Donald Trump is considering revoking security clearances for six top former intelligence and national security officials from the Obama era who have been publicly critical of him, the White House said.

The individuals included James Comey, the former FBI Director, and John Brennan, the former CIA Director.

Sarah Sanders, the White House spokeswoman, accused them of "politicising and in some cases monetising their public service and security clearances" to make "baseless accusations" against the president.

Former intelligence officials usually keep their security clearance but rarely use it, sometimes providing advice to successors.

James Clapper, the former director of national intelligence, who was among the six, said: "This is just a very, very petty thing to do.