Retired Navy SEAL Admiral William McRaven has been responsible for commanding the operations that killed Osama Bin Laden, captured Saddam Hussein, and rescued Captain Phillips. It’s safe to say he can take criticism from President Trump.
The president recently belittled McRaven during an interview on Fox News with Chris Wallace.
“He’s a Hillary Clinton backer and an Obama backer and frankly it would’ve been nice if we got Osama Bin Laden a lot sooner than that,” Trump said.
It appears Trump still carries a grudge due to comments McRaven made in August. Going so far as to ignore Wallace when he asked, “You’re not even gonna give them credit for taking down Bin Laden?”
McRaven got on Trump’s bad side when he responded to the administration revoking security clearances of former intelligence officials that spoke out against him, like former CIA Director John Brennan.
“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,” McRaven had written to the Washington Post.
“I did not back Hillary Clinton or anyone else,” McRaven told CNN. “I am a fan of President Obama and President George W. Bush, both of whom I worked for.”
As to the more recent lashing, McRaven took the high road. Instead of acknowledging the slight of his monumental achievements, McRaven focused on Trump’s dealing with journalists and the press:
“I admire all Presidents, regardless of their political party, who uphold the dignity of the office and who use that office to bring the Nation together in challenging times. I stand by my comment that the President’s attack on the media is the greatest threat to our democracy in my lifetime. When you undermine the people’s right to a free press and freedom of speech and expression, then you threaten the Constitution and all for which it stands.”
