Holding Former Officials Accountable for Election Interference

Jan 29, 2025

Summary

Takes away security clearances from former officials who used their status to influence an election or improperly shared secret government information.

What problem does this solve?

Former government officials used their trusted positions to influence a presidential election and publish sensitive information for personal gain. This order holds them accountable by taking away their security clearances and sets rules to prevent it from happening again.

What does this order do?

Revokes security clearances for 50 former officials

Immediately takes away the security clearances of 49 former intelligence officials and former National Security Advisor John R. Bolton.

Prohibits political use of the Intelligence Community

Sets a policy that the Intelligence Community must not be involved in partisan politics or used by political campaigns to influence elections.

Restricts publishing of classified information

Establishes a policy that secret government information should not be publicly shared in books, especially when published for money.

Requires a report on election interference

Orders the Director of National Intelligence to report within 90 days on any other improper activity related to the 2020 incident and suggest ways to prevent it in the future.

Who does this affect?

Former intelligence officials
Former National Security Advisor John R. Bolton
U.S. Intelligence Community

What is the real world impact?

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Punishes political opponents

Targets specific individuals who publicly opposed the President or took actions seen as helping his political rival during the 2020 campaign, using the power of the executive branch to settle political scores.

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Restores trust in the Intelligence Community

Aims to prevent intelligence professionals from using their status for political purposes, ensuring the community remains non-partisan and focused on national security.

When does this start?

The actions in this order take effect immediately on January 20, 2025, but include a deadline for a future report.

Report on Intelligence Community activity

Within 90 days of January 20, 2025, the Director of National Intelligence must give the President a report on the 2020 incident and how to stop future political influence.