# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 7
**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 20, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/121 "2018-08-20T16:24:55Z")
> **[Amputation is No Cure for Cancer](https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/10/15/amputation-is-no-cure-for-cancer/?__twitter_impression=true)** > > South Sudan is gone. But the government in Khartoum still can't escape what ails Sudan. Good old article chronicling Brennan’s lies and mischaracterizafions in regards to drone warfare and the Yemen catastrophe. It’s a shame someone like this weaseled his way into an influential position. He has caused the Arab world much grief and sown much destabilization either as a tool of American war profiteer interests or simply from following misguided doctrine. Let’s hear what damages Brennan claims if he brings suit. Perhaps it will be an eye-opener the degree to which he is making money due to his incompetence. ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/122 "2018-08-20T16:27:52Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > Seems like these folks disagree with you: > > [https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/20/politics/john-brennan-more-intelligence-officials-statement/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/20/politics/john-brennan-more-intelligence-officials-statement/index.html) > > Do you think you know more about this than “One hundred and seventy-five former US officials spanning service across intelligence agencies, the State Department, the National Security Council and the Department of Defense”? That’s not a rhetorical question – does knowing that all those former officials from all those security departments disagree with you change your opinion on the subject? Holy shit people who make money from their position don’t want to lose any perks?! Have you any other earth-shattering revelations? ---
**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 20, 2018, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/123 "2018-08-20T16:38:34Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Do you have any three-headed monkeys you’d like us to consider, or would you like to get back to the subject of the thread instead? Oh the thread about the key figure behind the Kill List where people are worrying about an Enemies List with Michael-Scott-levels self-awareness? Sure. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/124 "2018-08-20T17:39:37Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Holy shit people who make money from their position don’t want to lose any perks?! > > Have you any other earth-shattering revelations? That’s, uh, an interesting take on that article. Of all the worldviews out there, yours is definitely one of them. Thank you for your reply. I’m hoping **UltraVires** extends the same courtesy. ---
**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 20, 2018, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/125 "2018-08-20T18:22:55Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Oh I thought it was a jab at Trump. Has Trump dispensed with Obama’ Kill List. I assumed Trump had kept it around. > > Yes it would be very midwit to be partisan about this issue. what ‘kill list’ ? ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/126 "2018-08-20T18:23:24Z")
Sorry, can’t deal with this right now, still reeling from the massive surge of African American voters for Il Douche. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/127 "2018-08-20T18:35:51Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Is that separate from the Kill List? Is there any overlap? Drop the hijack about a kill list. [/moderating] ---
**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 20, 2018, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/128 "2018-08-20T18:54:02Z")
> [@Bone](#): > > Drop the hijack about a kill list. > > [/moderating] Are all of John Brennan’s contributions to civil service not up for discussion, or just his Kill List? ---
**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 20, 2018, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/129 "2018-08-20T19:01:08Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Are all of John Brennan’s contributions to civil service not up for discussion, or just his Kill List? Don’t send me PM’s when you can answer them in the post - > [@WillFarnaby](#): > > [https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/john-brennans-kill-list/amp](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.newyorker.com/news/amy-davidson/john-brennans-kill-list/amp) Is also not an answer as it has NO relation to the ‘enemies’ list (per Trump/Nixon) nor is it an actual ‘list of specific people’. Try again. ---
**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 20, 2018, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/130 "2018-08-20T19:08:51Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Don’t send me PM’s when you can answer them in the post - > > Is also not an answer as it has NO relation to the ‘enemies’ list (per Trump/Nixon) nor is it an actual ‘list of specific people’. > > Try again. I can’t continue this discussion, that’s why I PM’ed you to fight your ignorance. ---
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/131 "2018-08-20T19:09:29Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > Are all of John Brennan’s contributions to civil service not up for discussion, or just his Kill List? If something is about security clearance revocation, the subject of this thread, then it is fair game. Be sure to draw the connection else it be determined an additional hijack. [/moderating] ---
