Trump to revoke security clearances of former national security officials linked to Hunter laptop letter

On day one of his second term, President-elect Donald Trump promised to revoke the security clearances of the 51 national security officials who claimed that the Hunter Biden laptop was a Russian information operation, many of whom were cable news commentators.

In October 2020, the New York Post published an article stating that they had obtained emails proving that Hunter Biden had introduced his father, Joe Biden, to a high-ranking executive at Ukrainian energy company Burisma just months before he pressured Ukrainian officials to dismiss a prosecutor investigating the company.

Despite not having any evidence of Russian involvement, 51 former national security officials characterized the laptop as a "Russian information operation" in a public letter.

Although the assertions in this letter were never substantiated, several of its signatories have since become regular commentators on cable news, frequently utilizing their influence to criticize Trump.

James Clapper, the former Director of National Intelligence and chief signatory of a letter regarding the 2016 election, became a national security analyst on CNN. In his 2019 book "Facts and Fears," Clapper stated that Russia "affected the outcome" of the election, arguing that it is illogical, unreasonable, and implausible to conclude otherwise.

John Brennan, the former CIA Director, also signed the letter. As a senior national security analyst on MSNBC, he frequently attacks Trump and has done so on multiple occasions. During a Feb. 2024 appearance on the network, Brennan asserted that Russia is using Republican politicians as tools.

Ronald Reagan is likely rolling over in his grave due to the growing sympathy in the Republican Party and among the MAGA base for Mr. Putin and Russia, according to Brennan.

Trump is "sympathetic" and "intimidated" by Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to Brennan.

During the summer, Planet Chronicle Digital requested that all 51 officials express their regret for having signed the now-disproven letter.

"No," Obama-era DNI James Clapper responded.

Although former officials claimed that Hunter Biden's laptop had the hallmarks of Russian disinformation, Planet Chronicle Digital reported that federal investigators with the Department of Justice knew in December 2019 that the laptop was not manipulated and contained reliable evidence. However, they were obstructed from seeing all available information, according to an IRS whistleblower involved in the probe nearly a year before the former intelligence officials and President Biden declared it part of a Russian disinformation campaign.

Planet Chronicle' Morgan Phillips contributed to this report.