WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to rescind security protections for former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley.

“The Department of Defense should continue to make decisions about personal security for former and retired officials based on an assessment of the existence of serious and credible threats, as authorized by law. These decisions should continue to be made based on the intelligence and facts that inform these threat assessments. Settling political scores should never play a role in decisions to provide security to former or retired officials who face credible threats.

“It is unacceptable that President Trump and Defense Secretary Hegseth are willing to risk General Milley’s safety by removing security protections for political reasons. General Milley is reported to have required security protections because President Trump gave the order in 2020 to kill Iranian General Qasem Soleimani with a drone strike near Baghdad International Airport. Removing General Milley’s security protections sets a dangerous precedent—one that threatens to have a chilling effect on all those in uniform and those considering service to our country.

“I call on Secretary Hegseth to immediately reverse this decision and ensure that decisions made about personal security for former officials be based on the facts of the matter and evidence of threats, not for political or personal vendettas.”

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