Kristi Noem: John Brennan Has Put Political Purposes Above National Security

‘There’s over five million people in this country that have security clearances’

MARGARET BRENNAN: We turn now to the midterm elections. Our CBS News/YouGov Battleground Tracker shows that although control of the House is technically still a tossup, the contest is edging to the Democrats. And women voters are playing a critical role. There’s also now a record number of women candidates winning their party’s nomination for the House, the Senate, and for governor. But the number of female Democratic candidates outnumbers Republicans three to one. Republican Congresswoman Kristi Noem is running for governor of South Dakota and if she wins, she will be the first woman to hold that office in her home state. Good to have you with us this morning, Congresswoman.

REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI NOEM (R-South Dakota/@KristiNoem/South Dakota Gubernatorial Candidate): Good morning, Margaret. Thank you for inviting me.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Before we get to the elections I want to ask you if as a Republican you are comfortable with President Trump’s decision to revoke and threaten to revoke security clearances on what appear to be political grounds?

REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI NOEM: You know, obviously, in this instance there was national security concerns. It appears that at times Brennan has put political purposes above national security. And I think what’s astounding to me is realizing that there’s over five million people in this country that have security clearances so there’s a lot of folks—

MARGARET BRENNAN: What are the national security grounds—

REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI NOEM: —out there with important information.

MARGARET BRENNAN: —because the White House has not provided any detail as to any potential violations by Brennan.

REPRESENTATIVE KRISTI NOEM: You know, obviously, there’s information the White House has that none of us are privy to. But I think it’s important to know that the number one priority needs to continue to be national security and when we are looking at these types of situations that if someone appears to have put political purposes above national security then that’s grounds for review.

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