Trump Revokes Security Detail for Pompeo and Others Despite Threats From Iran


President Trump revoked security protection for his former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, and a former top aide, Brian Hook, despite warnings from the Biden administration that both men faced ongoing threats from Iran because of actions they took on Mr. Trump’s behalf, four people with knowledge of the matter said on Thursday.

Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Hook had been part of an aggressive posture against Iran during the first Trump presidency, most notably the drone strike that killed the powerful Iranian general Qassim Suleimani in early 2020.

Mr. Trump also remains under threat because of that action, and his advisers have regularly stressed the seriousness of the situation in the years between his two terms in office.

Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Hook had their security details, which were believed to be provided by the State Department, pulled on Tuesday, one of the people briefed on the matter said. A day before, Mr. Trump pulled the U.S. Secret Service detail of John R. Bolton, who was Mr. Trump’s third national security adviser and also faces threats.

Other than former presidents and their spouses, senior U.S. officials are not automatically granted ongoing protection. But the threat assessments from the intelligence community that the risk level remained for Mr. Pompeo, Mr. Hook and Mr. Bolton had been the basis for the Biden administration granting it to them.

Mr. Biden’s administration had privately briefed the new Trump administration about continued threats from Iran to former Trump officials, including Mr. Pompeo, Mr. Hook and Mr. Bolton, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Mr. Bolton said he was also personally notified about the threats by the Biden administration.

“As recently as the end of last week, two separate government representatives, two separate government agencies called,” he said in an interview on Wednesday. “They said our current assessment is that the threat level remains the same.”

A Trump spokesman and a State Department official did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A spokesman for Mr. Pompeo declined to comment. Mr. Hook declined to comment.

Mr. Bolton parted with the first Trump administration on bad terms, wrote a tell-all book about his tenure and has been deeply critical of Mr. Trump. But it is less clear why the president would order the removal of the security details for Mr. Pompeo and Mr. Hook, who have been supportive of him.

Mr. Trump has told people he does not want anyone working for him who worked under Mr. Pompeo in his first term. He removed Mr. Hook as a presidential appointee to the Wilson Center for Scholars via a social media post days ago.

Umair

Muhammad Umair is a passionate content creator, web developer, and tech enthusiast. With years of experience in developing dynamic websites and curating engaging content, he specializes in delivering accurate, informative, and up-to-date articles across diverse topics. From gaming and technology to crypto and world news, Umair's expertise ensures a seamless blend of technical knowledge and captivating storytelling. When he's not writing or coding, he enjoys gaming and exploring the latest trends in the tech world.

Related Posts

Monica Getz, Advocate for Divorce Court Reform, Dies at 90

Monica Getz, whose tempestuous 24-year marriage to the jazz star Stan Getz was whipsawed by his addictions and who, after losing a protracted legal fight to save the marriage, became…

Firefighter Hiring Stalls at Federal Agencies After Trump’s Freeze

The hiring of thousands of federal firefighters has stalled amid a governmentwide freeze ordered by President Trump, just as agencies were beginning to ramp up staffing for the summer wildfire…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You Missed

Hedge fund managers are shifting from XRP to this altcoin

  • By Umair
  • February 8, 2025
  • 1 views
Hedge fund managers are shifting from XRP to this altcoin

Did Kanye West just expose how celebrity X hacks are used to pump fake Solana meme coins?

  • By Umair
  • February 8, 2025
  • 2 views
Did Kanye West just expose how celebrity X hacks are used to pump fake Solana meme coins?

Palace issues update after Edward, Sophie conclude King Charles’ mission

  • By Umair
  • February 8, 2025
  • 2 views
Palace issues update after Edward, Sophie conclude King Charles’ mission

FBI Warns: Valentine’s Day to Bring a Surge in Crypto Fraud—Don’t Get Trapped

  • By Umair
  • February 8, 2025
  • 3 views
FBI Warns: Valentine’s Day to Bring a Surge in Crypto Fraud—Don’t Get Trapped

Inside Kanye West’s complete thread of ‘unapologetic’ slurs

  • By Umair
  • February 8, 2025
  • 2 views
Inside Kanye West’s complete thread of ‘unapologetic’ slurs

There is a 'massive disconnect' between retail and pros in crypto: Bitwise CIO

  • By Umair
  • February 8, 2025
  • 3 views