US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said Tuesday she has revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former intelligence professionals, accusing them of “politicizing and manipulating intelligence” against President Donald Trump.
In a statement posted on social media, Gabbard said the move was carried out at Trump’s direction. “This action was necessary to protect the integrity of our intelligence community from those who abused their access for partisan purposes,” she wrote.
Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold. In pic.twitter.com/23DUNuVAi0— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) August 19, 2025
The dramatic step escalates Gabbard’s months-long campaign against what she calls the “weaponization” of US intelligence agencies. Last month, the Justice Department announced the formation of a strike force to evaluate her claims.
Trump has seized on Gabbard’s allegations, cheering her vow to refer former Obama administration officials to the Justice Department for potential prosecution. He has repeatedly accused former President Barack Obama, without evidence, of leading a “treasonous conspiracy” in 2016 to link him to Russia and undermine his candidacy. An Obama spokesperson dismissed the charges as “bizarre” and “a weak attempt at distraction.”
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a list of those whose clearances were revoked, but it was not immediately clear if all of them had served in official intelligence roles. Among the names were a former Obama National Security Council spokesperson and a senior Biden administration official currently serving as coordinator for global COVID-19 response. An ODNI spokesperson declined to comment on their backgrounds.
The controversy stems from a January 2017 assessment by US intelligence agencies that concluded Russia tried to influence the 2016 election by hacking, disinformation campaigns and online bot networks. The report said Moscow sought to harm Democrat Hillary Clinton and boost Trump, though it found no evidence the effort changed actual vote outcomes. Russia has denied any meddling.
Democrats blasted Gabbard’s actions as baseless and politically driven. But she stood firm, saying: “The American people deserve accountability. Those who twisted intelligence for partisan gain should not have access to classified information.”
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With inputs from Reuters