Donald Trump revoked Joe Biden’s security clearance on Friday, escalating his push to reshape the federal government and consolidate power in key institutions. The move, which marks a break from tradition, was part of a broader set of executive actions that also saw Trump freeze aid to South Africa and take control of the Kennedy Center.
Announcing the decision on Truth Social, Trump declared that Biden no longer needed access to classified information and would no longer receive intelligence briefings. “There is no need for Joe Biden to continue receiving access to classified information,” he wrote, before adding in all caps, “JOE, YOU’RE FIRED.” Former presidents have traditionally retained access to intelligence briefings, but Trump’s move signals a shift in how such privileges are handled.
Biden was not the only target of Trump’s latest round of executive orders. His administration also intensified its efforts to dismantle the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal body responsible for distributing humanitarian aid across the globe. In a separate Truth Social post, Trump accused USAID of corruption and called for its closure, though he did not provide evidence to support his claim. His administration has already begun slashing the agency’s workforce, recalling thousands of staff from overseas, and freezing foreign aid programs.
The push to reduce the agency’s footprint has been closely aligned with the efforts of Elon Musk, a major Trump donor and vocal critic of government spending. Musk has taken an active role in the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a new initiative aimed at cutting federal programs. Photos circulated online on Friday showing USAID signage being removed from its Washington headquarters, a move celebrated by Musk, who has frequently attacked the agency’s funding.
The scale of these cuts has sparked immediate legal challenges. Labor unions representing federal employees have questioned the legality of the mass layoffs, and on Friday, a federal judge temporarily blocked the administration’s plan to place 2,200 USAID workers on paid leave.
Democrats have also pushed back, arguing that shutting down government agencies without congressional approval is unconstitutional. Despite these challenges, the administration has pressed forward with its restructuring efforts.
Beyond foreign aid, Trump’s shake-up extended into the cultural sphere with his unexpected decision to appoint himself chairman of the Kennedy Center. Justifying the move, he claimed that the prestigious arts institution did not reflect his values. “Just last year, the Kennedy Center featured drag shows specifically targeting our youth—THIS WILL STOP,” he wrote, though he did not cite specific performances. The decision underscores Trump’s ongoing efforts to reshape federally funded institutions in line with his political agenda.
Another controversial move came with Trump’s suspension of U.S. aid to South Africa, a country Musk has frequently criticized.
The administration claimed that the decision was based on concerns over a South African law that allegedly permits the government to seize farmland from white farmers, despite repeated denials from Johannesburg. The announcement drew immediate backlash, with critics accusing Trump of using foreign policy to advance ideological and personal interests.
As the administration continues its aggressive push to streamline federal agencies, questions have emerged over transparency and accountability. Reports surfaced this week that members of Musk’s DOGE team had gained access to sensitive Treasury Department data, prompting an internal investigation. A Treasury assessment described the situation as “the single biggest insider threat the Bureau of the Fiscal Service has ever faced.”
The controversy deepened on Friday when a DOGE staffer resigned following revelations that he had previously posted racist and eugenicist views on social media. The move briefly appeared to distance the administration from the scandal, but Trump quickly intervened, defending the staffer and suggesting that the backlash was overblown. Musk later announced that the employee would be reinstated, drawing further criticism. Vice President JD Vance also weighed in, arguing that a person’s “stupid social media activity” should not determine their professional future.
With lawsuits mounting, Trump’s sweeping changes face increasing scrutiny from the courts. Judges have already blocked his attempt to overturn birthright citizenship and temporarily halted buyout offers for federal employees. As Democrats struggle to counter the administration’s rapid policy shifts, the legal system is emerging as the primary check on Trump’s expanding executive power.
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