Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has announced her department have stripped security clearances for 37 high-ranking officials.
In a memo sent out by Ms Gabbard's office on Monday, the intelligence chief accused officials who worked at the CIA, NSA, National Security Council and State Department of politicising and manipulating intelligence.
The names of officials who have had their clearances revoked included former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who served in his post under the Obama administration.
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Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has announced her department have stripped security clearances for 37 high-ranking officials
|GETTY
Ms Gabbard claimed that the former intelligence chief instructed officials to "compromise" procedures to fast-track a 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment into accusations of Russian interference in the 2016 election.
In a message posted to social media, Ms Gabbard said: "Being entrusted with a security clearance is a privilege, not a right.
"Those in the Intelligence Community who betray their oath to the Constitution and put their own interests ahead of the interests of the American people have broken the sacred trust they promised to uphold."
Other high-profile figures to have their clearances pulled include former Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research Brett Holmgren and former NSA Deputy Director Richard Ledgett.
Ms Gabbard claimed that the former intelligence chief instructed officials to 'compromise' procedures
|GETTY
Ms Gabbard said that the decision to revoke the privileges was made at President Donald Trump's direction.
The Director of National Intelligence said: "Our Intelligence Community must be committed to upholding the values and principles enshrined in the US Constitution and maintain a laser-like focus on our mission of ensuring the safety, security and freedom of the American people."
A security clearance allows an individual to have access to classified information of national security, as long as they have a "need to know".
The revoking of the clearances means that all 37 former and current officials will no longer be able to access classified systems, information, materials and facilities.
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The move comes just weeks after US Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered grand jury hearings into allegations that former Obama officials "manufactured and politicised intelligence" over the inception of Russian collusion.
Ms Gabbard had previously submitted criminal referrals for former President Barrack Obama, Mr Clapper and former CIA Director John Brennan.
The Director of National Intelligence released evidence which claims that Obama's team have coordinated illegally to link Mr Trump to Russia in the run up to the 2016 presidential election.
It came after FBI Director Kash Patel revealed that he had found a number of documents in a secret room at the bureau linked to the Russia investigation.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered grand jury hearings into allegations that former Obama officials 'manufactured and politicised intelligence'
| REUTERSMr Patel claimed that the documents were found stashed away in bags and intended to be incinerated.
According to Ms Gabbard, individuals within the intelligence community did not want the records to "see the light of day".
The memo sent out by the Director of National Intelligence said the security clearance pulling was effective immediately and the officials' government employment or contracts are now terminated.