Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper denounced President Donald Trump when asked about the announcement that the president is trying to get his security clearance revoked while on the phone with CNN on Monday afternoon.
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“Well, it’s interesting news. I’m reading it and learning about it just as you are. I think it’s off the top of my head it’s a sad commentary,” Clapper said. “For political reasons, this is a petty way of retribution, I suppose for speaking out against the president, which I think, on the part of all of us, are born out of genuine concerns about President Trump.”
“It’s frankly more of a courtesy that former senior officials and the intelligence community are extended the courtesy of keeping the security clearance. Haven’t had a case of using it. And it has no bearing whatsoever on my regard or lack thereof for President Trump or what he’s doing,” he continued.
The revelation was made during Monday’s White House press briefing when Sarah Sanders announced they were looking to get the security clearance of multiple Obama era officials revoked.
“Not only is the president looking to take away Brennan’s security clearance, he is also looking into the clearances of Comey, Clapper, Hayden, Rice and McCabe,” she said. (RELATED: Sanders: White House Looking At Stripping Brennan, Comey, Clapper, Hayden, Rice, McCabe Of Security Clearances)