Nothing says that the military and defense communities have zero faith in this President like a high-profile resignation. And although there have been plenty during the two years that Donald Trump has been in office, none hit quite so hard as one that came just a few months back, when one of the most respected military officials in our nation’s history stepped down from a position inside the Pentagon while issuing a statement — seemingly directly to the President — that cut to the bone.
Admiral William McRaven, the retired war hero who berated President Donald Trump as “embarrassing” to the country, stepped down from his position on an influential Defense Department advisory body, according to the Pentagon.
McRaven supervised the 2014 Special Forces raid in Pakistan that killed Al-Qaeda kingpin Osama Bin Laden. Prior to his resignation, McRaven wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post, shaming the president for revoking the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan, calling Brennan “one of the finest public servants I have ever known.” McRaven also stated in his letter that the president “humiliates” our great country each and every day with the preposterous words that come out of his mouth:
“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,” McRaven said of Trump’s unprecedented use of presidential authority over the classification system to strike back at one of his prominent critics.
McRaven added:
If you think for a moment that your McCarthy-era tactics will suppress the voices of criticism, you are sadly mistaken. The criticism will continue until you become the leader we prayed you would be.”
Pentagon spokesperson Heather Babb told CNN in a statement:
“I can confirm that Admiral (ret) William H. McRaven resigned from the Defense Innovation Board.”
“The Department appreciates his service and contribution on the board.”
The Defense Innovation Board serves as an independent advisory committee to the Pentagon specializing in issues related to technology and innovation, a highly vital position. As of the day he resigned, McRaven’s picture was removed from the group’s website.
Admiral McRaven has been a great asset to the United States of America. We are definitely better off for having the benefit of his service. Donald Trump, however, will never understand service like that.
Featured image via screen capture
