Trump Cancels Federal Security Detail for Dr. Anthony Fauci, Others
TL/DR –
President Donald Trump withdrew personal security protection from some former Trump administration officials, including former National Security Adviser John Bolton, former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and others. The move has been criticized by senior Republican senators given that Bolton was a target of an alleged murder plot by a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in 2022. Trump said that the government cannot protect people indefinitely and suggested former officials should pay for their own security.
Trump Urged to Reconsider Security Detail Removal on Former Officials
Senior Republican senators have urged President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to terminate personal security for former Trump administration officials, some of whom were targets of an alleged Iranian plot.
Among those whose protection ended this week are former national security adviser John Bolton, a prominent Trump critic, and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
In 2022, the United States accused a member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps of plotting to assassinate Bolton, who served as Trump’s third national security adviser until 2019.
Tom Cotton, chair of the Senate intelligence committee, encouraged Trump on Fox News Sunday to reconsider for those targeted by Iran.
Iran vowed revenge after a 2020 drone strike ordered by Trump killed Qassem Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force, the Revolutionary Guards\’ overseas arm.
\”The threat to anyone involved in President Donald Trump’s strike on Soleimani is persistent. Iran is committed to vengeance against these people,\” Cotton said.
Trump stated that the government cannot protect people indefinitely and suggested former officials should fund their security personally.
Lindsey Graham, a Trump supporter, warned Trump’s decision could make future recruitment more difficult.
\”We need to ensure that if you serve in our government and confront a foreign power at the administration’s request, we do not leave you hanging,\” Graham stated.
(Additional reporting by Sarah N. Lynch, edited by Ross Colvin and Marguerita Choy)
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