The decision, which Trump announced in an exclusive interview with the New York Post, is part of his broader crackdown on his most vocal opponents.
Among those affected are Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Biden's Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and attorneys Andrew Weissmann, Mark Zaid, and Norm Eisen.
The move follows Trump's decision to revoke President Joe Biden's security clearance and access to daily intelligence briefings just a day earlier.
Revoking these clearances means the individuals may be unable to enter key federal buildings, including courthouses, prisons, and law enforcement facilities. This could impede their ability to carry out official duties, particularly for those involved in ongoing legal cases against Trump.
Trump has made no secret of his animosity toward the targeted individuals. In reference to Blinken, he told the New York Post, "Bad guy. Take away his passes."
Blinken played a key role in the infamous "Dirty 51" letter, which dismissed the contents of Hunter Biden's laptop as Russian disinformation ahead of the 2020 election.
James and Bragg have both been instrumental in legal actions against Trump. James pursued a civil fraud case that resulted in Trump being ordered to pay over $450 million, while Bragg oversaw the "hush money" case involving Stormy Daniels. Trump has vowed to ensure both are treated "exactly the same" as Biden in terms of clearance restrictions.
The revocation also affects key figures involved in Trump's past legal troubles. Sullivan, who was Hillary Clinton's chief foreign policy adviser in 2016, is among those targeted. Monaco, who oversaw the Department of Justice's response to the January 6 insurrection, has also been affected.
Weissmann, known for his role as lead prosecutor in Robert Mueller's investigation into Trump's alleged ties to Russian election interference, is another high-profile individual impacted.
Meanwhile, attorneys Zaid and Eisen, who were involved in Trump's 2019 impeachment, have also had their security clearances revoked.
Trump's decision is seen as retaliation for Biden's 2021 move to block him from accessing intelligence briefings, a courtesy typically extended to former presidents. At the time, Biden cited Trump's 'erratic behaviour' and concerns about his handling of classified information.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
