Full story: https://www.politico.com/story/2018/08/15/trump-pulls-security-clearance-of-ex-cia-director-brennan-778791
The primary reason why former officials from outgoing administrations retain their clearances is so that they can assist and advise the incoming administration. It's common practice and it's in the national interest. But Brennan seemingly has had no interest in being helpful to the new administration or continuing to serve the nation. So there's no reason that I can see why he should still retain any kind of privileged access.
As much as I dislike the Trump administration, I agree completely with this. If the goal is to compartmentalize information, then you should pull access to it from those who no longer need it, no matter what their job used to be. I think the same of briefings for former presidents.
A symbolic act, nakedly designed to displace other topics (like, I don't know, Manafort trial, Omarosa, Trump Jr.?) from news coverage. And supposedly "left-wing conspiracy" MSM immediately obliged. Trump's media bashing is a calculated sham. In reality, MSMs are his best instrument, and playing it is just about the only thing he does well. The media is Trump's best friend, well maybe after Putin.
Well yeah, basic information security principles dictate this - if the only purpose of clearance is to enable access controls. Clearly, here we see another function of the "security clearance" - as a symbolic privilege used to signal status. US banned noble titles, so have to use something. In UK he'd be "Sir John Brennan GCMG KCVO etc.", and that'll do it. Actually, I just thought of another reason. Normal administration may need advice from qualified people who do not work for the Government. Of course, Trump builds a personality cult, so he doesn't need that.
That's actually a valid point. Though to be consistent, Trump should immediately revoke all such clearances that are not immediately used on the job. Clearly he doesn't need anyone's advice - at least from those with a clue. Implication (at least rhetorical) here is "being helpful to the new administration = continuing to serve the nation". Ein Volk, Ein Fuehrer. Yep, sounds about right - that's how people in Trump admin and among the wider Trump cult feel.
