[SF Gate] One day after President Donald Trump stripped former CIA director John Brennan of his security clearance, the commander of the raid that killed Osama bin Laden said it would be an honor if the president would take away his own clearance next.
William McRaven, a retired four-star admiral who oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid, directly addressed Trump in a Washington Post op-ed published online Thursday.
In the op-ed, McRaven, who retired from the Navy in 2014, described Brennan as "a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don't know him."
I never personally "knew" Che, Pablo Escobar, Fidel, Saddam, Manuel Noriega, or Villa, but I'm pretty sure they were all scoundrels, similar to Brennan.
In this 2012 photo, Admiral William McRaven, commander of the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), listens as President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. McRaven condemned President Donald Trump on Thursday for revoking the security clearance of former CIA chief John Brennan and asked that his be withdrawn as well.
Yet another confirmation of the failed 1986 Goldwater Nichols Reorg Act (separate budget). DoD lost control of these people whilst the Klingons quickly assumed control. Endless Klingon wars soon followed.
"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," McRaven said in the piece.
Huh er, really Admiral? Flag officers can be recalled at anytime. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe you were 'retired' vs discharged. Your clearance is a condition of employment and yes,....recall to active duty. If you cannot be recalled (say you defect, are convicted of a felony, or renounce your citizenship and move elsewhere), then perhaps you should immediately forfeit your pension. Be sure about what you're asking for, admiral, be very sure.
McRaven continued by describing the qualities of a good leader; characteristics he said he "hoped" that Trump would embody after becoming president.
"A good leader sets the example for others to follow," McRaven said. "A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself."
"Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities," McRaven said. "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 retired from the Navy in 2014 after 36 years of service as a Navy SEAL. He was hired as chancellor of the University of Texas' school system in 2015. In 2017, McRaven announced he would leave the school, citing health concerns. |