Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information
This executive order directs the revocation of security clearances for a group of former senior intelligence officials (and John R. Bolton) who allegedly coordinated with the Biden campaign in a 2020 incident involving a letter that questioned reporting about Hunter Biden’s laptop. The order frames the issue as a breach of trust and a use of the Intelligence Community to influence domestic politics. It establishes a policy that the Intelligence Community should not be used for partisan political activity, and it requires the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), in consultation with the CIA, to revoke all current or active clearances for the named individuals. Within 90 days, the DNI must report back to the President (through the National Security Advisor) on any additional related activity, recommendations to prevent political influence by the IC, and any disciplinary actions, including revoking further clearances. The order also notes that it does not create new legal rights and emphasizes implementation in accordance with applicable law and available funds.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and scope: An executive action to hold former intelligence officials accountable for alleged election-related manipulation and the improper disclosure of sensitive government information, focusing on a 2020 letter and Bolton’s memoir disclosures.
- 2Security-clearance revocations: Directs the DNI, with the CIA, to revoke current or active security clearances for a listed set of former intelligence officials (and John R. Bolton).
- 3Named individuals: The order enumerates a substantial list of specific former officials (including James Clapper, Michael Hayden, Leon Panetta, John Brennan, and John Bolton, among others), with a note that two signatories are deceased.
- 4Reporting requirement: Within 90 days, DNI (in consultation with CIA) must submit to the President through the National Security Advisor a report detailing any additional inappropriate IC activity, recommendations to prevent political influence on elections, and suggested disciplinary actions related to the letter.
- 5General policy and limitations: Affirms that the IC should not engage in partisan politics or electioneering, and that classified information should not be disclosed publicly in memoirs for personal gain; the order does not create enforceable legal rights.