The retired admiral who led the mission to kill Osama bin Laden resigned from the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board after he publicly criticized President Donald Trump.
Days after he went public to slam the commander-in-chief, retired Adm. William McRaven resigned from the board, a spokeswoman for the Pentagon confirmed to ABC News.
The Defense Innovation Board is an independent committee that advises the Pentagon on technology and innovation.
The resignation came days after McRaven broke his silence to slam Trump’s decision to strip former CIA Director John Brennan of his security clearance.
“Few Americans have done more to protect this country than John [Brennan]. He is a man of unparalleled integrity, whose honesty and character have never been in question, except by those who don’t know him,” McRaven wrote in an op-ed in The Washington Post. “Therefore, 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.”
“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,” he added.
“A good leader tries to embody the best qualities of his or her organization. A good leader sets the example for others to follow,” McRaven wrote. “A good leader always puts the welfare of others before himself or herself. Your leadership, however, has shown little of these qualities.”
