Senator Tom Cotton, Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, has urged President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to revoke security details for three former senior national security officials. Cotton, a strong Trump ally, expressed concern that the move could put both the individuals and the public at risk.
During a Sunday appearance on Fox News, Cotton explained that security protection is not only for the safety of the individuals involved but also for public security. He emphasized that it is crucial for a president to maintain the interest of qualified individuals in serving the White House, and at times, that requires providing enhanced security for those officials.
The Arkansas senator specifically urged Trump to reconsider the decision for former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Brian Hook, a former senior policy adviser to Pompeo. All three were involved in the planning and execution of the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.
Cotton noted that the threat against those involved in the Soleimani strike remains substantial. “The threat is real and persistent. Iran is committed to vengeance against all of these people,” Cotton stated.
Despite facing credible threats from Iran, Trump had revoked the security details for the three former officials, effective last week. The Biden administration had previously extended the protections due to ongoing threats to their safety. Cotton revealed that recent intelligence suggests the trio remains a target of Iranian forces.
Cotton’s remarks come amid a broader pattern of Trump targeting those he views as political adversaries. Bolton, who was dismissed from his role in 2019, later published a book that the Trump administration attempted to block, citing concerns over national security disclosures. Trump has also publicly distanced himself from Pompeo, saying he would not play a role in a potential second Trump administration. Additionally, Trump removed Hook from his position on the board of the Wilson Center, a national security think tank, last week.
Cotton warned that removing security details could not only jeopardize the safety of these officials and their families but could also discourage other qualified individuals from serving in the White House in the future. “It’s not just about these men; it’s about their families and innocent bystanders whenever they’re in public,” he said.
He further argued that Trump’s decision could negatively impact the president’s ability to recruit top talent for his administration. “It’s about getting good advice and good people to help carry out the policies he wants,” Cotton explained. “If people fear for their safety, they might hesitate to offer their expertise.”
In response to questions about his decision, Trump told reporters last week, “Do you want to have a large detail of people guarding people for the rest of their lives? I mean, there’s risks to everything.”
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