LEMON DROP | Donald Trump Targets His Rivals!
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Another day, another Trump outrage. How much longer are we gonna say that? Another reminder of the dire moment in which we find ourselves right now. So buckle up everyone because This is dark. Donald Trump has taken the unprecedented step of pulling security clearances from several high profile figures, including Kamala Harris, Liz Cheney and Hillary Clinton.
What did Trump do by revoking security clearances and who was affected?
Even former President Joe Biden was stripped of his security clearance, humiliated by Trump in the process. I want you to take a listen to this.
We also terminated the clearances of the Biden crime family and Joe Biden himself. He didn't deserve it. In fact, he was essentially found guilty, but they said he was incompetent. And therefore, let's not find him guilty, I guess. Nobody knows what that ruling was, but I didn't want any part of it. I think I would have rather been found guilty than what they found with him. They said he didn't know what the hell he was doing. And therefore, he's let him go. I said, you know, I'd rather be convicted, Pam, I think that that was not. I said, please convict me. Don't say that.
Now, barring Biden from intelligence briefings is a tit for tat move after Biden banned Trump from accessing classified documents in 2021, arguing that he could not be trusted because of his, quote, erratic behavior. But stripping clearances from a laundry list of folks who the president doesn't like, that is completely unprecedented. This is not just a petty political move. It is a dangerous abuse of power that threatens the very fabric of our democratic institutions. Security clearances are meant to protect national interests, not to be used as cudgels to punish opponents. They are not the spoils of partisan politics. They are granted to individuals who need access to classified information or need to enter federal buildings to perform basic duties in service of this nation.
What we're witnessing is a blatant attempt to silence critics. The decision to revoke a clearance, it should be based on a clear and present danger to national security, not on whether someone has dared to criticize the former president. So Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Hillary Clinton and company. They're not threats to this country. They are just vocal critics of Donald Trump.
How did Trump publicly justify stripping Joe Biden and others of clearances?
By targeting them along with others who dare to speak out, Trump is sending a chilling message. Dissent will not be tolerated. He even stripped folks of clearances who don't even hold them. Here's Adam Kinzinger.
So I woke up to MAGA being super angry that I don't have a security clearance and that Trump's thing meant nothing to me. What else you got, guys? You're going to strip my World War II badges? You're going to strip my Vietnam combat status? Good one.
Now that is funny, but it's also deeply effed up. This is not how a democracy functions, folks. We all know this. In a healthy political system, criticism isn't just allowed, it is encouraged. It's through dissent that we grow, that we improve, that we hold power to account. Obviously, Trump's America is far from a healthy political system. Let's talk about how this move could actually harm this country, okay? Traditionally, figures like Biden and Harris, they hold security clearances even when they're not in office because of their experience, their experienced leaders with deep knowledge of our nation's challenges. Now consider Fiona Hill, right? Who was also stripped of her security clearance. She is arguably the top Putin and Russia expert in this country.
Previous commanders in chief would want her to stay informed. They would want her to call into the Oval Office and give them advice. This used to be routine. As Americans, we should want as many people working to keep us safe as possible. By removing these clearances, Donald Trump isn't making us safer. He is just depriving our country of their expertise and their insight. So what is the point of all of this? What is the goal beyond just being petty and mean, right? It's just one more way that Trump is trying to distract you from what he is actually doing, like gutting the federal government and attacking Social Security.
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Chapters
4 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:00–0:22
2
What did Trump do by revoking security clearances and who was affected?
0:22–2:19
3
How did Trump publicly justify stripping Joe Biden and others of clearances?
2:19–4:32
4
Why is revoking clearances from critics unprecedented and dangerous?
4:32–5:58
Speakers
4 identifiedMore from The Don Lemon Show
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