Respected Admiral Who Oversaw Bin Laden Raid Resigns from Pentagon Board After Criticizing Trump

Word has spread that retired Adm. William “Bill” McRaven resigned from the Pentagon’s Defense Innovation Board last month. The former commander’s departure came about just days after he composed an open letter to Donald Trump in response to the president’s decision to revoke the security clearance of former CIA Director John Brennan.

McRaven was commander of the U.S. Joint Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. The retired Navy admiral oversaw the 2011 Navy SEAL raid in Pakistan that killed al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.

The panel on which McRaven sat, the Defense Innovation Board, serves as an independent advisory committee to the Pentagon, specializing in issues related to technology and innovation. McRaven’s picture has been removed from the board’s official website.

In his scathing editorial “Revoke My Security Clearance Too, Mr. President” for The Washington Post, McRaven railed against the president for revoking Brennan’s security clearance, calling him “one of the finest public servants I have ever known.”

In the Aug. 16 open letter, McRaven declared: “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,” the retired Navy admiral wrote.

Defense News first reported McRaven’s exit on Thursday and the Pentagon later confirmed the news to CNN.