Gabbard Strips Security Clearances From 37 Current and Former Intelligence Officials

On August 19, 2025, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard revoked the security clearances of 37 current and former national security officials, acting at President Trump's direction. Those named included Maher Bitar, who worked for Representative Adam Schiff during the 2019 impeachment inquiry; Emily Horne, a former Biden National Security Council spokeswoman; and Brett Holmgren, who had served as Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research. Gabbard said the action was aimed at people who "betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people." The revocations were effective immediately and required surrender of credentials, terminating related employment and contracts.

Several of those affected had worked on assessments of Russian interference in the 2016 election or had publicly criticized administration decisions. Clearances are ordinarily adjudicated against defined suitability criteria; a bulk revocation announced by name shifts that determination toward political alignment and functions as a career sanction, since many intelligence positions in and out of government require access.

National security lawyer Mark Zaid, describing the action as "weaponization and politicization," said most of those affected "are dedicated public servants who have worked across multiple presidential administrations." House Intelligence Committee Democrats wrote to the DNI in September 2025 seeking the basis for the revocations.