Gen. Hayden: Security Clearance ‘Threat’ Is Attempt to Change What Critics Say, It Won’t Work
One of the names Press Secretary Sarah Sanders listed as under review for security clearance revocation on Tuesday was former CIA and NSA Director Gen. Michael Hayden. He joined CNN’s Jake Tapper for an interview by phone to discuss the news of John Brennan‘s security clearance, and the fate of his own.
Hayden believes it is not only a clear act of retribution by Trump against those who criticize him, but that the fact that they are doing it piecemeal was an overt “threat” to intimidate remaining people under “review” into silence.
“I mean, the way that Sarah Huckabee Sanders rolled this out was almost in a tone to be threatening to the rest of us,” he said. “In other words, it looks to me like an attempt to make us change the things we are saying when we’re asked questions on CNN or other networks, and I, frankly, for those of us who appear routinely on air, it’s not going to have that effect.”
“I certainly try to be respectful for both the office and the person of the president. But you know, you’ve got to tell the truth and if something’s not right or not true, you’ve got to point that out,” he added. “And that implied threat isn’t going to change what I think, say or write.”
Hayden laughed at the notion of erratic behavior being disqualifying for a security clearance, given the erratic nature of President Trump.
The two also discussed the fact that DNI Dan Coats was not consulted on the removing of credentials, and Hayden said that while the President has the “absolute” right to make the decision, it is clear on what basis Trump has made this decision.
He said it has been clear since the first announcement that “it had nothing to do with the so-called monetization and everything to do with they wanted us to be quiet or at least punish us for criticizing the president.”
Tapper asked what Hayden’s message to the president would be. “So the message from you to the White House, to President Trump, is, ‘you can try to threaten me, try to quell my criticism all you want but I’m not going anywhere and I’m not going to stop’?”
“No,” Hayden replied. ‘Look, you and I have talked a lot, over several years, well before the election, during the campaign, and I certainly am not doing any of this, when you ask me a question, to intentionally hurt Donald Trump or his presidency. I’m just trying to tell the truth as I see it to be and just let things fall where they may then.”
Watch the clip above, courtesy of CNN.
[Featured image via screengrab]
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