Trump says he is revoking Biden's security clearance

Former US President Donald Trump has announced that he is revoking Joe Biden's security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings, following a similar action he took against Biden four years ago.

Trump made the statement in a post on his Truth Social platform, asserting, "There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information." He added, "JOE, YOU'RE FIRED," referencing his famous catchphrase from the reality TV show The Apprentice.

Previously, Trump had also revoked the security clearances of over 40 former intelligence officials, accusing them of interfering in the 2020 election in Biden's favor.

On Friday evening, Donald Trump posted that Joe Biden "set this precedent in 2021" when he instructed the Intelligence Community to stop providing him with national security details. Trump argued that this was a courtesy typically extended to former presidents.

Trump claimed Biden "could not be trusted with sensitive information," referencing a Justice Department inquiry into Biden's handling of classified files. The investigation found that while no criminal charges were necessary, Biden's memory was poor, pointing to instances where he struggled to recall significant events like the year his son, Beau, passed away and the timeline of his tenure as vice president under Barack Obama. Biden had rejected this portrayal at the time.

Trump, who has kept a low profile since leaving office, did not immediately respond to Biden's move on Friday. The BBC reached out to Biden's talent agency, which recently signed him, but no immediate comment was received.

In 2021, Biden became the first president to deny a former president access to classified intelligence briefings. He explained the decision by saying Trump could not be trusted due to his "erratic behavior," a concern that predated the January 6 Capitol riot, which Democrats accused Trump of inciting. Biden questioned the value of providing Trump with such briefings, asking, "What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?"

In 2022, federal agents discovered classified files at Donald Trump's Florida residence, leading to charges of willfully retaining defense information. Trump pleaded not guilty, and the case was eventually dropped after he was re-elected.

Since returning to office, Trump has taken steps to revoke the security clearances and protections of several high-ranking officials tied to the Biden administration. One of the prominent figures affected is former top US military commander Mark Milley, who has been an outspoken critic of Trump. The new Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has called for an investigation into Milley's "conduct" and a review of his military rank.

Trump has also revoked security details for other prominent individuals, including former chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci, who led the US response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Trump defended his decision, calling it "very standard," noting that not everyone should receive lifetime security protection simply for having worked for the government.

In addition, Trump ended security protection for his former Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and last month removed Secret Service protection from former National Security Adviser John Bolton. The president has also ordered the revocation of security clearances for dozens of former intelligence officials, including two former CIA directors, who had signed a 2020 letter suggesting that reports about a laptop belonging to Joe Biden's son, Hunter, were part of a Russian disinformation campaign. However, the laptop's contents, which included evidence of drug use, prostitution, and foreign business dealings, have since been verified as real.

Meanwhile, Trump made headlines for other actions this week, including signing an order to freeze aid to South Africa over land law issues, and a judge halting his plan to place thousands of USAID staff members on leave. Additionally, Elon Musk announced plans to rehire a former aide who had resigned over racist posts.