William McRaven, the former chancellor of the University of Texas System and a retired Navy admiral, asked President Donald Trump to revoke his security clearance in a strongly-worded open letter published in the Washington Post Thursday.
McRaven, who served as UT’s chancellor for three and a half years before stepping down in May, was commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014 and gained national prominence for his role in orchestrating the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
His letter to Trump begins with a reference to John Brennan, the former director of the Central Intelligence Agency whose security clearance Trump revoked this week.
“Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John,” McRaven wrote. “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,” he wrote.
McRaven, who has spoken and written about leadership often, wrote in the letter that he had hoped Trump “would rise to the occasion and become the leader this great nation needs.” Instead, Trump’s actions “have embarrassed us in the eyes of our children, humiliated us on the world stage and, worst of all, divided us as a nation,” he wrote.
McRaven cited health reasons and a desire to pursue other interests when he left the chancellor position earlier this year. He told the Texas Tribune in May that he was slated to teach a course at UT-Austin’s Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs in the spring.
Disclosure: The University of Texas System has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune. A complete list of Tribune donors and sponsors is available here.
Go ahead, get rid of this guys security clearance too. He is ex-CIA. Thanks for your service, enjoy the beach.
-Kyle
So this counts as news? Really? McRaven’s wide-left leanings are well-known. How else would he have ended up at UT. He sides with a despicable person against Trump, big deal. Why doesn’t he just surrender his clearance, why be a grandstander ?
McRaven’s tenure as chancellor did not work out well at University of Texas System. A major overstepping into Houston brought the ire of several businesses, politicians, the University of Houston System, and the University of Texas System to bear on the sailor. Some SEAL Team members have voiced and written about McRaven’s real role and the internal problems that occurred during the Osama Bin Laden takeout. Whatever works.
Trolls attacking a man of integrity and courage. “How sad!” History and God will be the judge of this ungodly presidency and its spineless supporters.
Not bad for a former Roosevelt Rough Rider
It is nice to see the Admiral standing up for integrity, morality, and decent values. We need more leaders like him. People who accept President Trump’s behaviors expose their lack of integrity, morality, and good values. Any means justify the ends for Trump and his supporters. Sad he and his supporters respect Putin more than a former Director of the CIA.
Boy, that’s a lot to heap on a minor matter, the rescission of a security clearance that the discourteous man only held as a matter of courtesy. I’m certain if I wrote in the vein that you did, Ms. Oberhofer would be quick to yank my comment.
The letter was signed by many more who currently have security clearances. The fifth signature from the top is of General Michael V. Hayden who will be a speaker at the Trinity University Policymaker Breakfasts this coming year.
http://time.com/5370207/admiral-william-mcraven-donald-trump-security-clearance/
Why don’t they renounce their clearances if they want to show solidarity. Blowhards, poseurs. I’d like to see Trump take them up on it.