White House doubles down on stripping Bolton and Pompeo’s security details, says Trump ‘firm in his decision’
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday doubled down on President Trump’s decision to strip ex-national security advisor John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo of their security details.
Leavitt, 27, noted in her first White House briefing that Trump, 78, remains “firm in his decision” to cut off federal funding for the 24-hour protection Bolton, Pompeo and former US Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook despite criticism from some Republican lawmakers.
“He’s made it very clear that he does not believe American taxpayers should fund security details for individuals who have served in the government for the rest of their lives,” Leavitt told reporters.
“There’s nothing stopping these individuals that you mentioned from obtaining private security,” the press secretary noted. “That’s where the president stands on it. I have no updates on that.”
When asked about any possible concerns that Trump’s move may prevent the new administration from attracting top talent for high-level positions in government, Leavitt indicated that that was not the case.
“No. In fact, I’ve talked to the presidential personnel office who has told me directly that there is such an influx of resumes for this administration that it’s incredibly overwhelming. There is no lack of talent for the Trump administration,” she argued.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), an outspoken ally of Trump, encouraged the president over the weekend to reevaluate the move, noting that intelligence he’s reviewed in just “the last few days” indicates that the threat from Iran toward former Trump administration officials involved in the 2020 decision to kill Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani “is persistent” and “real.”
“Iran is committed to vengeance against all of these people,” Cotton, who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on “Fox News Sunday.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) suggested that the Senate would look into the security detail revocations and “figure out what’s the best way forward.”
“Whether you like Bolton or anybody else, we need to make sure that if you serve in our government and you take a foreign power at the request of the administration, that we do not leave you hanging,” Graham said during an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday.
Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley is also expected to have his security detail and clearance stripped by Trump, Fox News reported on Tuesday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to announce the cancellation along with the launch of an investigation into whether the retired Army general should be demoted in rank, according to the outlet.
Trump has been at odds with Milley since his first term in office, when the general made two calls to his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Li Zuocheng of the People’s Liberation Army — before the 2020 election and after the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the US Capitol — behind Trump’s back.
