Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper’s security detail yanked amid Iranian threats, raising concerns about the safety of ex-officials.
At a Glance
- Pentagon revokes Mark Esper’s taxpayer-funded security detail
- Esper was fired by President Trump in 2020 after major policy disagreements
- Trump administration removed security details for several former high-ranking officials
- White House suggests ex-officials can obtain private security if needed
- Move raises questions about prioritizing personal security over political differences
Esper’s Security Detail Removed Amid Ongoing Threats
The Pentagon has revoked former Secretary of Defense Mark Esper’s taxpayer-funded security detail, despite ongoing threats from Iran following the 2020 U.S. airstrike that killed Iranian Gen. Qasem Soleimani. This decision comes as part of a broader pattern during the Trump era, affecting numerous former high-ranking officials who faced threats after leaving office.
Esper, who was terminated by President Trump in November 2020 over policy disagreements, has since become a vocal critic of the President, particularly regarding the 2020 election results. The removal of his security detail has raised eyebrows and attracted criticism from far-left activists who don’t understand that people who don’t support the president’s agenda shouldn’t expect his support – and oftentimes, they aren’t under the kind of threat they think they are.
🚨🇺🇸 TRUMP REVOKES SECURITY DETAIL FOR FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY MARK ESPER
Trump has revoked the security detail for Mark Esper, the former defense secretary, despite ongoing threats from Iran over actions taken during Trump’s first term.
Esper was serving under Trump at the… pic.twitter.com/2UsYxh8NEf
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) February 6, 2025
The decision to remove Esper’s security detail aligns with President Trump’s view on post-office protection for officials. Trump has been critical of providing lifelong taxpayer-funded security for former officials, stating, “When you have protection, you can’t have it for the rest of your life.”
“I mean, there’s risks to everything,” the president added.
Trump’s view on the matter has led to the removal of security details for other former high-ranking officials, including ex-National Security Advisor John Bolton and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. The White House has suggested that these individuals can seek private security if necessary.
Former U.S. Special Representative for Iran Brian Hook and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley have also lost their security details. Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the removal of diplomatic security for Pompeo and Hook, while Bolton was previously protected by the Secret Service.
“There’s nothing stopping these individuals from obtaining private security,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
These actions have sparked debate about the balance between fiscal responsibility and ensuring the safety of former officials who may still face threats due to their previous roles in government.
The relationship between Trump and Esper had been notably strained, with Trump reportedly referring to Esper derogatorily as “Yesper.” This tension culminated in Esper’s firing in 2020 and subsequent criticism of the Trump administration in his 2022 memoir, where he described his term as chaotic and labeled Trump as “unprincipled.”