WASHINGTON — Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced the revocation of 37 security clearances of current and former officials who “abused public trust by politicizing and manipulating” information — including several who were involved in a controversial, Barack Obama-ordered assessment of Russian influence in the 2016 election.
An ODNI memo dated Monday announced that the more than three dozen intel professionals — including a former top aide to Obama DNI James Clapper — had either politicized or weaponized intelligence, failed to safeguard classified info or not followed tradecraft standards.
“The President has directed that, effective immediately, the security clearances of the following 37 individuals are revoked,” the memo stated.
“Their access to classified systems, facilities, materials, and information is to be terminated forthwith. Any contracts or employment with the U.S. Government by these 37 individuals is hereby terminated. Any credentials held by these individuals must be surrendered to the appropriate security officers.”
The 37 include Vinh Nguyen, who assisted Clapper in producing the now-discredited 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russia’s preference for then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2016 contest with Hillary Clinton.
“Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right,” Gabbard said in a statement. “Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold.”
“Our Intelligence Community must be committed to upholding the values and principles enshrined in the US Constitution,” the spy chief added, “and maintain a laser-like focus on our mission of ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people.”
