Back in 2011 US intelligence analysts believed they had tracked down the hiding place of Osama Bin Laden inside Pakistan. A furious debate took place within the administration over whether to take the risk of launching a SEAL team raid into Pakistan to kill him. John Brennan then DCI, and head of the CIA, argued forcefully in favour of the raid, and won the backing of President Obama who green-lit the operation.
When it came to the detailed planning and execution of the raid, there was only one man considered for the job. He was Admiral William H. McRaven, commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command (2011-2014).
Yesterday, President Trump stripped retired former DCI John Brennan of his security clearances for daring to criticise his administration’s recent policy towards Russia. Today retired Admiral William H. McRaven spoke out on behalf of John Brennan in an op-ed carried in The Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/revoke-my-security-clearance-too-mr-president/2018/08/16/8b149b02-a178-11e8-93e3-24d1703d2a7a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.8745f1130e00
Dear Mr. President:
Former CIA director John Brennan, whose security clearance you revoked on Wednesday, is one of the finest public servants I have ever known. 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.
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.
Like most Americans, I had hoped that when you became president, you would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs.
A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow. A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself.
Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities. 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.
If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be.