WASHINGTON: Former CIA administrators and any other part dozen of America's most senior spies have issued an remarkable condemnation of President Donald Trump, after his choice to blacklist their colleague John Brennan.
In a commentary, ex-CIA bosses appointed by way of Republican and Democratic presidents -- including Robert Gates, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Leon Panetta and David Petraeus -- denounced Trump's choice to strip Brennan of his security clearance.
"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 commentary read.
Describing Trump's transfer 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 commentary -- former director of national intelligence James Clapper and former CIA director Michael Hayden -- have been cited by way of Trump as on an inventory of people that may lose their clearance.
Former officers steadily retain security clearance after leaving place of business to allow their successors to consult them on issues of the day.
After the White House said Brennan -- a notable Trump critic -- were stripped of clearance because of his "erratic" behavior, Trump admitted it used to be as a result of his complaint and comments on the Trump campaign's ties with Russia.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump admitted his choice on Brennan's clearance used to be related to the ongoing federal probe into imaginable collusion between his campaign and Russia to influence the 2016 election.
"I call it the rigged witch hunt, [it] is a sham," Trump used to be 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 movements have been widely condemned, including by way of revered former admiral William McRaven, the commander of america 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 transfer or refused to sentence it publicly.
On Friday, Trump said he would most probably take away the security clearance of Justice Department legitimate Bruce Ohr, who has been focused by way of Trump supporters, partly as a result of his wife labored for a company that produced a dossier alleging Russia had incriminating proof in opposition to the now president.
"Bruce Ohr is a disgrace. I suspect I'll be taking it away very quickly," Trump told journalists.
In a commentary, ex-CIA bosses appointed by way of Republican and Democratic presidents -- including Robert Gates, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Leon Panetta and David Petraeus -- denounced Trump's choice to strip Brennan of his security clearance.
"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 commentary read.
Describing Trump's transfer 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 commentary -- former director of national intelligence James Clapper and former CIA director Michael Hayden -- have been cited by way of Trump as on an inventory of people that may lose their clearance.
Former officers steadily retain security clearance after leaving place of business to allow their successors to consult them on issues of the day.
After the White House said Brennan -- a notable Trump critic -- were stripped of clearance because of his "erratic" behavior, Trump admitted it used to be as a result of his complaint and comments on the Trump campaign's ties with Russia.
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump admitted his choice on Brennan's clearance used to be related to the ongoing federal probe into imaginable collusion between his campaign and Russia to influence the 2016 election.
"I call it the rigged witch hunt, [it] is a sham," Trump used to be 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 movements have been widely condemned, including by way of revered former admiral William McRaven, the commander of america 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 transfer or refused to sentence it publicly.
On Friday, Trump said he would most probably take away the security clearance of Justice Department legitimate Bruce Ohr, who has been focused by way of Trump supporters, partly as a result of his wife labored for a company that produced a dossier alleging Russia had incriminating proof in opposition to the now president.
"Bruce Ohr is a disgrace. I suspect I'll be taking it away very quickly," Trump told journalists.
Ex CIA directors issue unprecedented Donald Trump condemnation
![Ex CIA directors issue unprecedented Donald Trump condemnation]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
August 18, 2018
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