Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ron Johnson said in an interview on Thursday that he has no problem with US President Donald Trump taking away the security clearance of former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, because the ex-spy chief had abused that privilege.
WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 16th August, 2018) Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Ron Johnson said in an interview on Thursday that he has no problem with US President Donald Trump taking away the security clearance of former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, because the ex-spy chief had abused that privilege.
"I have no problem with it. I'm kind of amazed he didn't pull it sooner. A security clearance is a privilege and I think John Brennan was abusing that privilege," Johnson said in the Fox News interview.
When asked how Brennan was abusing his clearance, Johnson said the former spy chief demonstrated "partisanship" and a "divisive attitude" during interviews on cable news shows.
"He certainly was never going to be consulted on by this administration so why does he need it," Johnson said.
Trump revoked Brennan's security clearance on Wednesday, saying the former intelligence official was using his status to make unfounded and outrageous allegations against the president and his administration, adding, "Any benefits that senior officials glean from consultations with Mr. Brennan are now outweighed by the risks posed by his erratic conduct and behavior.."
The White House is also reviewing the security clearances of other officials from former President Barack Obama's administration.
Earlier on Thursday, Brennan said in an opinion piece appearing in The New York Times, that Trump made a politically motivated decision in revoking his clearance, in order to silence others as he gets more desperate to protect himself.
Brennan led the Central Intelligence Agency from 2013 to 2017 during the presidency of Barack Obama.
