Overview

• An ODNI memo dated Aug. 18 ordered the immediate revocation of 37 clearances, termination of any government employment or contracts, and the surrender of credentials.
• Those listed include participants in the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment on Russian interference such as Stephanie O’Sullivan and Vinh X. Nguyen, along with Biden-era national security figures including Maher Bitar, Emily Horne, and Brett Holmgren.
• The memo accused individuals of politicizing or leaking intelligence and violating tradecraft standards, though it provided no supporting documentation and it remains unclear who still held active clearances.
• National security lawyers and former officials condemned the move as unlawful politicization and a potential Privacy Act violation, with some affected individuals saying they learned of the action from media reports and are weighing legal options.
• The action follows Gabbard’s summer declassifications and criminal referrals tied to the 2016–2017 Russia findings, as related Justice Department reviews continue.