White House Revokes Security Clearance For Ex-Obama CIA Chief John Brennan
WASHINGTON (CBSLA/AP) -- The Trump administration is revoking the security clearance of former Obama administration CIA director John Brennan.
White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced the decision at a White House briefing Wednesday, following through on the president's recent threat.
Sanders cited Brennan's "erratic conduct and behavior" and accused him of "lying" and "wild outbursts."
"Mr. Brennan has a history that calls into question his objectivity and credibility," Sanders told reporters.
She also claims he's "leveraged his status" to make unfounded allegations.
Brennan has been deeply critical of Trump's conduct, calling his performance at a joint press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland "nothing short of treasonous."
Rudy Giuliani, the president's lawyer, said he believes Brennan is responsible for special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 campaign.
Sanders says other former intelligence officials' security clearances are also "currently under review."
Brennan wasted no time in answering the president or his spokeswoman.
He told MSNBC, "I do believe that Mr. Trump decided to take this action, as he's done with others, to try to intimidate and suppress any criticism of him or his administration."
Brennan added, "And revoking my security clearances is his way of trying to get back at me."
(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)