HOLDING FORMER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE FOR ELECTION INTERFERENCE AND IMPROPER DISCLOSURE<br>OF SENSITIVE GOVERNMENTAL INFORMATION
This executive order revokes the security clearances of 50 former intelligence officials for allegedly coordinating with the Biden campaign to discredit the Hunter Biden laptop story during the 2020 election.
It also revokes the security clearance of former National Security Advisor John Bolton for publishing a memoir containing sensitive information.
The order establishes a policy against partisan political activity within the Intelligence Community and improper disclosure of classified information, and directs the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report on further inappropriate activity and recommendations for prevention.
Arguments For
- Intended benefits: Reinforces the principle of non-partisanship within the Intelligence Community, protects national security by preventing the misuse of classified information, and restores public trust in government institutions.
- Evidence cited: The order cites the letter signed by 51 former intelligence officials discrediting the Hunter Biden laptop story as evidence of election interference, and John Bolton's memoir as an example of improper disclosure of classified information.
- Implementation methods: The order directs the Director of National Intelligence to revoke security clearances and submit a report detailing further investigations and recommendations.
- Legal/historical basis: The order draws on the President's constitutional authority and existing laws governing the handling of classified information and the conduct of government officials.
Arguments Against
- Potential impacts: Could be seen as an act of political retribution, chilling free speech for former officials, and potentially damaging the morale and independence of the Intelligence Community.
- Implementation challenges: Revoking security clearances may face legal challenges, and the investigation and report could be lengthy and resource-intensive.
- Alternative approaches: Alternative approaches might include internal investigations, civil lawsuits, or Congressional inquiries instead of direct executive action.
- Unintended effects: Could create a climate of fear and self-censorship within the Intelligence Community, hindering the free flow of information and potentially impacting national security.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
Section 1. Purpose. In the closing weeks of the 2020 Presidential campaign, at least 51 former intelligence officials coordinated with the Biden campaign to issue a letter discrediting the reporting that President Joseph R. Biden’s son had abandoned his laptop at a computer repair business. Signatories of the letter falsely suggested that the news story was part of a Russian disinformation campaign.
Before being issued, the letter was sent to the CIA Prepublication Classification Review Board, the body typically assigned to formally evaluate the sensitive nature of documents prior to publication. Senior CIA officials were made aware of the contents of the letter, and multiple signatories held clearances at the time and maintained ongoing contractual relationships with the CIA.
Federal policymakers must be able to rely on analysis conducted by the Intelligence Community and be confident that it is accurate, crafted with professionalism, and free from politically motivated engineering to affect political outcomes in the United States. The signatories willfully weaponized the gravitas of the Intelligence Community to manipulate the political process and undermine our democratic institutions. This fabrication of the imprimatur of the Intelligence Community to suppress information essential to the American people during a Presidential election is an egregious breach of trust reminiscent of a third world country. And now the faith of Americans in all other patriotic intelligence professionals who are sworn to protect the Nation has been imperiled.
National security is also damaged by the publication of classified information. Former National Security Advisor John R. Bolton published a memoir for monetary gain after he was terminated from his White House position in 2019. The book was rife with sensitive information drawn from his time in government. The memoir’s reckless treatment of sensitive information undermined the ability of future presidents to request and obtain candid advice on matters of national security from their staff. Publication also created a grave risk that classified material was publicly exposed.
To remedy these abuses of the public trust, this Order directs the revocation of any active or current security clearances held by: (i) the former intelligence officials who engaged in misleading and inappropriate political coordination with the 2020 Biden presidential campaign; and (ii) John R. Bolton.
This section outlines the purpose of the executive order.
It alleges that 51 former intelligence officials improperly coordinated with the Biden campaign to release a letter discrediting a news story about President Biden's son.
The order also cites the publication of John Bolton's memoir as a misuse of classified information.
The alleged actions are described as undermining democratic institutions and harming national security.
The order aims to address these actions through security clearance revocations.
Sec. 2. Policy. (a) It is the policy of the United States to ensure that the Intelligence Community not be engaged in partisan politics or otherwise used by a U.S. political campaign for electioneering purposes. The term “Intelligence Community” has the meaning given the term in section 3003 of title 50, United States Code.
(b) It is the policy of the United States that individuals who hold government-issued security clearances should not use their clearance status to influence U.S. elections.
(c) It is the policy of the United States that classified information not be publicly disclosed in memoirs, especially those published for personal monetary gain.
This section establishes three key policies: First, the Intelligence Community should remain free from partisan politics and electioneering.
Second, those with security clearances shouldn't use their status to influence elections.
Third, classified information should not be revealed in memoirs, particularly those published for profit.
Sec. 3. Implementation. (a) Effective immediately, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, shall revoke any current or active clearances held by the following individuals:
(1) James R. Clapper Jr. (2) Michael V. Hayden (3) Leon E. Panetta (4) John O. Brennan (5) C. Thomas Fingar (6) Richard H. Ledgett Jr. (7) John E. McLaughlin (8) Michael J. Morell (9) Michael G. Vickers (10) Douglas H. Wise (11) Nicholas J. Rasmussen (12) Russell E. Travers (13) Andrew Liepman (14) John H. Moseman (15) Larry Pfeiffer (16) Jeremy B. Bash (17) Rodney Snyder (18) Glenn S. Gerstell (19) David B. Buckley (20) Nada G. Bakos (21) James B. Bruce (22) David S. Cariens (23) Janice Cariens (24) Paul R. Kolbe (25) Peter L. Corsell (26) Roger Z. George (27) Steven L. Hall (28) Kent Harrington (29) Don Hepburn (30) Timothy D. Kilbourn (31) Ronald A. Marks (32) Jonna H. Mendez (33) Emile Nakhleh (34) Gerald A. O’Shea (35) David Priess (36) Pamela Purcilly (37) Marc Polymeropoulos (38) Chris Savos (39) Nick Shapiro (40) John Sipher (41) Stephen B. Slick (42) Cynthia Strand (43) Greg Tarbell (44) David Terry (45) Gregory F. Treverton (46) John D. Tullius (47) David A. Vanell (48) Winston P. Wiley (49) Kristin Wood (50) John R. Bolton
Two signatories, Patty Patricia A. Brandmaeir and Brett Davis, are deceased.
(b) Within 90 days of this order, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, shall submit a report to the President through the National Security Advisor that details:
(i) any additional inappropriate activity that occurred within the Intelligence Community, by anyone contracted by the Intelligence Community or by anyone who held a security clearance, related to the letter signed by the 51 former intelligence officials; (ii) recommendations to prevent the Intelligence Community or anyone who works for or within it from inappropriately influencing domestic elections; and (iii) any disciplinary action—including the termination of security clearances—that should be taken against anyone who engaged in inappropriate conduct related to the letter signed by the 51 former intelligence officials.
This section details the implementation of the order.
It mandates the immediate revocation of security clearances for 50 named individuals.
Two other signatories of the letter are deceased.
The Director of National Intelligence is required to submit a report within 90 days, including details on further inappropriate activity, recommendations to prevent future occurrences, and any additional disciplinary actions.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025.
This section includes general provisions.
It clarifies that the order does not limit existing legal authorities of executive departments or the Office of Management and Budget's functions.
Implementation will adhere to existing law and funding availability.
The order does not create any new legal rights or benefits.