Executive Order 14152

Holding Former Government Officials Accountable for Election Interference and Improper Disclosure of Sensitive Governmental Information

Signed January 20, 2025, printed at 90 FR 8343. 3 sections of substance, 1,085 words.

In plain English

This order takes away the security clearance of 51 former spy chiefs. It says they signed a letter in 2020 that misled voters.

Read it at the Federal Register →

Sec. 1. Purpose

In the closing weeks of the 2020 Presidential campaign, at least 51 former intelligence officials coordinated with the Biden campaign to issue a letter discrediting the reporting that President Joseph R. Biden's son had abandoned his laptop at a computer repair business. Signatories of the letter falsely suggested that the news story was part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Before being issued, the letter was sent to the CIA Prepublication Classification Review Board, the body typically assigned to formally evaluate the sensitive nature of documents prior to publication. Senior CIA officials were made aware of the contents of the letter, and multiple signatories held clearances at the time and maintained ongoing contractual relationships with the CIA. Federal policymakers must be able to rely on analysis conducted by the Intelligence Community and be confident that it is accurate,

In plain English

This sets out the case the order makes. It concerns a letter from late 2020. At least 51 former spy officials signed it. The letter cast doubt on a news story. That story was about the President's son. It says the letter called it Russian work. It says some signers still worked for the CIA.

Sec. 2. Policy

(a) It is the policy of the United States to ensure that the Intelligence Community not be engaged in partisan politics or otherwise used by a U.S. political campaign for electioneering purposes. The term ``Intelligence Community'' has the meaning given the term in section 3003 of title 50, United States Code. (b) It is the policy of the United States that individuals who hold government-issued security clearances should not use their clearance status to influence U.S. elections. [[Page 8344]] (c) It is the policy of the United States that classified information not be publicly disclosed in memoirs, especially those published for personal monetary gain.

In plain English

This states the policy. Spy agencies must stay out of party politics. No campaign may use them to win votes. A clearance must not be used to sway an election. Secret material must not appear in memoirs. That holds most of all where the book is sold for gain.

Sec. 3. Implementation

(a) Effective immediately, the Director of National Intelligence, in consultation with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, shall revoke any current or active clearances held by the following individuals: (1) James R. Clapper Jr. (2) Michael V. Hayden (3) Leon E. Panetta (4) John O. Brennan (5) C. Thomas Fingar (6) Richard H. Ledgett Jr. (7) John E. McLaughlin (8) Michael J. Morell (9) Michael G. Vickers (10) Douglas H. Wise (11) Nicholas J. Rasmussen (12) Russell E. Travers (13) Andrew Liepman (14) John H. Moseman (15) Larry Pfeiffer (16) Jeremy B. Bash (17) Rodney Snyder (18) Glenn S. Gerstell (19) David B. Buckley (20) Nada G. Bakos (21) James B. Bruce (22) David S. Cariens (23) Janice Cariens (24) Paul R. Kolbe (25) Peter L. Corsell (26) Roger Z. George (27) Steven L. Hall (28) Kent Harrington (29) Don Hepburn (30) Timothy D. Kilbourn (31) Ronald A. Marks (32) Jonna H.

In plain English

This strips security clearances at once. The spy chief must act, with the CIA. The order lists the people by name. There are dozens of them. All are former senior officials. Most had signed the 2020 letter this order describes.

Sec. 4. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 8346]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, January 20, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-01954 Filed 1-28-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body>

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.