Warner Condemns Trump's Removal of Security, Citing Retribution and Iranian Threat

Trump's Retaliatory Removal of Security for Former Officials Raises Concerns

Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat, expressed strong disapproval of President Trump's decision to remove security protection for former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley. Warner described the move as "retribution" and a danger to the individuals' lives.

Warner's concerns stem from the ongoing threat of assassination posed by the Iranian regime against officials who served during Trump's first administration. He emphasized that he and his Senate Intelligence Committee colleague, Republican Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas, have seen no evidence suggesting a diminished threat.

Warner's criticism extends to the broader impact of Trump's actions on federal worker changes, which he characterized as "chaos on steroids." He believes these changes are driven by a desire for retribution rather than legitimate security concerns.

The removal of security details has also affected other former Trump administration officials, including national security adviser John Bolton, special envoy on Iran Brian Hook, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Despite concerns raised by Warner and others, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who previously served alongside Warner on the Senate Intelligence Committee, defended Trump's authority to make these decisions. He acknowledged the existence of a process for assessing threats and costs associated with security details.

However, Warner remains unconvinced and urges others to speak out against what he perceives as a dangerous and unjustified move by the Trump administration. He believes the ongoing threat from Iran necessitates continued security protection for these former officials.