President Donald Trump has removed the security detail for former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, continuing his campaign of retaliation against those who have criticized him. Esper, who served as the Pentagon chief from 2019 to 2020, lost his protection on Tuesday night, according to reports.
Esper’s security detail, provided by the Defense Department, was initially granted after Iran issued threats against him following the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. The White House and Pentagon did not respond to requests for comment on the move.
The relationship between Esper and Trump soured before Esper’s firing in November 2020, particularly over Trump’s decision to send active-duty troops to handle protests in the summer of that year. Esper opposed the use of military force in such situations, a disagreement that highlighted broader tensions within Trump’s administration over the role of the U.S. military in domestic matters.
In more recent times, Esper has been among former Trump officials who have criticized his decisions, including his choice of Kash Patel to head the FBI. Esper claimed Patel nearly sabotaged a special forces operation to rescue an American hostage in West Africa. A spokesperson for Patel denied the accusation.
Esper joins a list of other officials who have lost their security details after turning against Trump, including former national security adviser John Bolton, former CIA Director Mike Pompeo, and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley. These individuals were also targeted despite threats from Iran.
Milley, whose security detail was removed on January 28, has been a vocal critic of Trump, calling him a “fascist.” In retaliation, Trump has suggested Milley should face execution and condemned pardons granted by President Biden to Milley and other Trump opponents.
