President Trump on Monday suggested he may pull the security clearance of former FBI official Phil Mudd after Mudd appeared on a heated CNN segment over the weekend to push back against the president’s revocation of clearances from other members of the intelligence community
Trump tweeted that he watched Mudd “become totally unglued and weird” during a debate with CNN analyst Paris Dennard on the president’s decision to revoke ex-CIA Director John Brennan’s security clearance.
“Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance,” Trump said. “Should be REVOKED?”
Just watched former Intelligence Official Phillip Mudd become totally unglued and weird while debating wonderful @PARISDENNARD over Brennan’s Security Clearance. Dennard destroyed him but Mudd is in no mental condition to have such a Clearance. Should be REVOKED? @seanhannity
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2018
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In the segment, Dennard agreed with Trump’s decision to revoke Brennan’s security clearance, and argued former intelligence officials keep their clearances “because it’s profitable for them after they leave government.”
“Profitable, Paris?” Mudd responded. “When I am requested to sit on an advisory board, let me ask you one question. How much do you think I’m paid to do that at the request of the US government?”
“Answer the question,” he shouted.
Mudd, who worked under then-FBI Director Robert Mueller and spent three decades in the CIA and FBI, asserted he is not paid by the government when he provides consulting work, and that he does not use his clearance for work in the private sector.
The two men continued to shout over each other, with Mudd growing more upset.
“We’re done, Jim,” Mudd said. “Get out. 25 years in the service and this is the shit I get? Get out.”
"Zero. I get zero dollars from consulting companies that deal with U.S. government. Are we clear?"
Counterterrorism analyst Phil Mudd takes exception to commentator Paris Dennard's suggestion that he benefits financially from his security clearance https://t.co/oyEZ3i3gKI pic.twitter.com/rA2OgcJ0re
— CNN (@CNN) August 18, 2018
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Dozens of ex-intelligence officials, including Mudd, have expressed support for Brennan in recent days and condemned Trump’s decision to revoke his clearance.
Michael Hayden, a former CIA director whose clearance Trump said he’s reviewing, responded to Trump’s tweet on Monday night calling Mudd a “hero” and a “counter terrorism giant.”
Phil’s a hero. Counter terrorism giant. I saw the same hit live on Friday. Saw it differently.
— Gen Michael Hayden (@GenMhayden) August 21, 2018
- Discussion
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JUST IN: Trump threatens ex-intel official's clearance after he criticized Trump during a CNN interview https://t.co/G44c8v2ka4 pic.twitter.com/3YnhmPsmdw
— The Hill (@thehill) August 21, 2018
Anyone who watched that video knows that @PARISDENNARD did nothing of the sort. He mostly just looked nervous and glad that he wasn’t in the same studio as Phillip Mudd. https://t.co/r2hN4RXt25
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) August 21, 2018
If by unglued you mean my friend Phil Mudd who was the recipient of the CIA’s George H.W. Bush Award for excellence in counterterrorism; Distinguished Intelligence Medal and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal, etc. an actual American hero who doesn’t suffer fools…yes https://t.co/EyFKoqPtyI
— Nada Bakos (@nadabakos) August 21, 2018
After serving the nation most use security clearances (and their trustworthiness) to contribute to national defense or to help US industries maintain an advantage. This isn’t really that hard to understand, except to those who only think about financial gain. https://t.co/SntNvhHeaw
— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) August 20, 2018
Just so we’re clear, every Trump defender is totally fine with President Avenatti or President Warren exacting revenge on their critics, right? Because there’s zero constitutional issue, right? (At least that’s what I’m being told — without foundation — by Trumpists in my feed.) https://t.co/n24JldA7dB
— David French (@DavidAFrench) August 21, 2018
This is garbage. The security clearances exist for the good of the country, enabling current officials to quickly seek counsel from former officials who often have deep experience. If you share classified info with a corporate board you commit a crime. https://t.co/lXwvZwJ8BR
— David French (@DavidAFrench) August 21, 2018
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