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Trump threatens ex-intel official's clearance, citing comments on CNN (Phil Mudd)
The Hill ^ | 08/20/18 | Brett Samuels

Posted on 08/20/2018 8:57:16 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

President Trump on Monday suggested he may pull the security clearance of former FBI official Phil Mudd after Mudd appeared on a heated CNN segment over the weekend to push back against the president's revocation of clearances from other members of the intelligence community

Trump tweeted that he watched Mudd "become totally unglued and weird" during a debate with CNN analyst Paris Dennard on the president's decision to revoke ex-CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance.

"Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance," Trump said. "Should be REVOKED?"

Trump tagged Fox News host Sean Hannity in the tweet as well. It was not immediately clear if Hannity replayed a clip of the back-and-forth between Mudd and Dennard, which originally aired on CNN on Friday night.

In the segment, Dennard agreed with Trump's decision to revoke Brennan's security clearance, and argued former intelligence officials keep their clearances "because it’s profitable for them after they leave government."

"Profitable, Paris?" Mudd responded. "When I am requested to sit on an advisory board, let me ask you one question. How much do you think I’m paid to do that at the request of the US government?"

"Answer the question," he shouted.

Mudd, who worked under then-FBI Director Robert Mueller and spent three decades in the CIA and FBI, asserted he is not paid by the government when he provides consulting work, and that he does not use his clearance for work in the private sector.

The two men continued to shout over each other, with Mudd growing more upset.

"We’re done, Jim," Mudd said. "Get out. 25 years in the service and this is the sh*t I get? Get out."

Trump justified revoking Brennan’s clearance by saying in a statement that the former CIA chief has made “a series of unfounded and outrageous allegations — wild outbursts on the internet and television — about this Administration.”

In addition to Brennan, Trump said he is considering revoking the clearances of a number of other former intelligence official, and one current Department of Justice employee.

Skeptics have noted that Trump has singled out individuals who have spoken out against him, and suggested the president may be using the clearances as a political tool to retaliate.

Dozens of ex-intelligence officials, including Mudd, have expressed support for Brennan in recent days and condemned Trump’s decision to revoke his clearance.

Michael Hayden, a former CIA director whose clearance Trump said he's reviewing, responded to Trump's tweet on Monday night calling Mudd a "hero" and a "counter terrorism giant."


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: benghazi; cnn; fbi; jamescomey; johnbrennan; lisapage; mudd; parisdennard; peterstrzok; phillipmudd; philmudd; robertmueller; security; trump
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To: yesthatjallen

Dozens of ex-intelligence officials, including Mudd, have expressed support for Brennan in recent days /////

At first I thought these swine actually cared about brennan. Now I think they could care less. What they really care about is their own clearances. They seem to figure they can protecting them by grouping around brennan to get Trump to back down.

Now that the issue is out in the open I hope Trump revokes all clearances (to be fair). Those who can be helpful in classified areas can be cleared on a case by case basis.


21 posted on 08/20/2018 9:31:34 PM PDT by Ceebass (20 year freeper. Hooray for me!)
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To: yesthatjallen

Trump needs more action and less talk on this. The pres. shouldn’t threaten...just do it. Let others do the commenting. This is a fault...always commenting.


22 posted on 08/20/2018 9:32:08 PM PDT by rrrod (just an old guy with a gun in his pocket)
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To: datricker

I think sessions is gone but Trump’s timing to execute firing has not arrived. If you watched godfather, then recall Michael waiting for opportune time to take out enemies. Sessions knows it too, his loyalty keeps him there waiting for Trump to eventually move.


23 posted on 08/20/2018 9:38:38 PM PDT by Raycpa
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To: yesthatjallen

Mudd is a giant douche.


24 posted on 08/20/2018 9:39:23 PM PDT by jospehm20
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To: morphing libertarian

I agree. He needs to stop messing around and just
DO IT!


25 posted on 08/20/2018 9:39:55 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (0bama's agenda�Divide and conquer seems to be working.?)
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To: TribalPrincess2U

Altho, it’s one of those political moves....get enough people to agree first.


26 posted on 08/20/2018 9:41:43 PM PDT by TribalPrincess2U (0bama's agenda�Divide and conquer seems to be working.?)
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To: yesthatjallen

I don’t know how it works but it seems that they could walk in to one of the agencies and get sensitive information, walk out and sell it to the highest bidder.


27 posted on 08/20/2018 9:42:40 PM PDT by laplata (Leftists/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: rrrod
Trump needs more action and less talk on this. The pres. shouldn’t threaten...just do it. Let others do the commenting. This is a fault...always commenting.

With anyone besides Trump, I would agree. But President Trump is playing a longer game here, and talking serves the purpose of highlighting a particular theme and keeping it in the public consciousness for a useful amount of time. If all he wanted to accomplish was pulling Mudd's clearance, he would have done it yesterday. A much broader issue will be addressed a little further down the road, and the president is focusing the public's attention and shaping the future battlefield. Everything is strategic with Donald Trump. Everything.

28 posted on 08/20/2018 9:47:41 PM PDT by Always A Marine ("When you strike at a king, you must kill him" - Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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To: allendale
“People don’t expect a leader to “threaten”. They expect him to act and leave the obvious explanation to others.”

