Trump admits yanking security clearance is all about 'being nice' to him

With a tweet on Tuesday morning, Trump removed any doubt that stripping former CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance was nothing more than a peevish White House move.

Continuing his obsession with Brennan and Brennan’s harsh criticism of treasonous White House behavior, Trump openly confirmed Tuesday that “being nice” to him is a way for former intelligence pros can keep their security clearance.

Commenting on former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper’s recent CNN appearance, where he lightly criticized Brennan for some of his rhetoric, Trump tweeted, “Even James Clapper has admonished John Brennan for having gone totally off the rails. Maybe Clapper is being nice to me so he doesn’t lose his Security Clearance for lying to Congress!”

Brennan has most certainly not been “nice” to Trump. He has condemned Trump for his “small and petty” outbursts and “insecurity” over the ongoing investigation into his campaign. He also told Trump that “America will triumph over you.”

To date, more than 250 former government officials have gone on record to protest Trump’s unprecedented security clearance move.

That list includes William McRaven — the retired Navy admiral who took down bin Laden — who wrote a blistering op-ed in which he said he would be “honored” to have his security clearance revoked.

“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,” McRaven wrote of Trump. “If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken.”

At least Trump has now removed any doubt that petty politics is behind his attacks on Brennan. And he might not be done lashing out.

The White House is currently threatening to revoke security clearances for former FBI Director James Comey, former National Security Director Michael Hayden, former National Security adviser Susan Rice, former acting Attorney General Sally Yates, former deputy FBI director Andrew McCabe, Department of Justice official Bruce Ohr, and former FBI agents Peter Strzok and Lisa Page.

Trump’s fragile ego cannot tolerate public criticism from respected officials.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.