That’s the larger discussion I was referring to, which, as I wrote, has value. However, whatever the results of that discussion, the standard for retaining security clearances should be something about security and national interest, not about whether the former officials say positive things about the president in public.

Brennan didn’t, and got punished for it. It’s not the harshest possible punishment, and he’s still able to speak. But the biggest chilling effect on free speech will be on others, not Brennan. Any punishment from the government for political speech is a free speech violation, not just the harshest punishments.