hyperbole by the media.


15 posted on 07/24/2018 6:15:47 AM PDT by Magnatron
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

If former officials are on TV regularly opining about things, the fact they have security clearances gives them additional credibility they do not deserve.

They don’t need security clearances to be pundits.

In fact, as pundits, they are presumably checking with past colleagues for information. If they have clearance, their former colleague will be more apt to share classified information; if they had no clearances, their colleague will be more guarded; which they should be.

The distinction should be what they are doing with their clearances after leaving the government. If they work for a contractor or need the clearance for a new role in the private sector, fine; if they are just another pundit / journalist, they should NOT have security clearance.


16 posted on 07/24/2018 6:15:52 AM PDT by dan on the right
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

This is not a move to silence speech. It is a move to keep these criminals from leaking classified info to the media they work for.

They can still spew their hate.


17 posted on 07/24/2018 6:19:16 AM PDT by dforest (Never let a Muslim cut your hair.)
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To: Arm_Bears

Wanna bet?


18 posted on 07/24/2018 6:20:46 AM PDT by joesbucks
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

Why in the world should any former employee’s security clearance be maintained after their employment ends. A security clearance serves the needs of the government by allowing people access to classified information or facilities necessary to do their job. Once the job is over access to classified information should be terminated.


19 posted on 07/24/2018 6:20:55 AM PDT by nuke_road_warrior (Making the world safe for nuclear power for over 20 years)
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To: dforest

If they’ve leaked classified info, then why aren’t they charged with doing so?


20 posted on 07/24/2018 6:21:43 AM PDT by joesbucks
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