President Donald J. Trump on Friday issued a directive revoking security clearances for several high-profile political figures, including Joseph R. Biden Jr., Vice President Kamala Harris, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The order also extended to Biden’s family members and a number of individuals who have challenged Trump in the past.

Trump had previously announced in February his intention to strip Biden of access to classified intelligence briefings, citing Biden’s similar move against him following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Friday’s memo expanded that action significantly, with the list of names resembling what many see as a political enemies list.

Who Lost Security Clearances?

The directive named multiple officials who have been critical of Trump or played roles in investigations and legal battles involving him. Among them were New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, both of whom have pursued legal cases against Trump.

Also included were figures connected to Trump’s first impeachment in 2019, which stemmed from his efforts to pressure Ukraine into investigating Biden. Those affected include Fiona Hill, a foreign policy expert who testified during the impeachment hearings, Alexander Vindman, a former Army lieutenant colonel who also provided testimony and Norman Eisen, a lawyer involved in the impeachment process.

Trump’s order also targeted the only two Republicans who served on the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack—Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger.

“I also direct all executive department and agency heads to revoke unescorted access to secure United States government facilities from these individuals,” Trump stated in the memo. “This action includes, but is not limited to, receipt of classified briefings, such as the President’s Daily Brief, and access to classified information held by any member of the intelligence community by virtue of the named individuals’ previous tenure in the Congress.”

Expanded Revocations and Previous Actions

Trump has used similar executive memos to target political adversaries since returning to office. Earlier this week, he revoked security protections for Biden’s adult children, Ashley and Hunter Biden.

Last month, he stripped security clearances from former Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and former National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, both of whom appeared again in Friday’s memo.

His actions have not been limited to Democrats. Within hours of taking office, Trump revoked security clearances for John Bolton, his former national security adviser who became a vocal critic. He later did the same to former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former senior aide Brian Hook.

Political Fallout and Implications

This latest move underscores Trump’s willingness to use presidential powers to sideline opponents and those who have played roles in investigations against him. The sweeping nature of the directive—affecting not just political figures but also their family members—signals an aggressive approach to reshaping who has access to sensitive government information.

As Trump continues his second term, these decisions highlight the deep political divisions in Washington and the lingering tensions from past battles over impeachment, legal investigations, and the events of January 6.