ACLU Comment on Revocation of John Brennan’s Security Clearance

NEW YORK — President Trump today revoked the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan.

Ben Wizner, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, issued the following statement in response:

“The First Amendment does not permit the president to revoke security clearances to punish his critics. John Brennan’s record is full of grave missteps, and we have been unsparing in our criticism of his defense of the CIA torture program and his role in unlawful lethal strikes abroad. But Trump’s revocation of Brennan’s clearance, and his threats to revoke the clearances of other former officials for the sole reason that they have criticized his conduct and policies, amount to unconstitutional retaliation. They are also part of a broader pattern of seeking to silence or marginalize critics, which includes forcing staff to sign unconstitutional non-disclosure agreements.”