Cotton Asks Trump To Reconsider Decision
In a sharp and urgent appeal, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, called on President Donald Trump to reconsider his decision to withdraw protective security details from key former administration officials, citing ongoing threats from Iran.
Cotton’s remarks came during an appearance on Fox News Sunday, where he underscored the risks faced by former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, former National Security Adviser John Bolton, and former Iran envoy Brian Hook, all of whom were involved in Trump’s decision to eliminate Iranian terrorist commander Qasem Soleimani in 2020.
The senator didn’t mince words when describing the situation. “The threat to anyone involved in President Trump’s strike on Qasem Soleimani is persistent,” Cotton stated. “It’s real. Iran is committed to vengeance against all of these people.”
This assessment, Cotton explained, comes directly from his recent review of classified intelligence as the chairman of the Intelligence Committee. The danger isn’t hypothetical—it’s immediate and severe, as Tehran continues its efforts to exact retribution for Soleimani’s death.
Cotton emphasized that even President Trump himself has been a target of Iran’s assassination plots in the years since Soleimani’s death. Given the stakes, he argued, pulling protective details from those who served under Trump in pivotal roles not only leaves them vulnerable but also places innocent bystanders in harm’s way. Any attempt to assassinate high-profile targets like Pompeo or Bolton in a public setting could result in collateral damage, endangering unsuspecting citizens.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) urges Trump to reconsider pulling the security details of former officials who have been threatened by Iran:
“I would encourage the president to revisit the decision for those people who are being targeted by Iran as the president was targeted for… pic.twitter.com/uquQyjNoeN
— Ryan Saavedra (@RealSaavedra) January 26, 2025
Moreover, Cotton pointed to a broader, longer-term concern: how this decision could affect the caliber of individuals willing to serve under the president in sensitive roles. “It’s also about the President being able to get good people and get good advice,” Cotton warned.
If potential appointees believe they may lose critical security protections once their term ends—despite facing ongoing threats—they might think twice about taking on those roles. The same goes for those currently in office, who might hesitate to offer unvarnished advice or execute bold policies if they believe doing so could endanger their own futures.
Cotton also highlighted his conversation with the chief of staff of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, who admitted that if he or his family faced similar threats, he would demand security. “There are gaps in our coverage,” Cotton stressed. “We don’t know what we don’t know, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.”