Trump Revokes Biden’s Security Clearance, Intensifies Crackdown on Foreign Aid

On Friday, former President Donald Trump revoked Joe Biden’s security clearance, escalating his efforts to reshape US foreign policy and government structures. This move is part of a broader set of executive actions, including freezing foreign aid to South Africa and assuming control of the Kennedy Center, one of Washington’s most prestigious cultural institutions.

Trump announced the revocation of Biden’s security clearance on his Truth Social platform, stating that there was no reason for the former president to continue receiving classified information. “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED,” Trump declared in all caps. Traditionally, US presidents are granted access to intelligence briefings even after leaving office, but Trump’s move marks a significant break from this norm.

In addition to the security clearance issue, Trump ramped up his criticism of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a body responsible for distributing global humanitarian aid. Without providing evidence, Trump called USAID corrupt, demanding its closure. This attack aligns with Trump’s ongoing campaign, backed by billionaire Elon Musk, to cut down on government agencies. Musk, who has frequently criticized USAID, reposted photos of the agency’s signage being removed from its headquarters in Washington. The Trump administration has already taken steps to freeze foreign aid, recall thousands of international staff, and slash USAID’s workforce from 10,000 employees to just 300. Labor unions are challenging these moves, with a federal judge recently halting plans to put 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave.

The United States allocates approximately $70 billion for international aid, a relatively small portion of the overall budget, but one that plays a crucial role in exerting American influence around the world. USAID manages health and emergency programs in about 120 countries, helping to strengthen US soft power, especially in competition with rival nations like China. Former USAID Administrator Samantha Power criticized Trump’s actions as one of the “worst and most costly foreign policy blunders in US history.”

Trump’s sweeping changes also extend to the Kennedy Center, where he named himself chairman. Trump expressed outrage over the center’s hosting of drag shows, specifically targeting youth. He vowed to end such performances, further escalating his attacks on gender-nonconforming individuals.

Meanwhile, Trump followed through on a threat to freeze US aid to South Africa, citing a law in the country that he claims allows the seizure of farmland from white farmers. Although South Africa has denied this accusation, the move is part of Trump’s broader foreign policy stance, which has garnered support from Musk, a vocal critic of the South African government.

The Trump administration’s actions, led by Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have drawn heavy criticism. Republicans and libertarians have long questioned the need for USAID, arguing that foreign aid is wasteful. However, the ongoing dismantling of government agencies has faced resistance, with Democrats pushing back against these efforts.

Court challenges are beginning to emerge, with some successes, such as a judge blocking Trump’s attempt to eliminate birthright citizenship and pausing efforts to offer mass buyouts to federal workers.

In a more personal controversy, Musk’s DOGE team came under scrutiny last week for accessing sensitive Treasury Department data. An internal report labeled the team’s access to federal systems as the “single biggest insider threat” ever faced by the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. Additionally, one DOGE team member faced backlash for racist and eugenics-related social media posts. Despite this, Trump supported the staffer, and Musk announced plans to reinstate him, further fueling the drama surrounding these moves.

Vice President JD Vance defended the controversial decision, stating that “stupid social media activity” should not ruin a young person’s life.