Executive Order 14152
Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information
Signed on January 20, 2025
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14152, revoking the security clearances of 50 former intelligence officials and former National Security Advisor John Bolton. The order claims these individuals engaged in election interference by signing a letter questioning the authenticity of a 2020 election-related news story. It also alleges that Bolton improperly disclosed classified information in his memoir. The order directs the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the CIA to revoke these clearances and submit a report within 90 days recommending additional actions.
Read the Executive Order on the Federal Register
Read the White House Announcement
What You Should Know
This order punishes political dissent under the guise of national security.
The executive order accuses former intelligence officials of election interference for signing a letter that expressed concern over the origins of a 2020 election-related news story. The letter was an opinion piece, not an official intelligence assessment, and was vetted through proper government channels. Revoking security clearances in retaliation for political speech is an abuse of executive power and a violation of fundamental democratic norms.
Security clearances are typically revoked due to security risks, not political disagreements. This order establishes a dangerous precedent where clearances can be weaponized against those who contradict or criticize the administration. It further erodes public trust in nonpartisan intelligence assessments, replacing objective analysis with political loyalty tests.
No evidence has been presented that any classified information was improperly disclosed.
Despite the order’s claims, there is no documented evidence that any of the former intelligence officials disclosed classified information. The letter at the center of this order was reviewed by the CIA’s Prepublication Classification Review Board, a routine process to prevent unauthorized disclosures. The officials who signed it followed established security protocols, making the accusations of wrongdoing misleading and politically motivated.
The order also targets John Bolton for allegedly revealing classified material in his 2020 memoir. However, Bolton’s book underwent an extensive government review process, and while Trump’s administration previously attempted legal action against him, no court ruling confirmed that he unlawfully disclosed classified information. Including Bolton in this order appears to be more about settling personal grievances than enforcing national security policies.
The intelligence community is being undermined for political gain.
By revoking security clearances from experienced intelligence professionals, this order sends a clear message that political loyalty to Trump is more important than expertise or service to national security. It discourages intelligence officials from speaking out on politically sensitive issues, weakening the independence of the intelligence community. Future officials may be hesitant to provide objective analysis if they fear political retribution, which could have serious consequences for national security decision-making.
This move also distracts from real election security threats. The U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly confirmed foreign interference in multiple election cycles, yet this order ignores those findings in favor of punishing domestic critics. A genuine commitment to protecting elections would focus on strengthening cybersecurity, countering disinformation, and addressing foreign influence campaigns—not retaliating against former officials for expressing an opinion.
This order fits into a broader pattern of authoritarian governance.
Revoking security clearances to punish political opponents is a tactic commonly used in authoritarian regimes to consolidate power and silence dissent. This executive order is part of a larger effort to control the narrative around the 2020 election, delegitimize Trump’s critics, and undermine public trust in intelligence agencies. It mirrors previous attempts to discredit professionals in government, the media, and the judiciary who challenge Trump’s preferred narratives.
Who Wins?
Trump and his inner circle
This order serves as a political tool to reinforce Trump’s long-standing claims that he was unfairly targeted by the intelligence community. It provides a justification for dismissing critical voices, while also intimidating current and future government officials from speaking out against him. By framing this as an issue of election integrity, Trump can continue pushing the false narrative that intelligence agencies conspired against him in 2020.
Authoritarian regimes and foreign adversaries
Weakening the credibility and independence of the U.S. intelligence community benefits foreign adversaries who seek to exploit political divisions and undermine democracy. A politically compromised intelligence apparatus is less effective at identifying and countering foreign threats. Countries like Russia and China stand to gain when the U.S. government prioritizes internal political battles over national security preparedness.
Right-wing media and conspiracy theorists
This order aligns with long-running right-wing conspiracy theories about the so-called “deep state” and intelligence officials working against Trump. Right-wing media outlets can use it to reinforce their narrative that the intelligence community is politically biased, further eroding trust in legitimate sources of information. It also provides fuel for election-related misinformation, which has already contributed to political instability in the U.S.
Who Loses?
The U.S. Intelligence Community
This order undermines the expertise and credibility of intelligence professionals, discouraging them from providing honest assessments that might contradict the administration’s preferred narrative. It signals that intelligence work is only valued when it aligns with political interests, making it harder for agencies to function effectively. The long-term consequence is an intelligence community that is less independent and more susceptible to political manipulation.
National security and election integrity
Targeting former officials over a letter while ignoring actual election interference efforts weakens the country’s ability to address real threats. Election security requires robust protections against foreign interference, disinformation, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. This order diverts attention and resources away from those efforts, making future elections less secure.
The American public
A politicized intelligence community endangers national security and erodes trust in government institutions. When intelligence agencies are viewed as extensions of political leaders rather than independent entities committed to protecting the country, public confidence in national security operations declines. This order fuels further division, discourages transparency, and prioritizes political loyalty over facts.
Executive Order 14152 is not about protecting national security or election integrity—it is about using presidential power to punish critics and reshape the intelligence community into a political tool. It sets a dangerous precedent by revoking security clearances as a form of political retaliation, discouraging future intelligence professionals from speaking out, and weakening public trust in independent analysis. This move is part of a broader pattern of authoritarian behavior that seeks to control the flow of information, discredit opponents, and undermine democratic institutions.
The ability of intelligence officials to provide nonpartisan analysis is essential to national security. Weaponizing security clearances against perceived political enemies creates a chilling effect that will have lasting consequences. Americans deserve a government that prioritizes truth, integrity, and accountability—not one that manipulates intelligence for political gain.
Take Action
Stay informed and challenge misinformation
This order is being framed as a national security measure, but its real intent is political retribution. Fact-check claims, verify sources, and push back against narratives that distort the role of intelligence agencies. Understanding the context of these actions is essential to countering disinformation.
Support organizations that defend government transparency and accountability
Groups that monitor government overreach and advocate for nonpartisan intelligence operations play a crucial role in preserving democratic norms. Supporting watchdog organizations helps ensure that intelligence agencies remain independent and are not manipulated for political purposes.
Contact your representatives and demand oversight
Congress has the authority to investigate abuses of power, including politically motivated security clearance revocations. Reach out to lawmakers and urge them to hold hearings on this executive order and take steps to protect intelligence professionals from political retaliation.
Speak out against the politicization of national security
A functioning democracy requires independent institutions that serve the country, not any one political leader. Engage in conversations, share accurate information, and advocate for policies that safeguard the integrity of intelligence operations and national security decision-making.
Government institutions should not be used as tools of political vengeance. Stay informed, demand accountability, and push back against efforts to undermine democracy through misinformation and abuse of power.