**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 20, 2018, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/132 "2018-08-20T19:12:55Z")
> [@WillFarnaby](#): > > I can’t continue this discussion, that’s why I PM’ed you to fight your ignorance. ‘my ignorance’ ? what a fucking joke. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/133 "2018-08-20T21:45:59Z")
Just so I understand, a security clearance is a necessary, but not sufficient condition to receive classified information, yes? So, let’s take James Comey, right now he is not entitled to see anymore information than I am; it’s just that if he was ever reactivated (say for Elizabeth Warren in 2025) then he already has the clearance, no need for the fingerprints and interviewing of the neighbors, etc. That sounds similar to someone who takes an AUSA position with the federal prosecutor. If he or she resigns, they still retain their security clearance for a future job because, hey, no need to do it again, but they cannot just walk in and look at case files. Is this accurate? If so, Trump is waaay off base. ---
**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 20, 2018, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/134 "2018-08-20T22:00:01Z")
> [@UltraVires](#): > > Just so I understand, a security clearance is a necessary, but not sufficient condition to receive classified information, yes? > > So, let’s take James Comey, right now he is not entitled to see anymore information than I am; it’s just that if he was ever reactivated (say for Elizabeth Warren in 2025) then he already has the clearance, no need for the fingerprints and interviewing of the neighbors, etc. > > That sounds similar to someone who takes an AUSA position with the federal prosecutor. If he or she resigns, they still retain their security clearance for a future job because, hey, no need to do it again, but they cannot just walk in and look at case files. > > Is this accurate? If so, Trump is waaay off base. Pretty much (though clearances expire after 10 years, IIRC, if they are not renewed by one’s employer). Further, for high-ranking officials like Comey, an administration might call them in and ask for advice on a classified scenario, which would require briefing them classified info. But in general, you’ve got the gist of it. In the time between leaving the Navy and getting a clearance-required job (about a year and a half), I retained my clearance, but had no ability to access classified information. When I got my clearance job, I then got access to various networks and classified spaces required to do my job. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2018, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/135 "2018-08-20T22:07:21Z")
Pretty much, yes. His clearance is still active at some level meaning that he can be read into something as needed. But, like everyone else holding a clearance, he only gets what he needs to know and will be read out when no longer needed. The purpose is to allow fast consultation with someone and is more to the government’s benefit than his. Let’s face it, not having an active clearance isn’t going to keep Brennan from getting a job where one is required the same way it might hurt some random member of the public. Trump has this wrong, much like everything else he claims to understand about the government. ---
**Author:** ![UnwittingAmericans](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d9b06d/32.png) [@UnwittingAmericans](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwittingAmericans)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/136 "2018-08-21T13:15:40Z")
This is just another scalp in Trump’s assertion and abuse of power. Its scope is not going to stop widening until he is out of office. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2018, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/137 "2018-08-21T21:50:08Z")
> [@The Dumbest Trump](#): > > Even James Clapper has admonished John Brennan for having gone totally off the rails. Maybe Clapper is being nice to me so he doesn’t lose his Security Clearance for lying to Congress! Sure seems like the clearance revocation was for not “being nice” to Trump. Yep, definitely not a First Amendment issue. No possibly way, Moose. ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2018, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680/138 "2018-08-22T13:42:44Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > Pretty much (though clearances expire after 10 years, IIRC, if they are not renewed by one’s employer). Further, for high-ranking officials like Comey, an administration might call them in and ask for advice on a classified scenario, which would require briefing them classified info. But in general, you’ve got the gist of it. > > In the time between leaving the Navy and getting a clearance-required job (about a year and a half), I retained my clearance, but had no ability to access classified information. When I got my clearance job, I then got access to various networks and classified spaces required to do my job. Inactive clearances only last 2 years before the background check is required again. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-revokes-security-clearance-of-john-brennan/819680.md?page=6)