I don't think you understand how Trump works, how are you became rich, and how he became president. He's a master troller, the Shitposter-in-Chief. He calls out prominent douche-bags which he spotlights them to prominence where they will then go and make an ass out of themselves and then he wins. Mudd is going to go floured and normal people will think “Trump is right, douche bags like this should not be in government and they shouldn't have a security clearance!”

29 posted on 08/20/2018 10:01:55 PM PDT by WMarshal (Because we're America, Bitches!)
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To: allendale

The whole current system of security clearances is an insult to those who are earning them. I heard on FOX that thousands of Americans retain security clearances.

These honorable things are made into a damn perk, into perpetuity! Never revoked!

The president has every right and duty, as the Commander in Chief, to halt this ridiculous system of mockery against those on the job and giving warranted service to this nation, saving lives or giving their own, directly or Indirectly.

Who knew this crap was going on? Trump is ripping the veil off the corrupt and the system they are perpetuating, for personal gain or even subversion.


30 posted on 08/20/2018 10:08:16 PM PDT by RitaOK (Viva Christo Rey! Public Ed & Academia are the FARM TEAM for more Marxists coming, infinitum.)
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To: dragnet2
"His anger was a show and he’s a poor actor, very cosmetic."

Agreed. There's only one Mad Prophet of the Airwaves (and he won an Oscar for it)!


31 posted on 08/20/2018 10:11:02 PM PDT by avenir ("But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine."--Paul to Titus)
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To: WMarshal

I LIKE the way you put things. Spot on. Tag included.


32 posted on 08/20/2018 10:16:02 PM PDT by RitaOK (Viva Christo Rey! Public Ed & Academia are the FARM TEAM for more Marxists coming, infinitum.)
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To: yesthatjallen

As I have stated on other threads, Brennan was the start button in a giant game of Whack A Mole.

Up they pop and WHACK!! Brilliant in it’s simplicity. You don’t even need to investigate. They out themselves and then WHACK!! It is almost as if Ted Williams was drafted as the official whacker.


33 posted on 08/20/2018 10:38:39 PM PDT by LesbianThespianGymnasticMidget (TRUMP TRAIN !!! Get the hell out of the way if you are not on yet because we don't stop for idiots)
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To: allendale

“People don’t expect a leader to “threaten”. They expect him to act and leave the obvious explanation to others.”

Yep. Better to act than tweet. Just do it.


34 posted on 08/20/2018 10:53:44 PM PDT by plain talk
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To: DesertRhino
Last, he works for a British intel consulting firm.

Wow - I can't believe no one has posted a further comment about that. Um, is that info. rock solid? And is Mudd compensated for said work? (It's hard to believe he's not, but, the question should be asked: A "yes" just totally blows him up, and I'm not sure if I prefer seeing Trump do it himself, or hand it off to Sarah Sanders. :-)

35 posted on 08/20/2018 11:53:00 PM PDT by Paul R.
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To: yesthatjallen
"The two men continued to shout over each other, with Mudd growing more upset."

Which is a lie. While what only can be described as Muff "digging deep" for his "Jedi powers" and looking the fool for it, the other gentlemen was the epitome of 3C's. Calm, Cool and Collected, and devastated Phil Mudd with a calmly stated "It's not your show Phil". While the host and the other guest looked on increasingly uncomfortable, it was a moment meant for Dennis Miller.

Kudos to that young black gentleman who supports Trump's lawfulness and reasoning behind revoking Security Clearances.

One thing to consider, if they don't get paid for consulting with USA and they don't' use it for corporate purposes then why the hell do they need it? Do they lose their key to the "Washington House" where all old spies gather? How about the secret CIA retirement compound in Central America?

36 posted on 08/21/2018 1:12:06 AM PDT by Fhios (♫ Oh Where have you been Jeffy boy Jeffy boy oh where have you been charming Jeffy?)
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To: yesthatjallen

Security clearances are most valuable if you wish to be employed by a company that has government contracts.

But THAT is NOT what is driving these characters totally loony toons.

Security clearances are not normally revoked for any well behaved clearance holder.

Need to know is the normal control gate for classified information. If your government approved need to know matches your security clearance, then you get to know.

BUT...

When a security clearance is revoked, it triggers an automatic review of everything. Them’s the rules. (As in ALL Comms, public and private, for starters. Everything.)

You see, to get a security clearance in the first place, one has to agree to this. National Security is at stake, after all.

Now do these public meltdowns begin to make sense?


37 posted on 08/21/2018 1:13:19 AM PDT by EasySt (Truth will Prevail)
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To: Raycpa

I think it starts rolling a week or two after Labor Day.


38 posted on 08/21/2018 2:33:34 AM PDT by FreedomPoster (Islam delenda est)
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To: yesthatjallen
Mudd, who worked under then-FBI Director Robert Mueller and spent three decades in the CIA and FBI, asserted he is not paid by the government when he provides consulting work, and that he does not use his clearance for work in the private sector.

Apparently, Mudd does not really need a security clearance, according to his own words.

He is clearly unhinged and may be a danger to himself and the country. Time for adults to step in and relieve him of his clearance.

39 posted on 08/21/2018 2:59:14 AM PDT by olezip
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To: EasySt

I did know that.

Thank you.

L


40 posted on 08/21/2018 3:12:07 AM PDT by Lurker (President Trump isn't our last chance. President Trump is THEIR last chance.)
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