Gabbard Strips Security Clearances from 37 Intelligence Officials Over Alleged Misconduct, ‘Betraying Public Trust’

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard announced Tuesday that she is revoking the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence officials, citing allegations of manipulating intelligence, engaging in political activities, and betraying public trust.

Among those affected are former aides to President Obama’s Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who helped shape a controversial 2017 assessment that concluded Russia preferred Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

According to Gabbard, the officials on her list engaged in actions such as politicizing intelligence, leaking classified materials, or failing to meet professional standards.

Her list of 37 officials also includes several who endorsed House Democrats’ 2019 impeachment inquiry into Trump, which ultimately led to his first impeachment in 2020. Many of the individuals served in national security roles under the Obama and Biden administrations.

“This is why, at @POTUS’ direction, @ODNIgov directed the revocation of the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence professionals who have abused the public trust by politicizing and manipulating intelligence, leaking classified intelligence without authorization, and/or committing intentional egregious violations of tradecraft standard,” Gabbard added on social media.

“Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold,” Gabbard said in a statement. “In doing so, they undermine our national security, the safety and security of the American people and the foundational principles of our democratic republic.”

The New York Post first reported that two former Clapper aides, Vinh Nguyen and Stephanie O’Sullivan, were involved in preparing the 2017 assessment, which was reportedly commissioned by former President Barack Obama before leaving office. Gabbard’s office has since declassified records showing how Clapper, former CIA Director John Brennan, and former FBI Director James Comey played central roles in the report’s creation. In July, she referred them to the Justice Department for prosecution.

Obama has rejected Gabbard’s claim that he led a “treasonous” effort to advance what later became known as the Russia collusion narrative during Trump’s 2016 campaign. The Justice Department convened a grand jury earlier this month to examine the conduct of the former Obama officials linked to the assessment.

Gabbard has argued that those responsible for initiating the Russia investigation should face indictments, stressing accountability for a scandal that dominated Trump’s early presidency despite its main allegations being discredited.

Her office released a memo outlining the revocations, confirming that all 37 officials will lose access to classified materials and systems, and that their government contracts will be terminated.