The latest in former CIA Director John Brennnan….
But the list is growing….
Donald Trump has shown he is increasingly thin skinned….
President Trump has revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan due to “erratic conduct and behavior,” according to White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders at today’s press briefing.
Why it matters: Sanders said that Trump was using his “constitutional authority” as president to revoke Brennan’s clearance — something that has never been done before, according to Lawfare. Trump is also “evaluating action” regarding the current and former clearances of several other former intelligence and law enforcement officials like James Comey, James Clapper, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe, Peter Strzok, Lisa Page, and Bruce Ohr…..
Last night current Director of National Security clarified the idea that the security clearance actions came from his side of things , saying that he knew nothing about the action….
Then we have this….
The Washington Post notes that President Trump “confessed that his true motivation” for revoking former CIA director John Brennan’s security clearance was the Russia investigation.
Said Trump, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal: “I call it the rigged witch hunt; it is a sham. And these people led it! So I think it’s something that had to be done.”
“You could be forgiven for having flashbacks to Trump’s interview with NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt in the aftermath of his firing last year of James B. Comey as FBI director. Then, as now, the White House offered a series of motivations for the crackdown on a person who was a liability in the Russia probe. Then, as now, it seemed clear what the actual motivation was. And then, as now, Trump appeared to go out and just admit the actual motivation.”
Brennan does NOT back down…..
…’Brennan wrote that Trump’s claims of no collusion with Russia are “hogwash” and that the only question remaining is whether the collusion amounts to a “constituted criminally liable conspiracy.”
“Trump clearly has become more desperate to protect himself and those close to him, which is why he made the politically motivated decision to revoke my security clearance in an attempt to scare into silence others who might dare to challenge him,” he wrote.’….
More…
So still no criticism from the Republicans on the Hill over Trump pulling Brennan’s security clearance. All in for the Republican President.
corker complained, but I don’t know of anyone else.
At this point, Republicans are fully committed to Trump. They have already made a deal with the devil, and the devil won’t let them back out – even a little. Most Republicans are finished if Trump doesn’t back them, and hey they got where they are in the first place by supporting things like voter suppression and bortowing money from China to pay for a tzx cut that targets their income group. So why should anyone think they would care about ethics now?
Colins also…
But those two don’t count….
Collins supported Trump on Brennan.
I have found it disturbing the number of GOP Senators who have defended Trump on this. It is one thing to be silent, but another thing to outwardly support Trump in this. And the list includes some senators who should know better – such as Collins and Kennedy.
Trump admitted that he was simply going after Brennan because of the Russian investigation. His comments could be construed as obstruction. But, more importantly, Brennan is a patriot who served his Nation.
It is unbelievable that Republican Members of Congress would support this action.
Trump DOES have the right to fire any Federal employee….
But the admittances would go to the heart of the ‘intent’ charges of obstruction legally…
As I have pointed out?
I doubt VERY much that the intel people are gonna stop speaking to Brennan just like I’m sure James Comey still speaks to FBI and Justice Dept. people….
This is not about firing employees, but about revoking the security clearances of former employees, which is a rather different question.
(A) Although an existing Executive Order, several pages long, outlines possible reasons and a formal procedure for revoking security clearances, the President is apparently able to ignore it and revoke a clearance solely at his own discretion. He can of course also issue a new Executive Order that overrides the one that’s now in place.
(B) Insofar as I know (and Keith and/or Jack can correct or confirm me on this), a President does NOT have the right to fire any Federal employee, only a few thousand who are exempt from the civil service and thus not governed by the Merit Systems Protection Board (successor to the old Civil Service Commission). The very senior national-security positions held by John Brennan would certainly qualify as civil-service-exempt, but he is no longer a Federal employee. (In fact, on the PBS News Hour this week, he said he’d consulted without pay for six months chairing an internal CIA study or inquiry.)
While I pretend to no particular knowledge of this, common sense tells me that the President Of the United States can’t,for instance, arbitrarily fire an employee in the Passport office.
You comment above makes sense and is a good summation of the matter.
I concur, however they can make things unpleasant and drive them out.
Ok…
My firing employee comment wasn’t clear….
Trump might be able to DIRECTLY fire certain employee’s….
He seems NOT to be able to directly fire Rosenstein….
But the President CAN certainly find a way to fire just about any employee one way or another….
Example?…CPFB head, who EVERYBODY said couldn’t be fired but WAS….The judge went with Trump
Remember Reagan fired The air traffic controller’s for ’cause’….
Trump COULD certainly make up any bull shit cause and it would probably stick…
The clearance issue is of course NOT about firing people who don’t currently work for the government…You’re right DSD….
I still say if Trump doesn’t remind his action on Brennen?
people in the Intel business will STILL seek his advice….
And the legal argument might NOT work with Trump….
He tends to try to do whatever he wants if you cross him….
And he doesn’t fire people…
He gets their boss to do it if THEY want to keep THEIR jobs….
He definitely has the authority to fire Rosenstein.
Sure he could and THAT in itself WOULD be a prima-facie case for Obstruction….
Again….
He would NEVER fire the guy DIRECTLY….
Your point is well taken…
Even Sessions hasn’t touched Rosenstein….
Congress, even the Republicans wouldn’t go for that….
Did I just change directions on the question?
twitter….
Jim Sciutto
@jimsciutto
“I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.” – Fmr Spec Ops CMDR & Univ of Texas Pres William McRaven
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Jim Sciutto
@jimsciutto
Jim Sciutto Retweeted Jim Sciutto
Among many operations during his command and service, Admiral McRaven was in charge of the bin laden raid.