Trump’s Revocation of Security for Ex-Advisers Criticized as Risky Move

President Donald Trump’s decision to terminate security protection for former administration officials John Bolton, Brian Hook, and Mike Pompeo has sparked significant criticism, with The Wall Street Journal’s editorial board calling it a move he “would be wise to reverse.”

In an editorial published Monday, the board joined Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) in denouncing the decision, which leaves the former officials—now critics of Trump—without protection despite credible threats against their lives from adversaries like Iran.

Cotton, chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, voiced his concerns during a Fox News appearance on Sunday. He urged Trump to reconsider, emphasizing the threats posed by Iran, which has targeted these officials in alleged retaliation for the 2020 assassination of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani. “I would encourage the President to revisit the decision for those people who are being targeted by Iran, as the President was targeted for assassination by Iran,” Cotton said.

The MAGA-aligned senator detailed the risks, stating that intelligence reviews pointed to “real” plots for “vengeance against all of these people.” Cotton also highlighted the broader implications for those around the former officials, saying, “It’s about their family and friends, innocent bystanders every time they’re in public. It’s also about the President being able to get good people and get good advice.”

The Wall Street Journal echoed Cotton’s arguments, praising his stance and criticizing Trump’s decision. “Excellent points all,” the board wrote. “Mr. Trump hasn’t explained his denial of security except to say it can’t last forever. But it should last as long as there are real threats to those who did their duty and are marked for death by an adversary because of it.”

The editorial board emphasized the importance of maintaining security for those who served the country at great personal risk. They argued that revoking protection not only endangers the lives of Bolton, Pompeo, and Hook but also jeopardizes Trump’s ability to attract capable advisers willing to undertake high-stakes roles in his administration.

Trump’s decision came just one day after his inauguration. He justified the move by stating that the three officials—who served as national security adviser, secretary of state, and a senior State Department aide—“were no longer entitled to costly Secret Service details.” However, the timing of the revocation has drawn backlash given the alleged assassination plots against them by Iranian nationals.

The editorial board noted that while Trump rarely admits to mistakes, he occasionally revisits controversial decisions. Whether he reconsiders this move remains to be seen, but critics argue that the risks associated with the decision far outweigh the cost savings he cited.