# Trump revokes security clearance of John Brennan **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 15, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680 "2018-08-15T19:16:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/1 "2018-08-15T19:16:03Z")
> **[Trump revokes former CIA Director John Brennan's security clearance](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/15/trump-revokes-former-cia-director-john-brennans-security-clearance.html)** > > The move targets one of President Donald Trump's most vocal critics.  I’m surprised such obvious political retaliation is even legal. Not surprised by the childish pettiness of Trump, of course ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/2 "2018-08-15T19:27:56Z")
Well at least he’s not like N. Korean Kim where his critics are killed by anti-aircraft guns. Although Trump probably has thought about that option ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/3 "2018-08-15T19:32:31Z")
A petty, little man. ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/4 "2018-08-15T22:11:53Z")
Weird that Michael Flynn’s clearance isn’t one of the ones under review. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/5 "2018-08-15T22:44:04Z")
I recall hearing an interview a few weeks ago when Trump first brought this up in which it was said that former officials who continue to hold security clearances have them not for their own benefit but because the administration wants the option of keeping them in the loop in case their experience and advice is valuable. So by doing this, Trump hasn’t punished Brennan but merely denied _himself_ the benefits of Brennan’s informed analysis. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/6 "2018-08-15T22:52:38Z")
> [@Acsenray](#): > > I recall hearing an interview a few weeks ago when Trump first brought this up in which it was said that former officials who continue to hold security clearances have them not for their own benefit but because the administration wants the option of keeping them in the loop in case their experience and advice is valuable. > > So by doing this, Trump hasn’t punished Brennan but merely denied _himself_ the benefits of Brennan’s informed analysis. All of the other derogatory statements Trump ‘decreed’ about Brennan, however, are intended to punish him - ---
**Author:** ![Sherrerd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sherrerd/32/8_2.png) [@Sherrerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sherrerd)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2018, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/7 "2018-08-15T23:09:01Z")
As far as this might affect elections: of course most Democrats will find Trump’s attempt to intimidate critics to be deplorable. And most Trump fans will thrill to his “strength.” The question is: how will this display of petty vindictiveness strike the independents and not-all-in-on-Trump registered Republicans (and there are a few)…? It represents a definite departure from past Presidential practice. Will that be seen as an issue, or will it pass with a shrug? ---
**Author:** ![Fiveyearlurker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/da6949/32.png) [@Fiveyearlurker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiveyearlurker)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/8 "2018-08-16T00:02:03Z")
Remember when Paul Ryan assured us that Trump was just [trolling us on this issue](https://www.cnn.com/2018/07/24/politics/paul-ryan-trump-trolling-security-clearance/index.html)? Probably requires some follow up questions if he still thinks that’s true. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/9 "2018-08-16T00:21:50Z")
> [@Sherrerd](#): > > As far as this might affect elections: of course most Democrats will find Trump’s attempt to intimidate critics to be deplorable. And most Trump fans will thrill to his “strength.” > > The question is: how will this display of petty vindictiveness strike the independents and not-all-in-on-Trump registered Republicans (and there are a few)…? It represents a definite departure from past Presidential practice. Will that be seen as an issue, or will it pass with a shrug? Independent voters value themselves as being ‘independent’ but tend to be less informed and aware of things like democratic norms. They’re not going to give a drop of ant piss. There are other things about Trump they won’t like, like his mean spiritedness, but they will defer to Trump’s executive authority to fire anyone he wants. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/10 "2018-08-16T01:46:13Z")
John Brennan is an accessory to Bush’s torture regime. He presided over the CIA while they were spying on senate staffers. This man is one of the most despicable human beings on the planet. Since he’s no longer in government, he doesn’t need a security clearance unless he’s doing work for some crony contractor. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/11 "2018-08-16T01:48:13Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > John Brennan is an accessory to Bush’s torture regime. He presided over the CIA while they were spying on senate staffers. This man is one of the most despicable human beings on the planet. > > Since he’s no longer in government, he doesn’t need a security clearance unless he’s doing work for some crony contractor. It’s quite common for the (any) current Administration to consult with former officials as a matter of continuity. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/12 "2018-08-16T02:06:05Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > John Brennan is an accessory to Bush’s torture regime. He presided over the CIA while they were spying on senate staffers. This man is one of the most despicable human beings on the planet. > > Since he’s no longer in government, he doesn’t need a security clearance unless he’s doing work for some crony contractor. All that first paragraph very well may be true (although considering the source, I’ll need to check that out on my own), but it has nothing whatsoever to do with why Trump revoked Brennan’s clearance. ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/13 "2018-08-16T02:15:54Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > It’s quite common for the (any) current Administration to consult with former officials as a matter of continuity. I’m sure they can come up with whatever lie they need without his help. > [@El\_Kabong](#): > > All that first paragraph very well may be true (although considering the source, I’ll need to check that out on my own), but it has nothing whatsoever to do with why Trump revoked Brennan’s clearance. Ok. He accidentally did a good thing. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/14 "2018-08-16T02:33:16Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > I’m sure they can come up with whatever lie they need without his help. > > Ok. He accidentally did a good thing. You don’t understand the danger of the President punishing his political enemies? ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/15 "2018-08-16T02:44:01Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You don’t understand the danger of the President punishing his political enemies? I don’t understand the danger of revoking John Brennan’s clearance, a slap on the wrist. John Brennan has branded himself as some sort of brave dissenter in order to make any kind of action against him politically difficult. Wake me up if he gets droned. Obama was throwing political enemies in prison. Droning al Awlaki and his poor son. This is theater. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/16 "2018-08-16T03:15:32Z")
I was wondering what sort of implication this has for Brennan personally. I assume that since he’s _former_ director, he can’t just waltz into CIA headquarters and start poking around. And I assume he’s not getting daily briefings or is really privy to anything going on over there. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/17 "2018-08-16T03:41:19Z")
One notes that in the America-hating fuckstick’s statement as read by SHS, he asserts that Brennan has been lying. Given that Brennan’s future income stream stands to be harmed by a hit to his credibility, that could be the basis for a slander lawsuit, no? ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/18 "2018-08-16T05:04:38Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Obama was throwing political enemies in prison. Still getting your news from Hannity and Infowars? ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/19 "2018-08-16T05:21:41Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Obama was throwing political enemies in prison. Well, I mean, _technically_ that career criminal bank fraudster who publicly and blatantly violated his parole was a “political enemy”, so I _guess_ this isn’t wrong if you completely ignore the actual _implications_ **WillFarnaby** tried to bake in. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![WillFarnaby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/willfarnaby/32/514_2.png) [@WillFarnaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WillFarnaby)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2018, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/20 "2018-08-16T09:53:28Z")
> [@tomndebb](#): > > Still getting your news from Hannity and Infowars? > **[Obama's war on whistleblowers leaves administration insiders unscathed](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/mar/16/whistleblowers-double-standard-obama-david-petraeus-chelsea-manning)** > > Five key political players enjoy ‘virtual impunity’ – while four lower-level figures are in prison or facing time [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680.md?page=2)