Retired Admiral William McRaven (pictured), who organized and oversaw the raid that killed Osama bin Laden, publicly rebuked President Trump on Thursday and invited him to revoke his security clearance too, so he “can add my name to the list of men and women who have spoken up against your presidency.”
Trump’s personal attacks on former CIA Director John Brennan provoked McRaven to respond, “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.”
McRaven added, “This action is part of a broader effort by Mr. Trump to suppress freedom of speech [and] punish critics. It should gravely worry all Americans ….” Addressing Trump, he 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.”
CNN described McRaven as “widely respected among the tens of thousands of active and retired special operators” and predicted “his message will likely resonate within that community.”
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