“Joe, You’re Fired”: Trump Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance, Citing 2021 Precedent

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is revoking former President Joe Biden’s security clearance and access to intelligence briefings, arguing that Biden himself established the precedent when he blocked Trump from receiving classified information in 2021.

“There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED,” he added, referencing his signature catchphrase from The Apprentice.

The decision comes as Trump continues to reshape national security policies and target officials linked to the previous administration. In his post, Trump pointed to Biden’s own actions four years ago, when the then-president barred Trump from receiving intelligence briefings, citing concerns over his “erratic behavior” and potential to disclose sensitive information.

Biden’s move was unprecedented at the time, breaking with the tradition of allowing former presidents access to classified updates. “What value is giving him an intelligence briefing?” Biden said in 2021. “What impact does he have at all, other than the fact he might slip and say something?”

Now, Trump is taking similar action, arguing that Biden “could not be trusted with sensitive information,” citing a Justice Department inquiry into Biden’s handling of classified documents. While the investigation did not result in charges, it did highlight concerns about Biden’s memory, which he strongly denied.

Biden, who has remained largely out of the spotlight since leaving office last month, has yet to respond to Trump’s decision.

Trump has also revoked security clearances and protections for other officials connected to the Biden administration. This includes former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley, a vocal critic of Trump, whose military rank is now under review by new Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Additionally, Trump stripped former chief medical adviser Anthony Fauci of his security detail, arguing that lifelong protections for government officials are not standard practice.

The president has also targeted intelligence officials who signed a 2020 letter dismissing reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop as Russian disinformation. Among them are two former CIA directors whose security clearances have now been revoked.