Retired Adm. William McRaven, who oversaw the Navy SEAL raid that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011, said it would be “an honor” for President Trump to revoke his security clearance as he did for former CIA Director John Brennan on Wednesday.
“Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John,” McRaven wrote in an op-ed published in the Washington Post Thursday. “He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him.
“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 added.
[Opinion: Trump is wrong to suspend John Brennan’s clearance]
White House press secretary Sarah Sanders announced Wednesday that Trump yanked Brennan’s security clearance and cited Brennan’s “erratic behavior” as a reason to restrict his access to sensitive information. Sanders also said the White House was considering revoking the security clearances of other former top officials such as former FBI Director James Comey and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper.
McRaven continued to criticize Trump’s leadership, claiming the president has “humiliated” and “divided” the nation.
“A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization,” McRaven said. “A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.”
“You’re leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities,” he continued. “Through your actions, you have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation.”
McRaven also warned that revoking security clearances of former officials would not “suppress the voices of criticism.”
“The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be,” McRaven said.
