Navy Admiral William McRaven, a man whose name was once floated as a possible vice-presidential pick for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, issued a direct challenge to President Donald Trump on Thursday: “Revoke my security clearance too, Mr. President.” He made the demand in response to President Trump’s decision to revoke the clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan on Wednesday.
Adm. William McRaven, who oversaw the raid that killed bin Laden, writes an open letter to the president: Cancel my security clearance, too. @postopinions https://t.co/ek5ddpd9HE
— Fred Hiatt (@hiattf) August 16, 2018
McRaven, in a Washington Post editorial that was published on Thursday, defended Brennan vociferously. “[Brennan] is one of the finest public servants I have ever known,” he said. “Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.”
The retired Admiral went on to say that it would be an “honor” to have his own security clearance revoked. “Therefore, I would consider it an honor if you would revoke my security clearance as well, so I can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency,” he explained.
McRaven continued to attack, claiming that the president had “humiliated us on the world stage,” and accused him of using “McCarthy-era tactics to suppress criticism.”
The White House has not yet responded to McRaven’s challenge.
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