It seems likely that Anthony Blinken is currently working on a book about his experiences as Secretary of State, announced in January 2025.

Research suggests Jake Sullivan is preparing to join Harvard Kennedy School as a professor starting April 1, 2025.

The recent loss of security clearance in February 2025 due to President Trump's order appears to have minimal impact on their current activities, as they no longer hold government positions requiring such access.

Background

Anthony Blinken served as the 71st U.S. Secretary of State from 2021 to 2025, and Jake Sullivan was the National Security Advisor during the same period under President Biden. Both left office in January 2025, and their security clearances were revoked by President Trump in February 2025, as part of a broader action against several former officials. This revocation, while symbolic, does not seem to affect their current non-governmental roles.

Current Activities

Anthony Blinken

Blinken is resting and focusing on writing a book about his tenure, as announced by Crown Publishing Group on January 28, 2025. This project does not require security clearance, suggesting the revocation has little practical impact on this work.

Jake Sullivan

Sullivan is preparing to start April 1, 2025, as the inaugural Kissinger Professor of the Practice of Statecraft and World Order at Harvard Kennedy School. This academic position does not typically require a security clearance, indicating that the revocation likely does not hinder his transition.

Survey Note: Detailed Analysis of Former Biden Officials' Post-Government Activities

This section provides a comprehensive overview of the current activities of former high-ranking Biden Administration officials Anthony Blinken and Jake Sullivan, particularly following President Trump's revocation of their security clearances in February 2025. The analysis is grounded in recent reports and public announcements, offering a detailed look at their professional trajectories as of March 24, 2025.

Context and Timeline

Anthony Blinken, aged 62, served as the U.S. Secretary of State from January 26, 2021, to January 20, 2025, overseeing key foreign policy initiatives including U.S. responses to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the Israel-Hamas war. Jake Sullivan, 48, was the National Security Advisor from January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2025, playing a pivotal role in shaping national security strategies, notably on issues like AI competition with China and support for Ukraine.

Both officials left their positions at the end of the Biden administration, coinciding with President Trump's inauguration on January 20, 2025. On February 8, 2025, President Trump announced the revocation of their security clearances, alongside other figures like former President Joe Biden and New York officials Letitia James and Alvin Bragg, as reported by Reuters. Given their non-governmental status, this action was described as largely symbolic, with limited immediate practical impact (The Washington Post).

Anthony Blinken's Current Activities

Blinken's post-State Department activities appear centered on literary pursuits. On January 28, 2025, Crown Publishing Group announced that Blinken had agreed to write a book detailing his experiences as Secretary of State, a project likely underway by March 2025 (Wikipedia). This endeavor does not require access to classified information, mitigating the impact of the security clearance revocation. There is no evidence of current consulting work through WestExec Advisors, the firm he co-founded in 2017, which he paused during his tenure as Secretary of State (InfluenceWatch). His previous roles, such as managing director at the Penn Biden Center from 2017 to 2019, suggest a potential return to think tank affiliations, but no such activities were reported post-January 2025 (The Daily Pennsylvanian).

Blinken's public statements, such as his final press briefing on January 16, 2025, focused on foreign policy legacies, but no recent political or consulting engagements were noted (U.S. Department of State). Requests for comment on the clearance revocation, made through his literary agent and publisher, went unanswered as of March 11, 2025, indicating a possible focus on private endeavors (NY1).

Jake Sullivan's Current Activities

Sullivan's post-White House trajectory is academic, with a confirmed appointment as the inaugural Kissinger Professor of the Practice of Statecraft and World Order at Harvard Kennedy School, effective April 1, 2025 (Wikipedia). This role, announced prior to the clearance revocation, aligns with his previous academic engagements, such as teaching at Yale Law School and being a nonresident senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (Carnegie Endowment). As of March 24, 2025, he is likely in a transition phase, preparing for this new position, which does not necessitate security clearance.

Sullivan's recent public activities include a policy address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on December 3, 2024, discussing the U.S. defense industrial base, but these were during his tenure as NSA (CSIS). Post-January 2025, no consulting or political activities were reported, and inquiries through his University of New Hampshire affiliation (where he was a senior fellow) went unanswered regarding the clearance impact (NY1).

Impact of Security Clearance Revocation

The revocation of security clearances on February 8, 2025, was part of a broader political move by President Trump, targeting perceived adversaries (Fox News). For Blinken and Sullivan, both out of government, the impact appears minimal. Security clearances are typically required for accessing classified information, which is irrelevant for Blinken's book writing and Sullivan's academic role. Reports suggest the action was "largely symbolic," with no immediate practical effects on their current activities (Daily Mail). However, it could symbolically limit access to federal buildings, though this is unlikely to affect their current non-governmental roles.

Neither Blinken nor Sullivan issued public statements directly addressing the revocation's impact, and their lack of response to inquiries suggests they may view it as inconsequential to their current projects (The Guardian). This aligns with observations that their activities do not require classified access, reinforcing the notion that the revocation is more political than practical.

Comparative Analysis

Aspect Anthony Blinken Jake Sullivan

Previous Role Secretary of State (2021-2025) National Security Advisor (2021-2025)

Current Primary Activity Writing a book on his tenure Preparing for Harvard professorship (starts April 1, 2025)

Other Potential Activities No reported consulting or political work No reported consulting or political work

Impact of Clearance Revocation Minimal, as book writing doesn't require clearance Minimal, as academic role doesn't require clearance

This table highlights the similarity in their post-government focus on non-security-sensitive activities, underscoring the limited practical effect of the clearance revocation.

Unexpected Detail: Literary and Academic Pursuits

An unexpected detail is the shift to literary and academic pursuits for both, with Blinken first reiterating his need to "rest" in interviews and then authoring a book and Sullivan joining academia. This contrasts with typical expectations of former officials entering lobbying or consulting, reflecting a focus on legacy and education rather than immediate political or corporate engagement.

Conclusion

As of March 24, 2025, Anthony Blinken is immersed in sleep and writing his book, a project announced in January 2025, while Jake Sullivan is preparing for his new role at Harvard Kennedy School, starting April 1, 2025. President Trump's February 2025 security clearance revocation appears to have little practical impact, given their current non-governmental, non-classified activities.

This analysis is based on available public information, with no direct statements from either on the revocation's effects, suggesting they may prioritize their new endeavors over responding to political actions.

Key Citations

Trump revokes security clearances for top diplomat and security official under Biden

Trump revokes security clearance of Antony Blinken, other Biden officials

Antony Blinken Wikipedia page

Jake Sullivan Wikipedia page

Penn alumni and affiliates in Biden administration

Jake Sullivan at Carnegie Endowment

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan on U.S. defense industrial base

Gabbard pulls security clearances for Biden officials and others

Trump strips security clearances from Antony Blinken and others

Antony Blinken at InfluenceWatch

Secretary Blinken’s final press availability

Trump removes Antony Blinken and others' security clearances

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5698886&forum_id=2:#48776676)

Jesus, can you think of a more evil sounding title?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5698886&forum_id=2:#48783590)