12 former top intelligence officials criticize Trump for pulling security clearance

[Arkansas Granny]

A dozen former top intelligence officials, representing previous Republican and Democratic administrations, issued a letter late Thursday supporting former CIA Director John Brennan and lambasting President Donald Trump’s move to revoke his security clearance.

The rare statement from the former officials — including former CIA directors who served under Presidents Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton — comes one day after Trump pulled Brennan’s clearance and said he would evaluate clearances for other former intelligence officials, including two who signed on to the pro-Brennan statement.

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“You don’t have to agree with what John Brennan says (and, again, not all of us do) to agree with his right to say it, subject to his obligation to protect classified information.”

Those signing the letter were former CIA Directors William Webster, George Tenet, Porter Goss, Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta and David Petraeus; former CIA Deputy Directors John McLaughlin, Stephen Kappes, Michael Morel, Avril Haines and David Cohen; and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.politico.com/amp/story/2018/08/16/trump-brennan-intelligence-officials-criticism-782898

[tblue37]

1. K&R for visibility. nt

[kentuck]

2. Trump's new "enemy" list.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. When

Those folks publicly turn on him - he's in trouble. Dark days ahead.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. Its important to keep in mind that these people have spent years,

if not decades, in service to their country. They are not driven by political motives.

[JustAnotherGen]

9. Yep

But somewhere out there is a cold warrior who is watching - elderly, and riddled with effects of agent orange, blue, green, pink, and white. One with nothing to lose.

[greymattermom]

4. So if you used to have a security clearance

and you know certain things, but you no longer have a security clearance, what are your limits on testifying, when you have to tell the truth?

[roscoeroscoe]

7. You're obliged to protect classified informtion

None of Brennan's criticism of Trump exposed classified information. But the ol' Classified Information Non-Disclosure Agreement is binding and informs the individual of the responsibilities and penalties.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

6. K&R...nt

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. Waaaaah!!!!! They're picking on me!!!! - Donald J Trump