Yesterday, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that Trump is considering revoking security clearances of certain former members of the intelligence community. Why? Because they have criticized Trump and his handling of the Helsinki summit. In other words … awwww, he got his itty bitty feelings hurted.
This whole thing would be funny, except for the principle that Trump is retaliating against political speech, a frightening first sign of a dictatorship in the making. Laughably, two of the people whose clearances he plans to revoke no longer even retain security clearances, but apparently he didn’t have time to check his facts before opening his mouth, nor did his communications staff. The clearances he says he plans to revoke are:
- Former CIA director John O. Brennan
- Former FBI director James B. Comey
- Former CIA director Michael V. Hayden
- Former national security adviser Susan E. Rice
- Former director of national intelligence James R. Clapper Jr.
- Former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe.
Comey and McCabe lost their security clearances because they were terminated from their positions. The other four retain security clearances, so that they can be called upon for their expertise and advice. To revoke the security clearances of these people, all highly knowledgeable and experienced in their fields, seems to me a bit like shooting yourself in the foot. According to Sanders’ statement …
“The president is exploring the mechanisms to remove security clearance because they politicize and in some cases monetize their public service and security clearances. Making baseless accusations of improper contact with Russia or being influenced by Russia against the president is extremely inappropriate, and the fact that people with security clearances are making these baseless charges provides inappropriate legitimacy to accusations with zero evidence.”
Baseless accusations? Zero evidence? Did she really say ‘zero evidence’??? Oh My Sainted Aunt!!! There is overwhelming evidence that there has been highly ‘improper conduct’ with Russia by Trump and his staff!!! Where have you been keeping yourself, Ms. Sanders?
Security-clearance experts said while Trump probably does have the authority to unilaterally suspend or terminate a security clearance, no president has ever done so. Words and actions protected by the First Amendment aren’t grounds to take a clearance away, they said. “It is completely inappropriate to revoke or withdraw someone’s security clearance based on political differences,” said Mark Zaid, an attorney who represents government employees in security-clearance disputes. And that is the part I find frightening.
But there’s an irony here, too: Trump himself would never qualify for even a low-level security clearance! Taken straight from the State Department’s own website:
“It must be determined that the individual’s personal and professional history indicates loyalty to the United States, strength of character, trustworthiness, honesty, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment, as well as freedom from conflicting allegiances and potential for coercion, and a willingness and ability to abide by regulations governing the use, handling, and protection of classified information.”
Strength of character? Trustworthiness? HONESTY??? Sound judgement? Now, I ask you, folks, just who ought to have his security clearance revoked?
Colbert King, who conducted background checks for security clearances when he was with the State Department in the 1970s says …
“People with associations with foreign interests, especially large business, financial or property interests in foreign countries or with foreign-owned businesses, would get close scrutiny. That’s particularly true if those associations might subject them to a risk of foreign influence or exploitation.
A background investigation that uncovers questionable judgment, lack of candor or dishonesty draws heightened attention. So, too, the refusal to provide full, frank and truthful answers to lawful questions.
Trump’s business bankruptcies, his blackballing by American banks because of his financial dealings and his unwillingness to provide his tax returns might also be grounds for unfavorable clearance action. Personal misconduct or involvement in behavior that cast doubt on judgment and character — say, paying hush money to cover up affairs or being the subject of more than a dozen sexual harassment or assault allegations — would also elevate security concerns.
That Trump, with his disqualifying record, would even consider going after someone’s security clearance is a hoot — if it weren’t so outrageous.”
The six individuals named above have more expertise, more knowledge of foreign policy and relations than Trump will ever have, which is yet one more sign of his immaturity and unfitness for the highest office in the nation. Even his sycophants are scrambling to explain this one. Frankly, if Paul Ryan’s explanation is an example, they are not doing a very good job of covering Trump’s rear: “I think he’s trolling people, honestly.” Trolling people. How very professional.
This is yet another sign that Trump is so far in over his head that he has to silence his perceived enemies. The danger is that he doesn’t know where to stop, and that the ‘checks and balances’ are failing, as Congress continues to lick his boots and do his bidding. What comes next? Already, a number of agencies and departments are firing or demoting staff that have been critical of Trump. I find this bone-chilling and keep asking the question: What comes next? Think about it.
JEFF SESSIONS 
Who could NOT love Kermit the Frog? Remember seeing Kermit singing The Rainbow Connection in The Muppet Movie? WHAT??? You don’t remember Kermit the Frog??? Oh woe, woe, and thrice times woe! (Did I do it okay, Roger?) Well here … check out the original of Kermit singing the song in the movie, and then we can proceed.
Like an animal caught in a trap, Trump is lashing out at his critics. On Thursday, he again tweeted that he was the victim of a massive “witch hunt”. I know I am tired of hearing his “oh poor me” tweets of woe, but apparently even some of his own are tired of it. Republican Senator John Thune was asked on “Morning Joe” Thursday if Bob Mueller is a man of integrity and whether he had done anything so far in the conduct of the investigation that lead him (Thune) to believe Mueller is conducting a witch hunt. Thune’s response:
Sessions said he couldn’t remember much of the details of his conversations or communications on the subject of Russia. “I may have had some conversations and I think I did, with the general strategic concept of the possibility of whether or not Russia and the United States could get on a more harmonious relationship,’’ he said, calling it “tragic’’ that the two countries don’t get along better. Either he is lying or he is so senile that he cannot remember his conversations … either way, he is not qualified for the position he holds.
On 30 January, he fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates for refusing to uphold his controversial executive order to ban all travelers from Muslim countries. At the time, Ms. Yates was key to the investigation into Trump’s aides and their potential connections to Russia — she was collecting intelligence on the Russian ambassador to the U.S. and which members of the Trump team he had been in contact with.
On 11 March, he fired U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara who refused to tender his resignation when Trump requested the resignations of all U.S. Attorneys. At the time, Bharara was investigating Trump’s HHS Secretary Tom Price for his financial investments, and was also investigating corrupt Russian businessmen and officials (and a witness for the case was pushed or fell from a window the day before he was set to testify in another court case).
On 09 May, he fired FBI Director James Comey, allegedly for mishandling of the case pertaining to Hillary Clinton’s emails. Comey was leading the FBI investigation into ties between Trump, his staff, and the Russian government. Comey had requested funding to expand the investigation only days before, indicating the possibility that there was more involvement than initially believed. And there is proof that Trump spoke of firing Comey weeks before, and had tasked Attorney General Jeff Sessions with finding a reason to do so.
Trump/ Flynn 
“Mike Flynn, President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser, has told the Federal Bureau of Investigation and congressional officials investigating the Trump campaign’s potential ties to Russia that he is willing to be interviewed in exchange for a grant of immunity from prosecution, according to officials with knowledge of the matter.”
Filosofa's Word 