In yet more great news out of the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, it was announced by her that she is stripping 37 current and former intelligence community officials who manipulated intelligence, leaking classified intelligence, or otherwise aided in the “seditious conspiracy” against President Trump over the 2016-17 era.
As background, the issue at hand is the intelligence memorandum, which was reportedly ordered by former President Barack Obama, that framed Trump as having conspired with Russia to attack Hillary Clinton, then the Democratic presidential nominee. The memo was the basis for the Russia investigation, and DNI Gabbard alleges it was knowingly false.
Beginning her post on X in which she released screenshots of the memo stripping the more than three dozen intelligence officials of their security clearances, Gabbard declared, “Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. 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.”
Continuing, she noted that such malfeasance from intelligence officials significantly weakens the American republic and puts our national security at risk. She said, “In doing so, they undermine our national security, the safety and security of the American people and the foundational principles of our democratic republic.”
Then, getting to what specific action was taken, the DNI explained that the officials involved had abused their positions and the trust the public placed in them. She wrote, “This is why, at @POTUS’ direction, @ODNIgov directed the revocation of the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence professionals who have abused the public trust by politicizing and manipulating intelligence, leaking classified intelligence without authorization, and/or committing intentional egregious violations of tradecraft standards.”
Concluding, DNI Gabbard explained that those who remain in the IC must be committed to upholding American values, saying, “Our Intelligence Community must be committed to upholding the values and principles enshrined in the US Constitution and maintain a laser-like focus on our mission of ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people.”
The memo that she shared as part of the post articulated many of the same concerns about the 37 individuals involved, explaining that they had engaged in potentially illegal conduct in leaking classified information and pushing untruths for political reasons, and so had to be stripped of their clearances.
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DNI Gabbard also explained the matter when she appeared on Sean Hannity’s program on FNC on Tuesday, August 19. She said, explaining what they did that is so problematic, “They aided and abetted in this action — this seditious conspiracy — that undermined our democracy, undermined our Republic, and broke that sacred trust that every one of these professionals is supposed to have from the American people.” Watch her here:
DNI Gabbard received an outpouring of support online in the wake of the post. For example, Rep. Claudi Tenney chimed in and said, “As a Member of the House Intelligence Committee, security clearances are a privilege. For those who abuse this privilege, revocation is only the first step.”
Continuing, Rep. Tenney, echoing many others who demanded the DOJ bring charges, called for stronger action to be taken than just revocation, saying, “We cannot stop there. They must be held fully accountable for their actions. Thank you to @POTUS and @DNIGabbard. The Intelligence Community must protect Americans, not serve political agendas.”
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video