WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee asked the Trump administration Monday why Cancel security clearance of 37 current and former national security officials.
in letter National Intelligence Director Tarshi Gabbard asked the lawmakers to determine specific reasons for each withdrawal and whether they followed standard clearance review procedures.
Democrats also asked whether the government notified those affected before the withdrawal was announced, and whether the Trump administration considered the impact of withdrawal on national security.
Lawmakers say so many revocations either reflect deep issues regarding government review, or suggest that the process has been politicized.
“So your move was extremely important to the national security of the United States,” Democrats wrote. “It is essential that Congress is satisfied that you are not politicizing the work of the Intelligence Reports community or that you are not using the security clearance process for political purposes.”
Gabbard justified the revocation by saying that 37 current and former officials either tried to politicize their jobs or failed to meet other professional standards.
Her agency spokesman I said All relevant government agencies were notified of their withdrawal and notified that the movement had not exposed masked spies.
In a note detailing the cancellation, Gabbard They criticized those who accused them of engaging in “politicization or weaponisation of intelligence” to advance individual or partisan goals, protected classified information, failed to “comply with standards of professional analytical trade standards” or other unspecified “famous” behavior.
Gabbard’s memo provided no evidence to support the charges.
A letter from a Democrat lawmaker is seeking responses by September 19th. It was signed by 11 Rep. Jim Himez of Connecticut, a senior Democrat on the House Intelligence Election Committee. Other Democrats Provided in a panel.
