“This is the president’s new toy,” said AP reporter Jonathan Lemire. “He is certainly drawn to things. Having been so frustrated with how Washington works, even with his own party controlling both houses of Congress, the members of his own staff giving him a hard time and telling him ‘no.’ Much like presidential pardons, he’s realized security clearances can be revoked by him alone.”

Lemire anticipated Trump would be saying more about this in the days ahead.

“Sometimes with this president, it is hard to know what’s impulsive and what is strategic,” he continued. “He has long had a problem with John Brennan. Goaded on a little by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), who has had a vendetta against him for quite some time. This president is sensitive to anyone who publicly criticizes him. Particularly on television. So that’s part of it.”