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US-POLITICS-CIA-SECURITY
Ex-CIA directors issue unprecedented Trump condemnation
WASHINGTON, Aug 18, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Former CIA directors and another half
dozen of America’s most senior spies have issued an unprecedented
condemnation of President Donald Trump, after his decision to blacklist their
colleague John Brennan.
In a statement, ex-CIA bosses appointed by Republican and Democratic
presidents — including Robert Gates, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Leon Panetta
and David Petraeus — denounced Trump’s decision to strip Brennan of his
security clearance.
Dozens of other former spies signaled their support for the statement.
“The president’s action regarding John Brennan and the threats of similar
action against other former officials has nothing to do with who should and
should not hold security clearances — and everything to do with an attempt
to stifle free speech,” the statement read.
Describing Trump’s move as “inappropriate and deeply regrettable,” they
insisted “we have never before seen the approval or removal of security
clearances used as a political tool, as was done in this case.”
Two of those who signed the statement — former director of national
intelligence James Clapper and former CIA director Michael Hayden — are,
according to Trump, on a list of people who could lose their clearance.
Former officials often retain security clearance after leaving office to
allow their successors to consult them on issues of the day.
The White House said Brennan — a notable Trump critic — had been
stripped of clearance due to his “erratic” behavior.
But in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump admitted his
decision on Brennan’s clearance was linked to the ongoing federal probe into
possible collusion between his campaign and Russia to influence the 2016
election.
“I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham,” Trump was quoted as
saying in the interview. “And these people led it!”
“So I think it’s something that had to be done,” he added.
Trump’s actions have been widely condemned, including by respected former
admiral William McRaven, the commander of the US Navy SEAL raid that killed
Osama bin Laden.
“Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our
children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a
nation,” he said.
But most of Trump’s Republican allies have defended the move or refused to
condemn it publicly.
On Friday, Trump said he would likely remove the security clearance of
Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, who has been targeted by Trump
supporters, in part because his wife worked for a company that produced a
dossier alleging Russia had incriminating evidence against the now president.
“Bruce Ohr is a disgrace. I suspect I’ll be taking it away very quickly,”
Trump told journalists.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 0812 hrs