BREAKING: President Trump is revoking former CIA Director and high-profile Trump critic John Brennan's security clearance, White House says. NBCNews.com
In justifying the revocation, the White House asserts that Brennan -- who has been highly critical of President Trump, including on Twitter and as an NBC News and MSNBC analyst -- "has history that calls into question his objectivity and credibility."
White House says President Trump is also reviewing the security clearances of other former US national security officials, including vocal Trump critics such as former James Clapper, Jim Comey, Michael Hayden, Sally Yates, Susan Rice and Andrew McCabe.
In July, Speaker Ryan said, "I think he's trolling people, honestly" when asked about Pres. Trump's threats to revoke security clearances from former officials.
Today the WH announced Trump is revoking the security clearance of former CIA Director Brennan
Today the WH announced Trump is revoking the security clearance of former CIA Director Brennan
Brennan tweet to Trump on Tuesday: "It’s astounding how often you fail to live up to minimum standards of decency, civility, & probity. Seems like you will never understand what it means to be president, nor what it takes to be a good, decent, & honest person."
Asked about the security clearances of Republicans or Michael Flynn, the White House says “we’d look at those if we deemed it necessary.” nbcnews.to/2w9hobN
Asked if there is any evidence that Brennan has misused classified information or monetized his access to it, the White House defers to President Trump’s statement on revoking Brennan’s clearance. nbcnews.to/2w9hobN
Asked if people who criticize President Trump on TV are at greater risk of losing their security clearances than people who stay silent, White House says cases for revocation are looked at on individual case-by-case basis.
House Minority Leader Pelosi: "Revoking the security clearance of an honorable patriot is a stunning abuse of power & a pathetic attempt to silence critics."
Sen. Warner: "This might be a convenient way to distract attention, say from a damaging news story or two. But politicizing the way we guard our nation’s secrets just to punish the President’s critics is a dangerous precedent."
Former Obama Dep. Nat'l Security Advisor Rhodes: "Brennan was the point person for the Obama White House on the operation that killed Osama bin Laden. He knows a lot more about defending our nation than someone who uses security clearances to punish his political adversaries."
JUST IN: Former CIA Director Brennan:
"This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans ... My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent."
"This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech & punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans ... My principles are worth far more than clearances. I will not relent."
JUST IN: VP Biden: "In the time I have known him, John Brennan has never been afraid to speak up and give it to you straight. Revoking his security clearance is an act unbecoming of a President. If you think it will silence John, then you just don't know the man."
National intel director Coats was not informed prior to today's announcement that former CIA Director Brennan’s security clearance was being revoked, an official familiar with the decision tells @NBCNews. nbcnews.to/2w9hobN - @mitchellreports
Sen. Paul says he applauds Pres. Trump for revoking Brennan’s security clearance, and alleges that Brennan “participated in a shredding of constitutional rights, lied to Congress, and has been monetizing and making partisan political use of his clearance since his departure."
Sen. John Kennedy: "I think most Americans look at our national intelligence experts at being above politics. Mr. Brennan has demonstrated that that’s not the case. He has been totally political. I think I called him a butthead and I meant it."
Former FBI Director Comey: "Once again this president is sending a message that he will punish people who disagree with him and reward those who praise him ... Politicians enabling this president should be held accountable in future elections."
Read full statement from President Trump on decision to revoke former CIA Dir. John Brennan's clearance for access to classified information nbcnews.to/2w9hobN 
President Trump tells The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday that he was prepared to announce Brennan's security clearance revocation last week, when he was on an extended "working vacation" at his New Jersey golf resort, but it was too “hectic.”
“The president’s decision to revoke John Brennan’s security clearance and threat to do so with others harms our national security and once again shows how petty and thin-skinned President Trump truly is," Sen. Feinstein, a member of the Senate Intel Cmte., says.
