Former CIA Director John Brennan voiced strong objections to President Donald Trump’s decision to revoke his security clearance, which was part of an executive order stripping clearances from 51 intelligence officials. The officials had signed a letter in 2020 falsely claiming that reports about Hunter Biden’s laptop were part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Trump’s executive action followed his 2025 inauguration and has sparked significant debate about the role of intelligence professionals in political controversies.
Brennan, who served under President Barack Obama and played a prominent role in the Russia investigation, defended his retention of a security clearance during an interview on MSNBC. Brennan claimed the clearance was maintained “for the benefit of the government,” allowing him to provide advice on classified matters if requested. He described Trump’s executive order as “bizarre,” asserting that the president “misrepresented” his actions in response to the Hunter Biden laptop controversy.
The controversy stems from a letter signed by Brennan and 50 other former intelligence officials in October 2020. The letter insinuated that the Hunter Biden laptop story, first reported by The New York Post, bore hallmarks of Russian disinformation. Politico amplified the claim in an article titled “Hunter Biden story is Russian disinfo, dozens of former intel officials say.” The letter was used by then-presidential candidate Joe Biden during a debate with Trump to dismiss the laptop’s contents. However, it was later revealed that the FBI had the laptop in its possession at the time and confirmed its authenticity.
Trump’s executive order accused the signatories of undermining public trust by leveraging their intelligence credentials to influence the 2020 presidential election. The order emphasized that the letter had been reviewed by the CIA Prepublication Classification Review Board and noted that several signatories maintained ongoing contractual relationships with the agency. Trump characterized their actions as a politically motivated breach of trust, comparing them to practices seen in authoritarian regimes.
The executive order also highlighted the importance of maintaining public confidence in intelligence analysis. It condemned the signatories’ actions as a willful misuse of their authority to suppress critical information during an election, stating this manipulation jeopardized the integrity of U.S. democratic institutions.
Brennan, who remains unapologetic about his role in the letter, argued that the revocation undermines the ability of intelligence professionals to contribute to national security discussions. Trump’s actions reflect his long-standing criticism of the intelligence community, particularly those involved in disputes over his presidency and the Russia investigation.