John Brennan and Trump's vindictiveness

The revocation of ex-CIA director John Bernnan's security clearance is neither particularly surprising, given what we know about Trump's character, nor, in and of itself, particularly significant. It is, however, more evidence, if any were needed, of Trump's proclivity for discarding long established norm's of proper conduct to further his personal agenda.

As the serious news media have noted, Trump's "hit list" of those he is considering for similar treatment all have in one thing common; their vocal criticism of his conduct. None are likely to moderate their criticisms in the face of Trump's threat, indeed the opposite is likely. And while Trump doesn't value their counsel on national security matters, their successors and other IC colleagues might; so the IC is potentially less well severed as a result of Trump's decision. It seems likely that Trump acted impulsively and without much consideration of the wider national security ramifications of his actions.

But the bigger message this sends is that all widely accepted norms are up for grabs and subject to Trump's personal whims. This is broadly consistent with his admiration for authoritarian leaders, who he envies for the lack of constraint from their countries' institutions they enjoy. In his allegedly shady business dealings, he did much as he pleased and he has brought that mind-set into the White House.

It is not just the international institutional order that is under threat as Richard Haas sets out in his book "A World in Disarray: American Foreign Policy and the Crisis of the Old Order"; it is also the norms of domestic politics and even socially acceptable behavior that are being trampled.  Of course, he is not the only guilty party here; Mitch McConnell's refusal to hold confirmation hearings for Merrick Garland is another example, as is the GOP's refusal to stand by the principles they have long espoused such as support for free trade, opposition to tariffs and abhorrence of the budget deficit. And Trump's tacit support for white supremacists and his misogynistic and degrading treatment of women are undermining the albeit slow social progress that has been made in the country over the last half century.

Brennan's remark about treason may have been over the top (unless of course he knows something we don't yet know, which given is access to intelligence is quite possible), but his concerns about the lasting damage Trump is doing to the country are well founded.