Gabbard Strips Security Clearances From 37 ‘Russiagate’ Collaborators

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard announced the revocation of 37 security clearances belonging to both current and former intelligence officials who “abused public trust by politicizing and manipulating” information. Several of the officials worked on the controversial Russian collusion plot, which involved senior intelligence officials signing off on a bogus report alleging that Russian election meddling played a decisive role in the 2016 presidential election despite having evidence to the contrary.

An ODNI memo sent Monday announced that more than three dozen intelligence officials had either politicized or weaponized intelligence, failed to safeguard classified info or not followed tradecraft standards. Among those who lost their security clearances was a senior aide to former DNI James Clapper.

“The President has directed that, effective immediately, the security clearances of the following 37 individuals are revoked,” the memo, which was obtained by the New York Post, 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 list of revocations includes Vinh Nguyen, who assisted then-DNI Clapper in crafting the thoroughly discredited 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that claimed Russia demonstrated a preference for then-candidate Donald Trump. The ICA also claimed that Russian meddling played a decisive role in the 2016 presidential election.

The ICA was advanced and signed off on by senior Obama officials, including Clapper, then-FBI Director James Comey and then-CIA Director John Brennan despite having evidence to the contrary of both claims.

“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.”

Former DNI James Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan defend their decisions to sign off on a bogus letter claiming Hunter Biden’s laptop was a “Russian disinformation” operation in a 2023 interview

“Our Intelligence Community must be committed to upholding the values and principles enshrined in the US Constitution,” Gabbard added, “and maintain a laser-like focus on our mission of ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people.”

Earlier this month, the Justice Department empaneled a grand jury to review allegations of collusion and conspiracy on the part of senior Obama officials when crafting the bogus ICA report. In a signed order, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed an unnamed federal prosecutor to “take to a grand jury evidence related to a conspiracy to tie then-2016 candidate Donald Trump to the country of Russia,” Fox News reported.

The brief one-page order does not indicate whether Clinton, Obama, or other former government officials are targets of the probe. However, other members of the Trump administration have publicly confirmed turning over evidence against those individuals specifically.

The DOJ further confirmed that Bondi is taking action based on referrals for criminal prosecution from both Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe.