Washington (CNN) On Monday, White House press secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed that President Donald Trump is considering revoking the security clearances of at least six former national security and intelligence officials who have been publicly critical of his administration.

"They've politicized and in some cases monetized their public service," Sanders said. "Making baseless accusations of an improper relationship with Russia is inappropriate."

Among the names she listed: Former CIA Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, former FBI Director James Comey, former national security adviser Susan Rice, former deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe and former National Security Agency Director Michael Hayden.

The impetus for this announcement appears to be Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who, weirdly, has become one of Trump's closest Senate allies. (Paul and Trump competed against one another in the 2016 Republican primaries.)

"Just got out of WH meeting with @realDonaldTrump," Paul tweeted at 3 p.m. "I restated to him what I have said in public: John Brennan and others partisans should have their security clearances revoked. Public officials should not use their security clearances to leverage speaking fees or network talking head fees."

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