Donald Trump yanks ex-CIA chief John Brennan’s security clearance, links move to Russia probe
Brennan called the move ‘an abuse of power’
US President Donald Trump abruptly revoked the security clearance of ex-CIA director John Brennan, an unprecedented act of retribution against a vocally critical former top US official.
Later, in an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Trump drew a direct connection between the Russia investigation and his decision, citing Brennan as among those he held responsible for the investigation.
“I call it the rigged witch hunt, (it) is a sham,” Trump said.
“And these people led it!”
He added: “So I think it’s something that had to be done.”
That connection was not in a statement issued earlier Wednesday in which Trump denounced Brennan’s criticism of him and spoke anxiously of “the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behaviour.”
The president said he was fulfilling his “constitutional responsibility to protect the nation’s classified information.”