Tulsi Gabbard Revokes 37 Intelligence Security Clearances - Here's Why!

Tulsi Gabbard Security Clearance: President Trump has ordered Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, to revoke the security clearances of 37 current and former government officials, amounts tied to the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA) on Putin's interference in the 2016 election. Gabbard made some serious accusations related to the 37 officials and stated they all politicized and manufactured intelligence, routinely mishandled classified material and engaged in analytic tradecraft violations.  

Background: The 2017 ICA and Russiagate 

The 2017 ICA was a critical document, written under the direction of Obama, and concluded that Russia had interfered in the election of 2016 in a way that benefited Donald Trump. Critics point to the inclusion of questionable components — including the Steele dossier which has been discredited — and a rushed process which ignored the reservations of internal actors involved in the  ICA compilation. 

Who Is Affected and Why 

Among those affected are former individuals from the Obama-age intelligence community, including Stephanie O'Sullivan, Vinh Nguyen, etc. Several of the individuals had direct actions in formulating the ICA using their roles under DNI James Clapper. Many of the individuals are associated with bends towards investigations that Wright - none have ever been shown to corruptly manipulate intelligence and are mere targets of retribution. 

Controversy and Legal Issues 

Critics are jumping to the politically motivated and constitutional, as it did not provide due process, meaning concerns over the particular clarity, especially. Several are former officials who - in the private sector have roles that rely on being cleared. Mark Zaid, an attorney for national security, condemned the move as hypocritical.  

Tulsi Gabbard’s Official Statement

Gabbard defended the decision on X (formerly Twitter), stating,

“Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution … undermine our national security, the safety and security of the American people and the foundational principles of our democratic republic.” 

Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right. Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold. In… pic.twitter.com/23DUNuVAi0

— DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) August 19, 2025

Deepening Russiagate Reversal

Since taking office, Gabbard has declassified documents critiquing the ICA and labeled it part of a “treasonous conspiracy” to undermine Trump. These actions are bolstered by the Department of Justice, which has created a strike force to examine potential wrongdoing by Obama-era officials. 

Legal Ramifications Ahead

This ruling has intensified ethical and legal conversations about executive power, separation of powers, and the targeting of intelligence professionals. Lawmakers are discussing potential legislation that would bar politically-motivated clearance revocations.

This sweeping declaration by DNI Gabbard signals an intensified push to rewrite portions of U.S. intelligence history while heightening partisan debates about the politicization of national security. Legal and political battles are just beginning.