In a bold reaffirmation of his America First leadership style, President Donald J. Trump is standing firm in his decision not to reinstate security details for former officials\u2014even amid rising tensions with the Iranian regime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt made it clear on Thursday that the issue isn\u2019t even up for debate. \u201cThat\u2019s not in consideration,\u201d she said when asked if Secret Service protection would be restored to former National Security Adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and former Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This refusal reflects Trump\u2019s long-standing belief that federal security resources should be allocated wisely and not squandered as political favors for former insiders who may no longer reflect his administration\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
John Bolton, a self-styled foreign policy hawk who distanced himself from Trump after leaving the administration, went public in January claiming he was \u201cdisappointed but not surprised\u201d when his Secret Service detail was revoked. But critics of Bolton note that his policy stances often ran counter to Trump\u2019s vision of restraint abroad and strength at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his top aide Brian Hook also had their security details pulled shortly after Bolton\u2019s. Both men were instrumental in enforcing sanctions and confronting Iranian aggression. But as Leavitt and others close to Trump suggest, their job was to serve the country during his presidency\u2014not to become lifetime beneficiaries of the national security apparatus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pompeo and Hook are reportedly still under threat from Tehran, but many MAGA supporters argue that American taxpayers shouldn\u2019t be expected to foot the bill indefinitely, especially for those now spending more time on book tours and speaking engagements than protecting the Republic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the most controversial figure in the mix is Gen. Mark Milley, who lost his protection by the end of January. Milley, who had a strained relationship with President Trump following the 2020 election, was provided security after Trump took decisive action to eliminate Iranian terrorist Qasem Soleimani.<\/p>\n\n\n\n