President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum on March 22, 2025, announcing the revocation of security clearances for a number of prominent political figures, including Liz Cheney, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton, and President Joe Biden. The directive also ends Secret Service protection for Hunter and Ashley Biden.
The memo, aimed at safeguarding national security, names over a dozen individuals, including former Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and former Vice President Biden. Trump stated that these measures were necessary to “protect classified information” and directed agency heads to “immediately rescind access” to sensitive materials for those listed.
Liz Cheney, a former Republican Congresswoman and daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney, was included among the figures stripped of clearance. Cheney has become a vocal critic of Trump in recent years and even endorsed Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race, drawing backlash from members of her own party.
Trump’s directive also marks a significant shift in policy regarding Secret Service protection for presidential family members. In a Truth Social post dated March 17, 2025, the president confirmed that Hunter and Ashley Biden would no longer receive taxpayer-funded protection. He criticized the scope and cost of their detail, stating, “There are as many as 18 people on this detail, which is ridiculous!”
Further stoking controversy, Trump claimed that Hunter Biden had been vacationing in South Africa—a nation he criticized for human rights issues. As a result, he said, South Africa would be removed from the U.S. list of countries eligible for economic and financial aid.
In response to the memo, Politico noted the unusual nature of such sweeping revocations. Some of the individuals named may not have had active clearances, raising questions about the practical implications. Nonetheless, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard confirmed earlier in March that access had already been restricted for certain individuals, including Blinken and New York Attorney General Letitia James, at the president’s request.
This latest move adds to President Trump’s assertive efforts to reshape the federal landscape as he continues his second term in office. Critics have called the actions unprecedented and politically charged, while supporters argue they reflect a commitment to national security and accountability.
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