In a shocking political twist, Donald Trump has revoked a key privilege from Joe Biden, a right that every former president has traditionally received. The move has sent waves through Washington, raising serious questions about political norms and presidential power.
Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and how this decision is shaping the future of post-presidency traditions.
What did Trump just take away from Biden?
Traditionally, former presidents continue to receive intelligence briefings even after leaving office. This allows them to stay informed about national security matters and offer insights when needed. However, Trump has officially revoked Biden’s access to these classified briefings.
Trump announced the decision on Truth Social, stating that “there is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information.” This action follows a precedent set in 2021 when Biden denied Trump access to security briefings, citing concerns over his “erratic behavior” (Forbes).
Why did Trump do this?
Trump’s decision appears to be a direct response to Biden’s earlier move in 2021. At the time, Biden claimed that Trump could not be trusted with intelligence due to security risks. Now, with Trump back in power, he seems to be returning the favor—making it clear that he believes Biden no longer has a reason to be briefed on national security.
But that’s not all. Trump also revoked security clearances for several high-profile officials from Biden’s administration, including Antony Blinken, Jake Sullivan, Lisa Monaco, Letitia James, and Alvin Bragg (Reuters).
Is this normal?
The short answer? No.
While sitting presidents have control over intelligence access, it’s extremely rare for them to completely strip a former president of their security briefings. These briefings are usually maintained as a courtesy to ensure past leaders can provide insight during national crises.
However, Trump argues that this decision is about “national security, not politics.” He believes that “Biden should no longer have access to top-level intelligence” and that it’s in the country’s best interest to keep classified information restricted to those currently in office.
The political backlash
Unsurprisingly, this decision has sparked intense debate.
- Trump’s supporters view this as a justified response to Biden’s 2021 decision and believe that it’s time for new leadership to take full control without interference from former presidents.
- Critics, however, see it as a dangerous precedent, warning that it could further erode political norms and turn post-presidency privileges into a “weaponized tool” against political opponents.
One thing is certain—this move has intensified tensions between Trump and Biden, showing that the political battle between them is far from over.
What happens next?
Right now, Biden hasn’t publicly responded to the decision. However, insiders suggest that this could lead to further political retaliation, as Democrats may seek ways to challenge Trump’s authority on these matters.
Whether or not this decision holds long-term consequences remains to be seen, but it raises important questions about the future of presidential privileges. Will intelligence briefings become a thing of the past for ex-presidents? And could future administrations use this as a precedent to deny their political rivals access to key government resources?
Final thoughts
Donald Trump’s decision to revoke Joe Biden’s intelligence briefings is “unprecedented”—and whether you see it as justified or purely political, there’s no denying that it sets the stage for more political power struggles in the years to come.
With the 2024 election still fresh in people’s minds, this latest move keeps Trump vs. Biden at the center of America’s political drama—and the impact of this decision may extend far beyond just these two leaders.
Sources:
Fox News – Trump Ends Biden’s Intelligence Briefings
Forbes – Trump Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance
Reuters – Trump Revokes Security Clearances for Biden Officials
